The City of Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Department approved 42 permits during the month of March with an application value of $967,691 million.

See Full Report Here:

By Corey Poole

Let me start this article off with a side note: I’m a proud Louisiana Scholars’ College graduate, so this interview was a very special one for me.

Louisiana Scholars’ College Director Dr. Tyler T. Travillian has come full circle when it comes to classic Southern movies. Originally from Marietta, GA (home of the Gone With the Wind Museum), he now calls Natchitoches, LA home (known as the scenic setting for Steel Magnolias).

Tyler earned a Bachelor’s in Classics in 2005 from the University of Dallas before moving to Boston, where he earned both his Master’s in Latin in 2006 and Ph.D. in Classical Studies in 2011 from the Department of Classical Studies at Boston University.  From September 2010 to July 2011 he lived in Rome, Italy where he held the Arthur C. Ross pre-doctoral fellowship in Ancient Studies at the American Academy in Rome.

Dr. Travillian’s primary areas of interest are Latin poetry and historiography of the late Roman Republic and early Empire, especially how questions of identity, such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity are represented in Classical literature and how historians assert claims about truth and reality in their texts.  He also enjoys lyric poetry more broadly, translation studies, and Classical Greek philosophy, particularly Plato and Aristotle.

So what brought him to Natchitoches? It wasn’t a movie, but the opportunity to direct an honors college, something that was similar to his undergrad focus in Dallas and his time as director of an international honors program. It was the άρετή (are-e-tay), the Scholars’ College motto, translated as “virtue,” which is a trait of excellence that may be moral or intellectual. It is the cultivation and refinement of virtue that is held to be the “good of humanity.” This is valued as an end purpose of life or foundational principle of being.

Coming into his new position and stepping into the college’s Text & Traditions course felt like home for Tyler.

“It was serendipitous,” he said. “The curriculum led me to the Scholars’ College. It was something I’m familiar with and something I believe in.”

The integrated curriculum at LSC supports the same education Tyler had as an undergrad, but in a more structured way, and with a thesis requirement. This made the Scholars’ College program different from others.

“I think there’s real value in a thought out program like this where all the pieces are intended to work together,” Tyler added.

As he was specifically looking for a position as a director of an honors college, one can’t help but wonder what led him down this particular academic path…

Tyler always had a passion for languages, so at 14 year old, when he had the opportunity at his high school to take a Latin class, he seized it. A few weeks into the first semester, the school wanted a head count for students interested in taking AP Latin. Tyler was on board, and it was around this time that he realized he wanted to be a professor of classics.

“I didn’t grow up around them [languages], but it was written in me from the beginning,” he shared.

Today, Tyler also knows German, Spanish, French, Greek and Italian. His abilities may vary with any of these languages, but he can most definitely read all of them.

He became the LSC director on May 18, 2022 and his first impression of the area was the 104 degree weather he stepped into from the airport terminal. It took a few tries to figure out how to get groceries home unspoiled, and having most recently lived in Washington state, it was very bright and sunny in the South.

“I know Vitamin D is a thing, but the sunlight is really making a difference in my daily life,” he added with a smile. 

Besides the heat, the traffic in Natchitoches runs at a much slower pace and there is a general sense of intimate friendliness that took a few days to adjust to. Work started with phone calls instead of just emails and the local State Farm office called Tyler for his birthday.

One of his favorite memories of Natchitoches so far was going to Peggy’s Pizza for the first time.

Overall, Tyler said he and his wife Lois have settled in after the move and are starting to get to know the community. This means Tyler has plans to get more involved, soon!

So is there a work-life balance when it comes to educating future scholars? Tyler said the work he does is something he’s very passionate about. It’s a vocation.

In his spare time Tyler enjoys reading, and is a horror fan. He enjoys book binding and watching cooking shows with Lois (The Great British Bake Off is like a sporting event). They also love to travel and take trips away for special occasions so they can disconnect. Some favorite destinations are New Orleans and Harrison Hot Springs near Vancouver, Canada.

