Bernard Johnson and Altorio Holden, members of the Richard Johnson Regional Improvement Foundation, watched workers pour and smooth out concrete for a basketball court at the Richard Johnson Recreational Park Oct. 20 in Payne Subdivision.

Johnson, President and CEO of the Foundation, said they purchased 3.4 acres in 2015 and immediately began clearing it out. With the help of donations from the community and the foundation’s efforts, they raised enough money to begin the first phase of the park, which is the basketball courts. Future phases include a walking track, jungle gym and other playground equipment, a pavilion, baseball diamond and a building to house after school and mentoring programs.

The foundation continues to raise money through a GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/h66nswgc. For more information email rjrifoundation@yahoo.com or call 318-332-5551.

Kevin’s Gallery

Tonight was quite the packed evening for the St. Mary’s family. The evening started off with the signature SMS tailgate-easily the best restaurant in town on gameday! It was Senior Night in which the senior football players and spirit group members were recognized before kickoff. Halftime featured the correction of a long running injustice as Louisiana High School Athletic Association Executive Director, Mr. Eddie Bonine, presented the 2015 LHSAA Football Championship Trophy to former SMS Football Coach Lee Doty and the 2015 Tiger Football Team, spirit group members and trainers. The championship, initially won by Southern Lab, was vacated after the LHSAA uncovered several violations. The evening concluded the Tigers imposing a Carthaginian Peace upon University Lab of Alexandria with a decisive 70-6 win.

 

NPSO Patrol Division deputies, Louisiana State Police and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center responded to 911 reports of a two-vehicle crash Oct. 20 at 2:55 pm on Hwy. 6 East near Payne Sub-Division according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Both drivers of the 2012 Dodge pickup and 2016 Ford pickup truck were assessed at the scene by EMS.

Troopers assigned to LSP E Alexandria worked the crash.

Lakeview Jr/Sr High School Announces Honor Roll for 2nd Quarter (High School) and 1st Nine Weeks (Junior High)

7th Grade A Honor Roll

Hailey Poydras and Jennifer Williams

7th Grade B Honor Roll

Colby Creamer, Mar’Shae Grant, Kearston Nobles, Ja’Torri Phillips, Sammya Rachal, Rene Reliford, and Harli Thomas

8th Grade Principal’s List

Zoie Britt, Aky’a Chatman, Meagan Corley, and Elizabeth Poydras

8th Grade A Honor Roll

Brenden Allen, Allison Anderson, Ashlie Key, Kaitlynn Long, Kandice Palm, Chelsey Winslow, JaMichael Burgess, Liberty Collins, Raymond Connell, Emmanuel Davidson, Antuan Nash, Melik Nora, Dominick Rachal, Mahdi Shuaibu, Asharia Smith, and Edward Smith

9th Grade Principal’s List

Jeffery Custis, James Earp, Carleigh Lofton, Jo Porter, Averianna Slaughter, and Ethan Smith

9th Grade A Honor Roll

Taylor Coutee, Zachery Gorham, Adriunhya Gray, Amber Hembree, Ingerlisha Nicholas, Zenobia Poydras, Da’Marcus Rivers, Jason Smith, and Jeremy Sowell

9th Grade B Honor Roll

Alexia Adams, Anthony Alexander, Dae’Breyuona Bell, Layla Below, Destinee Britt, Amya Broomfield, Aalondra Garner, Makensie Hodges, Sabrina Ivy, U’Donis Jones, Derek Kirts, Kadarius Law, Joshua Mattox, Simon Messengmba, Kinley Nelson, Chloe Peacock, Tapiwa Rubunya, Colby Sepulvado, Darian Sessions, Mykel Slaughter, Shaliyha Smith, Tierra Stacks, and Larry Vaughn

10th Grade Principal’s List

Julie Baldwin, Angel Hayes, Karmen Jarriett, Salem Johnson, Joshua Long, Myla Porter, Anna Smith, Kaycee Smith, Hunter Thomas, Landon Vaughn, and Nick Wiggins

