Natchitoches Central High School
Natchitoches Central  7
West Monroe  53

 

 

 

St. Mary’s Catholic School
St. Mary’s 30
Logansport  36

Lakeview High School
Lakeview  20
Bunkie  26

 

The Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Natchitoches sponsored its Manufacturing Open House Thursday, Nov. 2. The Open House showcased a unique partnership designed to address the changing workforce needs of area manufactures while providing a superb opportunity to students willing to work hard. Northwestern State University, The Central Louisiana Technical Community College and several area plants have joined forces to offer the 2 year Advanced Manufacturing Technician program, This program, currently in its first year, offers students an opportunity to earn an Associate’s degree in Engineering Technology from NSU as well as a certificate in AMT from CLTCC. One of the more attractive features of the program is receiving hands on training with a salary from one of the participating area manufactures. In 2 years, the student will have earned an Associate’s degree, a nationally recognized certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Technology and 2 years of relevant work experience – having earned a salary while in school.

This superb opportunity is the result of a collaboration between the Natchitoches Community Alliance, Northwestern State University, Central Louisiana Technical Community College and several area manufacturing firms seeing a critical need and working together to address it. The program will be enrolling its second class of around 20 men and women soon. Come work hard, change you and your family’s lives and make our areas economy stronger!

How long has it been since you’ve given your hearing the attention it deserves? Find out what you’re hearing and what you’re not this holiday season.

It’s a scientific fact that people who address hearing loss early retain more of their hearing and understanding. Hearing loss is generally gradual and often goes unnoticed.

Schedule an appointment now and receive:
FREE hearing evaluation
FREE otoscopic ear exam
FREE clean and check of current hearing aids

Call 1-888-375-3448

Online: www.AudibelHearingHealthcare.com

Continue reading →

Each year, Kiwanis clubs around the world join in a day of service. Kiwanis One Day for 2017 was Oct. 28. Kiwanis One Day is a great opportunity to bring together the Kiwanis family of clubs to focus on local community service.

The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches conducted a service project entitled “Natchitoches 4 in 4”……the collection of trash from four of the city’s municipal parks in four hours. Members started at the Ross Williams Park, then Ben Johnson Basketball Park, then the City Park, and finished up at the Pierson and Mallett Children’s Park. The goal was to complete all four parks in four hours, and they finished with all four in less than 3 hours!

The project was a huge success, with the Kiwanis membership being joined by several additional community organizations uniting together to make a positive impact on the community. Other organizations participating in Kiwanis One Day included: Alliance Compressors, BOM, The African American Caucus of Northwestern University, The City of Natchitoches, and Natchitoches Troops of Boy Scouts of America #60, and Cub Scouts of America #60.

Northwestern State University’s Black Alumni Alliance has created an endowed scholarship for minority students in need.

“The purpose of the scholarship is to financially support students who are in desperate need of additional funding for tuition, books and items related to their education,” said Nicole Gray, who was instrumental in organizing the BAA and recently opened a NSU Foundation Account to help fund initiatives and projects that the BAA hosts, such as reunions, special events and partnered events with the campus. Criteria for the need-based scholarship is a 2.5 grade point average for a minority student.

The BAA launched in 2008 with goals of promoting recruitment and retention of minority students, faculty and staff; facilitating financial assistance for currently-enrolled minority students and providing support for the culturally diverse student organizations. The group also seeks to establish linkage with the Natchitoches community and alumni at large and organize networking opportunities to forge relationships that support the educational and financial goals of NSU students. That year, BAA recognized Gail Jones of Natchitoches for her work with NSU and Gray credited help from Drake Owens, executive director of the NSU Foundation, alumnus Dr. William Broussard and NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio for supporting the initiative.

“Cultural diversity is very important to the NSU family. The BAA’s focus on supporting minority students through financial support, mentoring opportunities and advocacy demonstrates the organization’s commitment to excellence and speaks volumes about the future of our institution,” Owens said.

“Since 2008, we have co-developed events and programs with NSU student and alumni Greek organizations, obtained sponsorship support from local businesses, hosted graduate receptions, and provided resume development and job search assistance to a number of students and recent graduates,” said Gray, who also serves on the NSU Foundation Board of Directors. The group would like the endowment to reach the $10,000 so that scholarships can be awarded from its earned interest.

