The City of Natchitoches Recreation and Parks Department is participating in the Own Your Own Health fitness challenge and are asking businesses, community groups, schools, and residents to join in. The Own Your Own Health Challenge is a 3-month competition that encourages Louisianans to develop healthy activity and eating habits. The challenge takes place Jan. 22 – March 22.

Participants are encouraged to form teams of up to 10 people, or they can participate as individuals. Kids and teens may have as many team members as they like. Teams will compete locally against other teams from the Natchitoches area, and Natchitoches teams will then challenge other teams statewide.

“The challenge is a physical activity and weight loss challenge that is mostly team based,” said Chris Laurence, City of Natchitoches Recreation and Parks Director. “I think this will be a fun and free way to get people competing and get them moving. We want everyone to grab their friends, family, and co-workers and let’s get healthy.”

Teams and individual participants can compete in the Physical Activity Challenge, Weight Loss Challenge, or both. The Physical Activity Challenge tracks how many steps/miles you walk, while the Weight Loss Challenge tracks how much weight you lose.

Participants will have chances to win prizes and incentives each week of the competition and will receive activity, nutrition and recipe tips via email. Participants will also have access to a personalized online dashboard to track progress, team leader boards, personalized meal plans and customized workouts.

“Everything is tracked online and teams can compare themselves and see how they are doing against other teams,” added Laurence.

Create teams and compete against rival cities. Sign up for FREE at http://www.oyohla.com. For more information call 318-357-3891.

 

NSU Communications students and faculty will showcase their photography and graphic design skills in a New Media Gallery Exhibition March 19-31 in Gallery 2, New Fine Arts Building. The exhibition will also honor and feature work by the late Robert Crew, a beloved NSU graduate, university executive and noted photographer.

A first for the Department of New Media, this exhibition was inspired by the quality of student work produced for classes and student media. Instructor Emily Zering, who also earned her master’s in art at NSU, proposed the event and has coordinated with Leslie Gruesbeck, associate professor of art and gallery coordinator, and Dr. Ron McBride, who teaches photojournalism.

“In addition to providing students with a foundation for becoming photojournalists, it is important for them to prepare a portfolio that demonstrates their talent and understanding of a discipline that suggests a photo can become a stand-alone story. I have witnessed in their assignments how they grasp the objectives and demonstrate their interpretation of the elements of good photojournalism,” said McBride, former journalism department head and current adjunct faculty member. “I have been amazed at the quality of work, especially when you consider most have never used a DSLR camera. I’m delighted for them to have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the department’s Student Showcase.”

Besides showcasing student and faculty work, the exhibition is designed to increase student awareness about media industry career opportunities and the importance of visual communication skills.

“As a department within the College of Performing Arts, it’s important for our students and faculty to showcase their creative talent,” said Dr. Paula Furr, New Media Department head. “We are so honored that the Crew family has chosen our department to award an annual scholarship to a student from Louisiana majoring in digital media/journalism.”

The gallery exhibition is open to the campus and public. A reception March 22 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Hanchey Gallery is also open to the public. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to RSVP at http://www.nsulastudentshowcase.com.

The website has more information or contact Emily Zering at zeringe@nsula.edu.

 

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that the following bridges will be closed for inspection Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 27-28 from 9 am – 3 pm:

Bridge # 115-01-0360-1 is located on LA 485 over Little River and is located 3.6 miles North of the junction of LA 6. Detour will be LA 6 East to I-49 North to LA 485.
Bridge # 115-01-0054-1 is located on LA 485 over Rocks Bayou and is located 0.2 miles West of the junction of I-49. Detour for the second road will be LA 6 East to I-49 North to LA 485.

The following bridge will be reduced to one lane for bridge inspections Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 27-28 from 9 am – 3 pm:
Bridge # 115-02-0608-1 is located on LA 485 over Bayou Pierre
The following bridge will be reduced to one lane for bridge inspections Thursday, March 1 from 9 am – 3pm:
Bridge # 009-05-0000-1 is located on US 71 over Saline Bayou
Safety Reminder

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information

Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit http://www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices, the DOTD Facebook page or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information and details.

