Public Notice:
Cane River Lake is currently at 98.5 MSL. The lake is open to all boating traffic. Use caution while boating as there could be floating debris that could cause damage to boat hulls and/or props. Please remember to boat safe, sober, and always wear your life jackets.
Northwestern State University will hold seven sessions of its freshman orientation program, Freshman Connection, beginning May 23.
Four sessions will be on the Natchitoches campus on May 24-25, May 30-31, June 19-20 and July 9. The program will be held on the Alexandria campus June 4, the Leesville/Fort Polk campus June 6 and on the Shreveport campus June 13.
The fee is $100 for the sessions on the Natchitoches campus and $60 for the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Polk campuses. Those attending the sessions on the Alexandria, Shreveport and Leesville/Fort Polk campuses should be planning to take all classes on that campus. The two-day sessions on the Natchitoches campus include a one-night stay in campus residence halls.
Participants in Freshman Connection will be placed in a small group with a Connector, who will guide individuals through the orientation program. Connectors are current Northwestern State students who share information about what can be expected at NSU and will offer support and guidance about the high school to college transition.
Those who attend Freshman Connection can expect small group sessions with connectors, opportunities to connect with future classmates, an introduction to NSU student services and involvement opportunities, a chance to become familiar with the campus and an opportunity to meet with an academic advisor who will help participants understand their major and schedule of classes and register for the fall semester.
A program for parents, Parents Connection, and for siblings of incoming students, Kid Konnection, will also be held.
Current Northwestern State students serving as Connectors are Zack Breaux of Cut Off, Paul Bryant of Ruston, Luke Conway of Pineville, Jess Easley of Minden, Margaret Gates, Nick Hawkins, Matt Salinas and Tori Spraggins of Bossier City, Dyllan Hawkins and Kristen Prejean of Lafayette, Maddy Hensley of Anacoco and Emmy Hinds of Many.
Also serving as connectors are Katie Kennedy of Baton Rouge, Kierra Linden of Crowley, Mallory Martinez of Jennings, Jessica Mullican of DeRidder, Matt Nelson and David Thibodaux of Natchitoches, Lilly Roach of Bryant, Arkansas, Erin Sandwell of North Sioux City, South Dakota, Sarah Sargent of Lake Charles and Char Wilson of Shreveport.
Student coordinators are Daniel Crews of Shreveport and Meredith Phelps of Natchitoches.
Natchitoches Genealogical & Historical Association (NGHA) President Billie Gibson invites you to the annual “Show & Tell/Potluck Dinner” on Tuesday, May 28 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Natchitoches Genealogy Library located at 600 Second Street.
Anyone may bring any historical or genealogical item(s) such as art, artifacts, tools, books, etc., they would like to display and discuss.
NGHA members and volunteers will bring food and refreshments to share. For more information you may call the Genealogy Library at 318-357-2235.
Senior male and female athletes from Lakeview, Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s High Schools, will be recognized and honored for their outstanding athletic contributions thru their respective Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) sanctioned sports.
Labeled the “Best of the Best,” the third annual awards ceremony is slated for Saturday, May 18 at 10 am at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in downtown Natchitoches. Eight awards that are named in honor of former noted Natchitoches athletes, will be given during the celebrated event. They include: The Pat Listach Baseball Award, Becca Allen Softball Award, Charlie Tolar, J D. Garrett and Petey Perot Football Awards, the Stephanie Sowell Track and Field Award and the Joe Dumars and Shantel Hardison Basketball Awards. An all-academic, leadership and male and female athletes-of-the-year awards will also be given. “This celebration is a great experience for our students and for the Natchitoches community at-large,” said Ralph Wilson, one of the ceremony organizers.
Doug Ireland, assistant director of athletics for media relations and director of sports information at Northwestern State University, will be the featured speaker at the event. A native of Jonesboro and 1986 journalism graduate of Northwestern, Ireland has been promoting NSU sports for more than 30 years (combined) as a former student and media professional. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his writing contributions including “Best in the Nation” FCS Division Media Football Guide in 1992 from College Sports Information Directors in America. The director of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Ireland recently announced his retirement from NSU at the conclusion of the 2019 spring semester.
