I found this the other day, stuffed in one of those “to be filed” files. I thought you might enjoy it.

“How many of you drive yourselves crazy every year trying to have a Martha Stewart’s Christmas? You know who you are. And you know as hard as you try you’re never able to achieve it. It always turns out to be an Erma Bombeck Christmas doesn’t it?
I have a letter here that Martha Stewart sent to Erma Bombeck.

Hi Erma,

This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to. Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf, got out my loom, and made a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it, from DNA molecules that I had just sitting around in my craft room.

By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I’m serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: I didn’t have time to make the tables and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand.

Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays. So I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling. Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get at almost any Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I’m wearing for breakfast. I’ll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I’ll be making. Hope my breakfast guests don’t stay too long, I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon.

Love,
Martha Stewart

P.S. When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8-inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for fun.

Here is Erma Bombeck’s reply:

Dear Martha,

I’m writing this on the back of an old shopping list, pay no attention to the coffee and jelly stains. I’m 20 minutes late getting my daughter up for school, packing a lunch with one hand, and holding the phone with the other. I’m on hold with the dog pound, seems old Ruff needs bailing out again. Burnt my arm on the curling iron when I was trying to make those cute curly fries, HOW do they do that? Still can’t find the scissors to cut out some snowflakes, tried using an old disposable razor…trashed the tablecloth. Tried that cranberry thing, frozen cranberries mashed up after I defrosted them in the microwave.

Oh, and don’t use Fruity Pebbles as a substitute in that Rice Krispie snowball recipe, unless you happen to like a disgusting shade that resembles puke! The smoke alarm is going off, talk to ya’ later.

Love,
Erma

So much of what we do during this season, if you read the scriptures with more than a cursory glance, is strikingly foreign to that first Christmas.”

On December 13, 2018 at approximately 6:50 PM the Natchitoches Police Department received a 911 Call stating that a male subject had been shot near the Texas St. Grocery, officers of the Natchitoches Police Department responded to the reported shooting and located a black, male, subject, 23 year old, Robert Griffin who appeared to have been shot. The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Ambulance Unit was contacted along with the Natchitoches Fire Department to render aid. Mr. Griffin was then transported to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.

The Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division was contacted and is currently investigating this shooting, at this time no additional information available. The Natchitoches Police Department is urging anyone who has information about the shooting to contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or you may contact the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Sergeant Bobby Beard at (318) 238-3914. All calls shall be kept confidential.
Authorized for release by:
Chief Micky Dove
12/13/18

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Charles Bruce Todd
May 18, 1959 – December 8, 2018
Service: Friday, December 14 at 10 am at Family Worship Center Church in Campti

Al Joseph Lacey
October 31, 1950 – December 3, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, December 15 from 9-10 am at the St. Savior Baptist Church Church (Grand Ecore)
Service: Saturday, December 15 at 10 am at the St. Savior Baptist Church Church
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery on Texas Street

SABINE PARISH:

June Procell Harley
January 17, 1924 – December 12, 2018
Visitation: Friday, December 14 at 4 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Saturday, December 15 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Fisher Cemetery

RAPIDES PARISH:

Clarence Roland Monk
August 16, 1931 – December 11, 2018
Service: Friday, December 14 at 11 am at Calvary Woodworth
Interment: Woodworth Cemetery
Visitation: Friday, December 14 from 8-11 am
at Calvary Woodworth

The East Natchitoches Elementary School will present its annual Christmas musical entitled “North Pole” by John Jacobson and Mac Huff, Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 P.M. at the school.

The plot of this year’s musical is that auditions are underway for the 400th Anniversary of “North Pole Musical,” and everyone is in a panic. The dancing reindeer are “hoofin’ it,” but don’t know what to do with Rudolph and his four left hooves. The elves are tired of always getting the short end of the stick and are singin’ the blues. The snowmen are “chillin,” but worried about the funky hot lights, and the toys are trying to do the entire Nutcracker Suite in three minutes. The annual Christmas show keeps getting bigger and bigger. But, wait a minute! Is bigger really better? See how Santa finds a way to remind everyone of the true meaning of the season.