 

 

 

Miracle Coutee, a senior at Natchitoches Central High School, plays first chair flute and drum major in The Pride of the Tribe Marching Band.

Miracle recently made District Honor Band, an ensemble made up of the best band musicians in LMEA District II. District II includes Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, and Winn parishes.

Students auditioned at Tioga High School this past September, and the top performing high school students were placed in the Lafitte or Cavalier honor bands. The honor bands rehearsed for two days and presented a concert at Tioga High School on Jan. 20.

Miracle’s ensemble, the Lafitte Band, was conducted by Gregg Griffin of Erath High School. They performed “Falcon Fanfare” by Brian Balmages, “In A Quiet Place” by Bill Calhoun, “Twittering Machines” by Brian Balmages, and “Arabian Dances” by Roland Barrett.

“District Honor Band was a wonderful experience and prepared me for my college scholarship auditions,” said Miracle. “I had a wonderful time playing with musicians that are as passionate about music as I am.”

Miracle is the daughter of Anna and Wilfredo Santiago. Miracle’s Talented Music Instructor Kelsey Wright gives her private flute lessons through the state talent program. Her parents and NCHS Band Director Aleisa Hudlow are proud of her.

“I am so proud of Miracle for being brave enough to audition for district honor band,” said Hudlow. “It takes a lot of practice and discipline to achieve an honor like this. She is an excellent flutist and continuously grows in her musicianship. She represented herself and NCHS well, and the concert was fantastic!”

 

The Monster Truck Winter Nationals storm into the Rapides coliseum for two giant shows. This is the record breaking show that sold out the coliseum for years before it shut down for renovations.

Back by popular demand, the Monster Truck Winter Nationals is scheduled for two giant shows Feb. 23-24 in Alexandria’s Rapides Coliseum. The show will feature some of the baddest monster trucks on the planet. They include two-time world champion “Equalizer,” “Hot Tamale,” “Venom,” “Buckshot,” “Mighty Monster,” and just added to the line up “Airborne Ranger.”

Airborne Ranger is owned and driven by disabled army ranger Joe Cypher. The truck is modified so Joe can drive and do everything with his hands and arms.

They will compete for $50,000 in cold hard cash. Events will include a wheelie contest, donut contest, and free style. The audience will be the judges! Also you will not want to miss “Transaurus,” the worlds largest transforming, fire breathing, car eating dinosaur. You can also take a ride in a real monster truck before and after the show!

Special VIP tickets are available and include: a lower bowl seat, meet with drivers, take pictures with trucks, get autographs, meet our super hero BATMAN and see his BATMOBILE (kids also get a BATMAN souvenir). Tickets now on sale at the Rapides coliseum, AA Western Wear, leisure travel at Ft. Polk, Ticketmaster.com and at the door as well.

 

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Eugene Ainsworth
February 26, 1938 – February 16, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 9:30-11:30 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11:30 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches

Margie Kelley Dobson
May 22, 1933 – February 16, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 9:30 am – 2 pm at Briarwood Baptist Church, located at 1020 LA-9 in Saline
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 2 pm at Briarwood Baptist Church
Interment: Briarwood Baptist Church Cemetery

Deacon Joseph Brown, Sr.
February 12, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 24 from 9:30-11 am at the North Star Baptist Church, located at 734 Hwy. 485 in Powhatan
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at the North Star Baptist Church
Interment: Methodist Cemetery in Allen

DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka
February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium

 

SABINE PARISH:

Katherine B. Carter
July 4, 1928 – February 17, 2018

Virgie Mae Powell
September 7, 1927 – February 18, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Friendship Nazarene Cemetery

RAPIDES PARISH:

William Herbert Dousay
February 23, 1937 – February 16, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 until 11 am at Six-Mile Pentecostal Church
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11 am at Six-Mile Pentecostal Church in Pitkin
Interment: Elisha Memorial Cemetery in Glenmora

WINN PARISH:

Damian Raphael Brumley
July 21, 1959 – February 16, 2018
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11 am at St. Patricks Catholic Church
Interment: New Hope Cemetery in Verda

Jewel Reeves
May 12, 1924 – February 18, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 fro, 11 am – 1 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 2 pm at Hawthorn Cemetery in Ashland

Kathy Jeanette Thomason
May 30, 1951 – February 18, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 22 from 8 am – 2 pm at Mars Hill Baptist Church
Service: Thursday, Feb. 22 at 2 pm at Mars Hill Baptist Church
Interment will follow in Mars Hill Cemetery in Verda

 

 

The Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP), a subdivision of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, named four members to the 2018 4 Under 40 awards: Josh Axsom, Maggie Harris, Laura Lyles, and Danielle Stamey.

The awards are given to four members who excel in community leadership and professional achievements while maintaining a consistent level of involvement with NYP. Nominations are accepted each year through an anonymous survey open to anyone. A committee of three NYP Board and three Chamber Board members chose this year’s winners.

Axsom is the manager of AxsomAir. As a reserve deputy sheriff for the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, he volunteers at area school games, parades, and festivals. Filling in for full-time deputies, Axsom was awarded “Reserve Deputy of the Year” in 2017. He’s a NRA firearms instructor and co-operator of Natchitoches Tactical.

Axsom is active with the Natchitoches Rotary Club and produced their “Bulletproof the Blue” event that raised over $10,000 to purchase new vests for local law enforcement.

“I thank God for my parents who raised me to respect God, authority, my elders, and myself and believe that has carried me so far in life,” he said. “I’m blessed to be surrounded with wisdom that’s guided me in life and I consider it my duty to pass it forward and try to be there for others.”

Harris is the Chamber’s Director of Membership Experience. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in management from Northwestern State University. While there she served as associate editor, then editor in chief of the Argus Art & Literary Magazine and treasurer then vice president of Phi Beta Lambda.

“Knowing that I’ve received so much from this community, I’ve tried to give much back,” she said. “Through my work with the Chamber, I’ve assisted several committees dedicated to the Chamber’s mission of making Natchitoches the best place to live and work.”

Lyles is a branch manager/loan officer for Exchange Bank. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in hospitality, management, tourism from NSU in 2005 and her MBA from Nicholls State University in 2007. She’s a chair of the Chamber’s Ambassadors committee and serves as a Board Member at Large on the Chamber board.

Lyles is the President of the Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, has been a member of the Natchitoches Service League since 2017, and is active member of First United Methodist Church.

“I enjoy my work, serving my community, mentoring college students, and telling people about Natchitoches, always with a smile,” she said.

Stamey is the marketing/case intake for Salim-Beasley Law Firm. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from NSU. Stamey is active in the Les Amies Service Organization, is a Sigma Sigma Sigma alum, and is a founding member of NYP.

“Getting involved in Natchitoches and all of the facets that it has to offer has made my love for this beautiful city grow,” she said.

They will be recognized at the Chamber Luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 21. Registration begins at 11 am, and the program will start at 11:30 am. Registration will be closing Monday, Feb. 19 at 12 pm.

 

 

Writer and activist Shaun King will lecture at Northwestern State University Monday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.

The lecture is sponsored by Northwestern State’s Student Government Association in partnership with the African American Caucus and the Center for Inclusion and Diversity.

King’s topic will be “Civil Rights Today: The New Civil Rights Movement.”

Through social media, King starts and extends conversations about racial discrimination, civil rights, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter Movement. He is the writer-in-residence at Harvard Law School’s Fair Justice Project and a columnist at The Intercept.