Back to the academics, Tyler said education is changing, especially with the dual enrollment courses that are available to high school students. This means the Scholars’ education needs to be available to every student. Some ways the college is working toward this end include:

Scholars’ certification for students who come in with an AA degree (Associate in Arts)

T&T alternative for students with dual enrollment credits in English, Languages, and Arts (This is an advanced version of T&T to count toward the student’s major)

Adding a 7th concentration to the list of Scholars’ majors: Business Technology & Society (Any Business major can complete their degree through the college, plus these courses are intended to contextualize the business side of the degree)

Adding a dual enrollment section of T&T I for students at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

The goal is to introduce incoming students who are motivated and interested in their education to the Scholars College curriculum and its faculty.

“I’m a big fan of access,” said Tyler. “People shouldn’t be prevented from accessing a program like ours where they can succeed by life situations.”

The best piece of advice Tyler has received was given to him by his high school Latin teacher and it’s simply this: Don’t run from, run to.

“I’ve given this advice to countless students since,” said Tyler. “When you’re having difficulties, find solutions and run toward that instead, because the difficulties are going to follow you wherever you might try to run to.”

To the Citizens of Natchitoches Parish, it is my passion to better serve the taxpayers and property owners of Natchitoches Parish as well as the general public within our parish borders that has led me to run for the office of Natchitoches Parish Tax Assessor.  My having been an integral part of this staff for nearly two decades has broadened a desire to continue the high quality of service maintained under the leadership of retiring Timothy K. Page. Since 2021 when Tim became the Natchitoches Parish Assessor, I have been functioning as his Chief Deputy. 

I pledge to always have an open door policy and to provide the most accurate information available, all while exhibiting courteous customer service with professionalism to those who inquire within the office.  I am pleased with the important service that our office provides and feel as if my being elected as the Natchitoches Parish Assessor would be a great help to the public at large. 

My formal education includes becoming a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School, attending NSU for two years and Word Processing certification at Computech Vocational School in Dallas, Texas.  Formal preparation to enhance my capability in this office was accomplished to my having become a Certified Louisiana Deputy Assessor (CLDA) in 2010.  This credential was the result of my having successfully taken education classes with the International Association of Assessing Offers (IAAO) and having been compliant with completing Continuing Education hours and becoming re-certified every five years to maintain this certification. 

I am well known as Yolanda “Tootie” Chevalier-Reed.  My immediate family includes by husband, Carey Reed, one daughter, Alecia Chevalier and a dear granddaughter, Ava Chevalier.  My church affiliation is with the St. Anthony Catholic Church; however, I frequently worship at the Gilgal Baptist Church near Clarence, LA where my husband is a member. I am committed, concerned and caring about the extremely important services rendered by your Assessor’s Office. I humbly solicit your vote and support and look forward to meeting many of you in the months to come.

Hippity Hoppity, Easter is on its way! That means the bunny is on his way to Goldonna Town Hall Saturday, April 8th at 10:00am. There will be an Egg Hunt and picture time with the Bunny! If you would like to get involved and help make this event a success you can donate plastic eggs, small wrapped candy or plastic egg fillables, cookies for refreshments or you can donate cash for prize eggs. These donations can be dropped off at the store anytime through Friday evening, April 7th.

The Goldonna Assembly of God Youth Group has announced they will present “The Life of Jesus”. This will take place on Friday, April 7th and Saturday April 8th at 7:00pm. This will be a Silhouette Performance which has become a local favorite. The church is located at 108 Talley Street, downtown Goldonna. There is no charge for admission. The church is also having Easter Sunday Services at 10:00 on April 9th. Everyone is invited.

The Natchitoches Area Fire District 2 will be holding a fundraiser on June 10, 2023. They will be hosting their First Annual Poker Run. The poker run will cover miles and miles of scenic terrain with several checkpoints along the way where participants will draw playing cards, to build their poker hand. Prizes will be awarded for the top three hands and there will be door prizes as well as a “Split the Pot”. Complimentary water will be available at every checkpoint. There will be a Fried Fish Lunch available for the low cost of $10 per plate. Non-participants will be allowed to purchase meals too. The ride begins at 8:00am and concludes at 5:00pm at the final drawing spot in Goldonna. You must be 21 years or older to participate in the Poker Game.

