The 63rd wedding anniversary on June 28 was celebrated by Sonny and Evelyn Evans. Coy Birdwell is pictured with them and Coy and Charlotte had a 50 th anniversary in Yellowstone with family.
Next month’s program will be on the Play Nunsence by NSU theater group previewing it. Lunch will be at 11 am Wednesday July 6 and chicken and cake will be provided for a fee of $5 and you can feel free to bring a side dish to share. All are welcome.
Questions? Call 318-471-3763. No reservation required.
PS: No one admitted having a birthday but all 50 ate cake.
NATCHITOCHES – For the 50th anniversary of its arrival in this small town located on Cane River Lake, the 2022 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony took time to celebrate the villages.
Those villages – whether it was Crowley or Bunkie or Mamou or Thibodaux or Opelousas — as well as the villages that helped nurture and produce the 12-member Class of 2022 that officially entered the state’s sports shrine were on display at the event inside the Natchitoches Events Center.
“I always tell people, like the saying, it takes a village,” said Garland Forman, the longtime journalist at the Bunkie Record. “Well, I had a lot of villages.”
Forman’s statement held true across the board Saturday night whether the inductees came from the more rural areas of Louisiana or if they plied their trades in Baton Rouge or New Orleans.
On a night that started with “The Father of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame,” Northwestern State’s Jerry Pierce, being honored for helping bring the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to Natchitoches in 1972, there was, fittingly, an Olympic gold medalist in the class.
A boxer-turned-dentist, Dr. Eddie Flynn posted a 144-0 amateur record and captured the gold medal in the 147-pound welterweight division in the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
As one of three posthumous inductees in the 2022 class, Flynn’s story helped lead his great-grandson, Cory Martin, on a deeper dive into his family history, linking together generations.
“This has been very unique,” Martin said. “That video got me emotional. I was joking with my wife, my mom’s a bit of a hippie, so she doesn’t travel. When we told her about it, she was tearing up on the phone. When you’re growing up and your great grandfather is an Olympic gold medalist, you hear about it. To div in and really talk to my family on that side – my uncle and aunts – it’s who he was as a man that’s what impacted me most. Look at his athletic career, his service to his country (in World Ward II), it’s unbelievable.”
The oxymoronic turn of a boxer turning into a dentist was a fitting one for Flynn, whose boxing scholarship to Loyola University in New Orleans turned profitable for the school as Flynn’s bouts became huge ticket draws.
“He once said he became an oral surgeon because he didn’t like hurting people and inflicting pain,” said Les East, a longtime New Orleans-area journalist. “He went into a career where he could relieve other people’s pain.”
Flynn’s remarkable 144-0 record was driven by part of his village, arguably the most influential part.
“He hid the fact he was boxing from his father,” East said. “His father didn’t think there was much of a future in it. In fact, he boxed under an alias. His father eventually found out about it and told him, ‘OK, you can keep boxing, but if you lose, that’s it.’ He never lost, so he never had to hang up his gloves before he was ready.”
While Flynn had to hide his athletic pursuits from his family’s patriarch, three-time world champion steer roper Steve Duhon had no such issues.
Duhon, an Opelousas native who played one season of football at LSU, praised his parents for making the sacrifices necessary for him to chase his dreams and his brother for being his constant companion in the practice pen.
“God blessed me with a lot of abilities, but the best deal was him blessing me with my parents,” Duhon said. “They supplied me with whatever I needed. My brother took my hand and drove me to a lot of rodeos. All of my children rodeoed and now my grandkids are starting to ride. It’s one big family deal, and now I get to do it all over again on the other side.”
As the next generation of Duhons enters the arena, they have a lot to live up to, including a record run of 3.0 seconds Steve Duhon set at the National Finals Rodeo in 1986.
That effort shocked neither Duhon nor those who befriended and competed against him.
“Steve had ice water in his veins,” fellow cowboy and competitor Tody Roach said. “The more pressure, the better he likes it. He made most of his fame and fortune in the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association as a steer wrestler, but there are a lot of people, like calf ropers and team ropers, who are glad he didn’t hone in on those events.”
There are plenty of high school cross-country coaches and runners in Louisiana who probably wished Claney Duplechin had honed in on his first loves of baseball and football.
After graduating from LSU, the former Mamou High School first baseman hoped to coach football and baseball at Catholic High in Baton Rouge. The first sport worked out fine, but Catholic’s baseball staff was full.
Baseball’s loss was eventually the Episcopal High School cross-country program’s ultimate gain. In 47 years at the school, Duplechin has been the architect of a state championship-winning juggernaut, capturing 25 straight boys state cross-country crowns in a streak that ended in November.
Duplechin thanked his crosstown friend and foe, Catholic’s Pete Boudreaux (also a Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer), for his guidance, which continues today.
“After I talked to Barrett Murphy and he told me their baseball staff was full and I’d be coaching track, I went to work with Pete and, again, my heart was still with baseball,” Duplechin said. “He changed my mind. He basically made me start loving the sport of track and field. I learned so much from him on how to coach people, not how to coach the sport. If you coach people first, you’re going to be successful.”
The respect between the two now Hall of Fame fraternity brothers is a two-way street – one that has run for more than four decades.
“We go way back and we’ve developed over that time, a mutual admiration society,” Boudreaux said. “He was always a go-getter, a fireball. He had good ideas – really good ideas. From there, whenever he moved on, I knew he’d be successful wherever he’d go. I hated losing him. To this day, I regret him leaving.”
While Duplechin continues to impart life lessons to the next generation, former McNeese and UL Lafayette baseball coach Tony Robichaux did so across a state-record 1,177 college baseball wins before succumbing to the effects of a heart attack in July 2019.
