The Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated announces its upcoming 29th Annual Beautillion that will be held Saturday, April 27 at 6 pm at the Ben Johnson Auditorium. This event will feature young males from within the Natchitoches community.

The Beaux for the upcoming year are:

Beau Keonte’ Charles who is the son of Darnei Bates and Nekesha Charles. Beau Keonte’ attends Natchitoches Central High School.

Beau Jaylon Triplet-Bell is the son of Christopher Bell and Tyronda Triplet. Beau Jaylon attends Lakeview High School.

Beau Albert Gillie Jr is the son of Pastor Albert Gillie Sr. and Bridget Gillie. Beau Albert attends Natchitoches Central High School.

Beau Maleek Johnson is the son of Michael and Latricia Johnson. Beau Maleek attends Natchitoches Central High School.

Beau Tyrik Johnson is the son of Shawn Johnson and Alicia Davis. Beau Tyrik attends Natchitoches Central High School.

Beau William Roberson is the son of Bishop William Roberson and Jacqueline Roberson. Beau William attends Natchitoches Central High School.

Beau Trevor Williams Jr., is the son of Trevor Williams Sr. and Yvette C. Williams. Beau Trevor attends Natchitoches Central High School.

This year’s speaker will be Phillip Jean-Louis Jr. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. He also received a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling and a Master of Science in Professional Counseling at Grand Canyon University. He recently earned his License in Professional Counseling and is currently a full-time counselor dealing with families, individuals, juveniles, and addiction. He is a Member of Theta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. He played baseball for the NSU Demon Baseball Team for 3 years in 2004-2007 under Coach Mitch Gaspard.

Tickets will be sold through the Beauxs and members of the Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Proceeds from the Beautillion will be used to fund public service projects of the Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter by helping with Scholarships, the Book Project, Breast Cancer Awareness Projects, the Delta Doll Project, Nursing Home Activities, Thanksgiving food drive, The Council on Aging, and support of many other existing area projects.

CLARENCE DeWITT BOOTY JR.

October 20, 1940 – April 22, 2019

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Clarence DeWitt Booty, Jr., 78, of Natchitoches, LA will be held at 10 A.M. Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches with Reverend Louis Sklar as celebrant. Interment will follow in Springville Cemetery, Coushatta, LA. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home, Coushatta, LA.

Mr. Booty was born October 20, 1940 in Natchitoches, LA and passed away April 22, 2019. Mr. Booty was a long-time parishioner of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and a member of the Knights of Columbus #1357. DeWitt was a graduate of St. Mary’s and Northwestern State University. He was an avid Demon Fan and supporter in the 6th Man Club, Quarterback Club and Alumni Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Johnnie Booty; and son, Robert Henry “Skip” Wooley, Jr.

Mr. Booty is survived by his wife, Louise Posey Wooley Booty of Natchitoches, LA; daughter, Rhonda Chamberlin and husband, Bobby of Evelyn, LA; grandson, Rob Chamberlin and wife, Stephanie of Coushatta, LA; granddaughter, Aimee Walker and husband, Chris of Natchitoches, LA; great-grandchildren, Madison and Madelyn Chamberlin, and Hunter and Witt Walker; sisters, Sister Alma Rose Booty of San Antonio, TX and Elly Hurley and husband, Richard of Pelham, AL; nieces, Leslie Cheek and husband, Jarrett and their children, Shelby and Morgan, and Tammy Fisher.

Serving as pallbearers will be Rob Chamberlin, Chris Walker, Bobby Chamberlin, Richard Hurley, Dewey Page, Francis Vienne, Johnnie Muckleroy, and Jarrett Cheek. Honorary pallbearers are his precious great-grandchildren, Madison and Madelyn Chamberlin, Hunter and Witt Walker, two special nieces, Leslie Cheek and Tammy Fisher, Larry Broadwater, Bob Benson, and Doug Lewallen.

In lieu of flowers, to honor DeWitt’s love and heart for the sports program at NSU, memorials can be made to the Demons Unlimited Foundation for Northwestern State University Athletics, 468 Caspari, Natchitoches, LA 71497.

Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Coushatta, LA

Mayor Lee Posey announces that Lafayette Street between Second Street and Third Street will be closed to all traffic on Saturday, April 27 for removal of the existing base and asphalt surfacing and placement of new crushed stone base.

