Election Day for the Spring municipal election is Saturday, March 24, 2018

On the ballot for Natchitoches Parish:

City of Natchitoches – 10 Mills Renewal – CC – 10 Yrs.
Mayor Village of Natchez (1 to be elected)
Aldermen Village of Natchez (3 to be elected)

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The Northwestern State University Alumni Association invites Demon fans to a baseball tailgate that is being planned in conjunction with the renaming of the Wellness, Recreation and Activities Center for former NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb, which will be held March 20 at 3 pm. The tailgate will take place at Brown-Stroud Field from 4-6 p.m. prior to baseball game versus Louisiana Tech.

The cost to attend the tailgate is $15 per person and includes food and beverages, the Pack & Play with big screen TVs and lounge furniture and tailgate games. Those who attend the tailgate can get a game ticket for $5. General admission to the game is $10.

The tailgate and game conclude a day of celebration on what would have been Dr. Webb’s 75th birthday. Earlier in the day, the WRAC dedication will include a reception at 2 p.m. and dedication program at 3 p.m. at the WRAC. The dedication reception and program are free and open to the public. All friends of the Webb family are invited to attend.

Several honors for the Webb family will be included in the game, including first pitch, unveiling of honorary seats, commemorative pennants for fans. A list of Dr. Webb’s favorite songs will be played during the game.

To make reservations to attend the tailgate party, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nsu-vs-louisiana-tech-baseball-tailgate-game-tickets-44002104479 or call the NSU Alumni Center at (318) 357-4414.

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Bassoonist David Wells will perform at Northwestern State University Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Wells will perform on baroque bassoon and be joined by NSU faculty Douglas Bakenhus on baroque bassoon, Dennette McDermott on baroque flute and Francis Yang on harpsichord. The program is works by Telemann, Boismortier, Jiri Čart, Fasch and Zachow.

Wells teaches bassoon and music history at the Sacramento State School of Music. He earned the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His dissertation is an expansive history and discography of the bassoon in jazz. He also holds degrees in bassoon performance from Arizona State University and Florida State University,

Wells has taught at the Festival de Música de Santa Catarina in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, as well as at the Sequoia and CalCap Chamber Music Workshops in Northern California. He has also given clinics for high school students in California, Wisconsin and Michigan. Wells serves as the director of operations for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and Basoon Symposium, a biennial event that features a competition for young women bassoonists from North and South America.

Wells is principal bassoonist of the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra and the Townsend Opera. He was formerly second bassoonist of the Tallahassee and Mobile Symphony Orchestras, and performs often with other orchestras throughout northern California.

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The City of Natchitoches will provide structured, positive activities for children during this year’s spring break.

“Fun & Fitness Camp” will be held on Monday, March 26 – Thursday, March 29 from 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the MLK Recreation Center located at 660 MLK Drive in Natchitoches. “Fun & Fitness Camp” is open to all youth ages 6 – 13 and will include recreation, visual and culinary art classes, a daily walking field trip, and making a healthy lunch. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is $25 per child and $20 for each additional sibling.

Participants can register online at http://www.CityofNatchitoches.MaxGalaxy.net or at the MLK Recreation Center, 660 MLK Drive.

For more information, please contact DeAndrea Sanders at (318) 214-7911 or dsanders@natchitochesla.gov.

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A new meaning can be associated with the term “foul” at Northwestern State’s Brown-Stroud Field.

New “fowl” pole signage from the newly opened Chicken Express on South St. is the most visible part of a new corporate partnership between the chicken restaurant and NSU.

NSU associate athletics director Haley Taitano said the university and Chicken Express share the desire to promote a family-friendly environment.

“(Owners) Robert and Roy Harris expressed to me over and over that being family-oriented and embracing community values are central to what they do, which is something NSU athletics embraces whole-heartedly,” Taitano said. “We appreciate their willingness to jump right in to a new town and a new environment and invest in the university in this way.

“We’re looking forward to working with Chicken Express to enhance our game day atmosphere and provide an added value for our fans.”

Brothers Robert and Roy Harris own and operate the restaurant chain after learning the poultry industry on their father’s farm in Texas.

“We’re a family-owned business, and we started with family roots,” Robert Harris said. “We want to have a great relationship with the student body and the people.

“With all of our kids who have gone to college, we know how wonderful it is for the kids to have a place to eat that’s family-friendly.”

Added Roy, “We love the town of Natchitoches, love NSU and love everything they’ve done for us. We just wanted to give back.”

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Natchitoches Magnet eighth grader Hannah Carnline was the top speller from a field of 32 competitors in her school’s spelling bee. Ms. Carnline will go on to represent Natchitoches parish Saturday, March 17th (TODAY) at LSU-Shreveport for the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee. Hannah will be one of 20 spelling contestants from a 28 parish region who will be competing Saturday. That day’s winner will go on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. during the week of May 27th to June 1st.

Smart kids in our community doing smart things are a joy to see. The Natchitoches Parish Journal would like to commend Natchitoches Magnet’s Spelling Bee Sponsor Ms. Bobbye Estes-Akin and thank her for her hard work on behalf of her school and its children. We also wish Hannah Carnline every success in Saturday’s Spelling Bee.

There are smart, capable children in every school in the parish. With leadership, they will rise to any challenge. Next year, let us have more than one school in the Scripps Spelling Bee. Make it so!

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Five online programs in Northwestern State University’s Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences have been ranked among the nation’s top 10 programs for quality and affordability according to two higher education websites.

The bachelor’s in criminal justice was ranked fifth by guidetoonlineschools.com and sixth by onlineu.org. Guidetoonlineschools.com ranked the pre-law and paralegal studies program sixth while onlineu.org ranked the program ninth. The degree in history was rated ninth by guidetoonlineschools.com.

“We are pleased to have online programs that are ranked among the best in the nation for quality and affordability,” said Joe Morris, head of the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences. “The rankings are due to the work of our department’s faculty who created the programs and continually work to enhance them. Our faculty are dedicated to student success and preparing our students for the workforce.”

The criminal justice and history program were also ranked by other websites.

Guidetoonlineschools.com ranks bachelor’s programs that offer at least 10 programs online.

Tuition rates were manually researched and reflect the lowest tuition rate available at the specified degree level. Out-of-state tuitions were used unless in-state tuition is offered to all online students. Academic strength scores were calculated using standardized average SAT and ACT exam scores with respect to the total points possible. Tuition data and academic strength scores were then entered in an internal algorithm to determine value scores and rank order.

Onlineu.org determines a base level degree requirement for each subject. This degree level requirement reflects, per subject, which degree is most important for employment within a given subject.

To be considered for these subject rankings, schools need to be regionally accredited and need to offer at least one fully online degree in a given subject for the degree level that was required, or higher. Tuition rates were manually researched and reflect the degree level requirement tuition if offered, or the next level tuition cost. Out-of-state tuitions were used unless in-state tuition is offered to all online students.

Program data including available degrees, tuition rates, and details about program coursework were collected from official school websites, reflecting data for the 2017-2018 school year. This data was collected in July of 2017. Acceptance rates, programmatic accreditation, and profit status of schools were collected from official websites of the accreditation agencies or from the National Center for Education Statistics.

For more information on Northwestern State’s Department of Criminal Justice, History and Social Sciences, go to cjhss.nsula.edu. To learn about online programs at NSU, go to nsula.edu/ensu.

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BOM is a silver sponsor of the Main Event Pro Wrestling Show tomorrow, March 17 at 6 pm at Natchitoches Junior High School. This company is working with JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) in Natchitoches Parish to produce a live wrestling event that will give the youth a positing and entertaining show and promote anti-bullying message in the Natchitoches community.