The “Robe-isms” the butcher’s son from Crowley left for reporters and fans and coaches alike have weaved their way into the lives of plenty of villagers in and around Acadiana and well beyond.
“He had a way of taking very difficult information and putting it in a poetic, philosophical way,” his oldest son, Justin, said. “Robeisms. My brother and sister and I knew as to how he communicated with us. It was fun and interesting at times. You could see how much it meant to him, the effort he went through to make an impact on someone.”
Beyond the nearly 1,200 on-field victories, Robichaux scored countless others away from the field based on his life’s philosophy and his commitment to his principles and values.
Cajun fans need to look no further than the statue that sits out front of M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park to see that. Driven by financial contributions from former players, the statue was unveiled ahead of the 2020 season, just months after Robichaux’s death.
“What he stood for needs to be felt for all time by every player who runs on that field,” said left-handed pitcher Phil Devey, who left as the Cajuns’ all-time strikeout leader after his career ended in 1999. “They need to learn about him and listen to his message. We felt compelled to put something together that will stand the test of time and be here forever. It would be selfish for us to keep the lessons he taught us within us. We need to let everyone know who this man was.”
The third posthumous inductee in the Class of 2022, former LSU and Thibodaux High School offensive lineman Eric Andolsek, left quite a legacy as well.
An All-SEC and third-team All-American as a Tiger, Andolsek died 30 years ago Thursday and was inducted on the anniversary of his funeral, which came at age 25.
His brother, Andy, recalled Eric’s college choices coming down to Alabama and LSU and what his younger brother’s decision to stay closer to home meant, especially in light of the accident that took his life.
“I lived next door to my parents, and every afternoon you had a college coach sitting in the living room talking or eating boiled crawfish,” Andy Andolsek said. “He was torn between LSU and Alabama. He made the right choice. He stayed home where everybody could follow him. That made his legacy in Thibodaux. If he had gone somewhere else, he wouldn’t have been who he was. Even now, going to the grocery store, someone always has an Eric story, and it usually doesn’t deal with football. It could be as simple as changing a flat tire. Everyone in Thibodaux still remembers him.”
In addition to his prowess and nasty streak on the field, Andolsek’s high school coach has another idea why people remember the man who was a “gentle giant” away from the field.
“When the Detroit Lions came to town for his funeral, one of the coaches said Eric was a special person – a giver,” Laury Dupont said. “When you give, it grows. When you save, it dies. Eric was a giver. He touched everybody’s life.”
Forman touched his share of lives in rural Louisiana.
A “country journalist,” Forman handled not only sports but news in Bunkie for more than three decades and has served the past four-plus years as the publisher for a number of community newspapers.
“I always felt that community news was the big thing, and not just news but sports,” said Forman, the only person to serve as the president of both the Louisiana Press Association and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. “I think I fell in love with Bunkie over the years. It was a great thing, and we did very well there.”
Forman helped make the Bunkie Record the LPA’s Newspaper of the Year three times with a very limited staff.
“Garland Forman was the news,” former DSA winner Glenn Quebedeaux said. “If something happened, people looked to Garland to find out what happened in Bunkie or the surrounding area. You don’t see many people like that. He’s a saint in Bunkie. He’s so well thought of and well respected, not just in Bunkie but the LSWA as a whole.”
Forman left his mark on one of the smaller parts of Louisiana, but Jay Cicero, a Shreveport native, made his impression on the state’s largest city.
As the president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Cicero and his team are responsible for bringing a litany of events to New Orleans and its surrounding area. While a behemoth in the state, New Orleans faces challenges from much larger metropolitan areas in the country.
Cicero, for his efforts, was named the Dave Dixon Sports Leadership Award recipient. The son of a longtime high school baseball coach in Shreveport, Cicero credited his time growing up around the game with instilling in him a career path and a philosophy of success.
“It’s the right place, the right time, and being around some great people,” he said. “I try to explain that to our staff, younger people, my kids, and friends. Surround yourself with great people. Find somebody who is great and handles their business in the right way. You need to be around those people and absorb that.”
Cicero has absorbed plenty of New Orleans culture and ingrained himself in it as well.
“One of the greatest attributes is a mantra we say a lot around here – it’s amazing what we can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit,” said Dennis Lauscha, president of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. “That’s Jay. He’s always in the back trying to make sure the event is successful, to make sure his organization is successful, to make sure his team is successful.”
Few athletes in LSU history have been as successful as gymnast Susan Jackson.
A 12-time All-American (11 first-team honors) and three-time national champion, Jackson became a standout at a place she committed to sight unseen and helped lay the foundation for a powerhouse program.
“Very early in the process, I knew LSU was for me,” said Jackson, who started the night by cartwheeling onto the stage. “I bonded quickly with the coaches. I loved the fact they cared for me as Susan the person, not just the gymnast. I Googled LSU in typing class my junior year. The fact it was a one-hour drive from New Orleans didn’t hurt their chances either.”
Kidding aside, Jackson’s natural talent made fellow Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer D-D Breaux’s coaching job much easier.
Honing that natural talent into a champion was the job of Breaux and assistant coach Bob Moore, who echoed his former boss’ thoughts on Jackson.
“She and I worked at this coaching thing as more of a partnership than a traditional athlete and coach,” Moore said. “We worked together. We were honest with each other. I can’t take credit for anything. The greatness was already there. I had the good fortune to help her relax and reach out and get her potential.”
The potential for a no-hitter always existed when Britni Sneed Newman stood in the circle for LSU.