10th Grade A Honor Roll

JaQuan Bobb, William Brew, Diamond Brown, Kadon Cook, , Zackari Favela, A’Shanti Garner, Joshua Graham, Jodie Kerry, Gracie Niette, Shermarcus Page, Jakerian Washington, Emily Windham, Breanna Wyatt,and Daron Williams

10th Grade B Honor Roll

Elizabeth Anderson Takia Ardison, Ka’Brian Bonier, Makayla Cook, Emily Corley, Dacoda Coutee, Junell Coutee, Altorio Holden, Alexis Kinard, Danielle Morrison, Ethan Nelson, Thomas Norman, Mackenzie Phillips, Jh’Kolby Roberson, Raven Speir, Timothy Washington, Airamya Williams, Jasmine Williams, Shaneta Williams, Tyler Williams, and Noah Wilson

11th Grade Principal’s List

Jada Aldredge, LaTia Beavers, Makaila Braxton, Destini Carter, and Madison Hale

11th Grade A Honor Roll

Jalen Benn, Rebecca Guy, LaDashya Hayes, J’eishia Hill, Dillon Longino, Shaa’vareyah Page, Ke’Aira Thomas, Ashley Womack, and Ericka Young

11th Grade B Honor Roll

Joey Blackmon, Taylor Coleman, Taylor Ferrier, Gage Harper, Breanna Harrison, Ulysse Harvey, Martina Jarnagin, Zy-Keious Manual, Cassidy McLendon, Kerrell Nora, A’Keria Payton, Christiunna Pearrie, Nathan Roberts, Jayme Roy, Brittany Sullivan, Sara Sullivan, Jaylan Triplet-Bell, Larry Thompson, Victoria Tune, Tifany Valure, Matthew Vaughn, and Jada Williams

12th Grade Principal’s List

Alyssa Breaud, Quintarious Coleman, Kayla Denham, Mason Harper, Alexis Smith, and Tyler Sullivan

12th Grade A Honor Roll

Alanna Anderson, Robert Barthelemy, Diavione Frazier, Za’Chary Jackson, Jesse Rachal, Brandon Roberts, Terry Rowell, Dwaelon Shepherd, Do’Joureyan Smith, Daviion Telsee, Kamry Toms, and Skylar Williams

12th Grade B Honor Roll

Michael Banks, Serenity Beavers, Shundericka Browder, Trent Collier, Julee Daniels, Elizabeth Dawson, Layton Friday, Katherine Hicks, Jacaria Holden, Devin Irvin, Norman Moreland, Alexcia Pikes, Douglas Reliford, Dalton Riddle, LeAndre’ Ruffin, Skylar Ryder, Nasser Shuaibi, Savannah Walter, Dillan Winslow, Jalen Winslow, and LaDarrion Winslow

An announcement was made at a press conference Oct. 18 regarding the design and installation of a new roof for the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), Natchitoches Campus.

The historic rain events and floods in the spring and summer of 2016 caused severe damages to many colleges and universities throughout the state of Louisiana.

The CLTCC Natchitoches campus was among the most severely damaged. The property suffered significant interior and roof damages.

Due to the damages at CLTCC Natchitoches and elsewhere, the Louisiana Legislature, appropriated $14 million for the facility maintenance needs of higher education in the state. A portion these funds will be invested to replace the roof at the Natchitoches Campus.

This investment will further ensure a sound structure and aid in the improvements currently being made to the facility.

This roofing project will replace the original roof structure and preliminary work will begin before the end of this year.

System President Dr. Monty Sullivan said that while he works with 144 legislators in Louisiana, there are no two better than the two representatives of the Natchitoches campus and community: Senator Gerald Long and State Rep. Kenny Cox.

“They understand the mission of our institution,” said Sullivan.

In addition, an investment will be made in the college’s Manufacturing and Welding programs. Manufacturing and Welding are two of the most in demand and high paying professions in Louisiana and the nation.

These resources will originate from the Louisiana Community & Technical College System’s ‘Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund.’

Second grade students at St. Mary’s Catholic School did a novel study on one of the books from the Flat Stanley series. Each student mailed their very own handmade Flat Stanley to a different area in the U.S., covering 21 states.

