Larry Dean
July 23, 1946 – August 6, 2017
Service: Thursday, Aug. 10 at 2 pm at St. Joseph’s Chapel
Interment (with military honors): St. Joseph’s Cemetery
Visitation: Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 5-9 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Robert “Bob” Michael Rushing
July 21, 1931 – August 5, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 5-7 pm at the Blanchard- St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Aug. 10 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Hathorne Cemetery at 1399 Highway 155 in Ashland

Mary Alice Scholz Ingram
November 3, 1918 – August 1, 2017
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 11 from 6-9 pm in the Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home chapel with the recitation of the Holy Rosary being at 7 pm.
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 10 am in the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Greenwood Cemetery located in Pineville

Florentine Rachal
August 15, 1923 – August 6, 2017
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 11 from 5-9 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral home in Natchitoches with the recitation of the Rosary at 7 pm and Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 am – 12:30 pm
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1 pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Brevelle
Interment: Weaver Cemetery in Flora at 3 pm

Bill Johnson
March 23, 1957 – August 6, 2017

Anthony Jermaine Rainey
April 11, 1986 – August 06, 2017
Arrangement TBA

Russell Thomas, Jr.
July 29, 1933 – August 1, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 12 from 11 am – 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Interment: Weaver Cemetery in Chestnut

Pauline Cassel
August 17, 1913 – August 2, 2017
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 11 from 9:30-10:30 am at Zwolle First United Methodist Church Interment: Cassel Cemetery

Dolores “Tink” Marietta Richardson
December 12, 1954 – August 1, 2017
Service: Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 2 pm at Hornbeck Full Gospel Church with Rev. Buddy Freeman and Rev. Tony Moran officiating
Interment: Pine Knot Cemetery

Johnnie Freeman
December 15, 1947 – August 4, 2017
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 am in the Chapel of the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment (with military honors): Campti Community Cemetery

Natchitoches Parish Fire District 4, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Provencal Marshal Office, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to a 2 car collision Aug. 7 on Hwy. 478. Both driver’s had to be extricated from their vehicles.

The Demon Fight Song at Northwestern State University calls for students to “stand and fight for dear old Demonland.” As the Fall 2017 semester kicks off with a packed schedule of events, faculty and administrators are ready to welcome incoming freshmen and returning students to Demonland.

“Demon Days is a series of fun events that are free to new and returning students at Northwestern State,” said Reatha Cox, director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development at NSU.

Events include:
Move In Day- Saturday, Aug. 19

Classes begin- Monday, Aug. 21

Pep Rally (open to the public)- Thursday, Spet. 14 at 7:30 pm (Concert featuring the Molly Ringwalds at 8 pm at the Tailgate Field and Collins Pavilion)

Presidential Investiture- Friday, Sept. 15 (Mass of Thanksgiving at 9 am at Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by formal investiture ceremonies at 11 a.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium with a community reception immediately following at the Arnold R. Kilpatrick President’s Residence)

Football Home Opener (vs. Lamar University)- Saturday, Sept. 16 at 6 pm at Turpin Stadium

1884 Campaign for Literacy Service Project- NSU First Lady Jennifer Maggio will collect 1,884 new and gently used books for children ages 5-15

Lady of the Bracelet Reunion- Friday, Sept. 22
60th Annual Lady of the Bracelet pageant- Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3 pm in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium

Meet the Author- Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 pm in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium (ESPN contributor Tom Rinaldi will discuss his book “The Red Bandanna: A Life, A Choice, A Legacy,” that pays tribute to 9/11 hero Welles Crowtherto NSU’s Student Government Association)

Family Day- Saturday, Sept. 30 from 2-5:30 pm on the tailgate field and will include music, food and family fun before NSU kicks off against Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. (coincides with the 11th annual Natchitoches Classic Car Show, that will feature more than 400 antique cars on display downtown)

For more information on these or other activities, visit the university’s website at www.nsula.edu/fye/demondays.

“The NSU faculty and staff welcomes our new and returning students for the Fall 2017 semester,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “This academic year will be filled with opportunities for learning in and out of the classroom, for service and philanthropy, for personal growth and many important milestones. Welcome home, Demons!”

