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

 

 

 

Students at St. Mary’s received certificates from the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club recognizing them for their character development, self-esteem and perseverance. On front row from left are Wren, Paisley-Rae Tilley, Landri Ezernack, Andrew Fontenot, and Jake Cain. On back row are Principal Andrea Harrell, Lila Lewis, Grace Wren, Ella Guillet, Katelyn Smith, and Kiwanians Carrie Beth Hough and Brandy Tilley. Not pictured is Sophia Hogg.

 

Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents, Natchitoches Police Department Officers, and Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office Deputies arrested two suspects in connection to a drug related investigation.

According to a Task Force Official, Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force agents received a complaint Feb. 10 from a concerned citizen in reference to receiving a strange text message from an unknown number. Task Force Agents were shown the text message and observed that it appeared that the person sending the text message was attempting to distribute narcotics. Agents conducted an investigation into the source of the phone number and were able to identify the owner.

Agents conducted an undercover operation Feb. 14, which resulted in undercover agents meeting with the suspected drug dealer who was in a vehicle at a location in the City of Natchitoches. Agents observed that the vehicle was being driven by a Larry Pye and the front passenger was a Christa Daniels. As agents approached the occupants of the vehicle the driver fled in the vehicle. Officers with the Natchitoches Police Department’s Traffic & Patrol Division immediately located the fleeing vehicle and pursued it. During the pursuit Task Force Agents and NPD Officers observed Daniels discarding items out of the front passenger window. The discarded items were immediately recovered by Task Force Agents and identified as two clear cellophane bags containing suspected crystal Methamphetamine. The approximate weight of the two bags was 1.2 ounces (or 35 grams) having a street value of $3,500.

After a brief pursuit units were able to subdue the occupants of the fleeing vehicle in the Dixie Plaza Shopping Center parking lot without incident.

As a result of the investigation the below suspects were arrested on the following charges:

Christa Daniels B/F/33

Possession of CDS Schedule II with Intent to Distribute (Methamphetamine) – 2 Counts
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Schedule II (Methamphetamine) – 2 Counts
Obstruction of Justice – 2 Counts
Possession of a CDS in Presence of Person’s under 18 year of age – 1 Count

Larry Pye B/M/42

Flight from an Officer
The Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force would like to thank the Citizens of Natchitoches for their support. Many times an investigation begins with a simple phone call or tip from a concerned citizen. For this reason the Task Force encourages all citizens to report any crimes in their neighborhoods anonymously by calling 318-357-2248, The Natchitoches Police Department, or the Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office.

 

Community Development Works, a program of The Rapides Foundation, is offering free, skill-building trainings for Cenla residents and nonprofits. Workshops and webinars begin in March and include a variety of topics including grant writing, budgeting, fund development and marketing.

All workshops and webinars are available free of charge. Webinars can be accessed from most devices using the GoToWebinar app. Workshops take place at The Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth St., Alexandria. Register at http://www.communitydevelopmentworks.org.

The trainings are geared toward nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers, and for people interested in starting a nonprofit. Spring trainings are presented within four topic areas: the Start-up Series for Nonprofits, the Grant Writing Series, the Marketing Series, and the Financial Management Series, which is presented in partnership with Nonprofit Finance Fund®, a leading community development financial institution.

Participants are not required to attend all of the workshops in a series. Individuals can customize their learning by choosing the workshops that interest them.

Workshops and webinars include:

Start-up Series for Nonprofits training courses: To Be or Not To Be a 501(c)(3); Introduction to Finding Funders; Budget Basics & Cash Flow Management.

Grant Writing Series training courses: 10 Steps to Grant Writing Success; Federal Grant Writing for Nonprofits; Calculating Unit Cost for Your Program.

Marketing Series training courses: Creating a Marketing and Promotion Plan; Using Social Media for Causes.

Financial Management Series webinar courses: Strategic Budgeting; Dashboard Development; Telling Your Financial Story.

To register or for details about the training offerings, call Community Development Works at 318-443-7880, toll-free at 800-803-8075, or visit http://www.communitydevelopmentworks.org and click on “Attend Training.”