Pictured from left are Stephen Van Sickle, Byron Wilcott (Main Event Pro Wrestling Event Coordinator), Tara McKenney, and Brooke Latham.

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MLK Head Start and NSU Head Start participated in their annual Literacy Night event on March 8. The focus of the event was Early Literacy, a training designed to show parents how to effectively participate in read aloud activities at home.

Reading aloud is the single most important activity parents can do to prepare their child for reading and learning. Recent research shows that by age 3 the gap is showing up in early brain development between children whose parents read to them and those who do not.

Head start Secretary Lauren Raymond and Head Start Director Chriscella Metoyer distributed prizes to the students. The event was free to the public, and each child received free books and new pajama sets donated from the Pajama Company in New York City. Parents received door prizes. Sausage gumbo and other refreshments were provided by the Head Start nutrition staff.

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John Wynn, Fire Chief for the City Of Natchitoches.

The mission of the Natchitoches Fire Department is to protect and serve the community by providing, professional, caring, and safe services, which protect life and property through fire prevention, suppression, rescue and other specialized programs.

The Fire Department’s daily operations revolve around mitigating many emergencies from fire emergencies to emergency medical calls, hazardous materials responses, and any other incident where we may render aid or be of assistance. Last year the NFD responded to 2,196 total calls. We are at 450 in the middle of March.

We have a total of 45 members at our Fire Department which include 14 members between three shifts, and three administrative positions. We have three frontline fire engines, one reserve fire engine, one rescue truck, an aerial apparatus, and other specialized equipment to mitigate many types of emergencies. We keep this equipment in three stations:

Second Street
Martin Luther King
East Fifth

We also have a Training Facility at the Trade School on the Bypass.

As everyone knows we have a 10 MILL Public Safety Hazard Tax RENEWAL coming up on March 24, with early voting ending tomorrow, March 17, at 6 p.m.

It is with this 10 mill renewal that we fund:

Salary and Benefits for 13 Firefighters positions
Training
Tools and Equipment
Purchase of Fire Apparatus
Inspections and Certifications for fire apparatus and equipment
Upkeep of buildings and grounds
Capital improvements
Uniforms
Fire, Rescue and EMS services
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival and many other events attract visitors to our community that we care for. We have Northwestern State University, A regional medical facility, three nursing homes, many apartment complexes and major industry that we serve and protect.

The NFD not only responds to emergencies but conducts inspections and makes pre-fire plans for all the businesses within the city limits of Natchitoches. We test our fire hose and flow fire hydrants per NFPA and PIAL requirements.

We respond to non-emergency calls as well as emergencies. This may include firehouse tours and classes, visits to schools, our smoke detector program in cooperation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, or even just stopping to assist stranded motorists. We have a Fire Safety Trailer that we set up at events to teach children and adults about fire safety and bad weather along with some fire and smoke behavior. We teach proper use of fire extinguishers, and host CPR and first aid classes.

It’s critical that the Natchitoches Fire Department have the resources to maintain its current level of service and I’m asking you to help us by voting in favor of our Ten mill Public Safety Hazard Tax Renewal.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

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NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Gerard Francis “Sonny” Thomas Jr.
January 20, 1923 – February 10, 2018
Service: Friday, March 23 at 4 pm at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant, located at 127 Church Street in Natchitoches

Edward Dewayne Hamm
December 8, 1950 – March 15, 2018
Visitation: Monday, March 19 from 5-7 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, March 19 at 7 pm in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.