Once the new base course is in place, the street will be re-opened to traffic until such time as placement of the new asphalt surfacing can be scheduled.

During this closure, traffic may detour around the work site via the adjacent network of City streets. When traveling near the work zone, motorists are advised to exercise caution and to observe all warning signs and flagger instructions.

For questions relative to this temporary closure, please call the Mayor’s office at (318) 352-2772.

The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) awarded Dr. Bill Dickens the Southern District Donna L. Dunaway Medal. The Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a member by the SHAPE Southern District and recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions and given meritorious service to the Southern District over a significant period of time.

The medal was presented at the SHAPE National Convention in Tampa, Florida, April 11 Prior to Dickens, there have been only seven recipients of the award.

To qualify for the Donna L. Dunaway Medal, individuals must be a noteworthy leader and a significant contributor to the work of Southern District; have exemplified long term and meritorious service to Southern District for a minimum period of 15 years and be a person of high moral character whose contributions have emulated the spirit of service, dedication and the highest work ethic that the Dunaway Medal represents. Candidates are at least 45 years of age, must have been a member of Southern District for a minimum period of 15 years prior to being nominated for the award and reside in the Southern District at the time of the award.

Dickens has been an educator, scholar, researcher and coach for 52 years. He retired from Northwestern State University’s Department of Health and Human Performance as Professor Emeritus in 2016 following years of service to the department, to NSU, to Southern District of SHAPE America, to the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (LAHPERD), which he served as executive director, and to the profession at large.

Dickens was on faculty at NSU for 28 years during which time he twice served as department head, as well as on numerous administrative committees. Dickens earned numerous honors from the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (APHERD) during his career for his advancement of professions related to health and human performance.

Dickens has been involved in numerous youth, athletic, civic and service organizations. Among his many other noteworthy services, he was the manager of the American Red Cross Disaster Shelter set up in NSU’s Health and Human Performance Building that housed more than 1,200 evacuees for several weeks following Hurricane Katrina.

Dickens’ colleagues laud him as an encourager, a scholar and a teacher passionate about the field of physical education.

Following his retirement, Dickens has remained involved at NSU as an adjunct instructor, teaching classes that prepare students in Health and Human Performance for their next step as they pursue careers as teachers, physical therapists, wellness specialists, coaches and other health specialties.

Pictured above: Dr. Bill Dickens, center, is the eighth recipient of the Dunaway Medal, a special honor that recognizes individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions and given meritorious service to the Southern District of the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) over a significant period of time. From left are Milton Wilder of Mississippi, Cam Davis of Tennessee, Dickens, Donna Dunaway of Alabama, Andrew Lewis of South Carolina and Donna Hester of Alabama. Not shown are Karen Dowd of Oklahoma/Florida and Steve Furney of Texas.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), advises the public that the LA 153 bridge, over an unnamed drain, located 5.08 miles north of the LA 9/LA 153 intersection, will be closed to ALL TRAFFIC beginning Tuesday, April 30 at approximately 8 AM for bridge repairs. The bridge will remain closed until repairs are complete.

Permit/Detour Section
Northbound traffic will be detoured to LA 9 North to LA 153.
Southbound traffic will be detoured to LA 9 South to LA 153.

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 LADOTD website @ http://www.dotd.la.gov, the DOTD Facebook page or the LADOTD Twitter page, @cenlatraffic for further information.

The Natchitoches Police Department received a walk in complaint on April 14 at 3:40 pm in reference to a shooting that occurred in the area of Berry Avenue. The victim stated that she was driving down Berry Avenue when a male subject began shooting at her vehicle. She advised she was able to drive away and come to NPD.

Natchitoches Police Officers were dispatched to the 800 block of July Street on April 18 at 4:15 pm in reference to a shooting. Officers spoke to a witness who advised that she and the victim were inside the residence when they heard the sound of gunfire. The victim then realized she had been shot in the lower right leg. She was taken by a relative to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.

During the investigation Detectives interviewed the victims and witness. It was determined the same suspect was involved in both shootings. A warrant for the arrest of Quintrarevas White was signed by a Natchitoches Parish Judge on April 22.

