Natchitoches 4-H’er Cooper Johnson won an award in the Intermediate Market Goats category at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center.

The PotashCorp Champion Showman Awards were initially established in 2015 to select senior champion showmen in all species. The awards were expanded this year to recognize intermediate and junior champions as well.

Senior champion showmen receive $250 awards, and intermediate and junior champions receive $125 awards. The awards are supported by an endowment from PotashCorp through the production facility in Geismar, Louisiana.

“Showmanship not only generates enthusiasm in the show ring but teaches many valuable lessons used in day-to-day life,” said Dwayne Nunez, LSU AgCenter livestock show manager. “These lessons include responsibility, work ethic, determination to reach a goal, winning graciously and accepting setbacks with dignity.”

Award winners in each category are as follows:

Sheep – senior, Maci Breaux, Acadia Parish 4-H; intermediate, Chloe Oliver, Allen Parish 4-H; junior, Emily Zaunbrecher, Acadia Parish 4-H.

Market goats – senior, Stacey Baker, Caddo Parish 4-H; intermediate, Cooper Johnson, Natchitoches Parish 4-H; junior, Jaycie O’Conner, Calcasieu Parish 4-H.

Dairy goats – senior, Ashlee Primeaux, Calcasieu Parish 4-H; intermediate, Emerson Lyons, St. Landry Parish 4-H; junior, Emily Tucker, Livingston Parish 4-H.

Breeding goats – senior, Keri Landry, St. Mary Parish 4-H; intermediate, Mason McGraft, Bossier Parish 4-H; junior, Jackson Lowery, Lincoln Parish 4-H.

Dairy – senior, Brennan Uzee, Lafourche Parish 4-H; intermediate, Kyle Sonnier, Jefferson Davis Parish 4-H; junior, Charlee Sistrunk, Morehouse Parish 4-H.

Swine – senior, Hallie Landry, St. Mary Parish 4-H; intermediate, Torie Laiche, Ascension Parish 4-H; junior, Kennedy Marceaux, Vermilion Parish 4-H.

Exhibition poultry – senior, Lauren Theall, Lafayette Parish 4-H; intermediate, Breanna Huff, St. Tammany Parish 4-H; junior, Alexandria Miller, East Baton Rouge Parish 4-H.

Broilers – senior, Cutter Tonn, Lacassine FFA; intermediate, Alex Meche, St. Martin Parish 4-H; junior, Anna Roussel, St. James Parish 4-H.

Beef – senior, Dalton Bridges, St. Tammany Parish 4-H; intermediate, Shadd Bailey, Calcasieu Parish 4-H; junior, Bryley Bourque, Calcasieu Parish 4-H.

Mini beef – senior, Maeleigh Conner, Cameron Parish 4-H; intermediate, Luke Smith, Cameron Parish 4-H; junior, Emma Bush, West Feliciana Parish 4-H.

PHOTO: Winners of the PotashCorp Champion Showman Awards pose with Garry Hiebert, human resources director with PotashCorp in Geismar, back row left, and Bill Richardson, LSU vice president for agriculture, back row right, at the 82nd annual LSU AgCenter Livestock Show awards ceremony. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

The City Utility Department is working to reconnect power to the Alliance Plant early this morning, March 4, after a fire burned two three-phase risers. The fire began March 3 slightly before noon. Workers installed all new equipment including wiring, a new pole and switchgear. It’s believed that a hard blowing wind caused the fire in a burn bin used to incinerate pallets to extend to pallets stacked up nearby. These pallets were in close proximity to a utility pole, which then caught fire as well.

Natchitoches Parish Fire District 9 in Campti was dispatched to a reported structure fire with other structures in danger in the 500 block of Pardee Road March 3 at 4:28 p.m. Units arrived in under 6 minutes to find an abandoned structure fully involved with another structure within 50 feet of it. Units cooled the second structure off and extinquished the fire in the original structure. There was also a small grass fire that was caused from ashes falling from the fully involved house.

 

Northwestern State University recognized Air Force veteran Joseph Maggio during the Feb. 25 double header basketball game against the University of New Orleans. The university is recognizing veterans throughout the academic year for their service to the country.

