City Bank and Trust Company is a proud game sponsor of Saint Mary’s Baseball. Best of luck and Go TIGERS!!

Pictured from left are Coach Brooks McMinn, Anthony Lirette, Patrick Vienne and Jeffrey Townson.

The annual McCutcheon Honors Recital will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. The recital will be a virtual-only event and can be livestreamed at capa.nsula.edu/livestream.

Student winners are chosen from each musical area for having the most outstanding undergraduate fall jury performance. The students represent the areas of woodwinds, brass, strings, piano, percussion and voice. This year’s performers include soprano Emily Adams, Dania Briceño on violin, Julio Galvan on saxophone, Justin Garretson on tuba, Covie Latham on percussion andHannah Potter on piano.

This recital was established to honor Jim McCutcheon, a retired band teacher, who was active in instrument repair at NSU. McCutcheon wanted to do something to recognize outstanding student performance at Northwestern State and began offering a financial prize to students selected to perform in the recital. After his death, his wife Jo Lapeyrouse chose to continue this tradition and has funded a scholarship in his name.

Job Position: Food Service Worker

Job Description: Same as a cafeteria worker, but will rotate schools throughout the week

Salary: 5 days a week; paid hourly based on experience

If interested, please send resume to either Child Nutrition District Manager, Shauna Hicks at shicks@nat.k12.la.us or Director of Personnel, Linda Page at lpage@nat.k12.la.us.

EOE

NATCHITOCHES – After a longer than normal, much longer than normal, offseason Northwestern State volleyball begins the 2021 spring schedule on Tuesday night.

The beginning of the 14-match schedule in the first spring volleyball season pits the Lady Demons against in-state foe Louisiana Tech.

First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. inside Prather Coliseum. Live streaming video will be available at http://www.nsudemons.comor on the NSU Athletics Mobile App, a free download in either the Apple or Google stores.

There is no admission cost for any home NSU volleyball matches this season. Fans are encouraged to wear their masks and practice social distancing while inside the arena.

“All through these last few months it’s been crazy,” sixth-year head coach Sean Kiracofe said. “It was a frantic lead up to things being canceled and a lot of just hurry up and wait at times. It’s hard to sum out all the things that happened and didn’t happen that have us playing now. It definitely feels different.”

Playing matches in the first three months of the year rather than the last three will certainly look different and the same can be said for the Lady Demons. A senior and experience-laden squad from 2019 is now one filled with nine freshmen and sophomores.

The most notable non-senior departure is Hannah Brister. The 2019 Southland Conference Player of the Year completed her undergraduate work in three and a half years and moved into a master’s program elsewhere.

“She had an amazing career and that was something that we thought was going to be possible when we were recruiting her,” Kiracofe said. “To see and talk about the potential in that process and for it to actually play out that way is a great story.”

The task for Kiracofe is finding a way to replace over 500 kills and the killer instinct Brister possesses. With undoubtedly big shoes to fill, senior Darria Williams and freshman Breanna Burrell are the top candidates to get the lion’s share of the work on the outside this season.

“Everyone is just kind of moving up in terms of what they have to produce,” Kiracofe said. “Darria is going to be a big part of our offense and a lot of it is going to go through her. Reagan Lee is going to see a lot more through her, even more than what we saw at the end of last year.”

Among the handful or returners for the Lady Demons to go along with Williams and Lee is sophomore defensive specialist Haley Hoang. All three played over 90 sets a year ago and will be cornerstones for this year’s team.

Hoang moves from a defensive specialist role into the libero spot, continuing the line of excellence in that position Lady Demon fans have come to expect. The Plano, Texas, native tallied 241 digs in 2019 and led the team in reception percentage, fielding 97 percent of the almost 300 serves sent her way.

“She’s going to be fantastic and in my opinion be great from day one,” Kiracofe said. “There are a lot of different people around her defensively and some new people that are having to figure out how to fit within our defensive scheme.

“She’s going to put up great numbers but she’s also going to be asked to cover more of the court than we would normally hope. As we get into the season though and people grow into their roles, we’ll be able to refine what she has to do.”

The first test in a shortened non-conference schedule comes on Tuesday. The timeline is short for a new group to begin to gel with a pair of non-conference matches before facing three of the top five Southland Conference preseason favorites to begin league play.

