As I sat in the trendy director’s style chair in the well-decorated home of friend, I felt my heart beat a little faster with the anticipation of what was about to happen. When I looked to my left, I gleefully saw all of the tools and products that would soon have me looking picture perfect. I was internally clapping my hands with excitement. When I looked to the right, I saw that her roses were blooming and the perfect amount of daylight shining through her window panes.

When I gazed straight ahead of me I saw my precious friend who loves the Lord as much as me. It was the perfect set up for a perfect morning.

As soon as she began to work on my face, I complained about the way my skin was aging and these crazy bags that found their way around my eyes. This is a natural thing for women to point out their flaws before someone else does. My friend stopped me almost mid-sentence and be-gan to tell that it hurts her when women tear themselves down and he made all of us different. She went on to explain how she loves applying makeup to women and young ladies who need her services. She loves to see them leave with confidence.

Once she removed the attention from aging concerns and I began to focus on her stories and her love for her profession, all I could think was…she is truly working in her calling. Then we moved on to her family testimony of how God has seen them through difficult times and how he blessed her and her husband to be able to be youth ministers at their church.

She literally lit up when she talked about her youth group and how much fun they have.

One story led to another and it was all centered-around God’s goodness, God’s mercy and God’s sense of humor.

As I was leaving her home I bragged on the outdoor seating area behind her house. She did not hesitate to tell me that when they built it they had big plans for big parties and watching ball games but God turned it into a gathering place for the youth group and her family.

After I was gone and one my way to my next destination I began to thank the Lord for pallet that he paints our lives with. So many intricate colors and details that are all intertwined and connect-ed. I also thanked him for the opportunities that he provides for me to be able to talk about my faith and the blessings he has bestowed upon me and girls.

The closer I grow in my faith I realize how God shows up in all of the details of our lives and he wants to be honored in everything we do. He wants to go with us on all of our journeys and be the foundation that we build our lives on. Whether at work or at home.

Whether it is the artist’s palette, the banker’s office, the grocery store clerks, the teacher’s lesson plans, the attorney’s law book or the janitor’s broom….we all have the opportunity to honor the kingdom of God with our work. Although our professions may not be in the full-time business of baptizing, confirming and preaching, we still have the opportunity to be a light and let people see Jesus in us. There is no profession that he cannot and will not use for his glory.

“Whatever you do, work at it with your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

“Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

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NSU Health and Exercise Science senior and KA member, Matt Salinas, got a haircut with a purpose Thursday, May 12 as his hair went from below the shoulder to above the collar. Barber Katey Linebaugh of City Barber Shop carefully clipped Matt’s flowing locks for a donation to Children With Hair Loss, a charity that uses donated hair to construct free hair replacements for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments and other illnesses.

Mr. Salinas’ hair was well over the required 8 inches for a donation. His hair was carefully braided before being cut and is now on its way to helping a child facing illness have one less obstacle to overcome. Well done sir!

In the words of Lt. Col. Smith of the North Georgia College Corps of Cadets: “Keep America Beautiful-Get a haircut!” (and if you have 8 inches or more of hair, put it to good use.)

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The NRMC Wound Center was recently recognized for receiving the Center of Distinction Award; the prestigious Robert A. Warriner, III Clinical Excellence Award for 2021, and a 2021 President’s Circle Award recipient.

For more than a decade, Healogics has presented the Center of Distinction Award to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and accomplishments of Wound Centers that deliver care, treatment and services in a manner that exceeds the performance of other like Centers. Center of Distinction awards are given to Centers that achieve or exceed outstanding clinical and operational results, including ≥ 92% Patient Satisfaction Rate, ≥ 75% Wound Adjusted Comprehensive Healing Rate and a ≤ 16% Outlier Rate.

To be awarded the Clinical Excellence Award, a Center must score in the top 10 percent of eligible Wound Care Centers for 2021 on the Clinical Excellence measure, which is the Comprehensive Healing Rate weighted by wound mix.