Maggio served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He trained at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, and Wichita Falls, Texas, before receiving advanced training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. In January 1952, he traveled aboard the USS Randolph to Japan where he transferred for duty in Korea.

From strategic air bases at Kusan and Teague, Korea, then Staff Sergeant Maggio served as an administrative and head clerk and processed personnel files and records including orders, transfers, and shipments supporting the war effort. For his service, he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and Presidential Korean Service Medal.

After a year tour in Korea, he returned to the United States via the USS Salem to settle back in Natchitoches with his honorable discharge. Maggio retired from Gulf Oil Corporation after 35 years with the company. He is a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus 4th Degree and the American Legion.

Maggio and his wife, Betty, have been married 62 years. They have four adult children and one deceased.

To nominate a veteran for recognition at an upcoming NSU event, please contact Sid Hall, NSU’s Military Affairs Coordinator, at halls@nsula.edu or (318) 357-6951.

Video of the presentation is available at youtube.com/watch?v=vQXOfW15rFc&feature=youtu.be

Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will present Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” March 8-12 and 15-18 on the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium stage. Performance time is 7:30 p.m. on March 8-11 and 15-18 and March 12 at 2 p.m.

“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 is returning to NSU to direct “Hedda Gabler.”

“Hedda is an intelligent, ambitious woman who lived in a time when women were not allowed to use their brains or have vision,” said Wann. “She resorts to playing tricks on people and finding life to be a ridiculous farce.”

According to Wann, many classic dramatic plays are not getting the attention they once did in collegiate theatre programs.

“Because of the way higher education theatre training is evolving toward musical theatre, straight, realistic acting doesn’t get as much attention,” said Wann. “Performing work’s like ‘Hedda Gabler’ is an important part of an actor’s training.”

The cast is Jay Canova of Marrero as George Tesman, Mona Nasrawi of Covington as Hedda Gabler, Bethany Lee of Baton Rouge as Juliana Texman, Scarlett Saizan of Chalmette as Mrs. Elvsted, Jesse Kortus of Shreveport as Judge Black, Andrew Palmintier of Lafayette as Eilert Lovberg and Maddie Fry of Baton Rouge as Berta.

“Ibsen is a playwright who gives the ball to the actor and lets them run with it,” said Wann. “The actor can play what they feel over what they say. Ibsen is a very actor-friendly playwright and I enjoy directing his work.”

“Hedda Gabler” has been adapted for film and television and has been performed around the world.

“It is one of the top five roles for women,” said Wann. “Hedda is to females what Hamlet is to males.”

Tickets 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. For ticket information, call (318) 357-4483 or go to capa.nsula.edu/theatre/season-tickets.

Northwestern State University’s pre-law and paralegal program in the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences will sponsor Law Day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, March 9 in the 107 Kyser Hall Conference Room.

The event would be of interest to students as well as other individuals interested in:
* Pursuing a career in law
* Attending a law school, and/or
* Working in a support position in the law
* Entertaining the possibilities in law

Those who attend can meet with representatives from the legal field and Southern University Law School and Financial Aid regarding, but not limited to:

* Questions about the Field of Law and Employment Opportunities
* Information on How to Apply for Law School
* Queries on How to Pay for Law School
* How to Best Prepare for the LSAT

Students and individuals from the community are invited and can set appointments with representatives to meet and discuss their interest and questions. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Southern University Law School Queries, LSAT & Financial Aid coordinator Michael Garrard at (225) 771-4900, Ext. 203 or MGarrard@sulc.edu.

Information is also available by contacting Shirley Snyder, coordinator of NSU’s pre-law and paralegal studies programs, at (318) 357-6963 or snyders@nsula.edu.

City Marshal Randy Williams wanted to inform the following people that they have outstanding bench warrants through the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office. The names on this list did not pay their fines in full nor did they return to court on the court date they were sentenced to by City Court Judge Gahagan. These individuals will need to clear up their fines and bench warrant fees at the City Marshal’s Office located at 373 Second St. to stop any further actions:

FINE PAYMENT (F):
Geneva Daniels, 823 MLK, Natch, La – Unlicensed Driver
Marilyn Essex, 312 Howell St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Michael Jones, 300 Norwood Rd, Mansfield, La – Exp MVI, No DL
Nickey McElroy, 144 Laird Fletcher, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Sheniece Melancon, 1408 Davis St, Natch, La – No DL
Eric Mitchell, 420 Julia St, Natch, La – Failure to Yield
Sedricka Brimsey, 500 North St K-4, Natch, La – DP
Roosevelt Culbert, 850 Dixie St, Natch, La – Simple Battery
Willie Easily, 298 Vienne Rd Lot 20, Natch, La – SPOM
Jerald Hopper, 644 Abbie Dr, Natch, La – DWI
Linda Lacour, 102 Old River Rd, Natch, La – TBS
Calvin Newton, 728 4th St, Natch, La – Follow too Close
Bonnie Parker, 710 Lafayette St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Sharnedra Robinson, 500 North St Apt N-7, Natch, La – DP
Lance Taylor, 1216 Phillips St, Natch, La – Delaying Traffic
Khadijah Wiggins, 518 July St, Nat, La – TBS
Jimmy Carter, 529 Keegan St, Natch, La – TBS
Gabriel Green, 238 Scarborough St, Natch, La– Simple Battery
Antonio Hudson, 217 Paula, Natch, La – Exp MVI, NSB
Anthony Jefferson, 1226 Phillips St, Natch, La – TBS
Niaya Monnette, 471 Canal Rd, Natch, La – No DL

Trial (T):
Brittany Bradley, 175 Pecan St, Natch, La – Improper Backing, SPOM, DUS
Clfford Walker, 825 5th St, Natch, La – SPOM
Elizabeth Sykes, 324 E. Third St, Natch, La – LM
Josh Pickett, 2509 E. Carroll St, Coushatta, La – TBS
Ashanti Lewis, 1224 Sara, Natch, La – SCDP
Calvin Hoover, 396 Main St, Natchez, La – TBS

TBS – Theft by Shoplifting
SPOM – Simple Possession of Marijuana
SCDP – Simple Criminal Damage to Property
NSB – No Seat Belt
Exp MVI – Expired Inspection Sticker
SPDP – Simple Possession of Drug Paraphilia
No DL – No Driver’s Licenses
DP – Disturbing the Peace
DUS – Driving Under Suspension
NCR – No Child Restraint
DWI – Driving While Intoxicated
LM – Loud Music

Natchitoches – Florien

Miles: ~ 44

By Corey Poole

Wind blowing through the tall pines in West Central Louisiana provides visitors to Hodges Garden State Park a quiet and serene atmosphere. Paths and streams wind through 948 acres. The land was donated to the state in 2007 by the Hodges Foundation. In 2015, the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Known as the “Garden in the Forest,” the park is a piece of 107,000 clear-cut acres bought by A.J. Hodges Sr. between 1937-1940. He replanted 39,000 acres with pine seedlings. The gardens they later created opened to the public in 1956.

The 225-acre lake was an abandoned quarry. Hodges and his wife planned the gardens they created on the property around the natural rock formations. The multitude of steps, overlooks, pathways, waterfalls and levels make this a great place for anyone with a love of the outdoors to spend the day exploring.

Trails at Hodges Gardens State Park:
• Wild Azalea Hiking Trail – 5 mi.
• Longleaf Pine Stump Hiking Trail – 1 mi.
• Spring Cove Hiking Trail – .5 mi.
• Wagon Wheel Equestrian/Hiking Trail – 7.3 mi.
• East Fence Loop Equestrian/Hiking Trail – 6.2 mi.

The park includes formal and natural gardens, the lake, a 5.3-mile loop road for bikers and walkers, 13 rustic cabins and tent sites. A pavilion at the Modern Rose Garden offers visitors a shaded resting place to watch the sunset. Rent a flat bottom boat, canoe or kayak to out on the lake, or fish from the shore. An equestrian campground also provides overnight facilities for visitors traveling the park’s trails with their horses.

The park offers events throughout the year including:
· Outdoor movies

· Star Party

· Fall Trail Ride

· Easter Egg Hunt and duck races

· Easter Sunrise Service (a tradition since 1955)

· School field trips

· Fall Art in the Park

· Painting in the Park

Whatever the reason for your visit, Hodges Gardens is a truly majestic landscape to relax and admire. Through the hard work of the Hodges, the land’s natural beauty has been preserved for generations to come.