The musical will include: lights, drama, dancing, and singing. The choreography was written, learned, and taught by students. Santa Claus is being played by student Joshua Nash. Mrs. Claus will be sixth grader, Abryannah Sykes playing the part. The musical is under the direction of choral music teacher, Mr. Danny R. Von Kanel. The principal at East Natchitoches Elementary school is Chrystal Davis. Dale Skinner is Superintendent of the Natchitoches Parish Public School District.

Parents and the Natchitoches community are cordially invited to the 5:30 P.M. performance on Dec. 18. The performance is free.

Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA), will host “Las Posadas: Louisiana’s Spanish Tradition” on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Los Adaes State Historic Site.

At 11:30am, local historian Rhonda Gauthier will talk about how Las Posadas has been celebrated in Northwest Louisiana. From 11am to 1pm the Los Adaes Foundation and CRNHA invites everyone to come enjoy a Las Posadas covered dish lunch and samples of traditional foods. We ask that attendees bring a side or drinks to share, the Los Adaes Foundation will supply the Traditional Las Posadas’ Piloncillo and Chipotle Ham. Come take part in this community meal. During this time kids will have the opportunity to weave their own baskets based on similar ones constructed by historic tribes, and get a chance to take a swing at the Las Posadas Piñata!

Holiday gatherings tend to occur around food and traditions! “The winter was a time of hardship for many in the colonial era, religious festivals and services were a way to bring light and cheer to families”, Mumaugh explains. “Spanish colonial rule worked to meld native beliefs and festivals into Christian observances to ease assimilation.” Thus the 19-day Aztec winter solstice festival, celebrated from December 7 to December 26, became known as Las Posadas and adapted its own specific style in various areas of New Spain.

All events will occur outside and, depending upon weather conditions, the kids’ basket weaving and traditional food sampling will be moved inside, but the community lunch and piñata will be cancelled. This event is free to the public and those planning to take part in the community lunch are encouraged to bring a covered dish or drinks to share.

Math teachers from Natchitoches and Shreveport visited the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) to attend the first of potentially many Math Circle meetings in the area. The group included both middle and high school instructors from the two regions.

The event, hosted by Mathematics Professor Judith Covington of Northwestern State University (NSU), started in Shreveport with the intent of helping local math teachers feel appreciated while also providing them a moment to relax in between their busy academic schedules.

“Our goal is to remind these teachers of their love of mathematics and to involve them in actually doing mathematics,” said Covington. “Most that attend say that the evening is like a game night for teachers.”

Covington, who had previously worked at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, founded and directed the original North Louisiana Math Teachers’ Circle in Caddo.

The evening included an evening of math games, as well as supper at no cost to attendees.

The event was funded by the Noel Foundation in Shreveport, a non-profit dedicated to supporting cultural arts, education, and community. The group is currently looking for local funding in the Natchitoches area. If interested, contact Judith Covington at covingtonj@nsula.edu.

 

Are you tired of slow Internet, waiting for long downloads, or buffering while you stream your favorite movies? Happy Holidays start with better Internet.

Get better Internet from CP-TEL, with speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second (1,000 Mbps)-100 times faster than the national average. That means speeds that won’t leave you frustrated, even when multiple people in your home are using the Internet connection at the same time.

Even better? Right now, make the switch to CP-TEL choose from one of three free gifts: a Google Home, Amazon Echo Spot, or a $150 Gift Card. All that plus free installation and Internet that leaves you jolly!

Save more by bundling your Internet with Phone and TV Service. For more information on CP-TEL go online to cp-tel.com or call 318-352-0006. Offer available for new customers only. Not available for phone and TV only subscribers. Offer ends 1/1/19.

Several members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University have been elected to serve on the 2019 executive council.

These officers will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the chapter and developing a long-term strategic plan over the next calendar year. Their goals will focus on building brotherhood through character enhancement, leadership development, academic achievement, commitment to service, lifelong friendship and social experiences.

Members of the student chapter elected the following slate of leaders in November: Archon Nich Olivares, Vice Archon Luis Ortiz, Treasurer Daniel Larin, Secretary Char Wilson, Warden Tristan Thorman, Historian Colton Campbell, Chaplain Benjamin Butcher, Philanthropy Chairman Tyler Vienne, Risk Management Chairman Jonathan Castillo, and Standards Board Chairman Kendall Normand.

