March 7, 2025, marks National Cereal Day, a celebration of one of the most popular breakfast choices worldwide. Cereal has become a staple in many households, offering convenience, variety, and nutritional benefits. This day provides an opportunity to explore the history of cereal, its impact on breakfast culture, and the trends shaping its future.

The Origins of Breakfast Cereal

The concept of breakfast cereal dates back to the late 19th century, rooted in the health reform movements of that era. Dr. James Caleb Jackson, a nutritionist and the operator of a health spa, introduced “Granula” in 1863, considered the first ready-to-eat cereal. Made from graham flour, it required soaking overnight before consumption.

Later, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, a physician and health activist, developed “Granola,” a variation of Jackson’s creation. In 1894, Kellogg and his brother, Will Keith Kellogg, accidentally invented corn flakes, leading to the establishment of the Kellogg Company. Around the same time, Charles William Post, a former patient at Kellogg’s sanitarium, created “Grape-Nuts” and founded Postum Cereal Company, now known as Post Consumer Brands.

Cereal’s Rise to Popularity

The early 20th century saw a surge in cereal consumption, driven by aggressive marketing and the convenience of ready-to-eat options. Cereal became synonymous with a quick and easy breakfast, aligning with the fast-paced lifestyles emerging during industrialization. The introduction of sugar-coated varieties in the 1930s and 1940s, such as Kellogg’s Sugar Smacks and Post’s Sugar Crisp, appealed to children’s palates, further cementing cereal’s place in breakfast routines.

Nutritional Debates and Innovations

While cereals offered convenience, concerns about their nutritional content emerged, particularly regarding added sugars and artificial ingredients. Health advocates emphasized the importance of whole grains, fiber, and reduced sugar content. In response, cereal manufacturers introduced healthier options, including whole grain cereals, organic varieties, and products fortified with vitamins and minerals.

The rise of dietary trends, such as gluten-free and high-protein diets, prompted further innovation in the cereal industry. Brands developed cereals catering to these preferences, incorporating ingredients like quinoa, chia seeds, and legumes to enhance nutritional profiles.

Cereal Beyond the Breakfast Bowl

Cereal’s versatility extends beyond traditional breakfast consumption.

By JIM BUTLER

The Clerk of Court’s Office entered its current fiscal year with a General Fund balance of $7.87 million.

A legislative audit report posted in February showed the office’s net position as $740,000, about $335,000 unrestricted.

Differences in the General Fund and net position totals reflect the value of capital assets, post-employment benefits costs and net pension liabilities, auditors note.

The audit was completed on normal schedule in October 2024, a month before long-time Clerk Robin Hooter’s retirement.

Interim Clerk Karan Corley and Thomas David III are candidates for the post in the March 29 election.

According to the audit, General Fund revenues in the year ending last June 30 were $4.6 million, almost all from charges for services such as recording and filing fees.

Personnel costs (41 employees)of $3.5 million paced the $4.3 million on expenses.

The audit shows no long-term debt and auditors had no criticisms.

The clerk’s salary at the fiscal year’s close is noted as $114,646 plus $28,800 in supplemental pay. The compensation report included $19,748 in auto allowance and $15,147 expense allowance.

Louisiana Christian University’s Ethan and Leanna Lanford, of Pineville, have been doing everything together even before their birth—and that isn’t going to change once they graduate from college in May.

Both have been accepted into the LSU Shreveport School of Medicine in the fall. Only 150 applicants were selected from a pool of more than 5,000.

The twins have been together from grade school through high school, then opted to both attend LCU, after a visit their long-time neighbor-turned-mentor Dr. Wade Warren, professor of biology.

“Dr. Warren sat us down as juniors in high school and told us exactly what to take and when,” Leanna said. “We came here [LCU] because he gave us a plan, four years all down on paper. I’m OCD and needed that. I wanted to go where I had the best shot of getting into medical school.”

Their parents, Clay and Pam Lanford, were excited about them staying home for college, but also because they are both LCU alumni themselves.

“Neither had LC at the top of their undergrad college choices until we shared how important the small class size and personal relationships with the professors mattered to us as alumni,” Pam said. “They agreed to meet with Dr. Warren. Both of them are Type A personalities and need know every detail and fact available. Dr. Warren graciously summarized their entire pre-med life down to when and which classes to take within 30 minutes. They were relieved and excited! It helps tremendously that LCU’s pre-med program has a fantastic reputation in the local medical community with many of our local doctors as alumni. They were sold!”

