On February 4, 2004, a website originally designed for Harvard University students quietly launched under the name TheFacebook. Created by Mark Zuckerberg and a small group of collaborators, the platform would soon evolve into Facebook, fundamentally transforming communication and social interaction worldwide.

Initially limited to college campuses, Facebook allowed users to create personal profiles, connect with friends, and share updates online. Its real-name policy and clean design distinguished it from earlier social networking sites, fostering a sense of authenticity and trust among users.

As access expanded beyond universities, Facebook’s user base grew exponentially. The platform became a central hub for social interaction, news sharing, event organization, and digital advertising. Businesses, political campaigns, and media outlets quickly recognized its influence, using it to reach targeted audiences on an unprecedented scale.

Facebook’s growth also sparked complex debates about privacy, data usage, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion. The platform has been linked to both positive movements, such as grassroots activism, and negative consequences, including misinformation and online polarization.

Despite ongoing scrutiny and competition from newer platforms, Facebook remains one of the most influential digital entities in history. Its launch on February 4 represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of the internet, signaling the beginning of the social media era.

More than two decades later, the impact of that single website continues to shape how people connect, communicate, and engage with the world around them.

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The Latest Question & Answer

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J.D. was born in 1924 near Annona, Texas. He was the eldest of seven children. His father, Edgar, named him J.D. after the character in a book. The initials stood for nothing. According to his family, J.D. was “a prankster, and a cutup, and a ham. He always loved being with folks who he could cutup with; people who understood his humor, and all his inside jokes.” When he was about 15 years old, J.D. quit school to help his father run the family farm. When the United States entered World War II, J.D. wanted to do his part, but he felt his duty was to help his father provide for the family. From 1941 until July 1944, J.D.’s family could tell that his decision was bothering him. J.D.’s sister Joyce remembered that J.D. had “been acting like he had something on his mind and he was real edgy, which wasn’t like him because he was a pretty carefree, happy-go-lucky kind of guy.” Later that day, July 21, 1944, J.D. enlisted in the Army where he became a paratrooper. J.D. spent months in heavy combat. In January 1945, he was injured while fighting in the Rhine Valley, the final major barrier between the Allies and Germany. When he learned he was to be awarded the Purple Heart, he refused it. The Army ultimately awarded him the Bronze Star for his combat duty.

Following the war, J.D. returned to farming alongside his father. In December 1946, J.D. married his high school sweetheart and moved to Dallas for better employment opportunities, along with other creature comforts such as electricity and indoor plumbing. J.D. worked at the Dearborn Stove Company followed by Sears, Roebuck & Company. After getting laid off from Sears and a failed stint at farming, J.D. decided to become a police officer. In June 1952, he joined the Dallas Police Department where he was assigned to the Oak Cliff area of Dallas.

J.D. had several notable incidents while a police officer. On April 28, 1956, J.D. and his partner Daniel Smith responded to a call in which a man was threatening to kill his wife with an ice pick. J.D. and Daniel arrived and confronted the man. While trying to subdue the man, Daniel was stabbed in the shoulder and J.D. in the stomach and right kneecap. Despite their injuries, they arrested the man and received treatment at a nearby hospital. Five months later, on September 2, 1956, J.D. and officer Dale Hankins stopped at a bar called Club 80 for a routine check. While there, J.D. recognized a man from a wanted poster and asked him to step outside. The man stood, pulled a pistol, pointed it at J.D.’s face, and pulled the trigger. Snap! J.D. and Dale pulled their pistols, fired multiple shots, and killed the man. Luckily for J.D., the man had failed to take his pistol off safety. J.D. received the Meritorious Award and a commendation for his “outstanding judgment and quick thinking.”

Seven years later, J.D. was on patrol in the Oak Cliff area when a police dispatcher provided the details of a shooting suspect. At about 1:15 p.m., J.D. saw someone who fit the provided description near East 10th and North Patton streets. Based on eyewitness accounts, J.D. spoke to the suspect through his passenger side window briefly and exited his car. The suspect pulled a pistol, shot J.D. four times, and fled the scene. A passerby used J.D.’s own police radio to call for help, but there was nothing anyone could do. After 11 years as a police officer, J.D. Tippit’s final shift ended at that intersection where a memorial plaque now stands, but it led to the arrest of the man who killed him, the same man who, just 45 minutes earlier, had killed President John F. Kennedy.

