Voters of the town of Campti were given the opportunity to formally meet the new mayor pro tem on July 2. Mayor LaRon Winslow shared with citizens that the purpose of the meeting was for him to officially let the citizens of Campti know that the mayor’s office was no longer vacant and that he was currently serving as interim Pro tem. Mayor Winslow shared that he plans to run for the office in the general election. He asked voters for their vote and let them know that he would like to work with everyone for the improvement of the town of Campti.

Mayor Winslow shared that the mayor’s office had been vacant for a few weeks. But the issue concerning the vacancy had been resolved. He also thanked all of the previous Mayors who served in the mayor’s office and worked to bring about positive change for Campti. He told citizens that for them to achieve what they would like to achieve in their town it would take all citizen working together.

Mayor Winslow also thanked the administration who was in office before him and the current administration for continuing to do a great job cleaning up the town of Campti. He pledged to work with the town council to transform vacant lots in Campti into properties prime for new home construction. He shared a desire to work with legal representation and the town council to provide public service workshops for town citizens on credit repair and home ownership. He stated, “We would like to invite finance and construction companies to discuss with our citizens the possibility of building new homes on vacant lots. This is a way to revitalize the Town of Campti.”

Mayor Winslow expressed his desire to seek a community beautification grant to support the Town of Campti’s cleanup efforts. The evening ended with citizens asking questions as the new Mayor for the Town of Campti provided much anticipated answers to community concerns.

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Elizabeth Clark has been a teacher for 34 years. Currently, she teaches English I and II to 9th and 10th graders at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Her teaching philosophy is simple, she wants every child to be able to attend a school where they feel safe to gain knowledge, personal growth and acceptance. She hopes that students’ experiences in school will lead to the desire to continue a lifelong passion of learning.

Teaching for so long has given Clark a plethora of good memories, but her favorite is seeing the light bulb turn on when a child grasps what has been taught. She always loves hearing former students share their memories of her classes and express their appreciation for all that she’s taught them.

Clark said, “Diversity has certainly described my career.” Over the years she has taught in low-socioeconomic areas, magnet schools, rural schools, city schools, and private schools. The availability of classroom resources, like sets of novels, Smartboards, and computers is the biggest difference between the distinct types of schools.

She said that in all environments, one thing is the same. All students want to be accepted and to be taught. Specifically, she said that she loves working in a Catholic school, and that faith-based learning with Christian values is wonderful. There is a community feeling at Catholic schools, and she finds that the parent and teacher relationships are particularly strong.

Clark always wanted to be a teacher from her first class of stuffed animals, a new rolling chalkboard for Christmas at the age of 10, to the present. To aspiring teachers, Clark says, “If your heart isn’t in it, don’t do it. The rewards are not financial, but they are cherished experiences that you will never forget.”

Clark loves teaching English because it’s the cornerstone of communication. She says that through reading literature, students can connect with characters and themes, and use the lessons taught by the authors in their own lives. On the other hand, many students find writing their own stories cathartic and therapeutic. Language and grammar gives students the knowledge of proper communication skills, which benefit them later in life. Although English is often unappreciated initially, Clark said she has no doubt that students will recognize the benefits of her teachings as they grow older.

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BSA Troop 60 (Natchitoches) held a special Court of Honor on June 27th, recognizing 12 youth for advancements, including three new Eagle Scouts. Since the December 2018 Court of Honor, Troop 60 Scouts earned a total of 7 rank advancements, 61 merit badges, and 10 Eagle Palms. Caleb Martinez, Stephen Wheat II, and John Martinez III each earned their Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank in BSA Scouting. Earning the rank of Eagle is a significant accomplishment: only 4% of Scouting’s youth attain the highest rank, which requires more than 300 different requirements and an Eagle Scout Project that provides selfless service to the community.