Anyone interested in contributing to the BAA Foundation Account and /or the scholarship can do so online at http://northwesternalumni.com/donations/givetobaa or by contacting the NSU Foundation Office at (318) 357-4435. Those interested can get dual membership in both the NSU Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Association for one price. Any individual who gives directly to both the NSU Foundation Acct and/or the Scholarship will receive tax credit from the NSU Foundation.

Natchitoches Jr. High-Frankie Ray Jackson announced the following students for Honor Roll for the first nine week period:

Principal’s List: Amari Austin, Nyla Carter, Kytiere Lazard, Jamie Roberson, Gregory Sanders, Ma`Kira Carpenter, Jermaine Carter, Joe Duirden, Zelia Frazier, Nyla Helaire, Adriana Hernandez, Ta`Kiyah Johnson, Aidan Kennedy, Bre`Auana Logan, Caderion Mitchell, Dalasia Morrow, Vontioner Pier, Nicholas Sutton, Brian Young, Charles Kelly, Christopher Metoyer, Tyshae Sowell

A Honor Roll: Aniray Augustus, Bailey Barnum, Briana Barnum, Ty`Renisha Bowers, Kenneth Brickhouse, Phillip Evans, Kiyuana Hudson, Collin Lodrige, Peter Richards, Arianna Smith, Temperance Washington, Thomas Carter, Aneadriyan County, Andrew Ezernack, Calvin Grimes, Ny`Kiria Kirts, Ori`An Mcguire, Destiny Phillips, Damarion Williams, Jayla Guy, Paige Hall, Karentay Remo

B Honor Roll: Layla Almahrei, Sparkles Avist, Rashaun Bayonne, Jamarlynn Bell-Jackson, Reginald Bolden, Tyriuna Bonner, Courtravian Brimsey, Arboni Brown, Xazavier Calahan, Liberty Carter, Sommer Carter, Wesley Clark, Ciara Collins, Ethan Conday, Krisiana Craig, Braylin Demars, Caylin Demars, Christopher Demary, La`Tyren Demery, Ledarrien Dixon, Kiersten Dupree, Teyana Flugence, Waylon Fontenot, J`Unti Franklin, Kristie Hicks, Tia`Kyia Holden, Justice Hunter, Roland Hunter, Alexander Jackson, Billy Jackson, Jason Jackson, Beunka Johnson, Timmy Johnson, Aerial Jones, Christopher Jones, Donta Latchie, Nathaniel Lilly, Jesse Lofton, Promise Marston, Ciaria Nichols, Iria Paige, Kadarron Paige, Brittannica Payton, Princess Pier, Leah Queen, Michael Ramirez, Shannon Roque, Madison Sillery, Derrick Solitaire, Karrington Thomas, Briona Tousaint, Kimberlie Tucker, Gabrieolle Vaughn, Catrea Wafer, Charlene Walker, Dennis Walker, Shakaira Warren, Shamall White, Joe Williams, Mya Williams, Natoria Williams, Brianna Willis, Damerian Wilson, Alvin Adams, Jabarrien Ardison, Arianna Armstrong, Yanissa Beasley, Jamar Benjamin, Akira Bernstine, Jazmine Booker, Devan Braxton, Le`Airra Braxton, Denaria Burks, Devaun Calhoun, Tramarkus Collins, Arionna Conday, Kionna Craig, Davit Cross, Dezstiny Dumars, Kamron Edwards, Demetrius Emmitt, Kintravious Garner, Alexx Gibson, Destyni Hamilton, Christopher Hendricks, Ja`Kyia Holden, Jasmine Holmes, Chanze Howard, Deitra Jackson, India Jackson, Jour`Ja Jackson, Nicholas Johnson, Raven Johnson, Ta`Rya Johnson, Kelston Lewis, Layla Llorance, Key`Auana Logan, Cedric Mcclinton, Marriah Mcneal, Jeremiah Miles, Anaya Mitchell, Caitlin Nash, Tacia-Cherie Neal, Saniya Nelson, Caleb Perry, Aryana Peters, Hailey Queen, Ya`Mira Rabon, Travis Rachal, Linda Ransfer, Lajoya Rivers, Malorie Roberson, Junnecia Robinson, Lamontrea Robinson, Sierra Robinson, Leah Sipes, Hayley Smith, Josalynn Snow, Jerny Sowell, Marquez Stevenson, Madison Stuckey, Lauryn Sykes, Cayla Thompson, Aaliyah Toussaint, Braylon Walker, Nakeira White, Tayvian Wilkins, Bianca Williams, Devin Williams, Brad Young, Gilda Avist Walker, Shadiamond Babers, Ja`Niyah Bell, Olivia Below, Ja`Lon Blake, Elira Brown, Tylaisia Caldwell, Aari`Yanna Cross, Grevalia Fisher, Brian Gonzalez, Mekendrick Grayson, Ja`Niya Hendricks, Kayla Housley, Malarie Hunter, Morgan Hunter, Fredrick Jackson, Jayden Johnson, Saudia Johnson, Sierra Kilgore, Jeremiah Law, Conner Lofton, Tre`Veon Moses, Wendy Rivas, Jordan Sewell, Brian Shields, Jyrin Sowell, Zion Thompson, Ja`Niya Turner, Mylasia Varice, A`Marion Wallace, Zamiyah Washington, Angelina Williams, Catelyn Williams