All proceeds will benefit the Volunteer Fire Department and its tireless efforts in keeping the community safe. You can pre-register for $20 from now until June 3rd. After that, the fee will be $30.

For more information, you can contact Candace Smith (318-471-0704), Mason Rachal (318-471-8636), or Rachel Chesser (318-663-2964)

Goldonna Baptist Church is laying the groundwork to have the biggest year of Operation Christmas Child that the Goldonna community has ever seen. Pastor Dupree recently announced the following donation schedule:
March Toothbrushes & floss
April Toys (cards, dominos, jump ropes, small musical instruments, matchbox cars
May Hard plastic cups, bowls, utensils
June Sewing kits and multi-tools
July School supplies, pencil cases, notebooks, crayons, coloring books
August Hats/caps, t-shirts, undies, socks
September wipes, makeup, hair clips, maxi-pads, solid deodorant
October Christmas Stockings, Christmas Cards
November Packing Party

Pastor Dupree extends an invitation to their Easter Sunday Service at Goldonna Baptist Church. Services begins at 7:00am. Breakfast and an egg hunt will follow. No Sunday evening services on this day.

There will also be no Sunday evening Bible Study on April 9th nor April 16th. Studying the book of Acts will resume on April 23rd at 5:00pm with Brother Wiley Cole. Mark your calendars! The church will also be holding a 5th Sunday Singing on April 30th with food and fellowship to follow.

Pastor George Procell, River of Life Family Worship Center, announces that their church will have their Easter Sunday Service at the regular time of 10:30am. The church is also hosting an “Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Prayer Breakfast” on Saturday, May 6th. Breakfast will be served at 8:00am. The prayer service will begin at 9:00am with Brother Wade Smith as the featured speaker. Everyone is invited to enjoy a hot breakfast and fellowship with their brothers in Christ. For more information be sure and visit the event page on the church’s Facebook page.

The school has also announced Kindergarten Graduation will be held on May 22, 2023 at 9:00am and the 8th grade Graduation will be held at 6:00pm.

The school will be closed for Spring Break from April 3rd thru April 10th. Students will return on April 11th.

If you have news to include please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

Melrose, LA – The 49th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is set to take place on April 15 and 16, 2023, at Melrose On The Cane. This highly anticipated event will feature vendors selling their hand-crafted goods, food vendors, and music.

The Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival has been a staple of the community for nearly half a century and continues to draw thousands of visitors from across the region. This year’s festival has an impressive lineup of talented artists, craftsmen, and food vendors.

“We’re thrilled to once again host the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from near and far,” said Executive Director, Leah Dunn Witman. “This year’s festival promises to be a truly unforgettable experience, with something for everyone to enjoy.”

In addition to the numerous vendors selling handmade jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and other crafts, visitors can also enjoy delicious food from a variety of local vendors.

“We’re incredibly proud of the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival and the role it plays in bringing our community together,” said Leah Dunn Witman. “It’s a true celebration of the arts, and a great opportunity to support local artists and businesses.”

The festival will take place rain or shine. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 6-12. To purchase tickets please visit the Melrose webpage at: www.melroseonthecane.com/festivals.

You can also purchase tickets on Eventbrite by searching Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival.

The 49^th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival is sponsored by: Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Bank of Montgomery.

The beginning of Easter was when God wrote himself into the story of our world, to set the story straight.

Today’s thoughts are entirely those of three authors – Tim Keller, C.S. Lewis, and Dorothy Sayers, a writer of detective fiction in the first part of last century. Most all these words are theirs. I’ll leave off quotation marks for the most part and paraphrase from Keller’s book, Encounters With Jesus, in hopes Keller’s explanation will cause you to consider, as Keller writes, “who Jesus is, how he loves you and how he came to put the world right.”

In the Gospel of John, Chapter 11, Jesus is raging against not only the death of his friend but also against our biggest enemy — evil and death itself — which entered the world because of sin, scripture says, not as part of God’s original design.

“Jesus wept,” John writes. “And the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him,’” a continuing part of John’s record of the reaction to the death of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus.