That, plus some strong financial incentives because of their strong high school academics, convinced the local honors students to stay close to home to pursue their college degrees.

Leanna is a Smith Scholar and honors student, and Ethan is a STEM to STEAM Scholar. They will both graduate from LCU debt free.

“Ethan and Leanna Lanford are part of an exceptional group of graduating seniors,” Warren said.  They are academically talented students with drive and determination mixed well with compassion and maturity. They do more than they are asked to do in every setting. They are both going to be exceptional doctors and will be healing and caring for people for many years.  The faculty at LCU are so thankful they selected this school to do their undergraduate work.”

Interestingly, while Leanna said she has known since she was a baby that she wanted to be a doctor, it took a lot longer for Ethan to come to that conclusion. Originally, Ethan wanted to pursue a military career, but a congenital back disorder ended that dream. He also considered becoming a lawyer.
But after taking debate his freshmen year in high school, he said law absolutely wasn’t for him.

“Our sophomore year in high school, our grandpa had a stroke,” Ethan said. “From that point on, that sent me to medicine. Watching him be uncomfortable and in pain made me want to help relieve others’ discomfort.”

While they are both going to LSU Shreveport, their paths to get there were not the same. Leanna, who is getting married in May, applied for early acceptance so that her fiancé Cameron Page could get settled in his career in Shreveport, and she has known since October 2024 that she was accepted. Ethan applied to multiple schools before deciding on LSU Shreveport because of its diverse patient population.

“Pray for our parents,” Leanna said. “They have two kids going to medical school and two daughters getting married this year.”

Older sister Ashlynn Lanford also attended LSU Shreveport, earning her doctorate of physical therapy there. Leanna’s wedding will be on Ashlynn’s birthday, and Ashlynn will be saying her vows on the twins’ birthday in December.

While the twins say they both wanted to separate for medical school, ultimately the culture of cooperation and homey feel of LSU Shreveport won them both over. And Leanna said she knows her brother is also looking forward to coming over to homecooked meals at her place.

Where they will diverge, they said, will be in the specialties they will pursue.

Ethan is interested in areas like anesthesia and interventional pain management—areas that require a physician to know every single surgical operation—in order to minimize a patient’s discomfort. Ethan shadowed anesthesia for a month and interventional pain for a week.

“During my shadowing experience, the anesthesiologists were able to multi-task between several different responsibilities in the hospital and do so efficiently, which was very appealing to me,” Ethan said.

Leanna said she did a weeklong rotation shadowing an anesthesiologist, and that is not for her.

“I don’t want to spend every day in the OR,” she said. “I want more patient interaction with them awake.”
She did two weeks shadowing an OB-GYN and said she was drawn to a specialty like pediatric gynecology, working with an underserved population.

“For peds patients, going to the gynecologist is scary for them already, and sometimes it is really uncomfortable to come into a waiting room of pregnant women especially if there are men in the room. Pediatric gynecology is not currently served as a specialty in this area.”

Leanna wants to work in a specialty where she has long-term relationships with patients.

“Both Ethan and Leanna have been a pleasure to have as students here at LCU,” said Dr. Sarah Payne, chemistry professor and director of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program. “Not only are they both academically gifted, but they have also been actively involved in Cavanaugh Hall life as lab assistants and tutors. Both have worked hard to successfully matriculate into medical school. The bittersweetness of college is that students are only here for four years. It has been a fun and unique experience teaching a set of twins while raising my own set of toddler twins at home.”

The Alexandria Emergency Hospital announced that Jackson Neal, a Pineville High School alumnus, has been accepted into LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine.

Over the past year, Jackson was an integral part of the team at Alexandria Emergency Hospital, working as a medical scribe and gaining firsthand experience alongside their physicians. His dedication and passion for medicine have been evident in his work. The hospital stated that they have no doubt he will make an outstanding physician. 

Don’t look now but we’re just weeks away from the opening of the spring wild turkey season in Louisiana. Just the thought that season opens in less than a month has the capacity to make you forget hunting anything else. Those who have discovered the sheer thrill and excitement of turkey hunting will make excuses for letting the trash pile up on the yard and delay breaking up the garden. Spring fishing hardly crosses the minds anymore of this contingent of outdoorsmen and women.

