Josh Pierson’s passion for banking goes back several generations. His great grandfather Guthrie “Doc” Pierson was President in 1945, just years after City Bank & Trust company was established in 1933. His grandfather Joe Pierson Sr., father Joe Pierson Jr., and great uncle Ed Pierson all served as bank presidents in the years to follow. His late uncle Bobby and his second cousin Jim also worked at City Bank.
“My family has history here,” said Josh. “But it’s not just my family. City Bank has a family atmosphere among all its employees. Everyone has the same goal. We all want to see Natchitoches thrive.”
Josh grew up in Natchitoches. He graduated from Natchitoches Central High School and Northwestern State University where he earned a degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. He began working at City Bank as a teller while he was at NSU.
Two weeks after his graduation Josh took a job in the pipeline construction industry and left for Wisconsin. In 2015 he came home. His two children Calan and Camille were school age. Working 12 hour days, Josh felt he needed to be home more for them.
“I had to leave for a long time to realize the value of the small town atmosphere,” he said. “The traveling life I led gave me a different perspective of the town I grew up in.”
Returning to Natchitoches meant returning to City Bank.
“I like the personal attention each customer receives when they come into a branch or even call us on the phone,” said Josh. “We call each customer by name.”
Josh is a member of the Natchitoches Lions Club, the City Housing Authority Board, is a Kappa Sigma alum, and a member of the First United Methodist Church. In his spare time he enjoys bow hunting for Louisiana white tail deer.
But above all, Josh enjoys the work he does at City Bank. “I don’t like seeing people make bad decisions with their money,” he said. For the last few years Josh has taught financial literacy workshops for the Natchitoches Jr. High’s JAG Program where he offers students banking industry information.
“I enjoy giving people advice and helping them make good financial decisions,” he said.
For more information call the Keyser Branch at (318) 357-3729.
Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau made a contribution to the Jack W. Pace Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Northwestern State University in appreciation for the late Dr. Pace’s service to Farm Bureau as a member of the board since 1979. Pace was a past president of Natchitoches Parish Farm Bureau and was recently voted onto the State Farm Bureau Board. He passed away Aug. 3.
Pace was a member of the Northwestern State faculty for 41 years where he taught animal science and preparatory classes for the nursing curriculum, served as head of the Department of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and was advisor to the Rodeo Team and NSU Vet Tech committee. Through many years of teaching at NSU, he touched the lives and inspired hundreds of his students to become nurses.
The scholarship will be presented to a Northwestern State student from Louisiana majoring in biology who must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
“NSU was a real passion for him,” said Bonnie Pace, Dr. Pace’s wife, as former students shared stories in which Dr. Pace taught not only coursework but also soft skills in his classroom.
In October, the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences named Room 217 in Bienvenu Hall the Dr. Jack Pace Memorial Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory.
“Dr. Pace taught in that classroom for 35 years and inspired countless biology and nursing majors,” said Dr. Francene Lemoine, department head. Lemoine said Pace impacted not only students, but was also a wonderful colleague who always had encouraging words for his fellow faculty members.
Pace was a dedicated leader in all aspects of his service in education, agriculture and to his community. In addition to serving on the Farm Bureau board, he also served on the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury, Natchitoches Parish Fair Board, the Natchitoches 4-H board, the Natchitoches JC’s and was past Master of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners. He also served on the Louisiana Livestock Steering Committee, the Ark-La-Tex Ag Council, and was a former president of LACTA and State Chairman (Equine Division) of Morris Animal Foundation.
He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science and the American Genetics Association. Pace also served as a cattle and equine judge for Delta Dixie, Louisiana State Fair, Louisiana District Shows, and judged cattle and advised cattle ranchers internationally in Honduras and Columbia. He had great love and support for the National FFA Association. He and his son Wesley owned and operated Pace Farms.
Pace received many honors and commendations: Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 1977 Outstanding Young Man of America and the C. William Broomfield Memorial Award and Honorary State Farmer Degree. He was a Louisiana Master Cattleman and was a gubernatorial appointee as an advisor to the Sparta Groundwater Conservation District.
In addition to his wife, Dr. Pace is survived by sons Jacky Ray Pace and Wesley Ashley Pace, and three grandchildren.
“This is a special Scholarship and we are grateful for friends of Dr. Pace and the people of Farm Bureau for getting behind this,” said Drake Owens, executive director of the NSU Foundation and a former Pace student. “Dr. Pace meant so much to NSU and was a well-respected professor.”