But maybe Jesus here is thinking too of his own death, coming very soon in this narrative, thinking of the judgment he was to bear and the price he was to pay to raise from the dead not only Lazarus, but each believer and follower.

In his essay The Seeing Eye, Lewis wrote that if there were a God, people could not relate to him as a neighbor or as someone who lived in the apartment above ours. This is why Khrushchev said in 1961, after the Russians put a man into orbit, that since they’d put a man into space and he didn’t see God, “we have proved there is no God.”

Instead, Lewis said our relationship to God is more like Shakespeare’s relationship to Hamlet: Hamlet can know about Shakespeare but only what Shakespeare writes about himself in the play. In the same way, we “only know about God if God has written something about himself into our life, into our world. And he has.”

And now to Sayers, who some of us have not heard of, and if you haven’t, you’re welcome because here’s the deal:

The main character of Sayers’ stories is Lord Peter Wimsey, a single detective. Eventually, a woman named Harriet Vane appears in the stories; she and Peter fall in love, marry, and solve mysteries together. Sayers had essentially looked into a story she’d created, saw the pain and loneliness of a man she’d created, fallen in love with him, and wrote herself into the story just to save him.

God has done “quite the same thing. God looked into our world – the world he made – and saw us destroying ourselves and the world by turning away from him. It filled his heart with pain. He loved us. He saw us struggling to extricate ourselves from the traps and misery we created for ourselves. And so, he wrote himself in. Jesus Christ, the God-man, born in a manger, born to die on a cross for us.”

The happy ending is what God did next: the resurrection of his only son. Easter.

The city’s two high school softball teams collided Monday and produced a well-played, highly-competitive contest before Natchitoches Central prevailed 2-0 over St. Mary’s. 

Maddie Robinson struck out 13 Lady Tigers in a one-hit shutout pitching performance. She took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Brooklyn Townson pulled off a one-out bunt single.

 Grace Wren of St. Mary’s struck out seven Lady Chiefs while scattering six hits.

 After sweeping a doubleheader Tuesday with Many (14-3) and LaSalle (14-2), NCHS owns a 26-4 record. St. Mary’s rebounded by pounding Northwood (17-7) and is now 16-11.

 In Monday’s crosstown matchup played in east Natchitoches, Desi Robinson was the second batter and hit a solo homer, the first of three hits she had for the Lady Chiefs as she drove in both runs.

 That accounted for a 1-0 lead going into the final inning, when NCHS rallied with two out. Maddie Robison doubled to left field and scored on Desi Robinson’s line drive single to right.

 With help of an NCHS error after a walk, and Townson’s single, SMHS had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh.  But Maddie Robinson got her last two strikeouts to escape the threat by the Lady Tigers.

 She delivered three hits and five RBI in the win over LaSalle Tuesday. Robinson added four RBI against Many, matched by Skylar Braxton, while Ehren Guidroz led the Lady Chiefs with three hits.

 PHOTO by DUSTY GRIMES

Bo Willis made the longest wait of the 2023 Northwestern State baseball team worthwhile.

Willis drilled a walk-off single in the 13^th inning Tuesday night to lift the Demons to an 8-7 victory against longtime rival Louisiana Tech at Brown-Stroud Field.

“One of the harder things to do in baseball is to stay locked in,” said Willis, who sat for nearly four hours before delivering the Demons’ second walk-off hit this season. “You’re not doing anything but cheering on your guys. You’re looking for little subtle things the other team is doing, pick up pitches. A couple of innings earlier Bob (NSU head coach Bobby Barbier) told me to get loose. I didn’t hear a word after that. I was imagining the AB in my head, what would happen, and it worked out well.”

Willis’ wall-ball single to left-center capped a 13^th inning in which the Demons (16-12) tied the game on back-to-back, extra-base hits before his one-out game winner.

Broch Holmes connected drove an 0-2 pitch from Ethan Bates (2-1) to left-center field for a double before Gabe Colaianni ambushed Bates’ first pitch for a game-tying triple to right-center field. The equalizer was Colaianni’s third triple of the season and the seventh of his NSU career, moving him into a 10^th-place tie in school history with former teammate Tyler Smith.

