News Articles
Dr. Greg Handel, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University, shared information about the college’s activities with the Rotary Club of Natchitoches at its meeting Jan. 30. The Spirit of Northwestern Demon Band is in need of new uniforms. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause contact Jeff Mathews at mathewsj@nsula.edu or call 318-357-4450 (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Natchitoches is joining the celebration for National Catholic Schools Week by showcasing what makes education at St. Mary’s outstanding.
Wednesday’s Spotlight features Emily Amberg, a third grade student. Emily is eight-years-old. She is the daughter of Robyn and Landon Amberg.
Her teachers are Laura Friedel and Elizabeth Yopp. Her favorite teacher is Miss Friedel, who Emily has had as a teacher for second and third grade.
“I wish I could have her as my teacher again in fourth grade,” said Emily. “She’s funny and nice and always make her class laugh. She decorates her class fun and it makes us feel like there’s a party in there.”
Haley’s favorite subject is math because all the other subjects are really easy, but she likes the challenge math gives her. She wants to grow up to be a mom with two kids that’s a math teacher.
This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country.
“Not only are we teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in our communities, educators are growing with them,” said St. Mary’s Principal Andrea Harrell. “In Catholic schools, we are all learners, servants and leaders. These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work. They are what make Catholic schools succeed.”
The theme also focuses on key elements of Catholic education: faith development, academic excellence and dedication to service. These elements set Catholic schools apart from other educational options. They are why families make sacrifices to provide their children with Catholic education.
“St. Mary’s is awesome,” said Emily. “It’s the best school I’ve been to. We believe in Jesus and I want everyone to believe in him too.”
Natchitoches Magnet traveled to Montgomery Jan. 30 to play Montgomery. The Magnet team won 11-1.
Citing 24 years of public service as former Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court, Louie Bernard announced today his intention to seek the District 31 Senate seat in October of 2019. The six-parish district includes all or parts of Natchitoches, Sabine, Red River, Winn, Grant and Rapides Parishes.
“For the past twenty-four years, it has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Natchitoches Parish as Clerk of Court. As a member of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association, I established relationships with many citizens and community leaders throughout our region. I became acutely aware of the concerns many folks have with state government and how we can be better stewards of the tax dollars we are sending to Baton Rouge,” said Bernard.
“We must foster a positive economic climate that will attract businesses to our region. We can’t do that unless we have a skilled and trained workforce that potential employers will find beneficial to their specific needs. We should continue to invest in job skills training, our technical colleges and NSU to deliver a job-ready workforce right here in Disctrict 31”
“The State that we love so much has many solutions to find, not the least of which is developing a process to plan and approve a State budget without staring every year over what has come to be called, the ‘Fiscal Cliff.’ It is irresponsible to continue with temporary fixes to a permanent and systemic problem. I will be the first to tell you that I don’t have the ‘magic’ answer to this and other issues we face. I will tell you that I will bring a common-sense style of addressing those issues and, more importantly, I will work with anyone who is ready to roll up their sleeves to help Louisiana fix them once and for all. The ability to connect with people is important to accomplishment, not just on the campaign trail, but also in working with the other elected officials in Baton Rouge with whom your elected Senator will serve.”
Bernard is a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches and a proud graduate of Northwestern State University. He has been married for the past forty-four years to Gayle Haworth Bernard. They have three children and four wonderful grandchildren
“I hope to meet as many of you as is possible on the very long campaign trail ahead. Perhaps we will not agree on every issue, but you can be assured of one thing… I will always… ALWAYS… take time to listen to what you have to say on any matter that is concerning to you. I ask for your support and your prayers in this endeavor.”
The election for Senate District 31 will be held in October of 2019. Bernard is seeking the office currently held by Senator Gerald Long who is term limited.
