nam, the reader follows a man of peace has he ministers to men at war. Assigned to the fable 101st Airborne Division in 1968, the author served as pastor to men of all faiths and in any unit that needed him, including Marine and Special Forces teams along with airborne infantry and artillery units. Chaplain Autry has been referred to as the most highly decorated chaplain from the Vietnam era, earning two Purple Hearts and nine awards for valor. Gun-Totin’ Chaplain is historical perspective at its best. Jerry Autry provides an authentic voice of experience as he remembers Vietnam, and a voice of reason as he reflects on Iraq and Afghani-stan. This book is as timely as it is enlightening and a must have for informed readers. Check out this book at the Mansfield Main Library. For more information contact Ms. Doris Ross at 872-6100.

MAY 2010

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2

DeSoto

Parish

Library

Main Library 109 Crosby Street Mansfield

872-6100

Mon.—Thurs. 9 a.m.—6 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m.—5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

Logansport Branch 808 Main Street Logansport

697-2311

Monday 9 a.m.—6 p.m.

Tues.—Fri. 9 a.m.—5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

Pelican Branch 145 Jackson Ave. Pelican

755-2353

Monday 9 a.m.—6 p.m.

Tues.—Fri. 9 a.m.—5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

Stonewall Branch 808 Hwy. 171 Stonewall

925-9191

Mon.—Thurs. 9 a.m.—6 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m.—5 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m.—1 p.m.

DeSoto Parish Library

www.desotoparishlibrary.com

All locations of the

DeSoto Parish Library will

be closed Mon., May 31 for

Memorial Day and will re-

open at 9 a.m. Tues., June 1.

The DeSoto Parish

Library would like to honor

the men and women who died

while in the military service,

protecting our freedom.

Mark Your Calendars!

Summer Reading Program

begins soon! See Page 3

for upcoming SRP events

and Page 4 for

t-shirts and totes..

The Logansport Friends of the

Library are hosting its third an-

nual Trade Days May 15 at 8 a.m.

To reserve space, please call the

Logansport Library at 697-2311

or Tommy McMellon at 697-

4743. Booth space is free. You

have to provide your own tables.

Come out to sale, swap or trade.

Hope to see you there from 8

a.m. to 1 p.m.

Trade Days Set

Books donated to Mansfield Main Library DeSoto Parish Assessor Jimmy Stephens donates “Gun-Totin’ Chaplain: a True Memoir” to the De-Soto Parish Library in memory of his brother, PFC Danny Lynn Stephens, of Stanley, who proudly served in the 501st Geronimo Infantry Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. At 18 years old, Danny joined the Army just weeks after graduation. He left in June for training at Ft. Polk. From there he went to infantry training at Ft. Gordan, GA. He attended jump school training at Ft. Benning, GA. From there (around January, 1968) he joined the 2nd Bri-gade Delta Company 1-501, 101st Airborne Divi-sion as a “front-line grunt.” Danny was killed during the “Tet Campaign.” The Tet Offensive was a military campaign that began on January 31, 1968. The purpose of the offensive was to strike military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam and to spark a general uprising among the population that would then topple the Saigon government, thus ending the war in a single blow. The operations are referred to as the Tet Offensive because they began during the early morning hours of 31 January 1968, the first day of the year on a traditional lunar calen-dar and the most important Vietnamese holiday. Both North and South Vietnam announced on national radio broadcasts that there would be a two-day cease-fire during the holiday. The NLF launched a wave of attacks on the morning of 31 January in the I and II Corps Tactical Zones of South Vietnam. This early attack did not, however, cause undue alarm or lead to widespread defensive measures. The offensive was the largest military operation yet conducted by either side up to that point in the war. The initial attacks stunned the U.S. and South Vietnamese armies and took them by surprise, but most were quickly contained and beaten back, inflicting massive casualties on com-munist forces. Danny was killed in action in Thua Thien, Vietnam on March 31, 1968. The following is an editorial review of the book: It is not often that a military chaplain publicly voices concerns over a war, either past or present: but, in his latest book, retired Army chaplain Jerry Autry does just that. With insight sharpened by experi-ence, and compassion kindled in the horror of bat-tle, Chaplain Autry details the challenges, anguish and even the joys of a wartime pastorate. “Gun-Totin’ Chaplain” is the author’s gripping chronicle of his year of duty in Vietnam. From the draft no-tice he received on his wedding day through air-borne jump school and his subsequent time in Viet-

DeSoto Parish Assessor Jimmy Stephens donates four

copies of the book, “Gun-Totin’ Chaplain: a True Mem-

oir” to the DeSoto Parish Library.

Book Signing Planned at Mansfield Main Library

The Mansfield Friends of the Library will be

hosting a “Book Signing” Thursday, May 6 at 5

p.m. at the Mansfield Main Library, 109

Crosby Street, Mansfield, LA.