It also was the sixth extra-base hit for the Demon lineup – four of which came from Holmes and Colaianni, each of whom homered earlier in the game.

Colaianni’s two-run, opposite-field home run in the sixth inning gave the Demons a 6-3 lead that seemed as safe as could be when Barbier turned to his closer Kyle Froehlich in the eighth inning.

The Bulldogs (14-15) took advantage of a pair of Froehlich walks to string together a three-run inning to tie the game with Bates’ two-out, two-run single squaring the score at 6.

“Kyle’s picked us up a whole bunch this season,” Barbier said. “He’s shut the door on games that should have been extended. Great to see our team pick him up and stay in the fight. They had some really, really good arms going at the end. It was a fun one to be a part of.”

Froehlich bounced back from the blip on his radar to strike out the side in the ninth and set in motion a true battle of the bullpens.

Louisiana Tech’s Landon Tomkins and Bates combined to strike out 10 Demon hitters in 5 1-3 innings before Holmes unlocked the key against Bates.

Meanwhile, the Demons found an answer in freshman right-hander Tyler Bryan.

Bryan spun three shutout innings, stranding a pair of runners in scoring position in the 10^th before retiring six of the final seven batters he faced in the 11^th and 12^th innings. It was a career-long outing for Bryan, who played his high school ball in Beckville, Texas, and the third scoreless outing in the past four for him.

“I want to be in that situation,” Bryan said. “I want to be the guy they call on in that situation – be tough, throw strikes. To come in and deliver like that is big for our team.”

Corbin Talley (1-0) picked up the win after allowing a run in the 13^th inning as Willis’ single gave him his first victory as a Demon.

Much like Bryan, Willis’ swing was as cathartic for him as it was for the Demons, who improved to 6-0 in mid-week games while playing their final mid-week home game of 2023.

“For him to keep working at it and not complain in a day where complaining’s cool, sticking with it and coming through when he got the opportunity is special,” Barbier said.

The Demons return to action Thursday when they open a three-game, Southland Conference series against Lamar. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field.

Northwestern State 8, Louisiana Tech 7, 13 innings
LT            020 100 030 000 1 – 7 12 2
NSU       030 012 000 000 2 – 8 13 0

W – Corbin Talley (1-0). L – Ethan Bates (2-1). 2B – LT, Brody Drost, Adarius Myers, Will Safford. NSU, Broch Holmes, Gabe Colaianni. 3B – NSU, Gabe Colaianni. HR – NSU, Holmes (3), Colaianni (3), Bailyn Sorensen (4). Highlights: LT, Philip Matulia 2-6, RBI; Logan McLeod 2-5, RBI. NSU, Holmes 3-6, 2B, HR, RBI; Colaianni 3-6, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs; Sorensen 2-5, HR, 2 RBIs.

Records: Louisiana Tech 14-15; Northwestern State 16-12.

Photo: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

The Federal Communications Commission is awarding $1 million to four local governments in Louisiana. Calcasieu and St. Landry parishes, as well as the cities of New Orleans and Natchitoches, are poised to receive outreach grants from the FCC to host events, send informational mailers, organize digital campaigns, phone bank and go door-to-door to increase awareness of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program.

The ACP is a federal benefit program administered by the FCC that provides discounts toward internet service for eligible households to ensure they can afford the broadband they need for work, school, etc. The ACP is the largest broadband affordability effort in U.S. history and supports internet connections in more than 16 million households throughout the country.

“We are so excited to see areas of Louisiana getting the funding they deserve to promote the ACP to their communities,” Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA, said. “Anything that gets us one step closer to eliminating the digital divide is a good thing, so we hope Louisianians take advantage of this amazing program.”

These four local governments are among 200 applicants nationally selected for this grant, with representatives from 50 states and territories receiving funding.

Individuals from central Louisiana interested in high demand healthcare careers are invited to attend a Nursing and Allied Health open house at Northwestern State University’s Cenla campus from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 12.   

