The following was written by Jon McKinney, President of the Union Parish Chamber of Commerce, who has traced his family’s Irish heritage back 600 years. Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day.St. Patrick’s Day originated as a religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland. He died on March 17 in the year 461. Today he is honored not only as …

Dana Estes’s meticulous collage took Best of Show at the 12th Annual Union Arts Council’s Competitive Art Exhibition Saturday.Estes was one of dozens of local artists who submitted work in one or more of seven categories, including amateur and professional photo, professional and amateur painting , professional drawing, professional two-dimensional fine art and amateur three-dimensional fine art. A separate category …

A Civil War reenactor felled from mock rifle fire held his death pose for nearly an hour without moving during the Battle of D’Arbonne Landing held at D’Arbonne State Park Saturday and Sunday. The reenactment portrayed the Battle of Chicksaw Bayou that took place during the finals days of 1862. About 200 reenactors gathered in two camps – one blue, …