Preparation is the key to doing well on any tournament trail. But in the tournament bass fishing world, it can also test an angler’s patience.

Anglers spend hours and days pre-fishing for schools of quality fish that will help put them either in the winner’s circle or at least in line to get a check. There’s a saying with bass fishermen that “time on the water” is critical to being competitive.

Let’s look at another famous quote with bass fishermen: ”What a difference a day makes!” There’s no telling how many times anglers have found quality fish during practice, only to be left wondering on tournament day, “Where did they go?”

My last tournament on Sam Rayburn was a prime example. The fishing overall was tough and summer temperatures were hitting the mid 90’s. Not only was it hot, but there was little to no wind which makes fishing difficult on any body of water. When you tell people it was a beautiful day, in bass fishing terms that means the fishing was probably not very good. Pretty bluebird days do not usually equate to great fishing days.

This tournament, my electronics played a big role in me locating a school of bass offshore in 15 to 18 feet of water. It had a high spot of about 10 foot that was holding a solid school of bass. During my final practice day after coming across this little honey hole, I made two casts onto this spot with a big redbug colored V&M Straight Wild worm when the rod loaded up with a solid 3.5-pound bass. This was what I was looking for!

Any time you can catch fish over 3 pounds on a spot, that’s a good thing. My next cast resulted in a 4-pounder and now I was excited. Realizing that quality fish were present, I pulled up the trolling motor and left the scene, counting on this spot for tournament day.

But guess what? I ran into the same thing that happens so many times when you find a good group of fish on one spot in practice — overnight they get smaller! For some reason my 3- and 4-pound fish I found the day before turned into 1.79, 1.74. 1.72. 1.59 and 1.76. Five fish that were just under 9 pounds total. Every fish I caught looked like it had come out of the same mold!

One thing you must understand about bass, they tend to group up the same size as others in the school. Again, this is not unusual in that it often happens that bigger bass will leave a spot only to be replaced by smaller ones. It’s as if a memo was sent out the night before my tournament alerting all the good fish to move off this hump.

After catching and culling three times with a worm, I decided to show them something different as I picked up a Strike King 3XD crankbait. Immediately I started catching fish and hoped they would be bigger fish. But no, they continued to be in the 1.75-pound range which was not helping me at all. My co-angler, who was fishing out of the back of the boat, was also catching fish, but of the same size I was. We both tried different techniques, but the results were still the same — small fish!

I finished 18th overall in this event but should have finished much higher IF my fish had not gotten smaller or if the good fish hadn’t read that stupid memo.

That’s what makes tournament fishing so frustrating. You spend hours and days trying to find quality bass and for whatever reason, they just disappear. Sometimes all the preparation in the world doesn’t help if the fish don’t cooperate.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and please wear good sun-protective clothing and your sunscreen. If you think you’re immune to getting Melanoma — think again!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Jim Wells helped make Northwestern State baseball synonymous with winning.

Wells set the foundation for the Demons’ unbridled success in the 1990s, leading Northwestern State to three Southland Conference championships in his five seasons at the helm of the program from 1990-94 before ushering in similar results at the University of Alabama.

Wells’ gaudy winning percentage and postseason triumphs led him to a place in the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which was announced Wednesday. The 10-member class will be inducted officially on Jan. 5, 2024, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.

The ABCA honor is the second such nod to Wells’ standout coaching credentials, joining his 2005 N-Club Hall of Fame induction.

“I don’t really think about the different Hall of Fames and those type of things,” Wells said. “It makes me think back to my time at Northwestern and coaching high school and junior high. It brings back good memories of times of when I did that for a living, to the good times at Alabama and Northwestern of course. I just feel blessed I got (the NSU) job. It was such a great place. I have a cabin there now and still come to Natchitoches from time to time.”

A Northwestern State graduate, Wells returned to his alma mater in 1990 and sparked a 17-win improvement, taking the Demons from a 21-28-1 mark to a 38-13 record and a fifth-place finish in the Southland Conference.

A year later, the Demons put together the first of Wells’ three 40-win seasons in Natchitoches, going 40-21 and claiming the first of their nine Southland Conference regular-season titles while earning an at-large berth in the NCAA Regionals.

