December 24, 2018

Waskom Investments, LLC, dba Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, announces the permanent closing of its barbecue restaurant location at 936 University Parkway as of today, December 24, 2018. We appreciate your patronage and enjoyed doing business with you these past 4-1/2 years.

Thank you for being such great customers.

Lee Waskom
Owner/Operator

On December 22, 2018 at approximately 10:30 a.m. the Natchitoches Police Department received a call of a subject attempting to pass counterfeit ten dollar bills at Murphy USA on Keyser Avenue. Officer Tim Lee located the suspect vehicle and conducted a stop.

Through keen observation and diligent effort the officer’s search of the vehicle yielded sixteen (16) counterfeit $100 bills, along with one (1) $20 dollar bill, and three (3) $10 dollar bills.

Shawn Conlay, 38 and Christine Conlay, 37; both of Coushatta, La. were arrested and charged with 20 counts of monetary instrument abuse and placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that similar cases were reported in neighboring jurisdictions.

This case has been turned over to the Natchitoches Police Department Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation.

If you have any other information in reference to this investigation, please contact The Natchitoches Police Department at (318)352-8101. All calls shall remain confidential.

John Thomas “JT” Harrington of Center, Texas has been named the 2018 recipient of the Robert G. Crew Freshman Leadership Scholarship.

The Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity awards the 500 dollar stipend each Fall to a freshman at Northwestern State University, recognizing a male student who has demonstrated leadership and good character through their involvement in organizations while in high school.

The Radiology major was announced as this year’s recipient at NSU Homecoming activities on Saturday, October 27, 2018.

At Shelbyville High School, Harrington earned a 3.6 GPA and was involved in the Distinguished Program, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity football, track, powerlifting, and volunteered with the Special Olympics.

After graduating from NSU, Harrington plans to pursue graduate studies in nuclear medicine.

In February, the scholarship was renamed in memory of Robert G. Crew, an alumnus of Pi Kappa Phi and longtime administrator at Northwestern State University, as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to helping students achieve success.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Claudia Lester-Bynog
September 7, 1956 – December 20, 2018
Visitation: Sunday, December 23 from 3-9:30 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, December 24 at 11:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Bay Springs Cemetery in Chopin

RAPIDES PARISH:

Mary Louise Carson
January 2, 1927 – December 20, 2018
Service: Wednesday, December 26 at 12 pm in the Chapel of Kramer Funeral Home
Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Visitation: Wednesday, December 26 from 8:30 am – 12 pm in the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home Chapel

WINN PARISH:

Jerry Wayne Leslie
January 02, 1942 – December 20, 2018
Service: Thursday, December 27 at 12 pm in the Chapel of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield
Interment: Beech Creek Cemetery near Olla

 

AxsomAir is very grateful to the Natchitoches community for choosing us to be your premier service provider for AC, Heating, and Plumbing service and new system installation. As God has blessed our company we were excited to give back to the area through “Heat the Town”, a program where we made heater repairs for those in need. We took nominations on our Facebook page from December 1-20, 2018 of those you knew who needed help. We are excited to report we were able to help several families! “What was really a blessing, said Josh Axsom (project manager, AxsomAir), was seeing our team give back as well! Our guys volunteered their time to bless others with the gift of heat, just in time for Christmas!”

One nomination that really stood out to us was a lady whose heater was leaking dangerous carbon monoxide into her airstream. AxsomAir Service Tech Anthony Bass also reported this lady’s AC was really old and had numerous freon leaks.

“I decided to reach out to our manufacturing partner, Trane, said Josh Axsom. I called our Trane Territory Manager David Woods, and explained the situation to him. David conferred with Rowan Ledbetter, Trane sales leader, and Trane decided to donate a complete new AC and Heat system!!”

“We are grateful to have such a great partner with Trane, said Matthew Axsom (AxsomAir General Manager). We couldn’t have done this without their help!”

On Friday, December 21, 2018 team members from AxsomAir surprised the special nominee, Ms Tamela Jackson, showing up unannounced with David Woods to present her with her new Trane complete system and get it installed!!

We want to thank everyone who participated in Heat the Town this year and wish you and yours a very merry Christmas!!

Who would like a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings? Apparently, most people who read the Natchitoches Parish Journal!  NPJ would like to thank everyone who entered our contest.

