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Amaya Williams is ready for a new career journey. Along the way, Williams will play softball for a newly formed team.

The Central Catholic senior signed a letter of intent Friday to attend and play softball for Xavier University of New Orleans.

Williams is Central Catholic's shortstop, and she's projected as a middle infielder for Xavier.

Xavier, which will soon begin its third season of intercollegiate softball competition, is one of three schools that looked at Williams. Xavier has something she was looking for.

"They have a really good pre-med program," Williams said. "That is what I am trying to go for. ...I am hoping to become a pediatric psychologist."

Another sort of psychology connection came up when Central Catholic coach Sunni Blanchard described Williams.

"She has an insane backhand," Blanchard said.

"She's strong, and strong-minded. She's dedicated. She works. ... She's humble. She's dedicated, and she's a leader. She's played a lot of hard softball."

Williams has one more season as an Eagle this spring before embarking on her college career.

“I feel good," Williams said. "I am really ready to start the season. We’re going to have a really good season. I think my last year here will be a big one.”

Friday's letter-signing was a family affair. Williams was joined at the table in the Central Catholic gym by parents Leon and Erica Williams, brother Edward, sister Alaysia and two nephews, 2-year-old Tony Comeaux Jr. and Jaiden Comeaux, 3 months.

Xavier's softball program finished its second season in May with a 21-30 record.

Two players from the NAIA Golden Nuggets are eligible to return after earning Red River Athletic Conference honors last spring. Sophomore pitcher Carina Chargois was a first team all-league selection after earning 14 of Xavier's 21 wins. Senior outfielder Chenai Keyes was named to the conference's Champions of Character team.

Leah Shannon (nee: Thurber) Theiring—Shannon—ended an 88 years earthly journey to begin her infinite heavenly journey Tuesday, November 15, 2022. ( Date of birth: June 20,1934).
She is greeted in heaven by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and her husband of 67 years, Rodrick Dewald Theiring, M.D. (d. 2022).
Family and friends are invited to attend the Visitation on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Hargrave Funeral Home from 10am-11am with Funeral Services immediately following.
Shannon was preceded in death by parents Andrew Carnegie Thurber (d. 1996) and Dorothy Alice (nee Karmelink) Thurber (d. 2003) of Evansville, Indiana, and her brothers Gerald Andrew Thurber (d. 1996) and Leary Keith Thurber (d. 2017).
She leaves a legacy of love, kindness, giving, faithfulness, partnership, camaraderie, and joy in the wake of her lifetime.
Shannon attended nursing school after graduation from Bossie High School in Evansville, IN.
While there, she exchanged letters with Rod (in military service with the US Navy) and Maverick—her cat— whom her friend Maxine cared for while she was in school. (Maverick’s letters to Shannon were always signed with his paw print!) As a registered nurse, graduate of St. Mary’s College in Indiana (1955), and newly married in August of 1955, Shannon fondly recalled nursing while husband Rod was in medical school and during his internship and residency in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was especially appreciative of her time nursing at New Orleans VA hospital—she revered her military veterans.
Motherhood and a move to Morgan City, LA led her from the work world to homemaking, where Shannon’s legacy blossomed. Shannon was the quintessential wife, mother, friend, parishioner, cook, and most notably, giver. Giving was her spiritual gift. Through her giving there was elation, consolation, and blessing. Her words were honest, compassionate, and wise. Her gifts were thoughtful and representative. Her service was Spirit-led and pure.
Shannon was Rod’s co-pilot, figuratively and literally. With him, she adopted and raised four children and a grandchild, (and lots of pets); and fully celebrated a shared life as one. Marriage, parenting, homemaking (crafts, homeroom mother, cooking, baking—doll cakes, cheesecake!), vacationing, and church and bible study were her joys.
Shannon’s enduring memory will be closely held by many, notably her children Michele Theiring, Charles Theiring (m. Michelle), Nicole Theiring Wimberley (m. Lon), and Megan Theiring. Grandchildren with heartfelt memories are Joshua Milligan (m. Elizabeth), Rachel Milligan, Jacob Martin (m. Christa), Jade Martin, Dakota Cooley, Jordan Theiring, , Jacob Thevis (m. Laynie), Daniel Thevis, Aubrey Wimberley (m. Caitlin) Anna Wimberley, and youngest, Michael Theiring; along with seven great-grandchildren.
Serving as Pallbearers are Joshua Milligan, Jacob Martin, Jade Martin, Dakota Cooley, Jacob Thevis, Daniel Thevis, Michael Theiring.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Theiring family.