A dominating right-hander who set a gaggle of Southeastern Conference softball records in her two-time All-American career, Sneed Newman tossed 10 no-hitters at LSU – six in her senior season – and helped lead the Lady Tigers to their first Women’s College World Series appearance.
That – not the 10 no-hitters – is what mattered most to Sneed Newman, now an assistant coach at Baylor.
“I don’t remember one of them,” Sneed Newman said. “I wish I did. It would be really cool to talk about. I do remember our team finally getting to the Women’s College World Series. We kept saying, ‘We’ve got to get past Courtney Blades so we can win the Women’s College World Series.’ That was my ultimate moment at LSU.”
Current Baylor coach Glenn Moore recruited Sneed to LSU and coached her for her first two seasons before taking the Baylor job.
Moore was impressed early by his ace right-hander’s demeanor even as a high schooler.
“She separated herself in the recruiting world because of her demeanor,” he said. “She didn’t get rattled. She didn’t get hit often, so there were not a lot of opportunities for her to get rattled.”
Behind Sneed Newman, LSU laid the foundation for continued success.
“She put LSU softball on the map,” said Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Yvette Girouard, Sneed Newman’s coach for her final two seasons. “She mowed down the SEC competition. She was true as dominating a pitcher as there was. How easy was my job? As good as she was as a pitcher, she was even better off the field. She did a magnificent job as a player and now as a coach.”
Jahri Evans built quite a foundation although his village started in north Philadelphia, far away from where he became a statewide hero as a New Orleans Saint.
The linchpin of a Saints offensive line that helped Drew Brees set league passing records, Evans’ 11-year career produced a Super Bowl championship that forever endeared himself and his teammates to the city and state.
Evans felt the love – almost physically – from Who Dat Nation throughout his career.
“I was coming from Bloomsburg (University) where I probably played in front of 5,000 people,” he said. “In the Superdome, we fed off the crowd. We really fed off the crowd going to the hotel the night before. New Orleans knows how to party.”
The city has hardly ever partied harder than after the Saints’ Super Bowl victory, which was assisted by an All-Pro offensive lineman whose college tape was so hard to find, head coach Sean Payton likened it to being “delivered by horse and buggy.”
“There was one copy of it,” Payton said. “We wanted to hold onto it and keep anyone else from seeing it because we saw how good he was.”
Good enough to earn induction into the Saints Hall of Fame and now the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
“I’ve been involved now in two hall of fame inductions for Jah,” teammate Zach Strief said. “I fully expect to be in the big one as well. He’s that good of a player and that impactful to the Saints organization.”
Ruston’s Kyle Williams’ career took an inverse path from his NFL contemporary Evans.
A standout for the Bearcats, Williams became a starter midway through LSU’s 2003 national championship season and parlayed that into a 13-year NFL career with Buffalo – one of the NFL’s most passionate markets.
“I’m super happy for you and your family,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “Jill, I hope you don’t cry that crying face you did when Kyle retired. Kyle, I hope you smile a little bit and enjoy the moment you earned.”
Williams smiled plenty during his speech, but when it came time to acknowledge his village, it was the thought of his wife that nearly made the high-motor defensive tackle come to tears.
“Probably the greatest moment of my career is making a victory lap in Buffalo and getting to go into a secluded room and tell my family the reason I was able to do that was I made a commitment to be my best every day and do my best,” Williams said. “That’s why we get to experience this weekend. Last but not least – and maybe the shortest – I like to call her the Little General.
“Jill, when I hitched my wagon to your star, it took off. You’re the toughest person I know. You’re a monster. You’re the best. I appreciate you.”
No one in the Natchitoches Events Center appreciates a good turn of a phrase or a laugh more than the second Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism winner – Teddy Allen.
A statewide sports writer and columnist, the loquacious everyman took time from his master of ceremonies gig to be honored in his first year on the ballot.
“It helps to write like you talk,” said J.J. Marshall, Allen’s longtime friend and co-worker. “If you listen to Teddy and you read Teddy, it’s almost the way he talks. He doesn’t try to overwrite. Teddy opens up and types it. Here it is. It sounds simple, but a lot of people don’t do that.”
The son of a South Carolina preacher who famously bestowed “The Mailman” nickname on Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Karl Malone, Allen had one simple way to sum up his journey to the Hall of Fame.
“I’ve led a Forrest Gump-like existence,” he said. “I was working at Beacon Gas in Claiborne Parish, and literally the parish sheriff took me to Ruston and said this is where you’re going to school. I told him no. He said, ‘Yeah, this is gonna happen.’ There have been a lot of people help me get from Point A to B to C. Such dear friends. I just like to laugh and love to hear you laugh.”
Induction class photo by Chris Reich/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
The Parish Council held a special called meeting on June 24 to approve a proclamation appointing a qualified candidate to District 2 of the Parish Council to fill the vacancy due to the resignation of Councilwoman Patsy Ward Hoover.
There was a conflict of scheduling with Evans so Council members were given the opportunity to call and speak with him before the meeting.
Scott is a Natchitoches native, who has worked for Alliance and Weyerhaeuser in the past. He’s currently a deacon at North Street Baptist Church and has been involved in the community all his life.
Layton has lived in Natchitoches since 1980. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and theology. She described herself as a quick learner with the heart of a servant, who desires better for her community.
Reaching a stalemate, Kilcoyne and Salter voted for Layton while Paige and Cheatwood voted for Scott.
The Governor will be notified to appoint someone to fill the position.
Dr. Mary Edith Stacy has been named dean of the College of Business and Technology at Northwestern State University. Her appointment has been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Stacy has been interim dean since October 2021.
