The Rotary Club of Natchitoches Student of the Month was awarded to Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts (LSMSA) Senior Kiara Padilla on March 20. Her family has been stationed at Fort Polk for the past six years. She will attend Northwestern State University (NSU) in the fall majoring in Criminal Justice. Pictured from left are Rotary President David Zolzer, NSU Assistant Director of University Recruiting Ashlee Hewitt, Padilla, LSMSA Coordinator of Enrollment Services Michael Sumner, LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton, NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, and Rotarian Tommy Melder.

Dr. Chris Maggio, President of Northwestern State University (NSU) spoke to the Rotarians about the most recent activities at NSU.

 

Several students were recognized and the late Robert Crew honored during a reception to mark the opening the inaugural New Media Student Showcase at Northwestern State University. The exhibit features the work of students and faculty in the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts, as well as photographs by Crew, a photographer and long-time administrator at Northwestern State.

Student work was juried for awards. Winners were Jasmine Frazier of Lewisville, Texas, first place; Hannah Morris of Haughton, second place, and Racheal Gaude of Ventress, third place. Jaci Jones of New Iberia won best in show.

Crew retired as executive assistant to the president of NSU in 2013. Before his appointment to the administrative position at Northwestern in 1997, Crew held several leadership roles in the Louisiana State Department of Education for 27 years. A Natchitoches native, he earned a bachelor’s degree at NSU in 1965 and a master’s in education in 1968. He was a member of NSU’s Hall of Distinguished Educators and twice received the university’s Nth Degree, which recognized meritorious service to the university and/or the community. Upon his retirement, the School of Creative and Performing Arts named the photography studio in his honor.

Crew passed away Jan. 14. In his memory, the Crew family established the Robert G. Crew Scholarship for students in New Media, Journalism and Communication Arts.

The exhibit, organized by faculty Emily Zering and Ron McBride, is in Gallery II in the new Creative and Performing Arts Building. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

For more information about the Department of New Media, Journalism and Communications Arts, visit nsula.edu/newmedia or email newmedia@nsula.edu.

 

Northwestern State University honored six graduates by inducting them into the University’s alumni hall of distinction, the Long Purple Line. The 2018 inductees are Monty Chicola of Alexandria, Dr. Philip Cole of Shreveport, Linda Day of Baton Rouge, Justice James T. Genovese of Opelousas, the late Col. Randal D. Keator Sr., formerly of Shreveport, and Darryl Willis of Sunnyvale, California. Honorees were honored at a luncheon and induction program Friday in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom.

Since 1990, 125 NSU alumni have been named to the Long Purple Line.

Chicola is president of Real Vision Software based in Alexandria, a company he founded in 1992 after working as a programmer for 12 years. His company’s big break came when IBM saw the advantage of having Real Vision Software’s product along with IBM’s product covering mid-range businesses. They were later expanded to small businesses for IBM in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Central America. The company sells to businesses including banks, insurance companies, service bureaus, hospitals, government agencies, casinos, trucking firms, investment firms, manufacturers and utility companies.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and accounting at NSU in 1980. Chicola was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he served as president. He was a member of NSU gymnastics team and the Northwestern band. Chicola is president of the NSU Alumni Association and was an advisory, non-voting member of the search committee which selected Dr. Chris Maggio to be Northwestern’s president.

Cole graduated from Martin High School in Red River Parish then earned a bachelor’s from Northwestern in chemistry and biology. He went on to earn his M.D. from LSU Medical School in New Orleans. Cole received a master’s of health care management from the Harvard School of Public Health. He did his internship in general surgery residency and a colon and rectal surgical fellowship at LSU Health Science Center. Cole has 36 years of private and academic surgical practice. He is professor of surgery and public health and general surgery program director for LSUHSC and previously served as chief medical officer for Christus Health in Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Cole has served as president, vice president and secretary of the Louisiana chapter of the American College of Surgery.

In his career, Cole has published more than 40 national and international presentations of academic papers and book chapters. He serves as a deacon and member of the board of directors at Broadmoor Baptist Church. Cole was a member of the board of directors for LSU Health Science Center Foundation and chairman of the Investment Committee, the board of directors of Christus Health, Louisiana and the Juvenile Justice Committee for Caddo Parish. He is a Harvard University admissions committee interviewer and is on the LSU Medical School Admissions Committee. Cole has made more than 30 international medical mission trips.

Day served as executive director of the Louisiana Association of Educators for four years. She was a teacher in Caddo Parish. Day served as director of Louisiana Drug Policy and the Office of Drug Policy in the office of Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub. Day served as commissioner to the Education Commission of the States, received the LAE’s Human and Civil Rights Trailblazer Award and was one of 76 delegates from the United States to attend the World Confederation of the Teaching Profession in Stockholm, Sweden. She was elected vice president of the National Council of State Education Associations in 1993.