The Lady Techsters (0-4) played a pair of matches in October, two 3-1 losses at Southern Miss, and went 0-2 this past weekend at the SFA Invitational losing to Tarleton State and Stephen F. Austin both in straight sets.

They return five starters from a 2019 team that went 13-15 but lost the top two offensive threats from that team who each averaged more than 2.4 kills per set.

For Kiracofe the main thing is seeing his young team start to come together under a philosophy and mentality that has brought NSU success over the past several years.

“Being able to compete and fight is something that we’ve fostered for the last three or four years,” Kiracofe said. “Going out there and having that determination on every single point. We’ve shifted to, in my time here, a ball-control, defensive team and adding the pieces offensively to put things away when we have those opportunities.

“While that’s what we expect to see on the floor it’s a brand-new group and a lot of new people standing next to each other. It’s not going to be perfect from day one but to see them go out and fight for every point and have that intensity that we’ve come to expect is something we’re looking forward to this week.”

Photo credit: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. would like to announce he will give a State of the City Address on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Natchitoches Council Chambers, located at 716 Second Street.

The purpose of the State of the City Address is to connect with our constituents and inform them of the City’s policy agenda for the year 2021. Mayor Williams will address his projections for economic development, capital outlay, and infrastructure improvements for the City of Natchitoches.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the venue for the State of the City Address will be reserved for the media and will not be open to the public. The address will be available on the City’s website at http://www.natchitochesla.gov/content/2021-state-city-address and via facebook @CityofNatchitoches.

For more information contact the Mayor’s Office at (318) 352-2772.

NATCHITOCHES:
Eddie Ray Pikes
May 25, 1952 – January 21, 2021
Service: Thursday, January 28 at 1 pm in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

Julia Rowzee
June 29, 1941 – January 20, 2021
Service: Saturday, January 30 at 10 am at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Montgomery

David G. Bryant
December 18, 1939 – January 23, 2021
Service: Tuesday, January 26 at 11 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Ola Henderson
January 23, 2021
Service: Sunday, January 31 at 1:30 pm at the North Star Baptist Church in Powhatan

Edward West
February 1, 1964 – January 20, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Carla Phillips
January 18, 2021
Service: Saturday, January 30 at 1 pm in the chapel of the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

WINN:
Wanda “Cookie” Kay Saucier
January 23, 1950 – January 24, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Max Allen Orr
January 18, 1960 – January 23, 2021
Service: Wednesday, January 27 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement following the Legislature’s overwhelming passage of the most recent emergency election plan.

“I am pleased that this emergency plan passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support at every step of this process. This plan is a pragmatic response to the recent unprecedented surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the Clerks of Court, Registrars of Voters and their staff along with the entire SOS elections staff will provide the people of Louisiana safe, secure and accurate elections to which they are accustomed.”

NATCHITOCHES – A little more time.

That’s one positive as Northwestern State football plays its regular season in the spring as opposed to the fall.

A Demons team that will feature eight new offensive starters and five new defensive starters started its spring process Friday with its first official practice.

Friday’s session lasted about two hours and is the first of four acclimation days before the Demons don full pads with contact Wednesday.

“There’s been a combination of new guys and then sophomores and juniors that have been here that have stepped up,” said NSU coach Brad Laird, who is beginning his third season as the Demons head coach. “We had an abbreviated spring practice (six practices) before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it took time for us to adjust to fall practice.

“But we got into our 15 practices in the fall, and that was huge for our guys. The mental part is the biggest thing, and we’ve seen a lot of carryover from the fall and from our walkthroughs so far that was evident in today’s practice.”

The team participated in strength and conditioning drills and well as walkthrough sessions before embarking on 20 preseason practices heading into its first game week, which culminates in the season opener Feb. 20 at Lamar.

In normal times, players endure the brutal Louisiana heat in August as they prepare for a regular season.

But tight end David Fitzwater and the rest of the Demons didn’t mind an overcast sky with temperatures hovering the 50s to open practice.

“It was really enjoyable, and that’s fun weather to play in,” said the Calvary Baptist product. “I’m really happy to be on the field today, and a lot of guys came out with excitement.

“Honestly I feel like that’s been missing in years before this. Guys were excited and ready to go today.”

Linebacker Landon King will be a key cog this season in NSU’s deepest unit.

