In the 1930s, the Kutol Products soap company was dangerously close to going out of business. Cleo McVicker worked hard to get Kutol’s products into stores and ultimately in the hands of consumers. Kutol needed a new product, but what? At the time, many homes in America were heated with coal which left a sooty residue on everything in the home. Unlike regular household dust which could easily be swept or vacuumed up, coal dust was finer and more difficult to remove. Sweeping and vacuuming coal dust normally sent more of it back into the air than was collected. Coal dust also contained sulfur, nitrogen, silica, and heavy metals, which could be hazardous to health. In 1933, Cleo negotiated a deal with the purchasing agent for the Kroger grocery store chain to add a cleaner to their inventory which would remove coal dust from wallpaper. Coal dust was especially hard to remove from wallpaper because it was small enough to settle into the paper fibers of wallpaper. Cleo promised Kroger a product which did not exist.

Cleo immediately contacted his brother Noah, Kutol’s main product developer, and the two began the rigorous research and development process. After countless failures, they came up with the formula for a compound which easily removed coal dust from wallpaper. Unlike liquid cleaners which required the user to apply the liquid to a cloth and swipe away the coal dust which usually made a bigger mess, Kutol wallpaper cleaner, was non-toxic, non-staining, and made no mess at all. The user simply pressed the compound onto the wall and the coal dust stuck to it. Once the compound became saturated with coal dust, the consumer threw it away and bought another can for five cents. Because it was a replenishable product, the Kutol company was saved one nickel at a time.

For 20 years, Kutol wallpaper cleaner kept the company afloat and successful. Following World War II, many people converted their homes from being heated by coal to natural gas. No longer did homeowners have the hassle of purchasing, handling, and storing a skuttle of dusty coal. Natural gas burned cleanly and was piped directly into the home. Around the same time, manufacturers began making wallpaper out of vinyl rather than paper which made it much easier to clean. By the early 1950s, sales of Kutol wallpaper cleaner began to decline quickly. The company was once again on the brink of failure.

In 1955, Joe McVicker, Cleo’s son, was searching for a way to keep Kutol from going bankrupt when Kay Zufall, his sister-in-law and schoolteacher, convinced him that Kutol wallpaper cleaner could be used for something more fun than cleaning. Joe ran with the idea. In 1956, Kutol established the Rainbow Crafts Company Inc. and repackaged the wallpaper cleaner, but Kutol was so near bankruptcy that they had no advertising budget. That could have been the end, but Joe demonstrated his product to Bob Keeshan, better known to the world as Captain Kangaroo. Bob liked the product so much that he agreed to use it in his television show at least once a week. From 1955 until 1984, Captain Kangaroo was one of the most popular children’s shows on television. Before Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to sell their rebranded product. Because of Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to keep up with demand. Since its introduction on Captain Kangaroo, billions of cans of rebranded Kutol wallpaper cleaner have been sold. It has become one of history’s most iconic toys and it remains popular to this day. We have all played with Kuto wallpaper cleaner, but we know it as Play-Doh.

Sources:

1. The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 19, 1936, p.25.

2. The Akron Beacon Journal, April 18, 1938, p.19.

3. David Kindy, “The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh,” Smithsonian magazine, November 12, 2019, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/accidental-invention-play-doh-180973527/.

4. “The History of Play-Doh: Good, Clean Fun!” The Strong National Museum of Play, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/the-history-of-play-doh-good-clean-fun/.

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Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)

You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com

Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of James Joel Maroney, 49, of Pleasant Hill, in connection with multiple fires set in a rural wooded area of the Spring Ridge Community over the past two months.

Authorities say Maroney was identified through game camera footage in areas near Spring Ridge Road off LA Highway 175, south of Pleasant Hill. Since early February 2026, approximately 10 separate fires were reported in the area. Detectives collected evidence confirming that Maroney was responsible for at least two of these fires.

Maroney was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center on the following charges:

2 counts of Simple Arson

2 counts of Criminal Trespass

No bond has been set at this time.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell emphasized the seriousness of arson in the parish and confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate and hold individuals accountable for crimes that threaten public safety.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant in reporting suspicious activity and to contact the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office with any information that may assist ongoing investigations.

