The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries licensing section will be closed to walk-in service from June 20-24 at its Quail Drive headquarters in Baton Rouge while the agency eliminates a backlog of mailed-in and e-mailed applications.

The lobby area will reopen on Monday, June 27 to accept in-person license applications. Licenses may still be purchased online during this period at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/

During the office closure, phone calls will be directed to an operator who can respond to specific hunting, fishing, or enforcement questions. Commercial fishermen, including charter captains, who were planning on receiving their license, can fill out their application and keep it on their person. That application will serve as a temporary privilege until Monday, June 27.

When the office reopens on that Monday, and on every Monday afterward, LDWF will have representatives from the Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Revenue on-site so that customers can register their vessels, boat trailers or pay any taxes that may be due.

LDWF appreciates the public’s understanding during the temporary closure while dealing with the backlog. LDWF believes the effort will assist in making the licensing process quicker and better for our customers.

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The Winn Parish Police Jury / Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the scheduled drawdown of Saline Lake, in Natchitoches and Winn parishes, starting May 31, 2022. The primary purpose is to control the growth of giant Salvinia during the upcoming summer months when growth potential is at its highest. The 2021 WLF aquatic vegetation management plan can be found on the LDWF website (Fisheries-Publications and Brochures-Inland Vegetation Management Plans-Saline Lake, Winn Parish).

The lake will dewater at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per day until it reaches a target drawdown level of 8 feet below normal pool stage. The control gates will close on approximately October 3, 2022, to allow the lake to refill for fall, winter and early spring recreational activities.

During the drawdown, an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 acres of water will remain in the lake. Boaters can still access the main waterbody from the Mulligan Inn Boat Ramp with small craft, but caution is advised. Numerous additional obstructions will be present due to the lower water level.

This action is a necessary component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to control overabundant aquatic vegetation growth and to improve access for recreational activities. An annual cycle of high and low water fluctuation can provide beneficial effects similar to a natural overflow lake system.

During the drawdown, property owners have the option to take advantage of the low water to repair boat docks, seawalls, boat slips, etc. However, a Corp of Engineer permit is required from the USACE Regulatory Branch for any such activities in and around Saline Lake before any work is started. Basically a shovel cannot be placed in the lake bottom until a permit is obtained.

Saline Lake is considered a Section 10 waterbody, and any work conducted over, in, or under the lake would require permit authorization from the Regulatory Office of the USACE. Outside of the lake itself, any dredging or filling activities within a wetland or stream may also require authorization prior to the impact. You may contact your local Police Jury / Parish Government or the Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission for help with your permit.

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The Varsity Tigerline at St. Mary’s Catholic School recently attended the Universal Dance Association Camp at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The four day camp provided the dance team with the opportunity to learn new performance routines, practice dance technique, as well as team building and leadership activities. The team received the following awards while at camp:
Superior Routines Trophy

Drill Down Trophy

12 Superior ribbons for individual performances

Superior rating for home routine performance

4 Spirit Stick Awards

“Pin It Forward” Leadership Award—Anne Michelle Long

Bid to Nationals

Four dancers received the Universal Dance Association All American honors: Ava Errington, Ella Guillet, Anne Michelle Long and Anna Thibodaux. In addition, Ava Errington, Addison Evans, Ella Guillet, Brianna McConathy, Katelyn Smith and Anna Thibodaux earned special recognition ribbons.

Pictured: Ella Guillet (Co-Captain), Anne Michelle Long (Captain), Ava Errington (Co-Captain), Anna Thibodaux, Brianna McConathy, Katelyn Smith, Addison Evans and Coach/Sponsor Angela Eversull. Not pictured: Ella Jones.

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Notice is hereby given that the Natchitoches Parish School Board will receive the following:

June 14, 2022 2:00 p.m. NCBS Various Athletic Equipment

Bids/Proposals will be accepted until the date and time specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud at that time in the School Board’s Central Office, 310 Royal Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71457-5709. Please find bid-related documents and place electronic bids, is desired, at
WWW.CENTRALBIDDING.COM.

For questions relating to the electronic bidding process, please call Central Bidding at 225-810-48 t 4. Bids/Proposals received after the date and time of opening will not be considered. Facsimile transmissions will not be considered.