Edith Pauline Eppinette Steadman
May 14, 1936 – March 16, 2018
Visitation: Sunday, March 18 from 6-9 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Monday, March 19 at 2 pm Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home

Ludie Viola Bolton Sparks
July 5, 1929 – March 15, 2018
Visitation: Sunday, March 18 from 1-3 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Sunday, March 18 at 3 pm at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Bellwood Shady Grove Cemetery

Carol Imelda Balthazar
Friday, March 9, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 17 from 10 am – 12 pm
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 12 pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church
Interment: St. Augustine Catholic Church Cemetery

William E. “Bill” Maley
October 5, 1941 – March 8, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 17 from 9-11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Jackson Cemetery in Flora

WINN PARISH:

Basil “Shorty” Guin
October 18, 1921 – March 16, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 17 from 5-8 pm and Sunday, March 18 from 12-2 pm at Southern Funeral Home
Service: Sunday, March 18 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home Chapel
Interment: Ebenezer Cemetery in Castor

Charles Ball
July 19, 1949 – March 6, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 8 am – 5 pm
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Internment: Winnfield City Cemetery

Oscar Lee “Slick” Walker
June 6, 1949 – March 9, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 2 pm in the chapel of the Winnfield Funeral Home of Winnfield

RED RIVER PARISH:

Buick Brisker
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 7-8 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Red River Church of God in Christ in Coushatta
Interment: Kinghill Cemetery in Jordan Ferry

Mark Clark Sr.
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 6-7 pm at the St. Savior Baptist Church in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Springville Cemetery in Coushatta

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Sen. Gerald Long of Natchitoches is listed among several potential candidates who may seek to run for Secretary of State in 2019. This information comes in the wake of Tom Schedler’s announcement March 14 that he won’t run for re-election following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him last month.

The NPJ spoke to Long this morning, March 16, to talk about next year’s election and the opportunity it presents.

“The public is looking for someone they can trust to be a person of integrity,” said Long, who is doing his homework before he makes the major decision of whether or not he will officially announce his candidacy later this year. Long plans to begin traveling throughout the state to meet with people.

“With all these sexual allegations being brought up, we need to elect men and women whose compass is a moral one,” said Long. “We need officials who can manage their office and personal life well. I try to live this. Faith has always been a big part of my life.”

Long said only 23 percent of the vote in Louisiana is from Alexandria, North. It’s hard to recall anyone from North Louisiana that’s been elected statewide in the last 20 years. It’s difficult to analyze the race without an understanding that a candidate needs to be well known throughout the state. It’s also important to Long to know there’s a base of support in North Louisiana as he considers the opportunity and faces the challenge of the money it would cost to run for such a position.

Another challenge that comes with the Secretary of State position is that no one knows it exists unless they’re already involved in the government. However, it’s an extremely important part of the election process. People want to know elections are bing held fairly.

Long feels the Secretary of State position doesn’t define candidates as Democrat or Republican. It focuses on their ability to be fair to all when it comes to the responsibilities and duties of the office.

“My past is tied so much to my family and my late wife that this would be a new adventure for me,” he said. “It’s gratifying to see how many people are encouraging me and I’m taking a good look at it.”

An exciting concept was discussed at the March 15 meeting of the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission (NHDDC). Destination Tours provides a service to create virtual tours of main street areas across the country. The Main Street Trail lets visitors take virtual tour’s of the best Main Streets, Shops, Restaurants, Attractions and more to plan their next vacation or weekend getaway.

Natchitoches will be the first main street in Louisiana to offer this kind of interactive online experience through its website natchiochesweddings.net. Work is in progress so don’t forget to check it out soon!

The committee for the Natchitoches Branding Initiative selected a final logo. An unveiling, open to the public, will be held Thursday, April 5 at 1 pm in the Thomas Building, located at 560 Second Street next to the Fire Department.

The Historic District Business Association (HDBA) opened its Classic Car Show, held annually on or near the first Saturday in October, to entires up to 1988. HDBA Rep Sandra Dickens said the organization feels like this will pull in another 150 cars.

Work on a new pocket park on Touline, on the site of the original St. Mary’s school, is underway and should be completed within the next month.