 

Source: “J.D. Tippit, Brother, Husband, Father, Friend,” JDTippit.com, accessed January 18, 2026, https://www.jdtippit.com/happen_nov.htm.

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Herman Webb
February 21, 1960 – January 26, 2026
Visitation: Friday, February 6 from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home
Services: Saturday, February 7 at 11:00 AM at 1st Ebenezer Baptist Church

Patsy B. Hood
October 14, 1945 — January 31, 2026
Visitation: at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m.
Services: Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m at Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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Failure to scan numerous items at the self checkout section at a local discount store has checked a Homer woman into the parish jail on a theft charge.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said 45-year-old Tomun Burns was arrested just after 9:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at Walmart. She is charged with misdemeanor theft and also on a pair of bench warrants through the Minden police department.

She is currently being held in the parish jail under a $650 cash bond.

Police reportedly were called to the store by loss prevention officers after security footage showed Burns allegedly failing to scan items while using the self checkout. After reviewing the footage, Burns reportedly admitted she failed to scan between 30 and 40 items.

A further check showed Burns allegedly failed to scan 73 items which included various miscellaneous food items and children’s toys, totaling $533.58.

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Claiborne Parish residents can expect a stretch of mostly dry weather over the coming days, with sunshine during the afternoons and very cold temperatures overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be sunny and calm, with afternoon highs reaching near 48 degrees. Skies will become partly cloudy Wednesday night as temperatures fall to around 23 degrees.

Cloud cover increases on Thursday, with mostly cloudy skies and highs near 52. A weak system may bring a 20 percent chance of showers Thursday night, along with mostly cloudy conditions and lows around 25.

Friday will be cooler, with partly sunny skies and highs near 38. Temperatures will drop sharply Friday night under partly cloudy skies, reaching near 13 degrees.

The weekend remains dry but chilly. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 33, followed by a partly cloudy night with lows around 15. Sunday brings mostly sunny skies and a slight warm-up, with highs near 43 and mostly clear conditions Sunday night as temperatures fall to around 21.

Looking ahead to Monday, sunshine continues with mostly sunny skies and highs climbing back to near 51 degrees.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the cold overnight hours, especially heading into the weekend.

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Garden lovers from Claiborne Parish and across north Louisiana are invited to dig into a morning of learning, food, and fellowship at the 2026 Buds & Blooms event hosted by the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners.

The annual gardening program will take place Saturday, February 28, at First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway in Minden. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with lectures running from 9 a.m. until noon.

Admission is $15, with proceeds benefiting 4-H Youth Gardening Projects and Scholarships.

This year’s lineup features three knowledgeable speakers covering a range of popular gardening topics:

John Michael Kelly – “Wildflowers”

Dalorie Moller – “Lasagna Gardening”

Mitzi Thomas – “Fertilizers & Pesticides”

In addition to educational sessions, attendees can enjoy great food, browse potted bulbs for sale, and take part in a raffle and door prize drawings.

Organizers say the event is designed for gardeners of all experience levels — from beginners looking to start their first flower bed to seasoned growers wanting to sharpen their skills.

“Buds & Blooms is a fun way to learn practical gardening techniques while supporting youth programs in our area,” representatives with the Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners shared.

For more information, residents may call (318) 371-1371 or (318) 245-0329, visit http://www.phlmg.com, or follow facebook.com/phlmg.

With spring just around the corner, Buds & Blooms offers Claiborne Parish residents a timely opportunity to grow their knowledge — and their gardens — while giving back to the community.

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Ever dreamed of becoming a Master Gardener? Now is your chance. The
LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for the next Piney Hills Louisiana Master
Gardeners class, scheduled for June through September. Membership is open to all adults
in Northwest Louisiana. Master Gardeners are the volunteer arm of the LSU
AgCenter. They are trained in horticulture in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service,
sharing what they have learned with other gardeners.

Volunteer opportunities include organizing and staffing the annual garden tour,
annual seminar, along with the spring Plant Sale, teaching children about gardening,
creating, and maintaining demonstration gardens and assisting in local parish extension
offices.

So, what will you learn? Topics include insects, plant health, vegetables, fruits,
turf, ornamentals and more. Classes, both lecture and hands-on, are taught by Louisiana
Cooperative Extension specialists, university professors and other horticulture experts.

Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for 11 weeks, starting
June 16, 2026. Attendance at all classes is required for certification. There is a $165
registration fee, which covers the cost of training manuals, publications and supplies for
the class. If you enroll before April 20, you will receive a $25 discount. The registration
deadline is May 22, 2026.

Call 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371, to request an application, or download one
at http://www.phlmg.com (Programs and follow the links.) or jmonzingo@agcenter.lsu.edu

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Do you have a drawer under your oven? And more importantly—what’s living in there? Cookie sheets? Muffin tins? A colony of plastic lids that haven’t had matching bowls since the Bush administration.

And the bigger question: Are you even using that drawer correctly?

My mother used that drawer for cookie sheets, and therefore—by the sacred laws of Southern motherhood—I was required to do the same. You don’t question Mama’s kitchen theology. You just obey and hope she doesn’t notice you put the castiron skillet in the dishwasher.

But who gets to tell you what’s right? Who shapes your choices? And when does “that’s how Mama did it” turn into “that’s how I got myself into trouble”?

Before we go any further, let me ask something bold: Do you know the truth about oven drawers?

Let me tell you a story.

There’s an old African tale about a man and his beloved lamb. He fed it by hand, played with it, probably let it sleep on the porch. Hard times came, and he had to take the lamb to market.

Three thieves heard about this and cooked up a plan.

As the man walked down the road with the lamb over his shoulders, the first thief said, “Why are you carrying that dog?”

The man laughed. “It’s a lamb.”

A little farther along, the second thief said, “Finelooking dog you’ve got there.”

The man frowned. “It’s… a lamb. Pretty sure.”

Near the market, the third thief shook his head. “Sir, they won’t let you bring a dog in there.”

That did it. The man set the lamb down, stared at it, and thought, “Well, if three different people say it’s a dog, it must be a dog.” And he walked away.

If he’d turned around, he would’ve seen the thieves scooping up his verymuchnotadog lamb and heading home for supper.

Now, back to the oven drawer.

For years, I never questioned its purpose. Mama said it was for cookie sheets, so it was for cookie sheets. End of discussion. But like the man with the lamb, I realized I’d let other voices define reality for me.

Then I learned the shocking truth: Some oven drawers are storage drawers… and some are warming drawers.

If your oven is older than your church’s carpet, it’s probably storage. But newer ovens? That drawer might be designed to keep food warm.

Which means: Trying to warm your biscuits in a storage drawer is just wishful thinking. Storing your plastic lids in a warming drawer is how you end up explaining yourself to the fire department.

It is not your mother’s oven.

And that’s the point.

In a world where everyone has an opinion—loudly—and where people will swear up and down that the lamb you’re carrying is a dog, you need a center that doesn’t wobble. You need truth that isn’t based on trends, polls, or whoever shouts the loudest.

You need someone who won’t call darkness “light” just because it’s fashionable.

You need the One who doesn’t change.

You need the One who won’t mislead you for His own gain.

You need the One who tells you the truth—even when three thieves insist otherwise.

And that place, that Person, is where I always end up: Jesus.

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Louisiana snow day essentials: space heater, extension cord, boiling water, generator, candles, and a phone at 3% battery. While some outside the South might chuckle at a Louisiana winter, we know how to stay prepared, make the most of any situation, and get through it together.

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As winter storms and icy conditions continue to impact much of the region, enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are playing a critical role in keeping residents safe, particularly in northern parishes where travel has become hazardous.

Since the beginning of the storm, LDWF agents have completed 32 public assistance responses, helping stranded motorists, clearing debris from roadways, assisting local law enforcement agencies, and responding to emergency calls involving people stuck on the water. Officials say the efforts reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to public safety during extreme weather events.

On January 24, agents in Northeast Louisiana alone carried out six additional public assists, including several dramatic rescues. Two stranded boaters were located on the Wham Brake area of the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area and safely transported to shore, where they were evaluated for hypothermia and released.

In another incident, an LDWF agent rescued three missing juveniles on the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge after locating their truck stuck in dangerous conditions. The agent was able to safely transport the youths to a secure location.

Agents also assisted a motorist whose vehicle had slid into a ditch on the south end of the refuge’s Mollicy Unit.

Beyond emergency rescues, LDWF agents have also ensured essential services remained operational by providing transportation for 83 essential workers. Agents shuttled staff to and from the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Monroe and the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, allowing healthcare and support services to continue despite the ice-covered roads.