For starters, there is the setting. Being out in the woods as the eastern sky begins glowing is special in itself. Leaning against a tree amid a landscape awash in dogwood and wild azalea blossoms, listening to the wake up call of the first cardinal is part of the drama that is about to unfold.

As dawn breaks, a barred owl calls. Before another owl can answer, the woods reverberate with a sound that sounds something like a handful of bolts rattling around in a tin bucket. It’s loud, it’s dry, it’s raspy. It’s the wake up call of a turkey gobbler. Just getting to hear this sound makes crawling out of a warm bed long before dawn well worth the effort.

For those who will be turkey hunting for the first time this spring, here are some basic tips, words of caution and pointers to help your initial turkey season be rewarding.

CLOTHING – It isn’t necessary to buy a new camouflage wardrobe to hunt turkeys. Your deer hunting camo will usually work, but not if any skin or bright colored clothing are showing. Camouflage headnet and gloves are essential.

FIREARMS – Most hunters recommend a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with a tight choke, preferably the “extra-full” choke designed specifically for hunting turkeys.

AMMUNITION – Use heavy-load shot shells in a 3 or 3 ½ inch magnum. Some shotguns shoot #4’s best while others pattern #5’s or #6’s better. Fire rounds of several shot sizes at targets to find out which works best for your gun.

CALLS – You don’t have to be an expert to call in a gobbler. One of the simplest for beginners is the box call. By stroking the lid over the lip of the box, realistic turkey sounds can be easily made. Also easy for the neophyte hunter to master is the slate call. Making small ovals with the peg on the slate or glass surface to simulate the yelping of a hen turkey will often gain a gobbler’s attention.

SCOUTING – Spend some time at dawn, listening for birds gobbling from the roost. Walk over your area, taking special note of turkey sightings, tracks, droppings, dusting sites and places where fresh scratching in the leaves indicate feeding sites.

OPENING DAY – Plan to be at a listening point late in the afternoon before the hunt. Listen for turkeys flying to roost. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the heavier wing-beats of a gobbler. Ideally, he will gobble a time or two before dark, helping you key in on where he will be the following morning.

Before dawn the next day, sneak to within 100 yards or so of where you heard the gobbler. In Louisiana, decoys are legal and a hen or jake decoy placed in an opening near you will help attract a gobbler.

Wait until the cardinals and crows begin calling. Perhaps a barred owl or crow will entice your roosted bird to gobble. If not, try using an owl hooter or if you’re good enough, your natural voice, to trigger a response.

Begin calling softly and sparingly, like a hen turkey might do upon awakening before she flies down. Listen to how the gobbler responds. If your calling excites him, tease him by remaining silent for several minutes; this piques his curiosity sometimes to the point that he will fly down and check you out. Calling too often will usually result in the gobbler remaining on his roost, waiting for the excited hen he hears to present herself. If he doesn’t see her, he’ll likely lose interest and go the other way after flying down.

THINK SAFETY – Choose a set-up with your back against a tree wider than your shoulders. Never attempt to sneak up on a gobbling bird; it may be another hunter. Also, as you slip through the woods, a nearby hunter may mistake you for the gobbler. Should you see another hunter moving your way, call out loudly to him to alert him to your position. Never wear the colors of red, white or blue, the colors of a gobbler’s head.

Follow these tips and you might discover a new sport that’ll last a lifetime.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 5

Dvonte Dewayne Browder, 25, Leesville – reckless operation of a vehicle, open container, expired MVI sticker, improper window tint, flight from an officer, speeding, improper lane usage, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana, running stop sign, failure to transfer title, driving under suspension/revocation, failure to secure registration, no insurance, switched license plate, $4,000 bail;

Errol Hakeem Cunningham, 35, Boyce – criminal trespass, contempt of court, $1,000 bail;

Jacoby McNeal, 22, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, aggravated criminal damage, weapon possession by convicted felon, no bail data;

Ashley Nicole Walker, 43, Bunkie – simple domestic abuse battery with child present, two counts contempt of court, $60,000 bail.