Upcoming events include:

March 17 from 9 am – 2 pm: Bloomin’ on the Bricks in Downtown Natchitoches

March 17 from 9 am – 4 pm: Art Along the Bricks in Downtown Natchitoches

March 17 from 2-10 pm: NYP Pub Crawl in Downtown Natchitoches

March 17 at 1 pm: NHS St. Pat’s Day Children and Pet Parade (beginning at BOM Washington Street branch)

March 24: Election-
City of Natchitoches – 10 Mills Renewal – CC – 10 Yrs.
Mayor Village of Natchez (1 to be elected)
Aldermen Village of Natchez (3 to be elected)

April 21 from 10 am – 1 pm: Find Your Park (Free Admission) at Oakland Plantation

April 21-22: Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival at Melrose Plantation

May 4-5: Sale on the Trail along the route of the El Camino Real de Los Tejas

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Northwestern State University of Louisiana, School of Creative and Performing Arts is pleased to present a group exhibition of new works featuring Cuban artists Reynier Llanes, Osvaldo Ferrer Miranda, Mirla Gonzales and Aliosky Garcia Sosa. The Los Cuatro Cubanos will run from Monday, March 19 to Friday, March 23, 2018 in Orville J. Hanchey Gallery, CAPA Annex building.

Llanes has chosen Northwestern State University of Louisiana to host his second exhibition of oil paintings, showing and sharing a spirituality art. “My creativity comes from the energy that surrounds me,” said Reynier Llanes. Llanes taught his process of making a portrait to CAPA students and has given to participants an insightful experience. Metaphorical art, romantic inspiration and technicality create the portrait of a recognized artist.

Black and white shapes and lines are the driving forces for Aliosky Garcia Sosa. “What can be man’s greatest obsession if he is not himself?” It is these words used by the artist that allow him to advance and make the printmakings an art in their own right. Garcia is an artist, printmaker, and curator who seeks to deliver a reality through these works whose the metaphor of our own world but do not leave the audience indifferent.

As for Osvaldo Ferrer Miranda, the use of color is important and a revealer of light and emotional forms. For those painting, color and portrait gives a versatility, skill, precision and overall interesting work. Ferrer capture emotions, expressions and a story through these works successfully.

Los Cuartro Cubanos will run March 19 to March 23.

For additional information please contact Leslie Gruesbeck at gruesbeckl@nsula.edu

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By Reba

This past December I attended the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party. After mingling for a few minutes, I found my friends huddled around a small table laughing and having a grandiose time. The conversation had turned to what everyone was wearing to the bank Christmas party. Being very excited about my selection I began looking for the picture in my email that confirmed my purchase.

Once I found it I proudly displayed it to the group and I received the exact response I expected: “Ohhh,” “Wow,” and “You’ll look fabulous.” Mind you, this was an amazing dress going on an amazing woman and my friends would never make me feel anything less than beautiful. But, no matter how amazing you think you are you still appreciate that peer approval. Five years ago I would’ve never thought this about myself or my selection of clothing.

Naturally the next question that followed was, “Where did you find this?” The old, unrestored version of me would have lied. I would have told a falsehood out of shame. However, the new me told everyone that I found it on a Plus-Size website. As another person walked up I had to retell the story and show them my dress and answer the same question with the same response.

Once I had told the truth not once but twice my precious, 90-pound petite friend said, “Quit calling it Plus-Size, I don’t want you to feel bad about yourself!”

I could earnestly tell this statement was coming from a place of pure love for her “Plus-Size” friend. Not wanting to make my friend feel bad I jokingly said, “Anyone with eyeballs can tell you and I clearly do not shop on the same racks” (in my exaggerated southern belle accent).

For most of my adult life, especially post-children, I’ve been what society refers to as “Plus-Size.” Curvy, thick, big boned, stout, full figured, chunky, and pleasantly plump are a few of the adjectives one may use to describe a larger lady.

Until a few years ago I would’ve never used any of these words to describe myself. Frankly, I was in denial and had very low self-esteem until God placed people in my life to show me there is no shame in being who God made me to be. There is more to a person than the number on a scale.