“I look forward to continuing to work with students, faculty, staff, alumni and stakeholders to advance the College of Business and Technology,” said Stacy. “Among my priorities will be attract and retain strong students and working closely with business and industry to make certain our programs are preparing our graduates for the workforce.”
The College of Business and Technology includes bachelor of science programs in accounting, business administration with concentrations in business analytics, e-sports management, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management and marketing. The College also includes bachelor of science programs in computer information systems with concentrations in application development, core programming, cyber security, networking and system management, web development and hospitality management and tourism with concentrations in culinary arts, hospitality services, travel and tourism. The College of Business and Technology offers a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems.
“Dr. Stacy brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the role of Dean,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Greg Handel. “She understands student engagement, faculty development, and has perspectives and connections to Business and Industry that will help expand our advisory councils. We are excited for her to continue to our work with public and private partnerships, and look forward to the development of new international connections.”
Stacy has been a member of the staff and faculty at Northwestern State since 1992. She has worked in the Office of Financial Aid as coordinator of university scholarships from 1992 to 1998 and as director of auxiliary services from 1998 until 2003.
From 2003 to 2011, she was director of enrollment management where she was responsible for NSU’s student recruitment and retention plan and future enrollment forecasting. Under her leadership, the university had a record enrollment and made a successful transition to selective admissions which strengthened the institution.
Since 2011, Stacy has been a faculty member in the Department of Psychology and School of Business. In the School of Business, she has taught classes in business statistics and operations management to an average of 120 students per semester. Stacy has designed assessments to demonstrate a student’s knowledge of real-world business problems and finding solutions through problem solving techniques.
Stacy earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree at Northwestern State and a doctorate at Louisiana State University.
As a faculty member, Stacy has made numerous presentations to state, national and international professional conferences often collaborating with colleagues at Northwestern State.
Several hundred sports enthusiasts and area residents enjoyed the opportunity to meet the inductees into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame at the welcome reception for the LSHOF’s 2022 class held Thursday, June 23. The event, a fun local tradition, was free and open to the public and was an excellent opportunity to meet some of our state’s sports legends. The NSU Men’s basketball team was on hand to greet the arriving guests. Members of NSU’s Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha chapters were also on hand to volunteer as were volunteers from the LSHOF Foundation Board and FLASH. The induction events are a true community effort.
The official portraits of each inductee were on display for the first time to the general public. Each portrait shows the inductee in the context of his or her sport and is a tradition of the Hall of Fame. In addition, a silent auction of donated items and sports memorabilia helped raise funds for the organization. This year’s reception featured a special treat. Billy Cannon’s 1959 Heisman Trophy is on loan to the LSHOF and will soon be joined by Louisiana’s three other Heisman winners: John David Crow (1957), Joe Burrow (2019) and DeVonta Smith (2020).
The festivities are far from finished. Friday will feature a concert along the riverbank complete with signature Natchitoches quality fireworks show. Saturday morning will feature the Junior Training Camp on the NSU campus in which young people will be able to test their abilities, win prizes and learn what it takes to succeed on-and off-the playing field. The weekend will culminate at the induction dinner Saturday evening at the Natchitoches Events Center.
It’s human nature, I suppose, to remember those of our species who achieve significant firsts. Theirs is lasting fame, usually.
But what about the poor guy or gal who accomplished the same difficult task, but were merely the second to do it. We all know Christopher Columbus. But who remembers the explorer who was the second person to lead an expedition to the New World? Most remember Charles Lindbergh’s solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Who made the second such flight? Even with our current abysmal knowledge of history, most can name George Washington as the first US president. Poor John Adams would not be named by many as the second chief executive.
So I want to bring to your attention a man who, except for a matter of less than three months, would be one of the most famous American athletes of all time. But few, except for real baseball history buffs, have heard of the fellow.
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball (except for a couple of young men who did it in the 1880s for a very brief time), Jackie broke in with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He was a great player and a great person.
His accomplishments are justly renowned. He put up with horrific verbal abuse from fans and opposing players alike and even had problems with some of his own teammates. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. On Jackie Robinson Day each year, all MLB players wear jerseys with Jackie’s retired number, 42. He deserves all the recognition he has gotten.
But, I ask, what about Larry Doby, a black man who started playing with the Cleveland Indians on July 4, 1947, just 81 days after Robinson’s debut with the Dodgers. Doby did achieve a first of his own. He was the first African American to play in the American League. Brooklyn, now the Los Angeles Dodgers, was in the National League.
Larry was also a darned good ball player and a tough, resilient guy. He had to be, because he received the same type of abuse that Robinson had suffered. But how many people know that? Doby was born in Camden, S.C., in 1923 and began playing baseball for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues in 1943. When Cleveland owner Bill Veeck brought him up to the American League in 1947, he didn’t get off to as good of a start as Robinson did in Brooklyn that year.
But he returned in 1948 and helped lead the Indians to a World Series title that year, batting .301 with 14 home runs. He was still a star in 1954, when he hit .272 with 32 homers and 126 runs batted in. Even if his is not a household name, he was recognized by the sport and was belatedly voted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, just three years before he passed away.
So, what did he have to say for himself?
“Part of history? I have no ideas about that. I just want to play baseball.”
“The only difference was that Jackie Robinson got all of the publicity. You didn’t hear much about what I was going through because the media didn’t want to repeat the same story.”
I had a Larry Doby baseball card about 70 years ago. I sure wish I still had it. But I remember Larry. And it would be nice if lots more folks did, too.
(Natchitoches)-Little did a family from Henderson, Texas know that while traveling on I-49 in Natchitoches Parish to Florida on vacation and dropping off their daughter in south Louisiana for water skiing classes they would lose their daughter’s most important things, her suitcase, according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday, June 13, Deputy Benji Phelps was patrolling on Interstate 49 near milepost #139 north of Natchitoches when he observed a large suitcase lying in the road.
