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This & That…Monday, March 30, 2026
Red River Parish Public Schools are in Intersession this week, Mar 30 – Apr 2 and Spring Break from Apr 3 – 10. School resumes Monday, Apr 13.
The Bakowski Bridge in Shreveport will “Light It Up Blue” to support autism awareness at 7:15pm on Tue Mar 31 at Riverfront Amphitheater.
Family Harvest Church will host their 3rd Annual Bass Tournament Sat Apr 11 at Grand Bayou Resort. A $500 guaranteed first place prize. Contact Justin at 318.990.9420 or Jennifer at 318.511.7509 for more information or to preregister.
Lindley Creek, a family singing group, will perform at Social Springs Baptist Church Sat Apr 18 at 6pm.
Multiple sources report the US Army has raised enlistment age and eased marijuana policy.
Notice of Death – March 29, 2026
Bobby Lane Holley
April 8, 1957 – March 25, 2026
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 1pm at Rockett Funeral Home in Ringgold.
Douglas Roberson
October 13, 2003 – March 27, 2026
Services pending
Remembering Rose Lawrence Johnson
Funeral services for Rose Lawrence Johnson, 67, of Coushatta, LA will be held at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, March 29, 2026 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ken McLaren officiating. Interment will follow in Holley Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00P.M. until service time at the funeral home on Sunday.
Rose was born November 25, 1958 in Coushatta, LA and passed away March 27, 2026.
Rose was special to a lot of people in the medical field. She taught and encouraged new young nurses. Rose had a passion for emergency medicine having served on the Louisiana Emergency Nurses Association Board. Even in her last days as a patient, she encouraged her doctors, nurses and caregivers. They enjoyed visiting, joking and talking to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J. A. “Bud” and Sammie Lawrence; 3 brothers, Sam, Donny and Ronny Lawrence. Rose is survived by her son, Jeremy Lawrence; five grandchildren, Maggie Lawrence, Gabbie Gibson, Abbie Ellender, Addison Lawrence, and Michael Hayden Lawrence; two sisters, Jamie Lawrence and Mary Ann Longino, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Longino, Steven Longino, Trevyn Ogden, Zachary Laborde, Jiggs Wood, and Dawson Wood.
The family would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Sarah Herbel and the doctors, nurses, and staff of Christus Coushatta Health Care Center.
Natchitoches Police investigate homicide of Coushatta man on University Parkway
Release Date: March 27, 2026
The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred early Friday morning on University Parkway.
On March 27, 2026, around 2:54 a.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 3800 block of University Parkway in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon officers’ arrival they located the victim, Douglas Roberson (B/M, 22 y.o.a. of Coushatta), suffering from several gunshot wounds and immediately began to render aid while waiting for other first responders to arrive. Despite their efforts, Douglas Roberson was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.
Investigators and officers canvassed the crime scene and were able to speak with several witnesses. They also collected numerous pieces of digital and physical evidence that will be sent to the crime lab for analysis.
This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.
The Natchitoches Police Department would like to thank the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Northwestern State University Police Department for their assistance during this incident.
If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Davanta Stevenson at (318) 357-3817. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
Sergeant John Greely
Public Information Officer
Natchitoches Police Department: source
Red River Parish School Board approves 2026-2027 Calendar
The Red River Parish School Board has approved the 2026-27 school calendar, giving families an early look at key dates for the year ahead, including the first and last day of school, intersession breaks, and the continued hybrid schedule. According to the approved calendar, students will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, and the final day of school will be Friday, June 11, 2027.
The calendar keeps the parish’s hybrid model in place, with students attending school in person Monday through Thursday and learning virtually on Fridays. Staff will return ahead of students, with new teacher induction set for July 27-29 and professional development on July 30-31.
Families will also want to note the three planned intersession periods built into the calendar. Those are scheduled for Oct. 5-8, Feb. 8-11, and March 22-25. The calendar lists those as workdays for 10- and 12-month employees.
Several major holiday and break periods are also included. Fall Break is set for Oct. 9-16, Thanksgiving Break for Nov. 20-27, Christmas Break for Dec. 16-Jan. 4, Winter Break for Feb. 12-19, and Easter Break for March 26-April 2. A one-day Spring Break is also scheduled for April 30.
The calendar also marks important milestones during the school year. The first grading period ends on Oct. 2, the second grading period ends on Jan. 12, and the third grading period ends on April 9. Seniors’ last day is listed as May 26, and high school graduation is scheduled for June 4.
