Morgan and Ethan Sparks have qualified to participate in the 71^st Annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming on July 14-20.

The duo are high school seniors, being homeschooled at the Catfish Bend Academy in Coushatta. They are the children of Corey and Marla Sparks of Marthaville.

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The annual Sabine Parish Back-to-School Rally will be hosted at the Family Life Center of Many’s First Methodist Church on Saturday, August 3 beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until noon.

Mary Gore of Toledo Baptist Resort Ministry serve as chairwoman of the committee. Committee members include the Rev. Jerome Newsome of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, the Rev. Gloria Youngblood, pastor of First United Methodist Church; the Rev. Jonathan Bost, pastor of First Baptist Church; Bro. Harry Babers of Zwolle’s Tabernacle of Love; Donna Smith Ammons, Kenneth Ammons, Vicki Isgitt, Allen Isgitt, Debbie McDaniel, Lisa Henderson, Shantreece Hooker, Tammy Holmes, Collette Parson, Virginia Burkett, Vicki Weaver and Sarah O’Neal.

Kathleen Sue Gandy, 41, passed away on June 2, 2019 at Christus-Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport. She was born and raised in Converse and later moved to the Shreveport-Bossier area where she lived and worked until her passing.

Kat was a loving daughter, sister, spouse, mentor, and friend. She loved to travel the world and experience new things with her friends and family. Her kindness and selflessness lead her to dedicate her life to educating others.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Dean Gandy, and is survived by her mother, Mary Sue Gandy; spouse, Brian Collins; sister, Kristina Wright; half-sisters, Missy Herald and Angie Parrie and their families; uncles, Steve Smith and Gerald Neel; and her furbaby, Dizzy the Cat.

A celebration of her life was held at Rose-Neath South Funeral Home June 7.

Funeral services for Barbara Jean Hardy, 76, of Hineston were held June 5 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Louis Slaughter officiating. Burial followed in the Warren Cemetery.

She was born on Saturday, January 23, 1943 in Many, and passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2019 in Alexandria.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Troy Goodman and Euna Jones Goodman; husband, Emmit Ray Hardy; stepson, Vincent Ray Hardy; four brothers and one sister.

She is survived by her sons, Ellis Rains of Many, and Dewayne Young of Glenmora; daughters, Nelwyn Parler of Lucedale, Mississippi, Stephanie Young of Many, LaDawn Johnson of Erath, and Rachael Dyson of Carencro; sister, Brenda Jordon of Mansfield; brother, Mark Goodman of Many; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.warrenmeadows.com

Funeral services for Martha Virginia Byrd, 87, of Florien, were held June 9 at Antioch Baptist Church with the Reverends Jimmie Evans, Wayne Chance and Dennis Bignar officiating. Burial followed in the Antioch Cemetery.

She was born on Friday, August 7, 1931 in Tenaha, Texas, and passed away on Friday, June 7, 2019 at Sabine Medical Center in Many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennings Osward DuBose and Reba Ray Ware Du-Bose; husband, Carroll Byrd; husband, Mack Anthony; brothers, Jennings Maurice DuBose, William “Bill” DuBose, Brian Alton DuBose, Lil J. O. DuBose Jr., and Dave DuBose; sisters, Jean Ballard, Mary Sue Chreene and Claudia Marie Harper; son-in-law, Mike Dunn; and step-daughter-in-law, Deborah Byrd.

There’s nothing like a weekend at Cypress Bend Park to get away from it all. Whether you’re an accomplished fisherman or just looking to spend some time with your rod-and-reel Toledo Bend Lake is the place to travel. The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) and the Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) joined forces and offered the tenth annual Fish Fest on Saturday, June 1, 2019 to youth fishermen. Lots of folks were available to provide moral support as the youth fishermen competed to catch the largest bass, bream, catfish, white perch (crappie), turtle, and any other freshwater fish off the banks of Cypress Bend Park. TBLA is a non-profit organization formed by volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of Toledo Bend by sponsoring many events such as the youth Fish Fest.

What’s a didgeridoo?

Kids from all over Sabine Parish who attended the Sabine Parish Library’s Universe of Stories summer reading program found out last Tuesday at the Many Community Center’s kickoff celebration.

Mr. Didgeridoo himself, Rob Thomas, in a high energy program taught the children all about the land down under -- Australia, where the didgeridoo originated. It’s a horn, a long horn, and it was originally made by the native aboriginal people of Australia. It emits a long, flowing sound, and Thomas is a master at playing it. He brought several didgeridoos to show the children and he played the horns for them.

Thomas also taught the children about Australian music, character building, geography, new vocabulary words, and about being kind to the environment.

RFD-TV star and banjoist Leroy Troy of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, is coming to Many. Coming with him will be the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band. It all takes place on Saturday, June 22, at the historic Sabine Theater, now known as the Many Community Center. Two shows will be presented to accommodate the large crowd that is expected. The first performance starts at 5:45 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Seating is general admission. Those who wish to be assured of a seat should arrive early. The box office will open at 5 p.m. and tickets are $10 each. Veterans with ID will be admitted free.

The program is a special presentation of the No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration, headed by Sabine Tourist Commission Director Linda Curtis-Sparks, and the event is also presented by the Many Cultural District, chaired by Town of Many Councilwoman Mary Brocato.

Buses began rolling into the LSU AgCenter Grant Walker Educational Center on May 20, kicking off the official start of the summer camping season.

About 375 youth from parishes across the state arrived Monday afternoon, eager to sign up for their favorite educational track and recreational activities for the first week of 4-H summer camp.

“I came here to try something different,” said Sabine Parish fifth grader Lehr Turner.

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Memorial services for Beth Morales will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, May 25 at 41948 Highway 171 South, Florien, LA, 71429.

Beth Morales, 65, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019, at Rapides Regional Medical Center.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Richard and Janice Hybicki; and brother, John Hybicki.

Those left to cherish her memory include sons, Jeremiah Morales and wife Kendra, and Max Morales and wife Coralie; daughter, Megan Morales; grandchildren, Collin, Halle, Joshua, Keagan and Dawson; and great grandchildren, Avery, Nadia and Robert.

To extend online condolences, please visit www.magnoliafuneralhome.com