Chief Head Football Coach Jess Curtis joins Billy West Live to preview the 2023 Football team. Coach Curtis invites all Chief fans to attend the Meet the Chiefs Event this Saturday, Aug 12th at 6:00 PM.
A live and Silent Auction with great sports memorabilia are just part of a great evening of supporting Natchitoches Central Football.
Early August always brings the heat and the back to school vibes. We hope you have your uniforms and supplies laid out and ready for the first day of school.
Lakeview Junior Senior High School announces the following: All students who drive to school will park on the Junior High side, softball field area. All parents who drop off students will drop them off in front of the cafeteria. School uniform colors are forest green and khaki/navy pants for high school. The junior high will be wearing orange tops and khaki/navy pants. No hoodies, the school wants to be able to see your beautiful face.
Lakeview will host their Open House on Thursday, August 10 from 4:30 until 6:00pm. This is the perfect time to meet your teachers and explore everything that they have to offer. You will also be able to collect your LEAP scores.
Goldonna Elementary Elementary Junior High School will begin classes on August 9th. The first day for Pre-K girls will be Thursday, August 10. First day for Pre-K boys will be Friday, August 11. All Pre-K students will be report to school Monday, August 14.
First day for Kindergarten girls will be Wednesday, August 9. The first day for Kindergarten boys will be Thursday, August 10. All Kindergarten students will be at school Friday, August 11. Principal Cori Beth Manuel is ready to meet all of the new Wildcats and has been hard at work getting the campus in shape for the new school year. If you are a returning student it should only take minutes to have your child fully registered.
Goldonna Assembly of God will be hosting Johnathan Bond on August 17-18th at 6:30 in the evening. Mr. Bond is a singer and published author who will be sharing his testimony as well as leading worship. The air conditioning will be filling the church with cold air while your spirit is getting filled. Get there early to get your seat…the church will fill up fast.
They will also be the host church of the Goldonna Community Service that will take place on August 11 at 6:30. The guest Pastor for the night will Reverend George Procell of River of Life Church. The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend.
Goldonna Baptist Church is still getting ready to deck the halls with Operation Christmas Child boxes. The church has a goal of packing three hundred boxes. I heard from a little birdie that they are very proud of the Pastor and his lofty goal. If you want to be on Santa’s Nice List get your donations in today. They are still collecting items leading up to the community packing party that will take place in November.
If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com
As an angler, there’s one question that I’ve always wondered about when it comes to catching bass: “Is it the bait, or the angler” to understand why people catch bass.
Ever since I started bass fishing back in the late 1960s on our farm ponds in east Texas, having the right bait has been important — or so I thought. Just like other sports, some people are just more gifted than others. They have natural abilities that only the good Lord above can give. They might be faster, stronger, or just mentally tougher than their competition. Some people just have a higher level of determination and refuse to lose. So, “Is it the bait or the angler” is similar to the age-old question — which came first, the chicken or the egg?
The man who is considered the greatest bass angler of all time is Kevin Van Dam, a man who has amassed over $7 million in winnings since arriving on the professional bass fishing circuit in the mid-1990s. I had the chance to talk with Kevin’s brother, Randy, and we discussed what makes him so great. Randy stated that ever since Kevin could pick up a rod, he possessed skills and instincts other anglers don’t seem to have. He said it was commonplace for them to be on the lake fishing when Kevin — for no apparent reason — would switch to a different bait and start catching fish immediately while everyone else in the boat could not even get a bite. That’s called instinct and it’s something you can’t teach; that’s God-given.
During a recent interview I had with KVD, I asked him what was the No. 1 bait in his tackle box. I’m anticipating something earth-shattering, but without hesitation, he responded with an answer I was not expecting. His number one bait in his tackle box is — confidence! I was looking to hear something like a homemade spinnerbait, a secret crankbait or maybe a special-colored jig. But to my surprise, it was not a specific bait or color at all.
After this interview, I began to wonder once again: when catching bass, “Is it the bait or is it the angler?” If confidence is the most important tool in an angler’s tackle box, then the bait nor color must be as important.
Over my years of fishing the BFL’s, Toyota Series and ABA events, I’ve heard that the many different colors that bait companies offer are designed to catch anglers instead of bass. It’s amazing how there are hundreds of different colors, especially when it comes to the soft plastics side of fishing. I’ve seen colors like bubblegum (pink) that catch fish and I’ve always questioned, “What does a bass think that is?” It looks nothing like anything natural in the bait fish world. But I have caught a lot of fish with that particular color. So it’s not the color, but how you fish it!