Additional information may be obtained upon request by contacting Michelle Demery, Purchasing Coordinator, at 3 t 8-352-2358, Ext. 1155, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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The Rapides Foundation has released a new funding opportunity that addresses the high number of young adults ages 16 to 24 who are neither in school nor working, often referred to as “disconnected youth.” The Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant seeks to reconnect these young people to education and employment opportunities in the region through grants to local organizations.

“Research has shown that young adults who experience disconnection have significantly lower incomes, are less likely to be employed, and have poorer health outcomes than their peers,” said Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “The Foundation is looking for community organizations and partnerships interested in working with these young people on reengagement strategies to help them obtain the education, skills or credentials needed to get a higher-wage job.”

The Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant provides grant awards up to $300,000, with a grant term of up to 36 months. The goal of the funding opportunity is to support a mix of urban and rural community anchor organizations throughout the Foundation’s nine-parish service area to develop local coordinated systems which will identify and recruit disconnected youth and address specific barriers they face when reengaging to education and/or employment services.

An informational webinar will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16, for interested applicants to learn about the new grant.

Visit rapidesfoundation.org to register for the webinar.

Full details about the funding opportunity, including the Request for Proposals, eligibility criteria, proposal submission deadlines and online application link, can be found under the Grants tab at rapidesfoundation.org. Letters of Intent, the first step in the grant process, must be submitted by Tuesday, August 9.

The Foundation expanded its work in 2019 to address disconnected youth. In Central Louisiana, an estimated 10,900 young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither working nor in school. The Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant complements the Foundation’s Beyond Graduation Project, a retention strategy launched in 2021 to ensure students stay within the education pipeline. Both programs are funded as part of the Foundation’s Worforce Skills and Talent Development component of its Economic Development Initiative.

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In preparation for the (pre-season) and the 2023 Mardi Gras season, the Krewe of Excellence held its annual coronation-bestowing and crowing the krewe’s royal leaders on June 4 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum in Natchitoches.

Sean Kevin Pickens and LaShonda Michelle Gray Berryman, will serve as King and Queen VIII, respectively. Nikeo K. Collins, Sr. and Jacqueline L. Lawson will serve as Duke and Duchess of Superiority VII and Chadwick J. Nelson, Sr. and Sylvia L. Woodson Crosby will serve as Duke and Duchess of Perfection VII.

Royalty members and members in general-of the Northwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association (NWLMGA), family members and friends of the selected royalty, joined the Krewe in celebrating the new royal leaders. A constituent member of Association, the court will participate in various coronations, parades, fairs, festivals, balls and multiple public service projects for the community at-large. Over a dozen parties/activities (pre and regular season) have been planned for the reigning revelers. “An exciting, hard working court, ready for the season,” said Cathy Chester, 2023 ball captain.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Virgil Barker
October 25, 1965 – June 6, 2022
Service: Friday, June 10 at 11am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home

Connie Boswell Whitford
May 13, 1942 – June 3, 2022
Service: Friday, June 10, 2022 at Memory Lawn Cemetery

SABINE:
Charlene Parrie
May 12, 1939 – June 3, 2022
Service: Friday, June 10 at 10 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church

RED RIVER:
Haley Nicole Cason
September 16, 1994 – June 5, 2022
Service: Saturday, June 11 at 11am at Hickory Grove Baptist Church

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(Near Powhatan)-On Sunday June 5, 2022, while assisting a motorist on I-49 near the Powhatan exit, little did Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies know, the stranded motorist was a wanted rape suspect out of the State of Washington according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday evening, at approximately 11:00pm, Deputy C. Halliburton assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau was dispatched by NATCOM 911 Center to a reported stranded motorist on I-49 near milepost #148 near the Powhatan exit, north of Natchitoches, La.

Deputies arrived on scene and spoke with the operator of the Kia Soul identified as Kelvin Lirico Jones from Tacoma, Washington.

While on scene, deputies learned that a towing service would be needed to assist with the mechanical issue.

Deputies remained on scene awaiting the towing service arrival.