This book, “A Special Calling: A Biography of

the Reverend Lud Flanigan”, written by Jimmie

L. Clay, MHS, FACHE, is about a local retired

Baptist minister who had “A Special Calling”

in more than one way. The Rev. Lud Flanigan

is a unique individual. The reader will learn

much about the Rev. Lud Flanigan and all of it

is … good! They will learn that his brilliance

behind the pulpit is exceeded only by his su-

perb memory. He is an ordained minister who

began to preach the word of God at an early

age and continued to serve as a pastor of a

church until his late 80s. One of his favorite

messages is found in the book of Joel where

the prophet conveys the Lords’ call to the

people to repent, and his promise that God

will send his spirit upon all the people, men

and women, young and old alike.

Rev. Flanigan is also known for his

“photographic” memory. Another amazing

unique characteristic is the fact that he cele-

brated his 90th birthday on November 28,

2009. To this day he

continues to main-

tain three vegetable

gardens, hunt during

the open season and

drive his car and

truck to any location

within the state.

The book also pro-

files a history of the

place where Rev.

Flanigan was born, grew up, attended school

and made a living. The histories of the city of

Mansfield, DeSoto Parish and the DeSoto

Parish School System for African-Americans

are presented in order for the reader to per-

ceive beyond an envision the kinds of people

and types of environment Rev. Flanigan came

from. It also illustrated how the chemistry

among the people inspired greatness and a

yearning to succeed in extracurricular activities

and life.

For more information about this special event,

contact Ms. Doris Ross at Mansfield Main

Library, 872-6100.

PAGE 2 TURNING PAGES

CHECK IT

OUT!

Holly BluesHolly BluesHolly BluesHolly Blues AF ALBAF ALBAF ALBAF ALB

Susan Wittig Albert

Liars All AF BANLiars All AF BANLiars All AF BANLiars All AF BAN

Jo Bannister

The Walk AF EVAThe Walk AF EVAThe Walk AF EVAThe Walk AF EVA

Richard Paul Evans

The Bride Collector AF DEKThe Bride Collector AF DEKThe Bride Collector AF DEKThe Bride Collector AF DEK

Ted Dekker

The Inn at Angel Island AF KINThe Inn at Angel Island AF KINThe Inn at Angel Island AF KINThe Inn at Angel Island AF KIN

Thomas Kincaid

Whiter Than Snow AF DALWhiter Than Snow AF DALWhiter Than Snow AF DALWhiter Than Snow AF DAL

Sandra Dallas

Nowhere to Run AF BOXNowhere to Run AF BOXNowhere to Run AF BOXNowhere to Run AF BOX

C.J. Box

The Pallbearers AF CANThe Pallbearers AF CANThe Pallbearers AF CANThe Pallbearers AF CAN

Stephen J. Cannell

The Shadow of Your SmileThe Shadow of Your SmileThe Shadow of Your SmileThe Shadow of Your Smile

Mary Higgins Clark AF CLAAF CLAAF CLAAF CLA

Deception AF KELDeception AF KELDeception AF KELDeception AF KEL

Jonathan Kellerman

The Silent Sea AF CUSThe Silent Sea AF CUSThe Silent Sea AF CUSThe Silent Sea AF CUS

Clive Cussler

Hell Gate AF FAIHell Gate AF FAIHell Gate AF FAIHell Gate AF FAI

Linda Fairstein

One True Love AF COPOne True Love AF COPOne True Love AF COPOne True Love AF COP

Lori Copeland

Caught AF COBCaught AF COBCaught AF COBCaught AF COB

Harlan Coben

Eight Days to Live AF JOHEight Days to Live AF JOHEight Days to Live AF JOHEight Days to Live AF JOH

Iris Johansen

Deliver Us from Evil AF BALDeliver Us from Evil AF BALDeliver Us from Evil AF BALDeliver Us from Evil AF BAL

David Baldacci

Four things you cannot recover:

The stone… after the throw.

The word… after it’s said.

The occasion… after the loss.

The time… after it’s gone.

www.desotoparishlibrary.com

Spanish Classes

The Logansport Branch of the DeSoto Parish Library will begin offer-ing Spanish Classes to the public on Friday evenings at the library. Classes will last from 5 to 6:30 p.m. beginning April 30. Call 697-2311 for more info.

Cost: $0.00 per person

Attencion La rama de Logansport de la libreria de DeSoto Parish va a tener clases de Español a la publica en viernes cena cuando ce-ramos. Clases va a estar de cinco a la seis y media comienza la treinta de Abril. Llama 697-2311 si quieres mas informacion.

New Logansport

Branch Update

Contract

Signed!

Next Step…

Pre-Construction

Meeting

Free Computer Classes Available Computer classes are available at the following locations:

Logansport Branch on Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. Call 697-2311.

Pelican Branch on Wednesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. and

Thursdays from 3:30—4:30 p.m. Call 755-2353.

Stonewall Branch on Fridays from 10—11 a.m.

Call 925-9191.

Mansfield Main Library on Tuesdays from 8—9 a.m. Also a newly added Basic

“MICROSOFT WORD” class is available Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. Call 872-6100.

JUST GUESS HOW MANY PATRONS WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS

OF ALL DESOTO PARISH LIBRARY LOCATIONS LAST MONTH….