Col. Stephen Clark, head of the LDWF Enforcement Division, praised the dedication of his team during the severe weather.

“I’m extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism our agents have shown while operating under very challenging conditions,” Clark said. “Despite the obstacles they’ve faced, they have continued to carry out their duties effectively without incident.”

As forecasts continue to warn of lingering cold temperatures and the potential for additional icy conditions, LDWF officials encourage residents to limit travel when possible and to use caution on both roadways and waterways.

Through rescues, roadway assistance, and support for essential workers, LDWF enforcement agents remain on the front lines of storm response — demonstrating their commitment to protecting Louisiana communities when conditions are at their worst.

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Homer High School is celebrating the academic achievements of five senior basketball players who have been named to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) All-Academic Team.

The LHSAA All-Academic Award Program recognizes senior student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in the classroom by maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or higher while participating in athletics.

The honored Homer High seniors are Jariel Norton, Jaliya Franklin, ShaMyiah McClain, Jer’Laysja Cooper, and Cameron Waters. Each student-athlete has successfully balanced the demands of competitive basketball with strong academic performance, exemplifying dedication both on and off the court.

School officials praised the students for their commitment to academics and athletics, noting that the recognition reflects not only individual hard work but also the supportive culture at Homer High School.

The achievement brings pride to Homer High School and the Claiborne Parish community, highlighting the importance of academic success alongside athletic competition.

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Once again I’m going off the rails and taking a break from talking fishing. Those of you that have read my articles from the very beginning know about my history as a kid. Growing up on the streets of Rosenburg, Texas, and Houston, made me a little tougher than most kids my age. I knew first-hand by the age of 8 what it was like to be footloose and fancy free running the streets ‘til all hours of the night, with zero guidance.

While my biological mother was more concerned with her modeling career and surviving the beatings she took at the hands of my stepdad, I was just trying to survive. I was the one sneaking into houses looking for a quick meal.

The one thing I always wondered — where was my real dad during all of this and why did I never get to meet him? Why was he never involved in my life?

Was this his choice to avoid contact with me or was there some kind of a mutual agreement between my mother and him that he was to never reach out to me for any reason?

These are questions that I’ll never get the answers to until the day I’m reunited with my dad and the loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. But as a father myself, I cannot imagine having a child in this world and not knowing who or where they were.

I’ve always heard that my athletic abilities came from my dad. I’ve heard stories from my older brother, Mike (we share the same mom and dad), on the kind of dad he was to him and how he supported him and his athletic career.

But the same questions continue to go through my head today, even at the age of 64. How was it that we never met? Why didn’t he reach out to me?

Every kid wants that relationship with their dad. A dad plays an important role in the development of a young boy growing into a man. He also provides a sense of security to all his children that no matter what, dad always has their back.

He provides advice and guidance for life’s troubled journey and teaches how to navigate those trials and tribulations. He’s the man who jerks a knot in your tail when you need correcting or get out of line. He’s the rock you look up to and hope to make proud one day. He’s the man you only hope you can be one day.

But for me, that connection was never made. The years went by with zero contact from the man that I only heard about from relatives. From what I’ve been able to learn over the years, he had a good side and a bad side.

I’ve been told that he enjoyed his Friday and Saturday nights at local taverns, but he also had wandering eyes for the ladies and traded one for another frequently. Guess this is why he and my mother divorced while she was pregnant with me. All total, he was married seven times (the legal limit in Texas) and once to the same lady, twice.

So, maybe those that knew him thought it was in my best interest NOT to have a relationship with him; that nothing good would come out of us having that father-son bond that a boy wants with his dad.

But looking back, he missed out on so much of my life’s great experiences. Things that a dad is supposed to be there for like a high school state championship, graduation, signing an athletic scholarship, getting married, being drafted by a Major League Baseball team and so much more! He missed out on so many of my life’s ups and downs — and three great grandkids.

Growing up, I had the best childhood a young boy could ever ask for while being raised by my aunt and uncle in an awesome small town in East Texas. My uncle, who I called Dad after being adopted, was a great provider and taught me about responsibility and hard work while growing up on a ranch. He assumed the role of a loving father as best he could, but it’s just not the same.

There’s something about having a relationship with the man you share the same DNA with as it completes the internal connection — the connection that only a father can have with his children.