Shortly thereafter, NATCOM 911 Center alerted Deputy Halliburton, that Jones was wanted by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in Tacoma, Washington for Failure to Appear in Court for 2nd Degree Rape according to the National Crime Information Center.

NATCOM Communications Operators confirmed the warrant active since December 24, 2020.

Kelvin L. Jones, 46, of Tacoma, Washington was placed under arrest without incident transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Being a Washington State Fugitive for Failure to Appear in Court in December 2020 for 2nd Degree Rape.

Jones is expected to be extradited to Washington at a later date.

He remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center without bond.

Sheriff Wright said during a law enforcement officer’s tour of duty, you have to be always alert and prepared. You never know what may be encountered. Thankfully to the National Crime Information Center, a valuable law enforcement technology data center, we were able to take an alleged wanted rapist off the streets.”

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I want to take this opportunity to let the people of Senate District 31 know that I will not seek re-election in the fall of 2023. I am announcing this decision now because I believe it is the fair thing to do. There are many good, decent, and qualified persons who may wish to become a candidate for this office. They will need time to organize campaigns and yes, raise money for this effort. If I were to delay my announcement until after the regular session, which will be June of 2023, it would be far too late for candidates to have adequate time to prepare.

The end of this Senate term will mark “forty-four” years in public life. You allowed me to serve sixteen years with Natchitoches Parish Police Jury (now, the parish council), twenty-four years as Clerk of Court for Natchitoches Parish, and four years as your State Senator. There simply are no words to convey the gratitude I feel for having been given this opportunity. As a former Jaycee, I have always believed our creed, that “service to humanity is the best work of life.”

In the months ahead, we will continue to visit about the issues that concern each and every one of you. I will keep my promise to “listen” to your views on the wide range of problems our State faces, and will call you back!

While the next year and half will be busy attending to the needs of District 31, I do look forward to returning to my family, and especially my grandchildren. They keep asking “Papa, when are you coming home?” In the meantime, my heart is full for that which I have been given by the finest people in our entire State.

Sincerely,

Louie Bernard, Senator-District 31

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The City of Natchitoches would like to advise the public that on Wednesday, June 8 Trudeau Street will be closed at the railroad crossing beginning at 7 am – 4 pm.

This street closure is due to Union Pacific Railroad performing track maintenance. Please adhere to detour signs during this time. When traveling near the work zone, motorists are advised to exercise caution and to observe all warning signs and flagger instructions.

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(Ashland)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested a north Natchitoches Parish man in connection with a weekend shooting in Ashland according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Saturday afternoon, June 4, 2022 at approximately 5:35pm, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports from the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office of a shooting victim being treated at Christus Coushatta Health Care Center in Coushatta, La.

 Deputies arrived at the hospital and learned that a 35-year-old Bienville Parish man was being treated for a gunshot wound to the lower leg area.

Deputies say while interviewing the victim and a witness, they learned that the victim and female companion were involved in a verbal altercation at the residence of Charles “Cowboy” Cloud, located in the 800 block of La. Hwy 153 in Ashland, La.

The verbal altercation apparently took place while the victim, companion and Cloud were allegedly all outside of the residence.

During the altercation, Cloud reportedly entered his residence armed himself with a small caliber handgun returned outside and fired several rounds striking the victim in the lower leg.

The victim was transported from the scene by private vehicle to Christus Coushatta Health.

Deputies continued the investigative process, interviewed the victim, the witness and gathered information for an offense report in connection with the shooting.

As the investigation progressed, detectives obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause to secure criminal arrest warrants for the arrest of Charles Cloud signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge.

At approximately 10:03pm, deputies arrested Cloud at his residence without incident.

Charles David “Cowboy” Cloud, 68, of Ashland was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Aggravated 2nd Degree Battery, and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.

Cloud remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center with bond set at $75,000 by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge.

Deputies C. Crow and T. Stewart made the arrest.

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EUGENE, Ore. – Djimon Gumbs watched his third shot put throw sail through the Indiana air with the mark 63-0.75 flashing in seconds at the NCAA East Preliminaries two weeks ago.
He pointed to himself and held up a two. He pointed to his coach Mike Heimerman, playfully holding up a three.