King has written extensively about the Black Lives Matter movement, covering discrimination, police brutality, the prison industrial complex and social justice in the wake of violence in New York, Baltimore, Cleveland, Ferguson, Missouri, Charleston, South Carolina and other cities.

In his position as senior justice writer at the New York Daily News, King wrote more than 630 columns. He is a regular political commentator for The Young Turks and on the Tom Joyner Morning Show and was formerly Justice Writer for Daily Kos.

King has become a visible fundraiser for victims of injustice. As a social entrepreneur, King worked as the CEO and founder of both TwitChange (which won the Mashable Award for the Most Creative Social Good Campaign) and HopeMob, whose social media footprint grew to become one of the 10 largest of any charity. King is the author of “The Power of 100!,” and has spent much of the past 15 years raising nearly $10 million for charities and causes across the globe.

King is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Epoch Humanitarian Award and the Hometown Hero Award from the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He was also included in MSNBC’s The Grio Top 100 History Makers. On stage, he draws from his oratorical skills developed, in part, from the 15 years he spent as a local pastor.

 

 

The Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP) met for their first social of 2018 on Feb. 13. NYP Chair Craig Caskey welcomed the NYP members in attendance along with recognized those who were at their first NYP social. Caskey introduced Wayne and Tina Ragan who spoke on the 7th Annual Kasey’s Heart & Soul: Run, Walk, & Roar happening on Saturday, March 10. In addition to sponsors and race participants, Tina asked for volunteers to assist her team on race day. If you wish to volunteer, contact the Chamber office for further details.

Other announcements made at the event were given by past chair, Dr. Haley Taitano about the next big event for NYP on Saturday, March 17, the 4th Annual Natchitoches Young Professionals Pub Crawl. The event runs from 2-10 pm. At 7 pm, the band, Flow Tribe will be playing on the new riverbank stage.  She asked everyone to sign up with Maggie Harris from the chamber office or online at natchitocheschamber.com.

Being Fat Tuesday, the philanthropy committee collected Mardi Gras beads that NYP members collected during the Mardi Gras season. The beads were then delivered to area schools to be used for art class projects along with some beads being saved to be put in shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

The Natchitoches Young Professionals is a Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce initiative.  NYP is dedicated to developing our community’s current and future business leaders with membership available to anyone between the ages of 21 and 40 who lives, works, learns or plays in the greater Natchitoches area. If you are interested in signing up as a member, contact the Chamber office at (318) 352-6894.

 

 

By Marné Deranger

The Master Gardeners of Natchitoches Parish enjoyed learning about Monarch Butterflies from their guest speaker, Judy McIntyre, during their February meeting. They learned about the migratory path, what “citizen scientists” can do to help this fragile part of our ecosystem, and the near-miraculous process of a butterfly’s metamorphosis. Natchitoches residents should consider dedicating a small piece of their property to Monarch-friendly Milkweed to help butterflies on their journeys north and south. Every year they pass right over Natchitoches on their way to and from the same fir forest in Mexico, stopping in Texas and Louisiana to rest, feed, and lay their eggs.

McIntyre will give another enthusiastic and enlightening presentation at the first Farmers’ Market of the season on May 28. The Master Gardeners will be there with seeds and plant recommendations to help our butterflies. For more information on the subject, go to http://www.monarchwatch.org and http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarchs.

The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter. Master Gardeners are highly trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs to Louisiana residents.

A new class for potential Master Gardeners starts April 2 at 3pm. The 10-week course costs $150 per student. For that fee, each student receives a stack of valuable reference material covering everything from soil to trees, bugs to berries, landscaping to disease diagnosis. Presenters are experts from across the state, and they don’t just teach. They become part of your network of advisors. Sign up at the Parish Extension office at 624 Second Street.

For more information or for daily tips on North Louisiana gardening, go to https://www.facebook.com/NatchitochesMasterGardener/

 

 

Northwestern State University will hold its annual Spring N-Side View and Credit Connection Saturday, March 3.

