Commentary

by donna smith ammons

As a child I was programmed to sleep. I was put to bed early and I was up early for breakfast and school. When I was older, I still had a bedtime….even in the summertime. Little brother and I were in bed by 7 p.m. and it was still light outside!! We could hear our friends running around the neighborhood having fun. It was sheer torture to lay in our beds and try to sleep.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by Rivera Sun

Viewing the destruction of the planet and our natural systems as a form of violence, Campaign Nonviolence - a long-term movement to build a culture of nonviolence - engages people across the country in working toward sustainability, renewable energy, reducing meat consumption, supporting local food, and many other practices of living nonviolently on this beautiful Earth. As we commemorated Earth Day on April 22, we are called upon to recommit to protecting our planet to ensure that the human species and our fellow beings will have a long-term future. Founded in 1970, Earth Day is an internationally celebrated day, honoring the natural systems of the planet, and a day of action in support of climate protection. The commemoration was first proposed by two different people, peace activist John McConnell, who created the iconic Earth Flag, and Senator Gaylord Nelson.

by donna smith ammons

If you had told me 50+ years ago that I would be coloring in my old age I would have laughed at you!! I never was a child who enjoyed coloring any way. I preferred reading Golden Books and playing with paper dolls. My hobbies as a child included weaving potholders, climbing trees and play hopscotch or jacks. I was too active and fidgety to color!!

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by Lola Russell

Most of the time when I write letters, I keep a copy and once in a while I go through them and read them again. It helps me to remember. I ran across a letter to a cousin dated December 7, 2007, or Pearl Harbor day. At one time he had a trailer parked over on the Bray property next to Meadowbrook. I wrote, “We are still enjoying life here on the lake. There have been many changes since you were here. After the storms—Katrina and Rita, a few families have relocated here on the lake from south Louisiana and making this their home. There are some million-dollar homes being built around the lake.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by Lola Russell

In all of my years of driving, I take pride in never having an accident involving another vehicle. I confess to having a few fender benders, though. Once, when backing out of a neighbor’s driveway, I hit a telephone pole that was actually right on the edge of her drive. It bent my front bumper just a little, and John said that since the car was old, it wasn’t worth fixing. He straightened it out as best he could and from then on I had to look at the eyesore until we got rid of it. One good thing came out of this as the friend told me I was not the first person to come in contact with that electric pole, and she decided to call Cleco. They promptly sent a crew out to move it to the corner of her lot.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by donna smith ammons

On Good Friday, hubby-dear and I woke up to the screams of five-yearold Braeden. “Grammie, PaPaw,” he yelled. “You’re here!!” He had been sound asleep when we arrived just before midnight. When he stumbled into the living room the next morning, he suddenly came alive!!! Seeing your grandchildren after a long time is a wonderful feeling. And to be greeted with a big hug and excitement made the long trip to Zachary in the dark worth our trip.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by donna smith ammons

Spring cleaning time has arrived……again. Seems like it was only yesterday that Spring arrived in 2015. I had high hopes back then, but my closets are still jammed with junk and I still have good intentions. Wonder if I’ll follow through this year?

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition

by donna smith ammons

Today is Mother’s birthday. It is my honor to wish her a Happy Birthday on this special day. I cannot say enough about this wonderful woman, who gave birth to me and my little brother; who raised us in a number of states as the wife of a Marine; and who saw that we had no wants. She sewed my clothing through high school and even made a prom dress.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by Pete Abington

A few facts on history: Louisiana has had fourteen unelected governors, or who you might call accidental governors. The first was Henry Thibodeaux, who served only one month in 1824 as Louisiana’s fourth governor. He took over for Thomas Robertson, who was appointed a federal judge. The last one was Earl K. Long who succeeded Richard W. Leche in 1938-39 after Leche resigned after being busted for taking kick-backs and sentenced to the pen. He became the first governor to serve in the pokey.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition 

by Lola Russell 

Around the 60s or 70s, we used to hear a song that went “As you walk, as you talk with the ones you love, do you know just how lucky you are?” Those words make me stop and think of all the blessings I have that I just take for granted.

To view more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition