The Louisiana Gumbo Cook-Off is returning to the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on Saturday July 22, in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum located at 220 South Jefferson Street on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches. In honor of this year’s festival theme, Celebrating Louisiana’s Cultural Gumbo, the festival will see the long-awaited return of the Gumbo Cookoff, in which professionals and hobbyists alike can compete in any of three categories and demonstrate their cooking skills.
Registration and the Cooks’ Meeting will take place at 8:00 am. Tasting and judging will begin at 12:30 pm with winners be announced at 2:30 pm. There is no fee to compete in the Cookoff. Gumbo must be cooked on-site outside of Prather Coliseum.
The Gumbo Cook-Off is the Louisiana Folklife Center’s way of celebrating the state’s unique and storied foodways, as well as the rich culture behind the cooking of gumbo. The ways of preparing gumbo and the ingredients used are as varied as the people who cook it, so there is no better way to embody this year’s festival theme of Celebrating Louisiana’s Cultural Gumbo.
For all those times you’ve wondered what it would be like to visit with sports stars you see on TV or read about, you get the opportunity free of charge next Thursday evening at the La Capitol Welcome Reception kicking off the 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.
You can be right there at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street (at the traffic circle) in Natchitoches. No need to dress fancy, just enjoy food and refreshments and music and a world-class museum, mingling with sports stars and their families from 5-7 next Thursday evening, July 27, at the museum.
Adding to the excitement — one of America’s most prized sports trophies will be on display on the second floor. Billy Cannon’s 1959 Heisman Trophy will be in the house through the weekend festivities, courtesy of the Cannon Trust, as a cornerstone of the museum’s months-old Heisman Trophy exhibit that showcases the state’s four winners: Cannon, John David Crow (1957), Joe Burrow (2019) and DeVonta Smith (2020).
But the spotlight is squarely on the Class of 2023, which includes a two-time Super Bowl MVP (Eli Manning), a women’s basketball superstar with Natchitoches roots (Alana Beard), a College World Series-winning LSU coach (Paul Mainieri) and three more LSU sports heroes (big league pitcher Paul Byrd, NFL receiver Wendell Davis and two-time USA track and field Olympian Walter Davis).
There’s another Pro Bowl NFL star, former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte. For fans of the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, Ron Washington will entertain you – he managed the Rangers to the World Series in 2010 and 2011, and as the current third base coach for the Braves, he was also in that role when Atlanta won the 2021 Fall Classic. He was also third base coach in Oakland during the “Moneyball” years (he’s a featured character in the movie headlined by Brad Pitt).
Meet the amazing 86-year-old Walter Imahara, a Japanese-American who became a world-class weightlifter for decades – while running a Baton Rouge floral business, and serving in the United States military in the early 1960s. Another Baton Rouge hero is M.L. Woodruff, who won 11 state championships coaching baseball for Parkview Baptist.
Sports journalists Bruce Brown (Lafayette) and Lori Lyons (New Orleans/Houma) have covered many amazing games and highly-accomplished athletes, including plenty of LSHOF members, in their careers and will be inducted next weekend as well.
The Welcome Reception is also a wonderful chance to stroll around the 27,500-square foot museum, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Lots of display items have been rotated into exhibits, and there’s a new Kim Mulkey exhibit showcasing the LSU women’s basketball coach.
A frequent reaction from first-time local and area visitors: “I didn’t realize it would be this great! I can’t believe I haven’t been here already. I’m bringing friends next time.”
That’s the same sentiment for the entire Induction Celebration, which includes a free Friday evening Rockin’ River Fest concert on the downtown riverbank stage, and a free Junior Training Camp Saturday morning, July 29 with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans teaming with Hall of Famers to provide activity and instruction to kids ages 7-17 (no charge, but registration is necessary at LaSportsHall.com).
You’re invited to all the fun. Visit LaSportsHall.com to get more information and the schedule of events, make online ticket purchases and Junior Training Camp reservations, or call 318-238-4255 for participation opportunities for ticketed events.
The Housing Authority of the City of Natchitoches will receive bids for the 2021 Capital Fund Program Siding Replacement – Project for the Housing Authority of the City of Natchitoches LA HUD Modernization LM8P115501-211 LA48P115501-22 10:00 AM on August 3, 2023 at the offices of the Housing Authority of City of Natchitoches. 536 Culbertson Lane. Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457, which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any person requiring special accommodations shall notify the Housing Authority of the type (s) of accommodation required not less than seven (7) days before bid opening.
Bids will be considered only when the bidder certifies that he holds a current valid Louisiana contractor’s license of proper Building Construction Classification or Specially – Roofing & Sheet Metal, Siding and shows his license number on the Bid Form above his signature as required under
R.S. 37:2151-2163. Contractors desiring to bid shall submit with their bid evidence that they hold a license of proper classification and in full force and effect.
All bid documents shall be included in a sealed envelope which shall be clearly marked with the words Bid Documents, the Bidder’s name and the date and time for receipt of bids, and Contractor’s State License Number. The failure to place all required information on the envelope will result in the denial of bid.
The following documents shall be included in the sealed bid package:
(1) Bid Form
(2) Bid Bond
(3) Resolution of the Board of Directors when required
The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Contract and to complete the work contemplated therein. Conditional bids will not be accepted.
Proposed forms of Contract Documents, including plans and specifications, may be examined electronically through Drop Box:
Copies of the documents may be secured by contacting Architect, Newman Marchive Incorporated, 2800 Youree Drive, Suite 310, Shreveport, Louisiana 71104, 318.219.1814
Attention is called to the provisions for equal employment opportunity, and payment of not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the Specifications in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, must be paid on this project.
All bids must be accompanied by bid security equal to five percent (5%) of the Base Bid and all additive alternates and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or Bid Bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a Performance and a Payment Bond written by a company
licensed to do business in Louisiana, each in an amount equal to 100% of the contract amount.
No bids may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the actual date bids are opened. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities incidental thereto.
Pre-Bid Conference: All prospective bidders and subcontractors are encouraged to attend the pre- bid conference to be held on July 20. 2023 at 1Q·00 a.m. at the Natchitoches Housing Authority Offices. 536 Culbertson Ln. Natchitoches La. 71457
In accordance with the omnibus drug legislation enacted on November 19, 1988, Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L 100-690, Title V. Subtitle D) Contractors and Grantees of Federal Agencies must certify that they will provide drug-free workplaces. This required certification is a precondition of receiving a contract with the Housing Authority.
State Rep Gabe Firment talks about issues important to his district and his most recent bill regarding limitations to health care for children and Governor Edwards’s veto of that legislation and the recent override of the Governor’s veto and the impending Court challenges that are expected to that legislation.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that construction has begun on a $6.6 million project to repair a portion of the LA 1 Bypass in Natchitoches Parish.
This project will require a closure of the southbound lane from the intersection of LA 1 and LA 6 to the intersection of LA 1 and LA 1 Business.
The purpose of the project is to repair both the existing concrete pavement and the roadway base on a four mile section of LA 1.
Related work also includes concrete pavement patching, class II base course, in-place cement treated base course, milling asphalt pavement, guardrail, and pavement striping.
The contractor will maintain one-way thru traffic in the northbound lane at all times, with the southbound lane being closed to traffic. Motorists are advised to remain alert to construction signs and changing roadway conditions along LA 1.
The entire project is anticipated to be complete in early 2024, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that may impact construction timelines.
Alternate Route: Southbound traffic will be detoured east on LA 6, then south on LA 1223, then south on LA 1 Business, then north to LA 1.
Safety reminder:
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.
Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.
Additional information:
Call 511, visit http://www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511).
The “youngest” event during next weekend’s Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2023 inductees.
It’s the LSHOF Round Table Luncheon on Saturday, July 29, at noon in The Venue at 530 Front Street in Natchitoches. There’s still time to be among the 200 guests for the fifth annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.
Registration is available for that event and all other activities during the Induction Celebration beginning next Thursday, July 27, by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255.
Festivities begin next Thursday evening at 5 with the free of charge La Capitol Federal Credit Union Welcome Reception open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street.
Next Saturday’s Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.
While there are some logical pairings for the interviews, like former Chicago Bears players Wendell Davis and Matt Forte, and former LSU baseball teammates and much more accomplished coaches Paul Mainieri and M.L. Woodruff, other groups will fall together in fun and unpredictable fashion.
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning will certainly be an entertaining interview for Brando. .Manning created the faux character Chad Powers and took part in a hysterical tryout for Penn State football last summer. He also shares the platform with his older brother Peyton in the popular and off-the-wall “ManningCast” on ESPN2 during Monday Night Football games, and is in a new beer commercial with Snoop Dogg. It will be interesting to see who shares the spotlight with Eli.
Former Texas Rangers manager and current Atlanta Braves third base coach Ron Washington is one of the more beloved and funny people in Major League Baseball. He was a prominent character in the award-winning major motion picture “Moneyball”—which earned Brad Pitt an Academy Award nomination — chronicling the success of the Oakland Athletics due to groundbreaking use of analytics in the early 1990s, while he was third base coach with the A’s.
Washington could be paired with LSU pitching great Paul Byrd, who had a 14-year MLB career and has since become a colorful member of the Braves’ TV announcing crew.
Duke All-American and WNBA All-Star Alana Beard might be matched up with Walter Davis, the two-time USA Track and Field Olympian who was a basketball star at Beau Chene High School near his hometown of Arnaudville. Beard has local roots, with her parents from Cloutierville and Bermuda, and plenty of relatives still in south Natchitoches Parish along Cane River.
A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.
It all combines to provide a memorable 90 minutes with guests in close proximity to the living legends.
The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting.
The weather has started to heat up here in the middle of July and for the bass fisherman, he knows that some of the day’s most exciting and often best action occurs at the break of day.
There is something about being on the water this time of year while all is quiet with a growing glow in the east as he casts a topwater lure next to the trunk of a cypress or willow.
When the twitch of the lure results in an explosive strike, it just about doesn’t get any better than this. Once the day brightens, the early morning action usually slows and the average bass angler heads home for the air conditioning once old Sol peaks over the cypresses.
For anglers who want to extend their bass fishing experience longer, the search is on for one lure to keep the bites coming, even after daytime temperatures rise. The Wobblehead meets all the characteristics of just such a lure.
This rather non-descript device features a slender curved slab of metal with a single hook onto which is attached a plain straight tail six-inch plastic worm. Incidentally, there is no lure easier to retrieve than a Wobblehead; you simply cast it out and bring it back in a rather boring straight retrieve. However, there is nothing boring when a big bass gulps down the bait.
The curved metal body of the Wobblehead gives the lure its name; it wobbles side to side and gives the plastic worm tail an enticing swimming motion which resembles a favorite food for a foraging bass, a small swimming snake. Remember the last time you saw a snake swimming across the water? That’s the exact image you get when you reel in a Wobblehead.
These lures are especially effective when fished next to moss beds, where bass lurk out of the glare of the scorching sun waiting for something good to eat to pass by. A small snake slowly wagging overhead is often too much to pass up.
Cast out a Wobblehead in the heat this summer next to a patch of weeds and hang on. The results could leave you feeling “cool.”
Bream fishermen can still do their thing with these fighters even in the heat of summer. Both bluegills and chinquapins can be caught even though the spawn is over and they have moved from their shallow spawning beds.
One of the most productive bream fishing forays I ever experienced was one sweltering day several years ago when Eddie Halbrook took me to Grand Bayou Lake near Coushatta where we caught at least 50 big chinquapins fishing cold worms on the bottom on an 8-foot deep flat.
If you’re a crappie fishermen, here’s something you may want to try to improve your summertime catch of tasty slabs.
If you want the best service from your waiter at a favorite restaurant, let it be known that you’re a generous “tipper.” You’re more than likely to find him eager and willing to be at your service. Keep this truth in mind the next time you head for the lake after summertime crappie. If you’re a good “tipper,” the crappie just might be much more cooperative.
Tipping explained means that you add something to your crappie jig to make it more enticing. Some anglers regularly tip their jigs with small shiners while others prefer commercial pea-sized niblets, grass shrimp or wax worms.
One of the best times to go for crappie during the heat of summer is to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and head for the lake at night. A bucket of shiners dangled beneath the lights around a pier or off the side of the boat will attract shiners or shad which attracts the crappie. It can be a bunch of fun and you won’t even need sunscreen.
Whether it’s bass, bream or crappie, you can still get your string stretched even in the middle of summer.
Mark your calendars for July 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.
Good thing I’m elderly because it is evident as of two weekends ago when I went to my first ever T-Ball tournament that I could not afford to have a child today.
Not an athletic one, anyway.
This was the Dixie Baseball Regional Tournament (I think) at Tinsley Park in Bossier. For T-Ball. An All-Star Tournament. We now have all-star tournaments for 6- and 7-year-olds even though the ball is hit off a tee and there are no pitchers. This has been going on a good while; I’d just never seen it.
I knew the doings were big when I parked and could not hear any baseball things. That’s how far away the parks were and everyone had gotten there a lot earlier than I had. I like to walk, so no complaint there; just trying to convey how many people were parked here on this Saturday evening. It was like the cast party for Gone With The Wind.
The first sign of trouble was a nice lady walking toward me. She handed me a wrist band. “Here, I’ll save you 10 bucks,” she said and handed me the band. “I was in there five minutes.”
Mister Teddy did not know it cost money to watch T-Ball.
And now I have an idea how much money it costs to play T-Ball, or at least be the guardian of a person who plays T-Ball.
It’s a lot.
Jerseys. Colors. Full uniforms with “Saline” or “Ruston” or “Bossier” across the front. Dozens of teams. “Olla” and … is there a team from “Greater Olla” here? Seems everyone else in Louisiana is.
The winners are traveling to the Dixie World Series in Center, Texas this weekend, and if you’re going to that, best leave now because traffic will not be a walk in the park. (If you’re interested in sponsoring, Hospitality Tents are only $200 a day and the Team Dinner/Opening Ceremonies are just $1,500. This is a big jump from 30 years ago when T-Ball was a YMCA T-shirt and a cap and your cleanest dirty shorts, and when the “regular season” was over, you met at Johnny’s Pizza.)
It took less than five minutes for me to figure out two things.
One, the gear required. Full uniforms. Battery-operated fans. (Could have used those back in the day.) Bat bags. And a clever invention—a wagon. Most everyone had these fold-up wagons, and in them were chairs for Mee Maw and Pee Paw, coolers, fans, bat bags, and sometimes a baby.
And two, most everyone I saw was sweating, but also smiling. It wasn’t my scene, but then again, none of these people wanted to be on the No. 7 tee box with me. They pay for a wagon, I pay for a pitching wedge. Different strokes … Same feeling of fun.
The little team I went to support came in 14th out of 16 teams, I think, but they all looked happy as little dudes on Christmas morning.
Things change. Used to, “travel ball” was one trip each summer out of town for a two-day tournament so my guys could experience a hotel and be together for a weekend. Then it was wiffle ball in the parking lot at night. Low overhead, high return. It was a different time, I guess.
Today, if they were grading, I’d make an F in T-Ball.
Things change, but still … when was the last time you saw boys and girls riding bikes with their baseball gloves hooked to the handlebars, or playing pickup baseball at a park or wiffle in the yard? Something in my old soul always thought that would be timeless. At least it’s still free.
Kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get registered now for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, July 29 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.
Parents can visit the LaSportsHall.com website, or call 318-238-4255, to complete a registration and waiver form for the JTC, which provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department.
The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration next weekend, July 27-29.
The camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium. At 9 a.m., campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.
Kids ages 7-17 are welcomed at no charge. The registration and waiver form online should be submitted in advance through the LaSportsHall.com website. The camp is open until filled to 300 capacity and anyone who registers after capacity is reached will be on a waiting list. So far, there’s plenty of room.
Every camper gets a free T-shirt and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.
The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.
The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.
The kids will enjoy a star-studded lineup of celebrity coaches, including:
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning;
Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears;
Duke women’s basketball All-American, WNBA All-Star Alana Beard, whose parents are from Cloutierville and Bermuda in Natchitoches Parish;
Record-breaking LSU and NFL receiver Wendell Davis;
Two-time USA Track and FIeld Olympian Walter Davis;
Atlanta Braves coach, former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington;
Former LSU, big league pitcher Paul Byrd;
Retired LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri.
Several past Hall of Fame inductees are also expected to be there.
Parents are welcome to watch, and take photos and video.
And it’s all FREE!
PEYTON IN 2019, ELI NEXT SATURDAY: After his older brother Peyton made great memories for kids four years ago at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp at NSU, Eli Manning will try to do it even better in the free clinic next Saturday morning.
The Housing Authority of the City of Natchitoches will receive bids for the 2021 Capital Fund Program Siding Replacement – Project for the Housing Authority of the City of Natchitoches LA HUD Modernization LM8P115501-211 LA48P115501-22 10:00 AM on August 3, 2023 at the offices of the Housing Authority of City of Natchitoches. 536 Culbertson Lane. Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457, which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Any person requiring special accommodations shall notify the Housing Authority of the type (s) of accommodation required not less than seven (7) days before bid opening.
Bids will be considered only when the bidder certifies that he holds a current valid Louisiana contractor’s license of proper Building Construction Classification or Specially – Roofing & Sheet Metal, Siding and shows his license number on the Bid Form above his signature as required under
R.S. 37:2151-2163. Contractors desiring to bid shall submit with their bid evidence that they hold a license of proper classification and in full force and effect.
All bid documents shall be included in a sealed envelope which shall be clearly marked with the words Bid Documents, the Bidder’s name and the date and time for receipt of bids, and Contractor’s State License Number. The failure to place all required information on the envelope will result in the denial of bid.
The following documents shall be included in the sealed bid package:
(1) Bid Form
(2) Bid Bond
(3) Resolution of the Board of Directors when required
The Owner may make such investigations as deemed necessary to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose as the Owner may request. The Owner reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the Contract and to complete the work contemplated therein. Conditional bids will not be accepted.
Proposed forms of Contract Documents, including plans and specifications, may be examined electronically through Drop Box:
Copies of the documents may be secured by contacting Architect, Newman Marchive Incorporated, 2800 Youree Drive, Suite 310, Shreveport, Louisiana 71104, 318.219.1814
Attention is called to the provisions for equal employment opportunity, and payment of not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the Specifications in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, must be paid on this project.
All bids must be accompanied by bid security equal to five percent (5%) of the Base Bid and all additive alternates and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or Bid Bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana.
The successful bidder will be required to furnish a Performance and a Payment Bond written by a company
licensed to do business in Louisiana, each in an amount equal to 100% of the contract amount.
No bids may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the actual date bids are opened. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities incidental thereto.
Pre-Bid Conference: All prospective bidders and subcontractors are encouraged to attend the pre- bid conference to be held on July 20. 2023 at 1Q·00 a.m. at the Natchitoches Housing Authority Offices. 536 Culbertson Ln. Natchitoches La. 71457
In accordance with the omnibus drug legislation enacted on November 19, 1988, Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L 100-690, Title V. Subtitle D) Contractors and Grantees of Federal Agencies must certify that they will provide drug-free workplaces. This required certification is a precondition of receiving a contract with the Housing Authority.
When I look around today, and drive by the city pool, school playgrounds, sandlots and youth baseball complexes, a question often pops in my head. Where have all the kids gone? Yes, I know it’s 2023 and I understand it’s a different time than when I grew up during the 1970s, but why is that? Well, there are several reasons why we don’t see kids out playing like we did. The number one reason? Protection.
Today’s kids are growing up in the age of social media like You Tube, Twitter, Instagram and processing up to the minute news. The ‘70s had basically three channels, NBC, ABC and CBS, all of which only had two local news broadcasts a day at 6 and 10 p.m. Today, there are numerous 24-hour news channels, even local channels, where anything and everything is known about in a matter of minutes.
Kids today are sheltered and protected from the dangers of the world we live in due to the fears generated from what people see every day on the news. Parents today have a much tougher job of raising kids and worrying about the different types of dangers and challenges than those that existed for my parents.
Even though there were dangers when my generation grew up, it was a different time when so many bad things were never seen or heard about. The world was still a bad place, but no one really knew because of the lack of news coverage. The news was much simpler back in the ‘70s and mostly void of daily murders or drive by shootings. The worst thing we heard about was the weekly death toll from the Vietnam War. We learned of the passing of Elvis Presley and updates on the Watergate scandal involving President Nixon. We heard about the nationwide gas shortage and the long lines at the pumps. But even then, there was almost always a feel-good story.
During my generation, parents trusted their kids to behave and play with responsibility. Now this was not always the case — kids have historically had a propensity to get into trouble. Common sense is what kept us alive as we understood what was risky versus what was just plain dumb, something kids today seem to lack. During my younger days, the main form of transportation was a bicycle. We rode our bikes around the entire community for miles, seven days a week. We spent countless summer hours outside every day no matter how hot it was.
No one stayed in the house because you weren’t allowed in the house. We played outside because our parents did not allow you to come inside unless you had a medical emergency. If you needed a drink of water, you turned the water hose on until the water got cold enough to drink. A water hose during my generation was necessary for survival! It not only kept us hydrated but was a great form of entertainment when it came to water balloon fights and a slip-n-slide.
Hungry? Well, we could usually find a fig, pear tree or blackberry patch with good fruit on it to satisfy our cravings. Sometimes we hopped on our bikes and went on a coke bottle run collecting as many bottles as we could find in ditches and trash cans so we could turn them in to the local country store in exchange for candy or maybe an ICEE.
It’s sad today to look around and see empty playgrounds and sandlots. You never see groups of kids riding their bikes anymore. You don’t see kids playing chase or climbing trees. Kids today have no idea what a treehouse really is! They have little imagination when it comes to playtime unless it involves a joystick. Because of the level of protection kids have today, they’re just not as mature as my generation was during the pre-teen and teenage years. Imagine your 18-year-old today having to go fight a war in hand-to-hand combat.
What concerns me the most is that the days of kids being free to play outside will never happen again. Kids are too busy on social media sites worrying about someone saying something negative or starting rumors. They are consumed with self-indulging issues that really don’t mean a thing. I only wish parents would take more control and give better guidance. In the meantime, I will continue to pray for kids to experience good fishing, good bike riding and good tree climbing, while not forgetting their sunscreen.
The 2023 season is coming into the home stretch at Anderson’s Produce. The selection of fresh grown on the farm fruits and vegetables is still great. There are tomatoes, corn, peppers of all varieties, squash, potatoes and a whole lot more. Anderson’s also has a good selection of Cason meats.
These are really the final days. Your last opportunity to get fresh produce for the summer of 2023.
Anderson’s Produce is located on Catfish Bend Road, halfway between LA 1 and I-49 on LA 149. Give them a call at 318-932-1432. See how much there is at Anderson’s.
Martindale-Hubbell, the leading worldwide legal information service, which has been been providing background information on lawyers and law firms in the United States and other countries for over 150 years, has given The Harrington Law Firm and partner C. Rodney Harrington an “AV Preeminent Rating, the company’s highest possible rating.
According to Martindale-Hubbell, the AV Preeminent Rating, which is established by the company obtaining peer reviews from other attorneys in the same geographical area, recognizes law firms and attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards.
An elite group of approximately 10 percent of all firms and attorneys hold an AV Preeminent Rating, a designation recognized as “The Gold Standard” of legal ratings and recognized worldwide by buyers and referrers of legal services.