 

02-14-18 CDW Spring Training Calendar

 

Our dog pack was down to two. The big labs have gone on to Labrador retriever glory. The two remaining dogs are both rescues. Dora and her siblings were found on the side of the road outside Martin, Louisiana. Great vet work and stubbornness kept Dora alive and now she is fat and sassy. Her three brothers all found good homes. Katie, our black lab was bottle fed from two weeks old and no duck hunter wanted her.

Last Friday I headed off to Gibsland for a little sermon work and relaxation. I usually go straight to the house and start my work. That day I decided to run by the Gibsland Bank and see my bride first. I don’t know why I decided to break my habit.

In the parking lot of the Bank was an older puppy. He was skin over bones. He was licking the pavement of the parking lot. The dog was so emaciated that his abdomen was smaller than his neck. I called him. Most strays are skittish and will run from humans. This dog walked right over and let me pet him. I said, “Come on dog; let’s get you something to eat.”

We walked up the street to the camp. He followed behind me all the way. I sat on the step under the carport while he ate and drank water. While he was doing that, I performed a tickectomy. When he finished eating he placed his head in my lap. I was very gently petting him. I could count all the vertebrae in his back. I discovered that dogs have some ribs and bones I never knew about. I was mad and sad for this poor dog.

I walked back down to the bank to get my abandoned truck and to check in with my bride. The dog followed me back to the bank. I asked my bride to come outside and see what I had found. She walked out and made the same sad noise I did. She petted the dog and said, “I’ve been thinking our next dog should be another rescue.” Complication, thy name is dog!

The dog and I rode back to the house. I let him in and we walked around the inside. The doggy blanket was still on the sofa from last weekend’s adventure. Guess where he went first? He curled up on the doggy blanket and went to sleep. When he woke up, I showed him the doggy door and we had a discussion about going outside. He was baffled by the doggy door but proceeded outside to do his outside business.

My bride finished work, came home and found me and the dog sitting on the sofa. We had that tough conversation, “What are going to do with this dog?” He was obviously lost or discarded. He was comfortable around people. He was still a puppy although an older puppy. As with any tough conversation we decided to talk it over while we ate. We left to meet friends in Arcadia for dinner. I put the dog on the carport. The carport is enclosed on three sides. The dog could stay there or continue his roaming stray status and get me out of this decision bind.

When we returned home the dog was curled up by the back door.

We took him inside for a proper doggy repast. We showed him the doggy door again. At bedtime, we decided to put the dog back out on the carport and in the light of day we would decide what we would do with the dog.

The dog was outside on the carport. He can’t get in the backyard. He can’t get in the house. He can only stay under the carport or wander off. I prayed that night that the Lord would give me some dog clarity.

About three in the morning my bride woke me up and said, “I thought you put the dog on the carport.”

“I did.”

She told me to look on the floor at the foot of the bed. There he was curled up sleeping soundly. How did the dog get into the backyard to gain access to the doggy door? It turns out this emaciated puppy chewed through a couple of cedar fence boards. He was not staying on the carport and he was not leaving!

His name is Lucky.

He’s been to the vet and is on his way to full doggy status in our pack. He’s met his two dog mates. His rituals are already amusing. He has discovered the Natchitoches backyard and the bigger doggy door. We have been adopted.

I never go to the bank first. It was lucky I stopped at the Bank. It was lucky I had dog food for the other dogs at the camp. It was lucky that we installed a doggy door when we remodeled. It was lucky that we found him on a weekend where we could give him care. It was lucky that Lucky was rescued by crazy dog lovers.

I thank God that He rescues strays. Perhaps that explains my fondness for them. I am one.

The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office released the following document showing its call statistics for the year 2017 in comparison to 2016.