 

Parish President, Rick Nowlin, would like to share some important changes to the Restore Louisiana Small Business Program, which offers interest-free, partially forgivable loans to businesses impacted by the 2016 flooding event. Since Natchitoches Parish was one of numerous Parishes affected by the event, some Parish businesses may be eligible for the program.

The interest-free loans available through the $43 million program had previously ranged from $20,000 to $50,000. However, qualified borrowers who comply with all requirements are now eligible for interest-free loans ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.

In addition, up to 40 percent of the loan can now be forgiven when 60 percent of the principal is repaid. The previous forgivable amount was 20 percent.

Finally, the original deadline for filing an application, October 31st, has been extended. The new deadline for filing will be announced at a later date.

Small businesses and non-profits in the Parish who were affected by the 2016 floods and are interested in getting a loan through the program are encouraged to apply through one of the lenders participating in the program. A list of lenders and eligibility requirements can be found at: http://restore.la.gov/small-business-program-detailstimeline/.

 

 

The Natchitoches Police Department received a report of a minor two-vehicle accident on Keyser Avenue at East Fifth Street Nov. 2 at 3:35 pm. NPD officers arrived and were working the accident. A second accident was reported at the same intersection at approximately 3:40 pm. No one was injured in the first accident. Both drivers involved in the second accident were transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.

The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is again partnering with the Natchitoches Parish Fire Department for its annual holiday food drive. Patrons can give back to the Natchitoches community and reduce certain fines on their accounts during the month of November! The annual NPL “Can Your Fines” program collects clean, unexpired, canned food items of at least 12 oz. and in return deducts $2 per can on outstanding patron balances. This fee forgiveness can be applied to balances resulting from overdue books, DVDs, laptops, personal Wifi devices (Wifi2Go), and other media. However, credit cannot be applied to charges resulting from lost or damaged items. Cans may be donated at either the Main Branch or Northeast Branch of the library.

Halloween costumes are also being collected through the end of November for fine forgiveness in our second annual “Costumes for Coins.” Patrons who bring in a lightly used or new mask or costume will receive a $5 fee reduction for masks and a $15 reduction for costumes. Fee forgiveness resulting from costume and mask donations may be used on balances resulting from any overdue fines, and also lost or damaged books, DVDs, or other media, but not laptops or Wifi2Gos. Costumes will be cleaned and made available for checkout next October at the NPL’s Main and Northeast branches. Donations may be made at either branch location’s circulation desks.

Northwestern State University President Dr. Chris Maggio hosted a round table discussion with University of Louisiana System President Dr. Jim Henderson, legislators and community leaders from around the state to discuss, among other things, the UL System’s strategic framework by which the nine-university system will increase the number of its college graduates by 20 percent by the year 2025. The conversation touched on early childhood care and education to break the cycle of poverty in Louisiana, collaboration between the UL System schools and other institutions, partnerships with business and industry and planning to train today’s youngsters for tomorrow’s high-tech workforce.

