In 1986, the owners of Lee’s Furniture Depot left their store at 224 Keyser Avenue to build their current store at 1500 Texas Street. The business grew and prospered being owned and operated by the Lee family. In 2005, Lee’s Furniture Depot added more showroom and warehouse space to their existing building at 1500 Texas Street to give their customers a larger selection and more inventory and their business grew. In July 2014, the Lees added a second location at 1216 Texas Street to offer an even larger selection at competitive prices totaling over 20,000 square feet of showroom and warehouse space. As of July 2017, the Lees have sold their building at 1500 Texas Street and will begin the transition of moving all store operations to their 1216 Texas Street location.

The Lees will continue to offer the same great service to the people of Natchitoches and surrounding areas that they have been giving for the last 61 years.

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Joe R. Suchanek of Fields was the winner of the 2017 Louisiana State Fiddle Championship held at Northwestern State University as part of the 38th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival. Mary Elizabeth Harris of Breaux Bridge was second, followed by Ronald Pace of Alexandria in third. The Championship was held on in Magale Recital Hall on the Northwestern State University campus.

Harris won the 21 and under championship division, and Suchanek took first in the 60 and up championship division, with Pace coming in second.

Suchanek has played the fiddle for 40 years.

“I broke my leg working cows. I was off my feet for six months, so I spent that time killing cats learning to play the fiddle,” said Suchanek, who also plays the guitar, mandolin and bass, plays in his church, and performs bluegrass and swing on other occasions.

He observes about playing with others that “in a jam we’re all like a basketball team. Everybody has their part. Everyone has a chance to play to make the team work.”

As the new Louisiana State Fiddle champion, Suchanek also performed on the main stage in Prather Coliseum. Suchanek remarked on the importance of the Fiddle Championship, saying “I would encourage everyone to take part. I don’t want to lose what we’ve had in the past in our state. I think in Louisiana it’s something we should be proud of and that we should encourage younger people to learn to play.”

This was the first year that Harris has played in the Championship. A student in the Brazos Huval School of Music in Breaux Bridge, Harris has been playing since she was six, often with her brother and sister as the Harris Family Band. Harris is also active in 4-H and cheerleading. Harris encourages other young fiddlers to enter the Championship, saying “You should definitely do it. It’s awesome and amazing and fun!” She remarked that she is sometimes nervous playing before large audiences, admitting that “It’s a little nerve wracking, but it’s fun when you get into it.” Harris was the beneficiary of a fiddle made by master instrument maker Hilton Lytle, who donated the handmade fiddle. Observed Harris, “It’s beautiful. And I love the history behind it.”

Third place winner Ron Pace has played the fiddle for 25 years. Pace wanted to play the fiddle as a child but was unable to acquire one, but found a fiddle as an adult in an unusual manner. While working as a school bus driver for Rapides Parish, one day as he made a stop to drop children off he noticed a fiddle in a nearby garbage can. He returned to the home after his shift and obtained permission from the lady of the house to take it. Finding the instrument reignited his desire to play the fiddle, so putting his guitar aside, he took up the fiddle instead. Pace enjoyed playing in the Championship and plans to return to compete again next year.

Suchanek and Harris each had advice for beginning players. Said Suchanek, “Associate yourself with other fiddle players in your area and jam. Find somebody in your area to give you lessons so you don’t make the same mistakes I did learning the fiddle.” Harris had similar advice, encouraging fiddlers that “No matter how frustrated you get just keep going. And practice. It’s very worth it.”

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival and the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, remarked that the level of talent in this year’s fiddlers was inspiring. “It’s awesome to see such a high caliber of talent in this year’s fiddlers. Each of them is an extraordinary player!”

2017 Fiddle Championship judges included fiddlers Joanna Calhoun, Steve Harper, Andrej Kurti, and Leo “Buddy” Terzia. Calhoun was the 2016 Louisiana State Fiddle Champion. Next year’s Fiddle Championship will be held on July 21, 2018.

