BOM is a proud supporter of the Tioga High School softball team. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Daniel Lonsberry and Anistyn Nichols.

Every year on December 4, cookie lovers unite to celebrate National Cookie Day, a day devoted to the delightful treat that has warmed hearts and kitchens for centuries. From their humble beginnings as simple test cakes in ancient Persia to the endless variations enjoyed today, cookies hold a special place in culinary traditions worldwide.

The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch koekje, meaning “little cake,” a nod to their origins as small test batches of cake batter. As trade routes expanded, these sweet treats traveled across continents, evolving into beloved cultural staples. In Italy, biscotti pair perfectly with espresso, while France offers the delicate, almond-flavored macaron. Swedish pepparkakor, spiced with ginger and cinnamon, are a holiday favorite, and Mexican wedding cookies, coated in powdered sugar, have become a cherished tradition at celebrations.

In the United States, cookies are an integral part of the holiday season. Favorites like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and gingerbread evoke nostalgia and bring families together for festive baking sessions. National Cookie Day is the perfect excuse to explore these timeless recipes or try something new, like the chewy sweetness of South African hertzoggies or the crisp butteriness of Danish butter cookies.

For those looking to celebrate, holiday baking offers endless opportunities to experiment. Add a personal touch by mixing unexpected ingredients—cranberries, pistachios, or dark chocolate—or shape cookies into festive designs that double as edible decorations. Baking as a family is a wonderful way to create lasting memories while filling your home with the irresistible aroma of fresh cookies.

On National Cookie Day, take a moment to share a plate of your favorites with loved ones or donate a batch to those in need. After all, few things bring people together like the universal joy of a warm, freshly baked cookie.

The Alexandria Fire Department has reported on three structure fires within the city they’ve tackled over the last several weeks. 

The first of these fires took place on Nov. 21. AFD responded to a reported fire in the 2500 block of Culpepper Drive at approximately 1:23pm. It took AFD 14 minutes to bring the fire under control. Two adults who were injured in the fire were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The fire is still under investigation.

The second fire took place on Nov. 25 at around 12:32pm at the Westgate Shopping Center at 223 MacArthur Drive. There were no injuries reported at this fire. Like the first fire, it is still under investigation. 

The third fire occurred on Dec. 1 at around 11:04am. AFD responded to a structure fire at the Americas Best Value Inn at 1146 MacArthur Drive. This fire was brought under control within seven minutes. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be a discarded cigarette.

The public is invited to attend LSU Alexandria for Christmas on the Quad TODAY. This event will feature music, fun, Christmas lights, Santa, and food, including Chili with the Chancellor. The fireworks will begin at 5:45pm. 

It’s going to be a jolly, holly Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year at the Rapides Symphony’s annual holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30pm at the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. It is good musical fun for the whole family. There may even be a surprise guest from the North Pole. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office or by visiting http://www.rapidessymphony.org

Sources:

1.     The Atlanta Constitution, December 6, 1936, p.12.

2.     The Atlanta Journal, August 12, 1949, p.1.

3.     The Atlanta Journal, August 16, 1943, p.1.   

The Town of Ball has announced the date and the grand marshal of its annual Christmas parade. The will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2pm. Starfish Ministries will be the Grand Marshal of the parade.

Starfish Ministries is a passionate non-profit with a mission to empower the next generation. We are dedicated to providing underprivileged and at-risk children with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.

Every year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving marks Giving Tuesday, a global movement dedicated to encouraging generosity and uplifting communities. Since its inception in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, Giving Tuesday has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, inspiring people to support causes they care about and make a difference.

This movement was created as a counterbalance to the consumer-driven shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Instead of focusing on spending, Giving Tuesday emphasizes the power of giving—whether through donations, volunteering, or simple acts of kindness. Its mission is to unite individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and communities in a shared goal of generosity, reminding us that giving back can be transformative for both recipients and givers.

Over the years, Giving Tuesday has made an extraordinary impact. In 2022 alone, donors contributed an estimated $3.1 billion to nonprofits across the United States, funding initiatives ranging from disaster relief to education and medical research. Around the globe, communities have used the day to address pressing local issues, from feeding the hungry to supporting environmental conservation efforts.

The success of Giving Tuesday lies in its accessibility—anyone can participate. Small actions, such as sharing a nonprofit’s mission on social media or organizing a neighborhood food drive, are just as valuable as monetary contributions. The movement demonstrates that generosity is a universal value, capable of sparking hope and driving positive change, no matter how big or small the act.

This Giving Tuesday, consider how you can make a difference in your community. Whether through time, resources, or compassion, your efforts contribute to a global tapestry of kindness, proving that together, we can create a brighter future.

Have a SNAP card? Visit the zoo for free on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2-4:30pm. 

Members of the public can show their Rapides Parish SNAP card with matching Rapides Parish ID at the ticket window. Up to 2 adults and 4 kids may enter.

There will be food demonstrations by the LSU AgCenter. All zoo visitors are welcome to watch the demonstrations. 

Current Alexandria City Councilman Reddex Washington face a runoff election in December for re-election to his District 1 seat. Washington defeated then-incumbent Malcolm Larvadain in 2020 after a runoff.

In the November 2024 election, neither candidate won a majority. Larvadain received 42% of the vote with 798 votes. Washington received 37% with 693 votes. Without a majority or 50% of votes, a runoff election will take place in December.

Washington has stated that he is focused on connecting people in District 1 with resources and programs that could help them. He believes this approach will promote growth in District 1 will grow which in turn will benefit the wider Alexandria area.

Larvadain has stated if he is elected, his focus will be on improving the district, which he will do by listening to residents. He wants to address concerns like affordable housing, blight, brown water, and crime, emphasizing that his goal is to do things better for the community.

Early voting for the runoff election has already open and will continue through Nov. 30, though polls will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. The official election date for the runoff is Dec. 7.

Operation Kindness partnered with the Fostering Community in Alexandria by providing tote bags filled with food for the Fostering Community’s food drive on Nov. 25. 

Operation Kindness is a community initiative started in 2022 by the Nell Shehee Foundation in Shreveport. Its mission is simple: to spread the word in communities about the impact and importance of acts of kindness, believing that diversity and working together make society stronger.

“The Nell Shehee Foundation and Operation Kindness are very honored and happy to be partnering with Foster Community with this project,” said Nell Shehee, Owner of the Nell Shehee Foundation. “We are sharing our tote bags with the Foster Community, giving them a place to put these wonderful items that these kids need.”

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.”