SEE DOCUMENT BELOW

 

 

 

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):
Darrius Warren, 312 Hedges St, Natch, La – One or No Tail Lights
Laquietta Miller, 500 North St Apt D-2, Natch, La – Exp MVI, No DL
Jonathan Carter, 325 TJoe St, Natch, La – Driving Left of Center
Tyra Hicks, 500 Lakeview Dr Apt 519, Natch, La – Follow too Close
Bernard Miles, 1430 Washington St, Natch, La – Exp DL
Aviante Alexander, 400 Lakeview Dr Apt 4120, Natch, La – Exp MVI
David Hardwell, 618 Jackson Dr, Natch, La – DUS
Jarvis Lacey, 170 Beverly Rise, Natch, La – SPOM
Janson Lillie, 1440 Hill Ave, Natch, La – LM
Kendall Owens, 470 Dixie St, Natch, La – TBS
Brittany Smith, 115 Carolina Ave, Natch, La – NCR
Ashley White, 736 6th St, Natch, La – TBS
Ladarius Jackson, 500 Lakeview Dr #536, Natch, La – No DL
Kennedy Blackman, 1120 Magnolia St, Natch, La – Simple Assault
Quiana Dupree, 227 Rowena St, Natch, La – No DL
Quinston Ficklin, 519 Rowena St, Natch, La – SPOM
Petula Lacour, 515 Fairgrounds Rd Lot 46, Natch, La – TBS
Jeroy Newton, 702 Brahma Dr, Natch, La – LM
Joni Prewitt, 2045 Hwy 117, Provencal, La – Exp MVI
Thomasina Rachal, 119 Pecan Cout, Natch, La – No DL

Trial (T):
Shecola Matthews, 1555 Grace Ave, Natch, La – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Sharnda Lewis, 1609 Meadows, Natch, La – TBS
Laquinton Eckles, 611 Norris St, Mansfield, La – SPOM, Resisting an Officer
Brittany Johnson, 119 South Bend Dr, Natch, La – Remaining on Premises
Dylan Sowell, 117 Hwy 763, Mansfield, La – Underage DUI
Dominique Moses, 500 North St Apt J-1, Natch, La – TBS
Julius Vaughn, 6311 Harcourt Dr, Houston, TX – DWI, Improper Lane Usage, Unlicensed Driver

 

The Xavier University of Louisiana Concert Choir was guest choir for the Sunday Mass Feb. 4 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Brevelle. Welcoming the choir was Reverend Charles Ray and Sr. Elizabeth Ann Holmes, SSF, musical director at St. Augustine Church. Facilitating the guest choir’s guest appearance was our parishioner Wilfred Delphin, D.M.A who served as accompanying pianist at the mass.

Directed by John E. Ware, D.M.A., the choir began with a musical prelude “God so Loved the World,” composer John Stainer; “Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name,” Brazel Dennard; and “Ave Maria,” Franz Biebl. Selection for the Offertory was “Jesu! Dulcis Memoria” from Three Short Anthems by Richard Shephard. The Communion song was “Ave Verum Corpus,” Luigi Zanninelli; and for Meditation “Mary Had a Baby,” arr. Roland Carter.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Colbert

 

 

The President of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce spoke to the Rotary Club of Natchitoches at its meeting Feb. 13. She is thrilled and excited to join the Natchitoches community and looks forward to working with community groups, promoting the mission of the Chamber, and helping plan events that promote Natchitoches and the surrounding areas.

Pictured from left to right are Rotarian with the Program Bob Gillan, Chamber President, and Rotarian Josh Axsom (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

 

By Sid Hall, NSU Military Affairs Coordinator / ROTC Program Manager

Imagine telling your mother that, at age 17, you had decided to leave high school with a handful of friends and cousins to join the Army and head off to war.

Allen Solomon, now age 91, did just that in 1944.

It was not long after when Allen, now a young private, found himself leaning across the railing of a Navy ship, seasick and headed to the Philippines. The Battle of Mindanao was fought from March to August 1945, and it was here that the young private’s military career ended with a single gunshot wound in his right hand. He and other members of his unit were low crawling to an L-shaped, 8-foot deep, Japanese-manned trench. Bullets strafed the ground in front of him and threw dirt in his eyes. He took his hand off his weapon to clear his eyes. The second it returned to the rifle, a bullet pierced his hand and exited through his wrist. Mr. Solomon still recalls the sound of anti-aircraft gunfire surrounding his medivac flight off the island.