Two seasons later, the Demons notched the first of two straight SLC titles, going 40-14. The 1994 season proved to be Wells best in a Demon uniform as NSU won a school-record 45 games, captured their second straight league title and defeated Illinois State, 8-2, for the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. A three-time Southland Conference Coach of the Year and the LSWA All-Louisiana Coach of the Year in 1994, Wells’ No. 17 is one of NSU baseball’s five retired numbers.

Wells compiled a 192-89 record in his five seasons as the Demon skipper. His .683 winning percentage is the best in program history and his 192 wins place him fourth on NSU’s all-time list.

Following the 1994 season, Wells went to Alabama where he coached for 15 seasons and led the Crimson Tide to the 1996 College World Series championship game. Wells took the Tide to a pair of SEC regular-season titles, six SEC Tournament crowns and earned two SEC Coach of the Year honors (1997, 2002). He retired as Alabama’s all-time leader in wins (625) and produced a .656 winning percentage (625-322) in Tuscaloosa.

In 1997, Baseball America named Wells its National Coach of the Year.

Wells’ impact on both the NSU and Alabama program helped make Northwestern State a cradle of SEC coaches as Wells’ successors Dave Van Horn (Arkansas), John Cohen (Kentucky, Mississippi State) and Mitch Gaspard (Alabama) all helmed SEC programs following head coaching stints at NSU.

He is joined in the 2024 Hall of Fame class by current Virginia coach Brian O’Connor, West Virginia State’s Cal Bailey, Georgia Tech’s Danny Hall, Nova (Florida) High School’s Pat McQuaid, Miami’s Jim Morris, The College of Wooster’s Tim Pettorini, Wisconsin-Whitewater’s John Vodenlich, Chelsea (Michigan) High School’s Wayne Welton and LSU-Eunice’s Jeff Willis.

March 20, 1934 — July 2, 2023

Mr. Pesnell was also a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Gloria, were happily married for almost 63 years – – from August 16, 1958, until her death on April 13, 2021.

He loved his children and did everything he could to raise them properly. He doted, however, on his grandchildren and went to great lengths to develop and expand their hearts, their minds, and their horizons.

Mr. Pesnell was preceded in death by his parents, Van Gordon Pesnell and Maggie Oda Lee Youngblood Pesnell; his wife, Gloria Faye Fletcher Pesnell; his sisters, Glenda Mae Pesnell Burch and Sharon Genet Pesnell Hamlin; and his foster brother, Robert Lee Williams.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, John Whitney Pesnell and wife, Tedy; William Alan Pesnell and wife, Evelyn; James Gordon Pesnell; Douglas Wade Pesnell and wife Angela; and Susan Elizabeth Pesnell; his sister, Betty Sue Pesnell Ambrose and husband, Jack; his brother, Gordon Drew Pesnell and wife, Jean; and his brothers-in-law, John Gilland Burch and Bruce Arnold Hamlin. Also surviving Mr. Pesnell are his grandchildren, Shaelyn Cheyenne Schmidt, Sierra Caroline Pesnell, Sheridan Colleen Pesnell, William Marshall Pesnell, and Katelyn Elizabeth Pesnell, and his step-grandchildren, Kristina Louise Rushing, Jessie Pearl Perez, John Robert Perez, Gregory George Perez, Carl Ernest Perez, and Nellie Grace Perez.

Honoring Mr. Pesnell as pall bearers are his nephews and great-nephews, Christopher Drew Pesnell, David Bruce Hamlin, Jeremy Clay Hamlin, Matthew Gilland Burch, and William Bert Fletcher, and his step-grandson, Gregory George Perez.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Shreveport, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71106; Longstraw Baptist Church, 1799 Styles Ranch Road, Choudrant, Louisiana, 71227; the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, 7200 Desiard Street, Monroe, Louisiana, 71203; or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mark your calendars for July 11th, 24th, 25th, 31st, and August 1st !

OMC Natchitoches is hosting a Pediatric Care Summer Wellness Fest! Our services include sick child visits, immunizations/vaccines, and back-to-school sports/wellness physicals. Walk-ins are welcome or call 318-352-9299 for an appointment.

“Because Caring For You Is What We Do!”

Let me introduce myself.

I am July 5th and I get no respect. That’s because I follow July 4th, the grandest, most noisy, most patriotic and, at times, most obnoxious (as in hot dog eating contests) holiday of the summer.

It’s sort of like the hangover from New Year’s Eve on January 1st but the 1st has the Rose Parade and bowl games and black-eyed peas.

I am July 5th and I’m feeling like forgotten lagniappe.