Troop 60 Scouts spent a very active 6 months on their individual Trails to Eagle. In January, Scouts participated in the Iditarod Scout Race and earned first place ribbons in the “Camp Gadget” and “Troop Spirit” competitions and third place in “Fire Starter.” The Troop visited Dr Perez-Mira at NSU and Scouts earned the Programming merit badge under her excellent tutelage. In February, Scouts represented Troop 60 on Scout Sunday, welcomed members of Pack 20 to a meeting, and spent time with Professor Hyams in the Art Department at NSU to earn their Art merit badges after planning, 3-D printing, and finishing their creative designs. In March, Scouts opened the State Finals of the American Legion Oratorical competition for the second year in a row by posting the colors and listening to the state’s best young public speakers. They also celebrated an Eagle Court of Honor for Griffin McFarland; helped John Martinez III and Caleb Martinez complete their Eagle Project installations; served by helping the Friends of the Library with their book sale clean-up; and attended a Methodist Men’s Breakfast to talk about Troop 60 activities. In April, Scouts attended the Order of the Arrow Spring Fellowship and campout; completed the Scholarship merit badge, worked on any merit badges they hadn’t finished, and made progress on their knotwork with the trebuchets. In May, Scouts visited Southern Stone Climbing Gym for an overnight lock-in; completed the Oceanography merit badge; helped Stephen Wheat II complete his Eagle Project installation; participated in the flag ceremony at the Natchitoches Memorial Day remembrance event, and celebrated Pack 20 Arrow of Light Webelos in their cross-over ceremony. Finally in June, Scouts finished the trebuchets, launched water balloons across the Wesley Center parking lot, and spent a week at Kinsey Scout Ranch for summer camp, where they were real leaders, living the Scout Oath and Law every day.

At the Court of Honor, the following Troop 60 Scouts were recognized:

Alex Eldridge, who earned Art and Programming merit badges and his Scout rank.

Austin Dees, who earned Citizenship in the World, Programming, and Art merit badges, completed his Eagle rank Project paperwork which has been approved, and served as a staff member at summer camp.

Caleb Martinez, who earned Art, Aviation, Basketry, Leatherwork, Oceanography, Programming, Public Speaking, Shotgun Shooting, and Weather merit badges, and was celebrated for earning his Eagle Scout rank and three Eagle palms. Caleb’s Eagle Project was to repair and beautify the flagpole at Marthaville School, which he transformed into a functioning and respectful flag display with lighting.

Gabe Matuschka, who earned his Art and Oceanography merit badges.

Griffin McFarland, who earned Lifesaving, Motorboat, Programming, Public Speaking, Scholarship, Oceanography, Shotgun Shooting, Red River Rifles, and received his fourth Eagle Palm.

Jacob Miller, who earned Art, Aviation, Basketry, Nature, and Weather merit badges, and was recognized by the Nature staff with an award at Camp.

John Martinez III, who earned Art, Basketry, Programming, Nature, Oceanography, Shotgun Shooting, and Weather merit badges, and was celebrated for earning his Eagle Scout rank and three Eagle palms. John’s Eagle Project was to create a garden in front of the Marthaville Health Center, which he transformed from the plain edge of a parking lot into a colorful and nurturing space for children seeking medical attention while at school.

Koda DeBlieux, who earned Art, Programming, Lifesaving, Oceanography, and Shotgun shooting merit badges, and earned his First Class Scout rank.

Noah Martinez, who earned Art, Basketry, Citizenship in the World, Programming, Fishing, Leatherwork, Oceanography, Personal Management, Shotgun Shooting, and Red River Rifles, and completed his Scoutmaster Conference for First Class Scout.

Sawyer Anderson, who earned Citizenship in the World merit badge.

Seth Leach, who earned Metalworking, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, Welding, and Red River Rifles, and successfully passed his first Board of Review at camp, earning his Tenderfoot rank.

