The Lakeside Warriors kept it close for most of the night against their district rivals, the Red River Bulldogs.
In the end, Red River just had too much firepower, as Lakeside fell 48-21 in a game that felt closer than the final score showed.
The Warriors offense was powered by the trio of quarterback Brock Case, receiver Eric Jones and running back Kentravion Miller.
Miller ran tough all night, moving the chains with regularity while scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Case put together a solid night under center, running for first downs with his legs and tossing a pair of touchdowns, both of which went to Jones.
Lakeside falls to 3-4 overall and 0-2 in district play heading into this week’s non-district matchup at home against Ringgold.
It was another great Friday night for football at Apaches stadium, but the young and ailing Apaches fell short to Lincoln Prep by a score of 25-7. The Apaches played without several of its starters who were out due to injury, so the even younger personnel was shifted around a good bit.
The Apaches received the kick and took over on the 33-yard line. Lucious Louie Collins got the start with QB-Rowdy Reagan out on concussion protocol. The first two plays dawned a read option where Collins picked up 5 and the Beast-Whitehead, picked up the first down on the next play. After a bad snap over the head of Collins, the Apaches faced a third and long. The Dime Hollingsworth picked up 8 yards but the Apaches were forced to punt.
The Panthers took over on their own 41. Lincoln Prep moved the chains on a perfectly executed trap play and picked up 25 yards. Big Dub-Weston Duck and Franklin Bridwell blew up the next play for no gain. The Apaches backed the Panthers way up from a massive tackle for loss from Sugar Slade Lollar and Davis Powell. The Apaches forced a fourth down and the shifty Panther back just barely moved the chains for a first down. The Strongman-Nolan Still on the tackle from the defensive tackle position. Sugar Slade made another tackle for loss and the Panthers faced another 3rd and 20. Huddy Glasscock made a huge stick and the Apaches forced another 4th down. The Apaches’ defensive front won the battle and sacked the QB, for a turnover on downs.
The Apaches took over deep in their own territory and moved the ball well on the first two plays and faced a third and short. Luscious found the Dime Hollingsworth for a gain of 40 yards. The Apaches moved into Panther territory at the end of the first tied 0-0. The dynamic duo of Collins to Hollingsworth was reminiscent of the NFL game the night before where Old Man Flacco found Chase 16 times. Again, The Dime beat his man again where Collins found him for another gain of 20. The Apaches had a first and 10 from their 21-yard line. After Carson Powell was mauled in the end zone, the officials found it prudent to call an offensive pass interference, but Collins dropped a beautiful ball to Luke Stanford to nearly pick up a first down. The Apaches faced a 4th and short from the 15. A play action roll out had Luscious Louie Collins dropping an absolute dot in the corner of the endzone where- Darron The Dime Hollingsworth made a great catch to give the Apaches a touchdown. Morales banged the extra point through. The Apaches led 7-0 with 9:15 left in the 2nd.
On the next possession, the Apaches faced a third and long after multiple missed face masks on Carson Whitehead. The Panthers’ acrobatic cornerback made a great break on the ball from 10-yards off and stepped in front of a wide open receiver for the interception, and he returned it all the way to the Apache 20. Huddy Glasscock had the Panther RB in the backfield, but he slid off the tackle and just barely picked up the first down. After an unbelievable targeting call that was thrown as Hudson Glasscock made the tackle from behind on the way out of bounds gave the Panther the ball inside the 5yard line and they punched it in. The score knotted, 7-7 with 6:08 left in the half.
After a promising drive that ended with a turnover on downs, the Panthers quickly moved into Apache territory. 8th grader, Tae Morris made a great stop on a pass over the middle. Senior corner-Conner Bolton made a textbook tackle on the quick out and forced a 2nd and 12 with 1:30 left in the half. Huddy Glassock who continued his dominance made a textbook tackle for loss to bring up a 4th and 24.
Naci- Monster Morales who had a breakout game, made a sack and fumble from the LB position to give the Apaches the ball with 40 secs left in the half. Carson Powell caught a beautiful pass and moved it across the 50 for an Apache first down. Lucious found Golden Gage White over the middle for a gain of 22 with 16 secs left in the half from the Panther 30. Collins unleashed a deep ball to the end zone. The Panther defender jumped 10 feet in the air and picked off the pass and ran it all the way back for a TD as the half closed where the Apaches trailed the Panthers 13-7 at the half.