Solomon was recognized during the Feb. 14 basketball game at Northwestern State, continuing the tradition of recognizing military veterans during athletic events.

Always a cowboy at heart, Solomon returned to Louisiana and to building the Red River Ranch. Eventually, his farmland spread from the Red River to the Cane River. He still tends cattle in the hundreds along with his family, who has always stayed close by. Although the numerous surgeries saved his hand, it never fully recovered. He simply “learned to do without it, and that included bronc and bull riding and even a little calf roping,” he grinned.

Solomon’s daughter, Kathleen, now keeps her father’s World War II jacket along with his Purple Heart at her home on the ranch. They are much too precious to her and her siblings to be tucked away in a closet and forgotten.

 

 

Students at Northwestern State University are reviving its chapter of Alpha Beta Alpha, a national library science society that was established at NSU in 1950 by Eugene P. Watson for whom the university library is named.

As of this semester, Alpha Chapter of Alpha Beta Alpha is a registered student organization (RSO) and organizers are discussing ideas about the modern library’s role in information literacy. New members have met to brainstorm ways they can educate their peers about resources at the library, combat library phobia and engage in relevant service projects.

Alpha Beta Alpha was the first co-educational library science fraternity created in the United States with the mission of supporting undergraduates majoring in library science. In 1952 the first Alpha Beta Alpha national convention was held at Northwestern State and the organization grew to 29 chapters throughout the U.S. through the 1970s. The only other active chapter remaining is Rho Chapter at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

“The purpose of Alpha Beta Alpha is to spread information about library science in general and act as a sort of library club,” said Jean McQuilling of Berwick, acting president. McQuilling, a student worker at the library, wanted to start an organization and discovered the fraternity’s history. “I reached out to the other chapter remaining open and decided, with the help of our advisor, to revive the club.”

Caitlin Griffin of Denham Springs is acting vice president and sponsors are Debbie Huntington, head of Collection Development and Catalogues; Dr. Patricia Brown, Information Literacy Instruction Librarian; and Anna MacDonald, librarian at NSU’s Leesville branch.

Although the digital age has transformed how information is accessed, the mission of the modern library remains as a resource to enhance learning and ensure access to information to all, according to the American Library Association. Modern libraries are part of a complex informational infrastructure that have flexible spaces and furniture for individual or group study, lots of charging stations for personal electronic devices and programming relevant to users.

One new concept in library science is that of a human library collection, one that replaces books with people to discuss current issues or concerns. Library users can “check out” an individual for a specified time and have a conversation on that person’s experience with specific topics. For example, a history student could have a one-on-one conversation with a war veteran or a psychology student with someone affected by autism.

A concern for the librarians at Watson is that although students are proficient in utilizing computers for recreational use, they may not know how to access appropriate information for academic research or who to ask for help. Alpha Beta Alpha members hope to bridge that gap and break down silos between departments on campus.

“We are redirecting the library to concentrate on the world we live in today,” Huntington said.

Eugene P. Watson, Alpha Beta Alpha founder, was head librarian and professor of library science at Northwestern State from 1940 until his death in 1964. A Natchitoches native, he sought to gain a greater academic recognition of librarians. The Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library is located at 913 University Parkway, Natchitoches, and is home to the Academic Success Center, University Archives, the Cammie G. Henry Research Center and Café DeMon.

Online registration forms are available for faculty who want to bring classes to the library for research instruction (https://goo.gl/forms/p1aAUU5hEuB5GdMj2) and students who would like one-on-one assistance (https://goo.gl/forms/AawbsYXSfTXzQkH42). Tutorials for basic instruction are available at http://libguides.nsula.edu/learningthelibrary/home.

Hours and other general information on NSU Libraries is available at library.nsula.edu.