Many pros that I’ve interviewed over the years have all said that color doesn’t matter as much as the ability to fish the bait properly. This is where KVD says the confidence part comes into play. If you believe and have confidence in a bait and the color you’re using, you’ll fish it differently than you would a bait and color you don’t believe in. From this angler’s perspective, I do have one color trick worm that I have a ton of confidence in. If I’m struggling in an event and having trouble putting fish in the live well, I will and have always turned to my confidence bait. It is a black emerald trick worm with a 3/16th-ounce tungsten weight with a Gamakatsu 2/0 Skip Gap hook. This combination has saved the day for me several times and helped me earn a check in many events when I was struggling.
When I get the opportunity to speak to a group of young up-and-coming anglers today, the one thing I tell them is how they need to figure out early in their career what their “confidence” bait is when the fishing is tough. What can you tie on that gives you the most confidence to catch fish? For some it might be a certain colored jig or spinnerbait or maybe it’s a specific crankbait. But whatever it is, make sure you believe in it!
‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook. Also make sure to wear your sunscreen and good UV protective clothing.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
Qualifying for the October 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be held from Tuesday, August 8 through Thursday, August 10. Local candidates will qualify at the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office.
Local and municipal candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish in which they are registered to vote. All candidates for state office will qualify at the Louisiana State Archives located at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the secretary of state are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. Candidates are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours.
The ballot this October will be full with state, legislative, and local offices up for election. On the statewide ballot will include candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Insurance.
Members of the BESE board are also up for election. Natchitoches Parish voters will vote on the representative from this area of the state.
All members of the state legislature are up for election. This area is involved in redistricting for both the state house and senate. House district 23 served by Kenny Cox has been moved to south Louisiana and areas included in that district have been moved into other house districts.
Redistricting also jumbled up the north Louisiana Senate district. The seat now occupied by retiring Senator Louis Bernard has changed and now includes part or all of 10 parishes. Natchitoches Parish is included in that newly drawn district 31.
On the local level, the Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Assessor, Coroner, Parish President and Parish Council Members are up for election.
Natchitoches’ Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum hosted a talk and book signing by Minnesota Attorney General and author Keith Ellison Saturday, August 5. The standing room only crowd enjoyed a talk by the author about policing, race relations and his new book “Break the Wheel, Ending the Cycle of Police Violence”.
After the talk, Mr. Ellison signed copies of his books for the attendees. The books were donated by the Ben D. Johnson Center and were made available at no cost to people who attended the talk. The ladies of Natchitoches’ Asbury UMC provided refreshments as well as a surprise birthday cake and singing of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate Keith Ellison’s 60th birthday.
Keith Ellison is perhaps most well known as the prosecutor in the George Floyd case in which Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and several other officers were convicted in Floyd’s death. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ellison has local roots in our parish with several family members in the community, many of whom came to see him. Prior to his election as Minnesota’s Attorney General in 2018, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and as a congressman. He is a alumnus of the University of Minnesota Law School.
Through the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, we concentrate the majority of our funding in seven focus areas:
Eligibility
In considering requests for support, preference is given to projects and programs that meet the following criteria:
To be eligible for funding, a program must:
The Natchez Village Council met Thursday, August 3 at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The Mayor, Police Chief, Village Attorney, Aldermen Hoover and Sarpy and the head of the Sewage Department were all present as were approximately 10 citizens. Alderman Johnson was absent as was the village clerk.
After the meeting opened, Chief of Police Michael Gillie, Jr. gave a report, stating that there was nothing new to report as to crime.
Cleave Davis of the Sewer Department reported a problem with one of the lift stations and oxidation pond. There are also problems with some worn manhole covers that need replacing as they allow sewage to escape.
Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover gave her report. She thanked the residents who have worked so hard to clean up the village. She stated that there are two additions to the agenda, an acceptance of a donation of a police vehicle from the city of Haughton and a donation of a plaque from Campbell Monuments honoring the mayor and administration.
The council failed to approve the minutes from the May 4, 2023 meeting due to lack of an offer or second. This occurred after an exchange between aldermen Hoover and Sarpy, the mayor, and village attorney Alex Washington over the nature of the minutes. Alderman Hoover was adamant that the minutes needed to be a verbatim record. Attorney Washington stated that the law only required a listing of actions taken and a summary. While the council is free to do as they wish, there is no legal requirement to have a verbatim transcript. This marks the second consecutive meeting at which the previous minutes have not been approved.