Registration for Spring N-Side View and Credit Connection will begin at 8 a.m. in Magale Recital Hall and the programs start at 9 a.m.

As part of Spring N-Side View, representatives from each of Northwestern State’s colleges will be on hand to explain degree programs offered at NSU. Staff from the financial aid, housing and scholarship offices will also be available to answer questions. A student panel will give a unique perspective on the university. An orientation program for parents will also be held. Also as part of Spring N-Side View, prospective students will get to tour Northwestern State’s campus.

During Credit Connection, students can earn college credit by taking an advanced standing examination which can result in credit being posted on the student’s college transcript once they enroll at Northwestern State.

Tests for English 1010, English 1020, Spanish, Math 1020 or 1060 will be offered. Students can take up to two tests at no charge.

Students with ACT Math subscores below 19 or 460 on the SAT or English subscores below 18 on the ACT or 450 on the SAT can take Accuplacer, a college placement test that assists the university in evaluating students in writing and math for placement decisions. Passing the exams can result in students being able to register in college level courses instead of developmental courses. The cost for the exam is $15 for math or English or $25 for both.

All tests will be given in Kyser Hall on the NSU campus. To register, contact the NSU Testing Center at (318) 357-5246 or go to recruiting.nsula.edu/credit-connection-registration.

The first round of Credit Connection tests begins at 10 a.m. with the second round at 1 p.m.

Northwestern State offers a unique scholarship opportunity for students with strong leadership potential and provides them with a year long leadership program. The President’s Leadership Program is designed to promote active involvement in the campus community and provide opportunities for students to build leadership skills together. A PLP Emerging Leaders Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A reservation is required in order to participate in the program. Those interested can sign up at nsula.edu/fye.

Lunch will be available at 12 p.m. for $10.

To reserve a spot for Spring N-Side View, go to nsula.edu/recruiting/preview-days. For more information on Spring N-Side View/Credit Connection, contact the Office of Admissions and Recruiting at (318) 357-4503 or (800) 327-1903 or go to nsula.edu/recruiting/preview-days.

 

 

The Natchitoches Magnet Mathcounts Team placed second overall in the Regional competition Feb. 17. In the individual competition, Joshua Chesal placed second and Noah Martinez placed third. The team won first place in the Team Bee and Joshua Chesal won first in the Countdown Round. The team advances to the state competition on March 23. Team members are Joshua Chesal, Noah Martinez, Victoria Hatten and Bethany Milner. Individual competitiors were Alayshae McNeeley, Devin Helaire, Hunter Broadway and Diamond Smith. The coach is Mrs. Zenda Sawyer. Assistant coach is Tyler French.

 

A very wet and stormy week is ahead for the Natchitoches area as a series of frontal boundaries and upper level disturbances pummel the region. Excessive rainfall is good possibility across the northwest half of the region, especially Tuesday night through Wednesday with 3-4 inches of rainfall possible during this timeframe. Lesser amounts are expected farther south and east, but 7-day total accumulations still look quite impressive with as much as 2-4 inches likely across much of the region with higher amounts of 4-8 inches northwest.

 

 

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Eugene Ainsworth
February 26, 1938 – February 16, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 9:30-11:30 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11:30 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches

Margie Kelley Dobson
May 22, 1933 – February 16, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 9:30 am – 2 pm at Briarwood Baptist Church, located at 1020 LA-9 in Saline
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 2 pm at Briarwood Baptist Church
Interment: Briarwood Baptist Church Cemetery

Nelwyn Boydstun Poole
April 3, 1931 – February 15, 2018
Visitation: Monday, Feb. 19 from 9-11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches
Service: Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 am in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches

Joseph Brown
February 12, 2018
Arrangements TBA

DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka
February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium
RAPIDES PARISH:

Paula Gremillion DePriest
August 15, 1949 – February 16, 2018
Service: Monday, Feb. 19 at 10 am at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

