The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) held an open house at the Natchitoches Events Center, Tuesday, May 30. The purpose of the open house was to solicit public comment about a proposed roundabout at the intersection of HWY 6 and HWY 504 in Natchitoches.

The roundabout is designed to be safer than a conventional traffic signal as traffic slows, but does not stop, in a roundabout. This feature eliminates the high speed “T-Bone” type crashes that often result in serious injury or death that can occur when a traffic signal is not obeyed. In addition to being safer, the roundabout requires much less upkeep and maintenance than a traffic signal and is impervious to power outages.

Representatives of businesses in the area also approved of the upcoming roundabout. Ms. Linda Henderson, owner of the French Market Express, stated that she thought the roundabout was superior to a traffic circle as it would smooth out the traffic flow. She stated that she felt a traffic signal would slow traffic and cause backups, particularly during Christmas Festival time.   The disruptions of traffic caused by a traffic signal would also have the effect of making exit 138 less attractive to passing motorists on I-49.

The proposed roundabout is currently in the environmental review stage. Should the project pass that review, the final plans will be due from the project manager. The project will then be put to bid in November, with the winning bidder starting construction in April or May 2024. The construction will be completed 180-200 calendar days from the beginning date. The project is funded by the federal government.

CUTLINE: Mr. Jason Rachal, Project Manager for the roundabout with a drawing of the roundabout.

By Edwin Crayton/Opinion

If you know how to drive a few feet and make a U-turn, you know how to repent. That is because repenting is simply turning around and going in the opposite direction.  That is a vital lesson I learned from a very good professor and pastor. Repentance is a key aspect of salvation. Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  Yet, in the 21^st Century, repentance has kind of fallen out of favor among many who say they believe in Christ. Many people want salvation, but the idea of repenting does not appeal to them. But it really doesn’t work that way because, the two are inseparable.  You cannot get salvation if you are not willing to do what is required.  And repentance is a key and mandatory step in salvation. It is a nonnegotiable.

Repentance refers to turning away from a sin. The person who repents is letting go of a sin. This person is expressing regret or contrition and then turning away from the sin he or she committed. Allow me to use myself as an example of a sinner who has often had to repent and still does.  I was once a fornicator, meaning I had sex before marriage.  The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that fornicators will not enter heaven.  That means, those who fornicate must let go of the sin if they want to get into heaven. In fact, the next sentence, verse 11 makes that clear. It says, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and the Spirit of our God.”  That verse says it is still possible to get into heaven if you have committed the sin of fornication, but you must be washed and sanctified by faith in Jesus.  What I had to do was admit that what I was doing was a sin, express regret—repent—ask for forgiveness and turn from the sin. I had to stop doing it as well.  I could not skip that step.  Believe me, I tried to manipulate things. I would sin, then ask for forgiveness, but then sin again.  I was insincere. But that was a con job that only fooled me. One day, I heard a spiritual message that convinced me that I was not within God’s will. I had to actually stop doing the sin. I was convicted of my con. So, I admitted it, asked God to forgive me and also help me comply.  I realized this had to be real.  The Holy Spirit enabled me to let go of the sin through a transformation that took place in my heart (Romans 12:1-2).  This time, I did not return to the sin.  That is the U-turn the professor talked about.  I could not have made it without the help of the Holy Spirit. I once lived in San Francisco with a very elderly aunt. She confessed to me that when she was younger she drank a bit. But one day, she asked God to take the taste of whiskey out of her mouth.  She bought some liquor. But did not drink it.  She quit. This whole thing she shared with me, surprised me, because I had never seen her take a drink of anything stronger than juice.  Years before I was born, she had made the U-turn too, thanks to the Holy Spirit. Everyone can make the U-turn. Because God is just that good. The problem is not God. The problem is the same as it usually is. The problem is us mortals.