These men have a unique opportunity to not only contribute to Pi Kappa Phi’s shared mission but also to create change and build brotherhood within their chapter. The group will travel to Dallas, Texas on January 4-6, 2019 to participate in Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers, the fraternity’s officer training institute.

By Joe Darby

Exactly 154 years ago today, a brave Sacred Heart nun was in the middle of a journey through icy cold Louisiana, a mission to deliver desperately needed supplies to Sacred Heart convents at Grand Coteau and Natchitoches.

To do so, she had to cross lines between two warring armies in the midst of the Civil War, encountering terribly difficult travel conditions and the danger of attack from unknowing soldiers at any moment. But, the good Sister Ann Shannon accomplished her mission.

In December of 1864, Sister Shannon was 54 years old. She had just been named that summer as vicar of the Sacred Heart convents in Louisiana, the third being at St. Michael’s in Convent, her headquarters.

Grand Coteau and Natchitoches were behind Confederate lines and were desperate for supplies and food. She considered it her responsibility, as vicar, to try to alleviate the needs of the nuns and the girls in their schools in those locations.

In 1863, after getting the permission of Union commander Gen. Nathaniel Banks, as well as his artillery commander, Gen. Lalor, a Catholic, she brought supplies to Grand Coteau and arranged for other goods to be taken to Natchitoches.

By the winter of 1864, conditions were even worse in northern Louisiana and Sister Shannon set out to repeat her mission of mercy. She set out with Mr. J.B.Jourdan, a planter who knew the area and had helped her the previous year, as well as several other people, including a couple of priests.

They went by railroad from New Orleans to Berwick’s Bay, at what is now Morgan City, then traveled on boats through lakes and bayous to Butte la Rose and St. Martinville, following a route used by wartime smugglers.

They arrived at Grand Coteau on Dec. 12, but not before a disastrous development. Supplies sent ahead for Grand Coteau from St. Martinville had been confiscated by Confederate soldiers After she conferred with Confederate officers at Opelousas and Washington, La., the authorities agreed that the goods could be sent to the convent but kept under lock and key until the matter was resolved.

So Sister Shannon, being the brave and resourceful soul that she was, decided to go right to the top. She’d go see Confederate Gov. Henry Allen and Gen. Richard Taylor, commander of all Southern forces in Louisiana, at their headquarters in Marshall, Tex. On the way, she’d visit Natchitoches and drop off supplies there.

Her party set out in an open carriage, with only blankets for protection against the cold. It took nearly four days to reach Natchitoches but once here she was greeted warmly by the nuns and girls at the local convent. Natchitoches was isolated from all word from outside the area and the women eagerly exchanged news.

Then she set out for Texas to talk to Allen and Taylor about the seized goods at Grand Coteau. As she rode through the area, the Protestant rural folk had never seen a nun and were fascinated by her habit, wondering “What kind of thing is that on her head?” One young girl said, “Maybe they’re crazy. We better run.”

Approaching the HQ of the Confederate authorities, she was stopped by two young sentries at the door. They crossed their bayoneted rifles in front of her and told her she could not pass. She simply took both hands, pushed the bayonets apart and said, “I pass everywhere.” All the young men could do was to laugh and they let her in the house.

The authorities promised to look into the matter but did not immediately give her papers allowing her to recover the confiscated goods. Those were to be brought later by Lt. Jourdan, a dashing young officer and the son of her guide. She returned to Natchitoches then set out for Alexandria at the beginning of January. All along the way she was greeted by former students of hers, who were overjoyed to see her.

South of Alexandria a hard, cold rain began to fall, slowing them down and tiring the one sturdy mule they used to pull their carriage. They reached Grand Coteau on Jan. 10 and Lt. Jourdan soon showed up with the papers allowing release of the goods to the Sacred Heart convent there.

But her ordeal was not over. They had to return through the lakes and swamps in very cold weather, having to spend one night in an abandoned hut where they later learned a man had murdered his wife. Finally, they reached Bayou Plaquemine and arrived at the town of the same name, where they took a steamer to New Orleans. She did not reach her home convent, St. Michael’s until the end of January.