A registered sex offender from New Orleans has been arrested in Sabine Parish after authorities say he failed to comply with Louisiana’s strict sex offender registration laws.

According to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jovan Martin, 32, was taken into custody following an investigation into his presence in the parish.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said the investigation began after deputies received a tip that Martin, a Tier 3 registered sex offender, was living in Sabine Parish.

Authorities confirmed that Martin had relocated from New Orleans but failed to report his new address to the sheriff’s office within the required three-day period. Louisiana law mandates that registered sex offenders promptly notify authorities when establishing residence in a new jurisdiction.

During the investigation, deputies also determined that Martin was operating a vehicle that had not been properly registered as part of his offender status—another violation of state law.

Martin, who was convicted in 2022 of human trafficking and released from prison in December 2025, now faces multiple charges, including:

Failure to report additional address

Failure to send out community notifications

Failure to register a vehicle as a sex offender

Failure to publish photo and crime in a local journal

Officials say these violations are considered serious and are strictly enforced to ensure public safety and community awareness.

In accordance with Louisiana law, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office will carry out community notification procedures. This includes public alerts and publication of Martin’s information, photograph, and criminal history in a local journal.

Sheriff Mitchell also thanked the New Orleans Police Department Sex Offender Registry Office for assisting in the investigation.

Mitchell stressed that compliance with registration requirements is critical to maintaining community safety.

Authorities encourage anyone with additional information related to this case to contact the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

As with all criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Authorities in Sabine Parish have arrested a registered sex offender following a traffic stop in the Toledo Town area, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reported that Terrell Keon Tellis, 35, of Dubberly, was taken into custody on the evening of March 30, 2026.

Deputies initially stopped Tellis for a traffic violation. During the stop, authorities discovered that he is classified as a Tier 3 registered sex offender and that the vehicle he was operating had not been properly registered as required under Louisiana law.

Further investigation revealed Tellis was previously convicted in 2012 in Webster Parish for attempted aggravated rape and cruelty to juveniles.

Tellis was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center on the following charges:

Failure to register a vehicle operated by a sex offender (Felony)

Driving on a roadway laned for traffic

Obstruction to driver’s view

Officials say no bond has been set at this time.

Sheriff’s Office Response

Sheriff Mitchell emphasized that his office remains committed to strict enforcement of sex offender registration laws.

“The Sheriff’s Office will strictly enforce any violations by sex offenders in Sabine Parish regardless of where they live,” Mitchell stated.

Authorities continue to urge residents to remain aware of community safety measures and report any suspicious activity. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office says it will maintain a proactive approach in monitoring and enforcing compliance among registered offenders.

As with all cases, the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Residents of Sabine Parish can expect a mix of warm temperatures, breezy conditions, and scattered showers and thunderstorms through the upcoming week.

Wednesday: Isolated Afternoon Storms

Partly sunny skies will dominate Wednesday, with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Highs are expected near 85°F, with calm winds becoming southerly around 5 mph in the afternoon and gusts up to 20 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy with lows near 65°F and light southerly winds.

Thursday: Higher Rain Chances

Thursday brings a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms under mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 79°F. Thursday night sees a slight 20% chance of lingering showers and lows around 65°F.

Friday: Afternoon Storms Possible

Friday offers a slight chance of morning showers, increasing to a 40% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Highs will rebound near 86°F with partly sunny skies. Friday night remains mostly cloudy, with lows near 65°F.

Weekend: Unsettled Before Cooler Conditions

Saturday carries a 50% chance of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, with highs near 81°F. Saturday night continues storm chances and cooler temperatures with lows around 52°F.

Sunday sees a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms with highs near 67°F. Overnight lows fall to around 45°F, with only a 20% chance of precipitation.

Monday: Calm and Sunny

The week concludes with mostly sunny skies and a high near 70°F, offering a welcome break from the recent stretch of active weather.

Bottom Line:

Sabine Parish will experience a classic spring pattern—warm midweek days with increasing afternoon and evening storms through Friday and Saturday, followed by cooler, drier conditions by Sunday and Monday. Residents should stay alert for developing storms, particularly during the afternoons.

Sabine Parish, LA — State and local leaders, along with community stakeholders and broadband provider Optimum, celebrated the completion of a major broadband expansion project that brings reliable, high-speed internet to more than 3,000 homes and businesses across Sabine Parish.

