For the past 4 years, our gas prices dropped dramatically and stayed around the $2.00 mark. But with the Democrats taking charge of the White House and Covid-19 making its presence felt, gas is once again soaring. At the time of writing this article, gas was at $2.99 and rising. This has a huge impact on tournament anglers, especially the weekend warriors and those who compete in local and area wide tournaments for the love of the sport. Today, we’ll talk about what 2022 might be like in terms of bass tournaments and how anglers will be affected.

Let’s first start with boats and the demand for parts. It has been, and could continue to be, a problem for boat owners to get parts needed to keep their boat engines running. If you own a bass boat, it’s just a matter of time before you’ll need engine repairs. Getting the parts, like powerheads, filters, or water pumps, has been a real issue ever since Covid hit a year ago last February. Since many parts come from overseas, the back log of the supply chain has also had a ripple effect into boat manufacturing facilities. Without parts, some boat factories have had to cut production in half or even completely shut down. When parts do arrive on American shores, getting the parts off-loaded is a whole other issue. Then to top it off, there are not enough truckers to get the parts to the marine dealers.

The next issue is the increase in pricing for both new and used boats. It’s all about supply and demand. When the demand is higher than the supply chain, boat dealers can and will increase their prices as well. The other side of the coin is that, if anglers continue to buy these high-priced boats, dealers will continue to raise the prices. As for the boat manufacturers, they have had to increase prices because the cost of materials continues to skyrocket. Furthermore, after a boat has been built, there is a major challenge to get a new outboard motor to put on the boat. Dealers will tell you that you’re probably looking at 6 months before they will see a new motor. The brand of engine does not matter at this stage of the game. Some guys who have always run a certain brand like Mercury or Yamaha, are now taking whatever, they can get.

Last, but not least, tackle! Companies like Strike King, V&M and Berkley are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for products like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or jigs. This is mainly due to the lack of hardware needed to produce these types of baits. Hooks, swivels, wire, and plastic are just a few of the thing’s manufacturers are having trouble getting their hands on. For months, retailers have been out of stock and are doing their best to keep up with the demand. But as fast as manufacturers can get it to the dealer, customers are grabbing them up, and in some cases, one customer will buy every bait on the peg just because he does not know if or when they’ll be restocked. It’s created a type of panic mode similar to the ammunition demand.

So, if you’re an angler, try and exercise a little patience as manufacturers push to get caught up. But don’t expect to see any relief anytime soon as this could go all the way into 2023. Nothing will change until the supply chain gets back to a normal mode. Tune into the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show on AM 1130 The Tiger KWKH, every Wednesday at 11:00 and Saturday mornings at 6:00 for the latest outdoor news. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook.

Steve Graf

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The Natchitoches Virtual Academy will begin taking applications for Spring 2022 Enrollment on Monday, November 15, 2021. Students in grades K-12 who meet NVA’s application criteria are eligible to apply.

The application can be found on the school’s website at https://npsb.la/natchitoches-virtual-academy.

The application will open at 8:00 AM on Monday, Nov. 15 and will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, Nov. 19. The guidelines for Spring 2022 admissions into the Natchitoches Virtual Academy are as follows:

Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher for admissions into this program. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher while in the program.
Parents must have and maintain reliable internet services throughout the duration of the program (a minimum bandwidth of 3 Mbps per virtual student).

Parents must provide the following documents at the time of the application process:

Proof of reliable internet services (this may be the most current bill or a letter from the internet service provider – please send the part of the bill that shows the bandwidth of services provided and the date of the bill).
Student’s most recent official flex card (grades K-2) or report card (grades 3-12).

Parents may either upload the required documents listed above in the application form OR email the documents to virtualacademy@npsb.la.

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on Friday, Nov. 19. Applications with missing documentation will be discarded after 11:59 pm on Friday, Nov. 19.

Parents will receive emailed correspondence to the email provided in the application. If you have any questions regarding the Spring 2022 enrollment criteria or process, please contact us by phone at (318)238-1193.