Hosted by Natchitoches Leadership Through Athletics Committee (NLTAC), the awards ceremony is open to the public without a cost.
Save the date and enjoy a special presentation at Lunch with the League of Women Voters on Monday, May 20 at Trail Boss Steak House (in the back room).
Hear how neighborhood heroes stopped a big Northern company from polluting bayous and Red River. State fines of over $800,000 caught their attention, slowed them way down, and the company had to stop releasing poisoned water.
The school counselor who led the Colfax grassroots group to success will explain “Three Ways State Agencies Can Help Your Town.” All interested people are invited. For more information call 318-576-8975.
In order for the Northwestern State women’s basketball team to add some size, head coach Jordan Dupuy dipped into a long-term relationship.
Dupuy announced Thursday the addition of Fordham University transfer Halei Gillis, a 6-foot-4 forward/center originally from Asheville, North Carolina. Dupuy previously had recruited Gillis out of Carolina Day School before he arrived at Northwestern State prior to the 2016-17 season.
“I am very excited about adding Halei to our Lady Demon family,” said Dupuy, who will start his fourth season in November. “I started recruiting her late in her sophomore year when I was at Southern Miss and her, her mother, Marcie, and I developed a bond that has lasted over the years. She will bring size, strength and character to our program and the ability to score it inside and out. She will also be a great representative of our program and our university in both the classroom and in the community.”
Under NCAA transfer rules, Gillis will sit out the 2019-20 season and have two years of eligibility remaining. Gillis chose the Lady Demons from more than 20 schools that contacted her after her entry into the NCAA transfer portal.
In two seasons at Fordham, Gillis appeared in 26 games and helped the Rams reach the national postseason each year. During Gillis’ time with the Rams, Fordham won the 2019 Atlantic 10 Tournament championship and faced Syracuse in the NCAA Tournament.
During Gillis’ freshman season, the Rams advanced to the WNIT, defeating Harvard and Drexel before falling to Virginia Tech.
In 18 games that season, Gillis averaged 1.2 points per game while grabbing 2.7 rebounds per game. Seventeen of her 48 rebounds came on the offensive end in 12.4 minutes per game.
Prior to her two seasons at Fordham, Gillis was a standout multi-sport athlete at Carolina Day School.
A five-year letter winner at Carolina Day School, Gillis played a pivotal role in five state titles. Across her final two seasons, Gillis averaged a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds while adding an average of three blocks per game. She earned NCISAA All-State honors in each of her final two seasons on the court.
In addition to her basketball prowess, Gillis was a two-time state champion in the discus while also competing at the state level in the shot put, helping the Wildcats to three straight state championships. As a senior, Gillis earned Girls 2-A Track and Field Athlete of the Year honor in her senior year.
“Halei has always been a winner in both basketball and track, and we are looking forward to her continuing her winning ways here in Demonland,” Dupuy said.
Alongside basketball, academics played a key role in Gillis’ decision to transfer to Northwestern State.
“I chose Northwestern State to fulfill my academic and athletic ambitions,” Gillis said. “Northwestern State’s nurse practitioner program is ranked fifth in the United States. When meeting with professors and staff, I felt like I would get the individual student and athletic support that matches my needs and felt at home on their campus.
“I really enjoyed my visit and the time I spent with the coaches and the players and feel like this is going to be a great fit. I am excited for this opportunity to be a part of the Lady Demons and what my future holds at Northwestern State.”
Photo: Fordham’s Halei Gillis (right) has transferred to Northwestern State where she will be eligible to play in 2020-21. Credit: Fordham athletics
St. Mary’s students were inducted into the Bishop Martin National Honor Society on May 5. Pictured on front row from left are Jensen Parker, Mary Grace Long, Maggie Gilmore, Madelyn Godfrey, Madison Lester, Maggie Wheat, Ragan Hale, Maci Messenger, Mary Anna Scruggs, Chloe Longlois Emily Maggio, Macy Vascou, and Izzy Peluson. On back row are Andrew Godfrey, Laura Aviles, Sara Stamey, Maria Bienvenue, Zpe Brock, Renea Cunningham, Cariss Kautz, Chloe Cremeans, Damon Legrande, Brady Poche, Evan Gandy, william Broadway, Tate Nelson and Zachary Slaughter.