I spent so many years dressing to cover myself and hide the way I looked. If you looked in my closet you would quickly learn I was prepared for a funeral on any given day.

There was so much shame and I tended to blame every bad thing that happened in my life on my weight. Marriage issues had to be because I was overweight. My children misbehaved because I was chubby. Sounds extreme but when you aren’t happy with yourself this is what happens.

I even struggled with the fact that I shopped at Lane Bryant, Torrid and other places that catered to Plus-Size women. I have literally stuffed my Lane Bryant bag into a Dillard’s bag walking through the mall so no one would know where I shopped.

As women we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to look a certain way and be accepted by others. We let society measure our self worth by our size and not the size of our heart and goodness of our soul. When we finally realize that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts we look at people in a whole different light.

I thank God every day that he blessed me with friends who help me see that I’m perfect the way God made me. I’m learning daily to rejoice in who I am. God made us in his image and likeness. If we aren’t happy with that then we’re telling God he didn’t do his job to our standards.

These are lessons that I will always teach my daughters. Love what you see in the mirror. We are God’s unique design.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

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Northwestern State University’s Department of Fine + Graphic Art graduate program will present an exhibition of new works by Master of Arts candidates Aliosky Garcia, Hollis Ervin, Richelle Dorris, Jeffrey Nieman, Osvaldo Ferrer, Auna Oncay, Morgan Magnuson Reese, Nancy Robinson Noles, Madilyn Anderson and James Stringer.

The Spring 2018 NSU Graduate Art Exhibition will be up March 19-30 at Creative Arts and Gallery, 3816 Parliament Drive, Alexandria. Hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

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As a student at LA Tech in 2004 Byron Wilcott, AKA “Big Daddy Yum Yum” was considering joining the Marine Corps, but he caught the wrestling bug instead. Wilcott’s earliest memories include watching wrestling on TV and being the biggest Sting fan as he grew up.

After saving up money and attending wrestling school, he moved to Florida and signed up with WWE. While there he studied wrestling under Dusty Rhodes, Billy Kidman, Norman Smiley, and Tom Prichard. After a neck injury, his contract wasn’t renewed.

“It was disheartening to go from the top down to local, independent shows, but I have no hard feelings. It gave me a life and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” said Wilcott.

Wilcott spent years working the wrestling circuit around the world from Germany, England and France, to Canada, Mexico and Tokyo.

Wilcott eventually decided to open his own business: Main Event Wrestling, partnering with his close friend Mark Vaughn, who previously ran his own wrestling company. Vaughn brought the equipment and Wilcott brought the experience of how to build and promote a show.

What brings Main Event Wrestling to Natchitoches? A teacher at the Frankie Ray Jackson Sr. Technical Center saw one of the company’s shows in Mansfield and asked if they would come to Natchitoches. While Wilcott is from Shreveport, he has family in Natchitoches, his aunt and uncle: Lily and Bill Sapp.

Main Event Wrestling will put on a show at the Natchitoches Junior High School Saturday, March 17. Doors open at 5 pm. Bell time is 6pm. Advance Ticket price: $10 or $15 at the door. Tickets are on sale at LP Vaughn, NJH and Frankie Ray Jackson Technical.

But it’s not all about the wrestling. Before the show, Wilcott, GM Aaron Presley, and fellow wrestler “Action Jackson” traveled to schools in the area with an Anti-Bullying Campaign: “Boo the Bully,” which builds confidence, teaches skills and makes an impact among the youth wherever the company puts on wrestling shows.

“We teach kids how to treat each other with respect,” said Wilcott, who’s been picked on and made fun of in the past, so he knows how it feels.

The group visited Provencal, NSU Middle Lab, Natchitoches Magnet, LP Vaughn, Marthaville, Natchitoches Jr. High, Weaver and Fairview Alpha.