March 4

Kyran Jermaine Bush, 25, Pineville – aggravated second degree battery, contempt of court, $500 bail;

Terry W. Lotts III, 19, Dallas – aggravated second degree battery, $5,000 bail;

Lisa Teresina Wickham, 57, West Monroe – possession of controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, expired MVI sticker, improper driving on left, $3,200 bail.

March 3

Lyndon Beau Agneaux, 35, Alexandria – domestic abuse with child present, $1,000 bail;

Camden Storm Allen, 19, Baton Rouge – OWI first offense, no head light, $1,100 bail;

Kendrick Darnell Davis, 40, Lecompte – simple burglary, criminal trespass, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Gerrard Griffin, 20, Simmesport – manufacture, transfer, or possession of machine guns unlawful, aggravated assault, $20,000 bail;

Alexandre Hope Malone, 34, Alexandria – OWI first offense, open container, driving under suspension/revocation, $1,200 bail;

Christie Nichole Mouton, 45, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, $5,000 bail;

Courvoisier Kenta Robinson, 24, Moreauville – OWI first offense, careless operation, switched license plate, no driver’s license, $1,300 bail;

Tityana Desha Voorhies, 29, Alexandria – DWI first offense, careless operation, driving under suspension/revocation, $4,870 bail;

Aaron Lee Ware, 34, Woodworth – OWI second offense, sex offender failure to timely register/renew/update, $1,500 bail;

Derrick Woodall, 18, Alexandria – second degree murder, armed robbery, $325,000 bail;

Marrison Isreal Wright, 38, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, theft, $500 bail.

March 2

Candace Michelle Alberes, 52, Deville – aggravated battery, contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Brian Derrit Beebe, 41, Ball – issuing worthless checks, residential contractor fraud, $6,000 bail;

Jordan Joseph Bolton, 19, Deville – aggravated assault with a firearm, $5,000 bail;

Torrance Bowens, 19, Alexandria – theft, 20 counts simple burglary, $210,000 bail;

Devon Thomas Deaville, 41, Cottonport – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substance, Louisiana fugitive, resisting an officer, $3,500 bail;

Hernandez Martinez Salvador, 41, Bunkie – unlawful operation of vehicle by illegal alien, no driver’s license, flight from an officer, $1,100 bail.

Officers with the Alexandria Police Department (APD) responded to the 3000 block of Dawkins Street in reference to a report of a disturbance on Feb. 26. While conducting their investigation inside the residence, APD officers observed multiple clear glass jars containing what they suspected to be marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. APD officers contacted Agents with the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit to conduct the investigation into the suspected illegal narcotics.

RADE agents responded and interviewed the resident of the house, identified as Courtney Holt Dixon, 44 of Alexandria. As agents conducted their investigation, Dixon admitted he had marijuana, mushrooms, and several firearms in his house. After obtaining a consent to search, RADE agents located approximately 2 ½ pounds of marijuana, a jar of psychedelic mushrooms, eight firearms, and 28 bags of THC edibles. One of the firearms was found to have had an illegal length barrel so an RPSO deputy assigned to the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Task Force was notified and will conduct a further investigation specific to that weapon.

Dixon was placed under arrest without incident, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana and THC edibles) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Hallucinogenic Plants (Psychedelic Mushrooms) with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Carrying of Firearms with Drugs, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Dixon was later released on a $13,000 bond.

Agents would like to thank the Alexandria Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team comprised of the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in the Central Louisiana area. If anyone has information or would like to report any narcotics activity, they may do so by sending direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/.

Phishing—it’s like fishing, but instead of catching dinner, scammers are trying to reel in their victims’ personal info.

Lately, scammers have been casting a wide net, sending out fake text messages claiming members of the public owe past-due toll road fees. This is a scam.

Just like a fisherman dangles bait to lure in a fish, these scammers dangle scary messages hoping potential victims will bite. Don’t fall for it.

Think before clicking links. Never give out personal info. DO NOT download screen mirroring apps. Verify with the actual toll company if unsure.

Anyone who gets one of these messages should ignore it, delete it, and just keep swimming. Stay safe, Pineville.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is hosting its annual Father-Child Families Understanding Nature (FUN) Camp at the Woodworth Outdoor Education facility this coming April.

The event will be held Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6. The camp is open to parents with children from 10-13. The Mother-Child version of the camp will be held October 10-12.