“He loved Farm Bureau,” Bonnie Pace said. “And whether it was big or little, he always wanted to make a difference. He was a great husband and a great father. He loved his state and he loved his community. Farm Bureau was a passion of his. Hopefully this will be goal for some young person to receive this scholarship.
If you, your business or a member of your non-profit organization would like to appear on The Magnolia Minute, then contact us at the email or number below!
The Magnolia Minute Natchitoches Parish Journal magnoliaminute.npj@gmail.com 318-354-4000 #6
Dr. John “Jay” Hix
April 25, 1937 – November 24, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday, November 28 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, November 29 at 10 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Cecil Dean Odom, Jr.
September 28, 1952 – November 24, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, November 27 from 5-9 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches
Service: Wednesday, November 28 at 10 am at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery
WINN PARISH:
Betty J. Rowell
January 21, 1940 – November 25, 2018
Service: Thursday, November 29 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield
Interment: Couley Double Churches Cemetery in Winnfield
Myrtle Gibson Edwards
November 8, 1940 – November 22, 2018
Tony F. Carter
March 13, 2018 – November 24, 2018
Service: Wednesday, November 28 at 1 pm at Union Hill Baptist Church
Interment: Union Hill Cemetery
Arlice Wilson Atwell
February 12, 1938 – November 23, 2018
Service: Tuesday, November 27 at 11 am at Georgetown United Pentecostal Church in Georgetown
SABINE PARISH:
Elie Ebarb Jr.
Service: Tuesday, November 27 at 2 pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church
Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery
The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce announces Laura Terrell Lyles as its new President. Lyles will be responsible for leading and building upon all existing Chamber events, enhancing and building membership, and spearheading several new Chamber initiatives that will bring positive change to the Natchitoches area and its business landscape.
Being a Natchitoches native, Lyles is passionate about her hometown. She is a proud product of the Natchitoches Parish public school system and graduate of Northwestern State University, where she earned a BS in Hospitality, Management & Tourism with a minor in English. Lyles earned her MBA from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.
Lyles has worked in the hospitality industry planning events in New Orleans and in Oklahoma City. She then spent 7 years working as Manager of Special Projects for an Engineering consulting firm for the US Air Force. She was integral to the evolution and growth of the company through personnel management, bookkeeping, sales forecasting, project planning, website design, and graphic design.
In 2015, Lyles together with husband, Chris, and two sons, Carson and Cooper, returned home to Natchitoches. She managed marketing and sales for her family’s business, Terrell Brothers Furniture, before settling in at Exchange Bank as a loan officer and branch manager. Lyles stated, “As hard as it was to leave my Exchange Bank family, I feel like this is the right move for me and my family. I’m excited to see what we as a business community can accomplish together.”
Lyles has been active with the Chamber since 2016, when she joined the Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP) and became a Chamber Ambassador. In 2018, Lyles was elected Ambassador Chair, and was nominated as a Member at Large on the Chamber Board of Directors. During her year as Ambassador Chair, Lyles restructured the program to include a Vice Chair as well as Committee Chairmen, which was vitally important during the transition year the Chamber has had in 2018. She received the NYP 4 Under 40 Award at the Chamber’s 99th Award Ceremony in 2018. In her short time on the Board of Directors, Lyles joined the Education Committee and created and implemented the A+ Coalition, a collaborative effort to advance education in Natchitoches Parish.
For the Chamber Executive Committee, the decision to hire Lyles was an easy one. Past-Chairman Kirk Soileau said, “She’s been interviewing for this job for two years.” Chairman Ryan Todtenbier expressed a similar sentiment when stating, “I’m very excited to have Laura as our next President and look forward to seeing her live out the many ideas she has to move Natchitoches and the business community forward.”
The Chamber is well known for its ribbon cuttings, professional development, and networking luncheons, but it is also focused on doing what is possible today to prepare Natchitoches for success 5, 10 and 15 years down the road. The A+ Coalition is a prime example of that forward thinking, bringing key players including the School Board, the Natchitoches Community Alliance, and NSU, just to name a few, together to the table to discuss collaborative ways they can advance education in Natchitoches Parish. “There are some exciting initiatives on the forefront,” stated Lyles, “and it’s encouraging to see a community get excited and actively seek ways to get involved in what we’re doing.”
For more information about the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce, visit natchitocheschamber.com.
The Fleur De Lis Christmas Craft Market, an annual tradition in Natchitoches since 2005, was held Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Natchitoches Events Center. Several thousand shoppers filled the venue and enjoyed the day while shopping at 115 vendors from throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas. The vendors sold a variety of handmade items ranging from salsa to wine and crafts. Natchitoches Hope for Paws returned for a fifth year, selling pet related crafts and raising awareness of animal adoption.