Gumbs had punched his ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships with that throw, but he also passed his coach on the NSU program record list, becoming the second-best thrower in school history.

“Djimon had one main goal all year, and that was to make me the third-best (shot put) thrower in school history, and he did it,” Heimerman said with a smile. “I didn’t want to say it a whole lot this season, but he knew.

“He’s accomplished a lot things he set out to do – win individual conference titles, make regionals and now nationals. He’s put up marks that I had set for him as career goals, and he’s done it in his first year here.”

Gumbs is the first NSU male thrower to qualify for two events at the NCAA Championships in program history.

The sophomore will compete in the shot put Wednesday at 8:40 p.m. and in the discus Friday at 7:35 p.m.

He qualified for nationals on his final throw in both attempts, tossing a personal record 63-0.75 in the shot put and adding a 183-5 in the discus to advance out of the East regional.

“I had a lot of confidence going into regionals coming off of (the Southland Conference Championships) – everything is a stepping stone,” Gumbs said. “On my last throws, I had to mentally lock in because those guys were coming to throw, and I had to step my game up.

“I knew it would take a personal record (in the shot put) to advance, but I just locked in, and everything clicked.”

Gumbs is still aiming for NSU’s shot put record (65-8.75 set by John Campbell in 1982), but his name already sits atop the discus charts with his 193-3 at the NSU Leon Johnson Invitational.

Djimon Gumbs enters the national meet ranked 19th in the shot put and 18th in discus based on regional marks in the 24-thrower national field.

Gumbs is one of only two throwers at nationals who will compete in multiple events, joining Arizona State’s Turner Washington.

He’s also the first British Virgin Islands native to compete as a thrower at the NCAA Championships.

“It means a lot to have that distinction, and it means my hard work is paying off,” Djimon Gumbs said. “Hats off to Coach Mike because he doesn’t like to take credit for anything, so I have to give him his credit.

“He took me from zero to where I am. Hats off to my teammates, who are a great group of guys and girls that push me to be the best version of myself. My twin Diamante has a lot to do with it, and he motivates me. He was right there when I threw both of my personal records, and it’s a great to have a brother by my side.”

Gumbs did have his brother at his side when he won gold in the discus and shot put at the SLC Championships.

Diamante Gumbs took silver in both shot and discus while teammate Tarajh Hudson allowed NSU to sweep the discus podium with a bronze. All three topped NSU’s previous discus record of 180-8.

Djimon Gumbs could barely walk as he clutched his medals and Male MVP trophy for scoring a meet-high 24 points, nursing a groin injury at the May 8 meet.

But Gumbs can throw, and as long as he can throw, nobody in purple is counting him out.

“I’m still not 100 percent, but I’m riding off of confidence,” Gumbs said. “It’s what I did at regionals, and it’s what I’m going to do at nationals.

“I didn’t have any change in what I was feeling at regionals – I just decided to go for it. I didn’t have any pain, but if I do experience any, I’ll just block it out at nationals and go for it.”

Heimerman attributes Gumbs’ mental fortitude to his positive attitude, and he thinks Gumbs still has some feet left to find in both the discus and shot put that could mean All-American status at nationals.

“The mind is the strongest muscle in the body, and with the positive energy he exudes, his mind is telling his body that he’s ok,” Heimerman said. “He’s not quite 100 percent, but it’s go time and he tells his body to make it happen.

“He was telling me at regionals that this is it, could be his last meet of the season, so he’s going to make it happen. Everybody has some type of bang up at this point of this season, but he’s going to out there and mix it up. He can throw a little bit further, which is amazing because he’s still not hitting everything at 100 percent.”

The top eight finishers in each event earn First-Team All-American status while the next eight receive second-team honors.

NSU’s last All-Americans came in 2019 as Jasmyn Steels (silver long jump) and Reagan Darbonne (14th pole vault).

The last NSU male All-Americans occurred in 2018 as the men’s 4×100 relay reached the finals and finished seventh.

The last male thrower to earn that status? Javeliner Cody Fillinich, a four-time All-American who earned his final nod in 2009.