The 2021 President’s Circle Award is based on achieving or exceeding outstanding clinical and operational results in 2021. This award distinguishes winners as the best of the best.

“We are exceptionally proud of our outstanding wound care team,” explained Kirk Soileau, NRMC CEO. “Since opening, they have consistently set high standards of care and customer service and performed their work at the top deciles nationally. Their ability to heal problem wounds is astounding. They improve their patients’ quality of life by successfully treating wounds that impact every aspect of life: physically and emotionally. Most importantly, they are saving lives and limbs. Thank you to every member of the NRMC Wound Care team for your care and commitment to our community.”

For more information on wound care services, please visit NRMChospital.org

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By Steve Graf

For years, bass fishermen have heard the phrase, “The wind is your friend.” Well, this is not always true, and today I’ll explain why. Mother Nature can be very unpredictable, and she has an unforgivable temper. Some days she’s awesome with bluebird skies and rays of sunshine streaming down. Other days, she can unleash a rage of fury that will have you taking cover and counting your blessings.

But with regards to the quote of “The wind is your friend,” wind is a very important factor when it comes to the bass biting. Windy shores can be an awesome place to catch a few bass. The science says that the reason bass are present on windy shores is because of the food chain. Wind forces the plankton towards the bank which in turn brings in the smaller fish like shad and bream. When these guys show up, a feeding frenzy is about to begin as the bass will always follow the bait fish. A windy chop on the water’s surface allows anglers to get in close without spooking the fish. So this is why anglers like a little wind, but you must be careful what you wish for.

If there’s one thing that makes me very nervous, it’s an approaching thunderstorm. Over my years of tournament fishing, I’ve had a few rough encounters of the worst kind. Two years ago on Lake Sam Rayburn, a storm came over the lake from the southwest. The sky literally turned black as it approached, and I could tell this was not going to be a small storm. I had a co-angler fishing with me in this particular tournament, who I could tell was getting a little nervous as the lightning got really bad. The biggest problem was that the storm was coming from the same direction as the boat ramp we were trying to reach for the weigh-in. So we had a choice, either try and outrun the storm before it cut us off from the ramp or go east across the lake and seek cover in a cove as the storm hopefully passed over the west side of the lake.

Realizing that we were not going to beat the storm back to the ramp, I decided to head east across the lake and take cover in the nearest cove. As we were running across the lake at 70 mph, I noticed the waves were really starting to get bad with 3-foot rollers. Then out of the corner of my right eye, I noticed the water was swirling as the wind was now blowing what seemed like 40 plus mph. It was obvious we were not going to outrun this storm. As the wind continued to get stronger, it hit the side of boat while we were running at full speed, and it lifted the boat off the water! I thought we were about to flip over, so I let off the gas and the boat sat back down on the water. It was raining so hard that you could not see 20 feet in front of the boat, but we kept moving toward the cove to seek safety.

Next, I had one of those incidents that you have nightmares about… during the downpour I saw another boat coming in my direction from my left. In a matter of seconds, I knew immediately we were on a collision course. As he passed in front of me by a few inches at 60 mph, my heart jumped out of my chest as I shut the boat down. It was an absolute miracle that we did not hit. I could not believe the other boater never shut down, instead he just kept going which I thought was strange since we just avoided a deadly crash. With my co-angler trembling, we finally reach the cove and waited the storm out before heading for the weigh-in.