NPL– If you have ever thought about starting your own business, you have probably wondered “Are the customer’s there?” or “What competition would I have?” The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) will be hosting a training session on it’s small business development tool, ReferenceUSA, which can answer these questions and more! There is limited seating and registration is required for this lunch and learn opportunity on Dec. 7, 12-1:30 PM, in the NPL Meeting Room.
Training will be offered by a representative from ReferenceUSA. Topics addressed will include access and navigation of ReferenceUSA from home or office through the NPL, how to identify new sales prospects, creating customized business and consumer marketing lists, gathering competitive business intelligence, and much more!
To register for this free lunch and learn seminar for small business development contact circulation staff at the NPL at 318-357-3280 or by messaging the NPL on their Facebook page. You may also visit the NPL website at natlib.org for more information concerning this and other programming coming to your local library.
For three quarters, everything went according to plan for the Northwestern State women’s basketball team on Nov. 24.
And in one 10-minute span, it nearly went for naught.
Visiting Loyola whittled a 22-point, third-quarter deficit to five in the fourth quarter before the Lady Demons held on for a 71-66 victory at Prather Coliseum.
“We talked about it in the locker room,” third-year head coach Jordan Dupuy said. “There were a lot of little things we didn’t get done. Offensive rebounds, loose balls, stepping and meeting passes. Loyola created that. We did what we wanted to do for three quarters, but the lesson we need to learn from today is one bad quarter can cost you a game.”
That one bad quarter came after Northwestern State (3-2) seemed to have put the game away with one of its most efficient quarters of the season.
Leading by 11 at halftime, the Lady Demons pushed the lead to 22 on a Jasmyn Johnson 3-pointer with 2:15 to play in the third quarter. NSU shot 71.4 percent (10-for-14) from the field in the quarter to build the big lead.
Johnson’s 3 was the only NSU bucket for the next 3:30 of game time, during which Loyola, an NAIA team playing the game as an exhibition, went on an 8-3 run. That surge grew to 13-3 after Tay Cannon’s layup at the 6:39 mark of the fourth quarter.
As hot as the Lady Demons were in the third quarter, they were equally as cold in the fourth, shooting 33.3 percent (4-for-12) and missing all five of their 3-point attempts.
The 22-point edge NSU built in the third quarter turned out to be just enough of a cushion as the Wolfpack failed to take complete advantage of their opportunities.
Loyola found itself in the bonus with 8:22 remaining in the fourth quarter but hit just 7 of 13 free throws in the quarter, allowing Northwestern State to hang on and post its first back-to-back wins of the season and first since Nov. 12-15, 2017.
“We’ve got to celebrate the win and be honest that we have a long way to go,” Dupuy said. “Understand the lesson but celebrate the win.”
For three quarters, it looked very much like Northwestern State easily would continue its mastery of non-Division I opponents. NSU won its 22nd straight game against a non-Division I foe, but the five-point margin of victory was the smallest since a 61-56 win against Arkansas-Monticello on Dec. 17, 2014.
The Lady Demons shot a shade under 50 percent (24 for 39) in the first 30 minutes and forced 18 Loyola turnovers, turning them into 24 points.
Victoria Miller played a key role in building that lead. In her first start of the season, Miller tallied a season-best 11 points and a career-high six steals.
After not scoring in the first three games of the season, Miller dropped in 19 points in wins against Loyola and Alcorn this week.
“It’s taken me a bit to get back in the flow of things after the injury, but we’ve also been putting up extra shots and extra work, getting back in the grind,” said Miller, who worked her way back from an offseason ankle injury. “The results have followed.”
Miller was one of four Lady Demons in double figures, joining Kira Bonner (14), Libba Gilliam (12) and RaVon Nero (11). Eight of the nine Lady Demons who played scored and all of them had at least five points.
Kaila Anthony led Loyola with a game-high 19 points.
Northwestern State returns to action Tuesday night when they face Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Reed Green Coliseum.
Northwestern State All-America candidates Jazz Ferguson and Hayden Bourgeois were first-team selections on the 2018 All-Southland Conference Football Team announced Tuesday, with Ferguson winning Offensive Player of the Year honors after a record-breaking season.
Ferguson, a junior wide receiver, and Bourgeois, a sophomore safety, rank among national leaders in the Football Championship subdivision in several statistical categories. Bourgeois was one of only two sophomores among the 29 first-team choices.
They were among seven NSU players recognized on the All-Southland announcement, with the honors voted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors from its 11 football programs.