 

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

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

Jeanette Doles Webb
October 7, 1952 – February 9, 2018
Visitation: Friday, Feb. 18 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

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

Karen Patterson Vivas Davis
December 29, 1948 – February 12, 2018
Visitation: Friday, Feb. 16 from 12-2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 pm in the Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Montgomery Cemetery in Montgomery

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

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:

David Wayne Mitchell
November 16, 1966 – February 12, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 12-2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Thursday, Feb. 15 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Ft. Jesup Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:

Dorothy Bradford Burnum
September 7, 1920 – February 10, 2018
Service: Thursday, Feb. 15 at 1:30 pm in Mt. Olivet Cemetery

JoAnn Monk Langston
June 5, 1943 – February 10, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5-9 pm and Friday, Feb. 16 from 1-3 pm at Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball
Service: Friday, Feb. 16 at 3 pm at Kingsville Baptist Church
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens

Carolyn Gaye Armand Verzwyvelt
March 3, 1929 – February 10, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 9-11 am at John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Feb. 15 at 11:30 am in Alexandria Memorial Gardens
WINN PARISH:

Dorothy Durbin Caskey
July 2, 1930 – February 13, 2018
Visitation: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 5-8 pm at Southern Funeral Home and Friday, Feb. 16 from 10-11 am at Gloryway Church near Dodson
Service: Friday, Feb. 16 at 11 am at Gloryway Church
Interment: Gloryway Cemetery near Dodson
RED RIVER PARISH:

 

By Reba Phelps

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be filled with love, roses, chocolates, romantic dinners, and larger than life gestures to make up for a year’s worth of possible wrongs or minor neglects. UNLESS…you’re going through the throws of a divorce.

Divorce after 22 years of marriage, two amazingly resilient and beautiful daughters, and one questionable Jack Russell Terrier is enough to make even the purest of hearts a little faint.

Having barely made it through the first round of holidays since the separation with the help of good friends, lots of bible study, a few bottles of wine, and more tears than I care to admit I’d completely forgotten about the beast named “Valentine’s Day.” During a conversation with a friend I admitted that I hated the holiday.

As soon as the words left my mouth I questioned why I’d blame this innocent holiday for my present situation or even have ill will towards anyone enjoying the most needless day of the February calendar. My friend reminded me that maybe I just haven’t had a good experience on Valentine’s Day.

With the sharp memory of any woman scorned I scoured the past 22 years of Valentine’s Days. There were good, bad and funny memories, like the year we bought each other the same greeting card.

I didn’t want to live the rest of my adult life with hate in my heart for this holiday, so I went on a one woman mission to have a positive experience for Valentine’s Day. Should I send flowers to myself or buy myself an expensive purse I can ill afford with one daughter in college and another who spends all of our earthly treasures buying slime making supplies? Do I buy my own card and tell myself how special I am? I couldn’t begin to imagine any of these ideas garnering the miraculous results I was looking for.

Thinking outside the box I decided to put others before myself and see how “the other side” enjoys this holiday. In my mind “the other side” is the happily married, soon to be married, or the blissfully dating (blissfully unaware stage).

I offered to help my friend Nicole Ezernack, owner of Nicole’s Creative Flowers, during this “Super Bowl” of floral events.

We made several deliveries through the parish. Each recipient was ecstatic to receive a delivery, but there was one that completely stole my heart.

I arrived at a local nursing home and announced the name for my delivery. The receptionist’s face lit up with excitement, so I assumed she was the lucky lady. However, she sent me down the hall to deliver the goodies. Excitement was building with each step I took.

When I reached the right room and announced the lady’s name she threw her bed covers back, sat straight up in bed and said, “Who are these from? I don’t have my glasses, read it for me!”

I’m not sure who was more excited. Me or her? Fumbling around I opened her card and read a loving message from her son. Tears filled her eyes as she proclaimed, “That’s my son, he loves his mom very much.”

I could feel the pure joy and love she had for her son and I couldn’t control my pwn tears.

While there was a lot of whining and complaining on my part about this holiday I realized that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romantic love. It can be the love shared between parents and children. It can be shared with best friends and coworkers. Valentine’s Day can even be enjoyed while going through the worst life change imaginable.

Hebrews 13:16 also reminds us, “Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” We can never go wrong when we step outside of our own pain and think of others first.