Stephen Wheat II, who earned Camping, Cooking, Citizenship in the Community, Environmental Science, Family Life, Oceanography, and Personal Management merit badges, and was celebrated for earning his Eagle Scout rank. Stephen’s Eagle Project was Mary’s Garden at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches, which he transformed into a lovely meditation area with seating and flowers.

Troop 60 will take a break in July, returning to regular meetings on Thursday, August 15 at the Wesley Center from 7-8 pm. All interested youth ages 11-17 are welcome. 

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NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Benny Wade O’Brien
September 05, 1942 – July 04, 2019
Visitation: Monday, July 8 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Tuesday, July 9 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Beulah Methodist Cemetery in Marthaville

RAPIDES PARISH:

Janet Louise Hardy Dawkins
July 31, 1920 – July 2, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, July 13 from 10-11 am at the St. James Episcopal Parish Hall
Service: Saturday, July 13 at 11 am atSt. James Episcopal Church
Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park

SABINE PARISH:

Darline A. Knippers
March 14, 1950 – July 5, 2019
Visitation: Monday, July 8 at 5 pm at Friendship Church of the Nazarene
Service: Tuesday, July 9 at 2 pm at Friendship Church of the Nazarene
Interment: Friendship Nazarene Cemetery

Virginia Rose Cozier
September 15, 1936 – July 4, 2019
Visitation: Friday, July 12 at 12 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many
Service: Friday, July 12 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

WINN PARISH:

Tracy Lee Harrel, Jr.
March 14, 1930 – July 05, 2019
Visitation: Tuesday, July 9 from 5-8 pm and Wednesday, July 10 from 1-2 pm at the Southern Funeral Home
Service: Wednesday, July 10 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church
Interment: Garden of Memories in Winnfield

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Southern Business & Development magazine ranked Louisiana No. 2 for securing the best economic development performance in the South on a per capita basis. This is the 11th year in a row that Louisiana has ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in the highly competitive category within the magazine’s annual SB&D 100 Top Deals and Hot Markets issue.

The magazine tracked the most significant capital investment and job-creation projects across the South, with states earning points for large employment projects and large capital-investment projects attracted during 2018. Louisiana earned 73.4 points-per-million, outperforming third-place Kentucky (70.0), fourth-place South Carolina (50.1) and fifth-place Mississippi (50.0). Only Alabama, at 79.7 points, performed at a higher level to earn State of the Year honors.

“The Southern Business & Development rankings confirm our success in creating great economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “By forming strategic public-private partnerships, by harnessing the capacity of our higher education systems, and by expanding training opportunities throughout our state, Louisiana is a trailblazer in the South for innovation and economic growth. I’m proud that we continue to attract leading employers, and I’m truly excited about the new career options and quality of life that we’re delivering in Louisiana today.”

In a record performance, Lake Charles earned its ninth consecutive Small Market of the Year honor for best economic development performance in cities of 50,000 to 250,000 people. New Orleans tied Nashville at No. 1 for Major Market of the Year among cities with 750,000 to 2.5 million people. Baton Rouge finished No. 3 in the Major Market category, ahead of Austin, Texas, and Louisville, Kentucky.

For State of the Year, Louisiana had the highest score among Honorable Mention states, which also included Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi and Virginia. As the state’s economic development agency, Louisiana Economic Development has guided efforts placing Louisiana as the only Southern state to rank in the Top 2 in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

“We are exceedingly proud of this accomplishment and our repeat performance of excellence as a state agency,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “This third-party validation of LED’s success communicates to our citizens and businesses, large and small, that Louisiana Economic Development is performing at an exceptional level. Our team includes talented project managers, effective marketing and communication personnel, community development experts and a strong cadre of personnel focused on supporting small businesses. Our nationally acclaimed workforce program – LED FastStart® – continues to support new and expanding industry. We have an Office of International Commerce that’s second-to-none in securing foreign direct investment for our state. Our legal department and fiscal division ensure strict accountability as we invest in public-private partnerships. Thanks to the strong support of our Governor, Legislature, other elected officials and economic development partners statewide, Louisiana is a leader among Southern states.”