Quintrarevas White, 18 of Natchitoches, was arrested and taking into custody without incident on April 23 at 9:30 am. White was transported to the Natchitoches Police Criminal Investigations Division and charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, negligent injuring, assault with a firearm, and 2 counts of discharging a firearm in the city limits. He was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information in reference to this shooting should contact the Natchitoches Police Department directly at (318) 352-8101 or you may contact Detective Beard of the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (318) 238-3914. All calls shall be kept confidential.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Clarence DeWitt Booty
October 20, 1940 – April 22, 2019
Visitation: Wednesday, April 24 from 6-8 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home in Coushatta
Service: Thursday, April 25 at 10 am at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches
Interment: Springville Cemetery in Coushatta

Kimberly Hall Oas
July 21, 1956 – April 19, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 2 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches
Interment: American Cemetery

Charles Myles
April 22, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Frederick Lacy
April 05, 1967 – April 21, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Narvy Lewis
April 10, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 11 am at the Rock Island Baptist Church
Interment: Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery off of Hwy. 6

SABINE PARISH:

Joseph Martin Wallace
December 19, 1944 – April 19, 2019
Visitation: Wednesday, April 24 from 5-9 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Thursday, April 25 at 11 am at Fellowship Baptist Church in Oak Grove Community
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Converse

It’s been a long time in the making, but the City Council approved the introduction of an ordinance to award the bid for the City Council Chambers renovation project at Monday night’s meeting, April 22. This project will remodel the Arts Building, located on Second Street. The bid will be awarded to Prothro Construction LLC of Cypress for $495,716 once it receives the Council’s final vote at next month’s meeting.

The project is projected to start within the next 30-45 days and should take approximately 120 days. City Council meetings will be moved to the municipal building next to the Fire Department in the meantime.

The remodel will include rearranging the layout of the building with a new raised Council seating area, a new door on the South side of the building closer to City Hall, women and men restrooms in the front of the building with two office spaces, a second set of glass doors in the foyer area, rewiring, new plumbing, a new HVAC system, new lighting, and cleaning off the upper windows to allow for natural lighting as well.

Other agenda items included:

PROCLAMATIONS:

Declare April 25, 2019 “End The Epidemic Day” In The City Of Natchitoches
Declare The Week Of April 22-26, 2019 As National Community Development Week In The City Of Natchitoches

PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:

Change Zoning Classification Of Property At 536 University Parkway from B-2 Neighborhood Business District to B-3 Community and Central Business District for Magee’s Patio Cafe to extend its hours of operation to 6 am

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

(FAILED WITH 4:1 VOTE AGAINST) Execute A Lease In Favor Of Harold Foster And Laurie Berry
Award The Bid For The Electric Distribution Rehabilitation For Quida And Jackson Street
Restate The Policy Of The City Of Natchitoches Regarding Harassment And Amend And Reenact The Personnel Policies Manual Of The City Of Natchitoches To Amend The Section Entitled “Harassment”
Enter Into A Memorandum Of Understanding With The Natchitoches Community Alliance Foundation, Inc., Which Said Memorandum Provides For The Certification Of Sites Owned By The City Of Natchitoches Located In The Industrial Park Situated In Sections 72, 73 And 74, Township 9 North, Range 7 West

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:

Adopt The Millage Rate For The Tax Year 2019

RESOLUTIONS:

Adopt A Citizen Participation Plan/Citizen Complaint Procedure And Appoint A Citizen Complaint Officer For Compliance With The LCDBG Program
Adopt The Louisiana Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Procurement Policy For The FY 2020 – FY 2021
Proceed With The Procurement And Selection Of Professional Services For The Purpose Of Assisting In The Development Of The LCDBG Proposal And Implementation Of The Project, If Funded.
Proceed With The Development Of The LCDBG Proposal Taking Into Consideration Citizen Participation Requirements And Views Of The Governing Body.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be May 13, 2019.

By Judy McIntyre

You and your family can entertain royalty right here in Natchitoches! All you have to do is come by the Natchitoches Farmers Market on Saturday, April 27 and pick up a milkweed plant at the Natchitoches Master Gardeners’ booth. Plants will be given out for a small donation to the “Save the Monarch Butterfly Project.” The milkweed plant will attract Monarch butterflies to your yard. The milkweed provides nectar in its flowers and it provides a nursery for the female Monarch to lay its eggs on the leaves of the plant. Last year over 1,000 milkweed plants were distributed thanks to the City of Natchitoches and the Master Gardeners.