As I was in the weigh-in line, I saw the angler who I had the near collision with and approached him to apologize for what happened. Turns out, HE NEVER SAW ME ….and that there was divine intervention to save both of us. It explained why he never stopped or slowed down after he passed in front of me. HE NEVER SAW ME! This is why you need to get off the water as soon as you see an approaching storm. Because in a matter of minutes, things can go from bad to worse. Till next time be safe, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

Steve Graf – Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show &
Tackle Talk Live

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$2 A THROW OR 3 THROWS FOR $5

DATE: May 14, 2022
TIME: 8 AM–12 PM
LOCATION: Natchitoches Farmers Market Downtown Riverbank

10:00 AM – MAYOR RONNIE WILLIAMS
10:10 AM – Police Chief, Nikeo Collins
10:20 AM – First Lady, Tiffany Williams
10:30 AM – Fire Chief, John Winn
10:40 AM – Community Development Director, Randy LaCaze
10:50 AM – Captain Jessie Taitano
11:00 AM – Director of Recruiting, Van Erickson
11:10 AM – Attorney at Law, Rodney Harrington
11:20 AM – Council Woman, Rosemary Washington
11:30 AM – City Marshal, Randy Williams
11:40 AM – Hope for Paws Secretary, Leah Forsyth
11:50 AM – Farmers Market Assistant Coordinator, Sharon Durham

All proceeds go to the Natchitoches Hope for Paws.
Any cash or dog item(s) donation $5 or more will receive a free t-shirt while supplies last!

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It seems like everywhere we look on social media, there’s more wedding/event venues popping up across the country. This trend is catching on in Natchitoches.

One venue location, appropriately titled “The Venue on Front Street” will hold its grand opening next week. The street has been abuzz with anticipation on what business would open next. Formerly The Landing and Jimbo’s, there were rumors on social media that a Mexican restaurant was next in line. These rumors were quickly dispersed with the installation of vinyl on the building’s windows for a new event space featuring a classy atmosphere for concerts, weddings, rehearsal dinners, parties, and more.

While the grand opening event is by invite only, The Venue will be open to the public as of May 21, where it will serve as the jazz stage for the Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival.

It’ll be the new hotspot in Natchitoches, so be sure to check it out! For booking call 318-352-1579.

Word is there’s another venue in the works in the Flora area, but we’re still looking into it, so there’ll be more to come.

The old L. H. Johnson Wholesale building, located at 104 Mill Street, was purchased on May 2. We’ve heard the owners’ plans include turning the building into a wedding venue.

Have you heard something you’d like to share? Email us at NPJNatLa@gmail.com. Submissions will remain anonymous and be approved before publication.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Pete Stewart
August 25, 1958 – May 9, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 14 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

SABINE:
William Manual Stewart
August 6, 1945 – April 25, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 14 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many

WINN:
Doris Jean Goodeaux
May 31, 1942 – May 11, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 14 at 3 pm at Southern Funeral Home

RED RIVER:
Kenneth Franklin Jordan
October 16, 1943 – May 10, 2022
Service: Friday, May 13 at 2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

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Natchitoches Police Department officers responded to the 400 block of Jefferson Street on May 9 around 5:36 pm in reference to several residential burglaries and a vehicle burglary. While officers were still in the 400 block of Jefferson Street collecting information they were notified of a burglary in progress in the 100 block of South Williams Avenue. Officers were quickly able to set up a perimeter and located a juvenile in the Dixie Plaza Shopping Center.

The juvenile was placed under arrest for two counts of Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling, Attempted Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling and Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective John Wynn at (318) 357-3811. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.

How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:

You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smartphone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,000 for the arrest of an offender.

Photo: Courtesy of Alarm.org

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Northwestern State baseball coach Bobby Barbier said this past weekend he spent a lot of time discussing the 2018 Demons with his current squad.

Three players and one assistant coach did not have to hear those stories because they were part of that Demon team, the first to take home a Southland Conference Baseball Tournament championship.

Pitchers Donovan Ohnoutka and Cameron Taylor along with center fielder Larson Fontenot have a chance to bookend their Northwestern State careers with another ring as the Demons open a three-game series against New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Brown-Stroud Field.

The series also includes a 6:30 p.m. Friday game and a 1 p.m. Senior Day Saturday start. Free streaming audio and subscription video will be available for all three games on www.NSUDemons.com

“We’re hot right now,” Fontenot said. “If we get the bats going again like we did against ULM, it can be a really good weekend. We’re going in hot just like (20)18. We played them right before the tournament and won it. Now we get them again.”