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Join the Natchitoches Humane Society at its St. Pat’s Day Children and Pet Parade this Saturday, March 17 at 1 pm in downtown Natchitoches. Register your pet to be eligible for celebrity status and with a little luck your pet may be Queen O’Green or King McG-Ruff. Registration begins at 12 pm with parade line up beginning at 12:45 pm at BOM, located at 814 Washington Street. There is a $10 entry fee per family.

Awards will be presented for best float, best dressed pet and best dressed child. The parade route will go from BOM, south on Front Street, taking a right onto Church Street, then a left onto Second Street, ending at the City Park amphitheater.

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The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office is encouraging all Louisianians eligible to vote in the Spring municipal election cycle to consider voting early. The last day for early voting is Saturday, March 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters should utilize Louisiana’s award-winning smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to find out where to early vote as well as what’s on their ballot. In addition to a variety of local candidate and proposition elections in 41 parishes*, there are also two open state representative seats in Districts 93 (Orleans) and 86 (Tangipahoa) which could be of regional interest, and several judicial races.

Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. For a complete listing of early voting locations, visit https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/EarlyVoting.

Election Day for the Spring municipal election is Saturday, March 24 with the General Election scheduled for Saturday, April 28.

On the ballot for Natchitoches Parish:

City of Natchitoches – 10 Mills Renewal – CC – 10 Yrs.
Mayor Village of Natchez (1 to be elected)
Aldermen Village of Natchez (3 to be elected)

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A couple of signs in the Walmart parking lot give the following instructions, “Reserved parking for parents of sick children courtesy of Wal-Mart pharmacy, please limit time to 15 min.” The aforesaid parking spaces are prime spaces in the front of Walmart, very close to the front doors. The sign is very clear.

As an observer of human behavior, I have noticed that people freely park in these parking places. I know they are not pharmacy customers because I have stalked them in the store. They went in and bought a basket full of stuff. It takes most of them longer than 15 mins to shop. If Walmart can call it a “min” so can I. These parking place interlopers never go near the pharmacy. I can’t offer factual information about the health of their children, because I rarely see children leaving the vehicles. I guess they left the sick kids at home.

They are like the people who park in the clergy parking places at the hospital. Not that we are special people by any means, but sometimes we are at the hospital taking care of an emergency and need to get in there quickly. I suspect that the Billy Bob Bubba’s Plumbers Truck is not the mode of transportation for a minister, although it could be. So, stay out of the clergy parking places at NPRH unless you are ordained. God will get you!

Here is the strain on this week’s chain.

Last week I was going to Walmart to get doggy treats. The dogs eat better than I do, and a weekly treat trip is the highlight of my shopping week. In front of me in traffic was a nice person in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, license plate number, well I can’t tell you that! She pulled into the sick children parking place and jumped out of her vehicle.

To say she parked her black Jeep Grand Cherokee in the parking place would be stretching it. She abandoned her vehicle to go into the store. She was about three feet into the parking space and the rest of the vehicle was sticking out into the flow of traffic.

I am sensitive to vehicles sticking out because my truck is very large and I no longer drive with the acumen of a thirty year old.
I did spy her in the store and she was not going to the pharmacy. Who would have guessed that?

If you are going to use the special parking place, please pull all the way in. Go ahead, overcome the guilt and pull that black Jeep Grand Cherokee all the way to the post holding the parking space sign. That way you will not block traffic trying to negotiate the Walmart parking lot. When you are trying to be respectable while sinning, it gums up the whole works.

How about this, if you are going to sin, sin boldly. Go ahead and throw your whole being into the sin. Don’t hold back. Don’t try to be respectable when you are sinning. Get down and dirty. Quit making excuses for your sin, just be who you are. Be seen in your sin. Quit trying to hide what you are doing. Let the world know you are sinning. Pull that vehicle all the way in the parking place even though you have no business parking there. It is ok. Go ahead and park in the clergy spots even though you are not. Heck, park in the doctors’ spots. You are a sinner; quit acting like you are not. Give up justifying your bad behavior; go ahead admit you are a sinner. You are a dirty rotten hoping not even God will see your sin sinner.