Congratulations to Patricia Pratt Fanks of Natchitoches. She won a Christmas Turkey and all the fixings for a super holiday meal.   Franks was selected from hundreds of entries in The NPJ’s first “Christmas Turkey Dinner” giveaway.

Look forward to more fun contests and prize giveaways in 2019.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from the Natchitoches Parish Journal.

I am thrilled to be writing you today as your new Chamber President! It is only my third full week on the job, but we in the Chamber office are working diligently to revitalize our Chamber and start the new year off fresh. We are revamping our membership packages and adding innovative new ways to add value for our members. We are developing exciting new programs, events, and Chamber initiatives that will increase business for our members and positively impact our beloved community. We are planning a jam-packed Board retreat to empower our energetic new Board of Directors to affect change in our business community. I think you’ll be pleased to hear what’s in store for you, our valuable members, at our 2019 Chamber Awards Banquet, where we will celebrate our 100th anniversary as the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to see our Awards Banquet Sponsorship Opportunities or here to Register for the Event. I look forward to meeting each of you! In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out if I can help in any way.

In Good Business,
Laura Lyles

By Reba Phelps

 

After taking a year off due to unforeseen weather related issues, the infamous, “Cat Burglar Carolers,” once again struck unsuspecting neighbors in the Whitfield-St Clair area. Well, most were unsuspecting unless they read the friendly warning on the Facebook Neighborhood Watch page.

The carolers, who’s ages range from 6-15 and travel from as far as Upper St. Clair, met in early December to begin the vigorous training that is required to be a caroler. The children were required to participate in high intensity cardio to make sure they could withstand the physical demands of running through yards in the dead of night with only a street light to aid their vision.

The other areas of training consisted of a strict diet that limits sugar and encourages lean protein and vegetables. This was solely based on the honor system with no true means of recordable accountability. Last, but not least, was team building. The carolers participated in various activities that encouraged team resolutions to simple every day caroling problems.

A few of the hazards that accompany caroling include; falling down while running to a new house. Every caroler must take a knee until the injured has recovered. Assisting fellow carolers as they load into the truck bed and as they disembark. Sharing the duties of passing out the autographed Christmas cards and candy canes. The older carolers assume responsibility for the younger carolers.

It is a complete team effort.

This may seem a little over the top but I run a tight ship and not everyone makes the cut. The carolers learn very quickly that only the most well behaved get to ring that door bell. During practices they were judged based on the most stylish approach to the door bell, getting back in line as quickly as possible as well as good posture. Last, and certainly not least, is the intense discipline needed to carryout all of the aforementioned tasks with zero yelling and horseplay.

This year we chose 14 houses in our area based on Facebook request or neighbor nominations. All of the houses chosen had one common thread that bound them together. They could use some Christmas cheer.

On caroling night all of the carolers show up in their holiday brightest. This includes red Santa hats, light up necklaces, holiday scarves, and possibly an ugly sweater or too. Once everyone arrives they set out on a mission to make the neighbors smile and spread Christmas cheer.

Some houses invite the children in to play with their dogs. Some houses invite the kids in for a snack or send the kids off with a snack. I dare not think this is the reason for their loyal dedication to the cause. Every house visited ends bringing a smile to children’s faces as well.

At the end of the evening the carolers celebrate the end of the caroling season with a pizza party at my house and plans begin for the next year. We are always looking to expand the group and take on new carolers. The current group agrees that we should recruit a musician or two for next season.

Even though the children had loads of fun and there was lots of work behind the scenes the true blessing came with each door that we knocked on. So many people were surprised and just smiled endlessly. Caroling as a child, for myself, built long lasting great memories and it goes without saying…. that these children are spreading joy and cheer by putting others first and remembering the true reason for the season.

Cat Burglar Carolers for the 2018 year include:
Jude Coleman, Sophia Pleasant, Carson Lyles, Kyson McKnight, Teegan McKnight, Gabriel McKnight, Molly Coleman, Sidney Hicks, Ally Jett, Rannon Jett, and Colby Jett.

Team Building:  Meredith Phelps
Quality Control:  Laura Lyles
Herding carolers on performance night:
Coree McKnight, Micah & Caron Coleman, Laura Lyles, and Shelley Pleasant

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people”

Luke 2:10

A slate of alumni of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity have been elected to guide the efforts of the alumni chapter in 2019. Wes Breeden, Chris Alley, David Morgan, Sr., Shayne Creppel, Joey Kliebert, Lane Luckie, Cameron Moises, and Robert Broadwell will serve as officers for the 2019 board of directors. These volunteers will manage the Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that exists to advance the interests of the student chapter and provide education housing facilities to undergraduate members.