The Flat Stanleys were mailed back to Natchitoches with photos of their travels and even a few treats from across the country. One rode a subway in New York City, and one got to wear a Texas A&M Jersey. Two more brought back Hershey Kisses from Pennsylvania and salt water taffy from South Carolina for the students to sample.

Second grader Eli Hypes used to live in Rhode Island, so that’s where he mailed his Flat Stanley. Friends from his hometown took a photo in front of his old house to send a bit of Rhode Island back to Louisiana. Chloe Methvin sent her Flat Stanley to New Hampshire where it visited an apple orchard.

The students got a real treat from Blanchard Williams’ Flat Stanley recipient. Grey Delisle Griffin does voice acting (often referred to as voice over work) in Los Angeles and has performed voices of various characters in roughly 85 cartoons. She also performs in animated movies and video games.

She face timed the second graders on Oct. 16 and performed some of her voices. Some of the characters that Grey provides the voices for are:
Daphne – What’s New Scooby-Doo?
Vicky – The Fairly OddParents
Mandy — The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Frankie — Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Azula — Avatar: The Last Airbender
Mrs. Gleeful – Gravity Falls
Various Voice- Rugrats, Samurai Jack and Johnny Bravo
Mandy- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Penny’s mom- Bolt

Griffin, who lives in California with her husband Jared and their three sons (Tex, Harlan and Posie), first visited Natchitoches in the early 2000s for the Natchitoches Christmas Tour of Homes. She quickly fell in love with the town and booked a room at the Rusca House for the following Christmas Festival. Soon after she purchased a house and turned it into the Bayou Amulet Bed and Breakfast. She eventually sold it because traveling back and forth became too difficult. However, Natchitoches will always hold a special place in her heart.

Lakeview High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC invites area veterans to attend its Veterans Day Program Thursday, Nov. 9 at 10 am. If attending, contact Linda Davidson or Major Bob Kellogg at 476-3360 before Nov. 3

Ashley McCloud won the $630 jackpot for the Mystery Sound Cash Contest while listening to 94.9 The River.

Ashley successfully guessed the mystery sound was a glass lid being placed on a glass jar. She said there’s a glass candy jar that sits in the Natchitoches Farm Bureau office where she works and she quickly recognized the sound. Ashley, who is 26 weeks pregnant, plans to take the money and buy baby furniture with her fiancee.

“We’ll do it all again Monday morning with a brand new sound and a brand new jackpot,” said Trini Triggs. Each weekday morning between 7-10 am, Trini will take calls from listeners who think they know what the mystery sound is.

Contest sponsor Axsom Air said the entire company is enjoying the buzz the contest is creating around the office. “Everyone is begging for clues,” said Josh Axsom. “We wish the best of luck to all the contestants when guessing the new mystery sound.”

The first caller to guess correctly will win the jackpot. But wait, it gets better! For each incorrect answer, $5 will be added to the pot. The River Line is 318-581-4025.

Wallace Wesley Prestridge
November 12, 1939 – October 18, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10-11 am at the United Baptist Church of Campti
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at the United Baptist Church in Campti
Interment: United Baptist Church Cemetery

Julian Gerald Baidy
August 11, 1951 – October 17, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10-11 am at the Kramer Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 am at Bethel Cemetery

Essle L. Connor Smiley
May 18, 1942 – October 20, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5-8 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield and Sunday, Oct. 22 from 1-2 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Service: Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Interment: Garden of Memories in Winnfield

Lula Mae Stevens
February 14, 1917 – October 19, 2017
Visitation: Monday, Oct. 23 from 12-2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, Oct. 23 at 2 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery of Natchitoches

Bill Giddens, Jr
November 19, 1968 – October 18, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 pm at Montgomery Cemetery in Montgomery

Randall Lynn Shell Sr.
June 6, 1967 – October 17, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Friendship Baptist Church

Lottie Chambers
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson
Interment: Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson

Robert Jones
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 pm at New Hope Baptist Church in Mansfield
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Mansfield

Herbert Simon
August 12, 1920 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Catholic Cemetery on 5th Street

Rosetta Lewis McDaniel
October 11, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9-11 am
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at First Baptist Church, located at 201 North Street in Natchitoches
Interment: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Bermuda

A Justice Reinvestment Package, taking effect Nov. 1, will lower the number of state prisoners in detention centers across the state by releasing 1,500 inmates. This is the biggest and toughest problem the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has faced since Sheriff Victor Jones was first elected in 2000. Louisiana has the largest number of incarcerated per capita and the state may be trying to balance its books, but it all rolls downhill. The Sheriff is concerned the savings to the state will only be passed on to the locals.