The initiative, supported by Louisiana’s GUMBO 1.0 program, aims to close the digital divide by improving connectivity in areas that previously faced limited or unreliable service. Officials say access to reliable broadband is critical for student learning, workforce development, and small business growth.

“Louisiana is setting the pace for how broadband expansion should be done,” said Governor Jeff Landry.“We’re taking historic federal investment and turning it into real infrastructure that reaches communities like Sabine Parish.”

As part of the celebration, Optimum announced a $5,000 contribution to the Sabine Parish School District through its partnership with national education nonprofit DonorsChoose, supporting teachers and student initiatives.

“Expanding connectivity in Sabine Parish helps ensure more students can fully participate in instruction, access resources, and stay connected to their schools and teachers,” said Dr. Cade Brumley.

State representatives echoed the importance of the expansion for local businesses and families.
State Rep. Larry Bagley noted, “Reliable internet access supports our schools, small businesses and workforce and helps ensure our communities remain competitive and connected.”

State Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn added, “People in Sabine Parish need reliable internet just like anywhere else. This expansion helps our communities stay connected and gives families and businesses the ability to keep moving forward.”

ConnectLA, the state agency leading broadband initiatives, emphasized the importance of infrastructure execution to ensure every region of Louisiana has access to high-speed internet.

“Every resident deserves the connectivity needed to support opportunity and growth,” said Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA.

The broadband expansion is expected to strengthen education, support local businesses, and enhance quality of life for residents throughout Sabine Parish, marking a major step forward in closing the digital divide in rural Louisiana.

BATON ROUGE — State Representative Larry Bagley’s legislation to eliminate Louisiana’s vehicle inspection sticker program advanced Tuesday from the House Transportation Committee with unanimous support.

House Bill 838, authored by Bagley, would end the state’s long-standing inspection sticker program and replace it with a new windshield QR code sticker system designed solely to assist law enforcement with faster VIN entry during traffic stops.

Representative Bagley secured the support of Governor Jeff Landry prior to the start of the 2026 Regular Session. Governor Landry reaffirmed that support during Tuesday’s committee hearing by publicly backing the measure and sending Bryan Adams, director of the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, to sit at the committee table, answer technical questions, and present the administration’s support for the bill.

Bagley said the unanimous committee vote reflects growing recognition that Louisiana’s inspection sticker system is outdated and no longer necessary for modern vehicles.

“This is about modernizing state law and removing an outdated burden from Louisiana drivers,” Bagley said. “The annual inspection sticker program was created decades ago, long before the technology we now have in today’s vehicles and law enforcement systems.”

As amended in committee, a new windshield QR code sticker will be included with motorists’ vehicle registration every two years. The QR code sticker will be affixed to the windshield and will allow law enforcement officers to quickly scan the code to more easily input the vehicle’s VIN — Vehicle Identification Number — into their in-car systems.

Bagley emphasized that the QR code will display only VIN information and serves solely as an efficiency tool for law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

Existing law enforcement technology already allows officers to obtain insurance and identifying information through license plate readers. The QR code does not expand that capability and is intended only to simplify VIN entry without requiring officers to manually type the number into their devices.

Under the legislation, enforcement of Louisiana’s inspection sticker law would cease after June 30, with the new QR code windshield sticker system scheduled to take effect on January 1.

Motorists would no longer be required to visit an inspection station for annual sticker renewals.

Bagley noted that Louisiana’s inspection sticker law was created at a time when vehicles lacked the advanced onboard diagnostics and safety systems now standard in modern automobiles. Today’s vehicles continuously monitor engine performance, emissions systems, tire pressure, braking systems, and other mechanical functions, alerting drivers through dashboard warnings when service is needed.

“Vehicle technology has changed dramatically over the years,” Bagley said. “Cars and trucks today already have sophisticated onboard systems that monitor performance and notify drivers when something needs attention.”

Bagley also pointed out that Louisiana is among a shrinking number of states that still require annual safety inspections for passenger vehicles.

“This legislation updates Louisiana law to reflect today’s technology while removing an outdated requirement for drivers,” Bagley said.

HB 838 now moves forward for consideration by the full House of Representatives.