1,000?... 2,000?... WOULD YOU BELIEVE

10,448? WOW! WE’RE PROUD TO KNOW CITIZENS OF DESOTO

PARISH USE OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY ON A DAILY BASIS!

PAGE 3 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 www.desotoparishlibrary.com

As an environmentalist and songwriter, Suzi Thornton has written and produced a

musical about the wetlands. This creation, “Celebrate the Wetlands” is a result of

years committed to working with children and communicating concerns about the

environment.

This event is made possible by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development of Culture, Recrea-

tion and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

2010 Performing Artist Scheduling Dates

FEATHERS AND SCALES

May 6 Pelican All Saints

8:15 a.m. Pre-K—6 Grade

May 6 Mansfield Elem.

10 a.m. Grades 3—5

May 6 Stanley Elem.

1 p.m. Pre-K—6 Graders

May 7 North DeSoto

9 a.m. Grades 3—5

May 7 Logansport Elem.

1 p.m. Pre-K—6 Graders

Brock Thornton, member of

“One Card Shy” will also be

performing May 6 and 7

CHECK IT OUT!

Effective June 1 additional

electronic databases will be

added to LaLibCon (Louisiana

Library Connection) which

include: Tutor.com; Career

Cruising; Teen Health &

Wellness; Computer skills

module from Learning

Express. Learn more about

these great benefits in next

month’s newsletter! Stay tuned!

DeSoto Farmers’ Market Planned Friday Mornings during June The DeSoto Farmers’ Market is an effort to provide area growers with

an outlet to sell their goods and residents an opportunity to purchase

locally grown or homemade items. The market will be held on Fridays

during the month of June from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until the supply of

produce and goods are depleted. It will be located on Hwy. 171 north

of Mansfield near the Mansfield Dixie Youth Park and adjoining the

covered area where peas and other produce are sold by the DeSoto

Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Local growers and entrepreneurs are

encouraged to take advantage of this

opportunity to sell their produce,

flowers, honey, eggs, fresh seafood

and other “farm fresh” items. Also

desired for the market are homemade

foods and agriculture-related crafts

such as jams, jellies, pickles, breads,

woodworking crafts, candles and soaps. No live animals, garage sale

or flea market type items or farm equipment (unless handmade) will

be allowed. A seed exchange is planned where gardeners and growers

can bring their extra seeds to swap with one another. A fee of $10

per vendor will be charged to help defray the cost of advertising and

other expenditures associated with hosting the market.

The DeSoto Farmers’ Market project is a collaborative effort of the

Mansfield Business and Civic Association, LSU Ag Center, DeSoto

Parish Extension Service, DeSoto Soil &

Water Conservation District, Louisiana

Department of Agriculture, DeSoto Parish

Sheriff’s Office and the USDA.

To become a vendor or for more informa-

tion about the market, contact Chuck Grif-

fin at 872-0533 or cgriffin@agctr.lsu.edu.

Mission Statement: The DeSoto Parish Library is a service institution which seeks to inform, educate, entertain, and culturally enrich the lives of all people, from early childhood to senior citizens, through the use of books and other materials, technological

innovations, facilities and professional services.

PAGE 4 TURNING PAGES

DeSoto Parish Library

109 Crosby Street

Mansfield, LA 71052

“ANCORA IMPARA, INTEMPORALITER”

(Still learning...eternally)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO

RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER

VIA EMAIL, PLEASE EMAIL

TAMMY AT

TOVERTON@STATE.LIB.LA.US

OR CALL (318) 872-6100

AND LEAVE YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS.

www.desotoparishlibrary.com

Fuzzy Faces Aster

Begonia

Carnation

Chrysanthemum

Clover

Coleus

Crocus

Daffodil

Dahlia

Daisy

Dandelion

Geranium

Gladiola

Lily

Marigold

Morning Glory

Orchid

Pansy

Flower Power

Petunia

Primrose

Rose

Sunflower

Tulip

Violet

Ingredients

Kiwis Black-Eyed Peas Toothpick

Tip the kiwi so that the stem points toward you. The stem will become the nose.

Using a toothpick, make 2 small holes for the eyes and press 2 black-eyed peas into them.

Use a toothpick to create the mouth. A single hole makes a surprised look. Connecting series of tiny holes together is an easy way to make a smile.

When you’re done, take a snapshot if you like, but then peel and eat the kiwis. These faces don’t stay fresh for long… and kiwis are delicious!

T—SHIRTS Toddler—XL $5.00

XXL $7.00

XXXL $7.50

TOTES

$5.50

T-Shirts

& Totes

Available at all locations.

Limited supply so get

yours today!

BackAlley Theatre May 14 & 15; 21 & 22

Arsenic and Old Lace

Curtain Time 7 p.m.

(318) 872-6373 or 655-0268

Corner of LA 3015 and US 171

in Historic Grand Cane

If you did not receive a CENSUS FORM

in the mail or, if you just prefer to call in

your information… this is the

number to call:1-866-872-6868.

Remember… it’s your

duty to report this

information.