King is one of five returning linebackers who made at least three starts this past season.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with this team,” said King, a Pineville native. “We were hoping to play last fall but didn’t get that chance.

“If we keep doing what we have to do and controlling what we can control, hopefully we can go out there on Saturdays, have our season and come out with a championship.”

Before the season-opener at Lamar, NSU’s 20 practices include scrimmages Jan. 31 and Feb. 6 before a mock game on Feb. 11.

NSU will play a six-game spring schedule, all against Southland Conference opponents that didn’t play in the fall.

After traveling to Lamar, the Demons host McNeese, the first college football game in Turpin Stadium in since NSU wrapped up the 2019 season in late November, which will be a 16-month span without NSU football in Natchitoches.

CREDIT: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

NATCHITOCHES – The City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public of the following temporary closures next week. The Utility Department will be taking down the Christmas lights along Front Street and the Church Street Bridge.

Closures will occur as follows:

Monday, January 25th – Front Street (South End) – 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, January 26th – Church Street Bridge – 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27th – Front Street (North End) – 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

This temporary closure is subject to change weather pending. The City of Natchitoches appreciates the public’s patience during this time and asks when traveling through the area motorists proceed with caution.

It was a cool, cloudy day in Coushatta at the livestock show barn, but that did not dampen the spirits of the Natchitoches Parish 4-H members who were ready to kick off 2021 and show off their livestock projects. Organized by Extension Agents, Randall Mallette and Pam Pearce the event featured eight youth showcasing three species of animals: hogs, goats and beef. Serving as judge for the day was Dr. Ashley Edwards, Livestock Agent for the Northern Region of Louisiana.

The morning started with the showmanship competition. The judge was tasked with selecting the 4-H’er who best handled and presented their animal.

Showmanship placings were as follows:

Hogs
Champion: Cole Johnson
Reserve Champion: Cooper Johnson

Goats
*Senior division: first place – Cooper Johnson
second place – Cole Johnson
third place – Madeline Mitchell

*Intermediate division: first place – Addison Ivy
second place – Taylor Allen

Champion: Cooper Johnson
Reserve Champion: Addison Ivy

Beef
*Senior division: first place – Layton Parks
*Intermediate division: first place – Tatum Roberts
*Junior division: first place – Bayla Procell

Champion: Bayla Procell
Reserve Champion: Tatum Roberts

Following the showmanship competition, the youth then exhibited each of their animals by species and breed. According to Mallette, total of 26 animals were shown, representing numerous hours of work and care to get ready for this show. “It was a great day for our youth to be able to exhibit their projects. They are preparing for the district show that will be February 5”, said Mallette. Assisting as ring-steward was Travis Rachal, a member of the Natchitoches 4-H Junior Leaders.

Placings that were awarded are listed below by each participant.

Taylor Allen:
*First place Pygmy Doe, in 3 separate classes
*Champion Pygmy Doe
*Reserve Champion Pygmy Doe

Addison Ivy:
*First place Full Blood Boer
*Reserve Champion Full Blood Boer
*First place Percentage Boer
*Second place Percentage Boer
*Reserve Champion Percentage Boer

Cole Johnson:
*First place Market Hog in 2 classes
*Champion Market Hog
*Reserve Champion Market Hog
*Second place Market Goat

Cooper Johnson:
*Second place Market Hog in 2 classes
*First place Market Goat in 2 classes
*Champion Market Goat
*Reserve Champion Market Goat

Madeline Mitchell:
*First place Full Blood Boer
*Champion Full Blood Boer
*First place Percentage Boer
*Champion Percentage Boer
*First place Commercial Doe
*Champion Commercial Doe
*First place Myotonic Doe
*Champion Myotonic Doe
*Supreme Breeding Goat Champion

Layton Parks:
*First place Commercial Heifer
*Champion Commercial Heifer
*First place Brahman Bull
*Champion Brahman Bull
*First place Hereford Heifer
*Champion Herford Heifer
*First place early junior yearling Brangus heifer

Bayla Procell:|
*First place early summer yearling Brangus heifer
*Reserve Champion Brangus heifer

Tatum Roberts:
*First place early junior Brangus heifer calf
*Champion Brangus heifer
*Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer
*First place Brangus bull
*Champion Brangus bull
*Supreme Champion Bull

The Natchitoches Parish 4-H livestock participants would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Red River Parish Police Jury and Nancy Nettles for the use of the facility and Natchitoches Farm Bureau for the sponsorship.  Additionally, thank you to Tractor Supply, Raisin’ Canes and Dairy Queen for the kind donations.