Support for the Festival was provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative of the National Park Service, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation, and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. Much needed support also came from the City of Natchitoches, City Bank, Cleco, and the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Robeline First Baptist Church will hold a fundraiser Aug. 4-5 for Abram Smith’s medical expenses. Abram is the son of Luke and Flossy “Crystal” Smith.

As many in the community know, Luke and Flossy were blessed with a little Miracle on March 13. Abram was born at 23 weeks. Although many odds and statistics weighed against this little guy, he has shown what true perseverance is and the power of prayer. He has undergone multiple extensive procedures over the past 4 months of his little life.

As many could imagine, living in Nicu can be very draining emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially, especially considering Abram has two very proud big brothers and a strong daddy that works off to provide for his family. Flossy has not left Abram’s side, traveling back and forth from Marthaville to Shreveport since birth and currently staying in Texas where Abram has undergone multiple eye surgeries to preserve his eyesight.

This family is very special and although the Smiths have only asked for prayers for their little guy, community members felt led to have a fundraiser event to help offset financial expenses they are faced with.

The event, titled “Standing on Faith, Not by Sight for Abram” will include plate lunches Aug. 4 from 10 am – 2pm at the Robeline First Baptist Church for pick up or delivery. Plates include two meats, potatoes, beans, dessert and bread.

Events Aug. 5 will include a Cornhole tournament, free-throw competition, half court three-on-three basketball tournament, 3-point and granny shot contests, Split the Pot Drawing, Silent Auction Baskets, T-shirts for Sale, raffle of a char-broil gas smoker, concessions for sale and BBQ chicken sandwich sack lunches. The Cornhole tournament begins at 8 am with a double elimination. Entry is $40 per team. The Half Court three-on-three basketball tournament will start at 8 am with a double elimination. Entry is $30 per team (any three-on-three combo).

To enter a team contact Daniel Jones at 318-581-0252. To place food orders, donate or for more information contact Brittany Procell at 318-332-5371.

Continue reading →

 

Bank of Montgomery is the 2017 Tailgate Partner of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association as the university prepares for the upcoming football season. A slate of activities and promotions will surround home football games and tailgating events during the home opener versus Lamar on Sept. 16 and the following home games versus Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 30, Central Arkansas on Oct. 21 (Homecoming), Abilene Christian on Nov. 4 and Stephen F. Austin (Battle for Chief Caddo and Senior Day) on Nov. 18.

This is the first year the Alumni Tailgate has been supported by an official Tailgate Partner, a first-come, first-served $5,000 sponsorship opportunity available to a single individual, company or organization for the 2017 football season.

Other Demon Tailgate sponsors are Brookshires/Super 1 Foods, Cane River Waterslides, and Posey’s at the $1,000 level; Barnes and Noble at the $500 level and City Bank and Trust, Walsh Timber and James Veterinary Clinic at the $250 level.  Corporate and general sponsorships are still available and include t-sign recognition, media recognition and other perks.

For the first time, the Alumni Tailgate will be combined with both the President’s Tailgate and the Faculty/Staff Tailgate and will take place in and around Collins Pavilion, which has been recently upgraded with new cooling fans and other amenities, according to Vanner Erikson, associate director of Alumni Affairs.

NSU’s first home game weekend will kick off with the annual Demons Come Out at Night pep rally in Turpin Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, following by a concert featuring The Molly Ringwalds from 8-10 p.m. on the tailgate field.  Those events are free and open to the community and are being planned in tandem with the investiture of NSU’s 19th President Dr. Chris Maggio, which will take place Friday, Sept. 15.  Tailgating for Saturday’s game will begin at 3 p.m. with kick-off at 6 p.m.

“We will spend that entire week celebrating the investiture of Dr. Chris Maggio as NSU’s 19th president and this year’s pep rally and concert are part of that celebration,” Erikson said. “This will be a time when we introduce our incoming students to our game day traditions, and get the community excited about Demon football.”

NSU Alumni Association tailgates take place in and around Collins Pavillion and feature music, food, children’s activities and more.  The cost to participate is free to members of the NSU Alumni Association and $10 for non-members.