So, I know the day will come when I’ll get all my questions answered. I’ll finally get to meet the father I never met. But in the meantime, I’ll do my best to be the best father I can be to all three of my children.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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The Latest Question & Answer

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January 28, 1986, stands as one of the darkest days in the history of space exploration. Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven crew members and shocking viewers around the world.

The mission had drawn unprecedented public attention due to the presence of Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire schoolteacher selected to become the first civilian educator in space. Millions of students watched the launch live in classrooms, making the tragedy especially traumatic for a generation of Americans.

Investigations later determined that the disaster was caused by the failure of O-ring seals in one of the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters. Cold temperatures on the morning of the launch compromised the seals, allowing hot gases to escape and ultimately leading to structural failure. Evidence revealed that engineers had raised concerns about the risks, but those warnings were not acted upon.

In the aftermath, NASA grounded the shuttle fleet and launched an extensive review of its procedures, management culture, and safety protocols. The Rogers Commission’s findings led to significant changes within the agency, emphasizing the importance of engineering judgment and transparency in decision-making.

The Challenger disaster reshaped public perception of space travel, underscoring the inherent risks of exploration. Memorials, scholarships, and educational programs were established in honor of the crew, ensuring their legacy would inspire future generations.

January 28 serves as a solemn reminder that progress often comes at great cost. The lessons learned from Challenger continue to influence aerospace safety and remind the nation of the human lives behind scientific ambition.

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Claiborne Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com

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The Claiborne Parish School Board has announced that all Claiborne Parish Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as winter weather continues to impact the area.

District officials cited hazardous conditions associated with the storm system, including cold temperatures and weather-related travel concerns, as the reason for the closure.

School leaders also noted that an update regarding school operations for Thursday will be shared on Wednesday before 4 p.m., allowing families and staff time to prepare for the following school day.

The Claiborne Parish School Board emphasized its commitment to student and staff safety and encourages parents to monitor official district communication channels for the latest updates.

Residents are urged to use caution while traveling during ongoing winter weather conditions across the parish.

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HOMER, La. — Claiborne Parish’s school board started the year by reaffirming its leadership and honoring its members’ commitment to students earlier this month.

During the board’s regular monthly meeting on Jan 8, the board voted to keep Perry Anderson as president and Yolanda Coleman as vice president and approved the minutes from the Dec. 9. meetings.

In recognition of School Board Recognition Month, Superintendent Chris Brooks read a proclamation praising the board for advocating for public education and shaping the district’s vision.

“The mission of public schools is to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and empower them to become productive contributors to a democratic society,” the proclamation states Brooks encouraged residents to join in celebrating the dedication and service of local school board members.

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Residents should prepare for a significant shift in weather conditions this week as rain gives way to freezing temperatures and dangerous winter precipitation across the parish.

Wednesday will be wet, with rain likely before 3 p.m. and a high near 55 degrees. South winds around 5 mph will become calm in the afternoon. Rain chances stand at 90 percent, with totals between a quarter and half an inch possible. Rain is expected to continue into Wednesday night, mainly before midnight, with cloudy skies and lows around 45.

Thursday brings a brief lull, though clouds will linger. There remains a 30 percent chance of rain before noon, with highs near 56. By Thursday night, rain chances increase again to 50 percent, and temperatures will fall to around 38.

Conditions worsen Friday as colder air moves in. Rain is likely before noon, then a mix of rain and sleet is expected through the day. Highs will reach only about 45, with a 70 percent chance of precipitation.

Friday night marks the start of potentially hazardous winter weather. Rain, freezing rain, and sleet are expected before midnight, transitioning to freezing rain and sleet overnight. Sleet could become heavy at times, with temperatures plunging to around 17. The chance of precipitation rises to 90 percent.

Saturday is expected to be the most dangerous day, with freezing rain and sleet continuing and sleet possibly heavy at times. Highs will struggle to reach 22, and the chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Saturday night will remain cloudy with freezing rain and sleet likely before midnight and lows near 15.

By Sunday, a mix of snow and freezing rain remains possible, though chances decrease to 30 percent. Highs will reach around 29, with mostly cloudy skies. Sunday night will be bitterly cold, with lows near 10.

Conditions improve slightly Monday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 34.

Officials urge residents to monitor forecasts closely, prepare for icy roads and potential power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of freezing rain and sleet. The combination of heavy sleet and subfreezing temperatures could make roadways impassable and pose risks to infrastructure and safety across Claiborne Parish.