NSU’s Cenla campus is located at England Airpark.  More information and registration is available at https://nsu.la/OpenHouseCENLA. 

Those who attend the open house attend will learn about NSU’s healthcare degree programs, including the traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), RN to BSN, LPN to ASN, a new military medic/paramedic to ASN program, an accelerated Bachelor of Science to BSN and the nurse anesthesia program. Faculty from Allied Health will have information on the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science (BSRS) and the ultrasound concentration, as well as the RT to BSRS, the sonography program and the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Allied Health.  

NSU staff from Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Success and other campus resources will be available to answer questions about college transferability academics and scholarships.  Prospective students can also meet with faculty and advisors and tour labs and classrooms.  

Recent forecasts by The American Association of Colleges of Nursing estimate that the U.S. will need nearly a million additional nurses by 2030. Northwestern State ranks in the top third nationally for Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, according to U.S. News and World Report, and is the largest producer of registered nurses, nurse practitioners and radiologic technologists in Louisiana.  NSU offers the only paramedic/military medic to ASN the state and is expanding nursing and allied health programs in Shreveport, Alexandria and Leesville.   

Information on NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health is available at https://www.nsula.edu/nursing/ and https://www.nsula.edu/alliedhealth/.   

The Natchitoches Police Department congratulated Assistant Chief Harman Winters on his retirement on April 3. Assistant Chief Winters served the Natchitoches community for over 33 years. Thank you for your service!

By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

Hey, did you hear the one about the guy who got stuck in a deep, dark, watery pit? A man driving by, heard his anguished cries for help, got out of his pickup truck and threw a rope down to him. The guy in the pit shouted, “Mister, before I use this rope, please tell me who you voted for in the last election?!” The puzzled rescuer shouted the candidate’s name. The guy in the hole threw the rope back up and shouted, “You can keep going! I don’t want to be rescued by anyone who voted for that jerk! Just leave me here! I’m good!” He decided to wait for a rescuer who voted exactly the way he did. He’s still waiting.

That little fable may seem a bit extreme, but I honestly believe it’s where we might be headed as a nation and as a world one day, if polarization in politics and society keeps ramping up as it has been. As you know I’m sure, the term polarization is being used these days—and in this article–to refer to the extreme hostility between at least two people, groups, or nations. When you hear the term used in the media, it’s most often about how the two main political parties can’t stand each other and do all they can to derail one another. In a polarized society, most people try to end polarization by getting rid of their enemy. A few thousand years ago, Jesus had a radically different way to end polarization. In Matthew 5:38-48 Christ told his followers to, “Love your enemy.” The obvious question is, how do you do that, especially in a polarized climate? Well, you don’t. And Jesus knew that out of our strength we humans cannot. He has to do it for us. When a person accepts Jesus as savior and lord, Christ spiritually enters the person’s heart and converts both the mind and heart. That allows an individual to see things differently and also act and live differently amongst others.

Did you read those verses from Matthew? When I read them, it seemed to me that there are four factors that are fueling polarization in our world and Jesus addressed all of them. I believe faith in Jesus can help us deal with these four factors. Of course, I realize that those who are not Christians, will not have the trust in Jesus that a believer has. Yet, I feel that Jesus’ instructions are so true and spot-on that they can even be useful to unbelievers in at least a minor way. Here are those factors and how Jesus’ instructions to “love one’s enemy” can “depolarize” us.

The first thing I noticed about polarization is that people tend to communicate to stereotypes of who they believe their opponents are, instead of viewing their opponents as individuals. I have noticed that media is starting to create “profiles” of people groups. Kind of like we accuse the police of doing. Unfortunately, the words “young black urban male” strike fear into those who may have fled the inner cities to get away from blacks. Now we have new profiles that do the same for other groups. For instance, we are starting to hear politicized demographics such as “White Evangelical Christians” This is used almost as a code for people who believe in the authority of the Bible. Some people spit the words out as if describing a monster. In a conflict, when we begin to talk to who we think the opponent is, instead of just talking to the opponent as if he or she was a person, we get a distorted view of their message. In verse 46, Jesus taught, it’s no big deal to love those who love you. He challenged us to love those who may not return our love, or who we don’t care for First, we have to see that person as a human being, not a stereotype.