Northwestern State University invites children ages 8-14 to participate in the Little Demons Volleyball Camp, which will be held July 16-19 from 8 am – 12 pm at Prather Coliseum on the NSU Campus. Registration is $100 per player, which includes all four days.
“This is our first year hosting the Little Demons Volleyball Camp,” said Assistant Volleyball Coach Stacey DiFrancesco. “We’re trying to help grow the sport of volleyball in the Natchitoches community and thought this camp would be a great way to get the younger kids involved. It’s also a great way for them to meet the NSU Volleyball team.”
The goal for the camp is to help kids develop skills while having fun. For more information call DiFrancesco at difrancescoa@nsula.edu.
“We are really excited and hope we have a great turn out,” she said. “Our players enjoy spending time with the kids and it’s a great way for them to get involved with the community.”
Northwestern State University’s Chamber Choir will be competing in the Ave Verum International Choral Competition in Baden, Austria, on May 31-June 2, 2019. The ensemble will leave for Austria on May 22.
NSU’s Chamber Choir was one of eight choirs chosen from around the world along with ensembles from countries including Russia, Slovakia, Czechia, Ukraine, Hungary and Italy. Northwestern State is one of two choirs from the U.S. selected for the competition.
Before the Ave Verum International Choral Competition, the Chamber Choir will also perform in three European capitals at Saint Martin’s Basilica in Prague, Czech Republic, Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vienna, Austria, and Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The competition is in honor of the location of Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus,” which premiered in 1791 in Baden. This competition only occurs in odd years. The opening round features the 10 selected choirs which all sing in a night concert in the town square called the Long Night of Choral Music. The next day, four choirs are selected for the Grand Prix de Ave Verum. The winners receive a trophy and cash prize for the competition. The last American choir to win was the University of Georgia in 2013.
Last summer, the Northwestern State Lyric Choir won a Gold Medal in the Female Choirs category at the 3rd Budapest International Choral Celebration and Laurea Mundi International Open Competition and Grand Prix of Choral Music. The Chamber Choir received a Laurea Summa Cum Laude diploma in the Mixed Choir category and a Laurea Cum Laude diploma in the Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) category.
Baden is near Vienna and is well-known for its spas. Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and many other well-known composers wrote music or lived there. Because of Baden’s rich history, composer and choral director Wolfgang Ziegler founded the Ave Verum International Choral Competition in the city. An international jury will judge the competition. Ziegler asked Cummins to submit recordings of NSU’s choir after the Laurea Mundi competition. More than 40 choirs were considered for the event.
Natchitoches Junior High School would like to extend their appreciation to Jimmy Granger Natchitoches Ford Lincoln for supporting its JAG program.
Pictured are Destiny Phillips, Marcus Maxie, Janiyah Bell, Joe Duirden, JaKeria Burton, Taylor Toussaint, Maleek McNeal, Ethan Smith, Travis Smith, Justin Burns, Corey Moran, Damarion Williams, Kort Rutledge, Caiden Baines, Kayden Holden, Arnold Scott, Cameron Soto, Maurice Nash, Jacquelyn Rainwater, Alvin Adams, Russell Williams, Winsome Guillory, and Jimmy Granger staff.
NATCHITOCHES PARISH:
Master Willie Sarpy, III
January 13, 2017 – May 14, 2019
Arrangements TBA
Debra Kay Pardee
January 03, 1957 – May 15, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 18 at 11 am at Creston Baptist Church in Creston
Beatrice Odoms
November 16, 1942 – May 10, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 18 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
RAPIDES PARISH:
Jeannette Brazzel
Service: Friday, May 17 at 11 am at Alexandria Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Eugene “Tiny” Vercher
April 12, 1931 – May 13, 2019
Service: Friday, May 17 at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Colfax
RED RIVER PARISH:
Alma S. Johnson
June 21, 1952 – May 13, 2019
Service: Saturday, May 18 at 2 pm at Mackey Masonic Lodge in Ringgold
Friday, March 22 at 6 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Barbara Fay Fletcher
October 11, 1946 – May 15, 2019
Visitation: Saturday, May 20 from 6-9 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Service: Sunday, May 19 at 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
If you, your business or a member of your non-profit organization would like to appear on The Magnolia Minute, then contact us at the email or number below!