The Apaches tried the onside kick but the hands team from the Panthers took over on the Apache 49. Panther halftime adjustments proved successful as they quickly punched it in for a score on the opening possession. The Apaches trailed 19-7 with 9:22 left in the third.
Apaches took over on the 20. After a three and out where Carson Whitehead nearly picked up a first down, The Dime Hollingsworth flipped the field and the Panthers took over on their own 40. Naci Morales made a great stop to force a 2nd and long.8th grader-Tae Morris was in great position and made a Sportscenter Top 10 interception way down the field to give the Apaches new life.Whitehead moved the chains with a great run of 20 yards. After another missed face mask, the Apaches picked up a first down on the next play. Whitehead ran like his hair was on fire and his tail was catching. While 8th grader Tibbitt was at the helm, he threw a TD of 45 yards to Golden Gage White, but a flag was thrown after White crossed into the end zone for illegal man down field while the entire offensive line was just standing there. Yet another terrible penalty, but the awesome Apaches were playing tough through the terrible officiating and picked up the first down.
The Apaches were on the move to start the 4th quarter but trailed 19-7. After a called back TD for two horrendous penalties that were thrown after the play, the Panthers moved into Apache territory and scored again to extend the score, 25-7 with 10:05 left in the contest.
That would be the last score of the contest for either team. The Apaches would move the ball well but fall just short on each of the next possessions in their own territory. The Apaches fell 25-7, but the score did not reflect the successes the Apaches saw on the field. They beat the Panthers up and down the field but costly turnovers in plus territory returned to inside the 20, set up the Panthers for 3 of their scores.
I am proud of our young Apaches. They played without 5 starters Friday night and the already young team found more players with grit to step up and play big. Hopefully the Apaches can get healthy during the upcoming bye week and get ready to host Jonesboro Hodge on 10/30. It will be payback from last year’s game for the Apaches. Come pack the stands for this outstanding group of players!!
In an odd Thursday night game, the North Webster Knights hosted the defending state champion Sterlington Panthers. The Knights received the opening kickoff and couldn’t get much going against a stingy Panther defense. They were forced to punt where Sterlington took over near their own 25 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Javion Hawthorne ripped the ball from Sterlington’s quarterback. The big nose tackle, Bryce Parish, fell on the loose ball to give the ball back to the Knights. After a couple of inside runs, the Knights attempted a pass that fell incomplete to the turf. On fourth down, the home team attempted a 32 yard field goal that missed wide right. The score remained knotted at 0. Sterlington took over on their own 22 yard line and began a fourteen play drive that resulted in a rushing touchdown from one yard out. The extra point made the score 7-0. The Knights were unable to get anything going on offense and were once again forced to punt to begin the second quarter.
On the punt, Sterlington was flagged for roughing the kicker. North Webster retained the ball with a first down. After a good run on first down, the Knights attempted a pass on second down that went off the hands of the receiver into the waiting arms of Sterlington’s safety who returned the pick for a touchdown. However, one of the officials had inadvertently blown his whistle indicating the play was dead. The ruling was that the play was to be replayed with the score wiped off the board. The Knights were able to pick up a first down then were flagged for a penalty. The offense couldn’t recover from the penalty, and the punt team was forced to trot back onto the field. After the punt, Sterlington took over at their own 21 with a little over seven minutes left in the half. Sterlington had another long drive down the field. Thirteen plays took about six minutes off the clock, and the Panthers scored a touchdown on a short pass in the flats. The Knights were flagged on the extra point, so Sterlington elected to go for two. The try was successful making the score 15-0 with about two minutes left in the half. Halftime came with the score 15-0 in favor of Sterlington.