Welcome to the sinners club. Now that you have admitted it, we can work on curing it.

There will be a meeting of sinners at the Methodist Church on Sunday morning. We admit it! I am the chief sinner in charge. We are calling on God’s grace to save us!

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The third annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament will take place on Toledo Bend Lake on Saturday, March 24. First prize is $7,000. The event will also include raffles, DJ, bounce house for children, food and more. Funds raised will support the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Foundation, which awards a scholarship to Northwestern State University students who are members of the NSU Fishing Team.

Anglers can register by accessing a printable entry form at dylankylepoche.com and mailing the form to Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 74, Natchitoches, LA 71458. Mail-in registration must be received by March 22.

On-site registration will take place from 2-6 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Toledo Town and Tackle and from 4:30-6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Cypress Bend Boat Launch. Fishing starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. March 24. Rules and regulations are printed on the entry form.

Contact Burt Poche at (318) 652-3176 or (318) 652-7192 for more information.

The deadline to apply for the Dylan Kyle Poche Fishing Scholarship is April 15. Scholarships will be presented to two freshmen from Natchitoches, Sabine, Rapides, Caddo, Bossier, Winn, Grant or DeSoto parishes who join the NSU Fishing Team with preference given to those who participate in the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Tournament.

The NSU Fishing Team is open to all students and taps into the growing popularity of organized competitive bass fishing. The team competes in FLW, B.A.S.S. and Collegiate Bass circuits.

Poche was born March 10, 1997, and was an avid outdoorsman who joined the Natchitoches Central High School Fishing Team and was an accomplished angler. After graduating from NCHS with honors in 2015, he enrolled at NSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree and joined the fishing team in the hopes of eventually becoming a professional angler. Poche tragically lost his life on Jan. 31, 2016.

More information about Poche and the tournament is available at dylankylepoche.com. Information the NSU Fishing Team is available at beademon.com/fishing. To apply for a scholarship through the NSU Foundation, visit northwesternalumni.com/form or contact Kelly Krouse at kayk@nsula.edu or (318) 357-4248.

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NATCHITOCHES PARISH:

Carol Imelda Balthazar
Friday, March 9, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 17 from 10 am – 12 pm
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 12 pm at St. Augustine Catholic Church
Interment: St. Augustine Catholic Church Cemetery

William E. “Bill” Maley
October 5, 1941 – March 8, 2018
Visitation: Saturday, March 17 from 9-11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Jackson Cemetery in Flora

Marsha R. Chatman
October 19, 1964 – March 12, 2018
Arrangements TBA
SABINE PARISH:

Sherwood Thompson
December 16, 1940 – March 10, 2018
Services held Wednesday, March 14

RAPIDES PARISH:

Elsie V Basco
June 22, 1933 – March 12, 2018
Service: Friday, March 16 at 10 am at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park

WINN PARISH:

Jacque Daniel Pullig
July 2, 1978 – March 5, 2018

Sherwood Gilbert Thompson
December 16, 1940 – March 10, 2018
Arrangements TBA

Charles Ball
July 19, 1949 – March 6, 2018
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 8 am – 5 pm
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
Internment: Winnfield City Cemetery

Oscar Lee “Slick” Walker
June 6, 1949 – March 9, 2018
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 2 pm in the chapel of the Winnfield Funeral Home of Winnfield
RED RIVER PARISH:

Buick Brisker
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 7-8 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Red River Church of God in Christ in Coushatta
Interment: Kinghill Cemetery in Jordan Ferry

Mark Clark Sr.
Visitation: Friday, March 16 from 6-7 pm at the St. Savior Baptist Church in Coushatta
Service: Saturday, March 17 at 11 am at the Deliverance Temple in Coushatta
Interment: Springville Cemetery in Coushatta

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