Arlene Gould, Executive Director of the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, was installed as Vice-Chairman of the Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (LACVB) Board of Directors during the association’s January meeting in Charenton, LA.

“I am honored to be serving LACVB and the statewide convention and visitor industry,” said Arlene Gould, “This organization plays an important role in connecting travel industry organizations throughout the state and helping them work together to attract convention and tourism business. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to keep the momentum going.”
New officers installed include the following: Timothy Bush, with Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, as chairman; Stacy Brown, with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, as treasurer; Carla Tate, with the Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, as secretary; and Eric Edwards, with the Livingston Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, as immediate past chairman.

“We are thrilled that our members have selected a slate of industry leaders from throughout the state to lead this organization as we work to position the convention and visitor industry as an important economic driver and provide members opportunities to market their communities as travel destinations,” said Jill Kidder, LACVB president and CEO.

What: Autism Support Group Meeting, (Voices 4 Autism)

When: February 22, 2020

Where: Natchitoches Parish Library

450 Second St. on the 3th Floor Meeting Room

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Many parents of children on the Autism Spectrum, life can seem very different and distant from the experiences of many other families and it can be possible to feel that there is no way that they can ask for or expect other people to understand their experiences. Voices 4 Autism offer a place for parents to share experiences, to get information and advice.

Contact: 318-529-0638

Northwestern State University announced the names of 1143 students named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled fulltime at NSU and have a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99. Students by hometown (in Natchitoches and surrounding areas) are as follows.

Alexandria – Lili Bedoya, Lauren Biehler, Madeine Blake, Ariyanna Bonton, Bo Bowers, Jasmine Brown, Morgan Bryant, Caleb Byon, Erik Carver, Katelynn Chenevert, Sharenthia Chew, Dshaun Coleman, Noel Cusick, Joshua Dorsey, D’Marcus Dumars, Marlayna Fontenot, Maria Ford, Kaitlyn Goudeau, JNae Hammond, Jaliyah Jasper, Leslie Katz, Hunter Lewis, Bailey Mahfouz, Dean Mayeux, LaShanda Moss, Madison Ogorek, Shauntae Perry, Alyssa Rivers, Zachary Robets, Caleb Ross, Mary Sampson, Savannah Sices, Steve Speed, Mohammad Suleiman, Hailey Urena, Jenna Wade, Nicholas Zona;

Barksdale AFB – Andrew Dubriske, Sarah Lake;

Bossier City – Brittany Alvarez, Trevor Barnhill, Brittany Batchelor, Elizabeth Blair, Quintin Braley, Katie Briggs, Kendall Caple, Izabela Carabelli, Claire Carlyle, Marga David, Megan Evans, Rachael Feaster, Jordan Garner, Courtney Giddens, Sydney Gootee, Ashanti Hill, Tyler Jewell, Jonatan Jimenez, Elizabeth Jones, Shane Kaiser, Jordan Markle, Madisen Martin, Sarah Mclelland, Anna Mcmillon, Gabrielle Mockerman, Julie Montgomery, Araceli Morales, Daniel Morris, Yuridia Olea, Courtney Parker, Adriana Patton, Cierra Rachal, Melissa Raley, Elizabeth Rich, Jami Rivers, Shelby Shea, Caleb Shearin, Hope Spaw, Tori Spraggins, Savannah Stevens, Kaylee Stewart, Taylor Stoker, Savannah Swaim, Benjamin Tanner, James Taylor, Sarah Varnado, Mia Ware, Madalyn Watson, Courtney Wilson, Dominique Wineglass, Madison Wyatt, Eric Zheng;

Boyce – Hannah Aslin, Seth Baggett, Savanna Budnik, Natalie Dear, Dylan Frazier, Kaylin Gauthier, Devin Hilliard, Stephen Juneau, Anna Lacombe, Hannah Miller, Kaitlyn Miller, Rilee Nichols, Ashley Smith, Madison Smith, Jodie Martin, Kionna Mitchell,

Campti – Allison Friday, Madelynne Greer, Kourtney Horton, Madison Mclaren, Dalton Parker;

Cloutierville – Alexis Cutee, Alexia Gistarb;

Converse – Hayley Farmer, Jared Jagneaux, Mattie Pratt, Triston Waldon;

Coushatta – Kaylee Antilley, Faith Cason, La’Zaria Clark, Precious Drake, Jason Gross, Madison Hale, Kaylee Merry, Aaron Murray, Hannah Parham, Elizabeth Ross;

Florien – Diego Almanza, Travis Cook, Kaitlyn Foshee, Kawliga Forehand, Terry Foshee, Cullen Hopkins, Faith Hopkins, Abby Parker, Noah Parker, Presley Stewart, Shari Wilson;