Hodges Gardens State Park is one of the many attractions that can be found in Louisiana North, also known as Sportsman Paradise. The cities/parishes that comprise Louisiana North offer exciting activities like great cultural attractions, superb festivals, tantalizing local restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shopping adventures. Natchitoches Parish is a part of Louisiana North.

By Kevin Shannahan

The Cammie Henry Research Center on the third floor of NSU’s Watson Library is hosting a unique exhibit on Natchitoches history. NSU graduate and long term Natchitoches resident H.G. Hawthorne was a founding member of the Natchitoches Motorcycle Club, which was founded in 1948. Hawthorne donated the items shortly before he retired and moved to Texas. The exhibit features memorabilia such as race posters, tickets and photographs. It’s an interesting display of items of a little known time in our community’s life.

The Cammie Henry Research Center exhibit is free and open to the public Its hours are Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – Noon

For the over 1.3 million patrons who’ve walked through the doors of the Natchitoches Parish Library since 2007, the services and programs it offers are indispensable. The library is a lifeline in the community, offering resources to improve the lives of parish residents by connecting them to information, technology and opportunities.

Since 2007 over 69,444 reference questions have been answered, over 1.5 million items have been checked out, over 269,888 patrons have used the Library’s electronic resources and over 1,624 programs have been implemented. But what does the Library mean to the patrons it serves?

Books help family build a home:

The Meyer family built their home on Williams Avenue from the ground up using information they pulled from books on the shelves at the Library. Rebecca’s husband Christopher was a Major in the Marine Corp. When he went to work in the civilian world, the couple wanted a place to call their own, but with housing prices and quotes from contractors so high in today’s market, they decided to build it themselves.

Neither had the necessary experience, so they started pulling construction and design book off the shelves and learning about plumping, electrical, IRC codes and more. Rebecca is proud that they were able to put money back into the community through the project, buying 90 percent of their materials from Home Hardware.

Their daughter Eva tutors younger children in Math at the Library. Coincidentally, Rebecca used the Library as a resource in homeschooling Eva, who at 15-years-old is taking three dual-enrollment classes at NSU.

“The Library helped us get into a home and so much more,” said Rebecca.

New branch builds Campti community:

Before the Library built its Northeast branch in Campti, Donna Isaacs found it hard to utilize the services of the main branch in Natchitoches. Once the new library opened, she said its accessibility to the Campti community has quadrupled residents’ usage of its resources.

Donna herself uses the library as her office. She is the executive director of the Campti Field of Dreams (CFOD). Besides her local work, she teaches online classes on green building for the Urban Construction Craft Academy in Florida and works as a consultant for green building projects. She rents the Library’s free WIFI devices, reads books on farming and raising animals and offers CFOD programs on sustainable agriculture.

“The Library has helped me both personally and professionally,” she said. “It’s a valuable partner to bring educational programs to the community. The Library itself is a resource to better the community. It does a lot for us that not tangible. It changes how we feel about ourselves and how we invest in our community.”

Donna says the staff play a big role in the Library’s success. They help patrons find the resources they need to address challenges or solve problems in their lives. Most importantly, patrons aren’t limited to the books on the shelf. Interlibrary loans offer accessibility to books in libraries across the state.

Library expands patrons’ horizons:

Edwin Crayton said the Library in Natchitoches serves as an equalizer for the African American, minority and poor people in the community. People often use the computers at the Library because it’s something they can’t afford to own. It’s not only an income issue, but an accessibility issue. People can’t always get access to Internet and other technology where they live, so they’ve fallen way behind the world in many areas. The Library helps to bridge this gap. It serves as an unofficial job center and an unintentional social agent, offering social equality, educational resources and access to tools people need to succeed in a technology saturated and driven environment.

“A Library creates aspirations by enlightening its patrons and giving them access to a broader world,” said Edwin. “People need to realize the intangibles are just as important as the tangibles. The Library helps its patrons explore philosophy, art, religion and their own culture. Whether citizens are supporting our local government, school district or Parish Library, the community needs to be more involved and better informed.”