After July 4th’s boast of being one of the most important days in history with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, you know what happened on July 5, 1776?

General George Washington gave Polish engineer and recent American immigrant Thaddeus Kosciuszko his first assignment as a volunteer with the Continental Army: to build Fort Billingsport in Paulsboro, N.J.

Is THAT something to spice up a resume for This Day in History?

I am July 5th and I feel like Andrew Johnson, the guy who followed Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States.

I am July 5th, and some call me Ray, and no, it’s not for Ray Charles, who sang the most soul-stirring rendition of “America the Beautiful.” They call me Ray, for Ray Perkins, who succeeded legendary football coach Bear Bryant as the head football coach at the University of Alabama.

Occasionally, a big bang can follow another big bang like Fireworks over Buhlow (July 3rd) and Rocking the Red (July 4th), but I am July 5th and get no respect. I am Bobby Murcer following back-to-back Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle as the starting centerfielder for the Yankees.

I am July 5th and an oh-by-the-way sort of day. I am the group of Spanish settlers and native Tumucuans who celebrated a meal of thanksgiving together in St. Augustine, Florida on September 8, 1565. That was 55 years before the pilgrims set foot on Plymouth Rock and celebrated what most regard as the first Thanksgiving in America. Granted, Florida was under Spanish rule at the time, but just saying.

Then again, I am July 5th and there are some anniversaries I can celebrate: in the first all-American final at Wimbledon in 1927, Helen Wills Moody beat Helen Jacobs, 6-1, 6-2; and in 1934, Lou Gehrig hit his then-record 17th grand slam in Yankees’ 8-3 win over Washington, passing Babe Ruth’s total.

Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians became the first Black player in the American League on July 5, 1947, in a game against the Chicago White Sox.

Then again, I am July 5th and I am Larry Doby becoming the SECOND Black man to play in Major League Baseball behind Jackie Robinson.

My guess is most of us can empathize more with the second fiddle than the orchestra conductor.    

Bob Tompkins enjoyed a 43-year newspaper career as an award-winning writer and editor, serving the last 39 years at the Town Talk in Alexandria through most of 2015. He is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a past winner of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. An Alexandria resident, Tompkins is a contributing columnist sharing his talents with Natchitoches Parish Journal readers.

For 135 years, St. Mary’s Catholic School has provided quality Catholic education for preschool through twelfth grade students in Natchitoches and the surrounding areas.  Limited openings are still available for the 2023-24 school year.  

St. Mary’s is fully accredited by Cognia, and offers a faith based, nurturing environment with a family like atmosphere. In recent years, St Mary’s has expanded its preschool programs to offer an all inclusive tuition rate for PreK-3 and PreK-4 students, that includes after school care.  To learn more about the long tradition of excellence in faith, academics, athletics and service, contact Debbie Norman at dnorman@smstigers.org or (318) 352-8394. Registration packets may be obtained from the school office or downloaded from the school website at www.smstigers.org/admission. Scholarships and financial aid are available for qualified applicants. ACE and ARETE scholarships are also available for new families. 

A ministry of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church, St. Mary’s Catholic School is a co-educational college prep school that forms the whole child to know, love and live the faith. 

St. Mary’s Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in:  (i) the admission of students; (ii) the offerings of rights, privileges, programs or activities generally made available to their students; or (iii) the administration of educational policies, admissions policies, loan programs, athletic programs, employment practices or policies, or other school-administered programs. 

With the faint rumble of the 4th of July fireworks in our past, it is time to get ready for VBS!

“Keepers of the Kingdom” is the theme of the Goldonna Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School. VBS will be in full swing from July 9-12. VBS is always a staple of a child’s summer schedule and you do not want to miss out on this one. 

Goldonna High School Reunion will be held July 8 at 10:30 at the Goldonna Baptist Church fellowship hall. A delicious catfish luncheon will be served. The contact person is Mrs. Linda Dupree. If you were a graduate of Goldonna High School, in any class, please make an effort to come to visit with your classmates. 

On July 22, the youth at Goldonna Baptist Church will be holding a Wiffle Ball Tournament to benefit the Operation Christmas Child shipping costs. Each team should consist of six players, the tournament will only allow for twelve teams.… hurry fast with your registration. The entry fee is $60 and there is a double elimination. Wiffle balls and bats will be provided. There will be boxes available to bring your Operation Christmas Child items for donations. Concessions will be served and there will be a waterslide available for a fee of $10 for all-day access. This event promises to be loads of fun. 