Her mission, supplying much needed goods and food, as well as her own special presence, meant much to the women and girls at Grand Coteau and Natchitoches. But it was more or less all in a day’s work for Sister Shannon. She retired to Maryville near St. Louis in the 1880s and passed away in 1896. Her story, little known, but an amazing one of persistence and courage, deserves to be told once again.

Information for this column was obtained from an article in Vol. XIX of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Series in Louisiana History, published by the Center for Louisiana Studies at ULL in Lafayette.

Northwestern State University’s School of Education Portfolio Presentation Day was Monday, Dec. 3. The day began with the 32 resident and student teachers sharing highlights from their clinical experience and ended with a ceremony to honor their achievements.

Dr. April Giddens, assistant professor of Education and 2012 Louisiana Teacher of the Year, delivered a congratulatory address. William Brent and Bob Jordan presented Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): Learning for Life awards to the candidates who participated in a year-long residency.

“These candidates will join the ranks of educators who are a part of Northwestern State’s rich teacher preparation legacy,” said Ramona A. Wynder, interim Director of Clinical Practice. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”

 

 

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Loretta Cloud
Sep 24, 1960 – Dec 10, 2018
Service: Thursday, Dec. 13 at 2 pm at Union Hall Baptist Church in Coushatta
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery in Goldonna

Charles Bruce Todd
May 18, 1959 – December 8, 2018
Service: Friday, December 14 at 10 am at Family Worship Center Church in Campti

Al Joseph Lacey
October 31, 1950 – December 3, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, December 15 from 9-10 am at the St. Savior Baptist Church Church (Grand Ecore)
Service: Saturday, December 15 at 10 am at the St. Savior Baptist Church Church
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery on Texas Street

SABINE PARISH:

Harold Gene Dillard
October 5, 1937 – December 9, 2018
Service: Thursday, December 13 at 3 pm at First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hill
Interment: Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Shortly before, midnight officers of the Natchitoches Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the dead end of Caspari St. Upon arrival officers discovered, fifty-seven year old, Ronald G. Green, with a gunshot to his head. Mr. Green was later pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.

In addition, three additional persons had apparently been transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center by private vehicle. Two male victims sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and an additional victim sustained a gunshot to the rear of his neck. The current conditions of the three victims are not known. In addition, the names of all three victims are being withheld at this time due to the nature of the investigation.

The Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division was contacted and is diligently investigating the shootings, at this time no additional information shall be released. The Natchitoches Police Department is urging anyone who has information about the shootings to contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or you may contact the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, Detective Sergeant William Connell at (318) 238-3911. All calls shall be kept confidential.

Authorized for release by:
Chief Micky Dove 12/12/2018

By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

Northwestern State University’s Magale Recital Hall was the place to hear some of the area’s finest musicians Tuesday, Dec 11th as the Natchitoches Middle School and Natchitoches Central Orchestras presented their Christmas concerts.

The young men and women of the Natchitoches Magnet School began their concert first. Each grade level, from 5th to 8th played a variety of Christmas and seasonal pieces. Mr. Evan Korn has led the orchestra since 2013 and is doing a wonderful job of developing the musical abilities of his young musicians. We look forward to hearing them perform throughout their careers in middle and high school. Well done!

The Natchitoches Central High School Orchestra then took the stage for their concert under the direction of Mrs. Syll-Young Lee Olson, their long time director and a stalwart of the parish’s musical education programs. The hard work and preparation of the young people as they grew throughout their tenure in the orchestras in Middle Lab and Natchitoches Magnet is evident as they continue to grow and learn in the award winning NCHS Orchestra. The orchestra performed a range of popular, classic and sacred musical pieces. The concert also featured the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and an absolutely superb vocal solo by Ms. Melanie Nation. The concert ended with a rendition of the “Carol of the Bells” that brought down the house.

The Natchitoches Parish Public Schools have excellent music program at all of their middle and high schools. Under the tutelage of dedicated, talented and caring teachers, the young people learn more than music. They learn the value of hard work and persevering towards a worthy goal. Music education builds better men and women. Thanks to all of the orchestra members for a wonderful evening! The photo album is open. Merry Christmas, download any you wish!