Leaders throughout Natchitoches Parish will join Keep Natchitoches Beautiful for the 4th Annual Leaders Against Litter event Friday, March 10. Keep Natchitoches Beautiful is one of 26 Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) affiliate communities across the state to host this statewide “litter-thon.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Volunteer Louisiana invited hundreds of local elected officials, stakeholders, community leaders, school and church leaders and potential supporters to participate in the Leaders Against Litter event conducted in twenty-six cities and parishes throughout the state. On March 10, affiliates will simultaneously conduct a litter cleanup with the help of volunteer community leaders. The goal is to shed some light on the litter problem in Louisiana and to engage leaders in our efforts to make Louisiana litter-free.

Leaders Against Litter is set to begin at 9 a.m. at the MLK Recreational Community Center located at 660 MLK Drive in Natchitoches. The group will travel along MLK Drive collecting litter using golden grabbers and wearing matching Leaders Against Litter T-shirts. Following the cleanup, the leaders will be asked to sign a pledge to SPEAK UP and spread the word that litter is not acceptable, to PICK UP litter whenever they see it, and to STAND UP and lead the way for a litter-free Louisiana.

Later that day, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Volunteer Louisiana will announce the statewide results, along with numbers of pledges signed and bags of trash picked up at a 2 p.m. press conference at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

The general public is encouraged to follow the example of the leaders in Natchitoches parish and participate in the Great American Cleanup on Monday, March 20. Individuals, groups and organizations can sign up to clean a particular park, neighborhood or street as part of the Great American Cleanup.

For more information on Leaders Against Litter, the Great American Cleanup, or how to volunteer with Keep Natchitoches Beautiful, please call (318) 352-2746.

The Islamic Center of Natchitoches welcomed Mayor Lee Posey and Council Members Don Mims, Sylvia Morrow and Dale Nielsen and Purchasing Director Edd Lee for its Friday prayer (Jummah) Feb. 10. Islam speaker Rondo delivered a message (kutbah) that inspired everyone, and drew their hearts closer to Allah (God).
After the message they enjoyed a warm International meal from the sisters at the mosque who cooked for their guests that help keep the Natchitoches Community up and going. With Islam being such a controversial topic in today’s news, members at the Islamic Center felt it was such a blessing to allow Mayor Lee Posey to speak from his heart in the house of God on the great changes that are being made to better the Natchitoches Community.

P.S Islam Loves America

Northwestern State University violin faculty Andrej Kurti and Sofiko Tchetchelashvili will present a recital Monday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Kurti is an associate professor of violin/viola. Tchetchelashvili is an adjunct faculty member in violin/viola.

The program includes works by Mozart, Despic, Gliere, Halvorsen and Azarashvili.

Kurti is a native of Belgrade, Serbia. He studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and finished his graduate studies in the University of Georgia, where he received doctorate degree in violin performance.

He was a recipient of five first prizes in competitions in Yugoslavia, four first prizes in competitions in Georgia and Florida and a finalist in the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Competition in 1998.

In 2000, Kurti became a recording artist for classical label Blue Griffin Recording, for which he later recorded Six Sonatas for Violin Solo by Eugene Ysaye, op.27.

In 2004, Kurti became a professor of violin at Northwestern State He appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in the United States, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Greece, Russia and France. He also appeared as a chamber performer in Spain, France, Latvia, Canada and South Korea.

In non-classical music world, Kurti performed and arranged on more than 40 albums of popular and modern music, which he recorded for many different music labels in the United States.

Kurti has been invited to several international music festivals where he most often performed music written for solo violin. Most recently, Kurti performed Ysaye’s “Six Sonatas for Violin Solo, op.27” in his Road to Carnegie nation-wide recital series, culminating with his Carnegie Hall debut.

Tchetchelashvili is a native of Tbilisi, Georgia and studied at Tbilisi State Conservatory.

In 2014, Tchetchelashvili accepted a graduate assistantship at Baylor University, and two years later she completed another graduate degree in violin performance. She
was a winner of four Georgian national violin competitions, as well as a recipient of two consecutive President’s Awards.

In addition to her teaching duties at NSU, she is an active concert violinist and violist.

BOM is a Team Sponsor for the second year in a row in the Natchitoches Dragon Boat Races. Be sure to watch all of the teams in action this Saturday, March 4, on Chaplin’s Lake of NSU starting at 10 am. Pictured from left are Van Eriskon, NSU Associate Director of Alumni Affairs, Mike Cayer, BOM Courier, and Carrie Beth Hough, BOM Marketing Director.