Submitted by:  Tatum Roberts
Natchitoches Parish Livestock Club Reporter

TITLE: Clinic Managers

Outpatient Medical (OMC) is looking for 3 ethical, personable, highly-responsible and highly-accountable experienced healthcare supervisors for the following areas:

Natchitoches (largest)
Leesville
DeSoto (RHC)

Our Clinic Managers must run OMC clinics under established policies and procedures. Outstanding, energetic, and experienced candidates are encouraged to apply. Must have a record of successful business management experience. Salary based on degree of job-related experience and qualifications. For information or to apply, email info@outpatientmedical.org or call 318-357-2071.

EOE.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Mu Omega Zeta Chapter, enjoyed a weekend of activities as they celebrated 101 years of service. This Founders’ Day weekend was completely different than previous year’s celebrations. As the global pandemic reared its head, it impelled the sorority to rethink each phase of the celebration to ensure it stayed in compliance with the CDC and the sorority’s national headquarter’s guidelines.

Reflecting back on January 2020, the sorority held its’ Formal Centennial Celebration in Washington, D.C. Intentions were to continue the celebration in June 2020 with a Centennial Boule’ again to be held in Washington, D. C., however with the global pandemic, International President Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker along with the venues were required to cancel all face to face activities and ceremonies and everything reverted back to being virtual. That was 6 months ago and now in January 2021 the pandemic has affected so many family members, sorority members and friends. So, again there won’t be any face-to-face interactions or celebrations. However, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is a group of resilient women. Their hearts did not skip a beat and sorority members brainstormed ways to celebrate this momentous occasion and do it safely.

The first event of the weekend was a Virtual Founders’ Day Program hosted by the Upsilon Pi Zeta Chapter of West Memphis, AR in the South Central Region. Kathy R. Tatum serves as South Central Regional Director and Beverly Cook is Arkansas State Director. Dignitaries who were present on the Virtual Program were Camille Young-Miller, State Life Member Coordinator and Treva Sanders ,State Z-Hope Coordinator. Pamela Vaughn serves as President of the Upsilon Pi Zeta Chapter. The host chapter was joined by Nu Omega Zeta Chapter, Malvern, AR, Chi Lambda Zeta Chapter, Bartlett, TN, and Mu Omega Zeta Chapter, Natchitoches. Jannette Strong of Nu Omega Zeta Chapter served as moderator.

The theme for the event was “Omnia Vincit Labore-All is Conquered by Labor. It is All About Zeta.” Mu Omega Zeta Chapter members played a vital role in making this virtual program a success. President Yalaunda Toliver-Taylor served as guest speaker, Kimberly Smith provided a praise dance and Jacqueline Wells- Smith shared her voice in song. President Toliver-Taylor spoke of the duties and the importance of being an active and engaged member in each respective chapter.

She reminded everyone that members are actively involved and are always up-to-date with the numerous changes which occur in constitution and by-laws, membership updates, current social action initiatives, national programs, partnerships and all of the news and events that make this sorority the best sorority. She stated that in order for the chapter to move and grow members should be willing to serve in a capacity where their strength lies. As the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority works together it is all for the betterment of the sorority as the members uphold the founding principles.

Being well informed is one of the things Toliver-Taylor stressed. The sorority’s past Grand President Mary Breaux-Wright would often say “A Good Zeta is a Well Informed Zeta” and that was a key point in Toliver-Taylor’s message.

Kimberly Smith provided us with a spiritual praise dance to the gospel classic, “I Know I’ve Been Changed” and Jacqueline Wells-Smith offered a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” This hymn was written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson at a pivotal time, when Jim Crow was replacing slavery and African-Americans were searching for an identity. His poem was later set to music by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. The hymn is often referred to as the Black National Anthem. James Weldon Johnson was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated a fraternity that is constitutionally bound to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

On Sunday evening the sorority engaged in a Virtual Paint and Sip Party. Sorority members from Coushatta, Montgomery, Natchitoches, Shreveport, Winnfield, Texas, and Tennessee joined the zoom party. Members ordered pre-drawn canvases of their choosing from Amazon and from Wasted Paint, a business owned by Natchitoches native Sonja Knight. They joked, laughed, sipped and enjoyed a relaxing evening of painting.