Ferguson, a 6-5, 220-pound St. Francisville-West Feliciana High School product, set single-season school records with 1,117 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches, while posting the second-highest receptions total (66) in school history. Watson was second in the Southland with 10 TD receptions, equaling the former school mark by Al Phillips in 1968.
Ferguson, who transferred from LSU and sat out the 2017 season with the Demons, also led the Southland with 66 receptions. He ranked sixth among all FCS players with his 13 touchdown grabs, ninth in receiving yardage, 14th in receiving yards per game (101.5), and 20th in receptions per game (6.0).
With six 100-yard receiving totals, Ferguson set another Demon season standard, along with his per game average shattering the former mark of 75.7 by All-American Ed Eagan in 2014. Ferguson also tied the school single-game record with three touchdown catches at Abilene Christian. He finished sixth all-time in single-season scoring with 82 points, 14 shy of Tony Taylor’s Demon best 96 in 1999.
Bourgeois, from Church Point and Notre Dame High School in Crowley, ranked third in FCS in total takeaways by making five interceptions and recovering two fumbles. The 5-11, 184-pounder also blocked a field goal that forced a second overtime, paving the way for a Ferguson touchdown catch from Eppler to beat 18th-ranked McNeese 37-34.
Bourgeois led the Demons from his safety’s spot with 83 tackles, 43 solo, including five for lost yards. His interception total ranked eighth in FCS and he stands 21st with two fumble recoveries. He also deflected a pass that was intercepted in the end zone by teammate Rashaun Croney in a 34-7 victory over Grambling when Bourgeois had his first two career interceptions.
He was the biggest contributor to the total of 26 takeaways created by NSU’s Purple Swarm defense, which ranked third nationally in turnovers forced, and third in fumble recoveries (13), and seventh in fourth-down defense, allowing only 28.6 percent conversions.
Iheoma, a 6-2, 224-pound senior from South Grand Praire, Texas, and Tyler Junior College, had 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-best eight sacks, fourth in the conference, while contributing eight quarterback hurries.
Watson, a 6-0, 191-pound Los Angeles native who came to NSU from Long Beach City College, followed an impressive junior campaign with a sensational senior year. His 761 yards rank sixth and his 51 catches are seventh in single-season school history. He finished fourth on the Demons’ career touchdown receptions rankings with 14 in his two seasons, best by any junior college transfer in NSU history.
Ward, a 5-10, 178-pounder from De La Salle High School, had a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown to spark the Demons’ final rally, a comeback from a 16-7 halftime deficit for a season-ending 35-23 victory last Thursday at Stephen F. Austin. He led the league with a 25.8 return average on 27 runbacks.
Boudreaux (6-4, 294) was the only NSU offensive lineman to start all 11 games, running his career total to 30 starts. The Plano, Texas, product, who graduated last spring, collected 159 knockdown blocks and 39 “mental toughness, extra effort” points with a single-game high of 22 knockdowns against Southeastern Louisiana.
He helped NSU set eight offensive team records and another 11 individual marks under first-year offensive coordinator Brad Smiley and new offensive line coach J Pond.
Eppler (6-1, 205) made his Demon debut impactful on school single-season and single-game record lists. Despite missing two games due to a concussion, he still led the Southland with 26 touchdown passes, two shy of the school record.
He twice had a school-record six TD throws, at Lamar and ACU. He shattered the single-season pass yards standard with 474 at Lamar in a 49-48 win over an eventual FCS playoff team.
The Navasota, Texas, native, who played for Smiley at Trinity Valley Community College in the past two seasons, posted 2,639 passing yards, third best at NSU all-time. His 293.2 game average set a new school mark and ranked sixth nationally, while his 26 TD throws was eighth in FCS.
Eppler was 12th in FCS with 22.1 completions per game. His 148.32 pass efficiency rating was 13th nationally and set another school record, topping 147.47 in 2015 by Stephen Rivers. NSU head coach Brad Laird’s rating of 137.88 in his senior season in 1995 is now eighth in school history.
With a season-opening streak of 143 attempts without an interception, Eppler broke Laird’s 1995 school record of 113 straight.
Nicholls junior quarterback Chase Fourcade, who led his team to a Southland co-championship and a first-round home playoff game, was voted the conference Player of the Year award. Incarnate Word’s Eric Morris, a first-year coach, sparked a turnaround season for the Cardinals that carried them into the FCS playoffs with a share of the league title and won Coach of the Year honors.