Natchitoches Magnet School is currently accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. Natchitoches Magnet serves children from grades 1-8. Magnet is a progressive school that provides an enriching educational experience by developing learners through academic excellence, exploration in and beyond the classroom, instruction through innovative curriculum, extracurricular opportunities in athletics, STEM, and service, and family and community partnerships. The goal of Natchitoches Magnet is to facilitate learning among all stakeholders. Natchitoches Magnet values hard work, diversity, responsibility both for self and community, and cultural growth. Teachers are highly qualified and continually trained in new educational ideas and practices to help students reach their fullest potential.

As one of the top schools in the state, Magnet encourages everyone who has a child in grades 1-8 to apply. Applications for the 2017-2018 school year can be obtained from Natchitoches Magnet School at 800 Koonce Street, Natchitoches, LA or by emailing Kristen.Procell@nat.k12.la.us .

The other day I was pondering the subtle differences in the theological constructs described as infralapsarianism, sublapsarianism, and supralapsarianism. There is only one clergy in town who can completely explain these constructs to you. I invite you to the Presbyterian Church to ask Rev. Sara about them. I was rejoicing that I am Methodist and we talk about that sort of stuff with the word grace. I was having this theological reverie, when my cell phone rang. It was an irate citizen who hit a pothole in my district.

Potholes are indigenous to Natchitoches Parish. The word “natchitoches” is loosely translated, “man those roads are rough.” On the tax money the Parish receives for roads, it would take over 40 years to fix all the roads. That assumes no new maintenance issues. It leaves no money for maintaining the roads that would be repaired first in the 40 year period. The problem is mammoth. The Parish is neither hiding nor mis-spending money.
There is NO secret money that is going to suddenly appear. The Parish Engineer and the Parish President are driven to distraction by a problem that honestly can’t be solved without new taxes. That is an inconvenient truth. Potholes are driving the drivers mad. They are driving me nuts! For me that is a very short trip! You think the politics of potholes has interrupted your article, don’t you?

A pothole interrupted my God thoughts.

Isn’t that the way of it? If we could plan for interruptions they would be called planned activities.

We treat interruptions as something akin to walking along the seashore with your toes in the water, trying to enjoy the view but remaining all too aware of the countless seagulls flying overhead. You can’t help but be distracted by the increasing possibility of something quite unpleasant falling from the sky. There is another way to view an interruption.

Have you considered that the interruptions in your life might be holy things? They might be God’s gracious way of getting your attention.

Lent is a season of self-imposed interruption, if you observe Lent. It interrupts our usual habits. What did you give up for Lent? I know it is like asking you about your New Year’s resolutions. We don’t make resolutions or practice Lenten disciplines because they represent an interruption of the normal choices we make. Resolutions and interruptions are threats to the illusion we have of control.

Lent brings us the gift of holy interruption. This season of intentionally making room by way of letting go of tried and true rhythms prepares us for new life that springs forth in the garden of the Resurrection. Lent is a minor key season that messes up the usual. It prepares us for the massive interruption of human history called the Resurrection.

Infralapsarianism, sublapsarianism, and supralapsarianism boil down to the question of when God decided to interrupt human history with His son Jesus. Everything about Jesus was an interruption. His life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension and reign as Lord and Savior have interrupted human selfishness and sinfulness. Following Him certainly changes the course of your well planned life.

The next time you are interrupted be encouraged. God may be allowing you to put aside your need to control and open up an opportunity to experience His love and grace. God shows up, when we are not looking for Him. His love and grace can often be found in holy interruptions and sometimes in potholes.

Members are invited to take part in the activities of the Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau’s annual meeting Saturday, March 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Knight of Columbus Hall, located at 1105 East 5th St. in Natchitoches.

A catfish dinner will be provided for member and one guest only. Door prizes will be given away.

Most residents may not think about it, but did you know that based on the Parish Government’s Home Rule Charter Parish President Rick Nowlin must find someone to place in charge during his absences if that absence will  last 72 hours or more.

Nowlin, who is out of the office until Friday, March 3, appointed Parish Treasurer Debbie Miley as Acting Parish President. Miley has been appointed as the Acting Parish President most recently. Prior to that it’s been Nick Verret.