In addition, the calendar includes early dismissal and parent-teacher conference days on Oct. 29, Jan. 21, and April 22, followed by staff virtual workdays on Oct. 30, Jan. 22, and April 23.
With the 2026-27 calendar now approved, Red River Parish families can begin planning around the major dates and breaks that will shape the upcoming school year.
UPDATED: Local Easter Egg Hunts
Churches, community groups, and local organizations are beginning to announce their annual events, giving families several opportunities to celebrate the season with candy-filled eggs, prizes, and outdoor fun. Below is a look at the local egg hunts already planned in and around the area.
First Baptist Church Coushatta Mar 28 at 10am.
Ashland Fire Department Mar 28 at 11am. This event is to raise money to purchase fireworks for the Christmas Open House. The community event, in partnership with Ashland Baptist Church, will also feature hamburger & hot dog plates, a fun jump, cake walk and obstacle course. Arm Bands are $10 (includes the jump house, obstacle course and one meal). Egg Hunt age groups: 0-5 and 6-11.
Hall Summit Community Center & Park Mar 28 at 3:30pm.
First Methodist Church Coushatta Apr 3 at 10:30am. Egg hunt open to babies through 12 years old. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos.
Fairview Baptist Church Apr 3 at 5pm. Birth – 4th grade will enjoy the egg hunt while 5th-6th grade will participate in the Escape Room. Fried fish will be served to all.
Gator Country in Natchitoches Apr 4 will host 2 hunts; 11am and 2pm. Age groups 1-3 years, 4-5 years and 7 years and up. Regular park admission applies.
Share you event details with the journal at redriverparishjournal@gmail.com
Red River Parish 4-H competed in the 2026 4-H Northern Regional Food Challenge
Red River Parish 4-H competed in the 2026 4-H Northern Regional Food Challenge in Ruston, LA with four teams. These kids worked very hard preparing for this very competitive contest!
They prepare a dish in 40 minutes, without a recipe and do not know the ingredients until their time starts. Then they give a presentation on their dishes.
Congratulations on the job well done to all teams. Participants were Camren Barbo, A’lanah Demery, Adalyn Dulaney, Colt Dulaney, Maura Dupree, Kyleigh Frazier, Riyanna Frazier, Dusty Halbmaier, Emmylou Halbmaier, Michaela Henderson, Lucien Jordan, Victor Novosad, TeAunna Taylor, and Alyssa Young.
The “Squish Kabobs” and the “Blue Diamonds” were finalists, scoring 1st and 3rd place in their heats!
After round two, congratulations to the Squish Kabobs for their 2nd place win in Division 1. They will advance to the state finals in May!
Shared by Red River Parish 4-H
A cool dip between two warm days
Friday:
Partly cloudy with a high around 83F with west winds around 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight will be a mostly cloudy sky with a low near 50F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.
Saturday:
Some cloudy in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Cooler. High around 67F with NE winds 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly clear skies overnight with a low of 46F. Winds light and variable.
Sunday:
Mainly sunny with a high near 80. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Partly cloudy overnight with a low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
Operation Headache
It was the most elaborate presidential inauguration in the history of our country at the time. An estimated one million people witnessed the peaceful transition of power in person. There was a 10-mile, two-and-a-half-hour inaugural parade which escorted incoming president Dwight D. Eisenhower from the Capitol to the White House. The parade was comprised of about 22,000 servicemen and women, 5,000 civilians, 50 state and organizational floats which cost a total of about $100,000, 65 musical units, 350 horses, three elephants, an Alaskan sled dog team, and the first public showing of our military’s most devastating piece of artillery at the time, an 85-ton atomic cannon called “Atomic Annie.” Overhead, a continuous stream of aircraft including 1,100 jet fighters and a fleet of super bombers flew over the parade route. To handle the huge crowds, two formal balls were held simultaneously at opposite sides of the city with President Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower having to be shuttled back and forth between the two for maximum effect. While at previous inaugurations, one or two film stars made appearances, at least 40 stars of film and stage entertained or were guests at the inauguration, more than at any previous inauguration. Newspapers around the world reported that it was the “biggest show ever staged in Washington.”