The Harrington Law Firm and C. Rodney Harrington are included in that elite group.
C. Rodney Harrington says the rating, while appreciated, is humbling.
“It is especially humbling and gratifying to know that our peers and colleagues, who we deal with on a daily basis, thought enough of us to give us this Preeminent Rating”, said Harrington, “To think that we’re recognized among the top 10 percent of all attorneys and firms in the nation is simply unbelievable.”
The Harrington Law Firm is composed of partners C. Rodney Harrington and C. Edward “Eddie” Harrington and is located at 459 Jefferson St., Natchitoches, La. 71457. Their areas of practice are Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Wills and Successions, and Divorces.
Update: Natchitoches Police identify third suspect for homicide at Motel 6
The Natchitoches Police Department is asking the public for assistance in locating Trevonte Jefferson (B/M, 19 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) who has an arrest warrant for Principle to Second Degree Murder.
Matthew Robinson is also still wanted by the Natchitoches Police Department who has an arrest warrant for Second Degree Murder.
Last week detectives arrested Ambrea Howard (B/F, 27 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) without incident for Principal to Second Degree Murder. Ambrea Howard was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Shermaria Lewis at (318) 357-3914. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
Update: Natchitoches Police arrest suspect for Principal to Second Degree Murder
The Natchitoches Police Department arrested Ambrea Howard (B/F, 27 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) for Principal to Second Degree Murder.Ambrea Howard was placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The State of Louisiana defines principals as, “All persons concerned in the commission of a crime, whether present or absent, and whether they directly commit the act constituting the offense, aid and abet in its commission, or directly or indirectly counsel or procure another to commit the crime.”
The Natchitoches Police Department is still asking the public for assistance in locating Matthew Robinson (B/M, 19 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) who has an active arrest for Second Degree Murder.
If you have seen Matthew Robinson please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective Shermaria Lewis at (318) 357-3914.Do not attempt to apprehend or detain this individual by yourself.Matthew Robinson is considered to be armed and dangerous.Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:
You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388.All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $2,500 for the arrest of an offender.
Update:Natchitoches Police identify suspect for homicide at Motel 6
The Natchitoches Police Department is asking the public for assistance in locating Matthew Robinson (B/M, 19 y.o.a. of Natchitoches).
An arrest warrant has been issued for Matthew Robinson who is charged with Second Degree Murder.
If you have seen Matthew Robinson please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or Detective Shermaria Lewis at (318) 357-3914.Do not attempt to apprehend or detain this individual by yourself.Matthew Robinson is considered to be armed and dangerous.Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
Original Story: Natchitoches Police investigate homicide at Motel 6
The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning at Motel 6.
On July 11, 2023 around 2:19 a.m., officers with the Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to Motel 6 located at 7624 Highway 1 By-Pass in reference to a gunshot victim.Upon officers arrival they located, Michael Porter, (B/M, 35 y.o.a. of Natchitoches) who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.Michael Porter was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office as a result of his injuries.
This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.
If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Shermaria Lewis at (318) 357-3914.Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
It will be a tremendous honor for me to join my colleagues from both chambers of the Legislature at the state capitol next week for a historic veto override session. The people of Louisiana have made it clear that the children of our great state are worth fighting for, and it is my firm expectation that we will override the governor’s veto of HB648 that simply protects kids from irreversible experimental medical interventions. Every single southern state has already passed similar legislation to protect their children – we cannot allow Louisiana to become a sanctuary state for the sterilization of innocent children. HB648 passed both chambers of the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. I am confident that members of the House of Representatives and Senate will set aside partisan politics and personal agendas to uphold the will of the people and fight to protect the most vulnerable among us. There is too much at stake for us to fail in overriding the veto of HB648 – our most sacred duty as legislators is to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Although the governor’s veto of HB648 is what mobilized the people of Louisiana to demand a veto session, there are several other key bills that should be considered for a veto override. The governor vetoed bills passed by the Legislature that took dangerous criminals off the streets, ensured fair elections, and protected kids from being indoctrinated by radical activists. It is my sincere hope that the Legislature will consider these matters prayerfully, and act with courage, integrity, and an unwavering resolve to move our great state forward.
/s/ Gabe Firment District 22 State Representative 318-765-9606 – Office gfirment@legis.la.gov
If you should ever find yourself sitting in a board meeting that is 42 minutes late in starting and you learn that it is because the board members are waiting for a chairman who is 2 years over his or her term limit, that is a pretty good indication that you are in a board meeting of a dysfunctional organization.