This month, citizens of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation gathered in Natchitoches for their second annual field trip. Tribal citizens came from Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama for a weeklong tour of historic, cultural, and religious sites across Natchitoches, Sabine, Avoyelles, and Vernon Parish.

“Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in Louisiana,” said Robert Brevelle, tribal councilman and trip organizer. “Our ancestors are among its founding colonial families. And for thousands of years before the French and Spanish, we Adai Caddo were here. We are proud to be part of the community.”

Over the past two field trips, the Adai Caddo visited nearly 50 sites in and around Natchitoches.

The group visited 6 of their ancient village locations as well as the 18th century presidio and mission of Los Adaes, which was the first capital of Texas. Los Adaes is Spanish for “the Adai”. Located nearby are the first two Catholic missions established in Louisiana, both of which are named for tribe as are the local bayou and lake.

Just north of the Los Adaes State Historic Site, the group prayed at it’s cemetery and mother church, St. Anne Catholic Church. St. Anne is the tribe’s patron saint. Several Native American statues and plaques adorn the church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

South of Natchitoches on Isle Brevelle, the group visited ancient burial sites and mounds located near the National Fish Hatchery and Melrose Plantation. The mounds and nearby bayou still bear the Adai name using its 16th century Spanish spelling of Ataho and Atayo. The group attended mass at St. Augustine Catholic Church, which was the original parish church of the St. Anne mission. The group hiked up nearby Sang Pour Sang (blood for blood) Hill, which was the location of the famous 1732 battle where the combined forces of the French from Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches, Spanish from Los Adaes, and the Natchitoches and Adai Caddo Indians defeated the invading Natchez Indians. This decisive battle contributed to ending the Natchez War, saving the fledgling Louisiana colony.

“We are grateful to the Cane River National Heritage Area, Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, and National Park Service for the outstanding tours of Los Adaes, downtown Natchitoches, and the plantations of Oakland, Magnolia, and Melrose,” said Dee Niette Thompson, tribal councilwoman and historian. “We would also like to thank our cousins Jake and Mary Rivers for the tours of the Choctaw-Apache cemetery and powwow grounds.”

In Kisatchie National Forest, the group was greeted by wild horses as they visited the location where the last wild buffalo was shot in the 1870s. The buffalo herds are gone, but sections of their migratory trails through Natchitoches Parish and Kisatchie are still visible. Also visible are two waterfalls, which are rare in the Pelican State. Multiple Indian mounds are located nearby. While within the National Forest, these areas are privately owned by tribal members.

The group headed west along the El Camino Real (The Royal Road) into Texas. The old network of Spanish roads were originally Indian trails going from Natchitoches to Mexico City. Portions of the El Camino Real in East Texas and Louisiana connected Adai villages, which are shown on 17th and 18th century maps. Maps showing village locations are on display at Los Adaes, Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches, and Grand Ecore.

“Our ancestral range covered much of CENLA and East Texas,” said Robert. “For the past 500 years of documented history, the epicenter of our tribe has been and continues to be Natchitoches Parish. This was the focus of our first two trips. We want to ensure our people know their history and maintain a connection with this land, holy sites, and our ancestors.”

Next year, the tribe will visit historic sites in Natchitoches and Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches is the oldest town in Texas. It was established in 1779 by Antonio Gil Ybarbo and a band of the Adai Caddo from Los Adaes. Ybarbo is a blood relative to many members of the tribe.

To learn more about the Adai Caddo Indian Nation, please visit http://www.adaicado.com.

Students from Sabine Parish pursuing degrees through Northwestern State University’s School of Education were recognized during an Apple Pinning ceremony held March 24, marking their acceptance into teacher candidacy.

The ceremony honors students who have demonstrated a commitment to careers in education and will now advance into upper-level education coursework.