Fort Polk – Courtney Armstead, Emily Colvin, Jamie Curtis, Vera Dallman, Ja Gillard, Nerishlyan Gotay Ramos, LeAnne Kimray, Andrea Marquez, Ana Murray, Blaise Nkengafac, Chelisse Rosario, Nicole Rupe, Gene Smith, MelvinJohn Tabonares, TeKweena Wilson, Christian Wood;

Goldonna – Aleander Guillory;

Leesville – Dakota Abrams, Emily Camacho, Angie Culbert, Baylor Dillon, Brandno Furlow, Shannon Goody, Amber Johnson, Emilee Keuten, Brandy Kreeger, Christina Lluvera, Tiffany Lyons, Sierra Martin, Kylie McAllister, Emily Moore, Chloe Rouleau, Alexis Sepulvado, Savanna Stephens, Devin Toups, Jailea Weaver, Amber Willard, Kristy Willis, Cheyene Wise;

Lena – Juan Gonzalez, Weslee Pickering;

Mansfield – Allyson Adams, Queletha Booker, Demetric Preston, Madison Welborn;

Many – Gabrielle Bryant, Patrick Colston, Alyssa Duchesne, Emilly Holcomb Layton Knowles, Charles LaFollette, Lesli Leach, Shelbie Martinez, Tanner Mizell, Seth Ozsoy, Lora Peace, Leanna Phillips, Tessa Reeves, Carly Settle, Amanda Simmons, Annalise Sylvia;

Marthaville – Emily Ford, Thomas Lirette, Pleasant;

Natchez – Michele Bishop, Aylin Rivera, Lauren Seawood, Morgan Slaughter;

Natchitoches – Alissa Addison, Sharlexus Addison, Kayla Anderson, Tyler Anderson, Alexander Antoon, Cheryl Armstrong, Taylor Aucoin, Thomas Balthazar, Kamryn Barnhill, Brock Barrios, Gracie Bennett, Gavin Bergeron, Megan Berry, Kacy Bonds, Demetrius Boulieu, Hannah Branam, Maelana Braxton, Alexandra Brossett, Lindsay Brumley, Savannah Bynog, Gilda Chan, Lane Clevenger, Daisha Cohen, Donna Cooper, Leanna Coy, Chase Crane, Kenneth Darcy, Joshua Davis, Heather Day, Sean Day, Hannah Deranger, Kailey Doyle, Jacob Ellis, Akilah Farris, Mary Fletcher, Tyler Flynn, Daniela Forero Salcedo, Kara Gandy, Ruth Garcia Rodriguez, Taylor Garland, Brian Geraghty, Abby Guillory, Cody Hambly, Valentina Herazo Alvarez, Brandon Holley, John Howell, Maina Ibn Mohammed, Dania Irchirl, Jaquinta Jackson, Sharniece Jones, Alexis Kitishian, Robert Lee, Sarahjane Ladut, Cristofer Larcarte, Karlee Laurence, Carlomagno Leon Jimenez, Savannah Maricle, Tyler McCain, Rylie Mcfarlain, Nestor Mercado-Garcia, Amber Minor, Coy Morgan, Tori Morgoan, Terry Moses, Sydney Normand, Tristan Neitte, Weston Noe, Myles Nolley, Meya Nutt, Donovan Ohnoutka, Jay Oliphant, Kiara Padilla, Meredith Phelps, Laura Pritchard, Wyatt Quinn, Heather Reich, LaKendria Remo, Alejandro Restrepo Cardozo, Jazlyn Revels, Emily Ryder, Emily Scott, Lawson Scott, Jonathan Simmons, Trayvon Snow, Tyler Snyder, Josie Stamey, James Stanfield, Blake Teekell, David Thibodaux, Harrison Thomas, Virginia Tudor, Eva Venzant, Christopher Vienne, Elizabeth Vienne, Rian Villalobos, Derek Walle, Deondra White, Nicholas Wiggins;

Pineville – Savannah Hope Andries, Christina Boudreaux, Andrea Boyd, Victoria Burns, Ameliah Carpenter, Nolen Collins, Luke Conway, Caitlin Crawford, Mekenzie Gordon, Lorali Hebert, Tori Kessler, Laura Lachney, Carlee Lake, Emily Litton, Jennifer Morrow, Angela Morton, Hailey Nichols, Cinnamon Player, Wendi Powell, Rileigh Roberts, Alana Ryder, Jordan Sensat, Isabella Sisneroz, Abigail Smith, Rilee Smith, Courtney Squyres, Gage Ulrich, Morgan VanBuren, Andrew Worthy;

Pleasant Hill – Courtney Jones;

Provencal – Carson Custis, Morgan Grace, Dylan Jennings;

Ringgold – Alora Bryant, Joseph Hays, Olivia Prado, Aileeia Tipton, Caleb Vining;

Robeline – Abbie Baker, Hunter Dubois, Keely Dubois, Mallary Lester, Ember O’Bannon, Megan Palmer, George Prince, Hannah Schoth, Bradley Sparish, Rebecca Vincent;