Please help bring back the Monarch butterflies, as their numbers are drastically declining. Milkweed is an easy care plant that reseeds itself every year. It requires a sunny spot in your yard and can easily be planted in your existing landscape.

Want to know more? Go to www.monarchwatch.com.

Northwestern State University’s Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies is promoting a campaign to raise awareness of the Dr. Sara Burroughs English Scholarship Fund through the end of May. The target amount of $20,000 will provide a permanent $1,000 scholarship to be awarded each year to an outstanding English major. One hundred percent of donations go to the scholarship and are tax deductible.

Burroughs “was the consummate teacher, scholar and mentor, beloved by her colleagues and the students she taught for 27 years,” said Dr. Jim Mischler, department chair. “The first $2,000 raised will be matched dollar for dollar providing a total of $4,000, giving us a better chance to reach the target amount by the end of May when the campaign ends.”

Dr. Burroughs, who passed away in spring 2018, attended Centenary College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. She advanced her education with a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas, a Master of Arts in English from the University of Texas and a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

During her tenure, Dr. Burroughs was Chair of the department from 1987-1992 and received the NSU Excellence in Teaching Award; she was named Professor Emerita in 2008. She retired in 1999 and moved to Shreveport. She lived life to the fullest, active in church and community activities and traveling to all parts of the world.

To contribute to the Dr. Sara Burroughs English Scholarship, make checks payable to the NSU Foundation with Dr. Sara Burroughs Scholarship noted in the memo. Contributions can be mailed to the NSU Foundation, 535 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA. 71457.

The Northwestern State women’s basketball team tipped of the spring signing time frame by adding Hinds Community College forward Nakaylis Washington.

A 5-foot-9 McComb, Mississippi, product, Washington averaged 9 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Bulldogs, starting all 21 games in which she appeared.

Washington reached double figures in scoring in seven games in her sophomore season, highlighted by an 18-point performance in a loss to Baton Rouge Community College. Washington knocked down 7 of 8 shots in that game and grabbed a season-best nine rebounds.

In her freshman season, Washington flashed her scoring potential with a pair of 10-point games and started nine of her 24 appearances as the Bulldogs went 16-9. An active rebounder, Washington corralled an average of 4.3 rebounds per game.

“Nakaylis is a versatile player who can play and score in different positions on the floor,” said head coach Jordan Dupuy, who enters his fourth season at the helm of the Lady Demons. “She will allow us to play the up-tempo style we want to play. She and her family are great fits for our program both on and off the floor. We are excited to have her.”

At South Pike High School in Magnolia, Mississippi, Washington averaged 13.7 points per game as a senior, helping lead the Panthers to the state playoffs. She also was the district champion in the long jump with a leap of 16-2.

Washington, who aspires to be a physical therapist and plans to major in health and exercise science, credited the atmosphere around the university and the program as reasons for signing with NSU.

“I chose NSU because I like how they are going to always make sure I’m doing well, not just athletically but academically as well,” she said. “I also can see myself fitting into the basketball program just fine. Lastly, I just love the atmosphere and positive energy of the school.”

Washington joins incoming freshmen Anessa Dussette and Karyn Ford in the Lady Demons’ signing class. Dussette and Ford signed with Northwestern State in November.

Photo Credit: Tracy Duncan/Hinds CC Athletics

The Jefferson Highway Association in conjunction with Bike Natchitoches and the local brewery will host a guided Jefferson Highway Bicycle Ride on Thursday, April 25 as part of their national conference, which is being held in Natchitoches April 24–27. The casual paced ride will start at 118 Mill Street at 6 p.m. The event is free to the public and bicycle riders of all skill levels are encouraged to ride along the historic highway route through Natchitoches.

In addition to the bike ride, there will be two contests before the start of the ride for the “Best Vintage Bicycle” and the “Best Vintage Dressed Rider.” A trophy and prizes will be awarded. A limited supply of colorful Jefferson Highway Bike Ride T-Shirts will also be available for purchase for $16 before the ride begins starting at 5:30 p.m. Portions of the ride are scheduled to have a Police Escort for safety, but helmets are highly encouraged for the ride and riders going with the group should know that they are riding at their own risk during the ride.