Regan Edwards of Ringgold, a graduating senior in Health and Exercise Science at Northwestern State University, spent the fall semester interning with a leading researcher and clinician in the field of would care, Frank Aviles, in Natchitoches.

Aviles is a physical therapist with several certifications in the specialized field of wound care, including Certified Wound Specialist, Honorary Fellow of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist.

According to the Center for Disease Control, about 6.5 million Americans live with chronic wounds, wounds that don’t respond to medical care within 30 days. Working at the wound care clinic required knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Edwards disinfected beds, checked patients’ vitals and worked with patients undergoing Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Many of the patients were diabetic, had crush injuries or necrotizing fasciitis.

As a student athlete himself, Edwards originally became interested in physical therapy after treatment for a torn ACL. While earning his degree, he worked as a trainer for the football team at St. Mary’s High School in Natchitoches. His internship with Aviles met requirements for NSU’s Quality Enhancement Plan in which graduates complete a high impact education practice. During the internship, Edwards accompanied Aviles to a conference in Florida on lymphedema management where he learned about lymph drainage, compression wraps and other treatments.

Though it was a fascinating and eye-opening experience, Edwards, whose father died when he was in seventh grade, realized he is not entirely comfortable working in a clinical setting, so his future plans are taking him in a different direction. After working as a volunteer for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction program, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in sports administration.

Still, the experience working in the clinic was valuable and he developed a close relationship with Aviles, his mentor. At the conclusion of the semester, he presented what he learned at the Florida conference to a Health and Human Performance class at NSU. He said Health and Exercise Science is a broad field and he now has a better idea of what he wants to do.

“I learned so much,” he said. “It opened my eyes to real world situations and that you need to take care of yourself.”

NSUs’ Fall Commencement will be Friday, Dec. 14 in Prather Coliseum. Graduates from the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, the Louisiana Scholars’ College and the College of Arts and Sciences with the exception of those receiving degrees in general studies will receive diplomas at 10 a.m. Graduates in general studies along with those receiving degrees from College of Nursing and Allied Health and the College of Business and Technology will receive diplomas at 3 p.m.

The family of the late Dr. Hurst M. Hall Sr., a long-time member of the Northwestern State University faculty, created a scholarship in his memory to benefit a student pursuing a master’s degree in education for a period of three years.

The family chose to award the scholarship at the master’s level or higher because there are fewer scholarship options for those students.

“Most people at the master’s level and beyond have more financial constraints because they have families and other responsibilities,” said Jane Hall, Dr. Hall’s wife. “Hurst believed in education and always continuing to learn no matter what your age.”
Dr. Hall, 88, passed away Aug. 6 in Natchitoches. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Mississippi, and was the oldest son of Callie and Lewis Hall. He graduated from Toccopola High School and then earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in health and physical education from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi where he ran track. He also earned the Advanced Master of Arts in education degree in guidance and counseling from Ole Miss before earning the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling at the University of Alabama in 1969.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, he entered the U. S. Air Force and served from 1951-1955. He then served as director of special services and as a guidance counselor for Union Public Schools in Union, Missouri.

Dr. Hall married the love of his life, the former Jane Elizabeth Kean, in 1954, and together they raised two children, Kimberly Jane and Hurst Jr. (Landy).

Hall joined the Northwestern State University faculty in 1959 as a psychologist and educational consultant on special evaluation teams. During his 40-year tenure he taught countless students serving as a professor, department head and division chairman for special education, human services and educational psychology. Hall was the author and co-author of numerous publications and grants, and he devoted a significant part of his career as a consultant for several state and federal agencies. He was president of Phi Delta Kappa and was an active officer and member of the American and Louisiana Psychological Associations, the National Association of School Psychologists, Psi Chi, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Louisiana Personnel and Guidance Association, and the Natchitoches Mental Health Association. He held lifetime teacher and counselor certificates in several states; he proudly served as a Licensed Professional Counselor for the National Board of Certified Counselors. He was named Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at Northwestern State following his retirement in 2001.