Hotels charge premium prices, and many desperate people had to pay a “black market bonus” of $100 just to make a hotel reservation. Adjusted for inflation, that would be over $1,200 in today’s money. Some of Washington’s “old families” rented out their luxury homes to millionaires and their friends for up to $3,000 for the week. That would be nearly $37,000 in today’s money. 60 special trains set up “Pullman Cities,” named after the 600 Pullman parlor and sleeper train cars which accommodated about 10,000 visitors. Forty steam locomotives kept constant “full heads of steam” to provide heat and hot water for the Pullman cities. The accommodation committee set up for the purpose of housing the influx of visitors to our nation’s capital referred to it as Operation Headache.
Rather than paying exorbitant fees and fighting the maddening crowds, most people chose to watch the inauguration from the comfort of their own homes. It was broadcast on all three major television networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. An estimated 29 million people tuned in throughout the day for at least part of the inauguration.
President Eisenhower’s inauguration should have been the highest rated program on television during that era, but it was overshadowed by a regularly scheduled television sitcom shown the night before which depicted something that has happened to every living human being—a child was born. More than 70% of American households, some 44 million people, 15 million more than watched the inauguration, watched the 30-minute sitcom which aired on CBS, a single network. It remains one of the most watched sitcoms in television history. The episode was filmed two months earlier and starred an actress who was really pregnant, a first for television. This comedy showed the fictional chaos that happened leading up to the actress having a baby. The actress in the sitcom went into labor and had a son, named after his father, on the day the episode aired. The episode was titled “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” and starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Sources:
1. The Mail (Adelaide, Australia), January 17, 1953, p.23.
2. Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California), January 20, 1953, p.3.
3. The Roanoke Times, January 21, 1953, p.18.
4. “Inaugurations: 1953 Inauguration,” Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, National Archives, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/eisenhowers-presidential-years/inaugurations.
5. “Lucy Goes to the Hospital,” IMDb.com, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0609259/.
Celebrate 52 Years of Creativity at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival
Melrose, Louisiana – Get ready to experience the magic of handcrafted wonders at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, taking place on April 18th from 9 am to 5pm, and April 19th from 10 am to 3 pm. The festival will be held at Melrose on the Cane where attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of unique treasures crafted by talented artisans, savor a variety of delicious foods, sip on beer, wine, and other refreshing beverages such as fresh squeezed lemonade. Homemade ice cream
returns to the festival this year as a long standing fan favorite as well as iron and wood works for your home and garden. We are also excited to feature local authors throughout the festival, along with live demonstrations that highlight traditional crafts such as basket weaving and quilting. These interactive experiences offer guests a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Additionally, Randolph “Randy” Deaton will be presenting a special talk on Clementine Hunter on Saturday, April 18 at 11 AM. Guests are encouraged to bring any photos or personal stories they may have of Clementine Hunter, which can be scanned and added to his growing collection.
Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026.
Attendees will be able to shop for: stunning jewelry, exquisite paintings, savory salsa, intricate woodwork, delectable desserts, and much more. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking
for something special, there’s something for everyone to discover and cherish at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival.
“We’d love for y’all to come out, shop, and support historic Melrose. Take in the views, check out all the vendors, and just enjoy a good day together at the festival. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available- so bring your friends and family and make it a day to remember, ” said Ariel Rachal event organizer.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival. Purchase your tickets today and join us for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration!
For ticket information and event updates, please visit https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026.
Media Contact: Ariel Rachal, EmailMelrosePlantation@gmail.com
About the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival: The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival is an annual celebration of artistry, creativity, and community spirit. For 52 years, the festival has showcased the talents of local artisans and provided a platform for visitors to discover unique handcrafted treasures. Join us as we celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence and continue to inspire creativity for generations to come.
It’s not always about winning
With over 30 years of bass tournament experience, I know that every bass angler that wets a hook has one goal in mind when they enter a tournament — win! While we all strive to bring winning sacks to the scales, the stars do not always align and allow that to happen.
My background as an athlete has proven to be beneficial when it comes to the mental side of tournament bass fishing. The “never give up” mentality is so important as a tournament angler.
Playing on a Texas state championship high school baseball team was one of my greatest accomplishments as an athlete. Twice during that special run in 1978, our backs were to the wall, but we never gave up and persevered on our way to winning it all.
We never panicked no matter what the situation was. We stayed strong and committed to each other, making sure things went our way. Tournament bass fishing is no different. There will be days when things just don’t go the way you thought they would.
But the guys who have a strong mindset, and the “never give up” attitude, seem to always find a way to put fish in the boat. Even if they don’t catch the winning fish, they still make a good showing.