Students from Sabine Parish recognized include:

Celebrate 52 Years of Creativity at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival

Melrose, Louisiana – Get ready to experience the magic of handcrafted wonders at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, taking place on April 18th from 9 am to 5 pm, and April 19th from 10 am to 3 pm. The festival will be held at Melrose on the Cane where attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of unique treasures crafted by talented artisans, savor a variety of delicious foods, sip on beer, wine, and other refreshing beverages such as fresh squeezed lemonade. Homemade ice cream returns to the festival this year as a long standing fan favorite as well as iron and wood works for your home and garden. We are also excited to feature local authors throughout the festival, along with live demonstrations that highlight traditional crafts such as basket weaving and quilting. These interactive experiences offer guests a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Additionally, Randolph “Randy” Deaton will be presenting a special talk on Clementine Hunter on Saturday, April 18 at 11 AM. Guests are encouraged to bring any photos or personal stories they may have of Clementine Hunter, which can be scanned and added to his growing collection.

Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026.

Attendees will be able to shop for: stunning jewelry, exquisite paintings, savory salsa, intricate woodwork, delectable desserts, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something special, there’s something for everyone to discover and cherish at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival.

“We’d love for y’all to come out, shop, and support historic Melrose. Take in the views, check out all the vendors, and just enjoy a good day together at the festival. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available- so bring your friends and family and make it a day to remember, ” said Ariel Rachal event organizer.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival. Purchase your tickets today and join us for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration!

For ticket information and event updates, please visit https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026

Media Contact: Ariel Rachal, EmailMelrosePlantation@gmail.com

About the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival: The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival is an annual celebration of artistry, creativity, and community spirit. For 52 years, the festival has showcased the talents of local artisans and provided a platform for visitors to discover unique handcrafted treasures. Join us as we celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence and continue to inspire creativity for generations to come.

Academic excellence was on full display in Sabine Parish as students from across the parish competed in this year’s Senior Quiz Bowl Tournament, showcasing knowledge, teamwork, and quick thinking.

At the end of the competition, Many High School secured a first-place finish, followed by Negreet High School in second place and Converse High School in third.

The tournament highlighted the depth of academic talent across Sabine Parish, with students competing across a wide range of subjects and demonstrating strong collaboration skills under pressure.

Top individual performers were also recognized with All-Tournament honors, including:

Noah M. – Negreet High School

Kaghan M. – Many High School

Jackson H. – Many High School

Jenson E. – Zwolle High School

Grace A. – Converse High School

Organizers noted that students not only excelled academically but also demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout the event.

The Sabine Parish School Board extended appreciation to the many volunteers, school leaders, families, and community members who helped make the event possible.

A special thank you was also given to The Life Church for hosting the tournament.

Events like the Senior Quiz Bowl continue to highlight the importance of academic competition and student engagement across Sabine Parish, reinforcing a strong culture of learning that reaches far beyond the classroom.

While I was growing up, my parents fully supported my athletic career. But they also believed in hard work and understood that free time for a teenage boy was not a good thing. To say my teenage years were structured would be an understatement.

While they never kept me from playing whatever sport I wanted to play, they had a rule that if I was not playing a sport, I had to get a job after school and on Saturdays. Note — our family was in no way desperate for money as my dad was superintendent for an oil drilling company.

They wanted me to understand the benefits of a good work ethic. At the age of 10 my first job outside the family ranch was picking up trash on the mornings following all the baseball games the night before.

They believed that many of life’s lessons were learned through working. Personally, I understood early in my childhood what a good work ethic was while growing up on a cattle ranch where there’s never a shortage of things to do.

Jobs included, but were not limited to, building barns, vaccinating cattle, building fences and hauling hay. Owning a cattle ranch is a seven day a week job that requires a lot of commitment and dedication. It’s like raising kids; every day someone must do a head count while making sure they are fed.

My last three years of high school, I had a job that I really enjoyed, working at Foxworth-Galbreath Lumber Yard. While I played three sports — football, baseball and track — it was during basketball season that I worked at the lumber yard after school.

I learned a lot from that experience, like how important it is to be on time. It was good that I answered to someone who held me accountable. I learned about the different grades of lumber and plywood as well as inventory control and how a lumber yard is managed.

This also gave me a sense of independence as the job provided money for dating and gas. It taught me how to be responsible and how important people skills are in order to work with others. It also motivated me to continue my education and get a degree.

These are lessons that many of today’s younger generation have not mastered. Many of today’s youth have no idea what it’s like to work for what they have. To answer to someone else who doesn’t accept excuses for being late or not doing the job right.