Lake Charles easily secured the magazine’s designation as Small Market of the Year for the ninth consecutive year, outdistancing runners-up in Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama.

“The Lake Charles region has been a nationwide leader in the petrochemical and LNG industries for years; however, this latest run is unprecedented,” said SB&D Publisher Michael Randle. “Tens of billions of dollars have been invested in Southwest Louisiana in those nine years and the Lake Charles MSA has seen greater job growth than any market in America. The fracking frenzy has certainly benefited Southwest Louisiana’s economy in a grand way.”

George Swift, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said the region enjoys natural resource advantages, but also has capitalized on those resources in a strategic way.

“Our success is due to regional cooperation and collaboration,” Swift said. “The Calcasieu Ship Channel, our port network including the Port of Lake Charles and Cameron Parish Port, a robust pipeline network, strong support by area elected officials, McNeese State University and SOWELA Technical Community College, and leadership and strong incentives from the State of Louisiana are some of the reasons for the success of Southwest Louisiana. The exciting part is that our region is not even halfway through major projects and expansions. The future is very bright for economic and job growth.”

In the Major Market of the Year category (metros of 750,000 to 2.5 million), New Orleans ranked No. 1 in a tie with Nashville, at 135 points. Baton Rouge ranked right behind them at No. 3 with 125 points. States and markets earn 10 points for projects within the Top 100 list for most investment and jobs, and five points for qualifying projects below the Top 100.

Louisiana’s performance in 2018 included diverse sectors and statewide impact. Examples include:

Accruent’s 350-job technology center in New Orleans.
CGI’s expansion from 400 to 800 software and IT jobs in Lafayette.
Venture Global’s $8.5 billion LNG complex and 300 jobs in Plaquemines Parish.

SCT&E LNG’s $8.3 billion project and 300 jobs in Cameron Parish.
Citadel Completions’ $17.6 million aerospace investment and 256 new direct jobs at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles.

Catamaran Solutions’ 120-job industrial fabrication center and $2 million investment in Webster Parish.
Fibrebond’s $2.7 million capital investment and 250 new jobs, also in Webster Parish.

A $14.7 million expansion by Ternium USA retaining 150 jobs and resulting in 22 new jobs in Shreveport.

A $45 million expansion by P&G adding 26 new direct jobs and retaining over 560 jobs in Rapides Parish.

LaSalle Lumber’s $115 million capital investment and 115 new direct jobs at a new sawmill in LaSalle Parish.

BASF’s $150 million capital investment in MDI production, resulting in 85 new direct and indirect jobs that will join over 1,500 company and contractor jobs in Ascension Parish.

Marathon Petroleum’s $26.6 million capital investment and more than 1,500 retained jobs in St. John Parish.

Diversified Foods’ $12 million capital investment, 120 retained jobs and 44 new direct jobs in St. Tammany Parish.

Shintech’s $1.49 billion capital investment in chlor-alkali and vinyl chloride monomer production, along with 120 new direct jobs and 500 retained jobs in Iberville Parish.

Louisiana ranks among the leading business climates in multiple national rankings. The latest recognition by Southern Business & Development joins other economic development honors and recognition for the state, including a Top 10 business climate ranking for the ninth consecutive year by Site Selection magazine, a Top 10 ranking from Area Development magazine for the eighth straight year, and a No. 1 ranking for best state workforce training program from Business Facilities magazine for the ninth straight year. For more about the SB&D 100 report in Southern Business & Development, visit SB-D.com.

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The Louisiana Department of Health announced that fewer people have been diagnosed with an HIV infection in the past year than in any of the previous 10 years.

According to the Department’s Bureau of Infectious Diseases, there were 989 people newly diagnosed with HIV in 2018.

This number of people newly diagnosed with HIV in Louisiana has declined over 12% in the past three years from 1,124 new cases in 2016 to 989 in 2018. In the years since 2005, there have never been fewer than 1,000 people who were newly diagnosed with HIV.