NATCHITOCHES PARISH:
DeEtte Wilkinson Tomka
February 16, 1944 – January 24, 2018
Service: Saturday, Feb. 24 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second Street in Natchitoches
Interment: Trinity Bell Tower Columbarium
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Barbara Miller Reich
July 15, 1933 – January 29, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 4-8 pm at the John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Service: Thursday, Feb. 1 at 10 am at Mary, Mother of Jesus Catholic Church in Woodworth
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens
Rev. Winston Perry Lowe
(August 25, 1923 – January 28, 2018
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 11 am at Many Church of The Nazarene
Interment: Friendship Nazarene Cemetery
Jennie Oxley Feazel
March 6, 1931 – January 28, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 12-2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Springville Cemetery
Eleanor Rodgers Wyatt
February 10, 1958 – January 28, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9:30-11 am at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 am at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Interment: Montgomery Community Cemetery
Dorothy Horton
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 11 am at the Wesley United Methodist Church
Interment: Benevolent Cemetery in Mansfield
Eula “Sherry” Francis Dennis
April 7, 1935 – January 26, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10-11 am at Aimwell Baptist Church in Zwolle
Service: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 am at Aimwell Baptist Church
Interment: Aimwell Cemetery
Northwestern State University has named Louisiana’s top university for veterans for liberal arts and general studies.
The ranking is available at collegefactual.com/colleges/northwestern-state-university-of-louisiana/news/top-college-2018-top-ranked-veterans-liberal-arts-and-general-studies/.
Collegefactual.com developed the rankings to highlight institutions that offer quality outcomes in a specific major while also offering support to help veterans and active-duty military students thrive.
“We are honored to once again be recognized as a top university for veterans and hope that this continued distinction will encourage more individuals to pursue educational goals at Northwestern State,” said Dr. Darlene Williams, vice president for technology, innovation and economic development.
The rankings take into account 19 factors including that cover veteran affordability, population, flexibility and policies as well as overall college quality.
Northwestern State has been named a Military Friendly School seven times. The university has a campus at Leesville/Fort Polk and also offers classes at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. The university has 39 degree programs available online through nsula.edu/ensu that serves veterans and active-duty personnel wherever they are.
The website also ranked NSU as the state’s top institution for returning adults.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer a TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Boot Camp this spring. Sessions will be held on Feb. 2, 9 and 23 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and April 3 and 5 from 8 a.m. until noon.
The class will be on the second floor of South Hall on NSU’s Natchitoches campus. The fee is $50 for those who pre-register and $75 on the day of class.
Students will receive study tips and a review of TEAS sections on reading, math, science and English.
For more information, call (318) 357-6355, (800) 376-2422 or go to nsula.edu/ece/non-credit-programs.
St. Mary’s Catholic School in Natchitoches is joining the celebration for National Catholic Schools Week by showcasing what makes education at St. Mary’s outstanding.
Tuesday’s Spotlight features Ray Gandy, a fifth and sixth grade math teacher in his second year at St. Mary’s.
“My first impression of the school was that it encourages a very big family atmosphere,” he said. “I felt right at home when I walked in the door and I knew it was where I was supposed to be.”
Gandy graduated from Northwestern State University with a bachelors in social studies education with a minor in math, and a master’s in educational leadership. This year marks 30 years of teaching.
“I had teachers growing up that improved my life in a very positive way,” said Gandy. “I wanted to do the same thing for other children that they did for me.”
Celebrated annually at the end of January, St. Mary’s has organized a whole week of activities to show what its students are accomplishing and to celebrate the community it’s built, educating tomorrow’s citizens and church leaders.
This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country.
“Not only are we teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in our communities, educators are growing with them,” said St. Mary’s Principal Andrea Harrell. “In Catholic schools, we are all learners, servants and leaders. These shared qualities are what make Catholic schools work. They are what make Catholic schools succeed.”
The theme also focuses on key elements of Catholic education: faith development, academic excellence and dedication to service. These elements set Catholic schools apart from other educational options. They are why families make sacrifices to provide their children with Catholic education.