You have my sympathy. I found myself in such a position on the swelteringly hot night of Tuesday, July 11. But the events that took place in the meeting irritated me more than the suffocating heat. Here is why:
As I’ve recently written in this column, Leo Walker is two years over his term limit as chairman of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation (NCIF). This is a community foundation that distributes 2 million dollars that has resulted from or has its roots in a settlement involving the spill of dangerous PCBs into Sibley Lake. Tennessee Gas, the defendant, settled and the money from that settlement was earmarked to be given to citizens in Natchitoches in the form of grants, scholarships, economic development and recreational programs. So basically, this money is designated to go to you, the public. Members of the public are allowed to sit on the board through a nomination and public election process open to all people living in the city of Natchitoches who are 21 or older and who are not felons. The positions are volunteer. But they have term limits. A board member can serve two consecutive three-year terms (6 total years). After that they have to step down for a year before being eligible to sit again. This was all approved by lawyers and a district judge. It should be simple. But several of the members of NCIF have made it quite complicated. Four have refused to step down for 2 years, putting them 2 years over their term limit. Those members are Leo Walker, Oswald Taylor, Diane Blake Jones and Mildred Joseph. In the last few weeks, I’ve learned that two more are 1 year over their term limit: Gwen Hardison and Gwen Williams. According to IRS form 990, both were voted on to the board in 2016. That means they have been on the board 7 years and you can only serve 6. At the meeting, I tried to find out if any of them were ready to step down. I revealed to Williams and Hardison that they too are over their term limit. They did not respond. As this goes to press, I have still not heard from either in regards to whether or not they will step aside as the bylaws require.
Walker apologized for being 42 minutes late, (but not for being two years over his term limit). I reminded him that he had submitted his resignation at the April meeting. Diane Blake Jones (2 years over her term limit) interrupted by saying that Walker only said he “intended to resign”. I read the resignation letter out loud, which did not back up her inaccurate comment. Here is a complete quote of Walker’s entire resignation letter: It is addressed to the board of directors of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation (dated March 8, 2023). He wrote, “Dear Board Members: Please consider this letter as official notice of my immediate resignation as President of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation. Serving as President and a member of this organization over the past several years has greatly increased my knowledge of the dynamics of human relationships; and I am appreciative of your willingness to allow me to serve. If there is anything I can do to assist you in the transition of leadership, please do not hesitate to ask. Respectfully yours,” Rev. Leo Walker Sr., President
So, he should be gone right? Well, it’s never quite that simple with Mr. Walker. At the April meeting when he submitted that resignation, he said, he would resign if the board accepted his resignation. I reminded the board that section 3.6 of the bylaws says the board does not really have power to reject a resignation letter. Still, the board voted to reject it. On that flimsy basis, Walker and his supporters on the board say he gets to stay. (Truth is, basically all of them are term limit violators too), I reminded Mr. Walker and the board that he is already off the board due to violating term limit restrictions. In other words, he is not even on the board and neither are the other violators who have refused to step down. It’s like a hijacking. They run the show without proper authority, ignoring the court approved bylaws.
Citizens attending the July meeting challenged NCIF on the resignation and several other issues. Latoria Freeman, publisher of the Real Views asked Walker why the board voted first and then only let citizens ask questions afterwards. (On NCIF agendas, the public does not get to comment until the very end of the meeting.) Walker responded that the public is not part of the decision. Why not? After all, it’s money designated to go to the public, according to the court approved Plan of Allocation. Why shouldn’t the people have a say in what happens to their money? Ralph Wilson asked the board why, if the public is only allowed to speak at the end of the meeting, several people were indeed allowed to comment during the meeting. As I understood it, he questioned the fairness and suggested the rule was applied unevenly. I would go a bit further: In my opinion, the rule is 100% baloney. It is bunk to deny people an opportunity to input about how you spend their money before you spend it. No legitimate organization involving the public works that way.
By the way, as for those votes the board is taking, most of the people voting are not authorized to be on the board so why are they voting for anything? Why are they allowed to write checks? Why should any financial institution be allowed to give them money? For instance, at the July meeting 9 board members were present. Of that 9, six are over their term limit. Two were properly authorized: Helen Obioha and Renee Taylor. And one, Brenda Milner claimed the board voted her in at the April meeting, but they can’t do that either, as the public has to be notified of all elections and there as to be 15 days’ notice. None of that happened. So she is not authorized either. This matters to you because the board voted to give away $69,578. Only 1 person present for that vote was within their term limit: Ms. Obioha, because Renee Taylor left prior to the vote. Yes, it’s a royal mess. The words “out of control” are quite appropriate.
I asked Oswald Taylor why he and others who are over their term limit are not stepping down. Mr. Taylor is over term limit as treasurer by two years. He said, they can’t find anyone to replace them. I responded that the bylaws do not give them permission to stay past their term limits for any reason. I also pointed out that the agenda for the meeting did not even mention elections. A board member said, it was supposed to be in the governance report, but that Renee Taylor had exited the meeting, so basically that is why it was not discussed. NCIF often uses this excuse of not being able to find people to replace board members. In fact, I found an article I posted on February 7, 2022 in which board members said they could not find people to replace them. Rev. Ronnie Evans told Taylor that if the members with expired terms would step aside, there would be plenty of people willing and ready to fill the empty seats. I give the pastor an “Amen.”