Just look around you and the signs are everywhere that in contemporary life, we are not repenting enough.  The polls I have seen indicate that a majority of Americans who claim to believe in God, identify as Christians. Yet, our lifestyles do not reflect that. Today fornication is widely accepted among young people who say they believe in Jesus. Many people have babies without being married and fewer and fewer people consider it a sin. Where is the repentance in a society that fondly refers to unwed moms and dads as “baby mamas” or “baby daddies”?  The Bible further says homosexuality is a sin (Leviticus 18:22, Romans, chapter 1), but some churches are led by pastors who openly practice the sin—some denominations have gay bishops.  And now, we are having to even deal with trans gender lifestyles being treated as normal.  If a pastor is gay and proud of it, he or she is definitely not repenting.   Either these gay pastors don’t agree with the Bible that homosexuality is a sin, or they have some notion that they are exempt in some way.  But there is no special sin that God overlooks or that does not require repentance.  It is a simple inconvenient truth that these gay pastors are practicing and embracing something that they are called to preach against.  Abortion is treated as healthcare, even though the Bible prohibits the taking of innocent life What is more innocent than a baby? (Exodus 20:13). Where is the repentance? Yet, those who practice these sins still seem to somehow believe they can skip the act of repenting and still be saved. And what about pastors and priests who have been convicted of sexually abusing children? Or what about pastors who are involved in scandals and don’t turn from what they are doing until they are caught?  Isn’t this really just an abuse of the idea of grace? Yes, God forgives our sins, but we cannot not go on doing them. Paul warned us of this when he said in Romans 6:1, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!”

And finally, there is this. If you need a bit more evidence that repentance is a nonnegotiable, I would ask you to examine the anatomy of salvation itself as given to us by the Bible. Scripture and life experience make it clear that where there is no regret for sinning, there will be no repentance. Where there is no repentance, there will be no forgiveness (why would you ask forgiveness for something you don’t regret doing?). Where there is no forgiveness, there is no salvation. That is because Christ came to die for us so our sins would be forgiven.  Let me emphasize that the most important step is the first one. What would make us turn from a sin? There are too many possibilities to list in an article. But there are two that consistently seem to lead people to regret sin. The first is dissatisfaction with the sin.  God has countless ways of making a person weary of sinning.  The second thing that makes people turn away from sin is simply love for God.  When you love God, you do not want to disappoint him by doing what he hates.  Jesus said,” those who love me keep my commands”. He also said to some would be followers, “Why do you call me lord, lord and do not do what I say? When we love Jesus, we will not be able to find pleasure continuously doing what displeases him. That is what ultimately convinced me to stop committing the sin of fornication.

Repentance is not all about giving something up. It’s about giving something up and getting something better. Apostle Paul was a persecutor of Christians. After he repented, he became a leader of the church and was used mightily by God to draw untold numbers of lost people to Christ and salvation through his writings and his mission work.  People are still being saved because of his ministry work. Peter repented for having denied Jesus. However, that was not the end of the story.  After receiving the Holy Spirit, he became a driving force in shaping the Christian Church.  When I was a child there was a gospel song that was very popular in many African American Churches. The main lyrics were, “You can’t beat God giving. No matter how you try. The more you give, the more he gives to you.”  (Shrewdly, they sang that hymn as the offering plate was passed around.)  But the point is true and really has nothing to do with money.  When you surrender completely to God, he gives more than you would ever expect.  And he allows you to be a blessing to other people, particularly those who are lost.   There is a game I sometimes play when I evangelize to people. The point is to illustrate the Christian walk.  I show them a sheet of paper with the words “The Devil” on the left and “God on the right. In between is a long line. Then I ask them to move their hand towards both the Devil and God at the same time. They realize quickly that they can’t. They then usually say, “You have to go one way or the other”.  They get the point. I explain to them that the Bible makes it clear that the decisions we make in life will lead us to one or the other: hell, or heaven. There is no third choice according to the Holy Bible.  If you find yourself being lured into actions, ideas and beliefs that lead you to disagree with and disobey God’s Holy Word, you will find yourself headed in the direction of the devil and away from God. You will find yourself walking a path that leads toward the devil and hell—-the flames of perdition. However, as long as you have breath in your lungs, you still have a final option that can still save you: Make a U-turn (Acts 2:38).

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

–Jesus speaking in Luke 6:46-48

“I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.”

–Jesus speaking in Luke 15:7

Look for this opinion article at least twice monthly in the Journal, usually on Tuesdays.

Attend church. God bless you.

Note: May is the month we celebrate Cinco de Mayo (5h of May). But there’s no reason we can’t honor Mexican history all month, right? According to the History Channel, the holiday is celebrated more in the U.S than in Mexico.