For more information on tailgating or sponsorship opportunities, contact Erikson at eriksonv@nsula.edu or call (318) 357-4415.  Information on NSU’s upcoming football season is available at nsudemons.com.

It’s time for your teen to get their driver’s license, but before they get out on the road, drivers education is a must. Platinum Driving School will hold a Drivers Education Course July 31-Aug. 3. The course is scheduled for 8 am – 4:30 pm on July 31 and Aug. 1-2. On Aug. 3 the course will be held from 8 am – 2:30 pm with state testing at the end.

A driver’s license is a privilege, and an automobile can be a dangerous weapon. Owners of Platinum Driving School, Russell and LaDonna Rachal, believe this is one of the most important classes a teenager can take, and one of the biggest responsibilities they’ll encounter.

Louisiana Law requires students ages 14 years and 9 months, up to 17-years-old take a 38 hour course, which consists of 30 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel instruction. Students must be 15-years-old to take driving portion of class.

For the driving portion, students get behind the wheel for 8 hours (two 4-hour sessions) with one of Platinum’s four driving instructors.

In operation for over 5 years now, Russell first started the business after he retired from the Department of Public Safety where he regulated driving schools across the state from 1999-2011.

Platinum Driving School also offers Adult Driver Education for anyone 18 or older, consisting of a 14-hour course (6-hours classroom instruction and 8-hours driving).

Platinum aspires to be your one-stop-shop for all your driving needs. It is a certified Third Party Tester for the DMV Road Skills Test and offers DWI and substance abuse classes and defensive driving courses for individuals or companies.

Drivers Education Courses will also be held on the following dates:
October 20, 21, 23 and 24
November 18, 20, 21 and 22
December 27-30

Register online now at platinumdrivingschool.org. For more information
call 318-652-0382 or 318-652-0384.

Platinum Driving School is located at 317 South Drive.

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Design and Modeling:

Northwestern State University hosted training for middle school teachers who will implement a design and modeling class into their Project Lead the Way curriculum this fall.  Seated from left are John Thacker, Archbishop Hannan High School, Covington; Tonya King, Mansfield Middle School, and Stacey Schouest, Belle Chasse Middle School.  Standing are Elizabeth Kuchler, Christian Brothers School-City Park Campus, New Orleans;  Tara Dale, Delta Charter School, Ferriday;  Gary Bennett, Slidell Junior High, Sandy Roberts, Whitwell Middle School, Whitwell, Tennessee, and Penny Rodrique, Armstrong Middle School, Starkville, Mississippi.  PLTW is an activity- and project-based curriculum that exposes students to concepts in science, math, engineering and technology from kindergarten through high school.  NSU is PLTW’s Louisiana affiliate university and annually offers summer training sessions to teachers from around the state and beyond.

Medical Detectives: 

Several teachers from Louisiana and beyond completed training at Northwestern State University to implement the medical detectives curriculum into their Project Lead the Way projects this fall.  The class will introduce middle schoolers to analyzing genetic testing results, diagnosing diseases and learning how the systems of the human body work together.  From left are Ja’Corian Coleman, Opelousas Junior High School; Charles King, Harmony Public School, Garland, Texas; Ryan Melton, Grenada (Mississippi) Middle School; Julie Beck, St. Paul’s School, Covington; Amy Willhoite, Oakdale Public School District, Edmond, Oklahoma; Josh Hollingsworth, Hamilton (Alabama) Middle School, and Dr. Ali Ahmad, director of NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology, which annually hosts the training.

A meeting was held July 25 to inform Natchitoches’ officials, port and levee districts of a scheduled visit from the Mississippi River Commission (MRC) on Aug. 15.

The trip through the JBJ Waterway is an opportunity to show the MRC the successes located in the areas along the waterway, so they have a better perspective of the Red River and its need for future funding. They will travel from the Caddo-Bossier Port on the Motor Vessel MISSISSIPPI, the largest push boat on the Mississippi River, which is five stories tall. They will visit the Caddo-Bossier area before traveling to Natchitoches to tour the Port, Grand Core Visitor Center and the new Grand Ecore Recreational Area.