Later, Rev Evans told the board that I was just asking the board to do things according to the bylaws.
One of the saddest things about this whole situation is how the board’s general resistance to doing things correctly seems to be eroding and perverting the board members’ Christian moral concepts. For instance, at the start of the meeting Gwen Williams prayed to God that things in the meeting would be done decently and in order—you know that verse as 1 Corinthians 14:40. (Ms. Williams is 1 year over her term limit.) Yet, after praying that solemn prayer, the board allowed the person chairing the meeting to continue chairing meetings despite the fact that he submitted a letter at the last meeting saying he has resigned. Now he has gone back on his word. And as I mentioned a few times, there’s the fact that he is 2 years over his term limit as are three other board members. Two others are 1 year over their term limit and this accounted for 6 of the 9 people present. Then the board allowed all of these unauthorized people to vote to give away $69,578. Decently and in order? Obviously none of those actions are either decent or in order.
Public involvement goes a long way. The next NCIF board meeting is October 10, 7 pm at First Baptist Church, 1116 Amulet Street, Natchitoches, LA.
“The arch of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution.” Speech given at the National Cathedral, March 31, 1968
“Let everything be done decently and in order.” –The Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 14:40
After a sensational show at the 2019 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame River Fest, Rockin’ Dopsie and The Zydeco Twisters are back for more on the Natchitoches riverfront stage in a free concert Friday evening, July 28.
Quick quiz on what might happen Friday evening, July 28, in Natchitoches at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s Rockin’ River Fest, free to everybody on the beautiful downtown Rue Beauport stage:
Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning might croon a tune after he’s introduced
Former LSU baseball coach Paul Maineri could dance a jig as he did after steering the Tigers to a 2009 College World Series crown
Rockin’ Dopsie & The Zydeco Twisters will have everybody in a deep Louisiana musical groove
Shreveport native Alana Beard, whose family hails from Cane River country, may water ski to the stage
All of the above, and who knows what else?
Anything is possible during the riverfront concert, which runs from 6 p.m. to 10:30. One of the highlights: at 9 o’clock, the Hall’s impressive Class of 2023, headlined by Manning, Mainieri and Beard, and presenting a very distinct LSU flavor, will be introduced on stage, and celebrated with a 10-minute fireworks show set to sports-themed music over Cane River Lake.
And yes, you read correctly. It’s free. There will be food and beverage vendors on the riverfront, and of course, Front Street’s always fun watering holes/restaurants are just a few steps away.
It’s family friendly. A free interactive kids zone presented by Louisiana Propane Dealers will include basketball, football, golf and science games for all ages to enjoy.
If you want to beat the summer heat and enjoy a tasty collection of Louisiana foods and specialty refreshments, you can visit LaSportsHall.com to snap up a few of the fast-disappearing $100 tickets to the VIP Taste of Tailgating presented by Hancock Whitney.
That party runs from 7-10 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room that will provide exclusive access to the 12-member 2023 Induction Class.
Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters are back as the headline act, just as they were when Eli’s big brother Peyton was in the Class of 2019. Dopsie has played the White House to the Jazz Fest, boogied with James Brown and John Fogerty, and wowed crowds all over, described as “Mick Jagger of the marsh” and note “a party seems to break out whenever and wherever Dopsie and his band show up.”
The opening act is Jason Ashley & The Hot Sauce Band, featuring the Alexandria native and regional country music star playing hits from yesterday and today, putting on shows popular around the Gulf Coast and all the way to Nashville.
The trio of Manning, Mainieri and Beard headline the 2023 inductees. Mainieri is one of five representing the Tigers of LSU, joined by Shreveport native and NFL receiver Wendell Davis, 14-year Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Byrd, two-time USA Olympic jumper Walter Davis and former baseball player M.L. Woodruff, going in on the strength of coaching 11 state champions at Parkview Baptist.
Beard was one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball at Duke and in the WNBA after an incredible high school career at Southwood in Shreveport. Tulane star Matt Forte became a Pro Bowl running back for the Chicago Bears. Walter Imahara won almost three dozen national weightlifting gold medals while competing into his late 60s. New Orleans native Ron Washington managed the Texas Rangers to two World Series, then won it all as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves in 2021, and remains in that role at age 71.
Acclaimed south Louisiana sports journalists Bruce Brown and Lori Lyons round out the Class of 2023.
Join the fun and celebrate some of Louisiana’s sports greats, for free, on Friday evening, July 28, in downtown Natchitoches. For information on all of the events during the July 27-29 Class of 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