“We’re not opposed to what the state is trying to do,” said Jones. “We just have concerns. My concern is always with the victims and in my experience, when these guys get out they reoffend, adding another victim to their list.”

The inmates slated for release are violent, non-violent and drug-related offenders. Jones said it appears the images are being selected by what they were convicted of, not necessarily by their original charges. For example, one prisoner was charged with second degree murder. He pled to a lower charge of negligent homicide and was given a 5 year sentence.

“Many of these offenders plea to lesser charges, but sometimes it makes them no less violent,” said Jones.

Forty-one inmates will be released from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. Of these, only seven are residents of Natchitoches Parish. There are an estimated 16 Natchitoches Parish residents that will be released from other detention centers across the state. The state pays $24 for each of their inmates per day. If the DC were to have the full 25 percent of the state inmates (127) it’s supposed to house, that would amount to around $1.2 million annually.

There will be two more releases in December and January but Sheriff Jones said the exact number of prisoners is currently unknown. It is also unknown how these numbers will affect the detention center operations.

The Sheriff’s Office has subsidized the Detention Center since 2004 and the amount keeps rising. Last year it was up to $1.9 million. Looking at their reserves, if nothing changes, it’s unclear what operational state the DC will be able to maintain.

“We’ve been subsidizing 20 percent of the Parish costs from day one,” said Jones. “We have to supplement the jail. Just think what kind of burden it would put on the parish if it didn’t exist. It was set in a contract 20 years ago that the parish only pays for 80 of the average 120 parish prisoners (pre-trial inmates) at a lower rate of $15.50 per day per inmate. The DC is operating at a deficit. It was designed to stand alone on state and parish revenues and it can’t do that.”

The reduction in the prison population will not only affect the financial stability of the DC, but the rehabilitation programs its able to offer to inmates. Jails aren’t meant to warehouse prisoners for profit, but recently, DCs have shifted from rehabilitation to a warehouse model. This means they’ve started dropping rehabilitation programs such as GED and Work Release. Jones said they’re not sure how much longer they can keep their Work Release Program running, especially as the makeup of the prisoners at the DC shifts with the scheduled release next month. The eligible population will drop drastically, thus dropping the number of enrolled inmates. There’s only 13 in the program currently, whereas there’s been up to 40 enrolled in the past.

“The Work Release Program helps inmates gain some stability when they’re released,” said Jones. “Without somewhere to go or a place to work, they’re more likely to reoffend.”

Parish President Rick Nowlin and Sheriff Jones are now looking at possible solutions to this dilemma. From bringing in more federal prisoners (which pays $40 per inmate per day), to cutting costs at the DC, they’re looking at every possible option, but the solution remains elusive.

“This is a serious problem,” said Nowlin. “It’s gonna take cooperation from all of us to be a part of the solution.”

The Cane River Chapter of the Delta Waterfowl Organization held a banquet Oct. 19 to fundraise for the numerous programs and events they hold each year. They were able to raise over $8,000 due to the many raffles and auctions held that evening. There was a live auction filled with many duck calls, decorative items, a set of chairs, a chest, and a rifle. A silent auction was held as well including a selection of boots, decorative items, guns, and a dog bed. A delicious brisket dinner was prepared by Steve Roberts, the chairman of the Cane River Chapter.

The Delta Waterfowl Organization was founded in 1911, making this year their 106th year in operation. The Central Louisiana Chapter of Delta Waterfowl seeks to have an impact on ducks and duck hunting in a way that their forefathers would have never envisioned. From boosting duck production to protecting the tradition of waterfowling, Delta Waterfowl’s effective, cost-efficient programs are really making a difference for North American ducks and the hunters as well. The organization was originally founded for research to be able to answer questions of critical importance to ducks and duck hunters.