Dr. Kenneth Williams
September 14, 1934 – November 1, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Nov. 4 from 11 am – 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 pm at American Cemetery

George M Olivier, III
October 30, 2017
Memorial celebration: Sunday, Nov. 5 from 3-6 pm at the Natchitoches Art Center, located at 716 Second Street

Tony Williams
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 11 am at Red River Church Of God In Christ in Coushatta
Interment: New Mary Magdalene in Gehanu

Ivory D. Augustus
November 3, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Sylvia C. Paul
November 3, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Cecil Bryant
May 2, 1966 – November 2, 2017
Service: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10 am at St. Maurice Cemetery

John Howard Womack
March 18, 1942 – November 3, 2017
Service: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Old Union Cemetery in Joyce

Edna Mae Vidrine
December 12, 1932 – October 30, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 am – 1 pm at First Baptist Church in Lecompte
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church in Lecompte
Interment: Lecompte Cemetery

Mary (Moore) Crow
February 2, 1937 – November 2, 2017
Visitation: Sunday, Nov. 5 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Service: Monday, Nov. 6 at 11 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Spanish Lake
Interment: Beulah Cemetery in Marthaville
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 am at The Fountain of Life United Pentecostal Church
Interment (with military honors): Weaver Cemetery in Flora

Carnell Edwards
May 15, 1952 – November 1, 2017
Arrangements TBA

John Clifton Hunter, Sr.
April 17, 1935 – October 30, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Nov. 4 from 4-7 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta
Service: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 pm at Martin Cemetery in Martin

Joseph Hobdy
May 24, 1945 – October 30, 2017
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Winnfield
Interment: Cedar Cemetery

Gerald Wayne Bell
October 11, 1949 – October 28, 2017
Service: Monday, Nov. 6 at 6 pm at Trinity Christian Center in Forest Hill

Bobby R. McCray
October 28, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Bennie Ruth Edwards
October 28, 2017
Service: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Campti Community Cemetery

Rev. Calvin Gray
October 26, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Mayo Cook
November 1, 1961 – October 24, 2017
Arrangements TBA

 

A championship season sixty years ago will be celebrated Saturday afternoon in Turpin Stadium, when the current-year Northwestern State Demon football team plays host to Abilene Christian in a 4 o’clock Southland Conference contest.

The 1957 Demons will be recognized on the field and on the videoboard as the Exchange Bank Demon Greats of the Game during a timeout in the opening quarter. Several team members are expected to return to renew friendships and recall a remarkable season.

Coach Jack Clayton’s first Northwestern team, led by junior running back Charlie “Tank” Tolar, posted a 7-2 record, 4-1 to claim a share of the Gulf States Conference championship, a title the Demons defended a year later.

The Demons’ defense held five opponents to a touchdown or less, shutting out Delta State and UL Lafayette. Tolar was named GSC Player of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association while he and end Billy Jack Booth were honorable mention Little All-America selections.

The Associated Press poll of conference coaches named Tolar and future AFL star Charlie Hennigan, along with Booth and center Fred Wyble, to the All-GSC first-team. Second-team picks were tackles Bert Heckel and Charlie Johnson, guard Bobby Tackett and end Billy Sheehy.

Quarterback Dale Hoffpauir was the GSC’s top passer with a completion percentage of .663 (38-60, 573 yards), while Tolar was the league’s top scorer with 60 points, rushing for a school-record 818 yards on 99 carries (8.3 per carry, 91 yards per game).

The Demons tied for fifth nationally in pass defense, allowing opponents only 13 yards per game.

A Demon Great of the Game is spotlighted at each home football game. In its first four years, the Demon Great of the Game presented by Exchange Bank and Trust has honored 23 outstanding figures in the 109-year history of NSU athletics.

Harris Wilson Jr., known as “Coach Black” to his legion of friends, was the first 2017 Demon Great of the Game, spotlighted at the Sept. 16 win over Lamar. Since 1996, he has worked with all of the NSU sports.

Legendary retired track and field coach Leon Johnson was the Sept. 30 Great of the Game. Johnson was NSU’s head coach for 31 years until his 2013 retirement, and had an epic collection of accomplishments in his career.

At Homecoming, the 1997 Southland Conference champion Demon football team took the spotlight. Nine players on that squad reached the NFL.