The 101 Founders’ Day Celebration may have been Virtual but it did not deter members from a grand celebration. They honored their Sisterhood: The Ties That Bind, “It’s All About Zeta.”

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 20, 1920 in Washington, D.C., on the campus of Howard University by five women affectionately referred to as “Our Five Pearls”. The founding principles are Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. It is a community-conscious, action-oriented organization.

ALL NCHS VIRTUAL STUDENTS

LEAP 2025 state-mandated tests are currently being administered at Natchitoches Central High School. These tests are given at the end of English I, English II, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, and US History. The tests serve 2 purposes. These tests serve as the final exam for these courses and are calculated as 15 % of the entire course grade. Passing LEAP 2025 test scores are also required to earn a high school diploma. Each test has 3 sessions, and each session is timed, taking a considerable amount of time.

Students that have not tested must come to NCHS on Monday 1/25/21 at 7:40 to take required test. All students will need to come to the attendance office and then be directed to their testing room.

The testing window closes on Tuesday, January 26th. Teachers have already given information about the LEAP 2025 tests to their students.

February 20, 2021 and February 27, 2021

NATCHITOCHES, LA – Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host two separate memorial illumination events to remember and honor the people who were enslaved on Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation on February 20 and February 27 as part of Black History Month. The Oakland illumination will take place on Saturday, February 20, and the Magnolia illumination will take placed on Saturday, February 27.

The FREE illumination events and self-guided tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. The tours will be outdoors, will cover about a half mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and will occur rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions. Oakland Plantation is located at 4386 Highway 494, Natchez, LA. Magnolia Plantation, which can only be accessed from LA Highway 1, is located at 5549 Highway 119, Derry, LA.

The institution of enslavement and the act of emancipation have left indelible imprints on many aspects of Cane River life, and the park has been working for many years to uncover the stories of all the people that lived on the two plantations. The process was a long one, and one that is still ongoing. Each luminary represents an enslaved man, woman, or child. Groupings of luminaries reflect a moment in time in the plantation’s history. Luminaries will be marked with the names, ages, places of origin and skills of the enslaved individuals when possible. This information has been retrieved from original archives.

“We honor them by finding out their names and remembering their contributions to the landscape, the park and our country,” said Chief of Interpretation Barbara Justice. “It is important that we remember all of the people that helped create the nation, that we remember not just the good parts of our story but also the painful parts. We can’t heal if we don’t acknowledge the pain.”

Anyone who might know more details about enslaved people who lived and worked on Oakland or Magnolia is encouraged to reach out and share. In addition, please contact the park if you would be willing to volunteer to assemble and/or place luminaries on February 20 or February 27.

The grounds of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nearly 80 original buildings remain, many open for self-guided tours including several that are historically furnished from Wednesday through Sunday. Park staff conducts tours of the plantation grounds daily Wednesday through Sunday. In addition, the park offers a cell phone tour. The Oakland Main House is open for self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Magnolia Main House is privately owned and is not open to the public. For more information call the park at 318-352-0383, ext. 316.

Weyerhaeuser is a sponsor of the Natchitoches Central High School’s Baseball Team. Normal fundraising has been challenging due to social distancing and ensuring safety throughout our community. Weyerhaeuser knows the importance of and encourages support for our youth programs.

Pictured: Bayden Turlington, Baseball player; Regan Kaufman, Head Baseball Coach and Rick Turlington, WY Production Coordinator

Natchitoches, LA – As part of National Plan for Vacation Day on January 26, the Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is encouraging locals and visitors to dream, plan and book their next vacation.

National Plan for Vacation Day takes place during the last Tuesday in January as a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the entire year at the start of the year.

While much of the country continues to face rising case numbers and travel restrictions, National Plan for Vacation Day is a chance to do what is safe and productive: plan.

National Plan for Vacation Day coincides with the Let’s Go There initiative to encourage Americans to still plan or even book future vacations, or to simply keep their travel flame alive and think about their next trip.