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The Lakeview FFA Chapter has been able to continue a beautification project in the Town of Campti after being awarded the FFA Day of Service Mini Grant from the National FFA Organization for the second time. The project’s original goals were to be able to complete 5 beautification projects throughout the town, we currently have been able to complete 7. Students were able to construct wooden planter boxes in their Agriculture class to be used for the project. Students also chose the selection of plants used from Natural Springs Nursery based on light requirements for their chosen locations. The following FFA members were involved with the project: Trinity Hayes, Naeer Barker, Faith Morris, CJ Brown, Katie Bedgood, and Adrian Davis.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Margie Ann Monette LaCour
December 26, 1940 – November 09, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville

Pamela Brown Nobles
September 14, 1951 – November 06, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Walnut Ridge Baptist Cemetery

LaVerne Middleton
June 15, 1932 – November 04, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Belva Jean (Lauw) Welch
July 02, 1951 – October 28, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

SABINE:
George Everett Miles
March 9, 1931 – November 10, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

Scott Allen Ray
February 2, 1967 – November 10, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at San Patricio Baptist Church

WINN:
Linda Kay Vines Harris
September 06, 1954 – November 06, 2021

RED RIVER:
Lucille LaCaze Rachall
April 07, 1926 – November 07, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

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World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:

Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and

Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation, which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Source: va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

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By Willie M. Calhoun
MSG, USAR, Retired Combat Related Disabled Vietnam Veteran, USMC

On Veterans Day 2021, we will honor, commemorate, and celebrate all American military Veterans of all wars. This year Veterans Day falls on Thursday, November 11, 2021. This means the Federal Government will observe the holiday on Thursday, November 11, 2021. If November 11 would have fallen on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government would have observed the holiday on the previous Friday or the following Monday respectively. More importantly, the Federal Government can only designate and celebrate holidays for federal employees and the District of Columbia (Washington, DC). In America there are no “National Holidays.” States retain many cherished constitutional rights. One of these rights is to designate and celebrate their own holidays. An example of States asserting their rights is important in the development of the Veterans Day story.

Before Monday October 25, 1971, Veterans Day was observed by the federal Government on November 11 regardless of the day of the week the holiday fell upon. During 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The aim of the Act was to ensure Federal employees a three -day weekend for all Federal Holidays. Three Federal holidays were to fall on Mondays (Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day). Additionally, Columbus Day was to become a federal Holiday and it too were to fall on Mondays. Supporters of the Act felt it would give federal employees and possibly state and other employees an extra paid holiday. Opponents of the Bill, which included military organizations, were concerned of the Act’s effects on the true meaning of America’s two military holidays-Veterans Day and Memorial Day. There was also opposition from religious leaders who voiced concerns of a possible reduction in Sunday School attendance. Nevertheless, the act became law with little opposition.

Soon after the Uniform Holiday Bill became law in 1971 several U. S. lawmakers began a sober assessment of the new law’s impact on America and how we observe our military holidays. U.S. Senator of South Carolina, Storm Thurmond is quoted as saying “While the rationale behind such a law may have been admirable to provide a three- day holiday, the results diminished patriotism and history”. Another U. S. Senator William Scott from Virginia expressed his dismay at the new law by saying “if we are only interested in having three-day weekends, we might as well have federal holiday number one, and so forth, if they really have no significance”.

Military organizations immediately begin supporting a return of military holidays to their original observation dates (Veterans Day November 11 and Memorial Day May 30). U. S. Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii was deeply disappointed by the new law. He expressed his disappointment by reintroducing legislation returning Memorial Day to its original observance date of May 30. At the start of every Congressional term, the Senator introduced this legislation for 20 years until his death in 2012. Senator Inouye was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in combat during World War II.

The Uniform Monday Holiday law was to take effect in 1971. Under the new law Veterans day was to be observed on Monday October 25, 1971. On that day many states refused to observe the new Veterans Day and continued to observe the original Veterans Day of November 11. Needless to say this situation created a fair amount of confusion. This standoff between some states and the Federal Government continued until 1975. In that year a frustrated U. S. President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law returning the observance date of Veterans Day to November 11 starting in 1978. President Ford was equally aware of the historical significance of the actual date of 11 November as he was of the popularity of the three- day weekend. Therefore, a diplomatic sentence was incorporated into the law–“If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Federal Government will observe the holiday on the previous Friday or the following Monday respectively”.

Readers may question how America came to associate the solemnity of Veterans Day with fun and festivities of a three- day weekend. Also, there seems to be a stark contrast between solemn commemorations held on Memorial Day and the jovial atmosphere of a three -day weekend. Jennifer Mittelstadt, History Professor at Rutgers University, explains “It has everything to do with commerce in the United States”. The Professor adds “Travel organizations had been pushing for a three-day weekend like this since the 1950’s and finally got employee’s unions on board and the Federal employees union on board because there was a fair amount of agreement that it’d be good for business”. Another History Professor, Matthew Dennis at the University of Oregon states, “This loss of memory and shift into recreation and leisure is a trend in American history”. He also suggested a Link between the low levels of patriotism at that time in America to the Vietnam war.