Exchange Bank and Trust has been a key supporter of NSU Athletics throughout its long history as the oldest financial institution in Louisiana.

George M. Olivier III, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 30, 2017 surrounded by his family. Born to George M. Olivier Jr. and Shirley Marie Chalon Olivier he lived most of his life in Natchitoches.

He is survived by his daughter Chalon Marie and husband RobAhbol of Shreveport, children Robert, Tiffany Price, Alix, and Olivia and sons George M. Olivier IV of Lafayette, Andre G. Olivier and wife Kristina of Ambler, PA, and children Nolan and Nathan. Siblings Anita Olivier of Tallahassee, Rene Olivier and wife Georgia of Dallas, Bonnie Wereda and husband Rich of San Ramon, CA.

George made a distinct mark on Natchitoches beginning in 1960 when he came to Northwestern State University. In 1965, he started Olivier’s Fine Cypress Furniture at 117 Second Street, where he stayed. George is considered by all a Master Craftsman producing thousands of pieces of furniture, oval bowls, and other special custom pieces over five decades.

George was humble and soft spoken. He absolutely loved giving tours of his shop, where he showed off his specialized toolingand countless jigs that he designed and built.
Mayor Lee Posey recently said that “George certainly marched to a different drummer” and all those who knew him would easily agree. For years George would walk down Front Street to Kaffie Fredericks and continue down Second Street back to the shop. Of course, stopping and talking with many friends alonghis route.

You name it, he built it; cabinets, doors, beds, desks, hutches, tables, dressers, chairs, chests, fern stands, and bowls. Each piece made was truly a work of art. He preferred to incorporate knots prominently in his pieces.

George loved cypress. He rarely used anything else except for his oval bowls. He always enjoyed when people would bring him bowl blanks, often he would stack them in his yard to “weather”. He sought out unique wood riddled with knots, rot and insect damage.

The Olivier family would like to thank Mayor Lee Posey and the City of Natchitoches, all our customers, vendors, and friends. We would also like to thank everyone who worked for George,each one held a special spot in his heart.

The city of Natchitoches has truly lost one of its shining stars.

A memorial celebration will be held at the Natchitoches Art Center located at 716 Second Street. Please feel free to stop by anytime between 3-6 PM Sunday, November 5, 2017.

Natchitoches law enforcement, veterans and firemen ate pizza for lunch Oct. 30 at First United Methodist Church. Natchitoches Lions Club, Psalm Shield 91 Ministry and Louie’s Pizza of Many partnered to hold this event to honor the first responders of Natchitoches Parish who serve and protect residents 365 days a year. Michele and Louis Smith, owner of Louie’s Pizza, and family members served up homemade pizzas, including a boudin one with sliced jalapeños. Police officers, veterans, paramedics and other first responders got a “Slice of Thanks” for their hard work in the community.

 

 

Louisiana is sending seven leaders from across the state to the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) Delta Leadership Institute (DLI.) They will join fellows from seven other states and participate in the 10-month DLI Executive Academy program to help further their skills in community leadership and policy development to promote regional collaboration and local economic growth across DRA’s eight-state region.

Louisiana’s DLI fellows will attend six sessions across the region, visiting each of the eight states in the DRA footprint. They will engage in policy and program development, advocacy training, case-study discussions, and on-the-ground field experiences aligned with DRA’s priorities for the region. Those priorities include: transportation and infrastructure; workforce training and education; entrepreneurship and disaster resilience for small businesses and communities; public health; policy and governance; and culture and tourism.

The fellows, who were selected by Gov. Edwards and DRA leadership, represent a diverse cohort of community leaders. The class includes seven members from Alabama; eight from Arkansas; five from Illinois; five from Kentucky; seven from Louisiana; eight from Mississippi; four from Missouri; and seven from Tennessee.

Louisiana’s 2017-2018 DLI Executive Academy fellows are:

David Cavell of Thibodaux | District Director for U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves

Hunter Fife of Rayville | Manager-Ag Operations for Lamb Weston

Donna Isaacs of Campti | Executive Director of Campti Field of Dreams, Inc.