October 12, 1935 — November 16, 2022
Yvonne Anne Adams, age 87, of Patterson, LA passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Yvonne was born on October 12, 1935 in New Orleans, LA to the late Ovide and Ella Marie Veron Bourgeois.
A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Yvonne was laid to rest in Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum.
Yvonne leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband of 64 years, Byron “Red” A. Adams, Sr.; sons, Byron (Shannon) A. Adams, Jr. , Bruce (Jennifer) A. Adams, Sr., Burt (Jodi) A. Adams, Brad A. Adams and Ben (Dawn) A. Adams; grandchildren, Aubrey, Shay, Beau, Bruce Jr., Beth Ann, Colby, Rachel, Chelsea, Caroline, Benjamin and Lizzie; great-grandchildren, Larkin, Felicity, Madeline, Sabrina, Declan, Lucien, Preston, Marie and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Bruce A. Adams, Jr., Colby Adams, Benjamin Adams, Beau Adams, David LaBrosse, Alan Schlanker, Jason Lin and Preston Beattie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Catholic. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hargravefuneralhome.com for the Adams Family.

The late winter months may lack color in the landscape, but with proper planning and a little effort, you can create an early spring indoors or make a beautiful gift by forcing your own succession of hardy bulbs.
Bulbs are perennial plants that overwinter as fleshy, underground structures. These types of plant structures gather carbohydrates from the leaves during photosynthesis and are stored as nutrients for future growth.
There are many plant types that use this specialized energy storage. Loosely grouped in with bulbs are corms such as crocus and gladiolus, tubers such as caladiums and Irish potatoes, tuberous roots such as dahlias and sweet potatoes, and rhizomes such as irises and cannas.
True bulbs are compressed, underground stems (basal plate) with a modified flower bud surrounded by modified fleshy leaves called scales. Two of the best-known examples of true bulbs are onions and garlic. When thinking of flowering bulbs, the most commonly known are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, Dutch iris, paper whites and amaryllises.
Bulbs can be planted from mid-September to December, depending on the desired flowering date and the length of storage required. In general, early-spring bloomers need eight to 12 weeks of chill time in 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Mid-spring bloomers require 12 to 14 weeks of chill time, and late-spring bloomers need 16 weeks on average.
A refrigerator is the perfect place to chill bulbs, as it will maintain the necessary temperatures at a steady rate for the required period. Crisper drawers are often used.
It is fun to trick spring-flowering bulbs into blooming indoors. We can encourage many bulb types to bloom early by providing the correct environmental conditions and chilling temperatures.
Force bulbs by placing them in dark, cool locations. They can be forced bare or in soil planted in containers and placed in refrigerators. Some can be chilled and then placed in bulb vases that provide support needed for growth and develop roots and shoots.
Some of the most common hardy bulbs used for forcing are crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Some others are dwarf iris (Iris reticulata), Dutch Iris (Iris x hollandica), grape hyacinth (Muscari spp.), glory of the snow (Chionodoxa luciliae), snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum).
Chilling is the most important part of successful bulb forcing. All bulbs except amaryllis need a cold period before they will bloom. Because they are native to the tropics, amaryllis bulbs do not require a chilling period.
Amaryllis takes six to eight weeks to bloom once planted, and paper whites take three to five weeks once planted. If you wish to give either as holiday gifts, start them now!
Once the chilling period has been reached, it takes about two to three weeks for the stem to elongate and blooms to open.
Crocus and grape hyacinth takes eight to 15 weeks of chilling. Daffodils, hyacinth and iris reticulate take 13 to 15 weeks. Tulips take 10 to 16 weeks, and snowdrops take 15 weeks.
In general, for blooms in January, bulbs should be chilled in September. For blooms in February, chill in October, and so on.
At the end of the cooling period, check the pots for roots protruding from the drainage holes. This signals they are ready. Bring the bulbs out of cold storage at this point and transfer to a cool room of 60 to 65 degrees. Higher temperatures will speed up the process of growth and flowering. Lower temperatures encourage compact growth.
Pot deep enough for there to be a couple of inches of soil below the bulbs, and cover up to the bulb necks. You can pack as many bulbs as the media will allow and crowd them. If you are looking to grow for cut flowers, force them in flats. Be sure all the bulbs require the same amount of cooling period.
Once planted, be sure to keep the soil damp, not wet. You can “wake” the bulbs by giving them a few weeks of warmer temperatures and indirect sunlight. Once the bulbs shoot up and are a couple inches tall, give them more sun and a warmer spot. This will bring the bulbs into bloom.
Pro tips: You can prolong the bloom period by moving pots into indirect light and place them in a cool area at night or in the refrigerator. In addition, to keep stems straight, rotate the pots regularly. You can also buy bulbs that have already been chilled.