Let’s Go There is led by a coalition of businesses and organizations, including many of the most recognizable U.S. brands from both within and outside the travel sector, whose mission is perfectly aligned with NPVD: As you plan your future trips, the travel industry is ready to safely welcome you back when you’re ready.

“It’s been a challenging year, and I know we have all missed traveling and exploring our great country,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “While many are not yet ready or able to take a vacation, we are encouraging Americans to pull out their calendars on January 26 and get a future trip on the book seven if that just means dreaming about your next getaway.”

“In the face of so much uncertainty, and with more than 63% of Americans saying they desperately need a vacation, National Plan for Vacation Day is the perfect opportunity for Americans to renew their love of travel and to look ahead to better days.”

There is a wealth of information that says simply planning a vacation can increase happiness, with 97% of survey respondents saying that having a trip planned makes them happier. Further, survey data shows that 84% of Americans are excited to plan a vacation in the next six months, indicating an impending surge in travel demand once conditions improve.

With so many great travel deals to be had, the Natchitoches Area CVB advises savvy vacation planners who are able to book future trips now to take advantage of these offers before demand picks up. Visit http://www.natchitoches.com to discover these offers!

“The Natchitoches Area CVB is celebrating National Plan for Vacation Day to encourage Americans to plan ahead for future travel and take some much-needed time off,” said CVB Executive Director Arlene Gould. “By committing to planning on January 26, Americans can all enjoy the many benefits of taking a break while giving themselves something to look forward to and Natchitoches has some great ideas to help you plan your perfect getaway.”

The Natchitoches Area CVB continues to urge Americans to adhere to healthy travel practices whether one is planning a vacation in the short term or for later this year. U.S. Travel Association’s Travel Confidently toolkit has a wealth of resources and guidance to encourage safe and healthy travel, which includes wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance when possible and staying home if feeling sick.

About Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization whose mission is to maximize economic growth by generating overnight stays through promoting tourism marketing, convention and meeting business, and festivals and events throughout Natchitoches Parish.

Micah Murchison of Natchitoches was installed as a new member of the Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches during the club’s meeting on Jan. 21. At this meeting, Craig George also presented to the club members in-person and socially distance as well as members joining via Zoom. He explained details of ordering, shipping, storing, transporting, setting up and executing firework shows.

“Kids need Kiwanis, in our community and in communities around the world,” said Craig Caskey, who presented Murchison with her membership certificate. “Our club believes in children and wants to provide all kids with an opportunity to thrive, prosper and grow.”

The Kiwanis Club of Natchitoches welcomes new members who want to serve their community. Information about becoming a member is available by contacting Craig Caskey at kiwanisnatchitoches@gmail.com or by joining the weekly meeting.

NATCHITOCHES:
David G. Bryant
December 18, 1939 – January 23, 2021
Service: Tuesday, January 26 at 11 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Ola Henderson
January 23, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Edward West
February 1, 1964 – January 20, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Carla Phillips
January 18, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Rodney P. Hoover
June 28, 1967 – January 16, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Phillip Lyons
January 13, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Brandon Bernard McHenry
December 7, 1988 – January 13, 2021
Arrangements TBA

Election Qualifiers for the March 20, 2021 Election in Louisiana.

Dane Terrell/Opinion

This week, Joe Biden took the oath of office and became the 46th President of the United States. Though it was tested, the peaceful transition of power that our nation has held so dear for nearly two and a half centuries has once again taken place. I do not write today to dismiss President Trump’s accomplishments, or to cast aside his policies. I do not come to gloat on the victory or to stand over those that chose him with their vote. Had it not been for a once in a century pandemic, it is quite possible that Mr. Trump would be sworn in today for a second term. The pre-pandemic economy was truly historic. His administration deserves accolades for Operation Warp Speed and the corresponding vaccine that promises to save hundreds of thousands of lives world wide. He received the second most votes of any presidential candidate in the history of our nation. As I said, I do not wish to take anything away from President Trump. I do not write today to talk about the wall that he built, but the walls that we have built.

Our nation today is truly a divided one. Perhaps more so than any time since the Civil War. We have divided ourselves into two camps. Red vs Blue, Conservatives vs Liberals,  Republicans vs Democrats. We have separated ourselves from those that do not share our own views. We have lost friends and perhaps even gone so far as to cut family members out of our lives over the fights and arguments of the last four years. We have all but given up on the idea of starting with the places that we agree. Choosing instead to not only highlight our differences, but to question the motives of those with whom we disagree. We have built walls that seem insurmountable and impenetrable between ourselves. We have come to the incorrect conclusion that our side is always right and the other side must always be wrong. I am here today to tell you that these walls are not indestructible.