Sterlington received the opening kickoff of the second half. They returned the kickoff out to their own 42 where the offense took over. Seven plays and 2:10 of clock time later they scored their third touchdown of the night against a tired Knights’ defense. The extra point made the score 22-0. The Panthers kicked off to the Knights who were forced into another three and out. The punt gave Sterlington the ball back at their own 30 yard line with 7:05 left in the 3rd period. Two plays later, Sterlington scored on a 60 yard dive play. With the extra point, the score was 29-0 in the third. The Knights fumbled the kickoff and Sterlington recovered at the North Webster 38 yard line. It took the defending state champs about five plays to score again to make the score 36-0. Sterlington attempted an onside kick which the Knights recovered at their own 47 yard line. Then, on a 3rd down and 6, quarterback Justin Stewart found receiver Braylon Washington on a 49 yard catch and run for a touchdown. The extra point made the score 36-7 still in the 3rd period. Sterlington had a nice kick return out to the Knights’ forty yard line, and five plays later, they scored again to make the score 43-7.
The ensuing kickoff began the final period. The Knights seemed to have something going on offense until a pass found its way into the hands of a Sterlington linebacker who took it all the way to the end zone. That made the score 50-7 which would be the final. Next week, the Knights continue district play traveling to Richwood for a 7:00 kickoff. These last three games could determine whether the Knights host a playoff game in round one or if they are left out of the playoff picture, so all fans are encouraged to come out and support these young men as they fight for a win at Richwood.
Pat Carter Hamm Kihneman April 11, 1928 — October 4, 2025 Gibsland/Minden/Bossier City Graveside service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Gibsland, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Paul “Ray” Hammon November 25, 1958 — October 14, 2025 Arcadia Funeral service: 2 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2025 Emmanuel Baptist Church. Burial: 3 p.m. Monday, Tulip Cemetery.
Jimmy Ray Protho October 6, 1953 — October 17, 2025 Bossier City Visitation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City. Memorial service: 11 a.m., immediately following visitation.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
Two persons, including a Minden police officer, were injured Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident on the Shreveport Rd.
According to reports, the Minden officer was traveling west on the roadway while responding to an emergency call for service when a vehicle pulled into his path from the parking lot of a business near the railroad tracks.
Reports from Louisiana State Police troopers investigating the crash show the police officer received minor injuries and has been treated and released from Minden Medical Center.
Driver of the second vehicle, who has not been identified, reportedly was taken to Oschner LSU in Shreveport with undetermined injuries.
State police spokesperson Trooper Eddie Thomas said the investigation into the wreck is continuing. No further information has been released.
Webster Parish school system employees will soon receive a little extra money after the parish school board approved guidelines for Louisiana Dept. of Education (LDOE) stipend payments earlier this week.
Certified and support staff will be beneficiaries of funds appropriated during the 2025 regular session of the state legislature for one-time, non-recurring payments.
School system Director of Business and Finance Crevonne Odom told school board members stipends of $2,000 for certified staff and $1,000 for support staff will be paid Oct. 31 of this year.
While explaining the guidelines for fiscal year 2025-26 stipends, Odom said all exempt and non-exempt employees receive stipends. She identified exempt employees as certificated and non-exempt as support staff.
Guidelines presented to the school board for employees to receiveLDOE stipends include:
• Must be full-time employee as of Oct. 1, 2025.
• Retirees who retired during current fiscal year are eligible and will receive 100 percent of the stipend. All other retirees are ineligible.
• Employees whose hire date is less than their contract year will receive a pro-rated amount.
• Employees who resign or are terminated before Oct. 1 are ineligible for any portion.
• Employees who receive the stipend but resign or are terminated before the end of their contract year will receive a pro-rated amount, adjusted in their balance of contract.
• Exempt employees will receive $2,000; non-exempt will receive $1,000.
• Pre-school teachers are not included in the guidelines from LDOE but will be included, and will receive $2,000.
• Five-hour custodians will receive a pro-rated portion.
• Employees on sick leave, extended sick leave, medical sabbatical or workman’s compensation are eligible for the stipend.
Most Wanted for this week is Deterick Walker. He is wanted by the Minden Police Department after failing to appear at court on Oct. 1.
Walker has 10 outstanding bench warrants with a bond of $20,000.
Anyone with information on Deterick Walker is urged to contact Lt. Kenneth James at 318-532-9083 or the Minden Police Department at 318-371-4226.
All information will be confidential.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Drawing of water tank which will be constructed on Clerk Street property owned by the City of Minden.