Senior linebacker B.J. Blunt of McNeese was chosen Defensive Player of the Year. UIW quarterback Jon Copeland won Freshman of the Year while the Newcomer of the Year honors were shared by Lamar quarterback Jordan Hoy and ACU running back Billy McCrary. Lamar’s Garrett Bowery was voted Offensive Lineman of the Year.
The Demons, with wins in three of their last four games, beat a nationally-ranked foe (McNeese) for the first time since 2014 and recorded a win over a Lamar team that reached the FCS playoffs. NSU was just three points shy (a 49-47 loss at ACU) of its first winning season since 2008, finishing 5-6 overall, 4-5 in the conference. The Demons should return all but 13 seniors for the 2019 season.
A Gorum couple suffered moderate-to-minor injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Hwy. 119, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
NPSO Patrol Division deputies, Louisiana State Police, Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #1 and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash Nov. 23 at 6:13 pm on Hwy. 119 north of Gorum.
Deputies say 34-year-old Jonathan Lynn White of Gorum, La. operating 2016 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on La. Hwy 119 just north of the Longleaf Vista Road when he apparently lost control of the vehicle leaving the roadway on the left side. The vehicle then traveled through a ditch and struck several trees.
NPSO Rescue was also dispatched to the scene because the occupants were reportedly pinned in the vehicle but cancelled after deputies learned they were not pinned in the wreckage.
White suffering from what is believed to be moderate non-life threatening injuries and his only passenger his wife (Josie White) suffering from minor non-life threatening injuries were transported from the scene by EMS to Rapides Regional Medical Trauma Center.
Deputies say road conditions were wet and it was heavy fog in the area at the time of the crash.
The crash was investigated by Troopers assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria.
Deputies remind motorists to always wear your seat belt. Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or even death in traffic crashes.
Watch today’s Magnolia Minute – with Juanita Murphy – Pet of the Week
If you, your business or a member of your non-profit organization would like to appear on The Magnolia Minute, then contact us at the email or number below!
The Magnolia Minute Natchitoches Parish Journal magnoliaminute.npj@gmail.com 318-354-4000 #6
James Floyd Clinkscales, Sr.
November 11, 1946 – November 18, 2018
Service: Monday, November 26 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville
Winter in Louisiana isn’t defined by cold fronts, the turning of leaves, or this foreign phenomenon I’ve heard of called “snow.” Instead, temperatures stay as high as our ever-present morale; the climate is thoughtful enough not to interfere with the avid sportsmens’ activities. However, do not be misled by the lack of snow, for our winter is as wonderful as any. The scent of cinnamon and spice intermingled with beignets and meat pies’ produce a distinctive aroma that wafts and waltzes through alleyways like a saxophone’s melodious recounting of “The Christmas Song” (with a few extra jazzy notes here and there). And, while snowballs may not be rolling, the good times certainly are.
Founded in 1714, even before the formation of Louisiana, I think it’s fair to claim that Natchitoches has had ample time to perfect its Christmas season, and indeed it has. Though centuries old, the downtown buildings remain impeccably preserved, showcasing their angled porches and wrought iron railings. The imposing structures, as compact as the crowds, stand tall and expectantly mirroring the families below anxiously anticipating fireworks.
One particular downtown home remains prominent in my mind. This breathtaking edifice that accommodates Hanna’s Habatchi and Steak House is complete with a charming koi pond. A flight of stairs leads past a swing where I’ve spent innumerable hours waiting for an LSU football game’s end. Then my grandfather, deemed “Popeye” for his penchant of whistling the tune of Popeye the Sailor Man, would accompany me to the Rocking Horse Toy Shop only a block away. The second floor is the home of my Grandparents’ benevolent friends Mrs. Mary Ann and Mr. Rick. Annually, they host a Christmas party and invite my family to view the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade that marches along the red, brick street beneath her balcony. We arrive grateful with arms filled by Lasyone’s famous meat pies in hand. After unloading more trays of food than there are residents of Natchitoches, my family makes its way down to the festival market with its clusters of booths. The booths sell items of admirable diversity from wooden toys, bows, paintings (often featuring Saint Nicholas meandering through the bayou in his pirogue pulled by twelve alligators), sauces, spices, wood sculptures, and much more. Perhaps, the most intriguing characteristic of the products is that the majority of them are homemade. In my opinion, the skill, time, and unmitigated talent required in every item’s production make them priceless wonders.
After the market booths, we wander to the riverfront shops and restaurants, every one adorned for the holiday season often with an amusing Cajun twist. Lights are strung from street lamp to street lamp, and every possible place in between, intertwining in sumptuous patterns like that of a couple waltzing. Residing at the end of a breathtaking tunnel of lights is none other than good ole Saint Nick himself. . He is accompanied by the “Christmas Belles” – helpers who are winners in the “Miss Merry Christmas Pageant.” The pageant’s ultimate winner, Miss Merry Christmas herself, awaits to be seen at the end of the parade.