There were no appointments to boards or commissions.
There was a first introduction of an ordinance 009-2023 authorizing an agreement to hire the certified public accounting firm, Chad Garland, for the Village of Natchez. After discussion between the mayor and aldermen, this ordinance failed due to no offer or second.
Likewise, an introduction of ordinance 010-2023 to remove funds from the American Rescue Plan in the sum of $1,000.00 to be used as a retainer for the CPA failed for lack of an offer and second.
The council adopted resolution 009-2023 to submit an application in the amount, and not to exceed $2,000,000.00 to the Department of Environmental Quality on behalf of the Village of Natchez for funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The resolution passed with both aldermen present voting yes.
The council adopted resolution 010-2023 plans for the new Municipal Complex. Both aldermen present voted yes after alderman Hoover expressed concerns about the location of a door.
The council tabled designating funds from the American Rescue Plan to the Village of Natchez Police Department in the amount of $2,100.00. This was intended to cover expenses related to the new police vehicle.
The council approved the donation of a police vehicle from the Louisiana Haughton Police Department. Both aldermen present voted yes.
The council approved the donation of a monument from Campbell Monument Company. Both aldermen present voted yes.
The council accepted plans for the new Municipal Complex. Both aldermen present voted yes.
As for non-agenda items: Mr. Hamilton asked as to what time the meeting started as it was already going on when he arrived. He also asked about the village not cutting grass in ditches by his property. Ms. Porter reported that the local fire district had changed its meeting dates. Ms. Brown has several concerns about dogs running loose and overgrown grass on some properties in the village.
The meeting ended, but was not adjourned as there was no offer, second or vote to adjourn. The quorum was lost when the aldermen exited the building.
On our very first trip out west we were immediately mesmerized by the new terrain and landscape. The breathtaking, winding highways that so carefully trailed around mountains led to many unsolicited “wows and ahhhs”. There were low valley roads that were nestled against flowing rivers with rocks larger than my car. Some of the highways were so close to rock formations that you felt like you could roll the window down and touch them as you drove by.
The immense beauty led to many conversations with my traveling partner, my youngest daughter, that we have never had before.
Initially she was perplexed at the large wire cages and netting that was neatly wrapped around the rock formations and lower sides of the mountains. This was accompanied by road signage that simply said, “Watch for Fallen Rock”. I explained to her the wire caging would either slow down the rocks or even completely stop them from falling into traffic or on pedestrians. I also pointed out the loads of rocks laying in the bottom of the cages. The cages and nets were clearly doing their job.
The more we drove we realized that not every county we passed through believed in posting the warnings of potential fallen rock. My daughter jokingly said, “Well this county here doesn’t even care about their citizens.”
We would drive through the next county where they had warning signs and she would say, “Ah, they love their taxpayers in this county.”
The longer the road trip, the more jokes or threat of fallen rocks we needed to stay awake!
When we talked about warning signs, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me about the Bible. So many people view the word of God as an outdated, dusty book of rules that is just trying to suck the fun out of our lives. I may have been a student of this school of thought through my youth. Being a pastor’s daughter, we had more rules to follow than the military. Through my youthful foolishness and my adult mistakes, it took many years of being on a potter’s wheel for the Lord to smooth out my edges.
Only now, can I truly say that the Bible is there to be our guide and our light. It is there to warn us of upcoming fallen rock. It is there to keep us safe from ourselves and our fallen nature.
The Holy Bible is full of beautiful intentional words and stories that encompass every pitfall that could come our way. It is meant to warn us of the possibilities of what sin can do in our lives. But unlike fallen rock that immediately causes unrepairable damages or death, we have been gifted a Savior who can make beauty out of ashes and roll stones away to save mankind.
My prayer is that you begin to lean on the word of God for the beauty it brings into our lives and not for what you think it takes away from your life.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Dear Sir
In regards to your opinion piece on ‘Christians should stand up against LGBTQ+ & Women’s Abortions Movements’
Respectfully, I appreciate your opinion, and I hope you are ready for mine, as well as others to be held up for a debate to your words.
First off, I do NOT like labels but I will introduce myself. I am a 55 year old, Christian, white, registered voter, legally married (to a woman of 15 years), gay, mother of a handsome 12 year old adopted black boy. Currently, all of those labels are UNIMPORTANT, I am a human, first and foremost – the ONLY label that applies.