Kevin’s Gallery

“…Embrace these, Father, and receive them, thy heroic servants into thy kingdom…”
From President Franklin Roosevelt’s remarks to the Nation on D-Day

Natchitoches’ downtown riverbank was filled with veterans, families, and area residents on May 29 as our community held its annual Memorial Day Program.

Jeremy Miller, NSU Army ROTC alumni, former Army officer and combat veteran, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Air Force veteran Nettles Brown gave the opening prayer. Kayla Terrell performed a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem. After the Anthem, Sheriff Wright and his grandchildren led the Pledge of Allegiance. Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams welcomed the crowd. He was joined on the stage by Natchitoches Fire Chief John Wynn, Sheriff Stuart Wright, Parish President John Richmond, and Police Chief Nikeo Collins. Chief Collins introduced Colonel Aristotle Vaseliades, Colonel Alisa Wilma, and Command Sergeant Major Shavonda Devereaux. They, along with a group of soldiers serving as the color guard, are assigned to Fort Johnson’s Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital. Parish President John Richmond presented plaques to Phillip Pitts and George Minturn, both of whom were instrumental in the building and operation of the Natchitoches Veterans’ Memorial Park.

The Memorial Day address was delivered by Loyd Lee Ponder, son of WWII Veteran Loyd A. Ponder.  After Mr. Ponder’s speech, Dee Fowler, Ron Brown, and Tommy Stewart read stories of valor about local WWII veterans. Trish Gilbert read the names of veterans commemorated this year with new bricks in the Veterans’ Memorial Park. The name of each of the area veterans who passed away over the past year was read by Janet Darfus and Amanda Miller after which Dr. John Dunn played Taps.

A moment of silence was observed after which Rev Frank Fuller delivered the closing prayer. In what has become a traditional ending for the Natchitoches Memorial Day ceremony, Ms. Sarah Puryear-Dunn led the crowd in in an absolutely superb rendition of the classic “God Bless America.”

The event is part and parcel of what Winston Churchill referred to as “the long continuity of our institutions.” It, and ceremonies like it across the country, bind us together as a nation. In the increasingly fractious country we find ourselves in, things like Memorial Day and its remembrances remind us of what is important.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is donating the event photography. The veterans’ families are welcome to download any they wish.

The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation hosted over 400 members of the community
during its 35th Annual Gala. Themed “Let’s Play Ball,” guests dressed in baseball attire, and the Gala took
on a competitive feel with guests and tables competing in baseball themed games.

During the fundraising gala, attendees celebrated the 10 Gala All Stars who are currently in treatment or
remission from cancer. “No one expects to hear the words ‘you have cancer,” explained Jen Yankee,
NRMC All Star. “I couldn’t choose not to get cancer. Fighting wasn’t an option. But I could choose where
to fight. For me, it was important to be here in Natchitoches.” The Foundation would like to thank our
All Stars – Billy Weeks, Eliza Behrendsen, Jen Yankee, Leann Boyd, Matthew Pagels, Carla Walker, Chari
Addison, Lynn Lacaze, Verline Parker and Harry Babers, for actively participating in our Gala and sharing
their cancer stories.

“I am so grateful for our faithful donors and sponsors and especially to be surrounded by a community
that supports the NRMC Foundation and our patients at NRMC,” said Halie Errington, NRMC Foundation
Development Director. “Together with their support we are able to continue to advance healthcare in
Natchitoches.”

Tom Matuschka, NRMC Vice President of Business Development & Philanthropy added, “The work of
the NRMC Foundation is critical to our strategic growth as a health system. From conducting community
health needs assessments to raising significant funding for best-in-class technology, the foundation
allows donors to partner with NRMC in saving lives.”

The NRMC Foundation is currently raising funds for their Cancer Care Initiative that includes a state-ofthe-art PET Scanner. Having this lifesaving technology here in Natchitoches will help our doctors detect
and diagnose cancer earlier in our patients. If you would like to support this important campaign, please
visit Make a Gift – NRMC Foundation.

Katelyn Calhoun, president of the Battle of Pleasant Hill Committee and Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals, was the speaker at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum’s “Lunchtime Lagniappe” program, Friday, May 26.