Delta has installed Hen houses at various locations across the nation which increases mallard production. In addition to the hen houses, Delta works towards managing the amount or predators near nesting habitats by trapping and relocating the animals. Delta runs the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment program in North America called “First Hunt.” During the two day event, attendees are taught gun safety, duck and goose calling, where to place decoys, how to identify different ducks and much more! Experienced mentors pair up with the first time hunters on a trip to the blind. After a successful hunt, they are taught to handle, clean, and cook their harvest.

Not only are they concerned with hunting ducks, they’re trying to maintain the population for future generations. I you’d like to make a donation or learn more about this organization visit deltawaterfowl.com.

 

The Natchitoches Parish Library, in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA) and the Louisiana Library Association (LLA), is presenting its third annual “Lawyers in Libraries” statewide program on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

A local attorney will be present for the “Ask-a-Lawyer Program” from 10 am to 12 pm in the Library’s 3rd floor meeting room. The program is free and open to the public, but those interested are asked to sign up at the Library’s second floor Circulation Desk or call Alan Niette, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 318-238-9236.

The “Lawyers in Libraries” program is part of a legal aid initiative called the Legal Education and Assistance Program (LEAP), which provides much-needed legal information and resources to the public via local libraries.

“The Louisiana State Bar Association is committed to making attorneys available to everyone in Louisiana with legal issues, regardless of financial circumstance. This includes the “Lawyers in Libraries” program, which enables attorneys to provide direct services to their communities at no cost. Public libraries are natural starting points for people in search of legal information and resources, and this type of innovative partnership is why Louisiana is considered a national leader when it comes to Access to Justice,” said LSBA President Dona Renegar.

“The program has consistently grown over the last several years after being launched in 2014 under the leadership of then LSBA President Larry Shea of Shreveport. In 2016, 125 attorneys conducted over 70 events in one day, serving over 700 people statewide. We expect that this year’s event will be even bigger, thanks to the many pro bono attorneys who donate their time and expertise,” added Renegar.

The “Lawyers in Libraries” initiative was designed in partnership with the LLA, Law Library of Louisiana, LSU Law Library, and other partners.

For more information about the program, go to: http://www.LouisianaLawyersinLibraries.org

The Louisiana State Bar Association assists its more than 22,000 members in the practice of law. The statewide association, as part of its multi-faceted mission, promotes and maintains access to justice initiatives for the state’s residents, assists the Louisiana Supreme Court in its regulation of the practice of law, upholds the honor of the courts and the profession, and supports programs that increase public understanding of and respect for the law.

Here it comes! From the Lee’s Furniture Depot Showrooms in Natchitoches where the prices are right! If you want to save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on new furniture and bedding for your home then come on down to 1500 Texas Street in Natchitoches.

All the inventory must go immediately, regardless of price, to vacate the premises and turn the building over to its new owners. Find drastic markdowns on everything in stock. Cash or easy credit terms available.

Business will continue as usual at the store’s 1216 Texas Street location, where Kevin Lee says they will continue to give customers the same great service they’ve had for the last 61 years.

All purchases must be picked up as soon as possible (delivery can be arranged for an extra fee). Sale prices do not apply to previous purchases and all sales are final.

Our store closing sale continues with even further price reductions in every department. The prices are right so come on down to Lee’s Furniture Depot at 1500 Texas Street and let us save you money.

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The NSU Horn Choir will present a concert on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm. In Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

The concert is being performed in honor of horn choir Director Dr. Kristine Coreil’s birthday. Coreil is a professor of music at Northwestern State. The program includes works by Bach, Brahms, Nelhybel, Sousa, and Natchitoches resident Dr. Sam Stokes. The concert will also feature special guests the Northwest Louisiana Horns, which is comprised of five horn players in the Shreveport area with close ties to NSU.