After every kid recites their Christmas list to Santa, which may take a long while, we saunter to the edge of Cane River. The river bank is embroidered with pumpkins and scarecrows, a lovely contrast to the frostbitten grass. The other side of the river is lined with lights depicting animated Christmas scenes. Though visible in daylight, the lights are truly a sight against the complementary background of an inky black sky sparkling with fireworks.
Food trucks and games also dapple the riverfront. Interestingly, modern inventions like bungee jumping and carnival food converge with historic monuments. A great example of such common anachronisms is the Roque House. This home, an admirably sturdy combination of cypress wood and bousillage infill (a mixture of red clay, moss, and deer hair), was constructed by a freed slave in 1803 and remains standing still! Occasionally, “snow machines” mottle the streets with a soapy resemblance as horse drawn carts clip-clop through the winter wonderland.
With our stride slowed by an abundance of new trinkets and food, we then return to Mrs. Mary Ann’s home. Our family disperses; some cordially circumscribe the tv , perpetually displaying football games, while others drift towards the enticing assortment of delectables. With a beignet in hand, I retreat to the balcony that overlooks Front Street abounding with activity, an indication of the approaching parade. Soon, a compelling combination of floats and bands alike pass. Their sweet presence marked by the candy left behind. Every float is enthralling, but the most ostentatious of all is indisputably Miss Merry Christmas’. The pageant winner is a Natchitoches High school senior resplendently attired in an ornate vermillion dress with a train as long as Natchitoches’ history. Even before my first Natchitoches Christmas Parade, I had admired the dress from the pictures of my mother as Miss Merry Christmas in 1992. Night follows the parade and is soon replaced by lights so abundant, it’s as if all the stars were stolen from the sky and strung together.
Yet, Natchitoches still finds a way to further brighten downtown. From the porch, the beginning of the show is clear. A tidal stream of sparks cascade from the bridge linking the sides of Cane River with a magnificent waterfall of fireworks. Then, fireworks illuminate the sky! I find them truly astounding not merely because of their captivating colors but for their dependable presence throughout all the years of my life.
The resplendent radiance brought by every bang returns every year without fail. My family has viewed these fireworks while enduring family illnesses, divorces, and various other hardships and challenges, but in the end we sit together and admire the beauty of the illuminated city that teaches us we can persevere beyond adversities. While some circumstances may change, I know that Christmas in Natchitoches never will; in that I find comfort.
Mina King is the Granddaughter of Frank and Gail Hines of Natchitoches, Louisiana
Harry McKay wants to know if you’ve you heard the word? Join the Mobile Rewards Program for Ivan Smith Furniture of Natchitoches for your chance to win up to $500 instantly off your next purchase.
Working with Ivan Smith for over 8 months now Harry has been selling furniture for over 30 years. He tried retiring, but after 3 years, he couldn’t resist getting back on the showroom floor. “I fell in love with selling furniture years ago,” he said. “I love to meet new people and talk with them.”
Ivan Smith has a team of salesmen with a combined 50 plus years of experience who will help you pick out what’s right for you from appliances, to living room sets, to dining room tables. Just sign up today!
To sign up with Harry McKay text 21Ivan to 40213
Harry moved to Natchitoches 9 years ago with his wife Sharon and they built their new home on Cane River. An avid fisherman, Harry had frequented the waters in the Natchitoches area his whole life.
“We knew we’d retire here,” he said. “I love Natchitoches and I love my job. Every day is different. Every customer is different. The best thing I’ve ever done was to come and work at Ivan Smith.”
Mobile Reward subscribers are entered into monthly drawings for $200 gift cards. Every sign up also gets a coupon for 10% off the purchase of an accessory item (no expiration date).
Subscribers also receive exclusive offers: Cash and Christmas Sales Notifications on Company-wide Savings Natchitoches Store Specials like Annual Warehouse Sales Invitations to VIP Events
But don’t worry, it’s free to sign up and you can opt out at any time. Ivan Smith will never send more than two texts to your phone each month.
“This is the perfect program for home owners that know what they want to buy, but want to wait for the right time to buy it,” said Dane Terrell.
Ivan Smith Furniture – Natchitoches
Home town faces with big store buying power.
936 Keyser Avenue
(318) 352-5889
Considering the 20 missed 3-pointers by the Northwestern State basketball team Friday night, it was especially ironic that Ishmael Lane’s trey was the dagger for the Demons in a 70-66 overtime victory over visiting Alabama A&M.