Ms. Calhoun spoke about the history of the Pleasant Hill area as well as the 1864 battle. She then spoke about the annual battle reenactment and its impact on the area. Her involvement with the Pleasant Hill Battle Reenactment stretches back to her childhood when she decided she was going to be the Battle of Pleasant Hill Queen when she got older, a title she won in 2006 and an honor she shares with three relatives. Ms. Calhoun’s husband proposed to her at the reenactment in 2016 and she and her husband were married on the battlefield in the historic dogtrot house, the only surviving structure from the period.

Her long-time work on the Battle of Pleasant Hill committee led to her other position, president of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals, charged with promoting the myriad of festivals, small and large that take place in every corner of the Bayou State. From Bunkie’s Louisiana Corn Festival to Lake Charles’ Louisiana Pirate Festival, our state plays host to more unique and quirky events than any other. These fairs and festivals are part of what makes life in Louisiana unique and special and are an integral part of Louisiana’s culture.

Indulge in a delicious donut from Java House Donuts! Our donuts are made with the freshest ingredients, baked fresh daily and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Try one today and taste the difference!

Located next to Fontenot’s Cajun Cafe

Java House Donuts
926 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA. 71457

318-238-5282

Shreveport’s Downtown Festival Plaza was the place to be for live bands, food, games, and fun centered around Louisiana’s signature crustacean, May 25-28.  Mudbug Madness, an area tradition now in its 39^th year, drew a crowd of over 30,000 festivalgoers to its 29 live bands on two stages.  Natchitoches’ own Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs rocked the standing room only crowd Friday evening on the Swamp stage with their eclectic blend of R&B and popular standards.

Over 25 food vendors served up hundreds of pounds of the event’s namesake crawfish, as well as other savory treats. Another 25 booths offered crafts, artwork, and services. A children’s area offered magic shows and other fun for the younger set. The Mudbug Madness cornhole tournament saw some fierce competition as the players raised money for the charity of the winner’s choice. There were crawfish eating contests for men, women and a popular one for local celebrities. While crawfish may not be well known for either their speed or listening abilities, that did not deter contestants who wished to try their luck in the crawfish races and crawfish calling contest.

While a tremendous amount of fun, the Mudbug Madness Festival is more than a local tradition marking the start of the summer season. The event raises funds for a variety of initiatives intended to promote downtown Shreveport.

By TONY TAGLAVORE

If you want to kneel in prayer, or just marvel at the architectural beauty and stained-glass windows inside First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in downtown Shreveport, you better hurry.

Tomorrow — May 31 — will be your last opportunity.

No, the historic church founded in the 1800’s isn’t closing.

It isn’t moving.

But it is changing its name.

Starting Thursday, June 1, the church with the iconic steeple at the Head of Texas Street, will legally become First Methodist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana. That’s because last Saturday at a special meeting of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, FUMC was one of 95 statewide churches which had their request approved to disaffiliate from the United Methodist denomination.

Other Caddo-Bossier Parish churches whose disaffiliation requests were approved are Ellerbe Road United Methodist, Plain Dealing First United Methodist, and Vivian United Methodist.

The result was expected and had become reality hours earlier. But after his four-hour drive back to Shreveport, Dr. Steven Bell was still trying to process what happened.

“To be honest, that truth is still sinking in,” said the Senior Pastor of FUMC. “I can honestly say I am still in a bit of a state of shock and almost in disbelief.”

At the center of the churches’ wish to leave the United Methodist denomination is sexuality and theology. Many conservative methodist congregations across the country are in favor of upholding bans on same-sex marriages, and the ordination of gay clergy.

In April, 1,120 members of FUMC’s congregation voted on whether to separate from, or remain with, the United Methodists. Nine hundred forty (84 percent) members voted to leave, while 166 voted to remain. Fourteen people abstained.

“There is a huge weight that has been lifted,” said Dr. Bell. “I’ve been a United Methodist pastor for 24 years. I would have been going into year 25. This fight has always been on the horizon — what is happening right now.”

Dr. Bell was expecting the worst at last Saturday’s meeting. This is one time he is glad his expectations were not met.

“It could have been real ugly,” he said. “There could have been a whole lot of talk and debate, motions, and amendments. Lots of arguments. It could have gotten real ugly. It didn’t, and I am grateful for that. I am grateful to the Lord. I am grateful to the delegates.”

But the process to disaffiliate was, at times, ugly.