The Magnolia Minute
Natchitoches Parish Journal
magnoliaminute.npj@gmail.com
318-354-4000 #6
By Edwin Crayton
Not long ago, a young mom and her two children were homeless and sleeping in a park. Sounds like something you’d see in New York City. But that family was right here in town. They got in touch with the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness and now that family is off the street. Such success stories are why Monday, May 13, 2019, Modern Woodmen of America honored Founder Helen Obioha and the work of the Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness. Over a casual pizza dinner, a few dozen invited guests listened as the Coalition shared its goals which include creating a “transition house” to help homeless people get off the street.
The organization is growing and looking for someone to donate a building or space to house the transition facility which will be a main tool for the organization. When a homeless person or family comes to the Coalition they can expect to get help finding housing, mental help assistance or/and food. Like some in Natchitoches Helen Obioha said she was unaware of the homeless problem locally. She grew up in Natchitoches, then moved to Detroit where she was of course aware of homelessness. She returned to Natchitoches and began working at the Louisiana School. It was there that someone told her about some homeless people they were helping. She also got involved and eventually her interest in the issue led to the founding of the group. Debra Farris who is also a leader of the group spoke about the need to make the public aware of the homeless problem and encouraged people to join the efforts to help those in need. She mentioned an upcoming Pancake Breakfast, June 1, at First Baptist Amulet, 9am to 12 noon. It will be a fundraiser. People will get a breakfast meal for $5 with sides.
Those interested in helping or in getting more information should call Helen Obioha at 313-296-3128.
Photo: Mary Squyres with Modern Woodmen of America honors Helen Obioha of Natchitoches Coalition on Homelessness.
Memorial Day means more savings at Ivan Smith Furniture in Natchitoches. Premiere bedding lines are on sale through June.
“This is a big event for us because it’s one of few times during the year that our premiere bedding lines go on sale,” said Store manager Dane Terrell. “If you want bedding there’s no better time than now.”
Ivan Smith is the only store in the area that carries all four of these top four brands in the country: Serta, the new Beautyrest line, Tempur-Pedic, and Sealy.
Save up to $700 on Tempur-Pedic now through June 5.
Save up to $200 on Sealy hybrids now through June 5.
Save $100 on Beautyrest and get a free sleep tracker now through June 3.
Save up to $600 on Serta iComfort Mattresses now through June 3.
Ivan Smith Furniture – Natchitoches
Home town faces with big store buying power.
936 Keyser Avenue
(318) 352-5889
The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau led Natchitoches’ travel and tourism community on May 15 during Travel Rally Day in support of the many ways travel contributes to the community.
The travel rally was part of the 36th annual National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), which unites communities across the country to celebrate how travel matters to American jobs, economic growth and personal well-being. The rally was held at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site.
The theme of this year’s NTTW, “Travel Matters,” highlights the innumerable ways in which travel makes up the fabric of Natchitoches’ culture and economy.
“Just look at the numbers. According to the Louisiana Office of Tourism Economic Impact on Parishes, travel supports 1,370 jobs and $36 million in worker paychecks right here in Natchitoches Parish,” said Arlene Gould, Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission Executive Director. “This week, we are celebrating travel’s powerful impact on our community. We’re calling on everyone—from elected officials to all of our local friends and neighbors—to join us in saluting this important industry, and to support pro-travel legislation at the local, state and national level.”
“In every pocket of America—from the largest cities to the smallest towns—travel matters,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “I, like so many others, got my start in the travel industry, and it shaped my life in ways I could have never imagined. This National Travel and Tourism Week, we’re celebrating how travel powers our economies, strengthens our communities, and changes our lives.”
From bed and breakfasts to conference hotels, travel employs a diverse workforce in Natchitoches:
1,370 jobs are supported by travel and tourism in Natchitoches.
