The staff at Welaka National Fish Hatchery in Florida welcomed Tony Brady as their new Deputy Project Leader. Tony was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 13 years, and comes to Welaka from Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery where he spent the past 6 years doing freshwater mussel research, Alligator Gar culture, and assisting other hatcheries in starting up successful mussel propagation programs.

Tony started his career as the Service’s first Mussel Propagation Biologist stationed at the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa, WI. At both of his former hatcheries, Tony has gained a lot of experience with outreach and connecting people with nature. Tony developed a very successful Archery Program at the Natchitoches NFH, through the Natchitoches Parish 4-H.

He is already making plans to work with the Putnam County 4-H to start an Archery club based here at the Welaka NFH. Tony brings three experienced archers with him to help start the Archery club in his daughters, Stasi, Jordan and Leslie. All three girls have competed in several Louisiana regional and state 4-H archery tournaments. Finishing out the Brady family is Tony’s wife Anita, the “Archery MOM”, as clearly stated by the large pink window decal plastered across the back window of their vehicle. Anita is a stay at home, homeschooling mom, who supports the girls and Tony in all their adventures. Welcome to Florida, Brady Bunch! The Welaka NFH is looking forward to teaching Tony about Striped Bass culture, and to see what he brings to enhance Welaka NFH in the future.

Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District # 9 was dispatched to a truck fire in the 600 block of Louisiana Highway 486 Campti, by the Natchitoches Communications Center Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 12:02 a.m. Fire units arrived about 6 minutes later to find the truck tractor fully involved with fire in a field. The fire was extinguished by firefighters. The owner reported that he was woken by dogs barking and noticed his truck on fire. He had recently purchased the truck. The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.

Natchitoches, LA – Members of the Class of 2018 at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts attended a required meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15, to prepare for the upcoming PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a standardized test that most high schools in the United States administer to their 11th grade students.

Considered to be a ”preliminary SAT,” the PSAT test gives students a sense of the format, question types, content and time limits that they will encounter on the SAT. Additionally, the PSAT test serves as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program.

The 10th Annual Natchitoches Classic Car Show will offer an enjoyable weekend Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 on Front Street and the downtown riverbank.

Events set for Friday, Sept. 30:
•Car Registration: 12-7 p.m. at Prather Coliseum on NSU’s campus (Register online at natchitochescarshow.com)
•Poker Run: 12-5 p.m. – $1,000 TOTAL PAYOUT
•Fish Fry: 5:30-8 p.m. on the Riverbank

Events set for Saturday, Oct. 1:
•Car Registration continuing from 7a.m. – 12 p.m. at Prather Coliseum
•Car Show will kick off at 7 a.m.
•Live entertainment from three stages throughout the day
•Visit local shops, restaurants and museum on Front Street
•Awards will be given out at 4 p.m.
We hope to see you there!

For more information visit our website at NATCHITOCHESCARSHOW.COM or call Jill at 1-855-342-7469.

Wednesday, Sept. 21
International Student Reception: 5 p.m.
Hunched Gallery on NSU Campus

Thursday, Sept. 22
Women’s Resource Center’s Celebration of Life Gala: 6:30 – 9 PM
Natchitoches Events Center

Friday, Sept. 23
“Unité et Diversité: A conference on Louisiana French”: 8 AM – 5 PM
Natchitoches Events Center

Saturday, Sept. 24
Grand Ecore Bike Cruise: 7:30 AM
Grand Ecore Visitor Center

La Table Française: 9 AM – Noon (Part of Unité et Diversité)
Fort St. Jean Baptiste

Beyond Sunday: 50 Years of the New Orleans Saints: 5-7 PM (exhibit opening reception)
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum

18th Annual Julian Foy/KA Golf Tournament: 8 AM
Northwestern Hills Golf Course

New Direction Life Ministries’ 5th Annual Birthday Bash: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
MLK Recreation Center

Sunday, Sept. 25
Teal Tea & Nails: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Trinity Episcopal Church

Tuesday, Sept. 27
Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society Concert: 7:30 – 10 PM
Magale Recital Hall on NSU Campus

NGHA Meeting: 7 PM
Natchitoches Arts Center

Scott Kelby announced the official date of his highly anticipated 9th Annual Worldwide Photo Walk, the world’s largest photo walk, Saturday, Oct. 1 in thousands of cities all over the world, including Natchitoches. This is the third year of participation for Natchitoches photographers and enthusiasts.

The Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk, dubbed the world’s largest global and social photography event, has grown immensely in size and popularity since the inaugural walk in 2007. Last year, over 25,000 photographers of all walks of life and skill level converged to explore their corners of the world through photography and social community.

The concept of a Photo Walk is simple. Photo Walks are created by Walk Leaders in cities all over the world. Walkers meet up at a pre-designated location – downtown areas, zoos, business parks, you name it! – to spend a few hours socializing, capturing images and sharing with like-minded people. At the end of the photo walk, most groups convene at local restaurants or taverns to share their images and experiences over food. Natchitoches walkers will meet at 8 a.m. near the fountain in front of the Natchitoches Main Street office, near the La Sports Hall of Fame. The walk will end near a local cafe for fun and refreshments.

In addition to the event, photo walkers will be able to upload their favorite picture to our popular Photo Walk contest for a chance to win a 1-year membership to http://www.kelbyone.com, a DSLR, gift cards, apps, camera bags and more. We will also name a Grand Prize winner and 10 finalists to be selected by Scott Kelby himself!

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Register at http://www.worldwidephotowalk.com, locate Natchitoches and complete the free sign up form.

For information contact JP Thompson at jp@jpthompsonphotography.com.

Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will open its 2016-17 season with Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” Oct. 12 – 16 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

The season will feature “All in the Timing” on Nov. 2 – 6 in Theatre West, “Next to Normal” on Feb. 15-19 in Theatre West, “Hedda Gabler” on March 8 – 12 on the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium Stage and “Dance Discovery” on April 6 – 8 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

“We will have shows that entertain and those who bring up more topical issues,” said Scott Burrell, head of the Theatre Department. “Young Frankenstein is a great show to get the season started for us. It’s a show that is a lot of fun and crazy.”

Tickets to each show are $15, $12 for children and seniors and Northwestern State, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. A “Five for Fifty” package allowing patrons to see each show for $10 or buy five tickets for one show for $50 is available. For ticket information, call (318) 357-4218 or (318) 357-4483.

“This year’s class of students has allowed us to raise the stakes,” said Burrell. “We were able to pick shows that allows us to showcase our students. Their maturity and ability gives us the opportunities to perform difficult shows.”

Brooks adapted his film, “Young Frankenstein” into a musical in which Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronkensteen”) inherits a castle in Transylvania containing Igor, Inga and Frau Blucher. After discovering the secret entrance to his grandfather’s laboratory, Frederick decides to carry on the family experiments and creates a monster of his own.

Burrell is the director with musical direction by Dr. Corey Trahan and choreography by Brett Alan Garfinkel and Rebecca Morgan.

The world, according to playwright David Ives is a very odd place, and “All in the Timing” is a virtual stress test of the English language — and of the audience’s capacity for disorientation, uncertainty, randomness and delight. “All in the Timing” is fragmented into short, twisted, convoluted, and highly amusing plays as a cast of six actors play a variety of characters who plunge into the black holes of language where their simplest desires are hilariously thwarted.

Pia Wyatt is the director.

“Next to Normal” with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, takes an unflinching look how one suburban household struggles with crisis and mental illness. It is an emotional powerhouse that addresses grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry and coping with suburban life. Wyatt is the director and Trahan is the musical director.

“Hedda Gabler” was written by Henrik Ibsen and revolves around the beautiful and willful Gabler. She is a very ambitious and controlling woman married to the solid and respectable academic George Tesman. The dreamer Eilert Lovborg, an old flame of Hedda’s, reappears and a series of events leads to tragic results.

Former Artistic Director Dr. Jack Wann will return to NSU to direct “Hedda Gabler.”

“Dance Discovery” will be choreographed by Garfinkel, Kirstin Riehl and Rebecca Morgan and feature NSU dance students in original works.

The Native American Tunica people moved near the mouth of the Yazoo River by 1694 and allowed French Jesuits to establish a mission in the village in 1699. From this location they continued to trade salt, pottery and horses to nations both east and west of the Mississippi. The Tunicas relied heavily on their strategic location and willingness to embrace French culture to nurture their alliance. So began a long relationship that led to the prevalence of French-speaking Tunica-Biloxi well into the 20th century.

Dr. Deborah Clifton, curator of the Louisiana Science Museum and an instructor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, will discuss American Indians and the French language during the “Unité et Diversité: A conference on Louisiana French” Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24. Clifton is one of several speakers who will address the development of French in Louisiana, regional French and the influences other cultures had on the language.

The conference will take place on Friday at the Events Center and will conclude with La Table Française on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Fort St. Jean State Historic Site. The conference sessions are free, but donations are welcome.