William Herbert Dousay
February 23, 1937 – February 16, 2018|
Service: Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11 am at Six-Mile Pentecostal Church in Pitkin
Interment: Elisha Memorial Cemetery in Glenmora
Visitation: Monday, Feb. 19 at 5 pm until Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11 am at Six-Mile Pentecostal Church
WINN PARISH:

Rev. Garlon R.”Pete” Nolan
December 12, 1921 – February 17, 2018
Service: Monday, Feb. 19 at 10 am at Temple Baptist Church
Interment: Crossroads Cemetery in Farmerville

 

 

Northwestern State University completed an agreement for the Follett Higher Education Group to operate its bookstores on the Natchitoches and Shreveport campuses.

At the close of business Friday, Feb. 16, Barnes and Noble ceased management of bookstores in the Friedman Student Union on the main campus in Natchitoches and at the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health in Shreveport.

Follett will reopen both stores in the existing locations on Tuesday, Feb. 27. During the transition in Natchitoches students, faculty, staff and others are encouraged to use the NEEBO Campus Corner bookstore at 912 University Parkway. That facility, which has been operated by the Follett Group for a number of years, will undergo extensive renovations beginning next month.

This transition in bookstore operations is part of a long-range plan for NSU to expand and enhance its bookstore services and to develop a comprehensive one-stop shopping facility on University Parkway adjacent to the main campus. This 8,000-square-foot Campus Store will be designed to provide a broad range of books and other course materials, high-quality fast foods and specialized promotional apparel and other gear and products with Northwestern emblems and logos.

Northwestern students, faculty and staff, alumni and the public will be served by this bookstore and shopping area that is scheduled to open for the Fall semester of 2018. The Northwestern State University Foundation has acquired this property directly across the street from the campus, and the partnership between Northwestern, the NSU Foundation and Follett will create a dynamic and high quality Campus Store experience for the university and community for years to come.

This exciting new partnership and the Campus Store concept will help maintain and increase the positive momentum that Northwestern has experienced in recent years.

 

Payne Williams told members of the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission about a new park project that was started at its meeting Feb. 15. The new park will feature a landscaped area on Touline Street behind the First Baptist Church. This area was the original site for the St. Mary’s Academy.

Van Erikson confirmed that the floating docks on Cane River will be extended another 30 feet thanks to two $5,000 sponsorships from the NHDDC and the Cane River Waterway Commission. The docks will arrive in the next few weeks and will connect to the existing ones. Rowing events will revolve around March 3 and March 17 with some teams bringing 150 members.

The Dragon Boat Races, set for March 3, has 17 teams registered already. Erikson said he’s trying for 25 teams. A higher number of teams will allow more boats to race at a time and will help build a crowd on the downtown riverbank.

Other upcoming NSU events include:

March 20- WRAC named for Dr. Webb

March 21- Dancing with the Sigmas

March 23- Long Purple Line Luncheon and Flavor of Louisiana event

March 24- Military Ball

 

Other upcoming downtown events include:

March 17- NYP Pub Crawl, Krewe of Barkus Parade, and Bloomin’ & Art Along the Bricks

March 23-24- Cane River Film Festival

May 6-12- National Tourism Week

Cynthia Sutton spoke about projects at Los Adaes including the Cane River National Heritage Area’s application for funding to improve the walking trail and put up signage. They’ve also contracted with a company to clean up the site so visitors can see more of the landscape that’s currently hidden.

APHN will hold its annual Melrose Arts&Crafts Festival April 21-22. They are also working to finish masonry work on the African House this month.

Edd Lee gave an update on the continued renovations on the downtown riverbank. Pavers are being installed around the stage for an enlarged dancing area. The new bathrooms should be finished in time for the Jazz Fest. The next step will be the installation of two docks on the south end near the restrooms for boats.