The Demons (24-24, 11-10) and Privateers (25-20, 11-10) are two of four teams that trail conference co-leaders McNeese and Southeastern by one game entering the final weekend of the season. NSU can clinch a share of the Southland Conference regular-season title with a sweep and a combination of results from the Southeastern-Nicholls and McNeese-Houston Baptist series.

Following this weekend’s series, the top two teams in the conference standings will host the two four-team brackets ahead of the May 26-28 Southland Conference Tournament championship series.

Much like a season ago, the final weekend holds myriad possibilities for the Demons, who can win the league outright or fall to the No. 7 seed in the eight-team league.

“It’s exciting going into the last weekend playing for a championship,” said Barbier, who was a player on NSU’s 2005 regular-season conference championship team. “It’s something we shouldn’t take for granted. We should enjoy it but also understand what’s at stake. We need to go out and play really, really hard. When we have these big weekends or big games, we talk about playing hard and wherever it falls, it falls.”

With just eight teams in the conference this season, every series this weekend is a rematch of the opening week of conference play. Northwestern State took two of three games from New Orleans at Maestri Field from March 25-27 as part of a 5-1 start in conference play.

“You take bits and pieces,” Ohnoutka said of what carries over from the series seven weeks ago. “You take what went well and build on that. You take what didn’t go well and prepare for that in practice.”

Ohnoutka and Taylor were redshirt freshmen on the 2018 team that went to New Orleans and took two of three games from the Privateers ahead of the conference tournament.

Now sixth-year seniors, the pair have put together some of their best work of the season down the stretch, looking to cap long and winding careers with a second ring.

“Both Donovan and Cameron are pitching as well right now as they have in their careers,” Barbier said. “It’s nice to see that, at the end, they’re pitching their best. Larson’s such a great story, too. He’s a guy who walked on and made himself a player. He was a first baseman in high school and has been a starting Division I center fielder for the past couple of years. All three of those guys have really helped shape what NSU baseball is.”

That trio will be joined by pitchers Josh Banes and Will Hine, infielders Cam Sibley and Bryce Holmes and catcher Austin Kirkpatrick in the Demon baseball senior class of 2022, who will be honored ahead of Saturday’s series finale.

“It’s been a long ride,” Ohnoutka said. “I’ve learned to stick with it. Consistency is key. You have to come every day with the same mentality. If the first day you came in and didn’t do well, it doesn’t mean the next day has to be the same.”

Added Taylor: “If (Taylor as a freshman) would have known the position he’s in now, he’d be very happy, especially with all I’ve been through. Finally getting my velo(city) up. Finally being able to contribute to the team. Going through Tommy John surgery then double hip surgery. Pitching off one hip for a year. I’m pretty happy with the way it’s turned out. Obviously, I’m never satisfied but pretty happy.”

Satisfied but never happy could be said about the 2022 Demons, who have endured a roller-coaster season to put themselves in position to extend their run at home by at least one weekend based on this weekend’s results.

“This is what we work for every year,” Fontenot said. “It’s right in front of us. We hold our own destiny. If we get it done this weekend, we can host.”

Series Probables:
Thursday: New Orleans LHP Tyler LeBlanc (6-1, 5.25) at Northwestern State LHP Cal Carver (4-4, 4.18)
Friday: New Orleans RHP Beau Blanchard (1-0, 5.00) at Northwestern State RHP Johnathan Harmon (5-5, 3.04)
Saturday: New Orleans LHP Kyle Khachadourian (4-2, 4.31) at Northwestern State TBA

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Alyssa Waters, a 7th grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School, competed in The Louisiana State High School Championship on May 7 in Lafayette. She placed 4th place in the Women’s Raw Division. She broke three Louisiana State Records and holds five State Raw Youth Records in her weight class in Raw Youth 3 Division. She will compete in Las Vegas on June 7 for Youth Nationals!