There are several reasons the actual date of 11 November is significant and memorable to those of my generation. As children, we learned World War 1 ended at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, on the 11th month. I also remember my grandfather lamenting the name change from Armistice Day to Veterans day in 1954. He and other World 1 veterans felt changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day might belittle their sacrifice during that war. In fact, the name change was to recognize the sacrifices of all American veterans of all wars. He continued to refer to 11 November as “Armistice Day”. I didn’t dare attempt to correct him. Though I don’t recall how he felt about changing the observation date of his revered “Armistice Day” (November 11) to Monday October 25 in 1971, I’m sure he was upset. As it turned out, America too was upset at the change of the observance date of Veterans Day.

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By Reba Phelps

While my family is known to be open and honest about every minor detail there were still some things we never discussed while we were coming up. Some things were just never questioned. We knew our family history. But, reflecting back I cannot distinguish if we were too busy being children and cramming as much fun and foolishness as we could into our daily routine or did we have a gut feeling that told us not to go there. Whatever the case we never ever asked my father about his experience while he served during the Vietnam War.

While my father was a proud member of the United States Navy and a Veteran of the Vietnam War he absolutely never spoke of it.

He was a very quiet Veteran. He had all of the memorabilia. He had the military id card, He had the yearbook with all of his peer’s photos. He had the basic stories of where he was stationed and how long he stayed on the ship. He could go through the yearbook and pick out his closest friends. My dad even had jokes about his military stay. When he was in a bad mood or feeling impatient he would say, “my agent orange is acting up today.” We always laughed. He talked about how pretty San Diego was while he was stationed there and traveling to Hawaii.

We were in the comfort zone just knowing what we knew and didn’t bother to delve deeper into his military actions until my oldest daughter decided she needed more details and my lack of knowledge of the subject matter was completely unacceptable.

One weekend we decided to meet for lunch and this particular family lunch originated like many others. A few text messages were exchanged with family to see if anyone had lunch plans. A few more text messages debating the cuisine and location of our lunch. Once this was settled our clan descended upon a local restaurant in Natchitoches.

Once we were settled in we ordered drinks and appetizers. Shortly after we exchanged a few pleasantries my daughter dropped a Texas size bomb and brought the whole table (and half the restaurant) to a screeching halt. She said, “So Pappaw, how many people did you have to kill while you were in Vietnam?”

The silence was deafening. You could have heard a pin drop. It seemed as though the tables around us paused and the waitresses stopped to see what happened. Our whole table, including my new stepmom, stopped visiting and looked at me. Being the child’s parent I was about to plunge into rescue and education mode. I planned on apologizing for her outburst and discussing the proper etiquette of addressing a Veteran and their memoirs.

Before I could properly educate Meredith, my father replied, “It was so many I couldn’t keep up with it.”

Obviously he was being humorous but after he broke the ice and the restaurant resumed their “pre-bomb” activities he was like a fountain overflowing. He began by telling us about the recruiting process and how he was not sure they would accept him because of him losing most of the sight in his right eye due to an infection as a child. When he initially enlisted he thought he would be home every other weekend like many of the men in his town. He was totally unaware that these men just worked at Fort Polk and had uniforms. Growing up he also had many role models who joined the military. Every single one of his brothers served in a branch. He went into great detail about the communication ship he was assigned to and how he had to sleep with his leg wrapped around the chains that anchored the beds to the wall because when they hit large waves they would fall out of the bed onto the steel floor. He also told us when he arrived in Vietnam they were nearing a shore where a battle was taking place and he could feel the gunshot vibrations on the ship and a jet flew over them that had been struck and he still remembers what the heat felt like from that moment.

He shared that his deployment was for Westpac and Vietnam.

While we hung on every word that was finally coming forth from the silent man we lived with, our hearts were broken for him when he explained that when he and the others returned home there was no hero’s welcome. They were treated so poorly when they returned and were mostly met with protesters and very few family members. He did go on to share that it touches his soul to see our Troops being so loved and welcomed when they come home. He can rarely watch it on TV without shedding a tear.

With the help of Meredith who broke the ice with her seemingly inappropriate question it has opened the door for many conversations with my father that included the name of the two ships he traveled on and many other details that make up the beauty and history of his time serving in the United States Navy. Recently I was able to locate the information on the two ships and share that with him. It brought back a multitude of memories and I think just enough time has passed where he can truly reflect on his experience and appreciate that God spared his life during that time and enabled him to come back home to continue the journey that created a whole family.