Registration Dates for Fall:
Undergraduate registration runs through Aug. 20
Late Registration Aug. 21-29

The NSU Connect System is available 24/7 except for emergency maintenance. Currently admitted students can access NSU Connect through myNSU at my.nsula.edu. Enter your user name and password to enter myNSU.

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Russell Thomas, Jr.
July 29, 1933 – August 1, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 12 from 11 am – 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Interment: Weaver Cemetery in Chestnut

Pauline Cassel
August 17, 1913 – August 2, 2017
Visitation: Friday, Aug. 11 from 9:30-10:30 am at Zwolle First United Methodist Church Interment: Cassel Cemetery

Dolores “Tink” Marietta Richardson
December 12, 1954 – August 1, 2017
Visitation: Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 4 pm at Hornbeck Full Gospel Church
Service: Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 2 pm at Hornbeck Full Gospel Church with Rev. Buddy Freeman and Rev. Tony Moran officiating
Interment: Pine Knot Cemetery

Johnnie Freeman
December 15, 1947 – August 4, 2017
Service: Saturday, Aug. 12 at 11 am in the Chapel of the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Interment (with military honors): Campti Community Cemetery

Natchitoches Central High School will begin school Monday, Aug. 14. Teachers and support personnel report back to school Wednesday, Aug. 9. The faculty and staff are excited about this coming school year, according to Principal Bill Gordy.

The school has made strides forward in many areas:
State testing scores are up from last year
The school graduation rate is above the state standard
Program for Juniors that will help increase their ACT test scores
Programs available to help tutor students in an effort to be successful at NCHS
There are also new Head Coaches in several sports. Tommy Moore is the Head Football coach. There has been a large turn-out for summer conditioning drills. Coach Moore and his staff are excited about the coming season.

 

The NCHS Jamboree is scheduled for Aug. 24-25 at Turpin Stadium.

 

Ronald Abels will be the new Softball coach. Richard Partridge will be the new baseball coach. There is a scheduled meeting for the baseball team at NCHS on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 6 pm in the school atrium.

In honor of his mother’s birthday, Robert Morgan wanted to surprise her with something she didn’t have, a gift that would keep on giving. He did so by establishing a scholarship in her honor at Northwestern State University. The Alma Dell Thomas Morgan Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in education with preference given to students from Union or Natchitoches parishes. The recipient must be employed and must maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average.

Mrs. Morgan was a teacher at NSU Elementary Lab School for 30 years. Robert Morgan said the scholarship is a testament to his mother’s character, work ethic, love, honor and grace.

“God game me the best Mama any person could ever have,” he said when the scholarship was revealed to her on her birthday Aug. 4. “I consider my mother to be the perfect southern belle. This is how special my Mama is: she came to this university while operating a ranch by herself because my father worked away from home. In 4-1/2 years, she earned her undergraduate degree and master’s degree, taking 26-30 hours per semester, while working on a farm and raising two boys.”

Originally from Union Parish, Mrs. Morgan enrolled at Northwestern State after her sons started school, graduating in 1963. After earning her degrees, she taught second grade for one year and third grade the rest of her career, estimating that she taught between 750 and 850 students, including her grandson Joey Longlois, who was required to call her “Mrs. Morgan” in the classroom. Mrs. Morgan acknowledged that she was a strict teacher, tough but fair.

“The stories we’ve heard of her as a teacher have been phenomenal,” said Dr. Chris Maggio. “Congratulations have come in from the deans and departments heads indicating how many lives she has touched. How fitting that this scholarship in Mrs. Dell’s name will be her legacy that will last last forever and how many lives she has touched and will continue to touch through the future teachers who receive this scholarship.”

For information on establishing a Northwestern State University scholarship, visit northwesternstatealumni.com or call NSU Development Officer Jill Bankston, CFRE, at (318) 357-4414.

Outpatient Medical Center is celebrating 40 years of helping to keep community families whole and healthy. The health system started from humble beginnings in 1977, growing into a multi-million dollar; multi-site integrated healthcare delivery system with health centers in Natchitoches, Leesville and Tallulah. It’s governed by an 11 member Board of Directors; 51 percent of which must be patients who utilize the health system for their primary care needs.