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Northwestern State University will hold seven sessions of its freshman orientation program, Freshman Connection, beginning May 18.

Four sessions will be on the Natchitoches campus on May 18-19, May 25-26, June 1-2 and July 7. The program will be held on the Alexandria campus on June 21, the Leesville/Fort Polk campus on June 22 and the Shreveport campus on June 23. There is also a session for parents called Parent Connection and a session for younger siblings, Kid Connection.

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.

During the program, those attending will have a chance to meet with university administrators, visit with faculty and staff and learn more about campus life. Participants will be introduced to the academic programs and services provided by the University, such as academic advising and support services. Upon completing the registration process at Freshman Connection, students will be prepared for their first semester in college and will leave with a fall schedule in hand.

The Parent Connection program runs concurrently with day one of Freshman Connection but is a separate program to meet the specific needs of parents and families. Parent Connection will provide an overview of the academic and co-curricular resources available to your student at NSU. Parents will meet professional staff, faculty members and current students who will share valuable information on college success. Parents can learn where and how to get support for your student, meet other families of NSU students ask questions and feel confident in your student’s ability to succeed in college.

Kid Konnection is designed exclusively for siblings (ages 5 – 12) of new NSU students to help them learn more about their big brother or sister’s new home. Activities include arts and crafts, a campus tour and meeting Vic the Demon. Participants will receive lunch, an afternoon snack and fun NSU stuff. In order for a sibling to participate in Kid Konnection, they must have a parent/guardian attending Parent Connection.

Current Northwestern State students serving as connectors are Jadie Badeaux of Cecilia, Haleigh Bertrand of Grand Lake, Brayden Bierwirth, Jacob Boyter, Anna McMillon and Carson Sanders of Bossier City, Kameron Burns of Haughton, Hannah Davis of Hammond, Makynli Decambre of New Iberia, Travis Jimenez of Belcher, Zoe Johnson of Morgan City, Mariah Kador of Oscar, Trotter LaFollette of Many, Linzi Lampert of Deville, Joshua Robertson of Shreveport, Max Sanders of Deville, Mary Scruggs of Natchitoches, Maddie Smith of Minden, JonElise Sturgeon of Saint Francisville, Avery Tullos of Minden, Payten Vidourek of Sanger, Texas, Abigail Whitam of Denham Springs and TJ Woodard of Carencro.

Matthew Courville of Opelousas is student coordinator.

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The Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Society installed new officers for the 2022-2023 season May 11 at Russell Hall on NSU campus. In addition, a new Board member was installed. Pictured L-R are Gayle Howell, President, Pat Kelly, new Board member, Kathy Carter, Secretary and Loren Ford, past President. Not pictured is Carolyn Roy, President elect.

The Symphony Board supports and awards scholarships for NSU students in the Natchitoches
Northwestern Symphony.

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Northwestern State University’s International Student Resource Center hosted a recognition program for graduating international students May 10. The graduates were recognized for their academic achievements and participated in a panel discussion about their experiences at NSU, followed by a sash ceremony.

Students shared many common challenges attending college in a foreign country, struggling with English, learning to be independent and missing their families, but all said they made many friends with American and other international students, learning and growing together. Several plan to attend graduate school.

NSU has 92 international students from 29 different countries enrolled and 16 will graduate this semester, earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones, a long-time advocate and recruiter of international students at NSU, said the international students bring much to the campus, to Creative and Performing Arts and to athletics.

“We have been enriched by your presence on this campus,” he said.

“Congratulations on your perseverance in getting here,” said NSU Provost Dr. Greg Handel. “It takes a lot to go to college in another country and you’ve all made a significant impact on your fellow students.”

The panel and ceremony were organized by Dr. Telba Espinoza-Contreras, director of NSU’s International Student Resource Center that was created in 2016 to help international students navigate college at NSU and also assist NSU students who wished to travel abroad.