One of my recent trips to Lake of the Pines brought me so much joy — eventually! It began when the fish I found in practice just did not pan out. Oh, I had lots of excuses as to why they did not bite, but to sum it up, I just did not catch them.
At 10:30 that tournament morning, I did not have a fish in the boat. I had caught a few, but none that would reach the 14-inch minimum. But I did not panic as I felt the fish would bite a little better in the afternoon due to the full moon we were fishing under.
I finally put three fish in the boat between 10:30 and noon and then decided to move out of the area where I had found quality fish during practice. There was so much fishing pressure on the lake, I was sure that a lot of the fish I had found the day before had been caught.
So, I pulled up on a point and made a long cast, and low and behold I caught a solid 3-pounder! I’m thinking, “hmmm, this is a good sign and maybe there’s a good school of bass on this point.” Sure enough, it was loaded with good keeper-size fish including a 5-pounder that threw my bait back to me on one particular cast.
I anchored down on this spot and for three hours I began to catch over 35 bass off this one point. It was a day you don’t have all the time as an angler and even though I did not catch the winning bag, I had an awesome day on the water and enjoyed a trip I will never forget!
I’m wondering if age has anything to do with how I think now as an angler. At 65 years old, winning tournaments is just not as high on my priority list as it used to be. Oh, I’m still competitive and want to beat the pants off all these young bucks, but then there’s reality.
But one thing I can say for myself, no matter how much longer I continue to fish bass tournaments, my desire to compete and win will never wane. I just have to remember; it’s not always about winning.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.
Veterans, Families invited to Prayer Lunch
A special event honoring local veterans and their families is planned for Friday, April 3, at 11:30 a.m. at the Council on Aging Building, 1825 Front Street in Coushatta.
Hosted by the Better Together Veterans Support Coalition, the Veterans & Family Prayer Lunch will offer a time of fellowship, encouragement, prayer, and gratitude for the men and women who have served the nation, as well as the families who have stood beside them.
Organizers describe the event as a chance to come together as a community and recognize those who have protected the country. The program will include prayer, guest speakers, and a free meal for those attending.
The event’s theme, “Honoring Those Who Protected Our Nation!” reflects its focus on appreciation and support for veterans and their loved ones.
The lunch is open to all veterans and families. For more information, contact Charlotte Collins at 318-617-4998 or Pastor Tedie Nelson at 318-471-8476.
The Better Together Veterans Support Coalition meets every third Thursday at 1pm in the Jack and Laura Center on Front Street. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Alverster Barfield at 318-426-9288.
Your Daily Crossword/Sudoku
This & That…Friday, March 27, 2026
The Lady Bulldogs are hosting their annual tournament this weekend. Games begin at 3:30 this afternoon with the host team playing at 6:30. Games continue tomorrow beginning at 10am. The Lady Dawgs finish the evening with a 5pm game time. Admission is $10.
Clara Springs Fourth Friday Fish Fry will be held Friday, Mar 27 from 5-7pm. Cost is $15 ($10 for kids 10-17). Dinner includes All you can eat fried fish, coleslaw, french fries, hushpuppies, pinto beans, lemon bread pudding, homemade ice cream and drink. Robeline First Baptist will host.
Abundant Life Worship Center is hosting ALL-IN-5th Sunday service Mar 29 at 2pm. Guest speaker is Mandy Holloway. There will be no 10:30am service that day.
Liberty Baptist Church & Davis Springs Southern Methodist Church are hosting a 5th Sunday Singing Mar 29 at 6pm at Liberty Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to join for song, food and fellowship.
Clara Springs Baptist Camp is holding their Annual Campers on Mission work week Mar 30-Apr 3. Work begins everyday at 8am. Meals provided daily. Volunteers are needed for a day, afternoon or the full week. Contact Bro Bubba 318-796-3875 for more information.
Red River Junior High will host a Track Meet Apr 2. Field events begin at 3pm followed by running events at 4:15pm. Admission is $10.
Women’s Prayer Brunch will be held at Zion Chapel BC Apr 4 at 10am. The theme is a Praying Woman. Program mover is Minister Kimberly Babers. Guest Speaker is Cora Banks Pinesett. All women are asked to wear white. All churches are invited.
LSU Women’s Basketball plays Duke in the Sweet 16 matchup in a late night matchup tonight at 9pm.
More than 450 TSA officers have quit during the partial government shutdown according to DHS.
NFL says New Orleans must upgrade aging hotel stock to boost chances to win bid for 2031 Super Bowl.