Dr. Alexander Billioux, assistant secretary for the Office of Public Health, says it may be even more than 10 years since this HIV measure was this low.

“It is quite possible that the number of new HIV cases reported in Louisiana in 2005 and 2006 were artificially low due to reporting challenges resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” Billioux explained. “We know these storms had a big impact on the state’s health services at that time. Since there had not been fewer than 1,000 people with HIV diagnosed each year since 1988, it is quite possible that today’s number is the lowest in a generation.”

Billioux added that of those who are diagnosed with HIV, there is an increase in the number of people who are being linked to medical care within 30 days. “With fewer new cases and more people getting care, the trends are very positive for the future,” Billioux said.

Billioux attributes this good news to the achievement of viral suppression for those who are living with HIV, and increases in routine screening of HIV throughout the state. “This provides even more support for importance of knowing your status and taking control of your infection to suppress the virus in the body. As we have said before, undetectable equals untransmittable.”

“This is great news and demonstrates how the state’s HIV strategy and programs that are led out of the Office of Public Health are achieving results,” he added. “Moreover, as we learn what works well, we will continue to focus our efforts on the high impact programs and strategies that are driving these tremendous improvements.”

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By Dr. Shane Rasmussen, Director of the Louisiana Folklife Center

Louisiana Music Hall of Famer and Grammy nominee Tab Benoit will serve as Honorary Chair of the 40th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival which will be held on July 26-27 in Prather Coliseum on the Northwestern State University campus. In addition to serving as Chair, Benoit will be inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists and will make several appearances at the festival.

“It is our honor to recognize Tab Benoit as an incredibly exciting musician, whose distinctive sound captures the vibrancy of Louisiana’s traditional culture,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. “This year’s festival theme – Vive la Louisiane! – is a celebration of how folk tradition is alive and well in Louisiana. It’s fitting that this year we should honor a musician of Tab Benoit’s stature, as he has inspired so many others to follow in his steps.”

Benoit is one of the foremost blues singers and guitarists in the world. Hailing from Houma, his music ranges in style but mainly focuses on Delta blues. Benoit has been playing the guitar since he was a teenager. As a regular at the Blues Box in Baton Rouge, he learned from many blues legends such as Tabby Thomas, Raful Neal, and Henry Gray. He has toured across the United States since 1991. His 2006 album “Brother to the Blues” received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album. On two occasions Benoit has been a recipient of the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award and Blues Music Awards Contemporary Blues Male Artist award, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Benoit is also active in promoting the conservation of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, founding the “Voice of the Wetlands” organization, and receiving the Governor’s Award for Conservationist of the Year in 2010 for his efforts.

Benoit will appear at the welcome ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday July 27, when he and his fellow members of the 2019 Louisiana Folklife Hall of Master Folk Artists class will be inducted. Inductees will include Cajun musicians Jamie Berzas and Bruce Daigrepont, filé maker John Oswald Colson, and country musician Vanessa Niemann, all of whom will also participate in the festival.

In addition to his headline performance on Saturday evening, Benoit will also appear in two narrative sessions during the afternoon. In the first, “Tab Benoit: A Man and his Guitar,” Benoit will talk with fellow blues musician and Master Folk Artist Ed Huey about his experiences performing his distinctive Louisiana style blues around the world. In the second Benoit will discuss his environmental efforts with the Voice of the Wetlands Foundation.

The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has named the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival as one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for July 2019. The family-oriented festival is wheelchair accessible. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. For a full schedule of events, to purchase tickets, or for more information call (318) 357-4332, send an email to folklife@nsula.edu, or go to louisianafolklife.nsula.edu.

Support for the festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

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Erika Moulder has been hired as the general manager of corporate partnerships, announced Northwestern State associate athletics director Dr. Haley Taitano on Friday.