My family lives in the town of Natchitoches and owns a home, pays taxes and contributes not only to the financial support of the town, but to the community in many thoughtful and charitable ways. While we are transplants from Los Angeles, we sought out a small town feel for our boy who is extremely proud to be a Natchitoches citizen.
Should your opinion prevail, I will then simply be a divorced, white, motherless woman living in extreme grief because everything I know and love has now been stripped from me. My marriage, my faith, my rights as a voter, and my child. One of two mixing Mommies he’s had since he was 7 days old.
We live in a country that was founded on the rights of all to have freedom. In addition to that founding, over time it has been inherently important that our ancestors and ourselves fight for the RIGHTS of those who were deemed less than human; slavery, women, children and oppression. Giving our Nation a balance of Equality in so many facets.
It saddens me at your age that you feel the need to strip away the humanity in my life when I have continually voted for and stood up for your rights as a black man. I not only did this because I am a human being who does not see color, but sees humanity – I did it because my faith tells me we are all children of God, and should be treated with equality. And I am here to protect my brothers and sisters in the Lord AND those who do not even believe in my faith. I live my life judgement free because my faith has told me that at the end of our lives, God will make the final judgement.
While we are here…. We are to live as Christ-like as possible. Love each other as He loved all, welcoming and forgiving in all ways. Because at the end of the day, that action will be far more profound than standing on a moral high ground being judge and jury.
My own parents, who are staunch Christians (that do not believe in Gay marriage or abortion), love us deeply and understand that we DESERVE our rights for equality as human beings. They look at us through the eyes of the constitution and separately through the eyes of Religion and do NOT permit them to mix. HUMAN RIGHTS are the in-ate rights of EVERY human being regardless of religion choice.
One simple question to you, Sir. Why do you feel it so important to affect my life with such hate? Where does that hatred stem from? Fear, ignorance? Maybe we should meet and have a cup of coffee. I’m certain with the depth of love in my heart, you will walk away in quiet silence as to why you even started this opinion piece.
Signed,
Cheriestelle Summer Dodd
All Christians are called to oppose the LGBTQ and Abortion Movements, but to do so nonviolently
Join The Coach De Foundation (TCDF) and GoDJ Chris at the 4th annual Coach De’s Closet: Back to School Edition for free back-to-school materials and resources for your family. Big Brother Big Sister, Engage Bank, and other community partners will have their services on display with activities for the community. Meet TCDF at City Park (401 Amulet Street, Natchitoches, La 71457) on August 5th from 10 am-1 pm. This event is completely free to the public.
Coach De’s Closet will provide the community with the following:
-Backpacks
-School supplies
-School uniforms
-Hygiene products
-Inflatables
-Face painting
-Activity booths (games)
-Music
-Portable Park
-Children’s clothes and shoes
– Women’s clothes and shoes
– Men’s clothing and shoes
-Food
-Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice
-Raffles for shoes, haircuts and more.
The Coach De Foundation is currently accepting donations (gently used clothing and shoes), sponsors, and vendors.
Below are the ways donors can financially contribute:
-Visit http://www.thecoachdefoundation.com
-Cash App: @TCDFoundation
-PayPal: The Coach De Foundation
-Mail to: 240 St. Denis Street 1053, Natchitoches, La, 71457
To donate clothing, toys, shoes, food, or hygiene products contact us at:
Email: thecoachdefoundation@gmail.com.
Facebook: The Coach De Foundation
Instagram: @thecoachdefoundation
For more information contact De’Andrea “Coach De” Sanders at 225-244-3291.
When I listened to the weatherman on the news last night, I know my brow must have furrowed a bit. No, he wasn’t talking more thunderstorms; something else was about to take place.
Every day or two for a couple of weeks, we were blessed with a shower. Most were light, less than a tenth of an inch but getting a dab of rain has kept things in my yard looking green and nice and needing a mowing every week. What the weatherman said last night that put a knot in my stomach was a forecast that read like this; hot, humid and dry.
Sound familiar? No rain anywhere in sight for at least the next week. Even though it’s the dog days of summer and things are supposed to be hot and humid with little moisture, these are conditions that we never like to see.
Since I don’t have a sprinkler system installed, I have to drag out hoses and move them around the yard to keep things from drying up.
As much as I dislike hot dry weather and all it involves, I got to thinking about our pets, dogs especially, that can get into trouble if they stay out too long during the hottest times of year.
What are some basic rules and suggestions that apply to how to take care of your pup when conditions are like what we are experiencing? I called an expert, Lori Seacrist, one of the owners of Petite Paws Pet Hotel whose job is to take care of the dogs in her care. She shared some important tips and suggestions that will be of value in assuring that our fur buddies stay safe and out of danger during these high heat times.