Goldonna Assembly of God will be hosting a Revival titled, “Seed Sowers”. Services will begin at 6:30 on July 21-22. July 23, services will begin at 10.

River of Life Family Worship Center held its 4th of July Celebration on Sunday, July 2. The church enjoyed a covered dish meal with lots of fellowships. 

If you have Goldonna News to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day early next week, the Northwestern State athletic department found plenty of reasons to smile during the 2022-23 athletic calendar.

And it was not simply because of what its student-athletes accomplished on the field. From all fields or courts of competition and every corner of the NSU athletic department, it made for a well-rounded first full year for Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian.

“When I arrived, I knew this department’s mission statement was to create successful student-athletes who compete in their chosen sport while giving back to the community and performing admirably in the classroom,” Bostian said. “In the past 17 months, I have seen all three of those traits exhibited throughout our department. We demonstrated competitive success, which included the first Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field championship in program history. A number of our student-athletes enjoyed personal success that shined a light on Northwestern State while giving an extraordinary amount of time and effort in and around the Natchitoches community. I look forward to the momentum we built this athletic year continuing in the fall and into the spring of 2024.”  

From a competitive standpoint, Northwestern State tied for fourth in the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup, its first top-five finish since the 2014-15 athletic year. Leading the charge was the Lady Demons’ Indoor Track and Field conference title and a pair of runner-up finishes in the outdoor track and field conference meet, but the depth of NSU’s department shined.

Seven of Northwestern State’s 14 sports notched top-three finishes in Southland play.

Joining the track and field teams – both of which finished no worse than second in both indoor and outdoor seasons – men’s basketball produced a second-place finish while football finished third and tennis was in a third-place tie. The Demon football team’s 4-0 start in conference play was its best since 1988.

Volleyball gave Northwestern State a fourth-place finish – its best SLC ranking since tying for third place in 2019 when the Southland featured 13 teams.

Coupled with the across-the-board success of each program came individual attention from student-athletes who produced record-breaking seasons.

Sprinter Zach Beard earned second-team All-American honors in the indoor 60 meters, becoming Northwestern State’s first All-American indoor sprinter since 1998. Beard’s performance was part of an indoor season that saw Mike Heimerman land Southland Conference Women’s Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year and sprinter Sanaria Butler earn Freshman of the Year acclaim.

Butler’s indoor season set the stage for a remarkable outdoor season in which the Port Arthur, Texas, product broke the school 400-meter record twice in two weeks en route to earning honorable mention All-American honors in the event. Butler qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the event, becoming NSU’s first freshman to reach the national meet since 2011.

Butler took home the Southland Conference’s Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year honor while teammate Vanessa Balde added the Outdoor Freshman of the Year to NSU’s haul. Butler’s 400-meter school record was one of three established by NSU in the outdoor season as the women’s 4×400 relay team established a new school mark and Djimon Gumbs did so in the men’s discus.

Those three marks came after the indoor squad broke five school marks. Across the indoor and outdoor seasons, the NSU track program produced 68 marks that rank in the school’s top 10.

Baseball third baseman Michael Dattalo produced one of the best rookie seasons in school history en route to earning Freshman All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball magazine. Dattalo batted .372 and set a school freshman single-season record with 83 hits, which tied for fourth in program history. Dattalo’s Freshman All-American selection made him the third such awardee in the past four years, joining Daunte Stuart (2021) and Johnathan Harmon (2020).

Dattalo wasn’t the only Demon hitter to etch his name in the school record books as Jeffrey Elkins became NSU’s all-time home run king, breaking Daryl Woods’ record that had stood since 1974 and David Fry equaled in 2018. Elkins capped his NSU career with 36 home runs, five more than the previous mark.

While the Demon baseball team reached the semifinals of the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament for the first time since 2018, the Demon basketball team enjoyed a turnaround season, eclipsing the 20-win mark and reaching the Southland Conference Tournament title game for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The Demons enjoyed a 13-win increase and tied for third nationally in terms of improvement. Senior guard DeMarcus Sharp produced the No. 4 scoring season in school history en route to earning Southland Conference Player of the Year, All-Louisiana Newcomer of the Year and first-team NABC All-District 22 honors. Sharp’s 40-point performance in a Feb. 25 loss at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was the Demons’ first 40-point game since Billy Reynolds hit that mark Dec. 4, 1976.