Travel and tourism generates $12.6 in state and local tax revenue for Natchitoches.
These local figures are an important part of travel’s economic importance nationwide.
Travel is a $2.4 trillion industry in the U.S.
These visitors support 15.6 million American jobs—roughly 8.8 million direct travel jobs, and 6.8 million indirect jobs.
Travel-related spending generated $164.7 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2017.
“I have seen firsthand how much travel matters to our community,” said Kelli West, Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission Marketing Director. “With $97 million in tourism spending in 2018 and visitors from across the United States and abroad, I’m proud of Natchitoches, and eager to welcome even more visitors here to show them why we love Natchitoches so much.”
The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau also recognized several groups in the area who have worked tirelessly to make Natchitoches and its tourism economy grow to what it is today while being the Unsung Heroes of Tourism. Recognized were the City of Natchitoches’ Utility Department, Public Works Department, and Horticulture Department; St. Augustine Historical Society; and the Cane River Waterway Commission.
“Visitors come into the Information Center and compliment the City on the flowers and landscaping,” said Gould. “The flowers, plants and trees are like a welcome mat into our community.
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is recognized annually for its beauty and activity. Without the tireless work of the utility department to create the set pieces, hang the lights, and keep the city lit, we would not see the accolades that we do for the Festival.
Another aspect that visitors compliment the City is the quick cleanup after festivals. You attend a festival downtown on Saturday and when you drive through on Sunday morning, it is clean and no sign of trash. That is thanks to our hard workers in the public works department.”
The St. Augustine Historical Society was recognized for its contributions to keeping the Creole story alive, maintaining the historical property, and for its celebration of the Creole culture each year during their Creole Festival.
The Cane River Waterway Commission was recognized for its contributions to keeping the Cane River maintained and for its support of events and activities along the river, specifically its contributions to the downtown riverbank development.
To learn more about Natchitoches’ travel and tourism product, please visit our event page online at Natchitoches.com or visit the Natchitoches Information Center, located at 780 Front Street, Suite 100.
By hosting the recent Southland Conference Championships for softball and men’s and women’s track and field, coupled with last fall’s Southland Volleyball Tournament, Northwestern State generated well over $1 million in economic impact for the local area, said director of athletics Greg Burke.
From May 2-10, Natchitoches and the surrounding area was visited by 30 Southland Conference teams and their supporters. The Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex were staged May 3-5, with the Southland Softball Tournament beginning two days later and concluding after a four-day competition.
A total of 23 track and field teams joined the host NSU squads in that meet. The Lady Demons softball team was part of an eight-team tournament field. Those events created nearly $900,000 in local economic impact, said Burke.
The softball tournament hosting role was secured in a competitive bid process, along with the 2018 Southland Volleyball Tournament Nov. 18-20, which brought another seven visiting teams to Natchitoches.
“Bringing Southland Conference championship events to Natchitoches is a winning proposition on many levels. It is important to share how much these Southland Conference events on our campus benefit the local economy,” said Burke. “We will continue to pursue events of this nature to further solidify the great partnership between NSU and the City of Natchitoches.
“It is also meaningful from a financial and competitive perspective for our teams to play at home and for our great fans to be able to support them at their home venues,” said Burke. “Events like these also provide another opportunity for visitors to be exposed to our historic and beautiful community.”
Valuable support to stage the championships was provided by the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission and the Natchitoches Convention and Tourism Bureau.
Additional assistance in the form of donated meals and hotel accommodations came from Sodexo, Lasyone’s, Dominos, Dickey’s, Merci Beaucoup, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Layne Miller and Hunter Mullikin, and Sharpco Hotels.
The economic impact estimate was provided by Dr. Michael Moulton, coordinator for the sport administration master’s degree program as a faculty member of the NSU Department of Health and Human Performance.
Since 1998, Northwestern has hosted 25 Southland Conference championships in soccer, volleyball, cross country, track and field, baseball and softball, along with nine homecourt conference tournament basketball games in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The university and city annually host the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s cross country championships each November, dating back more than a quarter-century.