Saline – Mackenzie Jackson, Makalya Jackson, Isabella Jones;

Shreveport – DayJah Alexander, Allen Ashley, Katelynn Benge, Maddison Benge, Ashley Benson, Hallie Bloxom, Dhajia Baugh, Micayla Bryan, Chelsea Calup, Myjoycia Cezar, Kristen Ciconte, Daniel Crews, Courtney Curtis, Destinee Davis, Troy Davis, Taylor Dixon, Kaitlyn Doyal, Lauren Edwards, Jennifer Elliott, Hannah Ellis, Christian Farmer, Chloe Farrar, Irishia Finister, David Fitzwater, Malachi Fitzwater, Carlos Garcia, Savon Gipson, Kayla Graham, Ellen Grappe, Anna Green, Matthew Haltom, Alexandra Hart, Lagerria Hinton, Daniel Holden, James Hosey, Madyson Istre, Drake Johson, Jamari Johnson, Korynthia Johnson, Nickolas Juneau, Alylse Kirkaldy, ShaDonna Klinkenberg, Kaitlyn Knighton, Madison Layfield, Hannah Lee, Sarah Lord Holoubek, Kenya Mahoney, Hunter Martin, Tifphany McClinton, Rici McDonald, Amelia McLaren, Marshall Merritt, Kelsey Metoyer, Destiny Mitchell, Danae Moreland, Cayla Morris, Hannah Nicholls, Olivia Noonan, Megan Osborn, Annabelle Parker, Ashmi Patel, Soleil Paterson, Camille Patterson, Zachary Person, Cristina Peterson, Patrik Pierce, Sierra Prelow, Kira Presley, Patricia Reed, Keyonna Roberson, Frances Robertson, Natya Rogers, Ansley Rosett, Kaitlyn Ross, KeAndrea Samuel, Yuriana Sauseda, Johnathon Schluter, Breona Smith, Cassidy Smith, Richard Smith, Sha’Mondra Smith, Christina Strumski, Joyce Taylor, Ra’Daishia Taylor, Shakari Taylor, Ronneicia Terrell, Khaila Tucker, Trevor VanEaton, Chloe Vance, Rhiannon Venable, Madison Wallace, Colbi Washington, Lakayla Whitaker, Morgan white, Destiney Williams, Gabrielle Young;

Winnfield – Harli Austin, Haley Chandler, Jonah Chandler, Landon Creel, Trenton Dill, Rhonda Duff, Jourdan Fitzgerald, Melissa Godwin, Kara Grantadams, Madisyn Hubbard, Rebecca McNeill, Elizabeth Parker, Fatima Rodriguez, Katreiona Starks, Caitlin Womack, Caroline Womack, Maggie Womack;

Zwolle – Kierstyn Cartinez, Cheyanne Ebarb, Melissa Guin, Mckenzie Leone, Larisa Malmay, Addison Rains, Holden Rivers, Chyna Sepulvado, Mckenzie Steele;

The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will perform on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Tickets are $10. Northwestern State University, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D.

Dr. Douglas Bakenhus is music director of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony. Juan Pablo Paternina Paez is the guest conductor. The featured guest musicians are Northwestern State faculty Dr. Christine Allen, Dr. J. Mark Thompson and Dr. Francis Yang.

The program includes “Symphony No. 70” by Franz Joseph Haydn and “Zwei Phantasiestucke” (Two Fantasy Pieces) by Eduard Lassen edited by Thompson and featuring Thompson on bass trombone. The orchestra will also perform “Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra” by Francis Poulenc featuring Allen and Yang on piano and “Hopak” from “Sorochinsky Fair” by Modest Mussorgsky and orchestrated by Anatol Lyadov and revised and edited by Clark McAlister, “Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1” by Ottorino Respighi and “Hungarian Dance” from “The Damnation of Faust” by Hector Berlioz.

Allen, an associate professor of piano, teaches applied piano, and coordinates group piano/piano pedagogy. She performs in solo and collaborative settings including guest soloist with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony and several orchestras in Michigan, Wisconsin and Idaho. For the past eight years, Allen has served as collaborative pianist with the Red River Chorale in Alexandria. She received the Johanna Magale Endowed Professorship and traveled to Poland to study with internationally recognized pianist/composer Andrzej Dutkiewicz at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music.

Allen serves as pedagogy consultant and examiner for the International Visual and Performing Arts Conservatory in Singapore. She is a recognized teacher and clinician in Suzuki Piano Pedagogy and a registered Suzuki Teacher Trainer. She has appeared at conferences across the United States and Canada. A Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) certified teacher, Allen has served on the LMTA State Certification Board, as State chair of the MTNA Collegiate Artist Performance/Chamber Music Auditions, and is currently the LMTA State Chair for Collegiate Chapters. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University, Master of Music from Northwestern State University and Bachelor of Music from University of Kansas. Her teachers include Constance Carroll, Jennifer Hayghe, Willis Delony, Robert Watson and Richard Angeletti.