Stokes is a composer and arranger, who teaches music in the Talented Arts Program of Natchitoches Parish schools. He has arranged the traditional Halloween folk song “Have You Seen the Ghost of John?” for the ensemble.

The NSU Horn Choir includes 21 horn players who participate in the Northwestern State marching band, wind ensemble and orchestra, in addition to performing with the horn choir. The NSU Horn Choir performs regionally and nationally for audiences annually. Look for the musicians to be out and about Natchitoches on Dec. 4 playing Christmas carols for the community.

Jim Rhodes announced that the Cane River Waterway Commission will give the City of Natchitoches an additional $350,000 toward the total cost of the Rue Beauport Riverbank Renovation Project. He made the announcement at the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission meeting Oct. 19.

With an initial investment of $3 million, the CRWC is funding the majority of the project. Rhodes said the Waterway Commission feels this project will change the dynamics of the whole riverbank as it will become more used.

“We just want to make sure the Cane River is everything it can be,” he said. “We knew we needed to be a part of this.”

With the City doing more work then they originally planned for, the CRWC felt it was pertinent to provide more assistance toward the project. The money should be transferred toward the end of the year after the CRWC amends its budget and completes the necessary paperwork.

The City will bid out work beginning Oct. 24 to do all the parking spaces on the riverbank in concrete with brick crosswalks every 4-5 spaces. Other additions include the necessary sewer line being moved and upgraded before the renovation could begin. A second stairwell was added on the south end of the riverbank. There was also a change order to install adequate faucets to supply water to all vendors for festivals.

To raise public awareness about the importance of saving for retirement, Congress has designated the third week of October as National Save for Retirement Week. What lessons can you learn from this event?

First of all, save early – and save often. Too many people put off saving for retirement until they are in their late 40s – and even their 50s. If you wait until you are in this age group, you can still do quite a bit to help build the resources you will need for retirement – but it will be more challenging than if you had begun saving and investing while you were in your 20s or early 30s. For one thing, if you delay saving for retirement, you may have to put away large sums of money each year to accumulate enough to support a comfortable retirement lifestyle. Plus, to achieve the growth you need, you might have to invest more aggressively than you’d like, which means taking on more risk. And even then, there are no guarantees of getting the returns you require.

On the other hand, if you start saving and investing when you are still in the early stages of your career, you can make smaller monthly contributions to your retirement accounts. And by putting time on your side, you’ll be able to take advantage of compounding – the ability to earn money on your principal and your earnings.

Here’s another lesson to be taken from National Save for Retirement Week: Maximize your opportunities to invest in the tax-advantaged retirement accounts available to you, such as an IRA and a 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you have a 401(k)-type plan at work, contribute as much as you can afford every year, and increase your contributions whenever your salary goes up. At a minimum, put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered.

Apart from saving and investing early and contributing to your tax-advantaged retirement accounts, how else can you honor the spirit of National Save for Retirement Week? A key step you can take is to reduce the barriers to building your retirement savings. One such obstacle is debt. The larger your monthly debt payments, the less you will be able to invest each month. It’s not easy, of course, to keep your debt under control, but do the best you can.

One other barrier to accumulating retirement resources is the occasional large expense resulting from a major car repair, sizable medical bills or other things of that nature. If you constantly have to dip into your long-term investments to meet these costs, you’ll slow your progress toward your retirement goals. To help prevent this from happening, try to build an emergency fund big enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. Since you’ll need instant access to this money, you’ll want to keep it in a liquid, low-risk account.

So, there you have them: some suggestions on taking the lessons of National Save for Retirement Week to heart. By following these steps, you can go a long way toward turning your retirement dreams into reality.

Call Today: 318-352-0606

FINANCIAL FOCUS – Article 4 – October 2017

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Beep. Beep. Beep.

Please pick the beep you like best.

Beep is defined as “a short, relatively high-pitched tone produced by a horn, electronic device, or the like as a signal, summons, or warning.” It is also a way of describing how some forms of media edit out unseemly words. If I were doing this on the radio you might hear, “Oh BEEP, I dropped the hot casserole dish on the floor after I removed it from the microwave upon hearing the aforementioned microwave emit a beep.” Beep is example of onomatopoeia.