Day earned her bachelor’s and master’s at NSU. She did additional graduate work at NSU, LSU, Centenary and Southern University.

Genovese has been an associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2017. He was a practicing attorney for 21 years before serving as a judge in the 27th Judicial District from 1995-2004 and a member of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal from 2005-16.

A 1971 graduate of Northwestern State, Genovese has been a panelist, speaker and lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars on recent updates, professionalism, ethics, summary judgment, writs and appeals, practices and procedures of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals and judicial review in the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Genovese served on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Judicial Council Appellate Court Work Point Values Working Group and the Trial Court Committee to Review the Need for Judgeships and as chairman of its Long-Term Subcommittee. He was the Supreme Court’s Appointee to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission. Genovese is a board member of the Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society.

Keator, a highly decorated World War II veteran, earned his degree in 1939. The next year he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and after pilot training was assigned to the Philippines.

On Dec. 8, 1941, Keator and other members of the squadron intercepted Japanese fighter aircraft enroute to the Philippines. In the ensuing battle, he scored the first aerial victory in the battle of the Philippines, a feat which, along with another confirmed and a third probable kill, earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest honor.

Life Magazine chronicled the exploits in its first issue following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the Louisiana Legislature passed a resolution honoring Keator for conspicuous gallantry in action. The next year he experienced a forced landing in the Pacific, a rescue by island natives and a last minute escape from Bataan in the face of advancing Japanese forces.

After the war, he pursued an illustrious career spanning 28 years and four continents. As an engineer in Air Force laboratories, he pioneered numerous systems used in military aircraft. He rose to the rank of colonel, commanding a 200-engineer organization providing support to the operational fleet at the time of his retirement from the military. He passed away in 1981.

Willis is an accomplished global senior executive with exceptional achievements leading businesses in the oil and gas industry. He has a proven track record of delivering growth and improving profitability for enterprises ranging in size from $1B to $5B in the United States, Russia, Asia and Africa. He has earned the reputation as an inspiring leader who develops people and builds high-performing teams. His leadership style, passion and deep knowledge of issues make his talents transferable to companies of various size, in early or mature stage, or reorganizing with new leadership.

He was selected to lead the Deepwater Horizon claims process for BP, became spokesperson for the company and provided expert testimony before Congress and state legislatures in Florida and Louisiana.

Willis was recently appointed vice president of Oil, Gas and Energy at Google. Prior to that, he was president and chief executive officer of BP Angola and senior vice president and deputy head of subsurface for BP. In his distinguished 25-year career, his global technical and management experience includes subsurface, commercial, operations, strategy, safety, ethics and compliance, public affairs, supply chain, drilling, crisis management and technology across North America, United Kingdom, Russia, West Africa and Southeast Asia.

Willis earned a Master of Science in Management from Stanford University with concentrations in Managing Global Businesses and Social Responsibility, a Master of Science in Geology and Geophysics from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Literature from the Louisiana Scholars College at Northwestern State.

Genevieve Almaguer won $455 by playing the Mystery Sound Cash Contest, sponsored by AxsomAir, on 94.9 The River.

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

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

 

Northwestern State University’s chapter of the Louisiana Association of Jazz Educators will hold its first jam session Saturday, March 24 at 1 p.m. at the Alumni Plaza. There is no charge to attend and the public is invited to attend.

LAJE members will play songs including “Impressions,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Blue Monk, “Freddie the Freeloader,” “Take the A Train,” “Blue Bossa,” “Song for My Father,” “Mr. P.C.,” “Four” and “Scrapple from the Apple.”

NSU recently formed a chapter of the Louisiana Association of Jazz Educators. Faculty members Galindo Rodriguez and Dr. Paul Forsyth are faculty sponsors.

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Shirley Daniels
March 22, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Anna White
September 16, 1950 – March 20, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Rosie Young
March 26, 1956 – March 20, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 12 pm at First Baptist Church on North Street
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 10:30 am – 12 pm at First Baptist Church on North Street
Interment: Lawrence Serenity

Joseph Steele
February 9, 1957 – March 17, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Janie Rachal Allen
March 19, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 1-2 pm at the Agape Church, located at 1515 Texas Street in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday March 24 at 2 pm at the Agape Church
Interment: Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery off Hwy 6
SABINE PARISH:

Rickie Westfall
March 9, 1956 – March 22, 2018
Services: Saturday, March 24 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Mt. Carmel Cemetery