Thompson is a professor of Music. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he holds degrees from Murray State University, University of Southern California, and University of Iowa. A charter life member of the International Trombone Association, Thompson chairs its Advisory Council on Literature, and he is a life member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association. Formerly principal bass trombone of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he performs bass trombone with the Shreveport, South Arkansas, and Texarkana symphonies, as well as the Lancaster (Ohio) Festival and Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra, the I-49 Brass and Drei Bones Trombone Trio.

Yang has performed in cities such as London, Paris, Montreal, Vancouver, Buenos Aires, Quito, and Montevideo at events such as the 37th International Festival Encuentros in Buenos Aires, a lecture recital at London’s Royal Academy of Music and the VIII Bienal of Contemporary Music in Cuenca, Ecuador. Yang has given master classes in Ecuador, Argentina, Singapore, Canada, China and throughout the U.S. He has been invited to serve as adjudicator for competitions both nationally and internationally, including the Ars Nova International Piano Competition (Singapore), the Louisiana International Piano Competition and the Seattle International Piano Competition.

Yang is an associate professor of piano. He served four years as professor and director of piano studies at the Universidad de Cuenca, in Cuenca, Ecuador. Yang received his doctorate from the Université de Montréal, his master’s from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and studied with pianists Stephane Lemelin, Richard Angeletti, Sequeira Costa, Robert Rogers, and John Bloomfield. He is president of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association.

Northwestern State University will hold its annual Spring Career Fair Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Friedman Student Union.

The Spring Career Fair is sponsored by NSU’s Office of Counseling and Career Services and is for juniors and seniors at NSU who want to explore career opportunities, full-time jobs, internships, graduate and professional schools, career paths and volunteer opportunities.

Scheduled participants include the Alexandria Police Department, Heart of Hospice, Jean Simpson Personnel Services, Inc., Emerson, Louisiana State Police, the National Park Service, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Southern University Law Center, the Orchard Foundation, General Dynamics Information Technology, the Dallas Police Department, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, DFW Airport Police Department, the Ruston Police Department and the Louisiana Department of State Civil Service.

Other participants are USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service Louisiana, Dillard’s, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, AMERISAFE, RoyOMartin, Enterprise Holdings, KTBS LLC, Crest Industries, LLC, Fastenal Company, Shreveport Green, Dialysis Clinic Inc., Louisiana State University Graduate School, Fresenius Medical Care North America, Academic Partnerships, Mississippi College School of Law, Lafayette General Health and Heritage Properties, Inc.

NATCHITOCHES:
Leonard Lynch
April 9, 1945 – February 8, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Silas Lee Young
February 5, 2020
Service held February 8

Robert Gerald Martin
July 3, 1935 – February 6, 2020
Service held February 9

SABINE:
Keith “Big Cajun” Brown
July 18, 1967 – February 5, 2020
Service held February 8

Mae Elizabeth Joy
January 06, 1935 – February 06, 2020
Service: Tuesday, February 11 at 10 am at Christ Temple Pentecostal Church of Jena

Albert Clay White
August 25, 1924 – February 5, 2020
Service held February 8

RED RIVER
Annie Susie Ouzts 
April 3, 1959 – February 8, 2020
Visitation:  Monday from 5:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Ashland Baptist Church
Service: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10am; Ashland Baptist Church
Interment:  Oak Grove Cemetery.  

By Ricky LaCour

At the Natchitoches Parish School Board’s Committee meeting Tuesday, night, Feb. 4, board member Billy Benefield opened up a discussion of the process over the next few months in interviewing and selecting the right candidate for the Superintendent position, which will become vacant in June due to Dale Skinner’s resignation.

Board members discussed the proposed dates of the selection process, the objectives, language, and changes they would like to consider for the new superintendent’s contract, and the duties, obligations and goals they would like to be made clear moving forward with their selection.

Although the interviewing will be open to the public, the public will not be allowed to ask questions during the interview process. However, Benefield encourages parents and the general public to submit questions to the school board prior to the date of the interview. He assures that all questions will be considered and addressed.

NPSB Superintendent Selection Proposed Dates

February 10 – President and Vice President will pick up application from P.O. Box. Return applications to NPSB Office to Mr. Hammonds and Ms. Gamble. Board Members will then have access to confidential copies by 4pm at the NSPB for consideration.

February 11 – The list of applicants will be made available to the public at the school board office during business hours

February 13 – Special Meeting – Vote to decide:

*Number of applications to be interviewed

*What date(s)

*Who will be interviewed

*The order they will be interviewed

*Tie Breaker Process

*How many levels/rounds of interviews

February 19 – Interviews

February 20 – Interviews. At the conclusion of the interviews, the Board will vote to:

*Determine the number of final candidates

*Select the finalist

*The order they will be interviewed

*Tie Breaker Process

*Reference checks teams

March 3 – After the regular committee meeting The Board will go into a Special Call Meeting to determine:

*Date of the final interviews

*Process

A series of Public Hearings will be held in accordance with LA R.S. 48:231 and conducted by the Joint Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee. Below is a list of the times and places where the hearings will be held. The purpose of the hearings is to review highway construction priorities for the fiscal year 2020-2021.