The MRC was established by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879 and the commissioners are Presidential appointees. Congress charged the MRC with the mission to develop plans to improve the condition of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, foster navigation, promote commerce and prevent destructive floods. The Commission is extremely influential with the Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Congress.

Col. Michael Derosier, Commander of the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway – Vicksburg District, presented information on the many benefits realized from the major civil works project in the areas of transportation, recreation, industry, agriculture, municipal, economic development and eco-system development.

Around 70,268 commercial tons of cargo passed through Natchitoches Parish via the Red River in 2014, sustaining around 291 jobs. Cargo includes aggregate, forest product and asphalt. Around $11.4 million is needed annually to maintain routine operations and maintenance, dredging, lock operation and recreation. Over 1.7 million visitors annually take advantage of the facilities offered by the 22 recreation areas in eight parishes along the waterway.

In Natchitoches, the Grand Ecore Visitor Center is located on a bluff overlooking the Red River. The Cane River National Heritage Area operates it, offering educational and cultural programming to the community.

But there’s always work to be done. Repairs to be made include stone, equipment, lock replacement, tainted gates, dike markers, debris removal and more.

An Open House, which is open to the public, will be held onboard the M/V MISSISSIPPI Aug. 16 from 9-11 am as the trip ends at the Port of Alexandria with a visit to CLECO.

2017 Red River Public Awareness – FRN

 

Is it really time? Yes it is time to say goodbye to fresh fruits and vegetables we’ve enjoyed all summer. These are the final days at Anderson’s Produce on Highway 174. The stand closes at 5 pm Saturday.

But now, today, you can still enjoy all of the great tastes of summer. Come to Anderson’s and stock up before the season ends. Andersons has fresh tomatoes and squash, okra, corn, watermelons, cantaloupes and so much more. All picked at the peak of freshness.

On a warm afternoon you can enjoy a cold drink while sitting by the garden pool and waterfall. Tour the grounds and pick a bouquet of zinnias. Take a break and relax for a few minutes. Then stock up on your favorite vegetables this week. Anderson’s will close at 5 pm Saturday for the season.

Jason Anderson and his staff thanks you for shopping with them this spring and summer. They are already planning for next year. There is much work to do between now and next May. Before you know it the new crop will be ready. We’ll see you in 2018.

Anderson’s Produce and Plant Farm. Phone 318-932-1432. Or come to the farm, half way between I-49 and LA 1 on Highway 174.

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Deacon Ray Dalton “Whistle” Gibson
September 7, 1939 – July 23, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, July 29 at 10 am with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 am at St. Rita Catholic Church
Service: Saturday, July 29 at 11 am at St. Rita Catholic Church
Private Interment: Evangeline Memorial Cemetery in Ville Platte

Millard “Mr. Bill” Franklin Rutledge, III
October 19, 1943 – July 23, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, July 26 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home Chapel
Service: Thursday, July 27 at 11 am at Faith Family Christian Church, 131 Sorgee Road
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery, on Texas St in Natchitoches

James Edward Yule
May 12, 1922 – July 23, 2017
Service: Saturday, July 29 at 10 am in the Jena First Baptist Church Interment: Nebo Cemetery

Peggy Duplantis Wallace
February 24, 1947 – July 24, 2017
Service: Friday, July 28 at 12 pm at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Houma

Barbara Ford Jewitt
December 26, 1951 – July 21, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Micheal Jackson
November 2, 1958 – July 21, 2017
Arrangements TBA

A public hearing was held before Monday night’s City Council meeting, July 24, to discuss the need for a water/sewer rate increase. Mayor Lee Posey tabled an ordinance that was on the agenda for a final vote until the Aug. 14 meeting. He said there’s a problem with misinformation and he wanted to make sure everyone had the facts before the Council casts its final vote.

