Lifestyle

Preschoolers are excited about books at the Sabine Parish Library. Each branch offers the 1000 Books before Kindergarten initiative in which children receive prizes for every 100 books read to them. Those books add up fast: just ask any participant! Many studies have shown that children who are read to at an early age are more successful in school, so sign up your child now and begin reaping the rewards!

Completing 1000 books was Lynndy Pitt, daughter of Brad and Samantha Pitt of Many. Completing 500 books were Frances Barnhill, daughter of Ryan and Ashley Barnhill of Many; and James Ann Jagneaux, daughter of Lucas and Ambres Jagneaux of Many (not shown). Completing 100 books were Cecelia Carroll, daughter of Bryan and Jen Carroll of Many; Macon Pitt, son of Brad and Samantha Pitt of Many; Tucker Berry, son of Ethan and Taylor Berry of Many; and Mason Bell, son of Jarret and Chelsea Bell of Many.

Ongoing Spay/Neuter Program The Sabine Humane Society offers a monthly spay and neuter voucher program. Vouchers are available to the first 15 callers, and the society will pay 50 percent of the cost to the vet. For those on Medicaid or Medicare, the society will pay 100 percent of the cost of spaying or neutering.

Interested parties are asked to call 318-6457156 at 8 a.m. on the first day of the month. You should leave a message indicating you are interested in a voucher and provide your name and phone number.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Get your pet fixed for FREE! If you are a resident of Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Sabine, or Webster Parish and take home $1,500 or less per month OR are married and, as a couple, take home $2,500 or less per month, Robinson’s Rescue will spay/neuter your pet and provide them with a rabies vaccine for free. This free program is referred to as our Subsidized Spay/ Neuter Incentive Program (SSNIP).

As it turned out, Judge Gentry walked the parade route behind her vehicle, shown below. Riding in the truck were her sister Amber and niece, Bree.

For the fifth stop on the #ThanksToVeterans Tour, we headed to Louisiana to meet up with Army Veteran Elijah Talley. Since buying his home with Veterans United in the small town of Many, LA a few years ago, Elijah has dedicated himself to giving back to his community in any way he can. He takes veterans struggling with mental health on fishing trips to bring them some peace, volunteers as a coach for the local little league football team, is the first to lend a hand to anyone, and more. When Elijah told us he had an idea for an event to bring his community together, we hit the road to help him host the first-ever Veteran & Military Family Fall Fest on Toledo Bend. Folks came from Sabine Parish and beyond to enjoy a day of live music, delicious food, and the great outdoors; all while supporting one of Elijah’s favorite organizations, Veterans Hunting & Fishing Network.

BOM is a sponsor of the Many Youth Football League. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Ashley Parrie, Levi Mitchell, Mason and Myles Fluitt, AJ Payne, and BOM’s Tiffany Miller.

City Bank is a proud sponsor of the 15th Annual Deer Fest presented by the Robeline First Baptist church. Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 29, 2022. For more information, contact Brian Ray at 318-294-3369 or Dustie Litton at 318-663-9756. Shown with City Bank employee, Kristy Miller is Mr. Glen Miller.

The 42nd annual Sabine Freestate Festival will be November 4th – November 6th, 2022 in Florien, Louisiana to commemorate “No Man’s Land” also known as the “Neutral Strip” of Louisiana that harbored bandits, robbers, and those seeking a safe haven from the law in the early 1800’s.

Pre-festival events include a Big Buck competition, adult division, that opens on October 29th.

The festival officially begins Friday, November 4th at 8:00 am with the veteran’s breakfast. All veterans are invited to attend. Guest speaker Command Sgt. Major Dennis Cobb will speak at 9:00 am for the veteran’s program. Education day ends at 1:30 pm and the BBQ cook–off check-in opens. Music by Southern Country and a street dance can be found on Ellie boulevard stage at 6:30 pm. Bingo will begin at 8:30 pm at the Florien train depot.

The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta is heating things up in Louisiana! The town of Zwolle will host its 46th annual Tamale Fiesta, October 6-9th, 2022 at the Festival Grounds located at 1100 S Main Street in Zwolle. There will be music, carnival rides, concessions, souvenirs, lots of tamales, and fun for the entire family!

Festivities will kick off October 1st at 2:00 pm with a family trail ride. Following the trail ride, the Fiesta First Lady’s and Kings dinner will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. At 7:00 pm, DJ-K9 production’s music and dancing will start!

Royal Mass will take place on October 2nd at 11:00 am at Saint Joseph Catholic Church.

On the first day of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, Thursday October 6th, there is Senior citizen’s day from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. At 4:00 pm, festival gates will open ($2 admission fee); kick-off supper, opening ceremony, and fiesta royalty presented beginning at 6:00 pm.

“I never imagined being King of the Tamale Fiesta,” said a surprised Ronnie Brandon. “When Suzette Anderson called and told me I had been named King by the Board of Directors, I was shocked.” “I am very honored,” he added. Brandon will be the 46th King to reign over the popular Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, which will be hosted on October 6-8. Large numbers of festival-goers flock to the small Sabine Parish town for a weekend of arts and crafts, contests, a parade, tamale-eating contest, music and so much more. Tamale Fiesta t-shirts, prints of the 2022 poster and plenty of hot tamales, prepared by some of the best cooks in the state, will be available for sale.