Donald Bernard Leone
October 28, 1940 – March 21, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:

Norma Jean Westmoreland James
August 3, 1928 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Sunday, March 25 from 4-8 pm and Monday from 8:30-10 am
Service: Monday, March 26 at 10 am in the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens

Robert “Bob” F. Gray
March 26, 1950 – March 19, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 10 am – 1 pm at Philadelphia Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 1 pm at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive
Interment: Flatwoods Cemetery, under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home

Dorothy “Dot” Chatelain Vanlangendonck
June 12, 1925 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 8:30-9:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10 am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens
RED RIVER PARISH:

Louise W. Thomas
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Starlight Cemetery in Armistead

Gloria Gay
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 2 pm at Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Springville Cemetery in Coushatta

Clytie Washington
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at Old Zion Baptist Church in Grand Cane
Interment: Old Zion Cemetery

Carolyn Elaine Miller
December 30, 1956 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 6-8 pm at the Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Service: Sunday, March 25 at 12:30 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Coulee-Bethel Cemetery

Sara Ann Harrison Garrett
November 3, 1939 – March 21, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church of Coushatta
Interment: Mount Zion Cemetery

Hwy 117; Natchitoches Parish
Bridge No. 1140204611
Control Section 114-02

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that effective immediately the bridge on LA 117 over Relief Slough, located approximately 0.91 miles north of the LA 117/LA 118 intersection, is closed to all traffic. Due to the uncertainty and complexity of the repairs, the length of time required to complete the repairs is undetermined at this time.

Permit/Detour section
Northbound traffic will be detoured to LA 118 West to US 171 North to LA 6 East to LA 117.

Southbound traffic will be detoured to LA 6 West To US 171 South to LA 118 East to LA 117.

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.

 

First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches would like to invite everyone to all of the Holy Week activities to prepare for Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Maundy Thursday, March 29 – Join us in the Sanctuary at 6 pm for a service of Holy Communion.

Good Friday, March 30 – Join us for a unique experience walking through the stations of the cross and a prayer labyrinth. This experience will be available to everyone from 10 am – 6 pm in the gym. There will be a special family time from 10-11:30 am. Come by for a quiet personal experience looking at the seven last words of Christ, walking through the prayer labyrinth, and other activities for adults and children.

Easter Sunday, April 1 – Join us for 1 of our 3 services. 8:30 am service is a traditional service with a choir located in our Sanctuary. Services at 9:30 am and 10:45 am are contemporary with a band playing songs that you would hear on the radio. They are located in Crossroads Worship Center.

For more information go online to http://fumcnla.org/holyweek18/.

First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches is located at 411 Second St. There is a parking lot on the side of the church and also plenty of parking all around the block.

For more information on FUMC go online to http://www.fumcnla.org, call the church office at 318-357-8296, or email info@fumcnla.org.

For many people, good vision means good eye health, but that may not always be the case. Regular eye exams can catch problems before it’s too late. If you are age 40 or older and have not had a recent eye disease screening, The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends making an appointment for an eye exam. Prevention is the key. It is an essential step toward preserving vision and keeping eyes healthy, and there is no better time than right now! (AAO.org)

By 2020, 43 million Americans will be at risk for significant vision loss or blindness from age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration — an increase of more than 50 percent over the current number of Americans with these diseases. Despite the statistics, many Americans are more concerned about weight gain or back pain than they are vision loss. (AAO.org)

The first step in preventing vision loss is to get a baseline eye exam at the age of 40. This is the age when early signs of eye disease and changes in vision may first occur. For individuals at any age with symptoms of, or at risk for, eye disease (such as those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure), the AAO recommends seeing your eye doctor to determine how frequently your eyes should be examined. Based on the results of the initial screening, your eye doctor will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams. (AAO.org)

To schedule your regular eye exam, contact your Natchitoches Hometown Eye Care Team – Louisiana Eye & Laser. Drs. Cheryl Stoker and Brett Bennett along with Drs. Karren Laird Russo and Michael Redmond will be happy to manage your eye care needs. Call 318-352-0444 to see how you can achieve better vision and better eye health.

Louisiana Eye & Laser is located in Natchitoches at the corner of Keyser Avenue and 1055 Parkway Drive (Suite B).

 

Seventeen Northwestern State University students were selected as winners of the Argus Language contest sponsored by Argus, the campus literary magazine. The contest recognized student work that expressed its own language through poetry, fiction, non-fiction, photography and artwork.

First place in poetry was awarded to Allie Atkinson of Berwick for “Cleanse.” Maggie Harris of West Monroe was second for “The Good Walmart Sweater” while Nicholas Jones of Bossier City was third for “Color Me In.”