A copy of the Preliminary Program for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 is available for review at the LADOTD Headquarters Building, 1201 Capitol Access Road, Room 200U, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 or online at READ HERE.

All interested persons are invited for the purpose of becoming fully acquainted with the proposed program and will be afforded an opportunity to express their views. Oral testimony may be supplemented by presenting important facts and documentation in writing. Written statements and comments should be handed to the committee conducting the Hearing, or mailed to the following address, postmarked within 45 calendar days following the Hearing:

JOINT TRANSPORTATION, HIGHWAYS, & PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
C/O LA DOTD (SECTION 85)
P.O. BOX 94245
BATON ROUGE, LA 70804-9245

Should anyone requiring special assistance due to a disability wish to participate in this public hearing, please contact LADOTD (Attn: Ms. Mary Elliott) by mail at the address above or by telephone at (225) 379-1218 at least five days prior to the date of the public hearing.

HEARING FOR NATCHITOCHES PARISH:
Avoyelles, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn Parishes

February 19, 2020, 2:30 pm
Pineville City Hall
Council Meeting Room
910 Main Street
Pineville, LA.

Please attend this important meeting

I am guilty of money laundering.

Tuesday, I opened lawn mowing season. There was a Tuesday miracle. The mower started on the first pull after sitting in the shed since October. I mowed the part of the backyard belonging to the dogs. The lawn man has a well-earned fear of my dogs. Come to think of it, everyone is afraid of my dogs. They are very sweet girls to me. If you come to the back gate, they will try to chew your arm off at the elbow.

I don’t think they would hurt anyone; they bark like they would.

I nearly finished the dog yard mowing but was interrupted by the little rain shower that appeared over the back yard.

I had not intended to mow. My original plan was to see if the mower would start. It is a cantankerous mower. It runs when it wants to run. I was surprised when it started on the first tug. I was so surprised that I decided I should not waste the opportunity. I found myself mowing in my “good tennis shoes” and my “good jeans.”

The jeans were soiled with “mowing dirt.” The dirty jeans led to an impromptu laundry session. I don’t believe that the Lord wants me wasting time sorting clothes for laundry. I don’t! Tide pods and cold-water work very well in all kinds of mixed laundry. I had everything in the impromptu Tuesday afternoon laundry load.

If you were keeping up, you noticed I left out a step. I did not remove my wallet from the jeans when I tossed them in. I am guilty of money laundering, credit card laundering, driver’s license laundering and insurance card laundering. I have never washed a full wallet before.

I opened the washer to move the clothes to the dryer and out tumbled my wet, limp, soggy wallet. There is only one word to use when a casserole falls on the kitchen floor or a wet wallet falls out of the washer. I see you know that word. I am not allowed to use that specific word. I said, “Behold! I have laundered money.”

There was a great deal of self-recrimination related to the wet wallet. It was a stupid thing to do. But it served a two-fold teachable moment. First, I have been distracted. Not to bother you guys but the Methodist denomination is about to morph into two, possibly three new denominations. That issue is so parochial it only bugs ministers. If it happens or doesn’t happen, clergy will likely be the only ones with any skin in the denominational kerfuffle. I’m glad that when we get to heaven there are NO denominations. Second, it was a reminder that once a process starts, it often can’t be stopped. Put it like this, sin will have consequences even if Jesus forgives you.

I was mowing the yard trying to figure out the permutations and combinations of the potential denominational division. I was jolted back to mowing reality when I stepped in a couple of the dog’s newest archaeological digs. Otherwise, I was not paying attention.

I was not paying attention when I threw the jeans in the wash, wallet and all.

When I am distracted, I take my eyes off Jesus.

Is that true for you?

Vocal faculty in the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts will present a recital on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.

Sopranos D’nissa Hester, Juliana Handy, Terrie Sanders, and Marcy McKee, mezzo-soprano Grace Edgar, and tenors Michael Rorex and Nicholaus Cummins accompanied by pianist Dan Ley will perform songs from “The Secret Garden” and “Kizmet” as well as Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutti,” Bizet’s “Carmen” and Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah” and many others.

Hester, an instructor of music/voice at NSU, is a native of Amarillo, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in vocal performance and Master of Music with a concentration in vocal performance and choral conducting from Northwestern State. She has continued her education at the Taos Opera Institute under world renowned sopranos Mary Jane Johnson and Linda Poetschke.