LDWF says purpose of the camp is to give parents and children the opportunity to spend the weekend outdoors, reestablishing bonds, and learning/honing outdoor skills.

Pre-registration is required and is $50 per family (one parent and one child). Each additional child is $25 (limit two children per adult). The fee covers meals, lodging, and supplies. Bed linens and sleeping bags will not be provided; participants must provide their own.

March 6, 2025, brings together two seemingly unrelated but delightful observances: National Oreo Cookie Day and National Dentist’s Day. While one celebrates a beloved treat, the other honors professionals dedicated to oral health. This juxtaposition offers an opportunity to enjoy a sweet indulgence while reflecting on the importance of dental care.

National Oreo Cookie Day: A Century of Dunking Delight

National Oreo Cookie Day commemorates the introduction of the Oreo cookie, which has become a staple in households worldwide. First produced by the National Biscuit Company (now Nabisco) on March 6, 1912, the Oreo has evolved into the best-selling cookie in the United States.

The original Oreo featured two chocolate wafers with a rich crème filling, a simple yet irresistible combination. Over the years, Nabisco has introduced various flavors and limited-edition varieties, including mint, peanut butter, and seasonal themes, catering to diverse palates.

The cookie’s versatility extends beyond direct consumption; it serves as a key ingredient in numerous desserts such as milkshakes, cheesecakes, and ice cream flavors. Its iconic status is further cemented by its presence in popular culture and advertising campaigns that emphasize the playful ritual of twisting, licking, and dunking.

National Dentist’s Day: Honoring Guardians of Oral Health

On the same day, National Dentist’s Day recognizes the vital role dentists play in maintaining our oral health. Established to show appreciation for dental professionals, this day encourages individuals to acknowledge the importance of regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene.

Dentists are essential in diagnosing and treating dental issues, preventing diseases, and educating patients on maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Their expertise contributes significantly to overall health, as oral health is closely linked to systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

To observe National Dentist’s Day, individuals are encouraged to:

Schedule a Dental Check-Up: Regular visits help in early detection and prevention of dental problems.

Express Gratitude: A simple thank-you note or a positive review can brighten a dentist’s day.

Promote Oral Hygiene: Sharing tips on brushing, flossing, and healthy eating can raise awareness within the community.

Balancing Indulgence and Oral Health

The coincidence of National Oreo Cookie Day and National Dentist’s Day serves as a reminder of moderation and the balance between enjoying treats and maintaining oral hygiene. While indulging in Oreo cookies, it’s essential to practice proper dental care to prevent cavities and other oral issues.

Tips for Enjoying Sweets Responsibly:

Moderation: Limit the quantity of sugary snacks consumed.

Timing: Consume sweets during meals rather than as standalone snacks to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Hydration: Drink water after consuming sugary foods to help wash away residual sugars.

Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly, especially after eating sweets.

Conclusion

March 6, 2025, offers a unique blend of celebration and reflection. As we savor the timeless delight of Oreo cookies, we are also prompted to appreciate the professionals who ensure our smiles remain healthy. This day encapsulates the sweet balance between indulgence and responsibility, reminding us that with proper care, we can enjoy life’s treats while maintaining our well-being.

Storms wreaked havoc across the West Central Louisiana area on Tuesday, March 4, causing damage to trees and structures on Fort Johnson and throughout Vernon Parish.

At Service Command Loop in the southern part of the base, a gust of wind uprooted several large pine trees, damaged fences and flipped a contractor’s field office trailer on its roof. The trailer was fastened to the ground, indicating the strength of the blast of wind. No one was in the trailer at the time of the damage, around 11:40 a.m.

Electrical service went down in the area, and the water line to the office was severed. Pride Industries and other Responders from Fort Johnson were quickly on the spot to secure the site and begin damage repair.

By JIM BUTLER

Calvin Giddings, who has previously been in and out of incarceration, faces the prospect of not getting out again.

Giddings, 56, of Deville is charged with first-degree rape. That under current state law is mandatory life if convicted -.no parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

He was booked under $500,000 bail Friday. Authorities have released no information regarding circumstances of the case.

Giddings was last arrested in Rapides in February 2024 on five charges of contempt.

He was arrested the same month by Avoyelles authorities on criminal trespass and theft charges.

Records show several Rapides bookings in 2023, including criminal trespass and contempt, and possession and penal contraband charges in Grant Parish.