The next factor that leads to polarization is that many of us tend to demonize our opponents. I confess that when I was very young, I did that. But time humbles us. I began to realize that although someone may disagree with me on one issue, they might agree with me on others. Let me ask you something that I asked myself: If someone is an idiot because they disagree with you, are they still an idiot when they agree with you?

Let me explain factor number three by asking a simple question. If something is true, is it still true if that truth is told to you by your enemy? In a polarized society, opposing groups often stubbornly reject anything the opponent offers—even obvious truths. When it’s a small truth it’s no big deal. But if the truth is something that really matters, such as whether or not Jesus was right when he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). To be clear, he was saying that no one can get to heaven without believing in him. This contrasts greatly with popular notions that there are “many paths to heaven”. If you are not a Christian, I realize you don’t believe him. I also understand that those who don’t believe think it’s no big deal if they don’t believe he’s right. But what if he is right? Wouldn’t it make sense to at least investigate his claim? Why not read the Bible? Why not study his history? Because if he is right, that would be a very big deal. Eternity is a long time.

Repent like Peter, but don’t sell out like Judas. Last factor that leads to polarization is that people dig in, pride sets in, anger too, and it becomes harder and harder for either side to admit it when they are wrong. All of us are wrong sometimes. The Bible reminds us that all of us fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Did you like the TV show Madmen? Well, a pioneering advertising man from that 1960s era named Bill Bernbach used to carry around a card inside his wallet. It simply said, “Maybe he’s right.” Mr. Bernbach used that card when he was in a disagreement with a client or anyone. It kept him grounded. He went on to revolutionize how advertising is done worldwide. He is one reason commercials are so funny on the Super Bowl and command almost as much attention as the game itself. My mother used to tell me to listen to my critics because they may have something useful for me even as they are criticizing me or attacking me. That is good advice that I took and use today. I remember once, someone wrote something about me that attacked my character, They used a word I didn’t understand. I got a dictionary and looked it up. Actually, I was grateful to them because they expanded my vocabulary.

But seriously, apologizing is just something we need to be willing to do, Christian or nonbeliever. However, you can go too far. Today, in our politically correct culture, people are forced to disown statements in order to keep their jobs or position in society. We should not disown our faith or the teachings of the Bible even if they are not in fashion and are unpopular with the masses. God himself gave us Christians our faith and personally inspired the words and the beliefs of the Bible. That should mean something to believers. Those who oppose what he has told us to believe are in fact, opposing him. These are days when Christians are being challenged to make a decision that is similar to the day you became a believer—that is, if you are one. You hear a lot in the media about something called the cultural wars. But the war God is asking us to choose sides in is a spiritual war between our ultimate enemy, Satan—who hates all humankind–and God, our heavenly father (Ephesians 6:10-18). No Christian will be able to sit on the sidelines (2 Timothy 3:12). Those verses make clear that this spiritual war is not against people, but the forces of evil that are out there fueling the evil we see. Unlike in a conventional war, we are not fighting to see those who hate us damned. We are instead being used by God to spread his Holy Word to lost souls so that they can be saved through accepting Jesus as savior and lord. This will lead to conflict, even though we strive to love our enemies. It will lead to persecution as believers cling to the faith and are faithful to God in an unbelieving world (Acts 5:29). But it will not be done in vain, because Jesus will draw some unbelievers to him and they be saved from an eternity in hell. That is what happens when the weapon you use against your enemy is the weapon of love.

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray of them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?.” -Jesus speaking (Matthew 5:44-46)

“Always forgive your enemies, nothing annoys them so much.” -Oscar Wilde

An early end to the Northwestern State baseball team’s home mid-week schedule comes complete with plenty of familiar faces.

The Demons host Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN+, which marks another return to Brown-Stroud Field for current Bulldog head coach Lane Burroughs and associate head coach Mitch Gaspard, both of whom are former NSU head coaches.

“It will be good to see those guys,” said seventh-year head coach Bobby Barbier, who played four years for Gaspard and coached two seasons under Burroughs at Northwestern State. “I have a lot of respect for Mitch and Lane. It will be good to do that.”