Every job I ever had, and I’ve had my share, taught me something. In high school and college, I not only worked at a lumber yard, but I also worked construction with Brown & Root, unloaded box trucks for a shipping company at 4 a.m. each day, lined fields and kept the books for Dixie Youth games every night and was an engineer’s assistant for the Texas Highway Department.

Each one of these job opportunities taught me a lot. But the most important lesson I learned was accountability, which is an important ingredient for being successful in life. So, if you’re looking for a purpose in life, maybe you need to get a job!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.

Pulling up to the gas pump has started to feel less like a routine stop and more like a scene straight out of a horror movie. You swipe your card, start fueling up, and suddenly—there it is—the total climbing faster than you can look away. At $100 and still rising, it’s the kind of moment that makes you question every decision that led you to that pump. The real twist? No jump scare soundtrack needed—just the quiet panic of watching the numbers roll. And honestly, the caption says it best: “Based on a true story.”

Language is an art—and marriage is the gallery where half the paintings are hung upside down. Words have two lives: denotation (the dictionary version) and connotation (the emotional baggage they bring to the party). The trouble starts when two people bring different baggage handlers.

“Five minutes.”

In the male dictionary, that phrase is a stopwatch: exactly 300 seconds. In the female dictionary, it’s a flexible time zone that expands to accommodate eyeliner, the perfect earrings, and a last-minute dishwasher triage. So when the husband asks, “When will you be ready?” and the wife says, “Five minutes,” the husband hears a sprint; the wife hears a scenic detour. Either way, the car ride will include an argument about whether “on time” is a suggestion or a felony.

“Nothing.”

When a man says he’s thinking “nothing,” he’s not being evasive—he’s blissfully blank. His mental whiteboard is clean; life is a hammock and the brain is on vacation. When a woman says “nothing,” it’s a covert operations briefing: plans, feelings, timelines, and a five-year contingency plan all wrapped in two syllables. If your wife says “nothing,” consider it a red flag, a smoke signal, and a call to the nearest counselor—preferably one who accepts emergency margaritas.

The sigh.

A man’s sigh is a victory horn: lawn mowed, fish filleted, deer rack admired—mission accomplished. A woman’s sigh is a forensic report: it catalogs your idiocy, timestamps it, and files it under “Do Not Repeat.” Keep making her sigh and you’ll graduate from “nothing” to “we need to talk” faster than you can say “remote control.”

“Go ahead.”

For men, “go ahead” is a green light, a verbal thumbs-up. For women, it’s a dare wrapped in sarcasm: “Go ahead—explain why buying that thing is a brilliant idea.” If she says “go ahead” about the expensive purchase, treat it like a landmine: do not, under any circumstances, step on it.

Words trip us up because we’re using the same language with different subtitles. That’s why marriage counselors get paid—either that or they’re masochists who enjoy listening to couples argue about the semantics of socks.

And then there’s the one place where subtitles aren’t needed: the message of love and forgiveness. The Bible puts it simply: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Even in the messiest gallery of human communication, that message hangs in plain view—no translation required.

BOM Bank is proud to support the Toledo Bend Bass Club with a recent donation! Fishing clubs do more than bring people together for a day on the water — they build friendships, teach sportsmanship, encourage youth involvement, and strengthen community ties through a shared love of the outdoors.

We’re honored to support organizations that make a positive impact both on and off the lake. 

“How do I set boundaries with my in-laws without becoming the family villain”

 See what Ida says 

Each year on April 1, pranksters around the world embrace a day dedicated to practical jokes, hoaxes and harmless mischief. While the exact origins of April Fools’ Day remain debated, historians trace its roots back several centuries.

One popular theory links the tradition to 16th-century France. When the country shifted from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 under Pope Gregory XIII, New Year’s Day moved from late March to January 1. Those who continued celebrating the old New Year in early spring were reportedly mocked as “April fools.”

Over time, the tradition of playful deception spread across Europe and eventually to North America. Newspapers, radio stations and television networks have long joined the fun, publishing elaborate hoaxes on April 1.

In 1957, the BBC famously aired a segment about Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti from trees — a prank that reportedly fooled thousands of viewers. Tech companies have also embraced the tradition, occasionally announcing outlandish fake products to entertain audiences.