Casey Alfultis of Zachary, received first in fiction for “The Heart Tailor.” Harris was awarded second for “The Garden of Portraits” with Skylar Guidroz of Port Barre in third for “Procrastination and Imagination” and Ruben E. Smith of Clayton getting honorable mention for “Old New Mexico Blues.”

In non-fiction, Bruce Craft of Baton Rouge won first for “Fifteen Minutes with Freaks for Jesus and the Snake Lady.” Christian Frost of Metairie was second for “Good Old Saint Expedite,” Ashante Knox of Natchitoches was third for “Now You’re Speaking My Language and Craft received honorable mention for “Why My Son Won’t Eat With Me.”

Sean McGraw of LaPlace finished first in photography for “Air Show” with Kailey Wisthoff of Lake Charles earning second for “The Beach is Calling.” Emilee Landry of Slidell was third for “darks and lights” and Alexis Trosclair of NewIberia was the staff pick for “The Sea Speaks.”

In fine arts, Laura Scronce of Maringouin was awarded first for “Winding Road.” Ariel Bailey of Natchitoches won second for “Yin and Yang” and was the staff pick for “Sea Dragon.” Maddie Manuel of Woodworth received third for “The Mighty Kraken.”

The honored works will appear in the 2018 edition of Argus, which will be published later this spring. Katie Rayburn of Pineville is the editor of Argus.

Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival Chairman Rodney Harrington is not short on superlatives when describing the lineup for the 22nd annual event which will be held on April 13-14 on the newly renovated downtown Natchitoches riverbank.

“Quite simply,” Harrington said, “it will be The Greatest Weekend of Music in Natchitoches History.”

The fun begins on Friday, April 13th with the traditional Festival opener the NSU Jazz Orchestra, followed by the Louisiana Swamp Donkeys. Also featured Friday night will be perennial Zyedco/Cajun favorite, Wayne Toups, along with “The World’s Greatest 80’s Tribute Band,” LA ROXX.

Saturday will feature a wide variety of music on four stages located around the downtown riverbank area and will culminate later that evening with performances by the hit-making groups Starship featuring Mickey Thomas and Ohio Players, both performing on the brand new main stage.

Harrington says that while the appearance of these headliners in Natchitoches is amazing, there are so many more reasons to come to the Festival earlier in the day and hear some great music.

“I think the whole town is abuzz with ‘Maggie Mania’,” Harrington said when referring to Nashville Country music star, Maggie Rose, who will be performing on the main stage at 3:35 p.m. “Everywhere I go, people ask me what time Maggie is playing and are so excited to have her in Natchitoches.”

Rose, whose single “Pull You Through” is charting on Country music radio and television, has toured with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Martina McBride, and many others. She has been named by CMT, “One of the Next Women of Country.”

For Aerosmith Fans, Pandora’s Box, dubbed “The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute” will be performing on the main stage just before Maggie Rose comes on. Kicking off the main stage Saturday will be local favorites The Hardrick Rivers Revue, followed by Gregg Martinez and The Delta Kings.

Harrington said that his band, Johnny Earthquake and The Moondogs, are particularly excited to have the legendary Rick Derringer performing with them again, and that a late addition to the lineup makes Derringer’s appearance even more special this year.

“Rick was a huge hit when he played the Festival four or five years ago, so I guess you could say he is back by popular demand.” Harrington continued, “This year also joining us will be Jon Smith, one of Rock & Roll’s greatest and legendary saxophonists.”

Harrington went on to say that Derringer and Smith were bandmates in Edgar Winter’s White Trash band during the late 60’s and early 70’s, and Smith has gone on to an illustrious career performing with such luminaries such as The Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Winter, Toto, and Sarah Vaughn.

Harrington promises that, with over twenty bands performing on four different stages, there will be something to appeal to almost every musical taste. “There will be Rock & Roll, Country, Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, Funk, and, of course, Jazz and R&B,” he said. “In fact, the Beau Jardin Stage features nothing but Jazz all day, so the hardcore Jazz aficionados would never have to leave that spot,”

Natchitoches’ own country music star, Trini Triggs, will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies and will perform at various times during the Festival and as always, local groups including Billy O’Con and Badd Apple, Cane River Soul, and Breaktime for Frances will be spotlighted. Of course, there will be plenty of food and activities for the kids with lots of inflatables.

One new feature at this year’s Festival is the addition of limited reserved seating in the new amphitheater in front of the stage.

“Oh, the reserved seats are going to be fantastic,” according to Harrington. There are just over 500 reserved seats and Harrington says that many of them have been sold leaving just over 200 available for sale. Personal chairs will not be allowed on the riverbank but will be allowed at all outer stages and in a limited area on top of the riverbank.