The following integrated health care services are offered – irrespective of the patient’s ability to pay for the services:
• Pediatric services

• Adult Medicine services

• Behavioral Health services

· Internal Medicine services

• Urgent Care services

• 340(B) Pharmacy services

• Dental services (preventative/restorative)

Community Outreach and Enrollment services (Including help signing people up for Medicaid/Healthcare Exchange)
Women’s Health services
Enabling services (linking community families to other support services)
Outpatient Medical Center Inc. is proud to be part of a nation-wide Federally Qualified Health Center primary care network and has worked tirelessly taking good care of their valued community families for 40 years.

Facts about OMC Inc.:

• Clinicians are Board certified/Board eligible

• JCAHO accredited health system

• Has applied for Patient Centered Medical Home recognition

• Helps drive the cost of community health care services down

• Employs 75 dedicated professionals from Natchitoches, Leesville and Tallulah parishes

• Pumps over $6 million (and growing) into Natchitoches, Leesville and Tallulah parish economic engines

• Serves as the medical home to over 7,000 Natchitoches, Leesville and Tallulah parish families (and growing)

• Annually pushes over 15,000 patient encounters (and growing)

• Works in partnership with local hospitals to help reduce hospital readmissions and inappropriate emergency room utilization

• Recognized as chronic disease care specialists

• Accepts most insurances

• Is accepting new patients in all of their health centers

• Welcomes active duty, retired, reserve and former military members and their families

The health system recently strengthened its Executive Team with a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, HR Director, Information Systems Manager and Leesville Health Center Director. Seeing the need for more primary care clinicians in the Natchitoches, Leesville and Tallulah parishes, eight new clinicians were hired in the past 90 days.

Chief Executive Officer Carl L. Walters II said he’s honored to be a part of this compassionate, progressive health system that has never and will never lose sight of its service mission – taking good care of you, our valued community families.

“We don’t see doing what we do as a job; we see it as a spiritual and community service calling,” said Walters. “There is no higher calling than to have the privilege of caring for another and that is a community service calling we have supported for 40 years and with the continued love and support of our valued community families and stakeholders, it is a calling we hope to continue serving for another 40 years.”

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Natchitoches Police Department officers were dispatched to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Monday morning in reference to an armed robbery. Officers spoke with a 16 year old victim who advised that he was walking in a parking lot on Second Street when two black males approached him, one of which appeared to have a gun, and demanded he give them his phone. The pair absconded with the cell phone. The victim was able to get to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for help.

Natchitoches Police Department patrol officers, task force agents and criminal investigators searched the area and located two subjects fitting the description given by the victim. The subjects were brought in and identified by the victim as the two suspects that committed the robbery.

The suspects, one 16 year old black male and one 15 year old black male, were arrested and charged with one count each of 1st degree robbery and transported to WARE youth detention center.

The victim was unharmed during this incident.

Approved for release by Chief Dove Date: 8/07/17

Whether you’re getting ready for school, or feel a little spent after summer vacation, the office of Lauren C. Anderson, MD, FACS, located at Natchitoches Medical Specialists can help rejuvenate you.

Make an appointment during the month of August to receive 20% off a HydraFacial MD treatment.

Matthew Bernard performs this non-invasive, relaxing procedure that combines the benefits of hydradermabrasion, a chemical peel, automated painless extractions, and a special delivery of antioxidants, hyaluronic acids, and peptides. All it takes is a quick 30 minute treatment that delivers results without downtime or irritation.

“With gentle suction, the Vortex technology sucks out impurities and clogged pores while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing the skin,” said Bernard. “The HydraFacial is great for teens experiencing acne or anyone worried about wrinkles, skin discoloration and other signs of aging.”

Add ons include DermaBuilder to enhance skin elasticity, LED light therapy to combat acne or fine lines/wrinkles, and Britenol to minimize the appearance of dark/sun spots. The office also sells HydraFacial MD products for at home use.

Bernard, an NSU graduate, has worked at the office for 1 year. Certified through the Michigan Ear Institute as an ototechnician, he performs adult and pediatric diagnostic hearing tests and newborn hearing screenings at the hospital. He also administers allergy tests and immunotherapy.