Other panelists are Donna M. Pierite and Elisabeth M. Pierite, language and lifeways instructors for the Tunica-Biloxi Language and Culture Revitalization Program, and John Barbry, director of development and programming for the Tunica-Biloxi LCRP.
For more information on the conference, contact Loletta Wynder, project coordinator for the Creole Heritage Center, at (318) 357-6685 or visit creole.nsula.edu.

By Junior Johnson

 

During my offshore career I worked many locations in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1990 I was working out of Matagorda, Texas and decided that a little beach house for the summer would be very nice. My son Kevin was 16-years-old at the time and it was a school break so we began looking for a place on the Texas coast.
With the help of a Realtor we found Surfside, Texas to be a place of our liking and arrangements were made to secure a lease for the summer on a nice little two bedroom cabin right on a beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The place was built on stilts with a porch overlooking the water with a breathtaking view. The sound of the waves lapping onto the shore sounded heavenly.

It didn’t take Kevin and I long to unload our possessions from the U-Haul trailer. We had help from our new neighbors, and from their friendliness, we knew we were in for a wonderful summer. After everything was arranged to our liking, Kevin and several of our new friends went off to explore the beach so he could become familiar with the area. I decided it was time for me to do the same and I began a stroll up the beach.

Just a short walk from our cabin I came upon a nice bar and restaurant and decided to stop in for a few drinks. It was about mid-afternoon and the place didn’t have many patrons so I strolled up to the bar and took a seat. After receiving my order I relaxed and began enjoying the view. About this time a Lady walked in and sat down right next to me and nodded hello.

The bartender came over and said, “The usual Mrs. Janelle?.”

She said “Yes, and bring this young man whatever it is that he is having.”

The bartender returned with a drink for me and a shot of whiskey and a mug of beer for her.

She looked at me and asked if I was new in town and I told her yes and gave a little background about myself and Kevin. As a proud dad, I said that he was a budding musician. She looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes and said that her son also played music. She said, “Have you ever heard of the Monkees? My son is Mickey Dolenz and my name is Janelle Johnson Dolenz.” After I regained my composure we laughed about both being Johnsons, though not related.

Janelle called the bartender over and introduced me to him and said that my son was a musician and we had just moved there for the summer. She said that she wanted Kevin to join in with the band that night. The way she put it was, “Make it happen.” He said absolutely, and I could hardly wait to find Kevin and give him the news. Our FIRST day in our new summer home.

Kevin was excited and when we showed up later that night Mrs. Dolenz had a big crowd waiting for the new addition to the band. She and I shared a table that night as we would do a number of times that summer as Kevin became a regular with the band.

Kevin did speak with Mickey several times that summer by phone as Janelle would watch over and mentor him while I was away at work. He loved her dearly and they kept in touch until her death 5 years later.

Sadly we lost Kevin in a car accident while on his way back to Austin, Texas to be with his young family 6 years after our summer in Surfside. He was following his musical dream performing on Sixth Street.

Although he never met Mickey Dolenz and the Monkees, Kevin was asked by Kenny Wayne Shepard to perform on stage with him at an Austin City Limits filming. He said that he considered that the highlight of his young musical career.

Sabine State Bank is a sponsor for the 18th Annual Julian Foy Memorial Golf Classic this Saturday at the Northwestern Hills golf course.
All funds from this event support the Julian Foy Memorial scholarship fund and the Gamma Psi Chapter. Scholarships are awarded annually to an active KA that has excelled academically as well as in his community.

 

From the left: Lacy Merrill and Bert Stewart, KA Alumni.

The failed road system in Natchitoches Parish is brought up at every Parish Council meeting, as residents continue to remind the Council of the conditions they must drive through everyday to reach their homes. Several residents spoke at the meeting Monday night, Sept. 19.

The bottom line problem, according to Nick Verret, is that no investment has been made over the past 40 years into the road system. While the residents are questioning when work will be done on their roads, Verret said there’s so much to be done with the Highway Department’s limited man power and equipment.

“It’s gonna take a long time to do it,” he said.

It doesn’t help that 150 roads were damaged by the storm event in March, which caused the Parish to spend over $300,000 that wasn’t budgeted.

“We have to respond to situations and circumstances as they arise,” said Verret.

When addressing another resident’s concerns, Council member Patsy Ward Hoover said, “You’re on the list like everyone else.”

Verrret said with the amount of roads that are considered “failed,” scarifying the worst roads they’ll be easier to maintain.