McKee is the director of Opera Theater and an assistant professor of voice at NSU. She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at Arizona State University in 2016. Ms. McKee has performed as Miss Wingrave (Owen Wingrave), Lady Billows (Albert Herring), and as both Gertrude and the Witch (Hansel and Gretel). McKee made her German debut as Kathi, the yodeling post woman, in “Im Weissen Rössl” with the Mittelsächsisches Theater in Freiberg, Germany. McKee has also performed in Italy with Gruppo di Musica Antica in Genoa and as Donna Anna (Don Giovanni). Most recently McKee portrayed Mercedes (Carmen) with The Rome Music Festival.

Edgar is an assistant professor of musical theatre at Northwestern State. She received her Doctorate in Vocal Performance with a minor in opera directing from the University of Houston. Before beginning her doctoral studies, Edgar was a member of the Opera New Jersey Studio and a Resident Artist in the Marion Roose Pullin Studio at Arizona Opera. In addition, she has performed with Austin Lyric Opera, Key West Pops Symphony, Opera Company of Brooklyn, New Orleans Opera; Opera on Tap, Belleayre Music Festival and with the Astoria Symphony.

Cummins is associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Northwestern State. The Northwestern Chamber Choir, under Cummins, has recently worked with composers Michael Trotta, Richard Burchard and Vytautas Miškinis premiering new choral works and producing recordings. They won best compulsory piece and third prize in the Ave Verum Competition in Baden, Austria, in 2019, and won second prize in the Laurea Mundi Choral Competition in Budapest, Hungary, in 2018. Most recently, the Northwestern Chamber Choir was one of nine featured collegiate choirs at the National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conference in Maryland.

Rorex is associate professor of voice at Northwestern State where he teaches voice, conducts the NSU Concert Choir and the NSU Men’s Chorus. Rorex has degrees in vocal performance from Indiana University and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has performed as a guest recitalist at California State University, Sacramento; Wesleyan College, Wilmington, Delaware; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Covenant College, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Alice Tulley Hall at Julliard and Indiana University, Bloomington.

A traffic stop north of Campti on Wednesday evening has led to the arrest of a Grant Parish woman on felony narcotics and probation violation charges according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday evening February 5, 2020, at approximately 11:37pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division were patrolling on La. Hwy 9 north of Campti when they stopped a 2009 Acura passenger car for a traffic violation.

The operator of the vehicle was identified as 40-year-old Mandy Melinda Roberts of Montgomery, La.

Deputies learned during a computer drivers license check that Roberts was wanted by the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office on outstanding warrants.

Deputies say during the traffic stop both Roberts and her passenger appeared extremely uneasy and nervous.

Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized a small bag containing suspected methamphetamine.

Deputies arrested:

Mandy M. Roberts, 40, of the 1300 block of Johnson Circle, Montgomery, La. was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, Probation Violation, Natchitoches City Marshal Office charges and Driving Left of Center.

The passenger was released without charges after Roberts claimed ownership of the seized narcotics.

Roberts remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.

Deputy K. Samuel made the arrest.

Young at Heart met at the First United Methodist Church on Feb. 5 for lunch and a celebration of birthdays. The Valentine’s Day themed decorations were provided by the Faith Circle of Methodist Women.

Rousing songs by Joyful Sounds from Westside Baptist were led by Johnny and over a dozen regular and irregular members, like MC of the meeting Harvey Polk. The group performs around town and has singers from other churches join in, especially at nursing homes.

Birthdays were celebrated for Cilia Possoit, Dan Poole, Sam Watson, Carol Otte, Bennie Rhodes and Rev. Ron Brown. Bennie Rhodes also celebrated her wedding anniversary for February.

After a prayer by Rev. Brown, a good lunch of fried chicken and casseroles brought by members were shared. Anyone wanting to celebrate is invited first Wednesday of each month at eleven, at the church on 411 2nd street. It is free for new visitors, or bring a covered dish or $3.

• 

• 

Outpatient Medical Center Inc. (OMC Inc.) is pleased to welcome two new providers to our medical team – physician, Dr. Joan Walker who has returned to OMC, and an advanced nurse practitioner, Mr. Michael Uwaelue, MSN FNP-BC, APRN. Both of them are now serving out of the clinic located at 1640 Breazeale Springs Street in Natchitoches.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Guidry, says, “We welcome them on behalf of the wonderful patients we serve. The needs are great, and we are fortunate to have their expertise in service to Natchitoches area families with a variety of acute and chronic conditions. Call today and ask for an appointment!”

Both providers join our team with honorable educational backgrounds. Dr. Walker earned her Doctoral in Medicine from the Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. She also completed her residency at Baton Rouge General Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Walker’s former place of service was at the VA in Pineville where she was the lead physician providing women’s health services to veterans. Prior to that, she was a staff physician at OMC and even served as Medical Director for a while. As a family physician, she provides basic primary care to all ages. Dr. Walker will serve as Associate Medicate Director and assist the clinic in maintaining high quality of care.