By Bonnie Culverhouse
During a special council meeting Monday afternoon, not only did attending councilpersons vote to issue bonds to pay for Recreation Complex enhancement, they also voted unanimously to amend the 2025-2026 budget in order to begin building a 2 million gallon water tank for the City of Minden.
“We’re ready to build the thing,” Minden Mayor Nick Cox said. “This amendment allocates the funds – we didn’t put it in our budget at all because we didn’t know about the timing.”
In April, 2025, Minden City Council agreed unanimously to advertise for bids to build the tank, which will be around 35-feet tall, round and built on-site. Bids should come in around $3.4M.
“We are going out for bids soon,” Cox said. “I would like for us to start construction in December.”
“It’s about a year-long project,” Public Works Director Tyler Wallace said in a previous interview.
He explained citizens use about 2.5 to 3 million gallons of water per day. “If something catastrophic happens, we could last a day with this new tank. If something happened today, we’d last a half a day.”
Cox said the project will not cost the residents any money.
“It is a state capital outlay project,” he said. “We were awarded 100 percent of the funds.”
(Editor’s Note: In a capital outlay project or a state grant, funds can only be used on the project for which they were approved. The money first comes from the City’s budget and is reimbursed by the State.)
Brad Dison signs a book for Kathy Dumas during the “Night at the Museum” program on Monday evening at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum in Minden.
By Marilyn Miller
“The Trap,” is the “untold story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and his pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde. The author, Brad Dison, entertained a group gathered at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Sheriff Jordan is relatively Ignored by authors, historians and filmmakers…but “The Trap” sets the story straight, Dison told the interested crowd. ”The 1970 film ‘Bonnie & Clyde’ was an entertaining film (starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway). In fact, it won two Oscars. But not one of them was for accuracy.”
“You see, Hollywood has absolutely no responsibility for historical facts.” Dison said. And the public doesn’t realize that. The writer related a time when he and a Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow “fan” were discussing the couple. When the man told him “I know all about Bonnie and Clyde…I’ve seen the movie 12 times,” Dison walked away.
So, Dison asked his “Night at the Museum” audience, “How many times was Sheriff Henderson Jordan mentioned in the film?”
He wasn’t.
“My priority is facts…and that’s why we are here today.
In another movie, starring Woody Harrelson, Sheriff Jordan has a Cajun accent. “Now Sheriff Jordan was a lifelong resident of Bienville Parish, the same parish I have always lived in. His accent was the same as mine…and I couldn’t even do a fake Cajun accent.”
A teenage Henderson Jordan worked with his father in the cattle business in Bienville Parish before going off to college and earning his degree. He returned home and began working in the tax collection division of the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office. Pretty soon, Sheriff J.E. Currie realized what investigative skills Jordan had, and he became Sheriff Currie’s right-hand man. Currie had served as sheriff from 1908 until 1932, when Jordan (Jer-den) was elected.
Dison used slides to track the notorious outlaws, who killed 12 men and stole more than 60 automobiles during their reign of terror in the midwestern and southeastern United States. Within two weeks of Sheriff Jordan taking office in Bienville Parish, Clyde Barrow escaped from the McLennan County Jail in Waco, Texas, and his hook-up with Bonnie Parker and their crime spree began. Among the crimes they committed were burglary, armed robbery, bank robbery, kidnapping, torture, auto theft, and murder.
Dison’s slides tracked the car thefts, most which took place in and around Illinois and Oklahoma. At one point, authorities tracked a prescription bottle found in one of the vehicles. It was filled in Nacogdoches, Texas for Clyde Barrow’s aunt. Auto theft spree solved! Inside Dison’s book are three QR codes mapping out the auto thefts and other documents, death certificates, photographs and more material relating to the gang.
Texas Ranger Frank Hammer has been credited with planning the initial ambush on Bonnie and Clyde. However, when the Barrow gang made it into north Louisiana, Jordan actually planned three different traps to catch them.
The first was in Bienville Parish. Evidently, Barrow and his gang found out about the trap, so it was a bust. No Texas officers were involved in the take-down.
“Henderson Jordan set Trap No. 2 when he learned that the gang was planning to rob First National Bank in downtown Arcadia,” Dison told the crowd. “He (Sheriff Jordan) had his well-armed deputies hidden in and around the bank. Problem was, Bonnie, Clyde and Henry Methvin stopped in Shreveport to get food at the Majestic Café (most recently Pano’s Diner, which closed in 2013).”