“If you want to be insured a primo place to sit at the Festival, you better order your reserved tickets today!” Harrington concluded. “There is no doubt they will be sold out before Festival weekend.” Reserved seats can only be purchased online.

For ticket information, a full lineup and more information about the 22nd Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com

I told you about Lucky the dog. He was an emaciated puppy that I met as he was licking chewing gum off the parking lot of the bank in Gibsland. He adopted us by breaking into our house and curling up on the floor at the foot of the bed. We took him to the vet and he has all the shots. He was fixed and now barks in a higher vocal range. He has put on weight and looks healthy.

We forgot!

We forgot what it is like to have a puppy in the house. Our other two dogs are six years old and have mellowed. They sleep, eat, play for a minute and go outside and do their doggy thing.

If only Lucky would follow the script.

He has earned his new last name. He is now Lucky Luciano.

I have a small metal trashcan in which the dog food is stored. This can has minimal clearance under the cabinet. It has a crawfish tray on top acting as a lid. If I used the real lid the handle wouldn’t allow it to fit under the cabinet. On three sides this trash can barely fits under the cabinet.

Lucky has figured out how to grab the handle of the trash can and slide it from under the cabinet. He taps the lid and knocks it on the floor. Depending on his mood he will run outside with this crawfish tray, or he will deposit it in the chair in the den. After he has finished playing with the modified lid, he has a snack. At other times, he will knock the trash can over, so the other dogs can feast along with him.

Lucky must know that I love snow. The other day I came home and Lucky had decorated the den so it would look like snow had fallen. He found the most susceptible pillow and ripped it open and spread the contents around the room. I have attached the picture of this event. You can see Lucky, the snow and the crawfish tray in the chair. He had a busy morning.

Let’s not forget shoes. I have been removing shoes with impunity for years. Sometimes I put them up. Sometimes they stand where I came out of them. Lucky loves shoes. He loves the lining in the bottom of the shoes. He likes the rip them out and chew on them.

He enjoys hiding my shoes. He has even taken a shoe outside to play with it.
He likes to clean my bedside table. He has run off with the TV remote. He grabbed my glasses and ran off with them. My pristine lenses now have dog teeth marks in them. He jumps on tables as a short cut to the other dogs when he is playing. I have become a more judicious house cleaner. Anything on the kitchen cabinet is a candidate to become floor covering. He has this thing about mail. He even chewed up the agenda for the next Parish Council meeting. It gave him indigestion.

The dog is a pest!

Not really, Lucky is a puppy. He is full of energy. He is full of play. He is clumsy and amusing. I don’t know what kind of dog Lucky is, but he is on his way to being one spoiled dog.

We will survive the puppy stage. Lucky will learn NO. He will learn to stay off the furniture. He will learn because the other dogs have learned. He will become well trained and less playful. He will outgrow some of his exuberance. He will become a good dog!

I wonder if the church accidentally takes all the joy out of following Jesus. I wonder if it would be better if we encouraged the playful, joyous stage of following Him. I see too many Jesus followers that appear to be ground down by “doing church.” What if we gave up doing church and became the church? Might that tack return the joy of our salvation? Perhaps our problem is that we say NO too often to those who are very young in the faith. We are too consumed with growing good Christians. What would the world be like if we aimed for joyous, loving, playful Christians?

I wonder!

 

An officer with the Natchitoches Police Department Patrol Division attempted to perform a traffic stop March 19 at 3:20 pm on a blue 1985 Chevrolet Impala on Hwy. 3110 near Hwy. 1 due to a traffic violation. As the officer approached the vehicle, it accelerated and fled northbound on Hwy. 1 (South Drive). The vehicle approached stopped traffic on South Drive and turned onto Saida Street. The vehicle then swerved into a ditch, where the driver, identified as Rynell Jefferson (B/M, 29), fled from the vehicle.

Jefferson was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. A search of the vehicle he abandoned resulted in a recovery of suspected marijuana and a .38 caliber revolver. The handgun showed to have been reported stolen during a vehicle burglary in October 2017.

Jefferson, who is a convicted felon, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of Firearm in the presence of CDS, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of schedule I, second or subsequent offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, speeding, stop sign violation and reckless operation of a vehicle.

Jefferson was placed in Natchitoches Parish Detention Center; his bond is set at $60,250.

The Northwestern State University School of Business demonstrated commitment to its Natchitoches community March 20 by organizing and leading a fundraising drive in support of the on-going efforts of the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness. As part of the management outreach program, the senior project focuses on providing business support to local businesses or organizations. The project team members selected the Coalition on Homelessness and offered the coalition their assistance and support.