Burke offered praise for the NSU Athletics staff members and volunteers from the community and sport supporters whose exceptional efforts made the recent championships well received.
“Hosting these championship events required a tremendous time and energy investment by an athletic department support staff that already was stretched thinly at a busy time of the year. Kudos to them for understanding the importance of these events and working hard to make the fan and student-athlete experience one that was first-class,” he said. “We are fortunate to have supporters in our community and family members of our student-athletes and former competitors who are so invested in our programs that they eagerly step up to play vital roles as well.”
Burke said NSU has submitted a bid to host the 2021 Southland softball tournament. The conference will consider 2020-21 championship sites and award hosting roles during next week’s Southland Conference Spring Meetings in Frisco, Texas.
Vaughn Automotive Group began in 1998 in Bunkie. They were excited to join the Natchitoches community at a ribbon cutting event May 15, held by the Chamber of Commerce. Vaughn Value treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. As a car dealer they enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding their customers’ expectations each and every time. Allow them to demonstrate their commitment to excellence!
Owner Lloyd Vaughn said he’s looking forward to getting involved in the Natchitoches community. Vaughn recently sponsored the inaugural Steel Magnolia Run, put on by the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.
“We welcome everyone to come and see us for sales and service and we’ll take really good care of you,” he said.
The dealership was formerly known as Tommy Stewart Chevrolet. Stewart was among the members of the crowd to support the new owners. His sons Jay and Brad Stewart will remain on the staff. Some staff members were also brought over from Bunkie.
Mayor Lee Posey thanked Tommy for everything he’s done for Natchitoches through the years.
“You’ve handed off the baton to a really good community partner,” he told Tommy, regarding new owner Lloyd Vaughn.
About Vaughn Value:
Our experienced sales staff is eager to share its knowledge and enthusiasm with you. We encourage you to browse our online inventory, schedule a test drive and investigate financing options. You can also request more information about a vehicle by contacting our Natchitoches location at (318) 356-9000.
By Joe Darby
When’s the last time you saw a Greyhound bus on the highway? I literally cannot remember the last time I saw one, which had been a common sight on our roadways in the not too distant past.
For decades, Greyhounds and smaller lines, such as Continental Trailways, transported folks all over our country, from short intercity rides to trips stretching from one coast to another.
When I first moved from Baton Rouge to New Orleans in 1965, I went home frequently to visit family and friends, at first driving on the Airline Highway and then on I-10 when it was completed in the early 1970s. I don’t think I ever made that trip in those days without seeing at least one Greyhound bus. Sometimes two or three.
After awhile, my car at the time, a 1959 Sunbeam Alpine sports car, developed an overheating problem. I could make do around town, pulling into a service station to add water when I had to. But I couldn’t take the car on the road because I would soon boil all of the water out of my radiator. I kept putting off repairs because it needed a new cylinder head gasket and that would have set my very modest bank account back by quite a bit.
So instead of foregoing my trips to Baton Rouge, I started to take Greyhounds home on many of my days off. Mother, or a girlfriend, would meet me at the bus station and I’d be set to go for the weekend, borrowing Mother or Dad’s car to get around Baton Rouge. What I was doing was following Greyhound’s advertising slogan, which went something like this: “Take a bus. Leave the driving to us.”
The fare was very reasonable, as I recall. I think it was less than $10. And the trips were reliable and quick. I could either relax, look at the scenery (which did get old after awhile) or read a book. Sometimes there was an interesting fellow passenger in the seat next to mine. I recall one night trip with a cute, very flirty girl sitting next to me. That was one of my more interesting bus rides.
But soon I got another car, which didn’t overheat, and took leave of the good old reliable Greyhounds. But that wasn’t the end of my family’s use of the big vehicles. By the mid-1970s I had gotten married and my girls had come along. Between my young family and work, I didn’t get up to Baton Rouge as much as I had previously.
But Mother, who no longer liked to drive on the highway, wanted to see her new granddaughters as often as possible, so she would take a Greyhound down to New Orleans every few weeks. We’d pick her up at the station, of course. I’ll never forget one of my special Greyhound memories — and I know it was very special for Mother, too. We were waiting out on the platform for the Baton Rouge bus to arrive and when it did Mother stepped off. Becky, who couldn’t have been more than about 2 1/2, spotted her Nonnie, held out her little arms and ran to greet her beloved grandma, who quickly scooped her up amid hugs and kisses.