As president, Wes Breeden will be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the alumni group. Breeden will implement the vision plan for the group, as well as manage the activities of committees and other board members, including the Council of Advisors.

As vice president, Chris Alley will serve in the absence of the president, direct alumni member recruitment. Alley will also coordinate with other board members to oversee recruitment of alumni members and will also assist the director of alumni events in the creation and development of regional alumni groups across Louisiana.

As treasurer, David Morgan, Senior will ensure the financial well-being of the alumni chapter by creating a budget, overseeing all accounting duties (including accounts receivable/ payable), collection and deposit of alumni dues, file tax returns, file a Louisiana Domestic Corporation report, and develop a long-term financial plan.

As secretary, Shayne Creppel will be responsible for maintaining all official meeting minutes and notices, produce and update a member directory, and serve as the official custodian of all member records.

Overseeing the direction of undergraduate housing is the primary responsibility of Joey Kliebert. As director of housing, Kliebert will be the primary liaison to the student residents of the alumni association/ housing corporation-owned property at 730 University Parkway in Natchitoches. He will oversee leasing, the safety and maintenance of the chapter house, as well as identify ways to improve the housing experience for our student members.

Lane Luckie will serve as director of communications, coordinating all communication efforts among alumni, which includes the publication of an alumni newsletter, email blasts, video presentations, and the maintenance of the chapter website and social media.

Cameron Moises will serve the board as director of alumni engagement and chapter outreach. Annual gatherings, such as Homecoming, the Founders’ Day observance, Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship Banquet, Ability Experience events, and reunions will be under his direction. He will serve as the primary liaison with the student chapter for event planning. Moises will also maintain contact with the student chapter to educate seniors of their life-long responsibility as members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He will also coordinate any graduating senior ceremonies, as well as work with the Vice President to recruit these graduating members to join the alumni chapter.

Robert Broadwell will be assigned to chair the ad-hoc Housing Exploration committee, which is tasked with researching and securing future housing options for the Beta Omicron chapter.

A student representative to the board of directors will be named at a later date.

The board of directors will be supported by several committees, as well as the dozens of dues-paying alumni chapter members. Those members supporting the efforts of the alumni chapter are listed below. To join, please click the document below and return the membership form and dues to the address provided.

Click here to join the Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter or renew your annual dues.

2018-2019 dues-paying members:

Wil Adams (BO 417)
Mike Allain (BO 197)
Chris Alley (BO 467)
Steven Austin (BO 317)
Sean Austin (BO 516)
Andy Bachman (BO 168)
Cody Bourque (BO 435)
Nick Breaux (BO 445)
Wes Breeden (BO 286)
Robert Broadwell (BO 198)
Stan Brouillette (BO 205)
Kevin Bruce (BO 469)
Steven Carrier (BO 351)
Rodney Clements (BO 383)
Greg Comeaux (BO 333)
Austin Craft (BO 522)
Shayne Creppel (BO 463)
Shawn Daily (BO 252)
George Etheredge (BO 181)
Larry Gracie, PhD (BO 115)
Jonathan Grant (BO 305)
Chase Harvey (BO 475)
Doug Ireland (BO 452)
Bruce Kinder (BO 231)
Joey Kliebert (BO 367)
DJ Klucznik (BO 391)
Dean Lemoine (BO 579)
Robert Lockwood (BO 335)
Lane Luckie (BO 405)
Bill Luckie (BO 431)
Chris Lyles, PhD (BO 322)
Steve McCutcheon (BO 141)
Michael Melsheimer (BO 376)
Cameron Moises (BO 454)
David Morgan (BO 173)
David Morgan, Junior (BO 307)
Bill Morrison, PhD (BO 451)
Logan Nolan (BO 325)
John Parish (BO 221)
Alan Pasch (BO 357)
Jason Phillips (BO 286)
Chris Reich (BO 511)
Taylor Richard (BO 438)
Chris Sanders (BO 460)
Derek Sandoval (BO 506)
Randy Smith (BO 389)
Mark Springer (BO 523)
Jason Stelly (BO 355)
Kyle Thomas (BO 290)
Cory Wilson (BO 311)

BOM is excited to sponsor the Lakeview High School Basketball Team. Pictured from left are Head Coach Brian Williams, Kerrell Nora, Christopher Small Jr, Tiffany Woods (BOM Branch Manager & Lender in Montgomery), Principal William Hymes, and Assistant Coach Dewaskie Fuller. Let’s go Gators!