“I hope the community will join us for our All School Mass Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 9 am in the school gym and again Friday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 am in the St. Mary’s chapel for Mass, Adoration and Benediction,” said Harrell. “Please bring your friends and neighbors, particularly those who may be considering Catholic education for their service.”
Gandy said he likes everything at St. Mary’s, but the thing he likes the most is that he can practice his faith and share it with his students without fear.
While Green Acres might be the place to be, we are currently stuck in a Louisiana winter that can’t make up its mind on whether it wants to stay or go. But don’t let the threat of frost hold you back, you can still get started on your potato patch! Kevin Walker continued his gardening seminar at the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) this month with “How to Grow Potatoes,” where he shared sweet potato and Irish potato growing tips. Mr. Walker credits his mother with most of his knowledge and his “inherited” green-thumb. He presented his methods of starting potatoes indoors and getting them to begin rooting so that they can go into the ground when the lows are no longer below 60 degrees. He also demonstrated how to cut potatoes that have begun sprouting to be placed in the soil and when to cut the vines and rebury the tips for even more produce. The gardening series is an ongoing program at the NPL, and each aims to target an upcoming planting season.
For more information, follow the Natchitoches Parish Library on Facebook or visit their website at natlib.org.
Natchitoches Central High School’s newly chartered Leo Club collected 2,157 pounds of food in a one-week time period as part of the KALB-TV Christmas Cheer Food Drive. The winners were announced in December and Darrian Pierite, public relations coordinator for the Paragon Casino Resort, presented a check to the club Jan. 24.
The Leo Club was chartered at Natchitoches Central in October. Club President Caremn Waskom and Vice President Raegan Washington were the students who originally asked to charter the club at their school. The club now has 57 members.
Through the Leo Club Program, young people serve as positive agents of change within their communities. These young leaders develop valuable leadership skills, make new friends and have fun. Natchitoches Lion’s Club member Michele Waskom is the Leo Club Sponsor. Paula Callender and Wendy Worsham are the Leo Club’s faculty advisors at NCHS.
The food drive was the club’s second major service project. The first project they did was to collect books for First Lady Jennifer Maggio’s literacy initiative at Northwestern State University.
Five parishes representing 67 local schools participated in the Christmas Cheer Food Drive, which benefitted the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. The schools receive prize money, totaling $8,000, sponsored by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and KALB-TV.
Natchitoches Parish collected a total amount of 9,746 as follows by school:
East Natchitoches Elementary- 1,048 pounds
Cloutierville Elementary and Jr. High- 1,346 pounds
Natchitoches Central High School- 2,157 pounds
Pictured above, from left are Pierite, Callender, NCHS Assistant Principal David Elkins, Michele Waskom, Carmen Waskom, and Washington.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will offer Pick Up Your Paint Brush classes throughout February. Thursday sessions will be on Feb. 1, 15 and 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday sessions are on Feb. 10 and 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The class will be held on the second floor of South Hall. The fee is $45.
Participants will learn the art of painting using step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece of their own. No special or prior skill is required. Students will take home a completed painting at the end of every class. Children ages 7 – 12 years old are allowed to enroll, but a parent must accompany the child the entire class. Parents do not have to enroll unless they participate. All supplies are included.
For more information, call (318) 357-6355, (800) 376-2422 or go to nsula.edu/ece/non-credit-programs.
Natchitoches Police Department patrol officers were dispatched Jan. 27 at 2:45 am to the intersection of Highland Park Drive and Rowena Street in reference to a call of shots being fired.
Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Gregory Tyler, who stated that two black male subjects, identified as Johnathan Robinson and D’Angelo Brimsey, had approached him in a vehicle as he was walking down Rowena Street, and then shot at him from the roadway. Tyler advised he shot back at the vehicle and the vehicle left the area.
NPD officers also made contact with a citizen in the 500 block of Rowena Street, who stated that during the gunfire, his residence had been struck by a stray bullet.
