Robinson’s Rescue hosted their annual dog show fundraiser in downtown Shreveport at The Lot on June 12. More than a dozen canine contestants were competing for top dog, and Biscuit Alexander, a Dachshund mix, took the prize. John Cariere, owner of Fairfield Place and Fairfield Manor Bed & Breakfast, and long-time supporter of Robinson's Rescue, catered the food that included dog bone-shaped chicken nuggets, served in paper dog bowls. Money raised from the event directly benefits Robinson’s Rescue, where more than 72,000 spay and neutering surgeries have been completed.

Robinson’s Rescue’s Best of Sheaux

1) Big winner Biscuit Alexander and family

2) Alexus Kelley, Yuvette Allen, Dellonee Wade

3) Andrea and Jeff Everson

4) Bob Thames and Poppy

5) Kristen Godwin, Elizabeth Comegys

Goodwill Industries hosted its 95th Anniversary Community Awards Luncheon on June 10 at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. Several business and community leader volunteers were honored and recognized for improving people’s lives through the power of work: Arthur J. Gallagher; Heard, McElroy & Vestal; Dollar Mania; Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (CADA); Mrs. Bonnie Moore, city of Shreveport community development director; former Senator Ryan Gatti; and Caddo Commissioner John Atkins; Mr. R.J. Johnson; Ms. Sarah Brossette and Ms. Kasei Collins.

Goodwill Industries

6) David Tinkis, president/CEO Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, and Jerie Shirley Black, granddaughter of Lawrence A. Shirley, Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana’s first president/CEO

7) Tracey Graham, Carolyn Tillman, Gloria Washington and Torri Smith-Moore

8) Vita Riner and Gabriele Villeda

9) Bottom left to right: Jon Flair, Kiara Rolen, Aimee McFarland, Paisley Futch, Jennifer Hill and Emily Colvin. Top left to right: Gary Sjolander, Kathryn LaFleur and David Hooper (HMV representatives)

10) Lynn Stevens, Jamie Donaldson, A.J. Brundrett, Audrey Tarr, Cecilia Conrad, Nicole Thomas, Darlene Robinson, Mona Moore (Goodwill Industries Staff)

Book Signing: Kent Falting, head coach of the Parkway Cross Country Team for 15 years, signed his “Cross the Finish Line” at South Bossier’s Dunkin’ Donuts on June 13. All proceeds go to Suicide Prevention. Former Parkway High School cross country team member Steven Harville took his life on Sept. 4, 2020, and Falting wrote about processing grief. It also includes journaling pages and is considered a motivational book. The team helped write it, and there is a commemorative shirt as well.

Book Signing

11) Kent Falting, Tommy Chandler, Erick Falting

12) Luca Moncla, Chance and Lara Vatovec

The Red River Balloon Rally was moved from LSUS this year to the Brookshire Grocery Arena, a drier location. An event everyone looks forward to, it was held June 11-12. U.S. Team Nationals Hot Air Balloon Competition takes place at the event. “American Idol’s” Danny Gokey provided the Friday night entertainment.

The Red River Balloon Rally

13) Brianna Chitty and Logan Gosdin

14) Ronnie Grimaldi, Olivia Whitaker, Donna Grimaldi

15) Tommy and Paula Chandler, Shannon and Tracy Allison with Ainsley Allison