So, we had some good memories with Greyhound. But even by the 1960s and ’70s, though, intercity bus travel seemed to be in decline. Most folks did use their own cars and, to be honest, some of the passengers on the buses in those days did look a little questionable.
Things had changed. I’ve seen old Greyhound ads from the 1940s and ’50s, depicting Greyhounds serving as the transportation for folks on family vacations. The ads depicted well-dressed dads, moms and kids, taking the bus across country somewhere, perhaps to a National Park or to visit some big city they’d never seen before. For that market, however, they were competing with the still-popular railroads and with the ever-growing airliner business.
And, today? Well, like I said, you hardly ever see an intercity bus. I suppose they’re still running on some routes. But I think I’d get a kick out of seeing one, just once in a while.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – All season long, the Northwestern State baseball team has played at its best when the stakes have been high.
As regular-season stakes go, there will not be any higher for the Demons this season than what lies ahead this weekend.
The Demons are one of six teams battling for the final four spots in next week’s Southland Conference Tournament as they open a three-game series with conference-leading Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. That game, along with Friday’s 6:30 p.m. and Saturday’s 1 p.m. matchups, will air on 100.7 FM KZBL and on the Demon Sports Network. Free streaming audio is available through the new Northwestern State Athletics mobile app, which is available for download through the Apple Store or Google Play.
“We knew going in we had two of the better teams at the end with Sam Houston and Incarnate Word,” third-year head coach Bobby Barbier said. “Sam will be really good, especially at their place. If we do what we say we do, if circumstances don’t change who we are, we’re up for it. There’s no reason to not be ready to play.”
There is plenty on the line for both teams.
For the Demons (29-21, 14-13), it is a berth in the tournament and a chance to defend their championship from a year ago. For the Bearkats (29-22, 18-9), this weekend offers a chance to clinch the conference regular-season championship on its home field, Don Sanders Stadium.
While the Bearkats know they will open play in the SLC Tournament at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas, on May 22, the Demons are fighting for one of the final four spots in the eight-team tournament.
While Sam Houston State, Incarnate Word, Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas all clinched tournament berths this past weekend, Northwestern State sits in a jumble of teams that enter the final series of the season with either 13 or 14 wins.
NSU is joined at 14-13 in the league by Stephen F. Austin and McNeese. Nicholls enters the weekend in possession of eighth place and the final tournament berth at 13-14.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished its season this past weekend at McNeese and sits at 14-16, one-half game behind the Colonels for the final tournament spot.
With regards to reaching their second straight conference tournament and fifth in the past six seasons, the Demons’ mission is simple – win one game.
Although the Demons dropped a pair of games to Incarnate Word – one of three teams tied for second in the league a game behind Sam Houston State – this past weekend, Barbier and his staff said they took positives from the three games.
Northwestern State’s offense turned in its most consistent weekend series of the season, scoring at least five runs in all three games against the Cardinals. The Demons pounded 27 hits in Sunday’s doubleheader, racking up nine extra-base hits.
NSU slugged six home runs in the three-game series. Both J.P. Lagreco and Austin Stegall had two-homer games in the series.
“You can see with (UIW’s) lineup, the threat of the home run and how it affects the way you pitch,” Barbier said. “The threat of every pitch you throw leaving the park and changing the scores affects how you pitch. With J.P. and Austin, when you have those guys swinging the bat well, it gets you better pitches to hit, because the pitcher Is squeezing the ball a little tighter. I thought we had our best weekend, top to bottom, having good at-bats. Our offense is peaking at the right time.”
The Demons will need that offense to continue against a Bearkats squad that holds a team batting average of .301 and features five regulars hitting at least .319.
The Bearkats stand second to Incarnate Word in the Southland in batting average and home runs, but the Demons have proven themselves able to overcome early deficits this season.