Detectives with the NPD Criminal Investigations Division assisted patrol officers with the investigation. Gregory Tyler, 25, was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and released. Arrest warrants were issued for Johnathan Robinson and D’Angelo Brimsey for attempted first degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property.
NPD patrol officers located both Robinson and BrimseyJan. 28 at 8:30 am at a residence in the 1300 block of Lake Street. Both individuals were taken into custody without incident. Johnathan Robinson, 22, and D’Angelo Brimsey, 19, were charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property. Both were placed in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The Virtue of the Month of December was JOY!! These precious students were chosen because they can always be counted on to represent that virtue. Pictured from left are Hudson Herrington, Kennedi Starks, Elise Armstrong, Father Brian Seiler, Jaxon Townsend, Jake Thibodaux, Carter Hogg, Justin Vienne, Rees Williams, Gabby Godfrey, Mason Melder, Kenzie Lippa, Madeline Godfrey, Mary Anna Scruggs, Luke Gallien and Lauren Vienne.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic and Continuing Education will present an online public speaking course Friday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The course will be offered through WebEx. The fee is $75. A video introduction is available at kaltura.com/tiny/sjgtm.
The class will teach students how to create a persuasive message using tone and pacing, voice projection, pitch and resonance. Participants will learn how to lose their fear of public speaking and become a memorable speaker who can grasp and keep their listeners’ attention.
For more information, call (318) 357-6355, (800) 376-2422 or go to nsula.edu/ece/non-credit-programs.
NATCHITOCHES PARISH:
Ernie “Lou” Metoyer
September 16, 1935 – January 26, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 9-10:30 am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Natchitoches
Service: Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 11 am at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
Interment: St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cloutierville
SURROUNDING AREAS:
Steve DeWeese
October 29, 1961 – January 25, 2018
Rev. Winston Perry Lowe
August 25, 1923 – January 28, 2018
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 5 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 11 am at Many Church of The Nazarene
Interment: Friendship Nazarene Cemetery
Jennie Oxley Feazel
March 6, 1931 – January 28, 2018
Visitation: Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 12-2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Springville Cemetery
Eleanor Rodgers Wyatt
February 10, 1958 – January 28, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9:30-11 am at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 am at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
Interment: Montgomery Community Cemetery
Dorothy Horton
Visitation: Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 6-7 pm at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Service: Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 11 am at the Wesley United Methodist Church
Interment: Benevolent Cemetery in Mansfield
Eula “Sherry” Francis Dennis
April 7, 1935 – January 26, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10-11 am at Aimwell Baptist Church in Zwolle
Service: Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 am at Aimwell Baptist Church
Interment: Aimwell Cemetery
The City Council voted to award the bid for dredging of Chaplin’s Lake to Merrell Bros., Inc. of Kokomo, IN for $316,400 at its meeting Dec. 12.
The out-of-state company outbid a company from Mandeville ($399,300). When asked, the company said northern lakes are frozen over and taking out-of-state jobs keeps their crew working.
Chaplin’s Lake will be dredged to 6 feet, as opposed to its current 6 inch depth at the north end that sits adjacent to the railroad tracks on University Parkway on the NSU Campus.
Sludge built up in the lake over the years, making the north end unsightly and unusable. The construction of a new clarification system at the water plant will stop the sludge from entering the water in the lake.
Work began around Jan. 19 and is estimated to last 3-4 weeks. There are three massive presses running along the banks of the lake. Pipes from the dredge pump the sediment to the presses where the water is removed. This turns the sediment into a dry, cake-like substance that’s easier to transport. One truck carries 23 yards.
The Krewe of Dionysos partied the night away at its Mardi Gras Ball Jan. 27. The theme was “20 Years of Peace, Love and Mardi Gras,” and there was plenty of all three to go around. Peace signs, flowers and cardboard cutouts of the Royal Court decorated the Natchitoches Events Center as beads flew through the air after the official Royal Court presentation and performance.