While April Fools’ Day is generally lighthearted, experts advise keeping pranks safe and harmless. The best April 1 jokes are those that leave everyone laughing — not confused or hurt.

Today, social media amplifies the reach of April Fools’ jokes, allowing pranks to travel worldwide in seconds. From fake celebrity announcements to imaginary product launches, April 1 continues to blur the line between fact and fiction.

So as the calendar turns, readers may want to double-check headlines, confirm surprising announcements and approach the day with a healthy dose of skepticism.

After all, on April 1, not everything is quite what it seems.

People have dreamed about coasting back to Earth from great heights from at least the 1470s when Italian Francesco di Giorgio Martini designed a cone-shaped canopy parachute. It is the oldest known design for a parachute. In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci designed a pyramid-shaped parachute. For the following 300 years, several inventors, including Frenchman Louis-Sebastien Lenormand in 1783, jumped from trees to test their own parachutes, but none of their designs really worked as expected.

In 1797, André-Jacques Garnerin attached a parachute he designed to a hydrogen balloon in a test in Paris, France. When the balloon reached an altitude of about 3,200 feet, Garnerin parachuted safely back to the ground and became the first person to design and test a parachute capable of slowing a person’s fall from a high altitude. Two years later, his wife became the first female parachutist. In 1802, Garnerin made a safe parachute jump in a demonstration in England from an altitude of 8,000 feet. 101 years later, in December 1903, the Wright Brothers made history with the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight in a heavier-than-air machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. In the following years, human flight became popular. Pilots were seen as heroes and daredevils. Pilots understood that if their airplanes failed during flight, the chances of survival were slim. They recognized the need for a way to escape from a doomed aircraft and saw the life-saving potential of parachutes. On March 1, 1912, during an exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri, parachutist Albert Berry jumped from an airplane flown by another pilot at an altitude of 1,500 feet. He made a safe landing and became the first person to successfully parachute from a moving airplane.

Parachutes eventually became standard equipment for airplane pilots after World War I. They worked well for pilots of propeller driven aircraft and jet aircraft up to a point. On October 14, 1947, Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager flew an experimental Bell X-1 jet around 785 miles per hour and became the first human to break the sound barrier. Eight years later, in February 1955, test pilot George Smith was flying an experimental jet over the Pacific Ocean when the jet malfunctioned. Unable to regain control, George had to bail out. The only problem was that he was flying faster than the speed of sound and no one had ever ejected from an aircraft traveling at that speed. George knew that staying in the jet meant certain death, so he made the split-second decision and ejected. The force of the wind hitting him knocked him unconscious, but his parachute automatically opened. He landed in the water near a fishing boat crewed by a former U.S. Navy rescue expert. George remained unconscious for five days. When he awoke, he was blind in both eyes. George’s recovery required numerous surgeries and a seven-month hospital stay.

The U.S. Air Force immediately began working to solve the problem of parachuting from a supersonic jet. After seven years of testing, Air Force scientists created an escape capsule for a supersonic jet. On March 21, 1962, a flyer with the call sign “Yogi” ejected from a jet flying at about 870 miles per hour, 1.3 times the speed of sound. The parachute on the capsule opened as expected. Yogi landed successfully and became the first flyer to safely parachute from a jet traveling at supersonic speed. But Yogi was no ordinary human. He was not human. The flyer with the call sign “Yogi” was a two-year-old black bear.

Sources:

1. “First parachute jump is made over Paris,” March 4, 2010, History.com, accessed March 22, 2026, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-22/the-first-parachutist.

2. “March 1, 1912, This Day in Aviation, accessed March 22, 2026, https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/albert-berry/.

3. “February 26, 1955,” This Day in Aviation, accessed March 22, 2026, https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/george-franklin-smith/.

4. “March 21, 1962,” This Day in Aviation, accessed March 22, 2026, https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/21-march-1962/.

5. David Cenciotti, “A bear named ‘Yogi’ was ejected from a USAF B-58 to test the Hustler’s escape capsule on this day in 1962,” March 21, 2016, The Aviationist, accessed March 22, 2026, https://theaviationist.com/2016/03/21/b-58-ejects-yogi-bear/.

Rue Lewing
June 1, 1937 – March 30, 2026
Services: Wednesday, April 1 at 2:00 PM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home

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