 

 

 

 

Natchitoches Lions Club members worked steadily on an assembly line boxing around 600 fish fry lunches Feb. 16. Residents stood in line to get a taste of the delicious fried catfish. The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center baked the cookies for dessert. The club donated some of the lunches to local first responders.

 

 

Mike Howard, Retail Marketing Rep with Lott Oil, made a $500 donation to St. Mary’s Math and Science Department on behalf of 3 J’s 4Way Store on Feb. 9.

This is part of the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance Program. Exxon Mobile has a long history of supporting educational programs that focus on improvements in math and science from pre-school to higher education.

John Abraham, owner of 3J’s 4 Way, Mike Howard and Michael Lott are shown with 4th grade science teacher Laura Hogg. Mrs. Hogg’s class was in the hallway testing Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion when the check was given!

 

 

St. Mary’s had 70 students participate in FBLA’s District Conference at Northwestern State University Feb. 9.

Pictured above, in no particular order, are: Abby Williams, Abigail Wheat, Lexi Brossett, Faith Maxey, Ashton Behrendsen, Bailey McConnell, Brady Poche, Britney Turner, Brock Zeagler, Carissa Kautz, Caroline Bishop, Caroline Stokes, Chloe Cremeans, Chloe Longlois, Claire Guillet, David Thibodaux, Dylan Bennett, Emily Maggio, Erica Hubbs, Tate Nelson, George Ingrish, Graysen Bates, Hailey Seaman, Hannah Deranger, Izzy Peluso, Jack Wright, Jay Parker, Jensen Parker, Jessi Lucky, Aaron Howell, Katelyn Yopp, Kelsie Ward, Laura Aviles, Lauren Vienne, Maci Messenger, Macy Vascocu, Madeline Godfrey, Madison Lester, Maggie Gilmore, Makenzie Methvin, Maggie Wheat, Maria Bienvenu, Mary Grace Long, Mary Anna Scruggs, Matthew Nelson, Matthew Thibodaux, Meredith Matt, Michael Guillet, Noah Heard, Olivia Miller, Bailey Shelton, Peyton Green, Ragan Hale, Renea Cunningham, Ryan Sampite, Sara Loach, Katie Aldredge, Sarah Aviles, Sarah Gilmore, Sarah Stamey, Sean Grappe, Kale Eversull, Stephen Mayeux, Stephen Wheat, Thomas Howell, Walker Jackson, Wes Manuel, William Broadway, Zac White and Zoe Brock.

 

Six students received 1st place plaques and will advance to State Competition in Lafayette in March:
Jay Parker – Mr. FBLA and Current Events
Lexi Brossett – Computer Problem Solving
Zac White – Current Events
Matthew Thibodaux – Current Events
Jack Wright – Computer Applications
George Ingrish – Organizational Leadership

The following students received Superior Rating and will advance to compete in State FBLA in Lafayette in March: Renea Cunningham, Britney Turner, Thomas Howell, Makenzie Methvin, Caroline Stokes, Dylan Bennett, Brady Poche, Katie Aldredge, George Ingrish, Matthew Nelson, Laura Aviles, Hannah Deranger, Aaron Howell, William Broadway, Mary Grace Long, Michael Guillet, Noah Heard, Maggie Wheat, Jensen Parker, Maggie Gilmore, Madison Lester, Madeline Godfrey, Katelyn Yopp, Walker Jackson, Sarah Stamey, Stephen Wheat, Ryan Sampite, Claire Guillet, Sara Loach, Hailey Seaman, Caroline Stokes, Ashton Behrendsen, Sarah Aviles, Wes Manuel, Jeremy Friedel and David Thibodaux.

Students receiving Excellent rating include: Matthew Nelson, Ragan Hale, Emily Maggio, Bailey McConnell, Bailey Shelton, Lauren Vienne, Peyton Green, Zac White, Carissa Kautz, Caroline Bishop, Stephen Mayeux, Abigail Wheat, Makenzie Methvin, Sarah Gilmore, Erica Hubbs, Olivia Miller, Tate Nelson, Chloe Cremeans, Zoe Brock, Abby Williams, Graysen Bates, Sarah Stamey, Sean Grappe, Izzy Peluso and Meredith Matt.