The 2018 Royal Court is:
Captain Dionysos XX Pete Johnson
King Dionysos XX Dennis Bryant
Queen Dionysos XX Darlene McElwee
Duke and Duchess of Dance Jim Davis and Jamie LaCour
Duke and Duchess of Desire Brandon Hillman and Kelli Todd
Duke and Duchess of Destiny Justin McKnight and Melissa Slaughter
Duke and Duchess of Decadence Randy Williams and Linda Rachal
Jr. Court is:
Clayton Jackson Jr.
Aston Behrendson
Karlie Mouton
Sierra Pesnell
Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum was the place to be Jan. 27 as the NSU men’s and women’s basketball teams faced off against the University of Central Arkansas. The “Pack Prather” day featured a day of basketball action, performing spirit groups, a chili cookoff and an epic dance battle between Vic the Demon and Monty, the Bank of Montgomery mascot.
The Battle for the Paddle has become an eagerly awaited annual tradition in Natchitoches. The popular chili cookoff featured 13 teams this year, including several local businesses, the Natchitoches Fire Department and NSU sports teams. Hungry Demon fans thronged the hallways of Prather where they sampled the various teams’ chili and voted for their favorites. The event is a popular fundraiser for the Demons Unlimited Foundation. This year’s competition was won by the ladies of NSU Volleyball with Rutledge Plumbing and the Natchitoches Fire Department also placing in the competition.
Winners:
NSU Volleyball- People’s Choice Award
Rutledge- People’s Choice Award (Runner Up)
City Bank- Judge’s Choice
Fire Department- Judge’s Choice (Runner Up)
The Northwestern State basketball career of standout Jalan West has officially ended, after the Demons’ seventh-year senior did not enroll before Friday’s noon deadline to register for spring semester classes.
West left the team during the Christmas break due to personal reasons and has not played in NSU’s last eight games. He competed in eight non-conference games this season, averaging 12.3 points and 4.8 assists, after successfully overcoming two knee surgeries following his outstanding junior season in 2014-15.
The Bossier High School product was in the top 10 of all active NCAA basketball players in five career statistical categories when he departed. His 652 assists, an NSU school record, was the nation’s best total.
His 231 career steals, third all-time at NSU, was second among active players nationally. His 6.27 assists per game and his 2.23 steals average both ranked third, while his plus 2.63 assist-to-turnover ratio was fourth. West scored 1,690 career points, 10th nationally when he left the team.
Along with holding NSU’s career assists record, the 5-foot-11 point guard also holds the Demons’ single-season mark (246), along with school records for season (86) and career (230) 3-point baskets. His career .865 free throw percentage is the best all-time by any Southland Conference competitor.
Before his injury in the first game of his initial senior season in 2015-16, West had won two All-Southland Conference honors along with the 2013 Southland Freshman of the Year award. NSU won 59 games, reaching the 2013 NCAA Tournament and 2015 College Insider Tournament, in his injury-free first three seasons.
“Jalan was a tremendous player for us who helped our program to a lot of success on the court, and was a special ambassador for Demon basketball and NSU off the court,” said head coach Mike McConathy. “We want all the best for him and his family going forward. He will always be a beloved member of our basketball family at Northwestern State University.”
Another accomplished senior, Bossier native Devonte Hall, left the team earlier in December for personal reasons and will not play again, said McConathy. Hall averaged 10.3 points and 5.4 assists in the last two seasons, and 5.8 points and 2.3 assists in eight games this season. He finished eighth all-time on NSU’s career assists rankings with 379.
Hall is completing work on his undergraduate degree this spring. West earned his undergraduate degree in 2016.
“Devonte was a leader in our community service endeavors and in the classroom, and he gave us great effort and production stepping into the point guard position beginning in his sophomore season, when Jalan got hurt,” said McConathy. “Basketball just wasn’t fun for him any longer and that’s fine. He’s focused on his academics, he’s going to graduate, and he will be successful in life.”