Moulder, who is hired through a partnership with Peak Sports Management, will be responsible for selling, activating and fulfilling corporate sponsorships.

“Erika’s experience developing corporate partnerships at both the collegiate and the professional sports levels makes her a great hire for NSU,” Taitano said. “She’s already met with dozens of our existing partners and even cultivated some new relationships that will prove to be very beneficial to NSU Athletics.

“We’re excited to welcome her to our team and look forward to expanding our brand together.”

Moulder spent 18 months working for Force 10 Sports Management servicing multiple sports franchises in Seattle, Washington, as a group sales account executive. Her duties included season ticket sales, group ticket sales and suite revenue for the Seattle Storm, Seattle Reign FC, USA Women’s Basketball and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Baylor graduate was the top producer in suite revenue for the 2018 Storm and top overall producer for the 2018 Reign FC.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in sports sponsorship and sales and management in 2017.

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NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Benny Wade O’Brien
September 05, 1942 – July 04, 2019
Visitation: Monday, July 8 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Tuesday, July 9 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Beulah Methodist Cemetery in Marthaville

John Willis Rushing
December 02, 1936 – July 02, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, July 6 from 10 am – 1 pm at Calvary Baptist Church of Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, July 6 at 1 pm at Calvary Baptist Church
Interment: Calvary Baptist Cemetery

Richard Clinton Walsh
May 01, 1988 – June 30, 2019
Service: Saturday, July 6 at 11 am at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches

SABINE PARISH:

Virginia Rose Cozier
September 15, 1936 – July 4, 2019
Visitation: Friday, July 12 at 12 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many
Service: Friday, July 12 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

WINN PARISH:

Theresa Janette Peterson
April 14, 1938 – July 03, 2019
Service: Saturday, July 6 at 10 am at Antioch Community Church in Brewton’s Mill

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The Natchitoches Downtown Riverbank was filled with families as the city put on one of its signature fireworks shows to celebrate Independence Day. It was standing room only at the water’s edge with the seating area full to capacity with eager fireworks lovers. The show, as always, did not disappoint with its usual strong beginning and a crescendo at the end worthy of an artillery barrage. The City of Natchitoches is one of the finest fireworks venues in the USA. Happy birthday America!

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By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

On Saturday, October 7, 1967 the then Northwestern State College played a home football game against the Goshawks from Pensacola Naval Air Station. The Goshawks’ quarterback was a little known young Naval Academy graduate who had recently returned from a tour in Vietnam. His name was Roger Staubach.

This week’s installment of Pieces of Our History features the program from that game. My wife was a student at NSC at time and attended the game. The program wound up with some papers and was inadvertently, but thankfully, saved all these years. The program shows the Demon football team sank the Navy 34 to 6 in 1966. Many thanks to Doug Ireland whom the Natchitoches Parish Journal dragged out of his recent retirement to confirm that the Demons won that day in 1967 as well.

Take a look at the program in Kevin’s Gallery. You will recognize more than a few of the names and businesses. Roger Staubach, needless to say, went on to make quite a name for himself in the NFL after leaving the Navy. The week’s Pieces of Our History commemorates the time he played against the Northwestern Demons.

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NPL– Is it July already!?! That means there are only two weeks of Children’s Summer Reading Program (SRP) performances left! We’ve already had magic, music, science, animals, and stories, and now the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is ready for movement and theater!

The NPL will host Stories in Motion with Liz Bragdon, Wednesday, July 26 at 10am and 2pm, and again Thursday, July 27 at 10am, then at 2pm at City of Refuge Church in Campti. Stories in Motion incorporates movement into the storytelling process, inviting kids to take part in these tales with a twist. This the story time kids have been craving, where they become part of the story!

Finally, NSU’s improve troupe, “Out on a Limb” will return with their unique, entertaining, and fun interactive theater. Shows will occur July 17 at 10am and 2pm at the NPL, and July 18 at 10am at the NPL and 2pm at City of Refuge Church in Campti.