The historic Jefferson Highway was first formed in New Orleans in 1915 and once traversed from Winnipeg, Manitoba to New Orleans as part of the “Good Roads Movement” of this time period. Communities along the route worked together to improve roads, bridges and promote the route which was once a principal travel route through Louisiana.

In addition to automobile enthusiasts of this period, a large portion of the promotion of highways and new roads came from cyclists and cycling groups such as the “American Wheelmen” as improved roads for cyclists. The Jefferson Highway along with other historic highways later lost most of their identity when these “named roads” were nationally changed to numerical designations. Much of the old Jefferson Highway roadbed though remains up and down the historic route today and enthusiasts are now working to make it a viable north-south historic byway across the country for modern day tourists.

In 2011, the Jefferson Highway Association was reformed as a historical, heritage organization to preserve the history of the historic route and promote tourism and travel on the historic roadbed which goes through seven states (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana) and one Province (Manitoba) in Canada. This will be the 8th annual conference for this group and the first to be held in Louisiana.

“We couldn’t be more pleased by the welcoming and outpouring of support that we have received in Natchitoches as we have made plans for this conference,” said Jefferson Highway President Glenn Smith. “We will be bringing people from all over the United States to this conference and we know they will love being here in Natchitoches. We certainly hope that this community bike ride will be well received.”

During conference planning for this year’s annual conference, the group decided to establish a bike ride along the historic route during their conference activities. A bike ride was formerly part of the annual conference in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 2015 and the group wanted to bring it back and make it an annual event at each conference going forward.

Roger Bell, the Incoming Vice-President of the Jefferson Highway is an avid cyclist in addition to his interest in history and the Jefferson Highway. “The goal here is to have a casual and fun bike ride along the historic route in portions of Natchitoches. We will stop at points during the ride to tell stories of the past and point out facts of history of the Jefferson Highway. We hope some will want to come out riding vintage bicycles from all eras and also ride in vintage attire and enter our contests. We have some great prizes planned.”

Local Natchitoches cyclist Carey Blanchard of the Bike Natchitoches group has also been helping plan the event. “This will be a fun ride that should interest our community and area,” he said. “This will be only a couple of days before our major spring riding event, but this will be a relaxing, fun ride to come out and enjoy riding together and learn more about Natchitoches and the Jefferson Highway. We hope folks will want to dust off their bicycles, get them ready to ride and come join us as we take a ride into history along the historic roadway.”

Event Schedule:

5:30 P.M. – Bike Ride Signup – Orientation – Vintage Bicycle and Vintage Clothing Contests

6-7:30 P.M. – Ride

For specific information on the ride contact Roger Bell at 918.869.8107.

Lakeview School proudly presents the graduating seniors of the Class of 2019.

Kelli West, director of marketing and communications for the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club about the upcoming conference for the Jefferson Highway Association, which will be held in Natchitoches April 24-27. The Jefferson Highway was originally founded in 1915 and stretched from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans. The Jefferson Highway was the first intercontinental highway to run North to South.

This highway is still present today. Local Natchitoches citizens can still see the remnants as they travel along Hwys. 71 to 84, even on current Jefferson Street. Yes, Jefferson Street was named after the Jefferson Highway.

The highway is still being celebrated by the Jefferson Highway Association, a group working to identify, preserve, interpret, and improve access to the Jefferson Highway and its associated sites.

The public is invited to attend the educational sessions on Thursday, April 25 at the Chateau St. Denis, located on Second Street, to learn about the Jefferson Highway – the past, present and future, and the impact the highway had on Louisiana, and Natchitoches.

The schedule for Thursday, April 25 is:

9:00 Welcome and Announcements

Mike Curtis, President-Elect, Jefferson Highway Association

9:15 Traveling the Jefferson Highway: The Past, Present and the Future

Roger Bell, Vice President- Elect, Jefferson Highway Association

10:15 Images and Memories of the Jefferson Highway in Louisiana

Mary Linn Wernet, University Archivist, Northwestern State University of Louisiana

11:15 Louisiana Historic Byways and Tourism in Louisiana

Sharon Calcote, Louisiana Office of Tourism

12:00 Lunch on your own

Downtown Natchitoches

2:00 Jefferson Highway Mapping Presentation and Workshop (Louisiana-emphasis)

Mike Curtis, President-Elect, Jefferson Highway Association

Please RSVP for the Thursday sessions by calling (318) 352-8072.