“Our students are pleased to partner with the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness and offer their business development and management services to a leader providing meals and shelter to those in need in our community,” said Dr. Marcia Hardy, management course professor and project advisor. “The Coalition Board and students are looking forward to more opportunities and engagement between the two groups.”

Lydia Doucet, a student working with the coalition said, “A little goes a long way, and we are trying to make a difference for the surrounding community of the school we attend.”

The Executive Director for the coalition, Helen Obioha, said, “These young professionals are providing business, marketing and financial planning recommendations and much needed service assistance. This effort directly benefits the mission of our coalition and their contributions will go a long way toward supporting our mission here in the community.

If you are a community business interested in partnering with NSU business students for professional business advice or service assistance, please contact Dr. Marcia Hardy 318-357-6982 or hardym@nsula.edu.

 

The Director of Northwestern State University’s ADVANCE Program for Young Scholars Dr. Chris Heinz and Associate Director Harriette Palmer described the three-week residential summer ADVANCE program for students identified as gifted and/or talented in grades 7 through 11. The program has been in existence for 30 years. Pictured from left are Rotary Club of Natchitoches President David Zolzer, Palmer, and Heinz (photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Anna White
September 16, 1950 – March 20, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Elva Lee Berry Gates
August 7, 1924 – March 19, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 10-11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Friday, March 23 at 11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Marthaville Cemetery in Marthaville

Rosie Young
March 26, 1956 – March 20, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 12 pm at First Baptist Church on North Street
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 10:30 am – 12 pm at First Baptist Church on North Street
Interment: Lawrence Serenity

Joseph Steele
February 9, 1957 – March 17, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Janie Rachal Allen
March 19, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 1-2 pm at the Agape Church, located at 1515 Texas Street in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday March 24 at 2 pm at the Agape Church
Interment: Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery off Hwy 6

Gerard Francis “Sonny” Thomas Jr.
January 20, 1923 – February 10, 2018
Service: Friday, March 23 at 4 pm at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant, located at 127 Church Street in Natchitoches
SABINE PARISH:

Jackie D. Collier
Service: Friday, March 23 at 11 am at Zion Hill No. 2 Church in Negreet
Interment: Negreet Cemetery

Donald Bernard Leone
October 28, 1940 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 beginning at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Zwolle
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:

Robert “Bob” F. Gray
March 26, 1950 – March 19, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 4-8 pm and Saturday, March 24 from 10 am – 1 pm at Philadelphia Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 1 pm at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive
Interment: Flatwoods Cemetery, under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home

Dorothy “Dot” Chatelain Vanlangendonck
June 12, 1925 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 5-9 pm and Saturday, March 24 from 8:30-9:30 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10 am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens
WINN PARISH:

Velma R Ainsworth
October 1, 1933 – March 19, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home in Jena
Service: Friday, March 23 at 2 pm in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home

Robin Slack
December 29, 1976 – March 19, 2018
Arrangements TBA
RED RIVER PARISH:

Louise W. Thomas
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 6-8 pm at Freedom Worship Center in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Starlight Cemetery in Armistead

Gloria Gay
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 1-6 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 2 pm at Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Springville Cemetery in Coushatta

Clytie Washington
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 6-7 pm at Old Zion Baptist Church in Grand Cane
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at Old Zion Baptist Church in Grand Cane
Interment: Old Zion Cemetery

Larry Donavan
Service: Friday, March 23 at 11 am at Zion Hill No. 2 Church Cemetery in Mansfield

Carolyn Elaine Miller
December 30, 1956 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 24 from 6-8 pm at the Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Service: Sunday, March 25 at 12:30 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Coulee-Bethel Cemetery

Sara Ann Harrison Garrett
November 3, 1939 – March 21, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 23 from 5-7 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, March 24 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church of Coushatta
Interment: Mount Zion Cemetery

 

Billy John Burns continues to support his alma mater, Northwestern State University, most recently through a planned gift that will be added to the scholarship he created for graduates of Anacoco High School. His contribution continues to support two schools that he loves: Anacoco High School and Northwestern State.

“Mr. Burns donated an insurance policy that will be put into his scholarship at the time of his death,” said NSU Development Officer Jill Bankston, CFRE.

Burns established the Billy John and Judith Burns Scholarship in memory of his late wife in 2011 and has contributed to it over the years. It is annually awarded to an Anacoco High School graduate who plans to attend NSU. During the 2013 50-plus reunion, he said he owes a debt to both AHS and NSU that he cannot pay, that he loves both schools and wants to be a part of their success for years to come.