“It’s been a difficult and challenging 10 months,” Dr. Bell said of what he calls “this season of disaffiliation. There’s been a lot of ugliness. There was litigation. There was a smear campaign —  a very expensive smear campaign — directed against our church. All of that is over, and I am happy that it is.”

Like others, First United Methodist Church is paying a price to leave the United Methodist denomination. One requirement was paying the remainder of FUMC’s 2023 connectional giving, and two additional years of connectional giving.

“So, our exit fee was basically three years of connectional giving,” explained Dr. Bell. “Much of 2023 is already paid. When we wrote a check to the (Louisiana) Annual Conference, which was sent just a couple of weeks ago, it was right at — just shy of — $700,000.”

But the move could have been more costly.

Dr. Bell said if FUMC had joined 58 other churches (including Benton United Methodist) whose request for disaffiliation was granted last November, FUMC would also have had to pay “the better part of a half-million dollars in unpaid pension liability. But because our process carried us into 2023, and because of the state of the economy and the shifts there-in, we actually paid nothing in unpaid pension liability.”

Now begins a new process. A process of affiliation. That starts with Thursday’s meeting of the Church Council.

“This will be work that our church does together,” said Dr. Bell. “There are some great options before us. One is to remain an independent methodist church. There is the potential of joining the Global Methodist Church.

“And there are a number of other Methodist or Wesleyan traditions that we can and will consider being a part of.”

Regardless of which direction First Methodist goes, Dr. Bell is confident in the church’s future.

“Our ministry is about to surge even more than it already is. It’s going to explode. We’re moving into a very, very exciting season in the history of First Methodist Church Shreveport.”

 Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com

Often we think of Memorial Day’s commemorations as only honoring America’s service persons who were killed in action, missing in action and the remains of those only identified as “American Service Persons”.  The tomb of the latter has become a Memorial Day icon and is known as the tomb of the unknown soldier.  Other Memorial icons include both National and state veteran cemeteries.  In Louisiana, veteran cemeteries are in different sections of the state. Sadly, many veterans are unaware they and their spouses qualify for their remains to be interred in these cemeteries.  The Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is located in Southwest Caddo Parish and can be contacted at 318-925-0612.  The address is 7970 Mike Clark Dr., Keithville, Louisiana, 71047. 

The National loss of America Service persons in past wars rightly receives annual attention on this day.  The families of these honored dead sometimes don’t get much media coverage.  As one of the younger Viet Nam veterans (age 70), I endorse, participate in, and fully support projects aimed at making the general public more aware of the true narrative of that war.  One such project is to urge the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to reexamine the headstones of the killed in action of the Korean and the Viet Nam war for accuracy.  At the height of casualties of the Viet Nam War, there was an increase in demand for Military headstones.  It’s possible that the rush to contract for vendors may have contributed to errors on headstones.  While it’s not clear who is responsible for the errors, most will agree that all headstones deserve attention after 50 years.                                                                                                                                 

Another Viet Nam and Korean War project I’m proud to support is in its early stages.  This is an oral history of both Viet Nam and Korean War veterans.  The Cammie Henry Library of Northwestern State University is exploring options for this project, as April 25, 2025, will mark the 50^th anniversary of what is known in America as the fall of Saigon.  On the above date, all U. S. Armed Forces left what was then called South Viet Nam.  I understand that NSU and the Library of Congress could partner to make this project a reality.  Also, family members of those killed in action and missing in action are encouraged to participate in this project.  

Respectfully,

Willie M. Calhoun
USAR, Msgt, ret.

The Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will present the annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 29 at 10 am on the Downtown Riverbank Stage.  The Ft. Polk Color Guard will present and retire the colors. Local performers will present patriotic music and play taps.  Lloyd Lee Ponder, will be the Keynote Speaker, focusing on the history and celebration of Memorial Day. The names of all Natchitoches Parish Veterans who have passed away during the last year will be read aloud by Park Committee Members. 

The Park Committee will honor the service of  Mr. Lloyd A. Ponder, WWII Veteran, former POW, and Natchitoches Community Leader.  Highlights of Mr. Ponder’s life and military service will be explained by individuals of the Park Committee. Individuals who have given of their talents to our park will be recognized.