Since the rededication of the Water and Sewer Sales Tax in March 2016 (for streets, drainage, water line replacement and recreation improvements) the City found out it has a lot of things that need to be addressed.

Separate from this tax dedication is the water/sewer operation and maintenance fund which covers salaries, equipment, day-to-day operations, chemicals and more.

This is where the City has been losing money. The funds are supposed to be self sufficient. The City kept water and sewer rates low until it could renegotiate electrical rates so an increase in water/sewer rates wouldn’t be so painful.

“We never intended those rates to stay as low as they were,” said Posey. “It had nothing to do with the money we rededicated toward the Sports Park.”

The big thing everyone is talking about is the Sports Park and Posey said they’re not taking that money.

“We’re going to bond out the Sports Park,” he said. “We plan on taking a portion of the money we transferred over to pay off the bonds, however long that takes. It’s not like we’re going to deplete that account. We still need money to do this next round of street projects and there’s still more drainage to do.”

Projects include:
New master lift station for $3 million
New intake structure at Sibley Lake, Shorter route to get water to East Natchitoches to improve water quality for $200,000
Replacing water lines on 16 streets for $280,000
Revamping three parks across town for around $700,000
Cleaning sludge out of Chaplain’s Lake for $300,000

“We’re going to do all these projects with the money we have in hand,” said Posey. “I think we’re doing this in a fair way but we’ve got to go up on these rates. The things you see us doing now are the things other cities have already done. We’re just trying to catch up.”

Council member Eddie Harrington said while most people thought the $18 million in reserve when the tax was rededicated was meant for the Sports Park, the money was split up. $9 million went toward water and sewer improvements and $9 million went toward streets and recreation improvements (recreation included the Sports Park, but only a small percent was to go to it).

Community members are worried about paying more money when a lot of people live on fixed incomes, however Posey said because of the reductions in the utility rates, the amount people are paying for the increase will balance out.

“Our rates are still 40 years behind the times,” said Harrington. “We have to look at the big picture. We can’t just keep patching these cast iron pipes that are crumbling and falling apart.”

Community member Johnny Barnes said fear just kicks in when people hear the word “increase.” At the end of the day, the number one thing this leads to is economic development.

Other agenda items included:
Change zoning classification of lot at 615 Amulet Street from R-2 Residential to B-3 Commercial for Larry and Rose Petite to operate a flea market business
Aquire three lots and a tract of land on the East side of Jefferson Street near Fort St. Jean Baptiste
Aquire 1 acre of ground from Michael Ray Bowen
Approve lease agreement between the City and Marie and Cody Lacaze for the placement of an omnidirectional approach light and utility line
Advertise and accept bids for five 72.5 KV dead tank gas circuit breakers
Enter into a cooperative agreement with the LA Dept. of Veterans Affairs to support the cost to operate and maintain the Natchitoches Parish Veterans Service Office

 

Northwestern State University is continuing to develop more agreements with international institutions that promote exchange opportunities, language immersion programs and experiential learning for students and faculty.

In the latest of these, NSU and the Seychelles Tourism Academy in the Republic of Seychelles signed a memorandum of understanding that will facilitate exchanges between STA faculty and those in NSU’s hospitality management and tourism (HMT) program and help each institution place students in internships and other training opportunities for the hospitality industry.

Three recent graduates from NSU’s HMT program, Tommy Remsen of Baton Rouge, Terrian Marchand of Natchitoches and Laura Saucier of Alexandria, have secured internships in Seychelles and will work in a luxury hotel for 4-6 months where they can network with other professionals. The school is connected to tourism hubs around the world and will provide many networking advantages for NSU students.

“This is the first agreement; it is not the last,” said Georgina Dhillon, who represented Seychelles at the signing and noted there are more opportunities for NSU to have a presence on Mauritius and other islands in the Indian Ocean. “Our point of view is about relationships, diversity and inclusion.  You will learn that international students from all over the world are studying there.”