The East Natchitoches Elementary School of Fine Arts final registration days are scheduled for January 7-10, Monday through Thursday, from 3:15-5:30 P.M.

The cost of the School of Fine Arts is a one-time fee of $30.00 per student. Each student who registers receives a $150.00 scholarship credited to their account to pay their teacher. This is for students in grades 3-12 in all Natchitoches Parish Public Schools.

One-hour group classes once a week for twelve weeks are offered in drama, keyboard, guitar, art, dance and sculpture (pottery making). Thirty-minute private lessons once a week for twelve weeks are offered in piano, voice, drums, flute, trumpet, trombone, and violin.

Contact the East Natchitoches Elementary School at 318-352-4516 or 985-590-9055 for more information. Danny R. Von Kanel is the director of the School of Fine Arts. Chrystal Davis is the principal at East Natchitoches Elementary School and Mr. Dale Skinner is the Superintendent of Schools for the Natchitoches Parish Public School District.

Members of Creston Baptist Church of Creston and members of the “Busy Bees” organization donated hand quilted male and female prayer blankets for Hospice of Natchitoches patients. Accepting blankets from Sharon Cowart (left) and Maxine Council (right) is Dominick Metoyer, RN-Administrator of Hospice of Natchitoches.

Parish President Rick Nowlin is pleased to report that the Parish Council has approved the appointment of Mr. John Richmond as the new Director of Public Works. As Director, Mr. Richmond will be responsible for all activities of the highway and solid waste departments. He is expected to begin his service with the Parish in early January.

Mr. Richmond is a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, and has lived in Natchitoches approximately seven years. During the past year-and-a-half, John has been employed by Regional Construction, LLC., a local road building company, where he managed road construction projects across Louisiana. Prior to moving to Natchitoches, John was employed as a Vice President with Shaw/CBI where he was responsible for oversight of construction and finance with budgets of more that 1.4 billion.   Mr. Richmond earned a degree in Construction Engineering Technology from Louisiana Tech University and a Master’s degree in business administration from LSU.

Mr. Richmond was appointed to the position following the advertisement of the opening on three separate occasions over the past year. Interviews were conducted with qualified candidates and he was the unanimous choice of the interview committee. His combination of education, work history and knowledge of construction activities and his supervisory experience made him the right choice.

Mr. Earl Townsend has been serving as the interim director while the Parish sought a new director. He will continue with the Parish for a temporary period to assist Mr. Richmond as he takes over the department. Mr. Townsend previously served the Parish as the director until his retirement in 2013.

The Parish is pleased to appoint Mr. Richmond as our new Director of Public Works and are confident that he will lead the department with distinction.

NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Claudia Lester-Bynog
September 7, 1956 – December 20, 2018
Visitation: Sunday, December 23 from 3-9:30 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, December 24 at 11:30 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Natchitoches
Interment: Bay Springs Cemetery in Chopin

Peggy Jean LaCaze
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Fern Park Cemetery in Natchitoches

Robert Demetrius Griffin
June 02, 1995 – December 13, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, December 22 from 10-11 am at the Asbury United Methodist Church
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 11 am at the Asbury United Methodist Church

Derrick Sharold Brown`
May 13, 1982 – December 14, 2018
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Natchitoches

SABINE PARISH:

Patsy Ruth Funderburg
November 12, 1933 – December 20, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, December 22 at 9 am at First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hill
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 10 am at First Baptist Church of Pleasant Hill\
Interment: Spring Ridge Cemetery

RAPIDES PARISH:

Mary Louise Carson
January 2, 1927 – December 20, 2018
Service: Wednesday, December 26 at 12 pm in the Chapel of Kramer Funeral Home
Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Visitation: Wednesday, December 26 from 8:30 am – 12 pm in the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home Chapel

Nicholas Scott “Nickey” Lemoine
February 6, 1965 – December 19, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, December 22 from 8-10 am at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home in Alexandria
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 10 am in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home

Nadine Edna Haas Larsen
February 11, 1929 – December 17, 2018
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 2 pm at St. James Episcopal Church in Alexandria