“It depends a lot on the particular breed and age of dogs. Older dogs and young puppies seem to have more trouble with heat while the ‘smush nosed’ dogs, like pugs and French bulldogs have the most trouble getting enough oxygen to combat the excessive heat. On the other hand, hunting breeds of dogs like Labs and hounds can more easily adapt to these extreme conditions,” Lori said.
It is also important when planning outings with your dog during times when the temperatures are brutal. She suggested that you should plan outings early and late in the day to avoid potential problems.
“If you’re out with your dog during the hottest part of the day, not only the heat but the humidity can affect them just like it does us. Nothing is much worse for dogs and people than to be subjected to high temperatures and high humidity. Be sure your dog’s ‘potty’ breaks are short and in shaded areas,” she said.
“Another thing to consider is the concrete and asphalt like on your driveway. Reach down and touch these surfaces and if it’s hot to your hand, it’s the same on their paws. Walking them on grass or surfaces other than concrete and asphalt is the best bet,” she continued.
What should you do to help your pup should you see that heat is starting to take a toll on the dog’s wellbeing?
“Dogs can be subject to heat stroke and heat exhaustion just like humans can. If your dog seems especially lethargic after being outside awhile in hot conditions, if they seem to drool or you see foam around the mouth, these are red flags.
“Get the dog to a cool spot and refrain from cooling them down too quickly. Definitely don’t expose them to an ice bath. Instead, use a fan, take a cool rag and put on the paw pads and on the snout to slowly bring the body temperature down,” she said.
Remember these tips to protect your fur baby during these brutal summer days.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com
The regular scheduled meeting for the Village of Natchez will be held August 3, 2023, 6 p.m. at the New Birth Baptist Church, Paul Turner Fellowship Hall.
Village of Natchez
P.O. Box 229 / 181 Main Street
Natchez, La 71456
318.352.1414
Fax: 318.352.6266
Whatever any of us might be today or might become, we owe to family and friends, a whole raft of people. Nobody picks themselves up by their bootstraps (whatever that means), no man is an island and all that, and no turtle ever got to the top of a fence post alone.
Saturday night in the Natchitoches Events Center at the Induction Celebration to conclude the annual Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame weekend, the impressive Class of 2023 tried to thank as many friends as they could for helping them realize the fascinating reality of being inducted into the Hall. All-Americans and MVPs and national champions and multi-time state champs and on an on it went, but not a one was a solo act.
Each of them had a lot of help.
And each of them had several opportunities to express themselves during the weekend, and they did, gracefully. But at the actual Induction Ceremony, each had only a six-minute interview to be entertaining and informative and grateful, which is a lot to ask in such a tight window of time.
Just in case they forgot to mention someone, here’s where I can speak for them and help, at least a little.
Two things.
One, never shortchange the value of friendship. I read Charlotte’s Web as a boy and again as an adult. If you missed it, it’s never too late. My favorite line is when Charlotte, the spider, says to the pig Wilbur, “You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
Amen.
And two, you can always count on Mr. Fred Rogers — more commonly known as Mr. Rogers” — to sum up how best to recognize and remember such lights to our paths.
In his Acceptance Speech when he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony in the spring of 1997 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, he said, in part, this:
So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven.
All of us have special ones who have loved us into being.
Would you just take along with me 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are — those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life?
Ten seconds of silence.
I’ll watch the time.
He looked down at his watch for 10 seconds, looked up, and continued.
Whomever you’ve been thinking about — how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made.
Since it was a live event, Mr. Rogers had to offer the audience just 10 seconds.
There is no time limit for you and me.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
With zero fishing going on due to the hot weather we have been experiencing, today we’ll look at my working career.
After walking away from my athletic career in the late 1980s, it was time to get a real job. It was time to put my college degree (industrial engineering technology) to good use. One reason I chose this as my major was due to the number of IET graduates the oil and gas companies were hiring out of Northwestern State in the mid ‘80s. This was my original plan, but the oil and gas industry tanked, and they no longer were seeking graduates with this degree.
One thing I’ve learned over the years from the many different jobs I’ve held was that each job helped prepare me in some way for other positions I’ve held. These included car salesman, supervisory role at CONAGRA Poultry, and high school and college coaching.