On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan marked the end of the Cold War in a Berlin speech in which he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Today, I call upon all of us to end the war which we have waged upon each other. Let us pledge today to begin where we agree and build from there. Let us soften our words and our hearts. Let us reach across the isle to hold the hand of our fellow Americans. After all, we are not enemies, or even adversaries. We share a common goal. A more perfect union, a land of opportunity and promise, a time of peace and unity. The time is now to show the world that our country is more than just impossible ideals. So now we must ask ourselves, what will it take.

It will take both sides coming together with open hands and hearts. It will take both sides standing up to the fringe elements of both parties. It will take compromise, it will take teamwork. It will take bravery, and it will require grace. We must show tolerance and understanding. We must pick those up that need our help. We must show our children and grandchildren that we can work together toward a common goal, and that what makes us the same far outweighs what makes us different. We must make them believe that they can be anything that they want to be, and we must make it so. We must refuse to attach the labels of politicization. We must avoid posting that which corrodes and instead post that which holds us together. We must sow the seeds of truth and destroy the weeds of doubt in each others’ motivations.

I will start today. I will reach out to those with which I have severed ties. I will ask for forgiveness and I will show grace. I will refuse to focus on that which seeks to divide us. I will lift up those in need. I pledge allegiance to the republic, one nation under God, indivisible, and vow to seek liberty and justice for all. Will you join me? Friends, Let us tear down these walls!

One of the many reasons I love high school and college sports is being able to be a spectator of the lively and belligerent student sections. You could say that I am a mesmerized fan of the rowdiness and hilarity that a student section offers. During my oldest daughter’s high school soccer career she has been both the victim of a home team’s student section and a participant of her own home school’s student section. I personally love all student sections. The unrulier they are the better…as long as no one is getting hurt, that is.

I was always impressed when students took the time to obtain the roster from the visiting team in order to learn the names, jersey numbers and stats. That takes pure dedication. I have seen crafty students construct chants using names of the other team’s players in order to get into their headspace and hopefully make them lose their concentration. One of the famed tactics at Natchitoches Central was for the student section to be casually reading the newspaper as the visiting team was introduced on the court. They have even been known to dress as tacky tourists and to don their best toga attire on occasion.

There has been many points given up in the names of distraction and embarrassment.

To the contrary, when those very same student athletes come anywhere near their own home section, the cheering takes on a life of its on. This is where they get built back up and encouraged to carry on the fight to win. There is nothing to be seen except pure innocent school spirit and exhortation. The home team cheering section can make the student athletes feel like they can accomplish anything. You will constantly hear affirming cheers of, “You got this! You can do it! You’re amazing!”

It is food for the athlete’s soul when they hear the refreshing sounds in a home cheering section.

In the game of life, are you sitting in someone’s student section or the home team section? Are you waiting for people to fail and intensely hoping that they fail so big that a whole stadium will laugh? Are you playing on their insecurities and waiting for them to drop the ball? Are you loaded with insults and judgements that are ready to be used in a moments notice? Do you stand up and cheer when they are down in life? It takes a lot of negative energy and preparation to sit in this section. You have to study your opponents and play on their weakness.

There is not much peace in this section and it is very crowded.

Or, are sitting in their home team section and cheering them on so they can continue on their path? Are you sending shouts of acclimations because you know that God will bless them and bless you for being an encourager of others? Are you there as a support system to help them grow and become the child of God that they are meant to be? Do you motivate them and help them feel confident? Are you providing feedback to help them meet their goals and reach others? Do you offer a peaceful place of rest just like an oasis in the desert?

They are lots of empty seats in this section.

We are called to a higher purpose in life and it is to love your brothers and sisters. We are not called to be in a petty student section of life where we cannot grow and help those around us. We are called to be encouragers and set examples for our children and those around us. Imagine how we would be as a church and a community if we only had home team sections.

If you find yourself stuck in the student section all too often, it is not too late to change seats. Seats are not assigned, it is general admission.

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another just as you are also doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11