NSU’s relationship with Seychelles began through the Creole Heritage Center when Dhillon visited Louisiana in the interest of Creole studies and discovered the presence of the Creole culture in New Orleans and in the Cane River region. Creole culture features prominently in the Seychelles where the official languages are Seychelles Creole, French and English.

After meeting with Loletta Wynder, project coordinator for NSU’s Creole Heritage Center, Wynder directed Dhillon to Marcus Jones, vice president for University Affairs, who has taken a lead role in developing international exchange agreements with other institutions. From there, a conversation with faculty in NSU’s Department of Hospitality Management and Tourism began.

The Seychelles Tourism Academy is a training institution established by that country’s government, where students may complete their training either on a full-time basis or through an apprenticeship.  The academy is a leading hospitality and tourism training institute that prepares individuals for careers in hotels, guests houses, restaurants, airline offices, airports, travel agencies, cruise ships and more.  Since gaining independence from Britain in the 1970s, tourism has been a significant industry for the island nation, which is located in the Indian Ocean east of the African coast and is home to numerous beaches, coral reefs, nature reserves and exclusive resorts.

The Seychelles Tourism Academy has fostered affiliations with several international hotel chains, such as the Hilton group and Le Meridien Group, as well as with other institutions that specialize in training professionals for the hospitality and tourism industry.

Per the new agreement, STA will coordinate internships for NSU students that can last between three and six months, during the summer or during a regular semester for students working at one of the main island’s four- or five-star hotels where they will live with other students. NSU will reciprocate by providing academic training to STA students seeking training in management, entrepreneurship and, for faculty, student counseling.

Earlier this year, NSU signed two new agreements with universities in Mexico, Universidad Veracruzana, and Universidad de Quintana Roo, with NSU students participating in a 4-week summer language immersion program with Quintana Roo.  Administrators have in place an agreement with Universidad Veracruzana to transfer credits into the engineering technology degree program and are working to finalize a dual degree agreement with that university.  One student from Veracruzana is already participating in the transfer program.

Also, for the second summer in a row, NSU sent a group of students to the Université d’Angers, France, to participate in a 4-week language immersion program.

Last semester, NSU had more than 100 international students from 22 countries on campus and the number is growing. In response, NSU opened the International Student Resource Center on campus, which assists not only international students enrolled at NSU, but also students interested in studying abroad.  The center, located in Russell Hall Room 227, helps international students navigate a new environment and become more involved with student life on campus.

For information on international study, contact ISRC director Telba Espinoza-Contreras at contrerast@nsula.edu or (318) 357-5939.

Leah Bernard is the nursery director at First United Methodist Church. Leah was born and raised in Natchitoches. She has two children, Megan and Colby, and a grandson named Hendrix. She enjoys spending time with her family and taking Hendrix to do new things. Leah has been a part of the nursery staff for 13 years. She has seen many of the kids in the church move from the nursery, to the children’s program, to the youth program, and then on to other things.

Leah loves serving in the church because it gives her the opportunity to get to know so many of the families in our church. She gets the pleasure of watching the children grow and change. Leah also enjoys knowing that she is part of that process.

It’s that time again, SCHOOL TIME, and the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches is hosting its annual School Uniform Drive. The club is collecting new and/or slightly used (in good condition) school uniforms for local children in need. The uniforms will be distributed to children in Natchitoches Parish through the Natchitoches Parish School Board. Kiwanis would like to have all donations delivered by Aug. 7, however, it will continue to collect uniforms through the end of August.

Collection sites are set up at Waskom, Brown & Associates, Bank of Montgomery and City Bank.

The Natchitoches Ponytails X-Play All Star team competed at the District Tournament in Winnfield June 30-July 4. The team won Third place and also received the Sportsmanship Award. Pictured on front row from left are Katie Lynn Murray, Aaniyah Hardwell, Morgan Robinson, Linda Ransfer, and Evie Miller. On back row are Coach Jeremy Miller, Anayah Mitchell, Mia Dawson, Deitra Jackson, Desi Robinson, Kristen Claire Murray, Preslie Durbin, Kimora Hardwell, and Coach Amanda Miller.