My father’s birthday is May 30th and it always falls around Memorial Day. Every birthday that rolls around for him is a complete blessing and a reminder of the military men and women who so willingly gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have.

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; My Lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me”

Psalm 144:1-2

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Tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 12) is the last day to submit votes by mail for Saturday’s election.

Saturday, November 13 is the election, and there are four Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, two of which are important to tax payers.

If you didn’t make it in to cast your vote, locate your polling place and cast your vote between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday.

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TULSA, Okla. – Two of Kendal Coleman’s career-high 22 points handed Northwestern State a lead with four minutes remaining Wednesday, but just as Tulsa had done all night, the Golden Hurricane found the answer.

Tulsa staved off the NSU upset bid, fending off a furious Demon comeback attempt late in an 82-75 win.

Coleman’s 10 points in the final 7:46 kept NSU alive as he finished 10-of-15 from the field and added six rebounds and two blocks. The performance came on the heels of the freshman posting a then-career high on Tuesday with 19 points against Oklahoma.

“We competed really hard, even though at times we felt down about ourselves in some bad stretches,” Coleman said. “I’m making sure I get to my spot, taking smart shots and not take any bad shots.

“We hit the boards and got some offensive putbacks.”

Sophomore guard Cedric Garrett embodied the drastic improvement in NSU’s perimeter play from the opener against Oklahoma.

Garrett scored a career-high 18 points including four 3-pointers. NSU shot 10-of-27 from deep after just making 3-of-17 at OU.

The Murray State College transfer buried his final three to cut Tulsa’s lead to 78-75 with 14 seconds remaining.

“This is just our second game playing all together, so once we get that bond and flow going, it’s going to be a good season for us,” Garrett said. “We have to stay confident offensively, take the next-play mentality and believe in ourselves.

“We played with heart tonight, and we have to keep doing that on the defensive end.”

But the Hurricane made clutch shots of their own, seemingly every time NSU surged.

Tulsa’s Jeriah Horne led all scorers with 28 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including making all eight free throws. Two of those came with 12 seconds left to end NSU’s final push. Tulsa outscored NSU 18-5 from the free-throw line.

After NSU’s final lead, Tulsa retook the lead for good with a Sam Griffin 3-pointer (69-68) with 3:59 remaining, then quieted NSU’s momentum again when Coleman had a thunderous slam to cut Tulsa’s lead to 71-70. Griffin ended with 17 points.

Keyshawn Embery-Simpson collected a second-chance 3-pointer to stretch the lead to four points (2:01 left) as NSU never got closer than two again.

“We didn’t shut it down when Tulsa got up by 11, and we cut it down and actually took the lead,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “Tulsa coach Frank Haith does the best job of running their stuff of anybody in the country, but we competed defensively.

“We created some problems for them in the second half because of the way we guarded after they torched us in the first half. It was a great effort, and I felt like the team and the bench was locked in. We’ve got to execute every game like we executed down the stretch tonight.”

The Hurricane stretched its lead to 11 points twice in the second half, but junior guard Brian White had a hand in clawing the Demons back.

At the end of a five-minute Tulsa scoring drought, White connected on consecutive floaters at the end of the shot clock, the second of which tied the game at 65-65. It was part of an 11-0 run.

White scored 10 points and added four assists, joined by LaTerrance Reed and Jalen King with four assists each. King scored a career-high eight points himself as well.

In the first half, NSU led by as much as seven points early (21-14) with a combined 11 points from Coleman and King.

But Tulsa ripped off a 19-3 run over six minutes. Horne scored nine of his 17 first-half points during that run as Tulsa led by as many as nine (33-24).

The Demons awoke from their offensive slumber, making five of their last eight 3-point attempts and finished the half with eight 3-pointers.

Garrett made all three of his treys in that stretch, shooting 3-of-4 to lead NSU with 11 points in the first half.

The Demons are just one season removed from an 82-55 loss at Tulsa in 2020-21.

NSU is one of five Division I teams this season to play on the first two nights of the season, and just one of two teams to play road games in different cities. North Florida is the other, opening at Texas Tech before heading to Texas A&M.

The Demons return to Natchitoches on Saturday to open their home season against Champion Christian at 7:30 p.m.

Photo: Erik Williams/Southland Conference

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The American Pickers are excited to return to Louisiana! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout the area in February 2022. 

AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them. 

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. 

American Pickers continues to take the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC. Nevertheless, they are excited to continue reaching the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking and are eager to hear their memorable stories! 

The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: 

americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST.