The last trio of Lane’s team-best 18 points came with nine seconds left, from the left wing off an assist from junior walk-on John Norvel. That came following an offensive rebound by senior DeAndre Love with 37 ticks remaining, extending a precarious possession beginning with 59 seconds to go after an overthrown pass by the Bulldogs.
Lane’s 3-pointer pushed NSU (2-4) up 68-63. The Bulldogs (0-5) answered on a 3-pointer by 24-point scorer Jalen Reeder with 2.1 seconds left, but after a timeout, the visitors couldn’t stop Lane’s inbounds pass to LaTerrance Reed, who was fouled and sank two clinching free throws with 1.1 remaining.
The Demons led only briefly, and not for very long, just 6:22 of the 45 minutes. But they never trailed in overtime, after Lane nailed a 16-footer 48 seconds into the extra period, after overcoming a deficit as big as 10 points in regulation.
Northwestern’s miserable first-half shooting (31 percent overall, including 2 of 15 on 3-pointers) was problematic. Norvel provided a spark in the final five seconds with a 26-foot 3-pointer to close the Demons within 31-26.
While NSU never found its range from distance afterward, missing six more 3-pointers before Lane’s OT shot, the Demons did improve inside the arc.
After making six of its first seven, starting with a pair of twisting layups by sophomore point guard C.J. Jones, Northwestern snatched its first edge since the opening minute with a 41-40 advantage on two Reed free throws with 15:06 showing.
But Alabama A&M quickly regained the upper hand, although never by more than 55-50 with 5:49 left. After Vonte Ott’s 15-footer eight seconds later, the spread was never bigger than three until the final seconds of overtime.
Neither team scored a bucket in the final 3:25 of regulation. Lane sank a free throw with 33 seconds to go for a 61-all tie, but missed a go-ahead try.
The Bulldogs had a pair of turnovers in the last minute and never got off a shot, and a drive by Jones into traffic was fruitless just before the buzzer.
In OT, a layup by Love with 1:27 left broke the last of the game’s eight ties. The Demons’ defense forced the 22nd Bulldogs turnover, then Love’s offensive rebound set the stage for Lane’s decisive 3-pointer.
“We went from our three-quarters-court press to man-to-man, and they had three big turnovers,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “That turned the game around.”
Norvel joined Lane in double digits for NSU with 12 points, adding a pair of the Demons’ 10 steals.
Sparked by the hot start after halftime, Northwestern sank 16 of its last 33 shots to weather a 47-34 rebounding disadvantage. The Demons, hitting 35 percent of their 3-pointers through their first five games, sank just 4 of 24 (17 percent).
“We just didn’t make shots,” said McConathy. “We had shots, open shots, and didn’t make them. It was a tough, tough matchup. We didn’t get the ball inside like we needed to do.
“But Alabama A&M is a good team, really talented, they execute and run their stuff well. It’s hard to guard them, and they attacked the offensive boards. They’ve just played some good teams so far,” he said.
The contest wrapped up both teams’ involvement with the Men Against Breast Cancer Cougar Cup multi-team event. Each squad dropped contests at BYU, Rice and Houston.
The Bulldogs got 16 points and seven rebounds by Andre Kennedy but was outscored 24-12 on points off turnovers and 24-10 in bench points. All five Alabama A&M starters played at least 30 minutes, while only two Demons did, with seven more getting at least 10.
“I think our waves had a lot to do with it. We kept changing people, and (Alabama A&M) got a little tired, and that had a huge impact,” said McConathy. “In the last 7-8 minutes of regulation we went with some strange combinations trying to figure who could guard and produce. John Norvel, Brandon Hutton, and Vonte Ott all came up big in that stretch and DeAndre Love made two huge plays with a basket and an offensive rebound in that last minute of OT.”
NSU will play back-to-back home games for the first time on Tuesday when UL Monroe visits Prather Coliseum for a 6:30 contest.
LaCap Senior Spotlight recognizes Stephani Bradley, a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA), as an outstanding high school senior.
Stephani is the daughter of Phillip and Wanda Bradley. She has a 3.8 GPA and currently ranks No. 5 in her class of 281 students. She has been a part of the RRHS Culinary ProStart Program where she earned her certification in the RRHS Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
Stephani has also been a member of JROTC for over 2 years, and a Beta Club member for 2 years now. During her years in JROTC, she’s racked up one of the highest enlisted ranks, Cadet Technical Sergeant. She was recently promoted to a Cadet Master Sergeant.