Sharp was joined on the all-district team by teammate Ja’Monta Black, whose 122 made 3-pointers established a new single-season school record and stand as the second-most single-season 3-pointers in Southland Conference history. Black finished the season fourth nationally in total 3-pointers, 3-pointers made per game and 3-point attempts (325).

He was joined on the All-Louisiana Team by Black, a second-team selection, and Jalen Hampton, Louisiana’s Freshman of the Year.

While the Demons played for a championship on the hardwood, the NSU football team had two shots to secure at least a share of their first Southland Conference title since 2004 thanks to a four-game win streak to start league play. Coupled with NSU’s 2021 season-finale win at McNeese, the run gave the Demons their first five-game Southland win streak since a surge that crossed the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Individually, wide receiver Zach Patterson earned Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year honors after catching 83 passes, the second-most in school single-season history.

As NSU football and men’s basketball were enjoying turnarounds, the Lady Demon soccer and tennis programs maintained their level of recent success.

The soccer team finished second in the Southland, marking their fourth straight top-two finish in league play. NSU’s 71.1 winning percentage was the second-best mark in program history.

A stout defense that allowed just 14 goals – the fewest in a season of at least 15 matches – and high-scoring forward Olivia Draguicevich helped NSU produce seven all-conference picks, tying for the conference lead, including Gracie Armstrong, the Southland Player of the Year who signed to play professionally overseas. Armstrong later added the All-Louisiana Player and Newcomer of the Year awards to her NSU resume.

Offensively, behind Armstrong and Draguicevich, the Lady Demons scored 44 goals – fourth most in program history and the most since tallying 62 times in 2005.

Draguicevich was named the conference’s Forward of the Year, following a season in which she established NSU’s all-time goal record with 37, doing so with a Senior Night hat trick against Southeastern. Draguicevich was joined in program history by longtime teammate Nicole Henry, who set a school record by appearing in 94 matches.

The Lady Demon tennis team reached the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons. NSU also maintained its dominance at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex, going 8-1 to post its second straight season with one or fewer home defeats.

Paige Wise kept alive another impressive streak, earning first-team All-Southland Conference honors to put an NSU player on the first team for the fifth straight season.

Like its football and men’s basketball counterparts, the NSU volleyball team took a step forward, collecting 19 wins – its highest total since 2019 –while setting school marks for five-set matches played (14) and five-set wins (11). Two of those five-set wins came in the Southland Conference Tournament, propelling NSU to its first semifinal appearance since 2019.

Freshman Reaghan Thompson delivered one of the best statistical debut seasons in program history, leading the Southland and ranking 25^th nationally with 148 total blocks to become the first NSU freshman to top the century mark in blocks. She became the first player in program history to record multiple kill-block double-doubles in either a season or a career. She and teammate Jordan Gamble became the first pair of NSU teammates to record 100 blocks in the same season while teammates Ashlyn Svoboda and Symone Wesley became the first pair to notch twin 500-dig seasons.

The Lady Demon basketball and softball teams both reached the conference tournaments behind strong individual performances.

On the court, Candice Parramore became the first Lady Demon to make consecutive All-Southland Conference teams since Janelle Perez did so from 2014-16. In the tournament, Jiselle Woodson knocked down seven of eight 3-pointers to set a single-game tournament mark for 3-point percentage (.875) and to match the single-game mark for made 3-pointers.

On the diamond, NSU’s 79 doubles were the second most in the 15-year Donald Pickett era. Keely Dubois delivered 18 of those doubles to rank 10^th nationally.

Away from the field, Northwestern State’s Student Athlete Advisory Council took home the Southland Strong Community Service Award, extending the long-running tradition of NSU student-athletes and personnel making an impact on Natchitoches and other communities. It was Northwestern State’s second such award after capturing the inaugural award in 2014-15 and finishing as the runner-up in 2015-16.

Among the projects Northwestern State’s SAAC took on was hosting the Special Olympics meet held at the Walter Ledet Track and Field Complex in April. Council members handled logistics, organization and publicity for the event as well as serving as encourages and cheerleaders for the competing athletes.

The awards and honors were not limited to competitors.

Longtime NSU Director of Sports Medicine Jason Drury was named the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association’s College Athletic Trainer of the Year. Drury enters his 18^th season on the Northwestern State staff in 2023-24 and has garnered a reputation as “a model of consistency providing a high level of athletic healthcare at NSU.”