Deputy Phelps stopped, took precautions and retrieved the suitcase from the roadway placing it in his unit.
Deputy Phelps would later check the contents of the suitcase finding clothes, cash, other essential items and a medicine bottle.
The medicine bottle contained a patient’s name and pharmacy in Henderson, Texas.
Deputy Phelps contacted the pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist who was familiar with the family.
The pharmacist agreed to assist and contacted the family asking them to call Deputy Phelps.
The father called, Deputy Phelps asked if they had lost a suitcase in which he responded “they lost his daughter’s suitcase while they were traveling from Texas somewhere and they were in the process of purchasing and replacing all of her lost items in south Louisiana”.
They needed to replace the items because she was excited to attend the week long skiing class in Zachary, La.
The remaining family would continue to Florida for vacation while the daughter attended the class.
Deputy Phelps informed the father that he found the suitcase on I-49 in Natchitoches Parish, that everything appeared to be in order inside it and that he would be glad to return it to them on their return trip.
This past Saturday, June 18, Deputy Phelps and the family made arrangements to meet at French Market Express off of I-49 to return the suitcase to the family.
The suitcase was returned to the happy juvenile female, and she and her family continued their trip home to Texas.
Thank you Deputy Phelps for a job well done. Thank you for caring, and taking the extra steps to return the suitcase to the Rains family of Henderson, Texas.
The father said the suitcase apparently flew out of the bed of the their pickup truck without them knowing it.
Good luck Jolee, we wish you well.
Deputy Phelps is assigned to the NPSO Warrants/Transportation Division.
The Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) will be welcoming back Animology as part of this year’s Summer Reading Program (SRP), “Oceans of Possibilities!” You never know what creatures you might meet at this educational wildlife program. The performance at the Northeast Branch in Campti will take place on Wednesday, June 29 at 2 PM. Performances in Natchitoches will be on Thursday, June 30, on the Riverbank Stage at 10 AM and 6 PM, and at the Main Branch at 2 PM.
You won’t want to miss this interactive and Informative learning experience, where you will hear all about the various animals’ natural habitats and habits!
To register for SRP online, text SUMMER to 318-357-3280. Weekly programs for teens and adults will be offered in addition to the children’s performances. SRP participants can read to earn prizes and entries for grand prize drawings for their age group through July 31.
Senator Louie Bernard talks about his recent vote on the concealed carry weapons issue and his decision to not seek re-election in 2023. Senator Bernard talks about the challenges of public service on one’s family and the difficulty of being elected to public service in such turbulent political times. Louie also explains his passion for election workers and the challenges recent attacks on election integrity have on our democracy.
Now let’s take a look at the impact of the 1980’s and 90’s, just to see how big bass fishing has become. Ray Scott (who passed away this past May) was the man who had the greatest impact and should be given the credit for everything professional bass anglers have today. Ray, from the very beginning, had a vision and wanted the sport to be on the same level as professional baseball or golf. He wanted anglers to have a career and be able to make a living while providing for their families. It was during the 80’s and 90’s that the sport of bass fishing progressed the most.
In 1980, an Oklahoma boy by the name of Jimmy Houston kissed his first bass and, according to his wife Chris, she got used to smelly kisses from that point on. Jimmy, of course, became a household name with his successful fishing career and the TV host of “Jimmy Houston Outdoors,” still airing today as one of the longest running outdoors TV programs ever. But in 1985, there was a shakeup at the top of which was America’s favorite fish to pursue. After a national survey by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, it was determined that the largemouth bass was now the most popular fish to catch, dropping panfish to number two.
In 1987, working from his garage, Herb Reed created a new bass lure that took the fishing world by storm and created a whole new category for soft plastic stick baits with his creation of the Slug-Go. This was the first of its kind and would later be followed by another bait that just might be the greatest bass lure of all time…the Senko. This one was created from the mold of a Bic Pen by the legendary Gary Yamamoto. This bait has many tournament wins to name. It’s a bait that when professional anglers are asked if they could take a bait from today and go back in time, what bait would it be? Ninety five percent will say a Senko. This versatile bait catches fish all year long, in all types of conditions, and has become a staple for all serious bass fishermen.
Moving into the 90’s, Berkley Bait Company introduces the “Power Worm” with a built in scent that fish will bite and won’t let go. The success of their scented worm encouraged other companies to do the same. It’s also a time when scent became all the rage that some thought, and still think today, is a key to catching fish. Some anglers think it’s a hoax and others believe it really works and won’t fish without adding it to their baits in some form or another. One day I asked Michigan’s Kevin Van Dam, who many consider the greatest angler of all time, if he thinks scents work. He told me, “It doesn’t matter what others think, do you believe it works?” I told him “Yes” and he said, “Then that‘s all that matters. Anglers should always fish with confidence and with things they believe in. This is what makes an angler great….confidence.”
In 1992, Arkansas’s Larry Nixon, the greatest worm fisherman ever, became the first pro angler to earn over $1 million in B.A.S.S. events. To compare, Kevin Van Dam has won over $6 million since the late 1990’s. The closest angler to Kevin is California’s Skeet Reece who is #2 on the “All Time Money List” at a little over $3 million in winnings.
Next week, we’ll look at how the TV cable station, ESPN, changed the landscape of professional bass fishing forever. This one move to primetime TV changed the lives of professional anglers forever and exposed Americans to the sport in a way never seen before. Till next week, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!
Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show & Tackle Talk Live
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Mu Omega Zeta Chapter awarded scholarships to two high school seniors on June 9. The scholarship committee met the recipients on the Fleur-de-Lis stage in downtown Natchitoches to present the awards. The scholarship awardees were required to have maintained a 2.5 GPA and wrote a 500-word essay on “The Importance of Education and What It Means to Me.” Recipients of this year’s scholarships are Jared Braxton, Ariyonna Sarpy, Aky’a Chatman, and Zoie Britt.
Jared is the son of Kenny and Catherine Braxton, a member of Mu Omega Zeta, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. He is a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School and plans to attend the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. His high school activities include Football, Powerlifting, Track, Teacher Assistant, and Upward Bound.
Ariyonna is the daughter of Eric and Tonya Sarpy and a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School. She plans to attend Northwestern State University. Her high school activities included Maroon Line, Orchestra, and Soccer.
Aky’a is the daughter of Matthew and Tamala Chatman and is a graduate of Lakeview High School. She plans to attend the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. In high school, she was a Cheerleader, a member of 4-H, National Honor Society, BETA Club, and the Youth Volunteer Corp.
Zoie is the daughter of Titus and Cheryl Britt and is also a graduate of Lakeview High School. She plans to attend North Carolina A&T. Her activities in high school included National Honor Society, Youth Volunteer Corp, JROTC, 4-H, BETA Club, Powerlifting, Track and Field, and Basketball Manager.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was organized at Howard University on January 16, 1920, by five ladies affectionately known as “The Five Pearls”, who chose not to embrace the tenets of established sororities and chartered Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated to encourage the highest standards of scholarship through scientific, literary, cultural and educational programs; promote service projects on college campuses and in the community, foster sisterhood and exemplify the ideal of Finer Womanhood. The founding principles are: Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood.
Pictured above: Zeta Phi Beta member and Jared’s mother, Catherine Braxton, President Josephine Winder, Jared Braxton, Ariyonna Sarpy, and Vice President and Scholarship Committee Chairperson Candance Grayson.
Pictured below: Mu Omega Zeta President Josephine Winder, Aky’a Chatman, Zoie Britt, Vice President and Scholarship Committee Chairperson Candance Grayson, and 2nd Vice President Sandra Williams.
Outpatient Medical Center (Natchitoches Headquarters) is looking for a fulltime CFO to join our leadership team and report to our CEO and Board of Directors. The CFO is responsible for fulfilling all financial and collections priorities/requirements of the organization and to effectively manage and direct assigned staff. Must be willing to join a new leadership team and continue improvements initiated over the past two years – necessary to rebuild an organization once seriously threatened financially. A successful candidate will not only be knowledgeable but also an excellent communicator with the ability to clearly explain fiscal and budgetary matters to executives and policy-makers.
Must be exceptionally organized, assure accuracy of reports and tasks, and meet deadlines in a proactive manner. A successful candidate will have a record of highly responsible CFO experience in a healthcare setting, managing and accounting for multiple grants and revenue sources. OMC will also consider progressively responsible candidates who have extensive FQHC experience with audits, budgeting, management reports, accounting, billing, and supervision.
Resumes are being accepted by email to hr@outpatientmedical.org. Confidential inquires may be made to the CEO, Dr. Mark Guidry, at 318-357-2055.
DESCRIPTION: Performs a variety of routine and complex clerical and administrative skills in the Finance Department. Responsible for supervising all functions of the payroll department, all functions of the accounts payable department, including monthly sales tax, balancing cash, invoice processing, airport credit card report, monthly sales tax and 1099’s. Train other employees in the Finance Department. Assists in monthly, quarterly and year end reports. Monitors and performs the daily operations in relation to various employee benefits offered including health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, retirement and other benefits offered to employees.
Sets up new vendors and account codes in the GMBA system.
QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant shall have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in accounting or related field or 4 years of experience in municipal accounting and finance work.
CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine Street, or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City hall, located at 700 Second St., or you may download an application on line at www.natchitochesla.gov
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
The frightening commentary about feral hogs around much of the country today is this – if you don’t have hogs on your property now, just wait; they’re coming.
So, what is the problem with having feral hogs on your property? Aren’t they just another species of wildlife that have a right to compete for living spaces? Not exactly – wild pigs not only can but do horrific damage to the landscape, rooting up food plots and fouling water sources.
They’re worse than that. Feral pigs also are disease carriers of up to 37 parasites with at least 30 diseases that can be transmitted to people, pets, or wildlife. The case is thusly made that wild pigs need to be eradicated or their numbers reduced.
But how do you go about that? You can try to shoot them but when harassed just a bit, they become as wary as deer and start doing their damage under the cover of darkness.
Trapping efforts thus far have only a margin of success as when some are caught, the others become wary of traps. In wide open spaces like south Texas where they present a serious problem, hiring a team of shooters firing from helicopters has been somewhat successful.
The use of poisoned bait will take out hogs, but more species than pigs are attracted to the bait. Surely there must be some method that has promise of working.
According to Union Parish resident Peyton McKinnie, there is a way that can put a damper on feral hogs, but it only works in one area at a time, unless the general public gets behind the effort and coughs up the dollars necessary to get it done.
“Feral pigs began showing up on our hunting club over the past few years,” said McKinnie. “We did some research and learned that there are an estimated 700,000 feral hogs in Louisiana. We felt we had to try and do something about those in our area.”
Contacting a company headquartered in Sterlington, he and some of his hunting club members invested in a product manufactured by Hog Boss, a system that utilizes a pen and gate that can be triggered remotely when hogs enter the pen.