NSU’s International graduates:

Sixteen international students who will graduate from NSU this week were recognized gy the university’s International Student Resource Center. They are, from left, Devin Reyes, Belize; Gilda Malloy, Belize; Elias Castro Caballero, Colombia; Maria Paula Mancera Romero, Colombia; Jose Jose Arrieta Cuesta, Colombia; Crescencio Mendez Zaragoza, Mexico; Aura Hernandez Canedo, Mexico; Jorge Ojeda Munoz, Colombia; Ruth Garcia Rodriguez, Honduras; Judit Castillo Gargallo, Spain; Natalia Zapata Yonoff, Colombia; Dania Briceno Vasquez, Honduras, and Isabella Lambis Cano, Colombia.

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ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Notice is hereby given that the Natchitoches Parish School Board Child Nutrition Department will receive sealed bids as follows:

Monday, June 20, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – Paper and Cleaning Supplies for School Year 2022-2023
Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – Milk and Milk Products for the School Year 2022-2023

Bids will be accepted until the dates and times specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud at those times in the School Board’s Central Office, 310 Royal Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457. Please find the bid-related documents and place bids at www.centralbidding.com.

For questions relating to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. Bids received after the date and times of opening will not be considered.

Additional information may be obtained upon request by contacting Shauna Hicks, District Director, at 318-352-3438, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce has assumed the lead role in economic development efforts throughout Natchitoches Parish through a strategic alignment with the Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance (NEDA). Chamber President Laura Lyles will serve as the main point of contact and will report to the newly restructured NEDA Board of Directors.

Economic Development has long been recognized as being most successful when a local united voice exists. This effort brings all partners together to provide workforce development opportunities for those entering the job market or for others looking for a new career path, to increase opportunities for Natchitoches to attract new investment and support expanding new businesses, and to market the many benefits the parish has to offer companies when looking for places to invest.

The Chamber has a track record for supporting local businesses and promoting the many benefits of doing business in the parish.

Under the reorganization, the NEDA Board of Directors were elected from representatives of private business and industry partners across a diverse range of industry sectors. The 2022 NEDA Board of Directors are Chairman Tom Matuschka (Natchitoches Regional Medical Center), Past Chairman Ryan Todtenbier (Thomas, Cunningham, Broadway and Todtenbier CPAs), Treasurer Josh Manuel (City Bank & Trust), Katrice Below (BOM), Jeremy Burford (RoyOMartin), Henry T. Moffett (Moffett Foods), Laurie Morrow (Northwestern State University), Travis Tyler (Natchitoches Parish Port), and current Chamber Chairman Van Erikson (Northwestern State University).

Operating under a management agreement with NEDA, the Chamber will lead the organization, facilitating the execution of an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Parish. Utilizing existing funding, NEDA has engaged a team, led by DADCO, to develop the Economic Development Strategic Plan, which will provide a program of work to address needs throughout the parish and create opportunities to attract new investment and jobs. The plan is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of this year.

Together with Lyles, the NEDA Board has laid out an interim plan of work focusing on:

• the retention and expansion of existing business and industry;

• increasing the inventory of certified sites throughout the parish under the program sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development;

• professional development and certifications for community leaders on the economic development team; and

• marketing and branding of both the NEDA organization, high-wage jobs, and career paths already available in Natchitoches Parish.

According to NEDA Chairman and Chamber board member Tom Matuschka, this formal partnership has formed at the perfect time. “The Chamber of Commerce is also currently engaged in comprehensive strategic planning,” Matuschka stated. “The feedback from Chamber membership and community leaders have common themes: needed economic growth, workforce development, and the attraction and retention of professionals to the area. This partnership will ensure that NEDA’s goals, Chamber goals and community goals are well aligned, sufficiently supported, and effectively executed. The synergy between the two organizations will help capitalize on recent economic growth in our region and create momentum.”