Photo: Tyler Wooten/Ole Miss Athletics

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The Village of Goldonna has announced a special called meeting that will take place on Friday, June 10th at 6:00 pm. The agenda items will include the cell phone tower and broadband services. Mr. Hopkins will be joining the meeting via Zoom and will be able to answer any questions regarding placement of the cell tower as well as integrating of broadband to residential. You may contact Mayor, Jennifer Smith to submit questions in advance to be sure they are addressed.

There will be a Co-ED Softball Tournament on June 25, 2022 at Parc Natchitoches to benefit Jamie Roberts who is battling Stage 3 Lymphoma. The cost is $20 per person or $200 for a team. The tournament is guaranteeing two games. For more information or to register a team please contact Wade Strother at 318-465-0306.

River of Life Church will be hosting their First Annual Morning of Hope Ladies Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, July 9, 2022. The speaker for the morning will be Mrs. Sondra Walker from Atlanta Baptist Church. A coffee bar will be open at 8:30 and the program will begin at 9:00. For more information, please contact Reba Phelps at 318-332-7077.

Goldonna Assembly of God is offering Tuesday night Bible Study in a relaxed atmosphere at their fellowship hall. It begins at 6:00pm and includes coffee. Wednesday night Bible Study is in the sanctuary and also begins at 6:00pm and also youth services. Personal prayer services are on Thursday night from 7:00 until 8:00pm. Of course, do not forget about Sunday morning services that start at 10:00, nursery provided and Sunday night services that start at 5:00pm. Pastors Timmy and Pam Harris welcome everyone.

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

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What if poets had been in a hurry to go eat? Or make a tee time? Or pick up a sick kid from elementary school? How might their verse have been worse?

Whose woods these are I think I know
His house is in the village though
He will not mind me stopping by
If I bring whiskey, and the money I owe.
He might just want to drink hot joe!
(I sure could use a biscuit, bro.)

•  

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, I turned around and went on home.
I’ve never been good at making decisions.
I don’t think.
But I could be wrong.

•  

Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn,
Was almost named Scorn Jr.

•  

Take me out to the ballgame
Take me out to the crowd
On second thought, I’m already here
And it’s the seventh inning.
So never mind.

•  

Out out brief candle!
Curse against the dying of the light!
Do not go quietly into that good night.
Curse the dying of th…
Wait!, and Hark!, even.
I just need to replace the batteries;
For a second there I thought I was dying! –
Joke’s on me!

•  

Roses are …

•  

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love’s day;
But the sale at Belk
Ends Thursday
So we really should hurry.
Grab your keys and the checkbook.

•  

Come live with me and be my love
And we will all the pleasures prove
Or I could come and live with you
If you will only help me move.
Do you own a truck?

•  

Teacher’s lament:
To B, or not to B.
That is the question,
Since he really made a C.

•  

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
Suddenly there came a growling, from the pit of my embowling
And it sent me quickly howling toward the ’frigerator door.
“Just a sandwich, nothing more.”
But I caved, went to the store,
And ate Blue Bell — evermore.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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It will only take as little as a couple of minutes today or tonight for a prospective college student to get in position to receive a $3,000 scholarship.

Students who aren’t sure where they’ll go to college this fall have until midnight tonight to apply for the Journal Services NSU Scholarships, which will award three new Northwestern State University students up to $3,000 in the next school year.

A link to a simple online application form is available at the bottom of this story.

The scholarships are designed to assist Class of 2022 high school students who haven’t settled on a college choice, as well as students currently enrolled at other higher-education institutions who are considering transferring to NSU in Natchitoches.

They are being provided by Journal Services, LLC, based in Natchitoches, which supports 12 locally-owned journals covering north central and northwest Louisiana.

Applicants are asked to provide their high school GPA (and college GPA if applicable), and also, report their ACT score along with listing honors, extracurricular activities and other relevant information on the form. That information will provide a basis for selecting the three winners.

Scholarship winners must live in Natchitoches Parish during the upcoming school year. They are also required to have in-person, face-to-face instruction for 75 percent of their classes in 2022-23.

Students who have already accepted financial aid awards from Northwestern are not eligible to apply.