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NATCHITOCHES – Ryan Hall looked around the Keyser Bricks on Wednesday morning and took in his first Northwestern State Thank A Donor Day.

He watched student-athletes from various sports composing hand-written notes of gratitude to send to Demon fans who have given their time and money to the NSU Athletic Department, and it brought a smile to the assistant athletic director for development’s face.

“It’s huge, especially in a town like Natchitoches where purple pride runs so deep,” Hall said. “It’s a great way to take a few minutes to show what a great community we have on both ends – from the student-athletes on one end to the community and the people who support it. Any time you can bridge that gap and show how appreciative they are of each other, it makes it that much more special and makes NSU athletics what it is.”

The annual Thank A Donor Day event is produced through a partnership between the NSU Foundation and the Demons Unlimited Foundation, the fund-raising arms of Northwestern State Athletics.

The 2021-22 athletic calendar has marked a return to a bit of normalcy for Northwestern State student-athletes after two years of competition that were shrunken or canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You’re grateful, no matter what, just for everything for the donors do for you,” said sophomore baseball pitcher Alex Makarewich, who participated in his second Thank A Donor Day. “Just seeing where all these donations go, it makes you even more grateful for what they do for us.”

While most current NSU student-athletes have grown up in a world dominated by mobile devices, the decidedly old-school notion of sitting down and taking time to hand write a thank you card appealed to those who participated in the daylong event on campus.

“We don’t always have the opportunity to say thank you in person, because we are usually busy with games or practice,” sophomore volleyball outside hitter Breanna Burrell said. “To be able to reach out and write a letter means the world. We get to say thank you, even if it’s not in person. You have to take the time and energy to write something out, and that means something.”

While Makarewich and Burrell have become virtual veterans of Thank A Donor Days, Wednesday’s event was the first for numerous NSU student-athletes.

Despite their standing as first-timers, the importance of the day – and the sense of camaraderie it fosters — was not lost on them.

“It’s really nice to be able to thank the donors who do so much for us and allow us to focus on school and our sports – and make it all possible for us to do both,” said freshman women’s basketball guard Josie Fleischmann. “It means a lot to get together with the other sports and let the donors know how much they mean to us and how we appreciate what they make possible.”

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NATCHITOCHES:
Pamela Brown Nobles
September 14, 1951 – November 06, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Walnut Ridge Baptist Cemetery

Joyce Norrgard Burkhalter
June 25, 1928 – November 04, 2021
Service: Thursday, November 11 at 1 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church

LaVerne Middleton
June 15, 1932 – November 04, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Belva Jean (Lauw) Welch
July 02, 1951 – October 28, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

WINN:
Clifton Martin Bernard, IV
April 21, 1978 – July 27, 2021
Service: Friday, November 12 at 10 am at the Olla Cemetery

James “Rickie” Kelley
January 05, 1945 – November 06, 2021
Service: Thursday, November 11 at 10 am at Antioch Community Church

RED RIVER:
Toni Lynn Cole
March 13, 1971 – November 09, 2021
Service: Thursday, November 11 at 1 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Lucille LaCaze Rachall
April 07, 1926 – November 07, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

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From its opening in 1974 until the late-1980’s recession, Louisiana Downs in Bossier City was an excessively loud and glorious dream of colors and sounds, impossibly attractive animals and tell-tale silks, screams and yells and excruciating moans, bulging neck veins in both patrons and ponies, a sea of torn hopes and tickets, and the ring of the cashiers’ “cha-ching!”, that deeply longed-for sound of a winner, winner, chicken dinner.

A mixture of thoroughbred prancing and pooping and people the likes of which you’ve never seen.

It was A Thing back then, Louisiana Downs, the new kid on the area’s racing block. A shiny, fresh-off-the-shelf toy. It’s where dreams lived and died — and often, it didn’t take long for either.

For those of us who found ourselves for whatever reasons hanging around the track back in its glory days, the news that Harrah’s Louisiana Downs horse racetrack and casino has been sold to Rubico Gaming for $22 million — a deal that’s been in the works for more than a year — made the memories come racing back. Not that some of us (me) knew anything about horse racing. The novelty and fascination was because of just the opposite: we’d never experienced, seen, smelled, or stepped in anything quite like it.

“We are prepared to bring this iconic track back to its iconic status,” Rubico President Kevin Preston said as the sale neared completion.

Harrah’s and Caesars Entertainment admitted to little interest in racing. Rubico feels differently, and the transition back to an updated casino — and track — is underway.

Which means that maybe we can go home again. At least for a visit.