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By John Monzingo, Assistant County Agent

Selecting and Caring for Crape Myrtles

A popular landscaping tree, especially in the southern United States, is the crape myrtle
(Lagerstroemia indica). Native to Southeast Asia, crape myrtles were introduced to America in the
1800s and have since become a staple in southern landscapes. They are valued for their hardiness
and long-lasting floral display, blooming from early summer through fall. Flower colors include white,
pink, red, and purple.

Choosing the Right Crape Myrtle

When selecting a crape myrtle for your landscape, there are several important factors to consider.
As with any tree, available space is critical. Crape myrtles vary greatly in size depending on the
variety, ranging from as small as 2 feet tall to as large as 30 feet tall, with widths from 3 to 30 feet.
For landscapes with limited space or concerns about overhead structures, a dwarf variety such as
‘Hopi’ is a good choice, reaching a mature height of 4–5 feet. For larger, open areas where height is
not an issue, a variety such as ‘Natchez’ may be ideal, as it can reach a mature height of
approximately 30 feet.

Site Requirements

Once you have selected the appropriate size, proper placement is essential. Crape myrtles require
6–8 hours of full sun each day for optimal growth and flowering. They prefer slightly acidic soil, with
a recommended pH range of 5.5–6.5. Soil pH and nutrient levels can be determined through a soil
test, which will also provide fertilizer recommendations.

During the first year after planting, crape myrtles require regular watering to establish a strong root
system. After approximately five years, they become much more drought tolerant and require
minimal supplemental watering.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is a major component of crape myrtle care and should be done while the tree is dormant. In
North Louisiana, most trees and shrubs enter dormancy from late October through late February.
Proper pruning involves selectively removing weak, damaged, crossing, or rubbing branches, as well
as trimming branches that interfere with power lines or nearby structures.

A common but improper pruning practice—often jokingly referred to as “crape murder”—involves
cutting off the tops of the tree, leaving it with a buzz-cut appearance. While this practice does not kill
the tree, it weakens it by creating large wounds that invite disease and insect problems. Additionally,
severe topping can cause unsightly knobby growths to form at the cuts.

Proper pruning helps maintain the natural shape and form of the tree, keeps its size manageable,
reduces the risk of structural damage, and promotes overall tree health.

For more information, contact your local extension agent:
John Monzingo
318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371

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Create the perfect Valentine’s gift that’s both beautiful and delicious! Join us for “From the Heart: Valentine’s Charcuterie” and learn how to assemble a stunning board filled with nutritious sweet and savory treats that will impress your loved one.

Date: February 10

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Location: Webster Extension Office

Cost: $25 (Cash or Check; check preferred, payable to LSU AgCenter)

Register by: February 5

What You’ll Learn:

How to design a Valentine’s-themed charcuterie board

Tips for pairing meats, cheeses, fruits, and sweets

Simple tricks to make your board look picture-perfect

Spots are limited—reserve yours today!

To register: Call 318-371-1371 or email sswilliams@agcenter.lsu.edu

Downtown Homer will be buzzing with activity on Saturday, Jan. 24, as local shops host the first-ever Cocoa & Cider Crawl, a community event inviting residents and visitors to sip, stroll, and shop around the square.

Participating businesses will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering warm cocoa and cider while shoppers explore unique finds and seasonal décor. Featured locations include:

Vines Country Home Decor & More

A Gracious Plenty

Time Travel Antiques & More

Applepie Antiques and More

Nanapuddins

Lagniappe Vintage & Antiques

Dusty Rose Vintage Finds & More

Guests are encouraged to stop by any participating shop, snap a photo at the business’s designated photo spot, and share it on Facebook using the hashtag #HomerCrawl while tagging the business. Each post serves as an entry to win that shop’s gift card.

There is no purchase required to participate, and attendees may enter—and win—at multiple locations.

Entries close at 6 p.m., with winners announced live on Facebook at 6:30 p.m.

Organizers say the event is designed to highlight local businesses while giving the community a fun, relaxed way to spend a winter Saturday.

“Come see us in the square,” organizers said. “We can’t wait to see y’all.”

The Cocoa & Cider Crawl offers a warm welcome to downtown Homer and a chance to shop local while enjoying festive drinks and friendly competition.

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