In August that year he was placed in custody of the Department of Corrections, apparently stemming from an earlier case.

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

To remember which way to set their clocks, folks often use the expression, “spring forward, fall back.”

• Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set forward 1 hour (i.e., losing one hour) to “spring forward.” Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on March 9, 2025, than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.

Note: Since the time changes at 2:00 A.M., we generally change our clocks before bed on Saturday.

“James, we have two choices” – my introduction to W.E. “Ted” Pate, then-principal of Bolton High School.

Neither was attractive but one – suspension – was far less so than the other. I took the other. We’ll skip the details. 

Over the years I’ve wondered how many the late Mr. Pate kept in school with that Lady or the Tiger approach.

Now I wonder how many attending the Bolton Hall of Fame banquet and installation April 25 may have been among them. Darn sure know some possibilities.

Pate is one of five inductees in the Hall’s second class, selected by the school alumni organization.

I am told, not surprisingly, that tables and individual tickets are going fast, likely duplicating last year’s sellout for the inaugural event.

It’s been my good fortune to also know Mr. Pate’s fellow inductees:

The late Scott O. Brame – first through an unsolicited, not for public acknowledgement $10,000 donation that rescued a youth baseball/siftball program, subsequently for a host of community projects;

Foster Walker III – first as a classmate, subsequently as supporter of innumerable community programs and projects;

Robert Ryder – first as a classmate’s little brother, met during construction of an ill-fated river raft in Ryder driveway on Gary Street; didn’t stay little long, becoming LSU football legend. Brother, Tom, an inductee last year.

Dr. James “Jeems” White III – first as president of Louisiana State Medical Society, subsequently as civic leader through Kiwanis activity.

Tickets for the event can be purchased through boltonalumni.org/winfame/ 

Best advice is don’t wait too long.

I grew up in a religious tradition that did not pay much attention to Ash Wednesday or Lent.  So the first time I ever saw someone with a cross on their forehead it made me wonder “why ashes?”  Why would someone want to spend the entire day with a black smudge on their face? My immaturity and uniformed self just couldn’t figure out “why ashes!”

It wasn’t until I went to a church that observed Ash Wednesday that I began to appreciate the symbolism as an excellent way to enter into Lent and prepare my heart for Easter.  Ashes have been a part of our human story and a sign of our human condition since the beginning of creation. Ashes were a sign of grief. People often sat in them as a sign of mourning. Ashes were an act of contrition and a reminder of our need for forgiveness. Ashes were removed from the altar in antiquity as an act of worship. Ashes are a symbol of our humanity and mortality for out of dust and ash we were created and to dust and ash we will return. So why not ashes?

Ashes remind us of our mortality. Ashes remind us of our need for forgiveness. Ashes remind us that when something is destroyed by fire, something new will rise up out of the ashes. So why not ashes! Who of us doesn’t want a new start?

If you are thinking right about now, “why not ashes?” then I would like to invite you to First United Methodist Church at 2727 Jackson Street in Alexandria.  I will be doing Drive Thru Ashes in the circle drive on Jackson Street from 11:00 – 1:00 today, Wednesday, March 5. You don’t even have to get out of your car.  Or if you want a little music to go with your ashes, there will be an Ash Wednesday service from 6:00 – 6:30 pm in the sanctuary tonight. Why not ashes as a beautiful start to Lent.

On the journey,

Ramonalynn Bethley

Ramonalynn Bethley is the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. If you would like to contact Ramonalynn, you can email her at DrRevRL@fumca.org

Second-seeded Plainview dominated visiting Ebarb Tuesday night in a second-round LHSAA playoff game and rolled into the quarterfinal round of the Class C bracket.

The Hornets (26-3) won 86-40. They will host seventh-seeded Hornbeck, tentatively Friday night, with a spot in next week’s Marsh Madness tournament in Lake Charles at stake.

In the other Tuesday playoff involving a parish school, Tioga was stopped in the second round in the Select Division II bracket at Lafayette by St. Thomas More, 58-37.

ASH (27-6) will travel Friday for its Select Division I quarterfinal since higher-seeded St. Augustine won Tuesday night.

Peabody (24-4) is home Friday night at 7 to meet Sophie B. Wright, the 11^th seed in the Select Division II bracket.