In addition to her academics, Stephani has entered various art competitions throughout the curriculum, including the annual Christmas Card Contest and the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.
She was accepted to Northwestern State University and was awarded their Scholarship Award Package, while applying for even more scholarships. After high school, Stephani plans on attending NSU to work toward a bachelors degree in nursing and fine arts. Her career goal is to become a registered nurse and a multimedia artist.
LaCap believes it takes good grades, community involvement, and hard work to make a successful leader. Stephani Bradley is being recognized for these qualities.
LaCap is committed to improving our community’s well-being by offering financial and volunteer support to organizations that enhance the quality of life through programs for youth, education, and financial literacy.
La Capitol Federal Credit Union has two locations in Natchitoches: 311 Keyser Avenue and 926 University Pkwy. Call 318-357-3200 or go online to lacapfcu.org for more information.
At the upcoming Tuesday, January 8, 2019 meeting of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation, the board will vote to fill five board seats. Those interested in nominating citizens to serve on the board just need to send in the names and contact information of those persons nominated (who have agreed to serve): name, address, phone and email. Each nominee must be a resident of Natchitoches. Send the nominations to Governance Committee, Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation, P.O. Box 606, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71458. According to the bylaws: “Nominations can be made to the Governance Committee by any community based civic organization or community interest located within the City of Natchitoches, including but not limited to any of the following: churches, sororities and fraternities, Masonic or similar group, any civic organization or community interest (all must be within the City of Natchitoches.) The nominations must be received by the board 15 days in advance, so mail in your nominations now. If you do, consider using registered mail and please keep your receipt.
The Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation is a public foundation that has been set up and court approved to distribute 1.9 million in public funds to the people of Natchitoches by giving away grants and scholarships in the areas of housing, education, recreation and economic development. It is a volunteer position but with an opportunity to have impact on the community. The January meeting is usually at First Baptist Amulet at 7 pm. Please call 1-318-623-2466 in advance to verify time and place and learn of any changes.
“It is better to give than to receive.” –Acts 20:35
While reading nourishes the mind and soul, the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) wants to give patrons the chance to give life to the body as well! As part of the Fine ForGIVING charity and donation drives going on through the end of December, the NPL will also be hosting a blood drive with Life-Share Blood Center on Nov. 27, 2-6 PM, in the 3rd Floor Meeting Room.
“This is a unique opportunity for our patrons to help our community and completely wipe out any overdue fines they might have,” said Community Outreach Coordinator, Alan Niette. “Our patrons are what give our library life, and now they can literally give life back to the community.”
No matter the total amount of the overdue fines or what item it was returned late (DVD, book, laptop, Wifi2Go, etc.), the NPL will offer complete forgiveness. Fines resulting from lost or damaged items may not be waived.
Those interested may sign up at the NPL’s 2nd Floor Circulation Desk, by calling 357-3280, by messaging the NPL on Facebook, or by going by the day of the blood drive. Those that sign up will receive a reminder beforehand.
Dolores Hall Tucker
July 7, 1932 – November 18, 2018
Service: Saturday, November 24 at 1 pm in Memory Lawn Cemetery
RAPIDES PARISH:
Oliver Menard Vanderhoeven
November 23, 1934 – November 19, 2018
Service: Saturday, November 24 at 10 am at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, located at 2627 Horseshoe Dr. in Alexandria
Interment: Dry Prong Cemetery
SABINE PARISH:
Ruth Coburn Veuleman
June 30, 1927 – November 20, 2018
Service: Saturday November 24 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Interment: Florien Cemetery
James Floyd Clinkscales, Sr.
November 11, 1946 – November 18, 2018
Service: Monday, November 26 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville
Norma Jean Whitmer
February 20, 1938 – November 13, 2018
Service: Saturday, November 24 at 10 am at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Many
Interment: Braden Cemetery in Coloma, Missouri
This Thanksgiving A group of dedicated volunteers from Natchitoches’ First United Methodist Church were joined by volunteers from area churches and the community who made and delivered over 180 Thanksgiving dinners for ill and elderly area residents who might otherwise miss out on a Thanksgiving meal. Local businesses helped out as well. Joining in the project was Lasyone’s who donated the turkey for the meals.
A hard working group of volunteers cooked and assembled the meals while a team of drivers made deliveries to residents in every corner of the city and parish.
The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce announces Laura Terrell Lyles as its new President. Lyles will be responsible for leading and building upon all existing Chamber events, enhancing and building membership, and spearheading several new Chamber initiatives that will bring positive change to the Natchitoches area and its business landscape.