APPLICATION: To Apply – Click Here

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Join me and a National Social Security Advisor, Monday, June 13th, 2022, at 6 pm CDT as we review Social Security tax ramifications, optimum time to begin receiving Social Security, penalties for early draw of benefits, smart strategies for navigating a volatile stock market, intelligent tax exit planning for hard-earned retirement savings. This event will cover HITTS concerns. The four largest financial erosion factors during your retirement.

The workshop will be held virtually via Zoom. Listen in from the comfort of your home. Register at my website; https://www.reinettefoster.com you there!

Contact Reinette today!

rfoster@reinettefoster.com
318-481-6539
www.ReinetteFoster.com

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A Community Giveaway to benefit those in need will be held on Saturday, June 18 from 8 am – until at the Natchitoches Skating Rink parking lot, located at 1100 Keyser Avenue. There will be free clothing, shoes, toys, household items and more. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks will be provided FREE. There will also be pop up shops and vendors available for browsing. This event is being presented by Mission of Love Ministries and Now Faith Endeavors LLC.

If anyone would like to make donations contact Pam Williams Rushing at 318-609-2352 or Annette Triggs at 318-652-0603.

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By Brad Dison

In 1936, 29-year-old James “Driftwood” Morris began his career as a teacher and struggled to connect with his students, especially on the subject of history. He used every technique he had learned while earning his teaching degree at Arkansas State Teachers College, but he was unable to keep his students interested. At first, he tried to teach them historical facts, the who, what, when, where, and whys, but he failed to hold their attention. He added pictures and drawings into his lessons, but their level of interest failed to improve. He tried having them take turns reading from the text book but had no better result. Driftwood was determined to find a way to get his students to enjoy history, he just had to find something that worked.

Driftwood came from a musical family. In the era before electricity was available in the Ozark mountains, Driftwood and his family entertained themselves in a traditional manner that went back several generations – with music. Musical instruments were too expensive for Driftwood’s family to purchase. They worked hard to live off of the land and rarely had any spending money. What little money they had went toward the necessities of life that they could not grow on their farm. Through trial and error, Driftwood’s family built their own crude but functional musical instruments. As soon as the day’s work was done, Driftwood’s family gathered their homemade musical instruments and had an impromptu “pickin’ and grinnin’” session. They made up folk songs about things they knew firsthand such as farming, family, religion, and the promise of better days ahead. As long as he could remember, Driftwood looked forward to these musical respites, the family’s only real source of entertainment.

One day, following another disappointing attempt to teach his uninterested sixth-grade class a history lesson, Driftwood had an epiphany. The songs his family sang were little more than stories about their own life experiences. He decided to try to see if his class would respond to his history lessons if they were set to music. That evening, Driftwood took down his handmade instrument which somewhat resembled a guitar and wrote a simple song about the following day’s history lesson. He played and sang it for his class. To his surprise, the whole class, even the students who never paid attention to anything he said regardless of the subject, were absolutely captivated. They asked him to play it again, and he was only too happy to oblige. Pretty soon, they joined in and sang the song with him. They were enjoying it so much that Driftwood had a difficult time transitioning to the other subjects they had to cover. That evening, Driftwood wrote his upcoming history lesson into another song. As with his first teaching song, this one also included the names, dates, historical significance, and other details that the children needed to learn. When Driftwood brought out his homemade guitar, he noticed that he already had the attention of everyone in class. By the end of the lesson, all of the students had joined in on the song. The subject the children had dreaded most of all had now become the one they most looked forward to. For nearly two decades, Driftwood taught history in this way to eager and receptive students.

In the mid-1950s, Porter Wagoner and Don Warden, Porter’s manager and steel guitar player, formed a publishing company while working on the “Ozark Jubilee” network television show. Initially formed to promote Porter Wagoner’s songs, they eventually decided to expand the company to include other songwriters. Through friends, Warden heard about the unique way Driftwood used songs to teach history. He wanted to hear Driftwood’s songs for himself to determine their marketability. Warden learned that Driftwood was teaching in the small town of Timbo, Arkansas. Warden was unable to find a telephone number for Driftwood because Driftwood had never owned a telephone. Warden was unable to locate an address for Driftwood so he sent a letter in care of general delivery to Driftwood. Within a few days, Warden received a response. After learning that Driftwood had no equipment available to him to record his songs, Warden and Driftwood decided to meet in Nashville over the next school holiday.