“Economic Development is a team sport,” Lyles stated. “It takes the entire community coming together, from our education partners advancing education in the parish to our citizens keeping trash in the landfill and supporting local businesses through their pocketbooks and their comments on social media. It will take all of us reading from the same sheet of music to move the needle.”

The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to making the Natchitoches area a thriving business community by promoting commerce, strengthening people, and improving life. Learn more about the Chamber at NatchitochesChamber.com.

The Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Natchitoches Parish. NEDA provides proactive leadership and coordinated support for consistent economic development efforts in Natchitoches parish, a certified Louisiana Development Ready Community and a certified Work Ready Community.

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Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA), will host a show and tell at Los Adaes State Historic Site on Saturday, May 14 at 11:30 am titled “Birds of Prey.”

Senior Park Naturalist and Manager, Rusty Scarborough, with the Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park in Shreveport, will bring a live bird of prey and give visitors an up close and personal look and explain the role that these birds play both in nature and sport.

“We are excited to welcome Rusty back to Los Adaes to share his expertise and training in handling these magnificent birds and are looking forward to seeing longtime friends and families back at Los Adaes to enjoy the park once again,” remarked Rebecca Blankenbaker, CRNHA Executive Director.

Throughout the day visitors will be able to borrow binoculars to gaze at local wildlife and participate in children’s arts and crafts.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Because this program will include a live bird of prey, we must ask that small dogs or other animals are not brought to the park

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Residents of Natchitoches Parish, especially Natchitoches Parish Technical and Career Center family, please celebrate Ms. E’liyshia Johnson in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant. Ms. Johnson is the first NPTCC student to reach this goal. The school staff and administration are extremely proud of her accomplishment. Thank you Nurse Renee Lewis for working with her.

Congratulations E’lishyia!!

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The City of Natchitoches will kick-off the Natchitoches Farmers Market tomorrow (Saturday) and will be open every Saturday every Saturday from now until July 23, 2022.

The Natchitoches Farmers Market will be downtown on the riverbank from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

May 14, 2022 – “Who Let the Dogs out??”
May 21, 2022 – “Battle of the Badges”
May 28, 2022 – “Signs of Summer”
June 4, 2022 – “The Chicken or The Egg?”
June 11, 2022 – “Mini Makers Day”
June 18, 2022 – “Blue Grass Day”
June 25, 2022 – “Contest on the Cane!!!”
July 2, 2022 – “4-H Day”
July 9, 2022 – “Blending for Health”
July 16, 2022 – “One Mans Treasure!!”
July 23, 2022 – “Farming on the Cane”

For more information, please contact the Farmers Market at (318) 663-5190 or (318) 214-7911.

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Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards visited Natchitoches to formally dedicate the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA)’s new 110,000-square-foot Living Learning Commons (LLC) that began housing sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending the tuition-free, publicly funded residential high school in the fall of 2021.

“What was a dream for nearly 39 years has finally become a reality,” remarked LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton. “We are here to stop, reflect, and show gratitude for what we have been able to grow and nurture for nearly four decades.”

Offering space for 360 students to live, the LLC features a health clinic with a full-time registered nurse and assistant, 24/7 front desk security, student lounge, covered porch, craft room, demonstration kitchen, study rooms, and laundry facilities. Dr. Horton and Chair of the LSMSA Board of Directors Mrs. Sharon Gahagan expressed appreciation to the many community and state partners who contributed to the school’s success and the LLC coming to fruition, including Governor and Mrs. Edwards, who visited the campus for the first time since the LLC’s groundbreaking in 2018 to see the impact of the nearly $26 million investment.

“This was one of the first new construction projects that we undertook after I became governor, so it is a special day to be able to come back and to see it standing here, as beautiful as it is,” said Edwards. “Students who decide to attend the Louisiana School have chosen a road less traveled, and I think that takes bravery, especially at their age. I know they’re going to reap the benefits of this experience for the rest of their lives, and we will all benefit from their contributions to the state.”

LSMSA educates highly motivated, high-achieving incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from throughout the state.

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