“The money I place in the scholarship is an investment in human beings and will return positive results forever,” he said. “I want to encourage each of my fellow NSU graduates to consider establishing a scholarship fund.”

“Mr. Burns continues to be a model of service and generosity to NSU and to students from Vernon Parish,” Bankston said.

Burns, who lives in Bossier City, earned a B.A. in education at NSU in 1954, M.A. in 1958 and plus 30 in 1966. Born and reared in Anacoco, he taught at Anacoco High School for 31 years working at various times as a social studies teacher, librarian, assistant principal, principal, girls basketball coach and co-sponsor of the yearbook. He retired for one year and moved to Shreveport, where he taught for 14 years at Calvary Baptist Academy and served as principal from 1990-2000. Events from his life and career are detailed in an autobiography, “One Last Stroll Down Memory Lane,” completed in 2007.

Burns overcame tremendous physical challenges as a child and attended Northwestern on a rehabilitation scholarship.

Until recent years, Burns often visited NSU and enjoyed strolling around campus snapping pictures. The last time he was able to visit Natchitoches was last year when he celebrated his 86th birthday by contributing $5,000 to his scholarship. His daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Tommy Robinson, joined him for the presentation.

Burns said the ideal candidate for the NSU scholarship would be someone with a financial need and a strong interest in attending Northwestern and a person with demonstrated academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities and good character.

“Ninety-five percent of my life is behind me and in my last few years I am interested in helping others because when I was at Northwestern so many people helped me,” Burns said.

The ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority volunteered with Keep Natchitoches Beautiful for a cleanup at City Park March 17. Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority incorporated the cleanup into their annual Sisterhood Retreat. Sorority members enjoyed bonding as well as making a difference in the Natchitoches community.

For more information on how your organization can help make a difference by participating in a community cleanup please contact Keep Natchitoches Beautiful at 318-352-2746.

The Natchitoches Central High School Band has been busy with events for the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA). LMEA is the governing body of statewide music events and teachers in public schools, which includes the All-State process, marching assessments, honor ensembles, solo and ensemble contests, and ensemble assessments. LMEA is divided into nine districts. Natchitoches is located within LMEA District II, which includes Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, and Winn Parishes.

The NCHS band participated in the LMEA District II Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, March 3rd at Alexandria Senior High School. Two soloists and four ensembles competed in this festival. Two of the ensembles received Superior ratings while the other two ensembles and soloists received Excellent ratings. “These students went above and beyond to work on these solos and small ensembles on their own time,” says Aleisa Hudlow, NCHS Band Director. “I did not require them to participate in this event this year, but they chose to go above and beyond to prepare and perform for this contest, which has benefited our band program as a whole with their elevated level of musicianship.”

On Tuesday, March 13, the NCHS Concert Band participated in the LMEA District II Large Ensemble Assessment. Large Ensemble Assessment is to music what testing is for academics: it uses other music educators to assess the achievement level of a music program in both prepared concert literature and sight reading skills. This was the first time in over a decade that the NCHS Concert Band has attended Large Ensemble Assessment, and the band earned Excellent ratings from all judges in both the concert and sight reading portions of the assessment. “I am so proud of all of the hard work that these students have put forth to achieve this level of performance,” says Hudlow. “It’s one thing to prepare for a concert, but it takes an additional level of focus, dedication, and musicality to be successful at Assessment. These students have earned this honor, and I am proud to serve as their director. I am also blessed with amazing support from my fellow NCHS faculty members, administration, and district.”

The NCHS Band Director is Aleisa Hudlow, and this is her first year at NCHS. She is in her eleventh year of teaching and has taught in Texas, at Northshore High School in Slidell, Pineville High School, and began the band program at Marthaville Junior High School last year. Mrs. Hudlow is also grateful for the support and additional instruction she has received from NCHS staff and NSU music student volunteers: Kesley Wright, Talent Instructor for Natchitoches Parish Schools; Andrew Benjamin, teacher at NCHS; and Lane Clevenger, Jake English, Blayne Fugere, Cameron Mayfield, and Addison Pellegrino, NSU music student volunteers.

Band Director: Aleisa Hudlow
Talented Music Instructor: Kelsey Wright
Additional Instructors: Andrew Benjamin (NCHS Teacher); Lane Clevenger, Jake English, Blayne, Fugier, Cameron Mayfield, Addison Pellegrino (NSU music students)

 

Pub Crawlers took over Front Street and the Downtown Riverbank March 17 as the Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP) hosted its St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. This year saw a rise in participants as 400 people walked the length of Front Street, stopping at a series of businesses to draw a card for the event’s poker run.

Flow Tribe brought the party to the newly renovated riverbank for an energetic concert that that got everyone moving their feet.