Carl I. Walters II., Chief Executive Officer, offered the following comments “We are honored to have Dr. Walker and Mr. Michael Uwaelue join our Natchitoches Health Center Medial Group. Their clinical skillset diversity coupled with a passion for improving the lives of the patients they are privileged to touch make them a powerful addition to our health system and will enhance the care we are able to provide for our valued community families. It is good to have them aboard.”

Mr. Michael Uwaelue (“Mr. Michael”) has an Associates Degree in Nursing from Cisco College of Nursing in Abilene Texas. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2012, graduating Magna Cum Laude at Texas Tech University in Lubbock Texas. Finally, he received a Masters of Nursing (MSN) degree from Walden University in 2016, with an emphasis on family medicine. As a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Mr. Michael is well suited to provide quality primary care needs in persons of all ages.

Come meet them! A yearly wellness visit is a yearly visit and a great opportunity for you and your provider to make a plan on how to stay healthy and well. OMC is accepting new patients now. Call 318-352-9299.

Since 1976, the United States has celebrated the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans since the African diaspora. Before this, historian Carter G. Woodson had announced the second week of February, due to it coinciding with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass on Feb. 14 and Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 12, to be a time of celebration as black communities had celebrated these dates together since the late 19th century.

In keeping with this tradition, the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) has planned events throughout the month to encourage the celebration and remembrance of African American heritage and history.

For those interested in jazz, there will be a live performance from saxophonist Shenol Latimer at both branches. The NPL will have “What’s All That Jazz About” (WATJA) for kids Feb. 11th at 10am, and another for adults and teens at 6pm. WATJA for all ages will come to the NEB Feb. 10 at 6pm.

Feb. 20 at 6pm the NPL will host a Family Art Night, for all ages, with sign-up, where patrons will recreate a work from the expressionist Alma Thomas. There will also be a Black History Month (BHM) themed indoor mini-golf course on Feb. 25 at 6:30PM for all ages, with sign-up. Both of these are perfect for a family outing.

BHM in the Movies at the NPL will be Feb. 6th (with a talk-along– viewing of The Color Purple, for Adults and Teens), Feb. 12 (Black Panther, for all ages), Feb. 18 (Coming to America, for Adults and their Teens), and Feb. 27 (sing-along with The Wiz, for all ages). All films will start at 6pm; no sign-up required!

BHM Bingo for all ages will be held Feb. 13 at 6pm. Patrons will play for cash prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. No sign-up is required.

For more information about these programs, contact Alan Niette, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 318-238-9236.

Charenton, La. – The Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau was awarded two “Louey Awards” during the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) Annual Membership Meeting on Jan. 30, 2020 in Charenton, La.

The Natchitoches Area CVB was named the Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (Budget $499,000 and under) and the Blush and Bashful Weekend campaign was awarded Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget up to $29,999).

The Natchitoches CVB’s 2019 successes included the launch of a new film trail and the hosting of the International Conference for the Jefferson Highway Association.

“With full-time staff of three, this organization proves that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Their leadership and strategic partnerships throughout the community have resulted in $97 million of local spending, supporting more than 1,370 jobs,” the announcer said during the award luncheon.

“The staff and I are very proud to receive these awards andwill bring them back to the Natchitoches community,” says Arlene Gould, Executive Director of the Natchitoches CVB. “We get the opportunity daily to greet visitors from around the world at our office and we will proudly display these new awards on the front counter for all to see.”

For the Blush and Bashful Weekend, the CVB brought together local partners to host several events including an Easter egg hunt, armadillo cake contest, star look-a-like contest, and more to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the release of the Steel Magnolia movie.

The weekend was a huge success for the area, selling out seven bed & breakfasts, five hotels and three movie theatrescreens. There were 84 mentions of the movie and city in the press, totalling over 287 million impressions.

“We cannot do what we do every day without the events to promote and the organizations that work hard to pull those events together,” said Gould. “For the Blush and Bashful event, we thank the Natchitoches Service League, Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Association for Preservation Historic Natchitoches, Steel Magnolia House B&B, Parkway Cinema, Louisiana State Museum, NSU’s Hospitality Management and Tourism Department, and many others who helped create a special weekend. This award wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

This year, LTA presented 19 “Louey Awards” to honor and showcase individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.

The LTA Louey Award winners also include: Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 – $999,999); Visit Lake Charles,Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $1 million and above); New Orleans at World Pride, Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30,000 and above); Rougarou Fest, Festival/Event of the Year; Gator Chateau, Attraction of Year; Windsor Court Hotel, Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging; Hotel Cazan, Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging; USA Boxing, Major Event of the Year; Bienvenue Mon Ami Bed & Breakfast, Accommodation of the Year/Bed & Breakfast; Dave Evans of Luna Bar & Grill, Restaurateur of the Year; Indian Creek Recreation Area, Campground/RV Park of the Year; 2019 Destination Downtown – Hammond, Community Partnership of the Year; Representative Stephen Dwight, Legislative Travel Champion; Senator Troy Carter, Legislative Travel Champion; Nelson Gumm, Victor Profis Travel Media; Taylor Beard Stanley with Visit Lake Charles, Rising Star of the Year; and Linda Curtis-Sparks with the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement.