“A loss of hearing can affect someone’s quality of life,” said Bernard, who had problems with his hearing as a child. “I’m sympathetic toward my patients and feel it’s important to show them we care. We keep their best interests at heart.”

Bernard tests for 60 environmental allergies that can cause repeat sinus or ear infections, or a chronic cough. Results are available in 15 minutes and high quality extracts ensure reliable test results. Immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of allergies, not just the symptoms. It permanently desensitizes the body to specific allergens with a custom created treatment plan.

Dr. Anderson and her staff look forward to helping you and your family preserve a lifetime of good health. The office is located at 1029 Keyser Ave Suite C in Natchitoches.

Request an appointment online at http://www.natchitochesent.com/appointment.html

or call the office at 318-238-6301.

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On August 7, 2017 at approximately 10:20 a.m. Demarkus Zeno came into The Natchitoches Police Department with a complaint. After initially speaking with Zeno the officer determined that his complaint was a civil matter not a criminal matter and advised him what he could do to resolve it. Zeno became upset and the officer again explained the proper steps for Zeno to take in order to resolve his civil matter.

Zeno then became violent and threatened to harm the officer and others in the building. Zeno also resisted arrest, committed a battery on a police officer and threatened to burn the building.

Demarkus Zeno was charged with 6 counts of resisting a police officer with force or violence, 3 counts of threatening a public official, 1 count of battery on a police officer and 1 count of communicating of false information of a planned arson.
Zeno was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office was informed of a body being discovered Aug. 7, which was located on Grappes Bluff Road under a bridge in the Fairview Alpha community in northern Natchitoches Parish.

Since that time, we have presumptively identified the body as that of 31-year-old Anthony J. Rainey of Coushatta.

Rainey was reported missing to Red River Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and last seen on July 31.

The case is currently being investigated as a homicide and no further information will be released at this time.

The case continues to be mutually investigated with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office and Red River Parish Coroner’s Office.

Natchitoches Sheriff Victor Jones and Red River Sheriff Glen Edwards expresses their sympathy to the Rainey family.

If you have any information please contact the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office at 932-6701 or the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432

Carlie Spears, 8 of Natchitoches, was selected to represent the title of Little Miss Globe Louisiana US. She will advance to the Miss Globe US Pageant Finals Sept. 22-24 in South Padre Island, Texas. The Miss Globe US Pageant is the official US preliminary to the Miss Globe International Pageant. The international winner will receive cash, a modeling contract, portfolio and other prizes and gifts. Young women interested in receiving information about the program can go online to http://www.MissGlobeUS.com.

Miss Globe US is judged on interview skills, fun fashion/swimwear, on stage introduction and evening wear. While in South Padre Island, contestants will take part in fashion shows, photo shoots and experience all of the sun and fun the island has to offer. The Miss Globe International Pageant is held each year in different countries and in 2017 it will be hosted in Beijing, China. The international pageant features young women representing over 60 countries around the world.

Natchitoches Police Department Traffic and Patrol Division officers, the Criminal Investigations Division and the Crime Suppression Unit made contact with two black male juveniles walking on Fairgrounds Road Aug. 4 at 1 am. Loose .22 bullets were found in the pocket of one of the juveniles. This sparked a search of the area and officers located a .22 rifle in a nearby ditch that was previously reported as stolen. The investigation then lead officers to a residence where one of the juveniles was staying. They located a second .22 rifle and other items reported stolen in recent burglaries in the juvenile’s room.

The two 16-year-old juveniles; one of which is currently on probation for negligent homicide, were arrested and charged with 6 counts of simple burglary, one count of attempted burglary, possession of stolen firearms, and curfew violations. Both were placed in WARE youth detention center. More charges may be pending.

The parents of the juveniles were consequently charged with improper supervision of a minor and were ordered to appear in court next month.   Their names cannot be released due to the posibilty of identifying the juvenile offenders involved in this case.

A third suspect, identified as Billy Turner, 19,  was later located on Woodyard Drive. Further investigation produced evidence that Turner was also involved in multiple burglaries resulting in his arrest for unauthorized use of a moveable, one count of attempted burglary and 6 counts of burglary. Turner was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center where he is awaiting bond.