Delta suspends travel perks for members of Congress as partial government shutdown continues.
LSU has re-hired Will Wade as the men’s basketball coach. Wade previously was head coach from 2017-2022.
Netflix is raising prices on all streaming plans for the second time in just over a year.
Notice of Death – March 26, 2026
Hayden Price
August 1, 2016 – March 23, 2026
Funeral Services will be held on March 27, 2026 at 3pm at Aulds Funeral Home in Shreveport
Katherine Guy
01/17/1935 – 03/17/2026
Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 28, 2026 at 11am at Springville B.C. in Coushatta.
DOTD: Hwy. 155 reopening near Coushatta now tied to final roadway work
Motorists in Red River Parish are still waiting on the full reopening of LA 155 between Coushatta and Martin, but the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says the end of the project is getting closer. DOTD said in a recent update that the four bridge structures are complete, but the roadway remains closed while crews finish the roadway tie-in work needed to connect the new bridge and roadway sections. DOTD’s official January update said construction was still continuing at the Brushy Bayou crossing, and the route remains listed as closed on the state’s current highway trouble board.
The project has been a major one for this stretch of highway. DOTD announced in 2023 that the work would replace four timber bridges with new concrete structures on LA 155 near Coushatta. The bridges were all built in 1972 and cross Coney Bayou, Grand Bayou, Carroll Creek, and Brushy Creek. The project was awarded to Brown Industrial Construction, LLC for $13.3 million, with work beginning on April 17, 2023.
According to DOTD’s more recent public update and the agency’s social media messaging, attention has shifted from bridge replacement to the remaining roadway work. That means the major bridge structures are finished, but drivers still cannot use the route until the connecting roadway is completed and opened safely to traffic. DOTD’s statewide highway report, updated this week, still lists LA 155 near Coushatta as closed for the replacement of four bridges.
For Red River Parish drivers, the latest word points to April 2026 as the anticipated reopening window for the roadway. Until then, motorists should continue using alternate routes and watch for additional DOTD updates as the final stage of construction moves forward.
Red River 4-H attends Junior Leader Conference
The 2026 Junior Leadership Conference was held March 6-8, 2026 at Camp Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center in Pollock, LA.
Red River Parish 4Her’s who attended were Laynie Morse, Alaina Boyd, Camren Barbo, MyKhail Cox, and Kane Burleson.
Youth Voice is a significant component of the 4-H program, in which youth are allowed to express themselves openly to become actively involved in their growth. This is especially true during our annual Junior Leadership Conference, a state-wide 4-H leadership conference that is planned BY youth FOR youth!
The Louisiana 4-H Executive Board members plan and implement an overnight state-wide youth leadership conference for 4-H’ers at least 14 years of age and older. Delegates (or participants) have the opportunity to participate in a track that most peaks their interest through a ranking process. Delegates have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while meeting other 4-H’ers from throughout Louisiana and participating in a fun, youth-led conference.
Shared by Red River Parish 4-H
Pleasant mornings, warm afternoons ahead for midweek
Wednesday:
Sunshine along with some cloudy interval during the day. High around 85F with south winds around 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight will be a mostly clear sky with a low of 61F. Winds will be light and variable.
Thursday:
Cloudy skies in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 85F with south winds 5 to 10 mph.
Mostly clear skies overnight with a low of 61F. Winds south at 5 to 10 mph.
CHRISTUS Health urges colorectal cancer screenings for early detection
CHRISTUS Health recognizes March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by providing crucial information about the second-deadliest cancer in the U.S., which can be detected with routine screenings.
In 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates nearly 160,000 new colorectal cancer cases resulting in more than 55,000 deaths nationwide.
Nearly of adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the earliest stage live for 5five years or more, compared to only 16% of those diagnosed at the most advanced stage, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Colorectal cancer often begins as a noncancerous polyp in the colon or rectum, and detecting it early makes a tremendous difference,” said Dr. Philip Cole II, colon and rectal surgeon with CHRISTUS Health – Coushatta Rural Health Clinic. “Recognizing symptoms is important, but screening before symptoms appear is the best way to prevent serious illness.”
Common symptoms include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation; changes in stool consistency, color or shape; and abdominal pain, cramping or bloating.
A colonoscopy remains the most effective way to evaluate colorectal cancer. During the procedure, a sedated patient undergoes an examination of the colon using a small, lighted camera attached to a flexible tube. Polyps can be identified and removed during the procedure, reducing cancer risk.