About the Louisiana Travel Association, LTA
LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education and advocacy on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2018 and employs more than 237,200 people throughout the state. 

Pictured:

LoueyAward2020 – Jill Kidder, LTA Executive Director; Anne Cummins, NACVB Group Sales Coordinator; Kelli West, NACVB Marketing Director; Arlene Gould, NACVB Executive Director; and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Louey2020_2 – Kelli West, NACVB Marketing Director; Arlene Gould, NACVB Executive Director; and Anne Cummins, NACVB Group Sales Coordinator.

Natchitoches at LTA Luncheon – Rebecca Blankenbaker, CRNHA Executive Director; Arlene Gould, NACVB Executive Director; Jay and Lauryn Sharplin of Sharpco Hotels; Jill Leo, Director of Festivals and Events for the HIstoric District Business Association and Main Street Manager for the City of Natchitoches; Kelli West, NACVB Marketing Director; and Anne Cummins, NACVB Group Sales Coordinator.

• 

• 

Mary Anna Scruggs, a senior at St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches, has been selected Student of the Year by the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in the 12th grade division. Finalists in the diocesan competition were eligible to compete in the District Competition held Jan. 22; followed by the Regional Competition to be held in February in Baton Rouge.

Mary Anna is the daughter of Sammy and Connie Scruggs. At St. Mary’s, she is the Varsity Cheer Lieutenant, and a member of the Cross Country, Track and Tennis teams. She serves as vice president of BETA, president of the National Honor Society, president of the Leo (Service) Club, and a representative of Student Council.

She is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Fellowship of Christian Athletes/Pro-Life, and a member of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as well as Holy Cross Life Teen.

A service project that she spearheads every Tuesday at her school, is called Donuts for St. Jude’s. A few years ago, fellow friend and SMS student Jeremy Friedel raised money for the patients at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital through the sale of donuts to the students. After he graduated, she wanted to continue the tradition. Last year she donated $800 to St. Jude’s Hospital in the name of St. Mary’s Donuts for St. Jude’s.

Winners of the St. Mary’s Student of the Year competition, who also competed in the diocesan competition, included Scruggs, Colton Cross (8th grade), and Molly Smith (5th grade). The non-public school competition included Student of the Year winners in the 5th, 8th, and 12th grades from several Catholic, Christian, and private schools in Central Louisiana.

Pictured: Mary Anna Scruggs, a senior at St. Mary’s School in Natchitoches, has been selected Student of the Year by the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria in the 12th grade division. She is the daughter of Sammy and Connie Scruggs.

Northwestern State University’s Office of First Year Experience will host the fifth annual Dragon Boat Races Saturday, April 4 on the riverbank in downtown Natchitoches. Races will begin at 9 a.m. and will run through about 4 p.m. Spectator admission is free and open to the public.

Each dragon boat team consists of 20 paddlers (a minimum of eight must be female) and one drummer. The helmsman will be provided. There will be a practice session for each team during the week preceding the event. To register as a competing team, choose the “Boat Team” Ticket, and complete the registration and payment forms at checkout.

“There will be a festival atmosphere around the races with vendors, music and more,” said Vanner Erikson, director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development. “It makes for a great day of good spirited racing and a great time on and off the water.”

NATCHITOCHES:
Margaret Pauline Holland Chesser
December 15, 1941 – February 1, 2020
Service: Friday, February 7 at 10 am at Trinity Baptist Church
Interment: Ramah Cemetery in Ashland

Marshall Martin Hearne, III
December 3, 1944 – February 1, 2020
Service: Saturday, February 8 at 2 pm at Highland Park Cemetery near Sicily Island

Fannie Rachal LaCour
July 18, 1926 – February 1, 2020
Service: Saturday, February 8 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Interment: St. Augustine Catholic Mausoleum in Isle Brevelle

Hiram Phillips, Jr.
November 7, 1984 – January 27, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Larry “Thigh-Thigh” Batiste
September 3, 1978 – January 27, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Letha Moore Eason
June 3, 1926 – February 5, 2020
Visitation: Saturday, February 8 at 12 pm at Aimwell Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, February 8 at 2 pm at Aimwell Baptist Church
Interment: Zwolle City Cemetery

WINN:
Norma Jean Boyett Rozelle
September 05, 1931 – February 04, 2020
Service: Friday, February 7 at 11 am at Southern Funeral Home

RED RIVER:
James Huey Nettles
July 14, 1928 – February 05, 2020
Service: Sunday, February 9 at 2 pm at First Baptist Church