While Drury has been a mainstay in the NSU athletic department, first-year academic coordinator Bryn Edmonston Dill attended the N4A Convention in Orlando, Florida, in June, expanding Northwestern State’s academic center profile for NSU’s student-athletes.

“Our support staff is second to none,” Bostian said. “Jason and his staff work tirelessly throughout the season and the offseason to keep our student-athletes healthy and able to perform at their highest levels. Bryn and the academic staff guided our SAAC group to where they elevated what is expected from our student-athletes in terms of service to the Natchitoches community. Competitive excellence is something we strive for, but creating well-rounded human beings who understand the value of education and community service is why we work in this industry. Seeing our student-athletes and staff enjoy such a strong all-around year is gratifying on many levels for all involved.”

“May my life be like a great hospitable tree, and may weary wanderers find in me a rest.”
~ John Henry Jowett

Samuel James “Sam” Friedman was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on January 4, 1937, and died peacefully in his sleep in Glenville, North Carolina on July 2, 2023, at a remarkably youthful 86.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kerry Friedman; his great-granddaughter, Annaley Ratliff; and his parents, Elizabeth H. and Sylvan N. Friedman.

He is survived by his wife, Edwina Bagwell Friedman; his children, Elizabeth Edwards (and husband Stephen) and Greg Friedman (and wife Hanna); his grandchildren, Erin Ratliff, James Lee Friedman, Ian Edwards, and Ava Edwards; and his great-granddaughter, Audrey Ratliff.

Sam showed an early interest in agriculture and animal husbandry and in high school proudly served as National FFA President. Upon his graduation from Natchitoches High in 1954, he attended LSU where he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He continued his studies at Louisiana State University Law School (now Paul M. Hebert Law Center) and obtained his Juris Doctor in 1961. After graduation, he served for two years in the army and was discharged with the rank of Captain. He returned to Natchitoches and entered into private law practice.

In 1973, he left his law partnership to form Safari Management, a hotel development and management company. This firm started with the acquisition of the Holiday Inn-Brownwood, TX. Next, he and his partners built the Holiday Inn-Natchitoches, and they soon owned and/or operated more than 20 Holiday Inns, a Hilton, and 3 Residence Inns. He was elected to the Board of Directors and served as President of the International Association of Holiday Inns, Inc., the franchise organization of Holiday Inn owners.

In 1977, he became the principal shareholder and president of Traber Agency, a general insurance agency corporation in Natchitoches. He sold the agency to the Bank of Montgomery in 2016.

In 1979, Sam acquired property in Clay County, TX, and organized Lone Star Hereford Ranch, one of the premier Hereford cattle operations in the United States. He operated it until he sold it in 1990.

In 1989, he was honored to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Sam valued his ties to LSU and was a zealous Tiger fan all his life. He continued to support his alma mater after graduation by being actively involved in the Alumni Association and heading the fund drive for many years in Natchitoches Parish. He was a member of the Louisiana State University Foundation, and in 1984 he was appointed to a six-year term on the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors, serving as Chairman for the 1986/87 school year. In 2000, he worked extensively with the LSU Alumni Association to develop Lod Cook Hotel on campus that still operates successfully today.

In the ‘80s, Sam realized that the hotel industry was changing, and he decided to stay ahead of the curve. In 1988, he divested himself of his roadside Holiday Inns and formed a new company, Dimension Development, with the mission of developing primarily extended-stay, suite hotels. He first focused on Homewood Suites, an emerging conceptual hotel still in development, and he participated in establishing the design and operating standards for the brand. He subsequently served as a founding member and Chairman of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Franchise Advisory Council for 17 years until he retired as Chair Emeritus.

Through the years, the company also acquired full-service and luxury hotels. Today Dimension operates 80 hotels in 15 states. The thriving company recently held a leadership conference in New Orleans that coincided with Sam’s 50th anniversary in the hotel business. Sam was feted with an evening of tributes that began with a second line and culminated at a dinner at Galatoire’s with family, friends, and past and present business associates toasting Sam’s accomplishments and contributions to the hospitality industry and his vision in shaping the all-suite hotel market.