The Demons have graduated almost 90 percent of their student-athletes during McConathy’s 19 years as head coach. Ten players posted grade point averages of 3.0 or better during the fall 2017 semester.
NSU, which began the season with the fifth-youngest roster in college basketball, plays host to Central Arkansas Saturday afternoon at 3 in Prather Coliseum.
Former Northwestern State football player Bryant Lewis and his wife Heloise have made another six-figure gift to support NSU Athletics through the Demons Unlimited Foundation.
They donated property to the DUF, which then realized a net gain of $118,000 from a sale.
The proceeds are being directed toward NSU Athletics’ annual scholarship fund, to support football recruiting, and to fund a long-planned renovation of the N-Club Hall of Fame display in Prather Coliseum, said NSU director of athletics Greg Burke.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis made a $500,000 gift in 2015 which supported extensive renovations at Turpin Stadium, including replacing original chairback seating with all purple chairs featuring fan-friendly amenities.
“The Bryant Lewis family is appreciated for its continued, generous support that will better position our athletic program for success,” said Burke. “There is a tremendous amount of momentum for our university right now and that, in turn, provides an opportunity to better solidify the athletic foundation. The key to doing so will be continuing to secure contributions from alumni and friends.”
The gift will help underwrite annual fund expenses which support the athletic department budget that includes scholarships and other essential operating costs.
Some of the gift has been designated to support recruiting efforts for Demon football under the leadership of new head coach Brad Laird.
Another portion of the funds will help NSU Athletics modernize the N-Club Hall of Fame display, honoring the greatest competitors in school history while commemorating significant achievements through more than a century of competition.
A link (http://www.nsudemons.com/sports/2016/4/5/facility-enhancements.aspx) provides conceptual images of the renovations and other NSU Athletics facilities projects in development.
Burke expressed gratitude to NSU Foundation executive director Drake Owens for helping facilitate the legal aspects of the latest Lewis gift.
Donations of all sizes provide vital, continuing support to NSU Athletics.
The goal is to grow the DUF endowment, through outright donations or deferred gifts, over the next five years from the current $1.8 million level to over $5 million. So far, gifts have come from former athletes and their families, supporters of the university and most notably, iconic retired president Dr. Randy Webb and his wife, Brenda.
The program is separate from the efforts to supplement the annual budget for the athletics program with donations, corporate partnerships and special fund-raising events.
Northwestern State University’s Students for Animal Protection organization will host a Mardi Paws Ball benefiting the Natchitoches Humane Society from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 in the Student Union Ballroom. Dress is semiformal.
Tickets are $10 for NSU and LSMSA students and $20 for non-students. The event will include raffles, door prizes, music, food and a guest speaker. There will also be donation boxes for pet supplies. Sponsorships are available and donations are welcome.
The Mardi Paws Ball precedes the Krewe of Wag-uns Mardi Gras children and pet parade that will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 in downtown Natchitoches. Information on that event is available on the Natchitoches Humane Society Facebook page.
For ticket and sponsorship information on the Mardi Paws Ball, contact Haley Tucker at (337) )353-9725 or e-mail htucker112936@nsula.edu.
The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will present the annual McCutcheon Honors Recital on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the recital.
Each year student winners are chosen from each musical area for the most outstanding fall jury performance. These students represent the areas of woodwinds, brass, strings, piano, percussion and voice.
Those chosen to perform are Oniluz Melendez Carrillo of Natchitoches on flute, Ronald Rodriguez of Cartegena, Colombia, on piano, Addison Pellegrino of Fort Worth, Texas, on marimba, Cesia Corrales of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on viola, Sebastian Alfaro Fontalvo of Cartegena, Colombia, on trumpet and tenor Jenson Wall of Denham Springs.
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 those 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.