The Natchitoches Police Department released the document below, which is the Jailbook for Feb. 6 – 12.

Amanda Milam W F 46 202 Melle St., Natchitoches
DWI; No Drivers’ License; Careless Operation

Dearious Mamon B M 28 505 Second St., Natchitoches
Interference with an Officer

Fredrick Tousant B M 29 500 North St., Natchitoches
Simple Battery

Derienne Robinson B M 37 316 Sibley St., Apt. B, Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Driving Under Suspension; No Seat Belt)

Lashonda Remo B F 26 3651 Posey Rd., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (No Drivers’ License, Driving Under Suspension)

Corinthia Davis B F 18 2348 Hwy 6, #5, Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Theft)

Enonedria Thompson B F 20 142 Tjoe St., Natchitoches
Disturbing the Peace by Fighting

Stormie Williams B F 24 245 Carver Ave., Natchitoches
Disturbing the Peace by Fighting

Irvin Remo B M 23 720 Abbie Dr., Natchitoches
Hate Crime; Aggravated Assault; Simple Criminal Damage; Aggravated Burglary;
Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon

Ladarrion Litton B M 22 238 Hwy 6 East, Natchitoches
Careless Operation of a Moving Vehicle; Resisting an Officer

Jeremy Bayonne B M 30 118 MLK Dr., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (No Drivers’ License, Speeding)

William Cloutier W M 31 158 Voisant Helaire Rd., Natchez, LA
Failure to Appear (Expired Drivers’ License; No Seat Belt)

Hilery Washington B F 25 105 Castleton Dr., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Driving Under Suspension; Speeding)

Crystal Barfield B F 21 711 Brahma Dr., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Unauthorized Use of Access Card)

Courtney Jefferson B F 29 1518 Holmes St., Natchitoches
Simple Battery

Calvin James Holly, II B M 23 272 Independence Dr., Natchitoches
Theft of Goods

Bernadette Demars B F 37 236 Michelle Dr., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Expired Drivers’ License)

Chyna Z. Curry B F 17 303 Mallard Hill Rd, Robeline, LA
Disturbing the Peace by Fighting

Jonathan Culbert B M 37 186 Sorgee Rd., Natchitoches
Illegal Possession of Stolen Things

Binning Walker w M 18 513 Dick Anderson Rd., Pleasant Hill, LA
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Alyssia Finister B F 19 601 Hedges St., Natchitoches
Simple Battery

Petula Lacour B F 33 515 Fairgrounds Rd, #46, Natchitoches
Theft of Goods

Quentin Burks B M 23 1040 Highland Park, Natchitoches
Simple Possession of CDS I; 2nd or subseq offn

Danyelle Lewis B F 42 1501 Mandell St., Natchitoches
Four Counts Bank Fraud

Eric Hayes B M 21 903 Dorothy St., Natchitoches
No Driver’s License; Obstructing Public Passages; Simple Possession of Marijuana

Damarrius Manning B M 24 147 John Banks Rd., Robeline, LA
Failure to Appear (Simple Possession of Marijuana)

Jaulinda Winslow B F 39 117 Connie Dr., Clarence, LA
Failure to Appear (Resisting an Officer)

Kadarrius Johnson B M 21 525 Myrtle Dr., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (No Seat Belt; No Drivers’ License)

Takeitha Babineaux B F 21 206 Kelly St., Natchitoches
Theft of Goods

Steven Baptiste B M 33 1012 Lake St., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Unlicensed Deriver)

Tyrhonda Coutee B F 32 219 Fairgrounds Rd., Natchitoches
Possession of Sch I; Possession of Sch II; Possession of CDS in Presence of Juvenile; Stop Lamps; Two cts no child restraints

Shanard Patrick B M 28 125 Tjoe St., Natchitoches
Failure to Appear (Driving Under Suspension; Careless Operation)

Virginia Colclasure W F 40 2009 Hwy 478, Robeline, LA
2 cts Possession Sch IV; Driving Under Suspension; Turn Signal, Two cts Failure to Appear

The Natchitoches Parish Planing and Zoning Department issued 29 permits for the month of February, totaling $2.5 million in estimated development costs and $19,634 in permit fees.