There will be no further information released on this case due to the continuing investigation.

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

The NSU Football Team has been focused on victory since reporting back to campus last week. This Saturday, Aug. 5, marked their fourth practice and the first one with full pads.  The Demons came out 104 men strong to learn, prepare and get better under the Argus Eyed Coach Thomas and his staff. The offense and defense worked on various game scenarios as the players worked on their skills and continued to meld together into one team and one family. The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to extend its best wishes to the Demons for victory as they embark on the upcoming season. Fork ’em Demons!

Service to his alma mater and the alumni community led Paul Carter to being recognized by the Alumni Association at LSMSA during Social Service Weekend held in July.

Jamie G. Smith (’88), president of the Alumni Association, lauded Carter (’91) for his work last August helping flood-impacted alumni in south Louisiana.

“When flooding impacted south Louisiana in August 2016, Paul called me and asked what could be done to use the Social Service Weekend model to help alumni in need,” said Smith. “Paul personally drove from Dallas to the Baton Rouge area three consecutive weekends and helped empty and perform demolition work on flood houses.”

Carter resides in McKinney, Texas, with his wife Elaine Johnson Carter (’93). His involvement with the Alumni Association began in 2013 after he attended his wife’s 20-year reunion. He was convinced to attend Social Service Weekend following conversations that took place during reunion weekend, and that opened the door to more opportunities to connect with alumni from across the decades.

A barbecue aficionado, Carter began sharing his passion for cooking with the LSMSA community and has served up some of the best barbecue east of Texas to Social Service Weekend participants for the last three years.

This year, even a bicycle accident that resulted in neck and shoulder injuries couldn’t keep Carter from feeding hungry alumni at SSW 2017.

Carter has also been influential in the alumni community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, hosting annual cookouts at his home and organizing monthly beignet gatherings at a local bakery owned by fellow alum Tida Pichakron (’97).

Smith explained that the Alumni Association officers have discussed recognizing alumni “who go above and beyond” to serve LSMSA. Carter’s leadership, commitment and vision last August made him the perfect prototype of what this award should represent.

“Although we are still working on the specifics of our future award, we certainly couldn’t allow time to pass without acknowledging an alum who has demonstrated the qualities that led us to want to establish an award in the first place,” said Smith.

A Natchitoches Police Department officer patroling on Berry Avenue Aug. 5 at 7:30 pm observed a female lying on the ground with a large cut on her forearm. After speaking to witnesses it was determined that several females were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical between two. It was during this altercation that the suspect armed herself with a sharp object and cut the victim.

The suspect, identified as Destiny Williams, 21, was located in a residence near where the victim was found. Williams was arrested, charged with aggravated second degree battery and transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

The victim was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center then airlifted to Rapides General ER and was last listed in stable condition.

A training night was held for members of Natchitoches Parish Fire District 4, practicing the use of a dry hydrant. A brand new unused dry hydrant was installed last month on Woodel Pond as a backup water supply for fire protection for the Village of Provencal and surrounding areas. This was a perfect test of both equipment and procedure.

In rural districts often there are no fire hydrants and water lines near an incident. Crews must locate alternative and suitable water sources to fill tankers.

Dry hydrants allow departments to access water from ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks and even swimming pools. The water must be drafted, or pumped, to the appropriate outlet, whether it is a deck gun, a feed line into a portable water tank, or filling up a tanker to send it back to a fire scene.

In this simulation, the dry hydrant was sited down a hill, and there was not room for both an engine (pumper) and the 3,000 gallon tanker to maneuver. Members had to assess entry to the property and judge placement of the pumper and tanker for max efficiency.The engine set up a forward lay of hose, while the tanker stayed on the hill above. Two hoses were connected to the tanker.

Once the engine attached to the dry hydrant, and the air was purged from the pump, water flow began. The pressure created by the engine pump was strong enough to fill the tanker at a rate of 1,000 gallons per minute.

Fire District 4 is grateful for the residents of Natchitoches Parish who allow dry hydrants to be installed at their ponds. The more access to water means faster and more efficient fire attack capabilities.