“Dr. Hall was my adviser when I was working on my Masters of Education,” said Brooke Williams, a former student. “I delayed receiving my Master’s because I didn’t want to write a thesis. Dr. Hall called me one day and told me that I had to have my first revision on his desk by the weekend. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Of course, because I had great respect for him, I busted my behind and had my first revision on his desk. When I brought it to him, he smiled at me and said, ‘I knew you could do it.’ He always was supportive and encouraging. He also had a great sense of humor. I am pleased so see that NSU is honoring his name with a scholarship.”

Hall was active in the community, and a member of the Natchitoches Rotary Club, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Louisiana, Phoenix Lodge No. 38 in Natchitoches; a member of the El Karubah Shriners, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. His family were active members of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served as a reader, choir member and Senior Warden. He was a founding member of the Back Porch Band in Natchitoches, and was named to the Louisiana State Hall of Master Folk Artists in 2002.

“Thank you for continuing Dr. Hall’s tradition of working to help students,” said Dr. Kimberly McAlister, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “He was such an advocate for students and his genuine care and interest was evident in all his interactions with faculty and students.”

“Dr. Hurst Hall made a difference in my life,” said Dr. Vickie Gentry, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “Always supportive to the College of Education and Department of Psychology. Always seeking ways to support students and his colleagues. A generous, kind-hearted man. I miss him so much; this scholarship will carry on the traits he best represented.”

To make memorial contributions to the Dr. Hurst M. Hall Memorial Scholarship in Education, visit northwesternalumni.com or call (318) 357-4414.

Representatives from the Natchitoches Association of Financial Advisors presented a donation of $10,000 to the Northwestern State University Foundation, a contribution to support an endowed scholarship established by the NAFA.

David Haymon of Leesville, Buddy Wood of Many and Nettles Brown of Natchitoches met with NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio and Director of Development Jill Bankston, CFRE, to explain why the group chose not to establish scholarship criteria.

“We have a scholarship that has no restrictions. It’s usually the last one that’s given,” Brown said. “We are about helping kids. There are no restrictions except for financial need.”

“We are making a difference in this region,” Maggio said. An unrestricted scholarship may benefit not only a traditional student but could lend support to a student who is a working parent, someone who needs to return to the workforce, students from rural areas and those who are first-generation students. “We are changing a lot of folks’ lives.”

Brown suggested that if all NSU alumni contribute just $100 annually the impact on student support could be tremendous.

“Students love being here,” Bankston said. “The pride on the Northwestern State campus is tremendous right now. Unrestricted scholarships help students who need a hand with books or other expenses to stay in school and complete their degrees.”

For information on giving to the NSU Foundation, visit northwesternalumni.com or contact Bankston at bankstonj@nsula.edu or at (318) 357-4241.

Pictured above from left are NSU Director of Development Jill Bankston, Nettles Brown, NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio, David Haymon and Buddy Wood.

When the next National Baseball Hall of Fame induction takes place July 21, 2019, in Cooperstown, New York, fans may have to wait a while for Lee Smith to make his way to the dais.

Anyone familiar with the time it took the longtime Chicago Cubs closer to amble from the bullpen to the mound may be surprised to know how quickly Smith could cut down a baseline during his one season as a Demon basketball player.

“As powerful as he was, he could move quickly when he wanted to,” said Tynes Hildebrand, Smith’s head coach and eventual NSU director of athletics. “He had that long, gangly walk and people laughed at it. That’s just him. That’s the way he walked. He walked that way at Castor. He walked that way here.”

And he walked – at his own pace – into the annals of baseball glory despite never having logged an inning on the Brown-Stroud Field mound. Along with his contemporary Harold Baines, Smith was announced as one of the two newest members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, chosen by the Today’s Game Era committee.

During his senior season at Castor High School, Smith signed to play both baseball and basketball at Northwestern State. The Chicago Cubs plucked Smith in the second round of the 1975 June Amateur Draft, and the 6-foot-5 right-hander decided to sign a professional contract.

Smith retained his amateur status in basketball and played the 1976-77 season for Hildebrand’s Demon basketball team, becoming the first NSU athlete “declared professional in one sport and competing as an amateur in another.”