“You can purchase the whole package for around $4,000 but if you build your own pen with panels that can be purchased at several area businesses along with t-posts, you can purchase the gate from Hog Boss that includes a control system with a remote camera that can be activated by a cellular phone,” added McKinnie. “We built our own pens and purchased the gate and control system for about $1,300.”
Does it work? Consider that since deer season ended this year, McKinnie and his friends have trapped and disposed of 145 feral pigs, and they trapped these on just two hunting clubs in Union Parish, plus another area they had permission to trap.
In a statement on the Hog Boss website (hogbossgates.com) the owners said, “In just a few nights, feral swine can decimate lawns, native habitats, and pasture lands. Common feral swine damage includes rooting, wallowing, and trampling of sensitive vegetation totaling an estimated $1.5 billion in damage annually.
“Hog Boss gates are the most effective cellular-controlled hog trapping system on the market. The gate includes a cellular control unit, long range antenna, and solar panel. It requires cellular activation that can be operated for about $100 a year. The gate requires a 12-volt battery and cellular trail camera, and our system will work with any cellular trail camera.”
We inquired of McKinnie as to what happens to the pigs that are trapped.
“All the meat is donated, and we have had no problem finding individuals or groups who are happy to make use of the meat,” he said. “We have been pleased with the way it has worked for us and encourage any group to invest in the system to help in reducing the numbers of these
destructive animals.”
For more information, contact Hog Boss Gates at 800-726-9930 or email hogbossgates@gmail.com.
NATCHITOCHES: Rodney D. Vinzant Sr. June 25, 1958 – June 22, 2022 Service: Friday, June 24 at 10 am at The Pentecostals of Cloutierville
Isabel Sylvie Delphin Arceneaux May 7, 1927 – June 20, 2022 Service: Saturday, June 25 at 11 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Iberville
Virginia Lou “Gingie” Trieschmann Pierson February 6, 1922 – June 16, 2022 Service: Saturday, June 25 at 1 at First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches
SABINE: Doyle Jennings May 26, 1938 – June 21, 2022 Service: Saturday, June 25 at 2 pm at Jennings Chapel Congregational Methodist Church in Marthaville
Winnie Ebarb Webb April 4, 1921 – June 21, 2022 Service: Monday, June 27 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
WINN: Larry E. “Eddie” Bridges July 30, 1945 – June 23, 2022 Service: Saturday, June 25 at 10 am at the Temple Baptist Church in Jena
With temperatures in Natchitoches reaching 100 degrees on June 22, the heat will persist through the rest of this week into the weekend with maximum temperatures forecast to reach or surpass the 100-degree mark on multiple days.
A Heat Advisory is in effect today, June 23, from 11 AM to 7 PM. Additional Heat Advisories will be possible. Precautions should be taken to avoid heat related illnesses.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
It is with much prayer and self-reflection that I formally announce my candidacy for reelection to the Natchitoches Parish School Board District 6 seat. For the past four years you have entrusted me to make decisions that directly affect the education of our children, the state of our budget and the employees of our district.
As I come to the end of my first term in office, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have served and I humbly ask you to consider allowing me to continue my public service to you and the children of Natchitoches Parish School Board District 6.
My original reasons for seeking office four years ago were echoed in my work on a daily basis. Those goals included a commonsense approach to everyday problems that face our school system, complete transparency while keeping parents and the community informed and forging partnerships between businesses and schools.
Soon after election our current School Board member team was tasked with hiring a new Superintendent. We set a new precedent as a board and interviewed all fourteen applicants for this position and invited the public in, every step of the way. Soon after our newly hired Superintendent was on board our world was introduced to COVID-19. During this time, we learned to work together as a board and a community to meet the needs of our students and families. This is when, for the first time in our history, we became a 1:1 district. Meaning every child in our district has access to a computer device. (IPad)
This blazed a trail for us to create The Natchitoches Virtual Academy.
During this time communication was paramount. Under our new leadership we established an increased online presence in the form of social media, (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) live streaming of meetings on our Youtube Channel, and even the development of a mobile app to keep parents informed. As well as building a user-friendly website. Our school district has earned respect in school branding and has been invited to present at the Southern Leadership Conference that covers a Tri-State area.
Where we lagged grossly behind, we are now leading the way.
Even though we were faced with so much uncertainty during our first term in office we never wavered with our goals of creating a school district that would enhance student achievement, attract new employees and new students to our area. During this time, particularly in the past year, our new leadership has drastically reduced the number of uncertified teachers. Through incredible management and good stewardship, for the first time since 2006, we are able to give a pay raise to every employee in our school district.
Our list of wins is the product of our team work and not the work of one individual. While our list of “wins” is impressive and exciting, our work is simply not finished. We are faced with new challenges on a daily basis as the world around us is changing drastically. It is imperative that we have experienced board members who are accessible to the public, problem solvers and who recognize that our children are the backbone of our future and need us more than ever.
I am a proud product of Natchitoches Parish Public Schools and I will always remain a passionate advocate of public education. I am also honored to serve as a Presidential Appointee on the Louisiana School Board Association representing Natchitoches Parish. My prayer is that in some respect it ultimately shines a light on our hard-working students and staff of Natchitoches Parish Schools. I am extremely blessed to be part of a board who was elected to create transformational change and my prayer is that you will support me in my efforts to keep the momentum going and continue our hard work.
Thank you for your support and prayers in the past. Thank you for putting your trust in me. I am truly grateful for every single moment that I have experienced over the past four years. Mistakes and triumphs. Serving the public has been the biggest blessing to me and my two daughters.
I humbly and prayerfully ask you to continue that support.