 

Works in Progress, Innovative Resources for Creative Professionals in Northwest Louisiana, will present a workshop, “Grant Writing for Creative Professionals,” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at Northwestern State University.  The class will take place in the New Fine Arts Building, Room 206.

The workshop is for creative professionals who have a creative project or program idea but are unsure how to proceed with securing grant funding.

WIPLA board member and professional artist Debbie Hollis will teach creative professionals and arts organizations how to search for grants applicable to their project, how to get fiscal sponsorship when necessary, how to plan a project worthy of funding and how to research funders’ priorities and focus areas.  In addition, participants will learn to determine if they want government, foundation or corporate grants, how to hire a professional grant writer and how to avoid application-killing mistakes.

The cost is $10.  To register, visit worksinprogresslouisiana.com/workshop-registration and click on the appropriate link.  To learn more call (318) 751.8540 or email Debbie@worksinprogresslouisiana.com.

 

Northwestern State University’s fall semester will kick off with Move In Day on Saturday Aug. 19, launching a packed schedule of events for students, including some special features open to the Natchitoches community, alumni and friends. Fall classes will begin Monday, Aug. 21.

“Demon Days is a series of fun events that are free to new and returning students at Northwestern State,” said Reatha Cox, director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development at NSU.  “Demon Days begins with Move In and continues through the month of September – so basically it’s through Day 42 at NSU.”

Community volunteers are welcome to join the NSU move-in crew as they assist students moving into campus residence halls beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. For information on volunteering, contact Cox at  coxr@nsula.edu.

In addition to numerous initiatives aimed at getting students involved in campus life, organizations and service, many activities help educate new students about campus resources and NSU traditions, such as the Demons Come Out At Night Pep Rally, which this year will include a concert by the Molly Ringwalds that is free and open to the public.  The Thursday, Sept. 14 pep rally will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Turpin Stadium, followed by the concert at the tailgate field at 8 p.m.

This year’s Demon Days will also include special activities honoring Dr. Chris Maggio, who will be invested as NSU’s 19th president Friday, Sept. 15.  A Mass of Thanksgiving will take place at 9 a.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed by formal investiture ceremonies at 11 a.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium with a community reception immediately following at the Arnold R. Kilpatrick President’s Residence.

In addition to tailgating and events surrounding NSU’s football home opener against Lamar University on Saturday, Sept. 16, NSU First Lady Jennifer Maggio is sponsoring The 1884 Campaign for Literacy service project in which she and students in the President’s Leadership Program will collect 1,884 new and gently used books for children ages 5-15.  The books will be distributed at schools and community youth facilities throughout north Louisiana.  A drop-off location will be at Collins Pavilion beginning at 2 p.m.

Northwestern State will present the 60th annual Lady of the Bracelet pageant at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.  Affiliated with the Miss America Organization, the Miss Northwestern-Lady of the Bracelet pageant is one of the largest scholarship opportunities available through the Student Activities Board. The event will be preceded by a Lady of the Bracelet reunion on Friday, Sept. 22.

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, NSU’s Student Government Association will host ESPN contributor Tom Rinaldi to discuss his book “The Red Bandanna:  A Life, A Choice, A Legacy,” that pays tribute to 9/11 hero Welles Crowther. Rinaldi will speak at 7 p.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium

NSUs annual Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 30 will coincide with the 11th annual Natchitoches Classic Car Show, that will feature more than 400 antique cars on display downtown.  Family Day will be from 2-5:30 p.m. on the tailgate field and will include music, food and family fun before NSU kicks off against Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m.

“The city of Natchitoches and our community of loyal alumni and friends have always been supportive in welcoming our new and returning students back to campus,” Cox said. “The Demon Days schedule is full of activities to help students explore Northwestern State. And on Fridays, we wear purple!”

For more information on these or other activities, visit the university’s website at http://www.nsula.edu/fye/demondays.

Clifton Hall
May 16, 1933 – August 4, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Johnnie Freeman
December 15, 1947 – August 4, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Helen Mae Drewett Johnson
November 22, 1918 – July 15, 2017
Arrangements TBA