Speaking of that, I would like to offer the following English lesson to the Natchitoches Parish Council. “I am. You are. He, she, it is. We are. You are. They are.” Thus endeth the lesson and now back to our BEEPING article.

I’m wondering if you have discovered that beeps have become BEEP annoying.
The microwave cooks food quickly and it beeps. Mine will emit a beep until you open the door or select the stop button. I guess the microwave doesn’t want you to forget the sumptuous TV dinner you have just warmed up for your evening repast.

The oven beeps. It beeps when it is heated to the selected temperature. It beeps when there is one minute remaining for the cook time. It beeps until you hit the shut up button and turn the timer off. The oven will beep at you all night until you do something.

The house alarm system beeps. It beeps when you turn it on or off, when the power is interrupted for more than three minutes or so. I guess if the house is burning down or being burglarized the thing will beep. If the power goes off and you don’t reset the alarm, it beeps until you reset it acknowledging the “power went off recently and stayed off a while” beep. Each button you press on the control panel beeps when you press it. That is four beeps to set the alarm which then does this chirping beep thing to let you know it is set. It then beeps to let you know you have a certain number of seconds to get out of the BEEPING house before alarm goes off. If you dilly dally and set off the alarm, the beep blasts with an obnoxious horn!

To avoid the beeping madness I escape to the BEEPING car. The car has a mystery beep that I have yet to interpret. I have one of those pushbutton cars. Sometimes when I shut it off and open the door, it beeps at me. I have yet to figure out what I have done wrong or what I have left on for the car to protest my exit. Maybe it is a random beep programmed in by the Toyota people to drive people nuts. Maybe the car is saying, “Bye.”

The car beeps at me when I’m too close to another car, the wall at the bank drive thru, when someone is crossing behind me in the parking lot, when I change lanes without signaling, when I change radio stations, and when I select the apps button to turn on the map functions.

My car will beep once if I need to fill up. At the gas station the pumps beep. They beep when the transaction is verified. They double beep when the fuel selection is made and the pumping process begins. I suppose they are communicating in some beeping digital manner with the car that beeps for everything.

This morning I pulled into the office drive, got out of the car. The car beeped at me. I walked into the office and when I opened the back door the alarm chimed. The alarm door chime is the same thing as a beep but with some class. I sat down at my desk and my computer was doing some kind of beeping about something Bill Gates and Microsoft didn’t like. Oh BEEP!!!

Because many things beep at us, we develop a BEEPING immunity. I was only paying attention because I was researching the beeps around me.

We condition ourselves to filter out the annoyances of life, such as the many things that beep.

Please Lord don’t allow us to filter out people, they are not annoyances but people you love for whom you died. I need to go now and spend time confessing my sins in this area, what about you?

City Marshal Randy Williams wants to warn the public of a federal jury scam, involving the use of Judge D Drell’s name, that may involve threats of fines and/or jail time. The deceptive caller may telephone your home, cellphone, work phone, or email you with threats that you have missed federal jury service and if you don’t comply with their requests, you could be fined or face jail time. In various parts of Shreveport and Central Louisiana, citizens have been targeted by these fraudulent and bogus callers pretending to be U.S. Marshals.

In the calls or emails, the bogus caller may demand that you provide your personal or confidential information which could lead to identity theft or fraud. The U.S. Marshals and the United States District Courts would like the public to know that these fraudulent callers that demand that you pay a fine or threaten you with jail time are not connected to the U.S. Marshals or the Federal Court System.

Federal courts will NEVER require anyone to provide their sensitive information in a telephone call or email. Federal courts will normally conduct prospective juror business through the U.S. Postal Service, and any contact by real court officials will not include requests for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or any other personally identifiable information.

Members of the public are not contacted initially by email or phone for jury service. Prospective jurors first receive an official court mailing which may direct them to an online questionnaire. The official jury pool will never receive a phone call or email from the federal courts or the U.S. Marshals Service.