Residential-Addition:
Katrina O’Con, 215 Celina Drive, $30,000

Residential-Detached Building:
Barbara Froust, 445 Bayou Blue Road, Robeline

Residential-Electrical Trade:
Wade Ebert, 120 Cloud Crossing Road, Campti
Kenneth Hyatt, 220 Edward Adams Road, Coushatta
Scotty Williams, 445 Calvin Tyler Road, Saline
Alice Hardison, 180 St. Luke Church Road
House of Faith, 1620 Hwy. 485, Robeline
Thomas Collier, 362 Collier Hill Road, Campti

Residential-Manufactured Homes:
Charles Thompson, 1445 Hwy. 1225, Clarence, $162,500
Megan Colston, 420 Dufrene Lane, Campti, $250,000
Christina Washington, 271 Independence Street, $59,800
Kathy Holman, 242 Ponderosa Road, $60,000
Jennifer Freeman, 9132 Texas Street, Robeline, $46,000

Residential-New Construction:
Rhodes Properties, 463 Riverside Lane, Natchez, $350,000
Rhodes Properties, 247 Jerrard Avenue, Natchez, $250,0000
Rhodes Properties, 459 Riverview Drive, Natchez, $285,000
Alan Soloman, 427 Bermuda Road, $167,500
Sabrina and Sheldon Lyles, 1137 Collins Road, $165,000
Corey LaCombe, 391 Riverview Drive, Natchez, $180,000
Justin White, 155 Antley Road, $100,000
Dykes Construction, 212 Bennett Loop, $155,000
Rhodes Properties, 177 Riverside Lane, Natchez, $215,000

Residential-Other:
Demery Resources, Office Buildings, 839 Five Forks Road, Saline
Cindy Rollinson, RV Site, 322 Pete Rodgers Road
Sherwood McBride, RV Site, 494 Montgomery Camp Road, Goldonna
James Smith Hr., RV Site, 499 Montgomery Camp Road, Goldonna
Demetric Smith, 2453 J. Benjamin Road, Natchez, $10,000

Residential-Remodel:
Madison Pierce, 106 Yvonne Street, $20,000
Dr. Marie Demery, 1991 Hwy. 6

Rising seventh, eighth and ninth grade students from across the region are invited to attend Summer at LSMSA to be held June 4-10 and June 11-17 at LSMSA.

Open to all interested students, Summer at LSMSA will consist of three, two-hour long courses per day. Campers will spend six hours a day in fun, but educational, classes of their choosing. These fun classes will be taught by LSMSA faculty and staff and are designed to teach in an exploratory way. After classes, students will have lots of activities to choose from that are organized and monitored by professional LSMSA residential life staff. Students have the option of staying overnight in an LSMSA residence hall or going home after class. Either way, students will get a feel for the LSMSA experience in a fun and comfortable environment.

Courses to be offered include App Development, Ballet for Beginners, Ballet Masterclass (Intermediate/Advanced), Creative Computing, Creative Writing, Discover Natchitoches, Earth Exploration, Emerging Leaders, Entrepreneurship, Everyday Physics, Exploring the Human Body, Geology for Enthusiasts, Introduction to Music Theory, Jazz Dance for Beginners, Jazz Masterclass (Intermediate/Advanced), Journalism Today, Piano for the Total Beginner, Piano Masterclass (Intermediate/Advanced), Plants and Society, Psychology in Everyday Life, Robotics, the Hero’s Quest in Pop Culture and Yoga 101.

Early registration for Summer at LSMSA will be held now through Friday, March 31. The cost will be $375 for the week and includes all meals and activities for overnight campers. The cost for day campers is $275 for the week and includes lunch, class activities and some optional afternoon activities.

During regular registration, which will end Monday, May 15, or until all available spots are filled, overnight campers will pay $399 for the week and includes all meals and activities. Day campers will pay $299 for the week and includes lunch, class activities and some optional afternoon activities.

Optional activities for campers will include painting, karaoke hour, drawing, rocket science, bowling, watercolor, pool party, tie dye and much more.

For more information call the Office of External Affairs at 318-357-2579 or email externalaffairs@lsmsa.edu.

Click here to visit the Summer at LSMSA webpage. To register, click here.