During its heyday in the early 1980s, as many as 1.3 million fans attended the track over the racing season. Hard to imagine that scene today if you didn’t experience it then.

“As a senior in high school, everyone (principals, teachers, coaches) sent me to the track from Ruston to bet the daily double,” said my friend Hilly, and I was close enough to the situation to testify that this activity extended past Ruston High and into our shared time at Louisiana Tech. “You’d almost have to park on I-20. I hope for a small return to glory.”

Time out for a moment of clarity: Hilly studied and knew the horses. He was there for a very different reason than I was and for the very same reasons the thousands of others were. And that’s to cash tickets.

I grew up with horses. I owned a horse. Loved horses. Still do. But if you handed me a horse and saddle right now, I’d have to think a minute before putting it on. The bridle would be another five minutes.

This did not stop the Shreveport Journal, the area’s afternoon paper back then, from sending me and JJ, young sportswriters who gladly did whatever we were told, to the track to support turf writer extraordinaire Gary West. If you ask enough questions and listen, you can find out what you and readers need to know about the horses. Just go to the backside, to the stables.

The appropriately named “backside” is where you find all kinds of horse poop. Again, all kinds.

But, no one loves these horses more than the trainers and grooms and jockeys and exercise riders and veterinarians, and if you’re eager to learn, they’re eager to teach you. Fascinating people — and thoroughbreds.

We’d write, and during downtime, we’d ask West what horse or horses to bet on, then race to the window to make a standard $2 wager, then hold on and hope, same as your average railbird.

The next morning, we’d put together a sports section that contained almost an entire page of Downs results: how the races finished, that day’s races with probable odds, West’s picks, the “Barnburner’s Picks” — West’s semi-rival — and a feature called “$2 Bettor,” which one of us wrote — officially “TDB at the Downs” — complete with a pencil-drawing head shot of a guy in coat and tie and beret with a heater in his mouth and tickets in his hand. It wasn’t serious. I’m looking at one now from the mid-’80s, which is about “Lyrical Lewis, a poet of some note,” who came to the track as a newbie, picked horses by which names he liked, and of course won while the expert handicapper lost. Don’t know if I wrote that one or not, but it could have been about me. Except for the winning part.

When racing season rolls around in May and the transition is complete, consider a day at the races. Take six bucks and decide you’ll have no more than that much fun betting, no matter what. Food and checking out the crowd and enjoying the races and the competitive thoroughbreds and jockeys — there’s a lot more to do than wager, especially if you don’t know how. And if you don’t know how, not wagering is the safest bet. Take it from the old $2 Bettor.

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For anyone who has been kind enough to read my stuff through the years, it might interest you that Sunday will mark my final column for Gannett. First one was April of 1990. Gannett has been so good to me, especially since none of this was rehearsed; never as a kid did I imagine doing this. I tried to return their trust by not missing a column or deadline and by giving an honest effort — although in the writing racket, you die on the table now and then, same as in everything else. My goal now is to offer the same attitude and effort to my friends with Journal Services, and to you; readers are the key. I thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for hanging in there with me. Hopefully we can stay in touch. And before I forget, “Gomer says hey.”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

 

NPJ welcomes award-winning writer Teddy Allen

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(NATCHEZ)-Three Natchitoches woman were arrested following a disturbance with shots fired near Natchez on Monday afternoon according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The incident began on Monday afternoon at approximately 5:48pm, when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Bureau responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a disturbance involving multiple people with shots fired in the 3300 block of La. Hwy 494 near Natchez, La.

Deputies learned while enroute to the scene, that some of the suspects involved in the disturbance left the scene in what was described as a red or maroon Chevrolet HHR with chrome rims.

Shortly thereafter, deputies located the vehicle at a business on La. Hwy 1 in Natchez.

Three females in the vehicle were identified as 31-year-old Bianca Rainey (the driver), 37-year-old Elsa Newton, and 31-year-old Lashawnda Newton all of Natchitoches.

Other responding units went to the scene to gather information and talk with witnesses.

While talking with the vehicle occupants, deputies learned they had fled in the vehicle and fired shots in the air at the scene.

Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered a Ruger.357 revolver in Newton’s purse, two baseball bats, a small amount of suspected marijuana and empty 9mm casings.

Deputies at the scene also collected empty 9mm casings in the grass.

As the investigation continued, Rainey allegedly told deputies after firing the weapon she threw it in Cane River.