Tuesday night marks the final home mid-week game of the season for the Demons (15-12), who are coming off a series win at New Orleans in their first Southland Conference series of the season.

The Demons picked up the series-clinching win behind a tag-team pitching effort from Drayton Brown and Chase Prestwich, who combined for 14 strikeouts while walking one and allowing only five hits – all singles.

Prestwich, who was named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season after working four scoreless innings to notch his first career save, has started four of the Demons’ first five mid-week games but will not do so Tuesday.

Instead, the Demons will turn to right-hander Andrew Cossio (0-0, 6.75) to start what will be a staff day for NSU pitching. The Demons have a short turnaround ahead of this week’s Southland Conference home series against Lamar, which begins Thursday night at Brown-Stroud Field.

“We’re not going to extend anybody a whole bunch,” Barbier said. “There will be a lot of one- or two-inning guys. It will give some other guys an opportunity to come out and show what they can do and compete. Hopefully, they can take the lead from those other guys they watched this weekend. I thought we threw the ball very well this weekend.”

Louisiana Tech (14-14) enters having dropped two of three games against Dallas Baptist this past weekend. The Bulldogs have made consecutive NCAA Regional berths, including hosting one following the 2021 season.

“They’re a good team,” Barbier said. “There’s no doubt about that. They’ve played a really tough schedule.”

Tuesday’s game kicks off the only remaining homestand of more than three games for Northwestern State, which will play four home games in a five-day stretch this week. Following the Lamar series, NSU will play 13 of its final 22 games on the road.

“Look at UNO,” Barbier said. “UNO was 10-1 at home (before this weekend) and 3-11 on the road or whatever they were. That makes it a lot easier at home. You know the hops. You get to hit last, which is important. It’s going to be good to get out there and play at the house.”

As a starter or a reliever, Chase Prestwich has enjoyed success as a sophomore.

One day after picking up his first career save, Prestwich notched his second Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honor Monday as he took home the award voted on by league sports information directors.

Prestwich, a sophomore from Frederick, Colorado, closed Sunday’s 4-1 win at New Orleans with four scoreless innings of relief to notch his first save. Prestwich allowed just two singles and struck out seven to tie a career high.

He closed out Sunday’s win for fellow right-hander Drayton Brown, who combined with Prestwich to strike out 14 New Orleans hitters.

Prestwich ranks in the top 100 nationally in four categories, leading the Southland Conference in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.8) to rank 13^th nationally. He also holds top-100 marks in fewest walks per nine innings (1.38, 23^rd), victories (4, 51^st) and WHIP (1.01, 58^th).

Prestwich’s earlier SLC Pitcher of the Week award came March 20 when he joined Cal Carver (March 13) as back-to-back NSU winners of the award.

The Demons return to action Tuesday when they host Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m. in NSU’s final home mid-week game of the season.

In honor of Earth Day and Keep Louisiana Beautiful: Love the Boot Week, Cane River National Heritage Area will hold a Community-Wide Cleanup. Individuals, families, organizations, and groups of all ages and sizes are invited to help out on Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day) from 10 am – 1 pm to create a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Cane River Community.

CRNHA will provide all the necessary supplies, including gloves and trash bags. Just come in comfortable clothes and shoes, bring a water bottle. Volunteers will meet at the Cane River National Heritage Area table at the Natchitoches Farmer’s Market (Natchitoches Riverbank) that morning to pick up supplies and be assigned a cleanup area.

To pre-register a group or yourself or to request more information, email Jessica Mullican at jessica@canerivernha.org.

This event is sponsored by Cane River National Heritage Area, Keep Natchitoches Beautiful, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Natchitoches Main Street, and Natchitoches Farmer’s Market.

About the Heritage Area: Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. (CRNHA) is a non-profit organization that preserves, promotes, and presents the nationally significant heritage of the Cane River region. Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, CRNHA works with regional partners to provide high-quality educational, cultural, and recreational experiences in the area’s unique historical settings through a linked system of attractions and historic districts within the Cane River National Heritage Area.