Now everyone knew what Bonnie and Clyde looked like – their pictures were widely distributed. So, they couldn’t go into the café, they had to stay in the car. “While they were in there, something spooked Clyde, and he drove off.”Majestic Diner was just a block from where Bonnie and Clyde were sitting. That could have prompted Clyde to drive away. Or, Dison said, it could have been a plan by Methvin to separate himself from the gang. Whatever the reason, Trap No. 2 failed. And no Texas officers were on site.
“Then came Trap No. 3. This was the one by Sailes, a famous spot now. We all know that Trap No. 3 succeeded. Who planned this trap?? According to everybody involved, Henderson Jordan planned this trap. Henderson Jordan led this trap. His third trap successfully ended the crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde.”
“Had Sheriff Henderson Jordan not been successful, more people certainly would have died”, author Brad Dison said, showing a list of the 12 people killed by the gang. “They were getting more desperate each passing day…every time they heard a branch crack…every time they heard a whistle. Can you imagine the paranoia they lived with. They were ready to fire at the drop of a hat at anything that moved.”
“Henderson Jordan was the only member of the six-man posse who had to answer for his actions in court, and he almost lost his freedom over it. Now how did that happen?”
Baton Rouge, LA – Governor Jeff Landry signed an Executive Order to protect Louisiana students, universities, and state agencies from the dangerous influence of Communist Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The order bans the use of free AI tools created and operated by hostile foreign governments, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in Louisiana schools, colleges, and state agencies. Executive Order attached.
The EO emphasizes that foreign-controlled AI programs, such as Deep Seek, serve as tools for the CCP to infiltrate American institutions and gather sensitive data. DeepSeek is an AI system found by the U.S. Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party to engage in covert propaganda manipulation and the transfer of Americans’ personal data to China.
“This executive order puts America and Louisiana first. We will not let the Chinese Communist Party spy on our state or steal from our people,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “As technology advances, so do the threats. This executive order ensures we are protecting our people, our data, and our national security from the CCP’s growing influence in AI.”
I am tired… mentally, physically, emotionally… just drained. There are seasons in life that feel like you’re getting hit with one wave after another, and you’re not sure when the water will stop rising. Lately, it feels like I’m standing in that tide.
But the thing about faith – real, raw, sometimes shaky faith – is that He already knows. We talk about it every day, sometimes through prayer, sometimes through tears and sometimes in the quiet moments when I’m just too exhausted to say much of anything at all.
I could honestly sleep for days just to escape the noise, the expectations, the weight. But then I look at my three girls – the little faces that depend on me for everything – and I remember why I keep pushing. They don’t see the version of me that’s worn thin. They see “Mom,” and that’s reason enough to get up and try again.
The only reason I still have hope is because of my God. He brings beauty from brokenness – I’ve seen Him do it too many times to forget. The enemy has been loud lately, whispering all the doubts, fears and “not enoughs” into my head. But my God? He’s louder. His promises cut through the noise, even when I’m too tired to listen closely.
This life isn’t easy… motherhood, work, relationships, just trying to make it through the day sometimes. But I know one thing for sure: the battle might be hard, but the victory is already ours. That victory is irrevocable.
So, for now, I’m taking it one day at a time, showing up the best I can, and putting on the full armor of God (even if some days it feels like it’s a little crooked or missing a piece or two.)
And as I do, I’m making sure my daughters learn to do the same… to be strong, grounded and armored in faith. Because the world will test them too. And when it does, I hope they’ll remember that tired doesn’t mean defeated.
We keep going… bruised, maybe, but still standing because the victory’s already been won!
(Paige Gurgainers is a mom of three girls, digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)
Sweetie is just that—SWEET. At 2 years and 7 months, this 42-pound mix is the perfect medium size. She came from animal control, like so many others and we don’t know much about her prior life, but she hasn’t let her past dim her spirit. She has been at the shelter for way too long. She’s about to turn 3, and she’s at that wonderful age where she’s the perfect blend of laid-back and playful. Sweetie lights up when volunteers take her for a walk, and nothing makes her happier than splashing around at the shelter pond. She soaks up every bit of kindness, leaning in with gentle gratitude and wagging her tail as if to say, thank you for noticing me. We don’t know why someone hasn’t picked her, she has personality and melts hearts with her loving disposition.