However, Hoover said it sounded like this would be going backwards to gravel roads.

In the end, it costs around $270,000 per mile to overlay a road. Debbie Miley said the Parish budget is $3 million. If one road (2.1 miles) costs $500,000, where is the money going to come from to overlay all the roads that need it.

“[Nick] isn’t telling you anything that’s not true,” she said. “[The money’s] just not there.”

In other business, Tax Assessor Dollie Mahoney discussed three protests on values of property for assessment purposes. Prog Leasing is protesting the assessment of $1,200, saying they feel they should pay nothing. Aaron Inc. is protesting the assessment of $92,730, saying the amount should be $4,903. The Council accepted her recommendation that the Council accept her assessments.

The Council approved the request of a Legislative Audit/Investigation for the Parish. Hoover said the reason she made the request is because of the local audit’s findings dealing with misappropriated funds. She said there is need for transparency because there are a number of things the Parish isn’t putting out to the public.
Council member Doug de Graffenried said he voted in favor of the legislative audit because the dates listed go back to 2008, which goes back to the time of the Police Jury form of government, which is worth having them look into it.

The Council went into an executive session to hear a report from the Parish Attorney Kip Fair regarding pending litigation and a report of Performance Evaluation (Personnel Matter). No action was taken.

Other agenda items included:

•Council to approve introduction of Ordinance #7-2016 a budget for the 2017 final year, making appropriations for each department, project and account.

•Reappoint Jamie Flanagan to the Parish Children and Youth Planning Board

•Appoint LaQuinta Collins to the Parish Housing Authority Board

•Appoint Tracy Brown to the Parish Library Board

•Appoint Tony Brian Swords to the Saline Lake Commission

•Approve keeping the same agents to seek insurance rates for the Parish for 2017: Risk Management of LA (Cunningham Agency), Terry Downs and Jim Sandifer

•Authorize Parish President Rick Nowlin to execute a right-of-way and easement to Southwestern Electric Company

•Consider a project for selection for the 2017-2018 LGAP Program

•Consider authorizing Parish President to submit an application for funding under the Federal Lands Access Program

•Change speed limit to a portion of Eight Mile Loop from 35 MPH to 25 MPH
Agenda Item Amendments

•Take action to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election in the Parish to authorize the levy of special taxes therein; making application to the State Bond Commission. This includes the Health Department, Library, Road District 40 and General Alimony.

•Tabled the renewal of the lease agreement with Ernest Self for the Creston Polling Place for $1,000 annually.

•Authorize the Parish President to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with New Cedron Baptist Church to tie into their water system for the Vowells Mill polling place.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Natchitoches EMS Paramedics and Natchitoches Parish Fire District #4 are on the scene of a overturned dump truck on La. Hwy 478 near La. Hwy 120 in the Flora community reported at approximately 5:25pm.

Louisiana State Police is enroute to investigate the crash.

The driver of the 1988 Ford dump truck was transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

If you are traveling through the area, drive carefully, pay attention to the roadway, and expect some delays while the crash is being investigated and the road cleared.

The 2016-2017 Lakeview Cheer Team has already kicked off into a great season. The new coach is Jessica Manotas and the manager is Shae Bryant. The cheerleaders participated at the UCA cheer camp at Northwestern State University. The girls placed first in the cheer division. They support the Gators in many activities at Lakeview including Gator Nation Registration, Back To School Bash and fundraisers. They also participate in pep rallies for each home game. Some upcoming events they are looking forward to are Smoking on the Red and the Christmas Festival Parade. The girls have worked very hard since and can hardly wait to see what the rest of the year brings.

Amie’ Bolton spoke to the Lions Club on Behalf of Hope for Paws. Founded in 2009, Hope for Paws has rescued 395 dogs in the seven years its been operating. Of those, 388 were adopted. They currently have 25 dogs at their rescue site.

However, rescuing animals can be costly. They spent $15,000 on heart worm treatments alone last year. The upcoming Farm to Table Dinner, set for Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the historic Cherokee Plantation is a fundraiser for the organization that raises money for its operating expenses for the year. Tickets and sponsorship options are available. For information call (318) 446-0027.

The club’s split-the-pot fundraiser is a fun feature of the weekly meetings. After growing to a little over $1,000, Connie Hair won $550. Never winning the split-the-pot before, she attributed her success to Grady Ebert, whose luck rubbed off on Connie when he sat next to her for lunch. She shared her winnings with him!