During their meeting, Driftwood played Warden a variety of the songs he had written. Unlike his students who were spellbound by his songs, Warden was unimpressed. He was unable to find a song that he thought was marketable until Driftwood began singing a song about the War of 1812. Upon hearing this song, Warden decided to try to get Driftwood’s songs recorded. Chet Atkins, then president of RCA Victor, was also concerned about the marketability of Driftwood’s songs but agreed to record 12 of Driftwood’s songs, including the one about the War of 1812. Just as they had feared, radio stations were reluctant to play any of the songs. Radio stations which agreed to play his songs only did so in the middle of the night when few people were listening. All the while, Driftwood kept on teaching eager students.

Late one night in early 1959, an up-and-coming singer was tuning to different a.m. radio stations while driving home from a performance when he heard Driftwood’s song about the War of 1812. The singer was desperate for a hit song. His highest charting record at the time had reached number seven on the charts, but that was three years prior. If he was unable to produce a hit song soon, he was sure that his career would fizzle out. The singer made arrangements, recorded the song, and released it in April of 1959. It was an instant hit. His version of Driftwood’s song became what we now call a crossover hit because it reached number one on the country charts as well as number one on the pop charts. It became the singer’s signature song.

Driftwood’s song told the true story of the last battle of the War of 1812. It began, “In 1814, we took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.” This song became the signature song for rockabilly singer Johnny Horton. Jimmy “Driftwood” Morris’s most famous song was titled, “The Battle of New Orleans.”

Sources:
1. Chicago Tribune, July 13, 1998, p.74.
2. Baxter Bulletin (Mountain Home, Arkansas), July 25, 1998, p.5.

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The Founder and Owner of J.T. Meleck Distillers Mike Frugewas the guest speaker at the June 7 Rotary luncheon. He is a fourth-generation rice farmer who in addition to rice and crawfish farming has created rice whiskey and rice vodka. Pictured from left are Rotary President Tommy Caldwell, Fruge, Head of Marketing and Operations Mia Albaugh, and Rotarian with the Program Josh Manual (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

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NATCHITOCHES:
Connie Boswell Whitford
May 13, 1942 – June 3, 2022
Service: Friday, June 10, 2022 at Memory Lawn Cemetery

Glynn Masters
November 11, 1947 – June 2, 2022
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Rowena Jo Evans
February 21, 1936 – May 28, 2022
Service: Wednesday, June 8 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) invites you to take part in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend is an opportunity for residents and visitors to fish Louisiana waters without an otherwise required fishing license.

“Each year, we designate a weekend of free fishing as an incentive for families and friends to enjoy our beautiful Sportsman’s Paradise,” explained LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “Bring a neighbor, a friend, or a family member and let them experience the great fishing Louisiana has to offer.”

While a fishing license is not required, all fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions will remain in effect during Free Fishing Weekend.

For an added bonus, LDWF has stocked adult-sized catfish at 17 ponds across the state as part of the Get Out and Fish! Program. No boat? No problem! 

In addition, a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) is still needed during Free Fishing weekend when possessing tunas, snappers, groupers, amberjacks, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphin fish, billfish, gray triggerfish, and swordfish. When registering for an ROLP, anglers should choose the “Free Fishing Weekend” option when asked for their license type. Registering for an ROLP in this manner does not require a fishing license number, and the ROLP will be valid Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12.

To register for an ROLP, please go to https://ldwf.wlf.la.gov/rolp/login.

LDWF reminds the public that anytime outside of Free Fishing Weekend, anglers 18 and older must possess a Louisiana fishing license when fishing in any Louisiana public waters. Anyone who decides to continue fishing for the remainder of the year is invited to purchase a state fishing license at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/.

By purchasing a fishing license, you also help provide funding for public fishing and boating access, fishing programs and education, and fisheries management through the Sport Fish Restoration Fund.

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Natchitoches Parish Fire District 7 responded to a barn and house fire on Hwy. 487 out from Marthaville. Multiple units responded.

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