 

 

Northwestern State University’s Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies will host “Vive le Cinéma: Tournées French and Francophone Film Festival” with screenings to run Feb. 21 through March 28 that will feature the best contemporary French and francophone films. Films will be shown in French with English subtitles in Room 206 of the new Creative and Performing Arts Building. Admission is free and open to the public and donations are welcome.

The Tournées Film Festival is made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the U.S., the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée (CNC), the French American Cultural Fund, Florence Gould Foundation and Highbrow Entertainment. Tournées Film Festival is a program of the FACE Foundation, in partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, which aims to bring French cinema to American college and university campuses.

“The Tournées program provides all grant honorees with a catalogue of over 80 films to choose from,” said Allison Rittmayer, assistant professor of English and film. She and two other faculty members, Dr. Ben Forkner and Christine Ferrell, went through the list separately and watched the trailers, then met together and came up with a long list on which they voted until they had six films.

“Surprisingly a lot of our students have had exposure to foreign films because they’ve grown up watching Anime, and now Netflix and other streaming platforms have given them access to more films around the world,” Rittmayer said. “In my classes, the majority of the films I assign are from other countries. After the screenings we have informal discussions, and in our classes, Dr. Forkner, Mrs. Ferrell and I will discuss the films.”

Students do not need to do any prep work or research before watching the films, but can watch the trailers or read more about them online. Rittmayer said last year’s Spanish Film Festival at NSU was a success and they hope to continue to expanding programs and seeking support from the community.

“The goal of cultural studies is to examine how popular culture intersects with systems of power,” Rittmayer said. “Programs like the Tournées Film Festival allow us to show our students current films that they might not have encountered otherwise, so we can discuss the dynamics of international film production and distribution. Beyond that, these films expose our students to social and historical issues in other countries that students might not have been aware of, and can open up discussions of representation and how certain stories get told.”

For more information, a full schedule of screenings and trailers for each film, visit https://arittmayer.com/events/. Rittmayer can also be reached at rittmayera@nsula.edu.

 

Briarwood Nature Preserve held a Novella “Nora” Patterson remembrance event on Feb. 10. The event was attended by descendants of Nora and their families.

Nora Patterson assisted Caroline Dormon and her sister Virginia Dormon in working the gardens at Briarwood. This tradition continues today with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter who assist the current caretaker of the preserve in much the same way that Miss Nora assisted Miss Carrie.

The plaque was purchased by members of the Johnson family who grew up in the area and worked at Briarwood. Richard Johnson, the first curator of Briarwood recalled many times coming to Briarwood as a child and spoke with great fondness about Nora.

At the time of Nora’s death in 1992, a Bald Cypress was planted in her memory. The plaque was placed at the base of that tree and unveiled for Nora’s decedents on Saturday.

 

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Nelwyn Boydstun Poole
April 3, 1931 – February 15, 2018
Visitation: Monday, Feb. 19 from 9-11 am at the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches
Service: Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 am in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches

Bobbie Fay Bailey Stephens
May 16, 1931 – February 13, 2018
Service : Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Oak Grove Methodist Cemetery
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Rev. Lee A. LaCaze
February 14, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Joseph Brown
February 12, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Ameail “Little Son” Washington Sr.
February 12, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 pm at the St. Savior Baptist Church on Cane River
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8 am – 12 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral
Interment: St. Savior Baptist Church Cemetery

Helen Walters
February 28, 1927 – February 6, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 pm in the Chapel at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral home in Natchitoches

Lodie Marie Hamilton
February 6, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8-11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 am at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Mount Olive Cemetery

DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka
February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium

SABINE PARISH:

Judy Davis
January 14, 1946 – February 15, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Union Springs Cemetery