If you have received a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from the U.S. Marshals and this person demands that you pay a fine, threatens you with jail time or requests your personal information or credit card number, try to get the caller’s number off the caller ID on your phone. This information needs to be reported to the U.S. Marshals or your local law enforcement office.

Please write down any details the bogus caller might talk about so you can pass along that information to the U.S. Marshals investigators.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Bill Giddens, Jr
November 19, 1968 – October 18, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 pm at Montgomery Cemetery in Montgomery

Carolyn Irene Pentecost
April 2, 1959 – October 17, 2017
Visitation: Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Friday, Oct. 20 at 10 am at Alford Heights Baptist Church
Interment: Mt. Carmel Cemetery

Randall Lynn Shell Sr.
June 6, 1967 – October 17, 2017
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 20 from 5-8 pm and Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9-11 am
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Friendship Baptist Church

Brady Vaughn Scott
November 9, 1970 – October 18, 2017
Service: Friday, Oct. 20 at 11 am at Hickory Grove Baptist Church

Lottie Chambers
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 20 from 7-8 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson
Interment: Mary Springfield Cemetery in Benson

Robert Jones
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 20 from 6-7 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 pm at New Hope Baptist Church in Mansfield
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Mansfield

Mike Brossett
1953 – 2017
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 20 from 11am – 1 pm
Service: Friday, Oct. 20 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches

Herbert Simon
August 12, 1920 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 10 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Catholic Cemetery on 5th Street

Rosetta Lewis McDaniel
October 11, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9-11 am
Service: Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 am at First Baptist Church, located at 201 North Street in Natchitoches
Interment: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Bermuda

Animal lovers and Natchitoches community members alike gathered at dusk at the historic Cherokee Plantation to wine and dine, all in support of a good cause. The Natchitoches Hope for Paws held its annual Farm to Table Dinner Oct. 18.

Guests were treated to the signature drink upon their arrival: A homemade mint julep served in mason jars with fresh mint. As they mingled around the grounds of the plantation, waiters offered them appetizers, which included boudin wontons and southern fried alligator on miniature waffles. The wontons were so good, some guests ate four or five of them.

Local artist Morgan Lasyone was on site for a live painting of the event. Guests visited with her and watched as she captured the scene. Long tables were set up beneath the massive oak trees, illuminated with strings of lights and old lanterns hanging from the branches.

She donated her painting to the event and a silent auction was held. The proceeds went to the NHFP.

Dinner consisted of a Cherokee Plantation Caprese Salad with tomato, mozzarella, fig and boil; chicken and dumplings with winter squash souflee; cajun steamboat with mussels, shrimp, crab fingers, andouille, fingerling potatoes, shallots and a beurre blanc garlic reduction; and a white chocolate bread pudding to top it off.

The best part of the evening was the atmosphere and authentic conversations that were held around the table. People came with friends, but left with more. There were no strangers once you found your seat around the table as everyone passed dishes around, had a few drinks, and enjoyed the cool night air.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

In the words of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air: “My life got flipped-turned upside down.” I recently went on a media ride with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team at the Natchitoches Regional Airport.

The team performed at the Wings Over Natchitoches Air Show Oct. 14. It’s truly a unique event that is entertaining and educational for the entire Natchitoches community.

The pilots perform their routines inside a “box” of airspace identified by markers on the ground. The box is 3,300 feet long and 3,300 feet wide. The top is 3,500 feet above ground level.

One of the maneuvers the Aeroshell Team performed during my ride was the “Loop.” The loop—a vertical circle in the sky—is a fundamental aerobatic maneuver, one of the first skills fledgling aerobatic pilots learn. Seeing Natchitoches from upside down, suspended in the air as I was and strapped into the back seat of Regan’s plane, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.

The plane I flew in is nicknamed “the pilot maker.” The North American AT-6 Texan first appeared in 1938. Originally designed as a basic trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps, it was the primary training platform for airmen in WWII. My pilot, Bryan Regan, is the right wing of the Aeroshell Team. His fellow team members are Steve Gustafson, Jimmy Fordham, Gene McNeely, and Mark and Alan Henley. The Aeroshell Team has been performing for over 25 years, amassing thousands of hours in front of airshow fans all over the country.