College rowing teams are flocking back to Cane River Lake this spring to practice in pristine conditions with championship season just around the corner.

Teams from nine different schools, including household athletics names like LSU, Alabama, Texas and Georgia put their paddles in the water in March.

Northwestern State rowing coach Jason Stelly said steady water levels are bringing teams back to Natchitoches, a nod to the days when scores of rowing teams would dot the 35-mile oxbow lake that used to be a stretch of the Red River.

“We have been very lucky to have great water conditions for rowing,” Stelly said. “The river is beginning to get a reputation again.

“Inconsistent water levels caused teams to hesitate in the past, but now the water levels are more stable and the riverbank construction project is complete.”

A water pump project that directs water from Hampton Lake into Bayou Possiant, which flows into Cane River Lake, is complete. The project has helped to stabilize water levels.

Pair that with calm water in an affordable location, and Cane River Lake is a destination for rowing teams to perfect their craft.

“Cane River Lake is a natural haven for rowing teams, especially for spring break,” Stelly said. “Teams can build up their speed and focus on rowing technique in the calm water.

“It’s a great setup because the city is willing to work with these teams. They don’t charge fees for using the river, and they can get deals on food and hotels, so it’s affordable.”

Texas coach Peter Rosberg called Cane River Lake a “hidden gem of a training center.”

“I love it because you can go so long in one direction,” Rosberg said. “There’s so many miles, and you’re protected from the wind.

“I also love the setting with houses on the bank. Everybody is really friendly on the river and will wave at you. It’s really special. For the money we spend, it’s best deal I’ve encountered.”

Northwestern State isn’t an unknown on the national rowing stage.

The NSU women won the program’s first conference championship two years ago and first medal in the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta by placing second.

Stelly is always looking for new rowers, even with little knowledge of the sport.

“The NSU rowing teams are doing great,” Stelly said. “We have a small, close-knit team that works hard and represents the school proudly.”

Students interested in joining can contact Stelly via email stellyj@nsula.edu.

 

NSU- Northwestern State University dedicated its Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center in honor of the late Dr. Randall J. Webb in a ceremony held Tuesday before a large crowd on what would have been Webb’s 75th birthday.

Webb was the longest-serving president in the history of Northwestern State, holding the position from July 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2014.

“For 25 years, Dr. Webb stepped up to a microphone and said ‘This is a red letter day for Northwestern State University.’ And this day truly is,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio. “I am so proud to see so many people here to honor a man who was so special to so many of us.”

Northwestern State students approved a referendum in 1998 to fund construction of the Wellness, Recreation and Activity Center. The $6.9 million project converted the former Intramural Building into a 81,000 square foot facility which was completed in 2004.

“We are honoring a man who did as much for this university as any single individual,” said University of Louisiana System President and CEO Dr. Jim Henderson, who succeeded Webb as NSU’s president. “There are two things about Randy Webb that stick out: his loyalty to the university and his love for students. It defines who Randy Webb was and is that we are naming a building in his honor that was built by students.”

SGA President Tre Nelson experienced an example of Webb’s feeling towards students the first time the two met at a party a few months before Nelson enrolled at NSU.

“He could have spent all his time talking to all the important people at the party, but he took time to get to know an incoming freshman at Northwestern,” said Nelson. “After talking for a few minutes, I found his words so genuine that all my fears about attending the university went away.”

Webb encouraged his friend Lola Dunahoe to serve on the NSU Foundation Board of Directors several years ago. Dunahoe became president of the Foundation board and was later appointed to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Dunahoe called Webb “a scholar, a great leader, an encourager and a Christian gentleman.”

“Everyone at Northwestern had an opportunity to be encouraged by Randy,” said Dunahoe. “He gave his best and expected it out of others. My life was enriched because I was able to call Randy Webb my friend.”

Athletic Director Greg Burke said Webb was a “boss, mentor, advocate, supporter, fan and friend.”

He said Webb never waivered in his support for the athletic program, and had strong views about what the program should be.

“When I interviewed for the position of athletic director, he told me that “we are going to win, our student athletes are going to graduate and we will carry ourselves in the right way,” said Burke. “I learned so much from him.”

Under Webb’s leadership, Northwestern State received unprecedented national and international attention for its academic programs and student accomplishments. University facilities in addition to the WRAC were renovated to better serve students and two record-setting capital campaigns took place.

Enrollment reached record levels during Webb’s tenure as president and exceeded 10,500 for the first time in school history in the fall of 2004. Webb led NSU toward higher admission standards, which has resulted in students at the university having greater academic potential and aptitude. During Webb’s tenure, Northwestern State had the largest graduating classes in the university’s history.