Nothing gave me more satisfaction than coaching did. Working with kids at the high school and collegiate level was truly rewarding and enjoyable. But the hours you put in on the college level are insane and was not a good fit for me personally or my family. I was not willing to make those family sacrifices that college coaches make.
In 1990, I decided to apply for an engineering job at a textile company, Holloway Sportswear, based out of Ohio but with factories in Louisiana. Best job I ever had! It was a company that made athletic outerwear and high school letterjackets. Holloway was the Mercedes of the athletic apparel world; they made the best. If you ever earned a letterjacket in high school, there’s a good chance it was made by Holloway, who was the original letterjacket company.
After two years with the company, I was promoted to Louisiana Director of Manufacturing, overseeing six factories across the state. The job was demanding, but the people were incredible.
Around 1998, President Bill Clinton signed what was called the NAFTA agreement with Mexico. This was the beginning of the end for Holloway and all textile companies in Louisiana and across the country.
It was at this point that my boss and I made several trips to Mexico to set up sewing factories. Then one by one we slowly pulled styles out of Louisiana and sent them to Mexico for production. This was the hardest thing I ever went though as an employee. It was my job at this point to tell all Louisiana employees they no longer had a job.
Many a day after making these announcements, I shed a few tears on the drive home knowing that I had just made life a lot tougher for so many women, many of whom were single moms. Many had no other skills than sewing. Some women were making as much as $14 an hour due to their ability to sew. This was good money back in the ‘90s and there were no other jobs offered in these small communities that paid those kinds of wages.
All the employees were offered the opportunity to go back to school and learn a new trade. But many were in the age bracket of 40 and above and had no desire to go back to school. Many of these ladies had never done anything else their entire life but work in textiles.
It was sad to see the impact this had on the people I cared so much about — people with a strong work ethic and dedication to go to work every day. People who took great pride in making Holloway Sportswear the best company it could be were now being sent home, for good. Some locations that had been in operation since the mid-1970s were being shut down.
The old saying “nothing lasts forever” comes to mind when I think about my Holloway days. Again, this was the best job I ever had, but it came to an end in 2004. Even during those stressful days when I questioned of it was worth it, the people were the reason I stayed. One thing about Louisiana people, they take great pride in doing a good job and are very loyal and dedicated to whatever job they’re doing.
After walking away in 2004, Holloway was sold and is now under the umbrella of Augusta Sportswear in Georgia. The Holloway standard is still alive and well today as they have retained their name and reputation as the best.
Next week we’ll get back to more fishing topics as we are now in the hottest month of the year — August.
Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and protective clothing.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
The good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh away. The Village of Goldonna has been befuddled without the continuous use of their newly ordained Wi-Fi. While service has been spotty in some areas, it has been completely gone in other areas. Concerned residents have called the company numerous times to no avail. One resident reported that they visited the site and hope to have the rest of it repaired remotely. Citizens have been hearing the same story for four weeks now. While they remain hopeful, they are still disappointed that no one seems to have an answer while they continue to pay for a service they are not receiving.
Hopefully the company will make good on their promises and repair customer service relationships with the community who deserves connectivity like most neighboring towns have.
Goldonna Assembly of God will be hosting Johnathan Bond on August 17-18th at 6:30 in the evening. Mr. Bond is a singer and published author who will be sharing his testimony as well as leading worship. The air conditioning will fill the church with cold air while your spirit is getting filled. Get there early to get your seat!
They will also be the host church of the Goldonna Community Service that will take place on August 11 at 6:30. The guest Pastor for the night will Reverend George Procell of River of Life Church. The loudest amen in the church will be from me. I will be there to cheer my dear old dad along. The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend.
Goldonna Baptist Church is still getting ready to deck the halls with Operation Christmas Child boxes. The church has a goal of packing three hundred boxes. I heard from a little birdie that they are immensely proud of the Pastor and his lofty goal. If you want to be on Santa’s Nice List, get your donations in today. They are still collecting items leading up to the community packing party that will take place in November.
Goldonna Elementary Junior High School will begin classes on August 9th. The first day for Pre-K girls will be Thursday, August 10. The first day for Pre-K boys will be Friday, August 11. All Pre-K students will be report to school Monday, August 14.
The first day for Kindergarten girls will be Wednesday, August 9. The first day for kindergarten boys will be Thursday, August 10. All Kindergarten students will be at school Friday, August 11. Principal Cori Beth Manuel is ready to meet all of the new Wildcats and has been hard at work getting the campus in shape for the new school year. Online registration is still open for students. If you are a returning student, it should only take minutes to have your child fully registered.
If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com