Lee Jones of Alexandria | Assistant to the State Director for the USDA Rural

Development

Makesha Judson of Baton Rouge | Chief Service Office for the City of Baton Rouge

George Mack, Jr. of Ruston | Board Member on the Lincoln Parish School Board

Ardyn Thriffiley of New Orleans | President of Ardyn M. Thriffiley & Associates, Inc.

The Flora Community Center was transformed into a spooky space for the 4th annual Flora Halloween Carnival Oct. 26. This family-friendly event raised funds for the renovation of the grounds of the Community Center.

 

Dora the dog has laryngitis.

The problem arose last week. Dora would jump on the sofa to beg. Part of her begging technique is to bark at me until I notice her sitting on the sofa beside me. I am then to ask, “Show me what you want.” She runs to the kitchen to the drawer where the doggy treats are hidden. She stands at the door with tail wagging and barks until I open the door. The dog will then make her doggy treat selection. I am very well trained.

Last week she would jump on the sofa and move her mouth to bark and nothing came out. She could muster a squeak. I remember the puzzled puppy look on her face. Since then she gets very close to me to beg and gives it her best shot. It is amusing to see her mouth moving with nothing significant coming out. She has missed her weekly barking opportunities. The men who haul the garbage cans to the street came and went on Monday. No comment from the dog.

The lawn men showed up early this week to mow. No comment from the dog. The wind blew and nothing. She tries, but can produce no volume. She even escaped one night and wanted back in the yard. The only way I knew of her doggy plight was that other dog came and got me and ratted Dora out. So for the first time in aphorism history I can say truthfully, her bite is worse than her bark.

I’m wondering what would happen if our inner voice developed laryngitis. We all have that inner voice that tells us stories. Your inner voice might be affirming of your abilities, opportunities and your life in general. For many though the inner voice is a reminder of every failure and flaw we possess. The inner voice can lead us astray because the scripts that are used are often not fully formed. The scripts we learned as children have never had the adult interpretation applied to them. Some are living out of the criticisms they heard on the playground in the third grade.

We never quiet feel good enough because so many times we have been told or shown we are not good enough. Our inner voice will remind us of that fact any time we succeed. What would change if we had a different inner dialogue?

So if our inner voice suddenly had laryngitis, we might be able to hear another voice speaking to us. Scripture encourages us in several places to be still or be silent in order to know the presence of God. How would your external life change if your internal dialogue changed?

How would you live differently if you heard the voice of God calling to your soul and saying, “You are my child in you I am well pleased.”

We are promised that God will make all things new, even our inner dialogue.

Northwestern State University will hold its Fall N Side View Day Saturday, Nov. 4.

Several hundred high school juniors, seniors and parents are expected to attend the program, which is sponsored by the Office of University Recruiting. There is no cost to attend Fall N-Side View, but advance reservations should be made by visiting nsula.edu/recruiting/preview-days/. For further questions, call (800) 327-1903.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall in the New Wing of the A.A. Fredericks Creative and Performing Arts Center. The program will begin at 10 a.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. The day’s events will include a guest speaker, a student panel, a panel for parents covering scholarships, financial aid and housing options, tours of the campus and housing and the city of Natchitoches. Prospective students and parents can learn about Northwestern State’s academic programs and campus student organizations. Lunch will be available in Vic’s Café from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a small fee.

Prospective students can get free tickets to the NSU – Abilene Christian football game that kicks off at 4 p.m. in Turpin Stadium. Reduced price tickets will be available for $5 for parents and guests. There will also be tailgating near Turpin Stadium.