What Sweetie wants more than anything is stability—a home where she can finally belong. She’s a kind soul who deserves her chance, and she’s ready to fill someone’s life with joy, loyalty, and love. Can you be the person she is hoping to find?
For more information about Sweetie or other adoptable dogs, contact LaMa Animal Rescue and Support Services at lamaanimalrescue.org or through our Facebook page. We are always looking for volunteers to help show our shelter dogs love and attention. To volunteer contact lamavolunteers@gmail.com
The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Petit Jury Monday, October 20 in front of Judge Allie Stahl:
WRIGHT, AARON DEMON 97764 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm 97764A Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence Please make forfeiture of Taurus 9mm part of any plea/sentencing.
ONEAL, WILLIAM AMOS 97903 Simple Arson Restitution owed to State Farm Insurance Company- $151,181.90, plus $22,677.29 fee = $173,859.19 total
BOYD, SCOTTY DEANDRE 99506 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon
The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Petit Jury Monday, October 20 in front of Judge Michael Craig:
STRIPLIN, TREASURE VARLEACE 99565 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
TARNO, MICHAEL ANDREW 99565 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
CANTU, STEVEN 98814 Home Improvement Fraud Restitution per report- $4,125, plus $618.75 fee = $4,743.75 total
GRAHAM, DERRICK D 99166 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Two and One Half Pounds or More)
TAYLOR IV, ALBERT W 97082 Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity
LARD, DJIMON HETONIUS 97082A Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity
FIELDING, BRIAN EVERETT 98394-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS 98394-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
Webster Parish Council on Aging will sponsor a Medicare Open Enrollment for Seniors from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.October 27 and 28 at the Minden location, 1482 Sheppard St.
From October 15 to December 7, people with Medicare can review and change coverage for 2026.
Director Vicki Dufrene, Louisiana Department of Insurance will speak about the changes in Medicare.
Call 318-371-3056 to reserve a time slot for a one-on-one interview to discuss current Medicare coverage.
I’ve had a few questions about hydrangeas. What causes hydrangeas to bloom on the old wood? After talking to the LSU Ag Center, my best answer is that they were pruned too late this year if they didn’t bloom. Hydrangeas need to be pruned in February or March. This time of the year we need to winterize them by making their roots are mulched in by either pine straw or mulch. Doing this will protect the plant. That makes it simple for now.
When spring comes fertilize with a complete fertilizer like a 13-13-13. There are ways to control the color of the blooms. For white blooms use magnesium sulfate as an additive to your fertilizer. Not only making a color difference in your plants, magnesium sulfate is an effective, soluble source of magnesium that helps prevent and control chlorosis (yellowing of plant foliage due to magnesium deficiencies). Apply at the rate of 1 lb. per 100 square feet and water thoroughly. Use aluminum sulfate to get blue hydrangeas. Use 1 lb. per 3 foot of height. Mix 1 lb. in 5 gallons pf water and apply at the drip line of the shrub. Aluminum sulfate can also be spread dry around the drip line and watered in.
So, now we have a plan. Winterize with mulch or straw, prune in February or March, and fertilize with a complete fertilizer in the spring. With that said, our hydrangeas ought to be beautiful in the spring.
(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
We are in the fall season, and my plants from the summer are still blooming. Even though I planted and watered them, I have no control of them blooming.
In that, I can plant and water, but only God can allow plants to grow in the right season.
It’s the same way with us. In order for us to grow spiritually, we have to read, study, and meditate on God’s word.
We have to allow the word of God to have free course in our hearts, minds, and souls.
We can’t read the word and lean to our own understanding. We must pray and ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Have you ever made a decision without talking to God first? Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you were so smart that you didn’t need to ask God for guidance?
Have you ever trusted in your talents or abilities more than God?
Have you ever prayed to do something, and God told you no, not yet, but you did it anyway?
Many times, we lean to our own understanding because we didn’t trust God as we should have, and we find ourselves in stressful, overwhelming situations.