Three Lions Clubs members received 100-year silver pins from the Lions Club International as part of its Centennial Membership Recognition Program. They were Don Brown, Chad Hancock and Tina Ragan. Brandon McKee received a 100-year gold pin.

Northwestern State University’s School of Creative and Performing Arts will present its annual Faculty Showcase Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A reception will follow at 8:30 p.m.

The showcase along with a faculty art exhibit in the adjacent Hanchey Art Gallery will showcase of the university’s music, theatre and dance and fine + graphic arts faculty. Two works, Getting to Know the Weather by Eve Beglarian, and “Sea Garden” by Matt Perry will premiere at the concert

Performing at the showcase are the Faculty Trombone Quartet on a piece arranged by William G. Rose, Paul Christopher, cello, and Christine Allen, piano, on “Andante Espressivo” by Charles Wuorinen,; Luke Brouillette, guitar will play “Tango en Skai” by Roland Dyens and Malena McLaren, clarinet, and David Steele, clarinet, will perform “Sonata for Two Clarinets and Piano” assisted by Chialing Hseih, piano, and Brett Garfinkel, dance.

Also performing are Doug Bakenhus and Dennette McDermott on a Baroque piece by Boismortier assisted by dancers Chelsey Goldsmith and Leonard Harris with choreography by Garfinkel and costumes by Jessica Parr. David Steele, bass clarinet, and Oliver Molina, percussion, will debut “Getting to Know the Weather” and Matt Petty will perform “Sea Garden.”

The showcase will also include Kristine Coreil, horn, and Jeff Mathews, drum set, on “Blues and Variations for Monk” by David Amram; Leah Forsyth, oboe, on “Oblivion” by Astor Piazzolla; Molina on “State Medley” arranged By Bob Becker, and D’nissa Hester, soprano, and Michael Rorex, piano, performing “Caro Nome” from “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi. Terrie Sanders, soprano, and Chialing Hseih, piano, will play “Light in the Piazza” from the musical of the same name by Adam Guettel and Trahan and Hseih will be featured in a collaboration on George Gershswin’s “Embraceable You” by Gershwin arranged by Bill Holcombe.

“Getting to Know the Weather” was inspired by the short story “Getting to Know the Weather” by Pamela Painter. The story centers around a middle aged woman who leaves her old life behind to seek new experiences. She begins to teach herself to wait tables by observing waitresses at a local diner. She realizes that much of her success waiting tables involves chatting with costumers about the local weather.

The weather in this case is Chromatic Lydian, which was considered by Plato to be too sensual and lax to be suitable for the education of guardians. This piece attempts to compose out the kind of non-systematized, non-superimposing experimenting one sometimes does with new material and situations.

“The last note of the piece is an Eb, which is the first time this note is played throughout the entire piece,” said Steele. “I’d like to think this moment signifies a sudden change in the weather and the adaptability one needs when faced with new experiences and situations. This is the premier performance for bass clarinet. “

Petty is performing an original composition.

“I’m premiering a piece that I made over the summer called ‘Sea Garden,’” said Petty. “It features location recordings and video that I captured in Big Sur, California. I will perform live electronics for the showcase.”

The annual Art Faculty Exhibition features the work of Corbin Covher, Brooks Defee, Matt DeFord, Clyde Downs, Mirla Gonzales, Leslie Gruesbeck, Phyllis Lear and Michael Yankowski. The works explore a variety of media and showcase each artist’s personal interests.

This class will introduce Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. This type of belly dance is a combination of several dance styles and will incorporate different styles of music. Basic steps, basic combinations, improvisation, and technique will be covered in the four weeks. Students will be able to dance to any type of music using visual and verbal cues. No dance experience necessary. Dress in comfortable clothes (tank top, yoga type pants). No shoes necessary.

Date: September 20-October 25, Tues
Time: 6:00-7:15 p.m.
Fee: $65
Location: 127 H&HP ( Health & Human Performance Bldg.)
Instructor: Scotti Rodgers

Have you ever been at a restaurant or store when you suddenly remember you have a coupon… back at home?  Worry no more with a new digital coupon service offering local deals at your fingertips.

“We live in a digital age,” said creator Jane Close. “With DailyDeal, Natchitoches residents can get coupons conveniently. They’re with you wherever you go!”

Jane chose media partners including the Natchitoches Parish Journal, 94.9 The River and My 92.3 KNOC to spread the word about the program.

Besides the convenience, the digital coupons saves trees while decluttering  your mailbox and desk.

Don’t leave your coupons at home when you need them.  Text DailyDeal to 77948. You can even share them with friends and family.