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity member Christian Frost was honored with the ‘Distinguished Senior Award’ by the Northwestern State University Greek Community.
Frost was recognized for his impact on campus at the annual NSU Greek Awards on April 10.

The senior from Metairie is a 2015 initiate of the Beta Omicron Chapter and has served on the NSU Interfraternity Council board. Carrying a 3.6 GPA in the Louisiana Scholars College, he is also involved in Blue Key Honor Society and is a past recipient of the prestigious David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship.

His award-winning writings have been honored in the NSU campus literary magazine The Argus.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Kimberly Hall Oas
July 21, 1956 – April 19, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 2 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches
Interment: American Cemetery

Charles Myles
April 22, 2019
Arrangements TBA

Frederick Lacy
April 05, 1967 – April 21, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Lawrence Serenity Sanctum

Narvy Lewis
April 10, 2019
Service: Saturday, April 27 at 11 am at the Rock Island Baptist Church
Interment: Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery off of Hwy. 6

SABINE PARISH:

Carl Dean Leone
July 5, 1960 – April 19, 2019
Service: Tuesday, April 23 at 10 am at First Baptist Church of Noble
Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery in Zwolle

Glenda Quayhagen Rogers
October 4, 1939 – April 19, 2019
Service: Tuesday, April 23 at 2 pm at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church with Father Richard Norsworthy officiating
Interment: St. John The Baptist Catholic Cemetery

EZ-RYDR is a subscription-based ride share service that puts safety first with thoroughly-vetted drivers and other features. This start up company launched in Oxford, Miss. in October, 2018. It’s now operating in Starkville, Miss., Ruston, and will be in Natchitoches as soon as a fleet of drivers can be established. This could be as soon as a few days, according to CEO and co-founder Kyle Staude.

Kyle started EZ_RYDR with three other co-founders: CTO Jeff Tindall, Marketing Director Austen Cain, and VP Brad Beard. Also on board are advisors Jay Worthy and Tom Pecora.

Staude said they plan to offer their services within Natchitoches City limits initially, but plan on expanding throughout the Parish. Of course, rides will cost a bit more to the outer areas of the Parish, but isn’t it worth it to avoid a DUI?

“We’re a car service that cares,” said Staude. “Our focus is on the underserved and often times overlooked rural college towns. We want to bring a sense of community to what we do.”

EZ-RYDR is currently recruiting drivers for the Natchitoches area. For more information go online to ez-rydr.com or https://www.facebook.com/ezrydrllc.

The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches is excited to hold its annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival & 5K Saturday, April 27 at the Collins Family Pavilion at NSU. The pancakes will be FREE to all guests. Yep, we said FREE PANCAKES! You are not required to participate in the 5K to enjoy the pancakes. The community is invited to come out and enjoy a nice hot breakfast!

The Pancake Festival will also offer a wide array of events including: a pancake eating contest, pancake flipping contest and a free Kids Zone that includes painting and bounce houses. The breakfast itself will include delicious pancakes, sausage and your choice of beverage (milk, coffee or orange juice).

The Pancake Festival will host its first color run as a part of the Pancake Festival this year! Along the route, there will be volunteers throwing color at those who want to participate. If you don’t want to get hit with color, you’ll just run to the left of the volunteers.

Cost to run in the 5K is $30 for children 12 and under and $25 for everyone else. Registration will begin at 7:30 am. Sign up & pay online at https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Natchitoches/KiwanisPancakeFestival5K.

One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from this event will be used to support the many programs and projects in the local club including: Terrific Kids, K-Kids, Key Club, Circle-K, Boys & Girls Club water day and many others.

“Our club also takes the time to honor a Lawman of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Fire Fighter of the Year and a Layperson of the Year and we could not be more proud of our hard work and support from the community,” said Lee Waskom.

If you are interested in learning more about Kiwanis, The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the NSU Rec Complex at noon. If you would like more information about Kiwanis, visit our website at kiwanisclubnatchitoches.com.