WINN PARISH:

Jerry Wayne Leslie
January 02, 1942 – December 20, 2018
Service: Thursday, December 27 at 12 pm in the Chapel of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield
Interment: Beech Creek Cemetery near Olla

Enola Chreene Crumholt
December 25, 1930 – December 19, 2018
Service: Saturday, December 22 at 12 pm at Chreene Cemetery in Stanley

By Kevin Shannahan

 

Kevin’s Gallery

The NCHS atrium was transformed into a banquet hall as the Chiefs’ football team and trainers held their annual awards night Thursday, Dec 20th. NCHS head football coach Byron Keller began the event by welcoming the players, trainers and their families. The Chiefs then enjoyed a superb dinner of jambalaya and sides.

Coach Keller began the program with the academic awards. The young men were on the honor roll, academic all state, first and second team all district and district honorable mention.

Mr. Lennis Watson introduced the trainers. These young men and women are an integral part of the school’s athletic program. They are extensively trained in CPR, recognizing, preventing and dealing with injuries and caring for the athletes in their charge. Mr. Watson and the trainers provide an extra margin of safety for athletes in every sport. Over the years, several of the trainers have gone on to careers in physical therapy and sports training.

The assistant coaches presented awards to the outstanding offensive and defensive players, the offensive and defensive MVPs as well as the coaches’ award given to the player who exemplified character, dedication and selflessness. Lastly each senior player and trainer was called forward and presented with souvenirs of their time with the team.

This night was about celebrating the accomplishments of a superb group of young men and women. Watching the ceremony, I could see much more. This is the first year of coach Keller’s hopefully long career at the helm of the Chiefs. The change is palpable. A culture of discipline, accountability and excellence on and off the field is taking shape. Coach Keller and his assistants are more than coaches, they are examples to the boys of how men should conduct themselves. They are firm, but not abusive. They carry themselves with dignity and decorum. They are using football to build men.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal is looking forward to the Chief’s 2019 season. Go Chiefs!

District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington said today that Ervin Leanard Walker was sentenced by the 10th Judicial District Court to 17 years in prison. The sentence was the result of Walker’s trial conviction of illegal use of a weapon during a crime of violence.

Walker, 53, of Natchitoches was convicted for a 2017 shooting incident in a parking lot of a business on Keyser Avenue.

10th Judicial District Court Judge Lala Sylvester presided over the trial and sentencing.

The Natchitoches Central Chiefs will host their annual I-49 Shootout at Prather Coliseum Friday, Dec. 28. The annual shootout combines teams from North Louisiana playing teams from South Louisiana. It will be a great afternoon/evening of High School basketball.

2:00 pm Saline HS vs Haughton HS

3:30 pm Capt. Shreve vs Live Oak HS

5:00 pm Montgomery HS vs South Beauregard HS

6:30 pm Hicks HS vs Summerfield HS

8:00 pm Natch. Central vs Dutchtown HS

*First team listed will be Home and will wear white.

Please arrive no later than an hour before scheduled time.
Admission: $8

Members of the Lakeview Jr/Sr High School’s 4H club participated in their first annual Pictures & Peppermints event on Dec. 14. Santa, Mrs. Claus and his “Elves” visited Fairview Alpha and Goldonna students to have their picture taken with Santa, tell them their Christmas wishes and received a candy cane attached with a note from Santa. The day was enjoyed by both the 4H members and the students.

Pictured on front row from left are Emily Corley, Kallie Ayres, Ashlie Key, Zoie Britt, Asharia Smith, Liberty Collins, Jorryn Harris, and Holtz Helms. On middle row are Mrs. Claus (Sherry Helms), Lashanti Prudhomme, Allie Hill, Allison Anderson, Sarah Jones, Jaydean Fenn, Josie Ayres, Aky’a Chatman, JaMichael Burgess, Trinity Browder, Chelsey Winslow, and Lauren Custis. On back row are Cameron Toussaint, Austin Smith, Destiny Williams, Cami Faircloth, Edward Smith, Charley Litton, Daniel Holland, Randell Slaughter, Hailey Poydras, Elizabeth Poydras, Nyla Carter, Brenton Cherry, Josh Mattox, Destinee Britt, and Santa Claus (Brandon Helms).

After all these years in Natchitoches, I am spoiled by the wonderful decorations.