Are you a local business? To find out how you can take advantage of the different plans Jane has to offer call (318) 302-0652.

“I’m sure I have a plan to fit your needs,” says Jane.

By Natalie Covher

Aside from the many meat pie recipes to taste, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival Sept. 16-17 offered a wide array of fun activities. There was no shortage of live music Friday or Saturday on the downtown riverbank. Friday’s line up consisted of trending north Louisiana bands including “At Aurora,” “Break Time for Francis” and “Lish Starshine & The Spirit Animals” that played a variety of rock styles and alternative music.

Friday night’s Brew Fest was “hoppin,” offering samples of specialty beers including NPJ’s new favorite Heliopolis by Red River Beer. The light German lager was crisp, bright and thirst quenching. At first it seemed that a few festival-goers may have tasted a few too many beers, but then it became apparent that the Zombie Poker Pub Crawl had begun.

The next day those wanting to burn off extra calories obtained by eating “alotta hotta meat pies” participated in the 5K and River Run. Music started up early Saturday and festival planners made sure that there was something for everyone. Genres included Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B and Country. The last set of the night was “Mathew Ewing & The All Star Band.” Ewing is an Opelousas boy that started playing music at 9-years-old. Now 21, the artist, musician and songwriter celebrates the miracle that is music by sharing his country tunes wherever he can.

Now, this was the Meat Pie festival, and in line with any good festival named after a food, there was an eating contest and plenty to do with the beloved meat pie. There were demos on how to make meat pies, meat pie festival queens, meat pie judges and meat pie themed wares.

Games, inflatables and a mechanical bull kept kids occupied while parents enjoyed the good weather, great music and tasty food.
No Natchitoches festival seems complete without a dazzling fireworks show. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Homecoming of our Vietnam Veterans the display was dedicated to all of our beloved veterans.

The Melrose Plantation is one of the locations on the 62nd Annual Natchitoches Fall Pilgrimage of Homes, which isscheduled for Oct. 14-16.

Melrose was established in 1796 and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. During the first half of the 20th century, Melrose was the focal point of a Modern Renaissance when Cammie Henry hosted artists, authors, and historians to live, work, and collaborate at the plantation. Clementine Hunter lived much of her life as a servant at Melrose and taught herself to paint using paints and brushes discarded by other artists.

Melrose plantation features several well-preserved historic buildings which are a part of the tour. The largest exhibit of the paintings of Clementine Hunter in history, including many rare pieces from several families’ private collections, will be the focus of the Pilgrimage of Homes. Hunter is the world-renowned Folk Artist who lived and painted at Melrose Plantation.

The Pilgrimage is sponsored annually by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN). This year’s event will provide the only opportunity for most people to ever see the myriad paintings, which are held in private collections and rarely displayed.

Art Shiver, well-known author and former television broadcast news and station manager, will be the featured speaker, hosting the world premier of his new documentary video, “Clementine Hunter’s World.” Shiver will present his program in the David Treen Auditorium of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Refreshments will follow.

The pilgrimage tour will include a dozen homes, churches, and plantations throughout the City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Parish. Rare paintings by Hunter will be featured throughout the tour sites as a part of “The Clementine Hunter Biennial,” organized by Tommy Whitehead. Shiver and Whitehead collaborated several years ago in the writing of the book, “Clementine Hunter, Her Life and Art.”

The pilgrimage tour will begin Friday evening, Oct. 14, with visits to three sites in the City: Fair Woods Cottage, Cunningham Law Office and Trinity Episcopal Church.

The event continues Saturday with tours of the Lemee House, Jeanne’s Country Garden, Soldini House, Jefferson Street Townhouse and Shiver’s presentation of “Clementine Hunter’s World” at LSMSA.

Sunday’s tour features four plantation homes and a unique chapel.

The tour also offers free admission Saturday to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Each ticket serves as admission to the museum.

For information call the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau at
(800) 259-1714 or go online at melroseplantation.org.

Larry Paige concluded the Project Honor: Our Heroes Campaign, which bought over 100 St. Michael visor clips for law enforcement officers in Natchitoches Parish. The project delivered medals to the Sheriff’s Office, City and NSU Police and the City Marshal’s office. The final medals were delivered to the Natchez, Provencal, Robeline, Powhatan, Clarence, Campti, Goldonna and Ashland Police Departments.

Paige expressed his thanks to individuals and corporate sponsors who gave to the project, taking the time to recognize Natchitoches’ hometown heroes.