As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested:

*Bianca S. Rainey, 31, of the 200 block of Cherry Loop, Natchitoches transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Criminal Obstruction of Justice after she threw the weapon in Cane River, Disturbing the Peace, and Possession of CDS I Marijuana.

Rainey remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.

*Elsa A. Newton, 37, of the 500 block of North Street, Natchitoches issued a citation for Disturbing the Peace.

*Lashwanda R. Newton, 31, of the 900 block of Martin Luther King Drive, Natchitoches issued a citation for Disturbing the Peace.

Deputies say the investigation is continuing.

Lt. B. Smith, Sgt. D. Dorsey and Deputy C. Campbell were involved in the investigation and arrests.

Booking Image of Rainey.

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Position: Water & Sewer Department – Maintenance Mechanic I

Description: Performs a variety of semi-skilled maintenance work and operates a variety of equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City water, sewer and storm drainage facilities and systems.

Qualifications: Must be able to acquire a LA Water or Sewer Operator Certification. Applicants that already have certification are preferred and will be eligible for an increased pay rate.

Contact: City of Natchitoches Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine St., or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City Hall located at 700 Second St, Natchitoches, LA or you can download an application at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

Deadline: Applications will be accepted through November 22, 2021.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNIY EMPLOYER

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There will be fireworks displayed over Cane River Lake from the downtown riverbank on the following dates:
November 20, 2021 @ 7PM

November 27, 2021 @ 7PM

December 04, 2021 @ 6PM

December 11, 2021 @ 7 PM

December 18, 2021 @ 7 PM

December 24, 2021 @ 6 PM

December 31, 2021 @ 8PM

Boaters are welcome to attend, yellow safety buoys mark the safety zone area, please follow enforcement request and be prepared to adjust if needed as the Fire Marshall has the final say in that area for fireworks displays for public safety. To view Fireworks Display regulations click on Commission, in the drop down box click ordinance(s), scroll down and click on fireworks ordinance(s) to view regulation for boaters.

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St. Mary’s Catholic School is pleased to recognize the following students for Students of the Year for the 2021-22 school year: Amelia Picou (elementary-5th grade), Jenna Sklar (junior high-8th grade) and Anna Kate Jackson (high school-12th grade). The Student of the Year Awards Program recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, citizenship and academic achievement. The Louisiana Department of Education and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education sponsor this annual program which starts at the school level, proceeds to the regional level, and finally the state level. Pictured: Father Blake Deshautelle, Chancellor, Jenna Sklar, Amelia Picou, Anna Kate Jackson and Principal Jason Lachica.

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Lady Demons  91
Centenary  50

NATCHITOCHES – After some understandable opening-night nerves fell away from the Northwestern State women’s basketball team, a stifling defense sparked a big win.

The Lady Demons (1-0) pulled away in the second quarter behind a 27-point outburst to take the convincing 91-50 win on Tuesday night against Centenary. NSU held the Ladies (1-1) to just nine point on 16 percent shooting from the field to build the insurmountable lead.

“I think we came out of the gate a little bit timid and were a little loose with the ball, but from the jump I think our defense was good,” second-year head coach Anna Nimz said. “They were able to get up and guard the ball well and did a tremendous job in the full court, but we fell off at times in the half court. It was a good first quarter but once their nerves kind of fell off they really kind of took over the game at that point.”

It was a one-point game through the first seven minutes of play until Karmelah Dean knocked down a jumper that was immediately followed by a Monette Bolden steal and score to make it a five-point game.

The Lady Demons finished the quarter with an 11-3 run, sparked by Bolden’s layup, that set the stage for what turned into an exciting night for the graduate transfer.

After pushing the lead to double figures early in the second, Bolden answered a Centenary 3-pointer with one of her to starting a stretch where she scored 10 of NSU’s next 13 points to make it a 37-17 game.

Centenary went more than six minutes of the second quarter without a successful field goal thanks to the in-your-face pressure from the Lady Demons. A pressure that helped fuel Bolden and ignite the offense for the middle part of the game.

“I really fed off the energy from my teammates,” Bolden said. “If I saw them playing up, I knew they had my back if I overplayed or did something crazy. I knew they had may back, so it was easy to go after it.”

NSU hit a slight dry spell at the end of the quarter offensively, but Erin Harris capped the 27-point frame with a jumper that put the Lady Demons up 48-21 at halftime.

“I think the nerves weren’t a factor at that point like they were in the first,” Candice Parramore said about the difference between the first and second quarters. “We calmed down and saw how the first went and were able to go out and play hard defense. That was really what got us going more than anything and the offense came from that.”