And if your children haven’t been registered for summer reading, it’s not too late! Those enrolling this month still have the opportunity to read for past rewards and catch up. The reading portion of the program will end Saturday, August 10.

Adults will have a special virtual reality game night July 9, from 5-7pm. Anyone 18+ is invited to try out one of several VR systems on a game truck that will be at the NPL. Play for 5 minutes or an hour, you won’t believe how cool it is until you try it! No sign-up is required for this event.

Adults and teens may attend a joint-July “crafternoon,” July 11, 3:30-5pm, where they will be making their own bath bombs and moon necklaces! This will be followed by another evening of art for adults on July 16, with “Starry Night Painting Class,” taught by Annabel Jones, from 6-8pm. Sign-up is required.

Patrons are invited to view the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing on its 50th anniversary, Saturday, July 20 from 2-4pm. Learn more about the NASA space program of that time and share your memories. Open to the public, no registration required.

Join NPL staff at Cane River Brewery for “Brews and Boards” on July 26, from 7-9pm. There will be a variety of board games and teachers for you to quickly learn the rules. Come by and try something new and make some new friends. No registration required.

Teen programming will continue at the NPL in July as well, with “Messy Science: SLIME!” on July 12, 11:30am-12:30pm; Star Wars Fandom on July 18, 6pm; and Sci-Fi Filking July 25, 3:30-5pm. These events do not require registration.

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BOM Bank is proud to announce that Dewayne Chelette has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. He has been a part of the BOM family for five years, and he has eleven years of banking experience. Dewayne is a graduate of the 2016 LBA Leadership School. He is a member of the Natchitoches Kiwanis Club where he participates in the Terrific Kids program. Dewayne is married to Hannah Chelette and they have 4 children. He and his family reside in Marthaville, LA. Dewayne enjoys spending time with family, friends, and spending time with his church family at the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Robeline, LA. He also enjoys being in the outdoors hunting and fishing. Dewayne is excited to begin this new endeavor with BOM, and can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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By Maggie Gilmore, Natchitoches LEO club

The Natchitoches Leo Club had the opportunity to help work the carnival at the Louisiana Lions Camp on June 26. The Leo’s were able to work the booths at the Carnival and cheer on each of the campers at their games. It was truly amazing seeing each and every Leo member being so caring and motivating for these campers. They weren’t there for themselves, but for the campers.

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Shelton Eppler’s statistics during his first season as the Northwestern State quarterback put him among the nation’s best FCS passers.

An invitation to the prestigious Manning Passing Academy helped solidify him as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, regardless of the level of competition.

So when Eppler found himself in Thibodaux for three days this past week, he had one idea.

“I wanted to be like a vacuum, getting all the knowledge I could from the Mannings to the other quarterbacks to high school kids – you can learn from them, too,” he said. “It was an awesome experience, and I’m glad I got the chance to go there and learn.”

The Manning Passing Academy has been in existence for more than 20 years, tutoring the best passers in the country along the bayou in south Louisiana.

While Eppler said he was not completely familiar with the academy going in, his position coach certainly was.

“I’ve worked it, and I’ve participated in it as a camper,” NSU quarterbacks coach Anthony Scelfo said. “I’ve done it for a long time. My dad (Southeastern Louisiana head coach Frank Scelfo) was one of the coaches for the first year. Any time you get a chance to be around those guys and soak up what they know, the amount of football knowledge they have built up, it’s pretty special. Plus, you have your peers from around the country, and you get to interact with them.”

Eppler said he took plenty away from the MPA on and off the field, some of which made him take a step back and evaluate where he was.

“I think it was the second day we were there, we were eating dinner and you see (Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning) sitting at the next table over,” he said. “It was like, ‘How am I here now?’ I loved every part of it. They’re an amazing family. They were very genuine, and the class they showed was awesome.”