The Natchitoches Parish Council met on June 22. Parish President John Richmond’s report to the Council contained several updates. Drainage work has begun on Bermuda Road and crews are working on drainage (side and cross drain installation) from the North to the South. The Natchitoches Parish Courthouse entrance will continue to be closed intermittently as structural investigative work and maintenance is performed to address some cracking of the exterior stonework. Replacement stone has been ordered, but the vendor is experiencing supply chain delays.
Power is due to be hooked up this week for the solid waste bin site in Kisatchie, which will then be operational. The bin site in Gorum has been stalled pending approval from the Natchitoches Parish School Board for partial use of the location. The Chestnut bin site is complete with electrical hookup pending this week. An agreement has been reached with a property owner to move the current Mammy Trail bin site further off the road and to provide for a manned, fenced, and controlled bin site.
(DID NOT PASS) Approve override of the Parish President veto on the adoption of Ordinance 009-2022 to remove section 1.11 The Recording Policy from the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Manual.
Remove 350 feet from the back of the road out of the Parish road system on Sparks Road, Road #625 (total of 4,523 feet of road) – putting up a gate at the end of the road where their property starts to minimize traffic
Introduce Ordinance 013-2022 to remove Berney Hays Road from the Parish road system, Road #931 (total of 1,478 feet in District 5) – same deal
Introduce Ordinance 014-2022 to remove Felise LaCaze Road from the Parish road system, Road #751 (total of 1,285 feet in District 5) – same deal but just closing up as no one is there to watch over the property
Introduce Ordinance 016-2022 to affect a zoning change from I-A to B-3 for a food truck and commissary/cafe on a 1.31 tract of land in Cloutierville
Adopt Ordinance 010-2022 to affect a zoning change from I-A to I-2 for a compressor station on a 10-acre tract of land that’s being divided from an approximately 485 acre parent tract
Adopt Ordinance 011-2022 to affect a zoning change to request a special exception on an I-A tract of land to allow an interconnecting pipeline servitude between existing pipeline and proposed compressor station
Adopt the millage rates, which the Council chose to remain the same
Authorize the issuance of a certificate of substantial completion for the resurfacing project on Fish Hatchery Road
Authorize the Parish President to distribute a request for proposals/qualifications for engineering services related to providing updated load ratings for specified bridges in the Parish system
Advertise for bids for the resurfacing of Hart and Harmony Roads
Authorize the increase in per diem from $60 to $100 per meeting for Waterworks District 2 Board of Commissioners
Discuss and vote to add the past council chairman’s pictures to the picture board in the Council boardroom
Award bids for culverts for the Highway Department
(Cypress)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have identified and cited two Natchitoches men for illegal dumping on the Old River Road near Cypress according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday June 20 at approximately 9 am, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to citizen complaints of illegal dumping on the south end of Old River Road near Cypress.
Upon their arrival, deputies photographed the scene and determined assistance would be needed to remove the large amount of trash dumped on the side of the road and in the ditch. Deputies made arrangements to return to the scene on Tuesday morning, June 21, with the assistance of deputies from the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and two parish inmates. While sifting through the debris, deputies discovered one piece of evidence that led them to review and obtain video images from a local business.
It took deputies and inmates nearly 2-hours to clear the area of litter.
Deputies also found other items in the trash that suggested the person or persons may have been working or remodeling a home in the area.
Deputies posted three images of a person of interest on the NPSO social media page. Within 3-hours of the post, deputies received multiple tips identifying the person of interest, his address and other investigative information.
As a result of tips and other information on Wednesday morning, NPSO Deputies cited the following:
*Milford E. Wilson Jr., 56, of the 100 block of Melle Street, Natchitoches cited for Gross Littering and released pending his court appearance in the 10th Judicial District Court. *Joshua L. LaCour, 34, of the 200 block of Melle Street, Natchitoches cited for Gross Littering and released pending his court appearance in the 10th Judicial District Court.
Deputies say while interviewing Wilson, they asked him why they didn’t place the trash at a parish compactor dump site? He responded it was closed. When they asked Wilson if he knew it was illegal to dump he responded “yes, common sense, I’m wrong, how did y’all catch me?” We did our homework and citizens were willing to help.
Deputies also learned Wilson was making repairs to a mobile home he recently rented.
A. No person shall intentionally dispose or permit the disposal of any household or office furniture or appliances, automotive parts, including but not limited to tires and engines, trailers, boats and boating accessories, tools and equipment, building materials, roofing nails, and bags or boxes of household or office garbage or refuse upon any public place in the state, upon private property in this state not owned by him, upon property located in rural areas in this state not owned by him, or in or on the waters of this state, whether from a vehicle or otherwise, including but not limited to any public highway, public right-of-way, public park, beach, campground, forest land, recreational area, trailer park, highway, road, street, or alley, except when such property is designated by the state or by any of its agencies or political subdivisions for the disposal of such items and such person is authorized to use such property for such purpose.
C. The person shall be cited for the offense by means of a citation, summons, or other means provided by law.
D.(1) Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall, upon first conviction, be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and sentenced to serve eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by the court.
Deputies would like to thank the local business and the public for their tips that assisted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office in identifying the persons involved in this matter.
While the Fall elections for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Natchitoches Parish School Board Members and municipal elected positions are a long way off (Tuesday, November 8), qualifying for those positions is right around the corner (July 20-22).
All Natchitoches Parish School Board Member positions run in November and qualify this July 20-22.
The municipalities of Ashland, Campti, Goldonna, Provencal and Robeline all have Mayor, Councilmen/Aldermen and Chief of Police elections. Also both Clarence and Powhatan will have elections to fill unexpired terms for Mayor.
All of those positions also qualify July 20-22. Please give us a call if you have questions at 318-352-8152.