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):
Kandice Duncantel, 500 North St, Natch, La–Exp License Plate, Unlicensed Driver
Jerland Anderson, 722 Bossier St, Natch, La – NCR, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Exp MVI
Briana Bolton, 1444 Berry, Natch, La – NSB, Exp MVI, DP, (3) No DL, NCR, One or No Tail Lights, Ran Stop Sign
Ladratral Bowers, 191 Hwy 119, Natchez, La – Turning Movements, Exp MVI
Leonard Ellis, 207 East 6th St, Natch, La – Careless Operation, Open Container
Charles Beaudion, 500 North St Apt S1, Natch, La – SPOM
Wanda Demery, 2212 Williams Ave, Natch, La – NSB
Theresa Garrett, 1330 Washington St, Natch, La – Follow too Close
Cornealius Gay, 213 Piermont Place, Natch, La – SPOM
Lajarvous Goodwin, 122 Depot Rd, Mansfield, La – Exp MVI
Lavunte Jackson, 1111 Amulet St, Natch, La – Theft
Brian Kitchens, 300 Lakeview Dr, Natch, La – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Linda Lacour, 440 Fairgrounds Rd Lot 47, Natch, La – TBS
Nolan McGuire, 841 2nd St, Natch, La – Theft
Andrewnette McNeal, 412 Sanford St, Natch, La – NSB
Courtney Medlin, 1901 South Dr, Natch, La – SCDP
Oliver Miles, 515 Virginia, Natch, La – Windshield Requirements
Quincy Nash, 1226 Phillips St, Natch, La – SPOM
Ameir Stewart, 109 Caspari St, Natch, La – Use of Wireless Device/Text
Devonte Washington, 1155 Berry, Natch, LA – Domestic Abuse, SPOM, SCDP

Trial (T):
Roderick Demery, 1404 Grace Ave, Natch, La – LM
Steve Ardison III, 729 Royal, Natch, La – TBS, Misrepresentation during Booking
Decarlos Coutee, 126 Reba St, Natch, La– SPOM, TBS
Angela Hayes, 421 Demeziere, Natch, La – TBS
Shawanna Maxie, 190 Hwy 119 Apt 11, Natch, La – (2) DP

By Joe Darby

My brother-in-law Charley turned 90-years-old earlier this week.

For some time he’d been looking forward to the achievement, and by gosh, he made it with flying colors. I missed the family celebration marking the event because I’d signed up months earlier for a Civil War battlefield tour and I was on the road for his party.

But I called the young man on his special day and I will soon visit him and give him the same kind of present that I always give him — a book on history. Yep, his eyes are still good enough to read, which he loves to do.

We lost my sister, his wife, almost a decade ago, when she was about to celebrate her 80th birthday. As any senior citizen can tell you, getting old ain’t necessarily fun, but it’s a whole lot better than the alternative. We lost another sister to lung cancer when she was only 47. She’d been a heavy smoker.

It’s really kind of strange to reach an advanced age. It’s amazing how far back you can remember things. For example, my companion on the recent battlefield tour was a guy whom I’ve been friends with since the fifth grade. Now that was in 1952 — 65 years ago!

To me, it does of course seem like a long time ago, because it was. But to a young person, that’s ancient history. Let me give a comparison and you’ll see what I mean. I graduated from high school in 1960. If some old man had talked to me at that time about something that had happened to him 65 years earlier, that would have been 1895. That, to me, in 1960, would surely have seemed like an ancient time.

And things that are still fresh in our memory already seem like times past to young people. Most of our college students here at NSU were little more than toddlers when the 9-11 attacks occurred. And the horrible event happened before the birth of most high school freshmen and sophomores.

The passage of time itself seems relative. Einstein proved that time is in fact flexible, but I’m not sure exactly how he proved it. My strengths were always in the social studies, not science.

But you can come up with some funny things when you start to think about time. I was having an insomnia night not too long ago, when I started playing a little game in my head. I was born in 1941, 76 years ago. So I thought it would be interesting to figure out what was happening 76 years before my birth. That year would be 1865.

Yikes! The year the Civil War ended is just as close to the year of my birth as the year of my birth is to me now. That puts things in an interesting perspective. Then I started playing the game with the birth years of other members of my family.

I won’t go through all of them, of course, but Mother and Daddy were born in 1909. Let’s see, that was 108 years ago and 108 years before their birth it was 1801. My gosh! Thomas Jefferson had just been elected president and the Louisiana Purchase would not occur for another two years. Incredible. You might have fun trying this little game on yourself and your family.

Another aspect of time and aging is that time seems to speed up. When I was a kid, it seemed a school year lasted forever. Now, it seems that Christmas rolls around every six months or so and that football season, which in reality is from September to January, lasts for about four weeks.

And the speeding up of time means we get older really fast. Even if I make 90 like Charley, which I surely doubt I will, that’s only 14 years from now and 14 years go by awfully quick.

But, like I said, when you consider the alternative…

That’s why we geezers and geezerettes need to enjoy every day as much as we can. The days are dwindling down, but we shall make the most of them, right?