Can you believe that not every town decorates for Christmas like we do?

Here’s what happens in the Gibsland metroplex. The Christmas decorations are attached to the light poles. One decoration per light pole. The decorations are snowflakes, Santa, angels, snowmen, boxes with bows and ribbons, candy canes, candles, and bells. The decorations are on both sides of Main street in Gibsland proper.

Last year on MY pole, the municipal Christmas decorations hanger attached a snow flake. The snow flake had blue lights. The lights are never off, day or night they are glowing brightly. My snow flake didn’t light up. Someone didn’t reset the circuit breaker on the pole plug. I was tempted to prop my ladder against the pole and fix the problem. I said tempted. I enjoyed looking at the snow flake, imagining what it would be like if the blue lights worked. The disappointment of last Christmas was tempered by the hope of the Christmas decorations this year.

This year, the decoration dude placed all the decorations by their respective poles and then went back and hung them on the pole.
This year I have a candy cane. The candy cane has red and white lights.
The candy cane is not hanging but propped against the bottom of the pole. The candy cane municipal Christmas decoration has been propped against the bottom of the pole for two weeks now.

As I survey Main Street, I note that the decoration dude started south of town and worked his way north on Main Street. As he went, he decorated all the poles on the right side of the street. On the left side of the street, many of the decorations remain propped at the bottom of the poles. Maybe the decoration dude was an arch conservative and only decorated poles on his right. Maybe he worried that decorating poles on the left would give assent to liberalism.

Maybe the dude’s wife had a baby and he never got back to the other side of the road. Maybe his truck broke down or his knee buckled. He might have forgotten, after all, half the town’s decorations are propped against poles. Maybe this is the year of unhung decorations in Bienville Parish and I didn’t get the memo.

I hope the authorities in the Gibsland metro area don’t pay this guy for the job. He did a half way job.

I was excited about the municipal decorations at the camp this year. I had resolved to climb up and make sure the circuit breaker was in the ON position. I was planning to enjoy the decoration on my corner.

Alas, it was not to be!

Isn’t that just like some Christmas plans?

Two points to ponder and I’ll let you go. First, for some folks the light of this season simply doesn’t shine. They don’t feel the love and joy of Christmas. Their hearts are broken, and the memory of loss or brokenness is too close. We can surround those folks with love and care. Remember, don’t practice theology without a license, be a quiet caring friend. You don’t have to give answers or explain the ways of God or of life. You can be a silent presence and that is adequate.

Second, I think the broken Christmases are the ones we remember. I already remember my two Christmases as a camp owner. The city decorations didn’t work on my light pole or never got hung. We remember easily, the time when the gift wasn’t right, the batteries weren’t included, or the plans went astray. We remember the times when things were not Norman Rockwell simple. We remember because of a spiritual connection to the first Christmas. The very first Christmas was all fouled up. Joseph explaining Mary’s condition, the trip to Bethlehem, the relatives that didn’t have room for a couple of cousins and the birth in the barn.

Christmas is about our brokenness and disappointments. It is about your Christmas decoration propped against the pole. It is about looking forward to a better time and a time when “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Ben D. Johnson Educational Center (BDJ Center) received $15,200 in grant funds from International Paper Red River Mill. The grant to the BDJ Center will be used towards the Legacy Youth Workforce Development program. The program will begin March 2019 and will serve young people ages 16-24 who are out of work and out of school by teaching occupational and life skills training with support to overcome social barriers. The program will utilize our food service business, Legacy Café, as a hands-on training environment.

The Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Natchitoches, Louisiana and founded in honor of the late Ben D. Johnson whose holdings represented one of the largest minority-owned enterprises in the state. More importantly though was Mr. Johnson’s legacy of a lifelong commitment to community. The Ben Johnson Educational Center will utilize a social enterprise structure to serve the community with a Youth Workforce Development Program, Legacy Café, Teaching Farm & Green Market and a Shared Community Kitchen/Business Incubator.

“We are grateful for the financial support to address this critical community need,” said Founder and Board Chair Claire Prymus.

The mission of Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is to build community in Natchitoches and give access to social and economic success for all of its residents.

Founded by Claire Prymus in honor of her late uncle, the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a commitment to building community and providing access and opportunities for residents in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Pictured above from left are Victoria Lemane, Mill Communications Manager; Dallas Russell, Executive Director BDJ Center; and Mike Carroll, Mill Manager.