Lifestyle

By Clark L. Robertson, LSU AgCenter Horticulture Agent It’s a sign of the times: spots and dots appearing before our very eyes, seemingly overnight. No, it’s not your vision failing you, and there’s no need to clean your glasses. We’re dealing with something that’s been lurking for the right time to show itself. I thought we might have escaped it this year thanks to our drier- than-normal start to summer. But as soon as the daily showers returned, so did the spots and dots. I’m referring to the annual appearance of Cercospora leaf spot on our hydrangeas and crape myrtles.

Cercospora is a genus of fungi that includes many plant pathogenic species causing foliar leaf spots and blights. Two we see each year are leaf spot of hydrangea and crape myrtle. Not-so-luckily for us, warm, moist environments are perfect for disease development.

Northwestern State University welcomed back about 1,500 residential students Friday and Saturday with a coordinated check-in and move-in process that involved more than 340 volunteers manning eight shifts over two days.

NSU Housing and Residence Life coordinated the process with the help of personnel from First Year Experience, University Police,University Recruiting, Student Affairs, University Athletics as well as volunteer groups and individuals. Demon VIPs, Greeks, University Programming Council members, Gamma Chis, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Catholic Student Organization and student-athletes joined the effort.

A Natchitoches family is honoring their loved one by establishing a scholarship to benefit students pursuing a career where she touched many lives and influenced many students as a teacher and librarian.

The Cheryl Choate Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a Northwestern State University student in the School of Education. First priority will be given to students preparing for careers in library science, followed by students preparing to be classroom educators. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average.

What did folks do fifty plus years ago before internet, Hulu, Twitter and all the social media sites of today? Now people are “friends” with strangers all across the globe, but rarely have the opportunity or desire to reach out and touch those same “friends”. There was a time when friends walked or rode mules and horses in the dark after a long day picking cotton or haying to visit and attend dances.

My great grandfather, Joseph Montezuma Self, born July 6, 1867, made, played and sold fiddles. He died December 9, 1955 at age 88. Two of his daughters, Eula Mae Self (born in 1906) and my late maternal grandmother, Emmie Eldorado Self Byrd, wrote down some verses of the old songs their daddy played and sang so long ago.

Two traditional crafts persons, a musician, and a folk dance group were inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists during an induction ceremony held at Northwestern State University on Saturday, July 23 as part of the 42nd Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Inductees included fiddler Amanda Shaw, who also served as honorary Festival Chair, music instrument maker R.V. Couch, twisted wire toy maker Elvin Shields, and the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers.

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at NSU, led the induction ceremony, assisted by Dr. Sarah McFarland.

Congratulations to BOM’s Louisiana Bankers Association’s Leadership School Graduates! BOM’s Kristen Carpenter, LeeAnn Edwards, Kayla Sepulvado, Jennifer Campbell, and Tammy Bernard attended the 2022 Leadership School I, “Growing Our Next Generation of Leaders”. Graduation was held July 13 at the LBA office in Baton Rouge. The program is a 6-month program that included online course work and five instructor-led sessions focused on developing leadership skills and enhancing knowledge in various areas of banking.

Louisiana FFA members gathered in Alexandria in June for the 93rd Louisiana FFA State Convention. The convention recognized achievements of the organization’s members, thanked stakeholders and supporters and members elected the state officer team.

State officers serve as student leaders and advocates for agriculture and agricultural education.

The 2022-2023 Louisiana FFA State Officer Team includes: president – Colton Conley, Natchitoches Central; secretary – Sydney Bruchhaus; Elton; vice president – Rachael Reed, North Webster; vice president – Annie Heard, Winnfield; vice president – Kayden Smith, Acadiana; vice president – Allie Hubbard, Northshore; treasurer – Grace Manuel, Florien; reporter – Abbygail Davis, Pearl River; sentinel – Lauren Poole, Winnfield; and parliamentarian – Alaina Lyons, Central Lafourche.

During the convention, FFA gave out the 2022 Honorary State FFA Degrees. Recipients are:

J. McHugh David, publisher and managing editor of The Livingston Parish News (Denham Springs) was named president of the Louisiana Press Association (LPA) at its annual stockholders meeting June 30.

David is the 116th president of the 140-year-old association, the official trade organization for Louisiana news publishers.

The Sabine Index is a member of the Louisiana Press Association, a statewide organization representing more than 150 newspapers, news-related publications, news websites, magazines, and special market products.

Others taking office were:

President-elect Mary Terry, general manager of the Southeast Region for Louisiana State Newspapers and publisher of the (St. Martinville) Teche News, (Franklin and St. Mary) Banner-Tribune, (Morgan City) Daily-Review, and (Pierre Part) Bayou Pioneer;

A beginning ceramics class, “Playing in the Mud,” will be offered through Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education starting Thursday, July 7. The class will be offered on Thursday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. through August 11 in Room 113 of the Fine Arts Annex.

The fee is $125 plus a $20 material fee paid directly to the instructor on the first night of class. Enrollment to the class is limited.

This course is an introduction to working with clay. The student will learn hand-building and sculptural techniques, as well as work on the potter’s wheel. There will also be room for intermediate and advanced students to take the class who want to use the facilities during the class time.

For more information or to register for classes, go to checkout. nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357- 6355.

The Sabine Council on Aging, Inc. will hold their Annual Board Meeting on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 3 p.m. at the Legacy Building in Many.

All are invited to attend the public meeting, and members will have the ability to vote for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Board Members.

The Legacy Building is located at 200 Legacy Drive in Many. For more information please do not hesitate to call (318) 256- 4140.