Sam viewed his time on earth as a great adventure and life a wilderness to be explored. He loved mountains and lakes, salt water and deep-sea fishing, fine wine, and sparkling conversation, and he was a connoisseur of anything culinary-related. He was in his element when he was entertaining, and he excelled at it. He was the consummate host, bon vivant, and good friend. With his charisma and an unparalleled gift of storytelling, he worked a room, much to the delight of everyone in it. It has been said that if you choose your passion as your job, you will never work a day in your life. When Sam found the hotel business, he discovered his passion and spent his personal and professional life doing what came naturally to him, offering hospitality and respite to family, friends, and strangers.

Funeral services are under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the Natchitoches Events Center Thursday, July 6, from 5:00 until 8:00. The funeral will take place at the Events Center Friday, July 7, at 11:30, with Rabbi Judy Ginsburgh officiating. Burial will be at Memory Lawn Cemetery. A reception at the Events Center will follow the service.

Pallbearers will be Mike Berman, Calvin Braxton, Mike Cahn, Kevin Dunn, Paul Harden, and Bobby Mancil.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ed DeSousa, Jeff Fisher, Fred Flippin, Ed Horton, Jack Guenther, Allan Rose, and Lovan Thomas.

Sam’s kindness, generosity, and hospitable nature were not limited to people. He was also an animal lover and advocate and, through the years, made room in his home and his life for countless dogs, cats, birds, and various species of wildlife. Recently, Edwina and Sam saw a need for a shelter and pet adoption center to serve Natchitoches Parish and donated land to the animal rescue group, Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA), to expedite the project. He was excited about it and immersed in fundraising ideas to build the facility. Those who wish to honor Sam’s memory may do so by donating to FAUNA Shelter Construction Fund, P.O. Box 2552, Natchitoches, LA 71457, or to a cause of their choice.

July 13, 1950 — July 2, 2023

A service to honor the life of Mr. Terry Lynn McQuillin, Sr. will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Butch Rogers officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time on July 5th at Blanchard-St. Denis.

Louisiana’s 4-H Shooting Sports team recently won the sweepstakes at the National Shooting Sports Competition in Long Island, Nebraska! Natchitoches Parish 4-H’er Lucas Broadway is a member of the national winning team.

Here is a recap of Lucas’ achievements this week:
Day 1: Small Bore Rifle Silhouette-Lucas placed 5th individually and the Team Louisiana was 1st

Day 2: Small Bore Rifle CMP – Team Louisiana placed 2nd

Day 3: Small Bore Rifle 3P – Team Louisiana

Overall – Lucas placed 9th individually and Team Louisiana are National Champions!

Steve Pezant announces his candidacy for Sheriff of Natchitoches Parish for the October 2023 Election.
Steve is the current Chief Deputy of the Natchitoches Ward 1 City Marshal’s Office. He is also a retired Louisiana State Trooper and former Pike County (MS) Sheriff’s Deputy. Steve began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, then in 1993 he was hired by the Louisiana State Police and served as a Trooper for 26 years, assigned to Troop E, with Natchitoches Parish being his main assigned area. In March of 2020, Steve was hired by the Natchitoches Ward 1 City Marshall’s Office, and currently serves as the Chief Deputy.

As Steve has stated before, “I am running for the Office of Sheriff, not against anyone.”

Contact Steve Pezant at 318-471-4772 or votepezant@outlook.com for more information or to join the campaign.

Statement on Governor Edwards’ Veto of HB648

“Although I am disappointed to see that Governor Edwards vetoed HB648, the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act”, I am confident that my colleagues in the state legislature will listen to the demands of their
constituents and come together to override this egregious veto. HB648 passed both chambers of the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support, and 20 other states around the nation have already passed similar legislation to protect their children. This common sense legislation simply protects
children from medical experimentation in the form of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and
irreversible surgeries. Children do not have the maturity or mental capacity to consent to life-altering medical procedures that often lead to sterilization and other serious physical and mental conditions.

A few weeks ago, when HB648 was temporarily killed by a Senate committee, the people of our great
state rose up and with one united voice told their legislators to “Stop Harming Our Kids”. Faith leaders, parents, grandparents, grassroots organizations, and regular folks from across Louisiana demanded
action and HB648 was resurrected and sent to the governor. This veto is only another temporary
setback if legislators will again heed the demands of their constituents and fight for the children of
Louisiana. No one has the right to harm a child!”

/s/
Gabe Firment
District 22 State Representative
June 30, 2023

CONTACT:
District 22 Office
181 Barron Road
Pollock, LA 71467
Office: 318.765.9606
Fax: 318.765.9607