There will be a tour of the Veterans Park at 9 am to view the newly installed bricks honoring  Veterans and their families.  These Veterans and/or families will be recognized during the 10 am Program. Anyone interested in touring the Park is invited.   The Natchitoches Master Gardeners Club is responsible for the beautification of the park, and planting of the many shrubs and flowers.

Our local city and parish officials will participate in the program, as well as military officers from Ft. Polk.  Col. Aristotle Vaseliades, Commander of Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, and Command Sergeant Major Shavonda Devereaux his senior enlisted advisor, will be present on stage.   We are fortunate to have Bayne-Jones as our Community partner at Ft. Polk and look forward to continuing to build relationships with the new team as they change over on June 5.

After the program, the American Legion and VFW, along with the Natchitoches Parish Veterans and Memorial Park Committee will host a Community Open House at the AL nd VFW Post on 400 St. Denis. Refreshments and Music will be provided. Geo and Jan Darfus, will perform along with other talented musicians.

The Northwestern State University Demon family welcomed 250 new members and their families at the first of several Freshman Connection sessions to be held throughout the summer at the picturesque NSU campus. The fast paced two-day event featured campus tours, financial aid sessions, class registration, dorm assignments and breakout sessions exploring various aspects of college life. The sessions were led by handpicked NSU students who either served as Freshman Connectors who led their color-coded student groups or as VIP Volunteers who did the logistical work of making the event run smoothly. The day’s activities weren’t all serious, however. “Freshman Follies” on the Iberville Green featured fun games designed to let the new Demons have some fun and get to know each other.

The fun sessions do have a serious purpose. When the new freshmen leave the Freshman Connection, they have everything they need to hit the ground running for their first year at NSU. They have their classes, financial aid and dorm assignments already. They have met some of their new classmates and are familiar with the campus, what is expected of them and where they can get help. BOM Bank, the official bank of Northwestern State University, sponsored sessions on how to build credit and its effect on your future life. The Freshman Connection Program is an excellent start to what we all hope will be a successful career at Northwestern State University.

This upcoming class is an impressive group of young people, hailing from every corner of Louisiana, as well as several states and foreign countries. Their Freshman Connectors are superb exemplars on how to make the most of every moment of your time at Northwestern.

Fork ‘em Demons!

Senior-year students from Lakeview, Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s high schools were honored for their outstanding athletic, academic and extracurricular activities recently during the 7th Annual Natchitoches Leadership Through Athletics Committee (NLTAC) awards ceremony at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches.

“You have reached a major milestone in your life. High school graduation and to garner the distinction of being the BEST athlete in your chosen LHSAA sport or sports in Natchitoches and in the region. Continue to excel on and off of the various athletic fields and courts as you become stronger leaders for our country,” said Elijah Nixon, guest speaker, sports reporter for KALB-TV Channel 5 in Alexandria.

The following students were recognized with their respective awards:

LAKEVIEW

Dillon Pikes, Charlie Tolar Football Award, Joe Dumars Basketball Award, Stephanie Sowell Track/Field Award and the Andre’ Jackson, Sr. Memorial Football Award and scholarship.

Trinity Browder, Shantel Hardison Basketball Award and the Stephanie Sowell Track/Field Award.

NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL

Alex Dupuy, Pat Listach Baseball Award

Soniya Nelson, Shantel Hardison Basketball Award

Tyler Johnson, J.D. Garrett Football Award, Andre’ Jackson, Sr. Memorial Football Award and scholarship, Mayor’s Athletic Leadership Award and the Calvin C. “Snoop Dogg” Broadus Leadership Award

Hayden Jackson, Boys Powerlifting Award

Deitra Jackson, Girls Powerlifting Award,

Madison Robinson, “Becca” Allen Softball Award

Addison Teddlie receiving the volleyball award.

ST. MARY’S

Adam Parker, Petey Perot Football Award, Andre’ Jackson, Sr. Memorial Football Award and scholarship and the Mayor’s Athletic Leadership Award.

Colton Norsworthy, Powerlifting Award

Logan Watson getting the wrestling award; touting the program’s first year with noted success.

Other award winners included Ma’Kira Carpenter of Natchitoches Central, receiving the Mayor’s Athletic Leadership Award.

Clifton Jones, Jr., Anthony Allen, Jr. and Russ Hillhouse received the 2023 Robert Walker Memorial “Get It Done” award. Walker, a sophomore and member of Natchitoches Central’s football team, died last October as a result of an UTV accident.