After compiling a 6-2 record for the Cubs Rookie League team in 1975 and making 18 starts for Class A Pompano Beach in 1976, Smith transitioned to the basketball court, averaging 3.4 points on 56.8-percent shooting from the field.

Smith grabbed an average of 1.8 rebounds per game while appearing in 17 games off the bench for the Demons, who finished 17-9.

A large but athletic forward who Hildebrand said was his first player who could “go from the corner, drive the baseline and stuff it,” Smith’s physique was chiseled from a unique workout regimen.

“Lee Arthur was an interesting guy,” Hildebrand said. “He was throwing in the 90s all the time at Castor. He was big and strong – all muscle. Arm muscle. Shoulder muscle. Leg muscle. Lee Arthur made his spending money hauling pulpwood. Those sticks are about six feet long.

“He’d take those on the ground and toss them all the way up to the top of a pulpwood truck. That’s how I assume he got so developed and strong. Doing that develops your leg and core muscles, your back muscles, shoulders and arms. He was tremendously strong.”

Derwood Duke was an assistant coach under Hildebrand and saw Smith’s ability on the court for that 1976-77 season.

“He was a very good rebounder and had a very good attitude toward the game,” Duke said. “He really worked hard to be a good basketball player even though he knew he was going to play baseball. I was very pleased to be able to recruit Lee. He came from such a good family.”

Smith often said basketball was his first love, but Hildebrand and others understood the value of Smith’s right arm, even if the Castor native may not have understood his own worth.

“He loved basketball more than baseball,” Hildebrand said. “He had trouble understanding how valuable he was for baseball and that his future was in baseball. If he had devoted his career to basketball, he would have been one of Northwestern State’s all-time greats. Same with baseball. If he had played here, he would have been the greatest baseball player in school history.”

Instead, Smith enjoyed an 18-year run as one of Major League Baseball’s best relief pitchers.

At the time of his retirement in 1999, Smith was the all-time saves leader with 478 and held the record for saves in a single month (15, June 1993).

Smith became the fourth major league pitcher to appear in more than 1,000 games, finishing his career with 1,022 appearances, compiling a 71-92 record with a 3.03 ERA and 29.0 wins above replacement.

A seven-time All-Star and three-time Rolaids Reliever of the Year, Smith set a career high with 47 saves with St. Louis in 1991 and helped the Cubs claim the 1984 NL East title with 33 saves. He saved 29 games for Boston in 1988, helping the Red Sox win the AL East title.

Smith, a 2004 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee, produced four seasons where he led the league in saves and had consecutive top-four finishes in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 1991-92.

He remains active in baseball, coaching one of the two San Francisco Giants entries in the Arizona League where he crossed paths and initiated a friendship with former Demons outfielder Kwan Adkins, a 30th-round Giants draft pick in June.

“We are extremely proud of Lee for the well-deserved honor of being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Demons coach Bobby Barbier said. “Lee has always been a tremendous representative of the Northwestern State athletic program and Demon baseball. We could not be happier to see him receive the recognition for the type of career he had.”

Pictured above, Lee Smith (center) poses with Northwestern State Director of Athletics Greg Burke (left) and then-NSU head baseball coach John Cohen. Photo Credit: NSU Athletics

Rotarian with the Program David Young introduced U.S. Forest Services Public Affairs and Heritage Staff Officer Jim Caldwell and Ranger Mike Dawson at the Rotary Club of Natchitoches meeting Dec. 11. They shared information about the many resources available in the 604,000 acres of the Kisatchie National Forest, the only National forest in Louisiana. Pictured from left are Rotary Club of Natchitoches President Richard White, Dawson, Caldwell, and Young.

Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts (LSMSA) Senior Diamond Wilson was recognized by Rotary Club of Natchitoches and by Northwestern State University (NSU) Recruiter Katarina Haymon with a scholarship to attend NSU in the fall majoring in Nursing. Pictured from left are LSMSA Biology teacher and Co-Director of EXCEL Jason Anderson, Executive Director of LSMSA Foundation Angela Robinson, Wilson, and Rotarian Tommy Melder. On the back row are Chief of Staff and Director of Administration John Allen and Haymon (Photos by Dr. Ron McBride).