Lakeview High School’s Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Major (Ret.) Bob Kellogg, joined 20 other AFJROTC instructors from four states, to conduct a week-long Cadet Leadership Course at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. July 8-14. The course was attended by over 130 cadets.  Lakeview’s Cadet Support Squadron Commander, Cadet Captain Za’Chary Jackson served as a Cadet Training Officer, providing drill, physical fitness, and leadership training.  Lakeview Cadets Robert Barthelemy, Zack Favela, Dacoda Coutee, and Ethan Nelson completed the course, which is one of the premier Air Force JROTC Cadet Leadership Courses in the southeastern United States.  The activity was hosted by Biloxi High School.  The curriculum included public speaking, leadership, core values, teambuilding, time-management, problem-solving, ethics, and organizational skills. In addition to the academic instruction, the cadets also competed in drill competitions, physical fitness, and flight challenges.  The activity, which marked its 20th year, was attended by 15 high schools throughout Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.  The course concluded with a formal parade and graduation/awards ceremony.  Lakeview’s graduates of this course will assume junior leadership roles in the upcoming school year and help mentor incoming freshman cadets.

Pictured from left are Lakeview Air Force JROTC Cadets Cadet Captain Za’Chary Jackson, Cadets Robert Barthelemy, Zack Favela, Dacoda Coutee, and Ethan Nelson.

 

A limited number of tickets remain for two performances of the Northwestern State University’s Summer Dinner Theatre’s production of “Murder in the Court.” Tickets are available for opening night on Wednesday, July 26 and Thursday, Aug. 3. The shows on July 27-29 and Aug. 2, 4 and 5 are sold out.

Tickets are $30 which includes a meal with soup, salad, entrée’, dessert, tea and coffee and the show. Reservations are required and can be obtained by calling (318) 357-4218 or (318) 357-4483. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m.

“Murder in the Court” is a mystery comedy in which Judge Horton, called “Hanging Judge Horton,” is the most feared judge in town.  He can find a man guilty and have him in jail quicker than most judges can bang a gavel.  To make matters worse, the mayor has fired every judge in town except him. And some around town think Judge Horton is a little nuts.  Legend has it Judge Horton once gave a guy “the chair” for excessive parking tickets.  But nuts or not he’s the only judge in town.  And it’s got folks a bit nervous.  Prosecutors, defense attorneys, none of them want to take their chances with the hanging judge.  Not to mention, those who throw themselves at his mercy.

Crews are currently working to restore the water for the customers on the Powhatan Water System.  Once water is restored, customers of the Powhatan Water System will be under a mandatory boil order, until further notice.

Should you have any questions, please contact Paul’s Plumbing at 318-352-9676.

Thank you,

Paul E. Cormane, Sr.
Operator
Powhatan Water System

Natchitoches Lions Club President Cheryl Stoker presented Past President Tina Ragan with a plaque at the club meeting, July 24, in honor and appreciation of her distinguished and unselfish service given to the club while serving with outstanding leadership, vision and ability.

Ragan then presented John Godfrey and Brad Ferguson with special pins recognizing their service to the club.

Barbara Ford Jewitt
December 26, 1951 – July 21, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Micheal Jackson
November 2, 1958 – July 21, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Jeanette Nayedo Harville
September 21, 1943 – July 21, 2017
Visitation: Monday, July 24 from 9 am – 12:15 pm
Service: Monday, July 24 at 1 pm in St. Maurice Cemetery

Rita Thadean (Mayo) Floyd
October 31, 1940 – July 21, 2017
Visitation: Monday, July 24 from 11 am – 1 pm in the Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home
Service: Monday, July 24 at 1 pm in the chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home of Jena
Interment: Graham Cemetery in Nebo

Judith “Judi” Lynn McCallister
January 8, 1939 – July 19, 2017
Service: Monday, July 24 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Pine Grove Cemetery in Hagewood

Scotty Ray Craig
July 29, 1970 – July 17, 2017
Service: Monday, July 24 at 10 am at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Vowells Mill