The Lady Demons kept the foot down coming out of the break, scoring the first 18 points of the third quarter and locking down the Centenary offense. The Ladies went more than five minutes without a field goal to start the third quarter while NSU went 7-for-10 from the floor during that same stretch.

In the second and third quarters, NSU outscored Centenary 58-22 to put the game out of reach entering the final 10 minutes.

The Lady Demons dominated play around the basket with 48 points in the pair, but more noticeable with a 63-33 rebounding edge only allowing two offensive rebounds in the game to Centenary.

Bolden finished the night with 14 points while Parramore and center Jordan Todd turned in double-doubles. Parramore led all scorers with 16 points, adding 10 rebounds, and Todd went for 15 and 15 for her first double-double at NSU.

Jiselle Woodson dropped in 12 points to reach double digits while Jasmin Dixon grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.

“For our first night, for 11 new kids mixed with three returners I think the girls did a tremendous job across the board,” Nimz said. “We have a lot of things to fix. But if we can continue to nitpick and coach them up and they get on board every single day, they’re an exciting team and have a lot of potential.”

The Lady Demon host Texas A&M-Texarkana on Saturday evening as the middle game of a triple header with NSU volleyball and Demon basketball.

Photo: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

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NORMAN, Oklahoma – Northwestern State post Kendal Coleman produced a career-high 19 points Tuesday as the Demons slugged it out early with Oklahoma in the season opener.

But the Sooners heated up in the second half en route to a 77-59 win as OU shot 65 percent from the field to pull away from a game Demon squad.

NSU led throughout stretches of the first half and cut OU’s three-point halftime edge to one before the Sooners turned on the burners with a 15-1 run.

Coleman, who shot 9-of-12 and added a team-high six rebounds, teamed up with senior center Larry Owens to match Oklahoma early in head coach Porter Moser’s Sooner debut.

The post duo combined for 10 of NSU’s first 12 points as the Demons led 12-10, forcing Oklahoma turnovers on defense. Owens finished with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, marking his second double-digit performance at Oklahoma after scoring 16 points as a freshman in 2016-17.

“It’s a tough matchup, but I felt that Kendal and Larry got a lot better tonight and showed their ability,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “We’ve got to guard better and keep people in front of us, but I felt like we competed well overall tonight.”

The Sooners defense clamped down in the middle part of the half, holding NSU scoreless for 7:21 as OU put together a meandering 10-0 run (all paint points) to lead 20-12.

But NSU hung tough, using its eight forced turnovers and 19-18 rebounding edge to keep Oklahoma from running away. The Demons held the advantage on the boards (34-32) against a bulky Sooners front.

“We had 29 points and nine rebounds between Owens and Coleman, but the biggest struggle we had is we had inopportune turnovers even though we had just 13,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “We had some bad shots that really counted like turnovers, and what hurt us the most was poor shot selection during critical times.

“We guarded their stuff extremely well, but we didn’t guard well man-to-man. They whipped us to the bucket. That’s a tough team in Oklahoma, and with their physicality, you have to make them go over the top of you.”

Coleman was NSU’s offensive oasis, scoring six points on three straight possessions to spark a 13-8 run to shave OU’s lead to 28-25 at halftime.

NSU scored the last five points of the half on a Zurabi Zhgenti 3-pointer and a Cedric Garrett bucket.

Zhgenti contributed eight points and two of NSU’s three 3-pointers (3-of-17 as a team).

“We won’t shoot that poorly from 3-point range again,” said McConathy, whose team 44 percent overall and 54 percent in the second half. “I thought we competed really well, getting the ball, pushing the ball early even though we didn’t get many buckets out of it.

“We rebounded and pushed, and we gave up only three offensive rebounds. We gave up just 14 points on our turnovers and we scored 12 on theirs, so that’s a nice surprise.”

Coleman had 14 of his 19 points by the opening minutes of the second half as his bucket sliced OU’s lead to 28-27.

But OU’s Jalen Hill scored six of his team-high 15 points as part of the Sooners’ 15-1 run to lead 43-28 and led by as many as 26 (69-43).

The Sooners turned up their transition offense to build the lead.

Twelve different Demons saw action in the opener, including 11 in the first half of a competitive contest.

McConathy saved minutes across the board as NSU heads to Tulsa for a Wednesday tip at 7 p.m., which will be broadcast on ESPN+ with available audio on 94.9 The River, nsudemons.com and the NSU app.

“They are going to isolate guys and try to beat us on some drag action, so we have to play better defense than we did (Tuesday),” McConathy said.

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