Treatment for colorectal cancer varies depending on the stage at diagnosis.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults start getting screened for colorectal cancer at age 45, five years earlier than the previous guidelines. The change in 2021 was based on the trend of growing cases among younger adults.
Experts point to poor diet, obesity, limited physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, environmental exposures and family history as possible contributing factors to the increase.
CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center and Coushatta Health Care Center offer colonoscopy screenings as part of their comprehensive medical services.
“Early detection can be lifesaving. It dramatically improves the likelihood of successful treatment,” said Brandon Hillman, hospital administrator at CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center.
Hillman said recognizing National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is a way for people to learn about the cancer, how to spot it and when to be screened for it.
CHRISTUS Health in Coushatta does not require a referral to schedule a screening. Patients in Shreveport will require a physician referral for screening.
To make an appointment, call (318) 932-2081 or visit christushealth.org.
Bee on the lookout: Swarm Season has begun
As the weather warms up, we are entering swarm season for honeybees. This is a natural reproductive process that hives go through where the old queen and about half of the bees leave the hive to find a new location.
These swarms will gather on trees, eaves of houses, or other structures while they search for a suitable location for a new hive. These swarms will often move on their own after a while, or they can be removed by a beekeeper.
If you see a swarm, keep your distance, keep pets away, and call the LSU AgCenter office at 318-932-4342 to be put in touch with a beekeeper.
Ponderings
When I was a little boy, keys were my thing. Not toys. Not marbles. Not baseball cards. Keys. Real, metal, grown‑up keys—the kind that clinked in your pocket and made you feel like you had access to the universe.
And I had a source.
My grandfather—Pop—was a policeman. And apparently in the 1960s, Americans were losing keys at a rate that can only be described as “biblical.” Pop would bring me bags of keys. Now, I’m sure it was only three or four at a time, but to my young eyes it looked like Fort Knox had sprung a leak.
I had a ritual. A system. A liturgy of keys.
- House keys over here
- Car keys over there
- Mystery keys (the ones that looked like they opened secret government bunkers) in a special pile
Back then, every car company had its own key design. Ford keys looked like Ford keys. GM keys looked like GM keys. Chrysler keys looked like they were designed on a Friday afternoon. And because Ford also made Mercury, their keys were cousins—interchangeable in shape, though not in function. You could slip a Mercury key into a Ford ignition, but it wasn’t supposed to turn.
Supposed to.
One Friday night, Pop dropped off a fresh batch of keys. I sorted them with the precision of a jeweler. Then I grabbed a couple of Mercury keys and headed outside for what I can only describe as unauthorized field research.
I climbed into our 1961 Ford Galaxie—bench seat, steering wheel the size of a hula hoop, and an ignition switch that sat right on the dashboard like it was daring you to try something foolish.
I inserted a Mercury key.
It fit.
But it didn’t turn.
I inserted another Mercury key.
It fit.
It didn’t turn.
Then came key number three.
I slid it in, gave it a twist, and—VROOOOM—the Ford Galaxie roared to life like it had been waiting all day for a small child to hot‑wire it.Naturally, I followed the adult pattern I had observed:
I pulled the column shifter down into “D.”
“D” meant go.
And go it did.
The car lurched forward and traveled a majestic, triumphant five feet straight into the side of the house. The dent remained for forty years, a permanent historical marker commemorating the beginning of my illustrious driving career.
The adults poured out of the house like a fire drill—Mom, Dad, and Pop the policeman.
“How did you start the car?” they asked.
I explained my key‑based methodology. Pop immediately cut off my Ford key supply.
I still had a large collection of GM keys, though, and Pop owned a Chevrolet. I had a whole testing plan ready for that vehicle. Sadly, my research program was shut down before Phase Two.
Jesus has given us the keys to the Kingdom—and unlike my Mercury‑Ford experiment, these keys actually belong to us, they always fit, and they never cause property damage.
You’re not locked out.
You’re not stuck in “Park.”
You don’t have to hot‑wire your way into grace.
The astonishing truth is this:
In Christ, you already hold the keys.
Keys to freedom.
Keys to forgiveness.
Keys to hope.
Keys to a life that actually goes somewhere.
And unlike that 1961 Ford Galaxie, you won’t crash into the side of the house when you use them.
Jesus hands you the keys and says, “Go ahead. Turn the ignition. Live. Move. Be free.”
That’s a Kingdom worth driving toward.
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