If we could just be honest with ourselves, there have been times in our lives when we didn’t seek God first, and when things didn’t work out as we thought they should have, we call on God to help us and some even blame God for there own shortcomings and actions.
We should not ever blame God for our actions. God is mighty, He is strong, He is perfect, He is righteous, and He is able to do all things but fail.
We need God’s guidance each and every day. We don’t know everything, but God knows all things. His ways are higher than our ways. God is smarter than any man or woman!
Isaiah 55:8-9 says,
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We should always acknowledge God and be led by God’s Holy Spirit. You will know when it’s time! What is He telling you to do? What is He telling you not to do? Or maybe He’s telling you not yet; you will know when it’s time. Wait on the Lord!
We have to trust God and seek Him in prayer, and He will always lead us in the right direction. We cannot allow our flesh nor our emotions to lead us, but we should always be led by God’s Holy Spirit. It might be a good idea. It might sound good, but if God didn’t lead you to do it, don’t do it. We should never make a decision without seeking God in prayer first.
Be Encouraged.
All Glory Goes to God!
Prayer: Father, we come to you in the spirit of meekness and humility. We thank you for your grace and mercy. Forgive us for our sins, known and unknown. Help us to always seek your guidance before we do anything or make any decisions. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
(LaTina DeLoach, is a devoted wife and mother who shares these words in hopes of uplifting those who read what God writes through her.)
Anyone who runs a nonprofit (or at least a nonprofit that has operations to maintain) will tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. People don’t always realize how much goes into it. That there is the work and then there is the job. The work is our “why.” It’s the good we are trying to do, the thing that we are trying to accomplish, the cause we work to support. It’s what drives us, the thing that keeps us going when things are tough. Then, there is the job. The administrative tasks, keeping the bills paid, maintaining the facilities, and so much more. The job is what makes the work possible.
It’s been four years since I first showed up at the museum. Four years since I hesitantly started down this unexpected path. I never aspired to be a museum director, to run a nonprofit, to be labeled a “historian,” and definitely not to be a professional fundraiser. I’m still not sure that I’m the right person for the job, but here we are. And now, I find myself hesitantly taking on another challenge. Another organization, another set of bills that must be paid, another thing that needs to be taken care of for no other reason than its own sake, because it is inherently important. No other reason is needed.
Several months ago, I agreed to take on the role of President of the Minden Cemetery Association. And so, I want to share my thoughts and my plans. I come to the role with the understanding that board service is about obligation and responsibility. I see the challenges we face, the improvements we can make, the goals we need to set and I’m looking for others who want to do the same.
A few days ago, a wise friend asked me, “You aren’t going to try to do this by yourself are you?” I can’t tell you how much I appreciate those that see the reality of a situation, that acknowledge the weight of the burden, that know first-hand the challenge; those that tell you that they know you can’t carry it alone and that you shouldn’t be expected to.I’m not. I can’t. No one person can. But, I see the gaps we must fill to be able to do what needs to be done and I know that it won’t be a quick or easy process. It will take patience and perseverance.
There’s a quote or meme or something about delusion and audacity being all you need to accomplish anything. I think I’ve got both of those covered. Not just the delusion that I have the capacity to carry another organization (I really don’t), but the delusion of standing in the cemetery and seeing what it could be. And the audacity? It’s the audacity to try.
So, how does this process start? It starts with conversations. It starts with finding the people who want to be involved. I intend to plan a meeting for January. If you have loved ones buried at the Minden Cemetery or just want to be involved, I hope you’ll plan to attend. For now, you can keep a watch on the Minden Cemetery Facebook page for updates. This meeting is intended to foster discussion about the cemetery. Bring your questions, concerns, and suggestions.
Our most pressing issue is increasingdonations, because reality is that nothing happens without the money to pay for it. The Minden Cemetery is not a perpetual care cemetery. It is not owned or funded by the city. It is the responsibility of all of us with loved ones buried in the cemetery to see to it that the funds are available to care for the cemetery, and I’m not looking to just keep it mowed. I want it cared for.I want gravestones cleaned, repaired, and preserved. I want the ability to be proactive in taking care of the roads and to head off future issues from the large trees that still remain in the cemetery. And, I’m delusional enough to believe that we can make it happen.
(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, President of the Minden Cemetery Association, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)