Eppler threw for 2,693 yards in nine games as a junior and twice set Northwestern State’s single-game touchdown pass record with six scoring tosses. His 474 passing yards in a 49-48 win at Lamar established a school single-game record. He was part of a heavy Southland Conference contingent at the MPA.

“It was awesome getting to connect with those guys and see where they come from,” he said. “Me, (Nicholls’) Chase Fourcade, (Abilene Christian’s) Luke Anthony, (Southeastern Louisiana’s) Chason Virgil and (McNeese’s) Cody Orgeron all got along. We still have a few rivalries here and there, but this weekend was about fun and learning from them and telling them we’re going to get the best of them.”

Interacting with other campers – familiar or unfamiliar – is a staple of the MPA.

“You’re going to take things you like from other guys, so not only are you soaking it up from three of the best who have ever done it, but also some of the best quarterbacks in the country,” Scelfo said. “You can’t ask for a better three days of quarterback play than what you get down there.”

Eppler soaked in and vacuumed up a great deal of knowledge of what a quarterback needs to do on and off the field.

Some of it pushed him out of his comfort zone – “I had never been under center, so taking a five-step drop was different” – but it ultimately should pay dividends for both himself and for Northwestern State.

“The leadership role the Mannings have some in their careers,” Eppler said of the key takeaway from the three days in Thibodaux. “No matter where you are, people are watching. You want to benefit future football players and athletes, because you never know how you can affect people.

Photo: Northwestern State quarterback Shelton Eppler throws a pass during the Manning Passing Academy this past weekend. Credit: Jamie Bustos/Nicholls Athletics

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In recognition of Independence Day, Louisiana State Parks is announcing special discounts available to all former and current military members along with first responders. These special discounts, effective through the end of 2019, will provide for a 15% discount off rentals of campsites, cabins, lodges, group camps, conference centers, and pavilions at Louisiana State Parks properties.

“As we get set to celebrate our nation’s independence, we wanted another way to show our gratitude and honor our military, past and present, and our first responders for the hard work they do protecting our freedoms and our lives daily. They are the true heroes who continue to selflessly serve our nation and communities to ensure we can celebrate our independence every year,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

For active duty military, veterans, retirees, National Guard and reservists, discount can be applied for every day of the week. The discount code to enter when booking a reservation online is MILITARY.

For local, state, and federal governmental public safety, fire, law enforcement, and emergency response personnel, discount can be applied to stays of Monday nights through Thursday nights. The discount code to enter when booking a reservation online is BADGE.

The discounts are valid using the Louisiana State Parks online reservations system at www.ReserveLaStateParks.com and cannot be used with other discounts. Proper identification will be required at check-in.

For more information about Louisiana State Parks visit LaStateParks.com, or follow Louisiana State Parks on Facebook and Twitter.

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Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies along with Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #2 with mutual aid assistance from Natchitoches Parish Fire Districts #3 and #9 responded to a reported structure fire July 3 at 9 am in the 2100 block of Mammy Trail near Goldonna, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say the structure owned by Amy Kelley was a total loss.

The fire is believed to have originated in the utility room.

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Jasmyn Steels, one of the finest athletes to ever wear a NSU Demon uniform, will don the colors of Team USA as she competes in the long jump at this year’s North American, Central American and Caribbean meet held in Santiago De Quataro, Mexico. Steels is the only NSU athlete to be chosen to attend and is one of only two jumpers in the entire United States to be chosen. She will compete in her event on Friday, July 5.

Steels is as impressive in the classroom as she is on the track where she did the long jump, triple jump and high jump. She graduated this May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She managed this in three years, earning a 3.65 grade point average while achieving records at the highest level of her sport. Steels will return to NSU and the track team this year to earn her Master’s degree in Sports Administration. Earning two degrees in five years while competing at the highest levels of Division I NCAA Track is an incredible accomplishment.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes you all the best as you represent our great nation with Team USA. We also look forward to the day when you wear the uniform of the United States Olympic Team. Godspeed Jasmyn Steels!

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