Representing the three schools, Mason McCart received the Scholar Athlete Award.

St. Mary’s junior tennis athlete, Andrew Kautz, led the Pledge of Allegiance at the 10 a.m. ceremony.

Photo: From FLASH Facebook page

Farmer Jason Anderson announced, “We are officially open for the 2023 Vegetable season.     We are excited and looking for a great season.   HUGH Boston ferns are available and an assortment of colorful flowers. We have a great selection of Dan Cason beef again this year.  

So come and enjoy the fruits of our labor.”  Anderson Produce is open Monday-Saturday 8-5.    Phone 318-932-1432.

For the past sixteen years I have lived on the same quaint street. My youngest daughter was only six months old when we first moved in. Our neighborhood has always been busting at the seams with children and families. Both of my daughters have grown up with a multitude of neighborhood buddies. As you can imagine over the years, we have seen our share of neighbor’s teenager children learning to drive, including my own.

This is scary and sad all at the same time.

When my daughters were learning to drive, one of the things that drove them crazy is when I would walk out onto the drive way and warn all of the kids playing outside that a new driver is backing out. All of them understood the assignment. With great precision they would immediately freeze until said driver made a safe pass. We have also seen our share of mailboxes demolished at the hands of youthful operators. There is no judgement from neighbors at all, we have all been there at some point. All of our children have committed some kind of driving faux paus.

One of the interesting things about my street is that there are six extremely sharp curves on the way to my home. Once you turn off of the main street it seems like it is one sharp curve after the next. At any given time you literally can meet another vehicle almost head-on if you are not paying attention. One fumble of the radio will leave you having someone else fear for their life. It happens to every single one of us who live on this street. We have all been victim to these sharp curves.

Most recently, as I was rounding curve number four, a vehicle was coming in my direction very fast. I didn’t panic because normally the driver will recognize their error and recover. This driver took way more than the allotted “safe time” and was not stopping. I mindfully pulled over, came to a stop, and hoped for the best. Once the inattentive driver noticed me they veered back into their lane and waved with an extremely apologetic wave.

When I first moved to this street, almost two decades ago, I was way more “judgey” of these chance encounters in the sharp curves. I wish I had a dollar each time I met someone and gave them a not so nice glare or rolled my eyes. My house would be paid off with all of those dollars. I had very little patience for the not-so-attentive drivers. As time went on, and after I was found guilty of being neglectful as well, I softened. My patience multiplied almost immediately. 

In life we have all ended up in the terrifying sharp curves that consume all of us. Whether it is embarrassing family problems, mortifying things our children have done, mistakes made in our careers or even financial woes. For some people, their sharp curve may be addiction. Someone else’s sharp curve may be from something that is no fault of their own.  Sharp curves befall all of us.

No one leaves this beautiful life without some type of scar from the sharp curve that life sent their way. It is really easy to sit and judge when others are dealing their sharp curves. Unlike the sharp curves found on my street, life has a way of sending those sharp curves when you are least expecting it.

As followers of Christ, we are to show love, grace, patience and kindness through all of life’s curves.  Not to sit in judgement. We are to help pick up our brothers and sisters when they fall. Unfortunately, judging others and their sin is a common theme among some of the very perfect Christians that walk among us. The grace we extend to others may be indeed needed by us one day. As for me and my house, I remind my daughters way too often, we are not perfect. We are forgiven often. Also, whatever we judge and ridicule usually finds it way back to us in some form or fashion.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches opened on Thursday, May 25th for its weekly meeting. Club president Craig George led the meeting, giving updates on club news and upcoming projects.

Club secretary Craig Caskey introduced Women’s Resource Center Executive Director, Morgan LaCaze. LaCaze gave an excellent presentation on the services provided by the Women’s Resource Center as well as a glimpse into the future plan for the WRC.

Pictured left to right: club secretary Craig Caskey, Morgan LaCaze

Jackie Baxley 2019 Achievement Award for his service as Worshipful Master at Ashland Lodge #196. Pictured with Roy Paul Wright DDGM.

Jackie has been in Lodge for over20 years and has served as worshipful master several times. It is a one year term and DDGM stands for District Deputy Grand Master. Jackie is from Martin.