In the series opener against UIW, Northwestern State trailed 4-0 after one inning before rallying for a 7-6 victory. It marked the second time this season NSU has erased a four-run, first-inning deficit to grab a win. The other came April 24 at then-No. 6/8 Arkansas.
“There’s no doubt we fight, especially when we’re behind,” Barbier said. “We’ve given up a couple of crooked numbers early in the game and fought back to tie or take the lead. When you play good teams, they expose your mistakes. We have to limit those mistakes, tighten it up a little on the mound, and keep swinging the bats like we have.”
Series Probables
Thursday: Northwestern State RHP Cullen McDonald (5-1, 3.58) at Sam Houston State RHP Hayden Wesneski (7-3, 3.09)
Friday: Northwestern State LHP Ridge Heisler (3-5, 3.56) at Sam Houston State LHP Seth Ballew (2-4, 7.82)
Saturday: Northwestern State RHP Nathan Jones (7-3, 2.76) at Sam Houston State LHP Dominic Robinson (3-0, 3.86)
Photo: The Northwestern State baseball team gathers before a game against Nicholls. Credit: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services
Graveside services for Maudie Jeannette Brazzel will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, May 17, 2019, at Alexandria Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Bro. Toby Brazzel officiating. Interment to follow under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.
Jeannette is preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Bertha Thornberg and one brother, Marvin Thornberg.
Jeannette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved to fish and was known for her biscuits, fried chicken and always being barefooted. Jeannette played the piano for Parkview Baptist Church, Baptist Temple and Cypress Baptist Church. Jeannette will be missed by all who knew her.
Jeannette is survived by her husband of 65 years, CD Brazzel, Jr.; four children, Tim Brazzel and wife, Sandra, Amanda Scarborough and husband, Robin, Sherri Brazzel and partner, Trish, and Toby Brazzel and fiancé, Kelli. Those also left include nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one sister, Pat Henderson, and one brother, Johnny Thornberg.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be Ricky Brazzel, Nicholas Brazzel, Robin Scarborough, Robbie Scarborough, Nathan Morrow, and Jeremy Beasley.
To extend online notes of condolence to the Brazzel Family, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.
Keep Safe Storage South, located at 118 Reba Street in Natchitoches, received a plaque for outstanding service to the customers of U-Haul in their community for 5 years. Pictured is U-Haul Area Field Manager Sarah Atkins and Keep Safe Employee Francois Rachael.
The Bachelor of Science in Addiction studies at Northwestern State University has been named among the top online programs for both quality and affordability according to the website guidetoonlineschools.com.
The program was ranked as the fourth best online bachelor’s substance abuse counseling degree and fifth for affordability.
In determining the top programs, the website researched tuition rates online and received median salaries by PayScale and reflect the reported mid-career (10+ years of experience) salaries of alumni from each school. Tuition data and median salaries were then entered in an ROI formula to determine rank order. The median salary for a Northwestern State graduate in addiction studies after 10 years was determined to be $71,800 a year.
A bachelor’s degree in addiction studies offers an understanding of the human mind, addictive behaviors and advances in addiction counseling. Students have the opportunity to join one of the fastest growing job fields. Addiction Studies graduates typically work as addiction counselors.
“The addiction studies degree program at Northwestern State has endeavored to provide a quality education to those wanting a bachelor’s degree in the area of addiction studies,” said Associate Professor of Psychology Joseph Biscoe, who is director of the Louisiana Addiction Technology Transfer Center. “A trained educated workforce is what the field of addiction is demanding. The addiction studies program provides the foundation for certification and/or licensure as an addictions counselor.
Biscoe said the program has a diverse population of students that ranges from young to mature and entry level through individuals with doctorates.
“All students are seeking additional knowledge, skills and understanding of addiction. Students in the degree are not only located regionally, but also nationally and internationally,” he said. “One of our students recently mentioned, ‘I have been a minister for the past 20 plus years and if I would have had this knowledge, I would have been able to assist others in a more productive and powerful way.’ Another student, a high school teacher, mentioned, ‘The information provided in the courses work as allowed me to work with my students in the classroom with greater understanding and create a healthy environment due to some of the challenges they face at home and in society.’”