As a follow-up to the 27-member hurricane relief and clean-up team from Northwestern State University that went to Beaumont and Port Arthur, Texas, in September, a second team of 12 NSU students plus other volunteers worked in Port Arthur Oct. 6-8 where they gutted homes to remove water-damaged flooring, drywall, paneling and insulation damaged by flooding associated with Hurricane Harvey. Alejandro Zacarias, an instructor in NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology, coordinated the trip.

Organizers said that quick response on the part of flood recovery teams is critical if homes are to be saved. Wall coverings and insulation must be removed quickly so wall studs can dry thoroughly before new walls are installed. The work is hard and dirty, but the volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

“Homeowners such as the Browns with whom we worked usually cannot do the work fast enough when they can do it at all,” said Dr. Curt Phifer, a professor in NSU’s Louisiana Scholars’ college who organized last month’s trip and has previous experience with flood relief in south Louisiana. “Thus the work of recovery groups like our NSU teams is critical.”

The team continued to coordinate work through Operation Blessing International, a relief agency works in disasters of all types, ranging from hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, to hunger and disease aid, to refugee assistance.

“Operation Blessing was in south Texas immediately after Harvey hit, and while still operating in Texas set up other centers in Florida for Hurricane Irma recovery. NSU teams have been blessed to partner with Operation Blessing for both trips this year and in Denham Springs last fall,” Phifer said.

Information on Operation Blessing and continuing relief efforts can be found at ob.org.

Ford has quite an impressive line-up of new cars. In fact, these Ford cars offer what customers want most: fuel economy, technology, safety and outstanding performance. You’ll also discover Ford cars have innovative design, including dramatic interiors and stunning exteriors. Above all, Ford cars are driven by innovation.

Whether you’re looking for an Expedition, F150, Explorer, Escape, Fusion, Mustang, F250, or a Focus, Natchitoches Ford has a car for you.

Find hometown service and the best deals at Natchitoches Ford. Stop by the car lot at 7501 Hwy. 1 Bypass or call 1-888-309-0671.

***Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit financing. Availability applies. All factory rebates to dealer. All offers with approved credit. Excludes prior sales or previously negotiated deals. Plus taxes, title and license fees. Residency restrictions apply. Expires 9-26-17. Stock images are for illustration purposes only. Actual vehicles may vary.

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Natchitoches’ Martin Luther King Recreation Center was filled with happy children Oct. 11 as the Natchitoches Parks & Recreation Department’s volleyball league concluded its season. This year marks the first time the popular city program has offered volleyball and 70 young ladies in eight teams joined the fun. This year’s gold medal went to the 10 and under “Teal Terrors.”

The NPRD, quite possibly the most popular part of city government, fields a number of youth sports to keep our young people active, learning and having fun. The department sponsors leagues in volleyball, football, softball, baseball, basketball and track. They also offer swimming lessons every summer. It is possible for a young person in our city to play a different sport with the NPRD throughout the year.

A member of the Class of 2007 at LSMSA will deliver the address for the matriculation ceremony set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium on the campus of Northwestern State University.

Matthew Claiborne came to LSMSA from Opelousas. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric studies (Magna Cum Laude) from Oglethorpe University, and the Master of Science degree in journalism from Columbia University in 2013.

He is a Murrow Award winner and Emmy-nominated journalist and producer for ABC News. He is often among the first people dispatched to the field for breaking news coverage for the network.

Some of his notable stories include covering the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of Mike Brown, the Ebola outbreak across the United States and the 2016 presidential election.

The Matriculation Ceremony recognizes students’ accomplishments, reinforces their commitment to LSMSA and encourages them to apply the necessary diligence to persevere until reaching commencement.

For over 50 years, La Capitol Federal Credit Union has worked hard to provide financial education to help individuals meet their financial goals. A Credit Union initiative is to create opportunities for people to learn more about handling their finances. LaCap offers free financial education to benefit churches, schools, clubs, and businesses in Natchitoches Parish.

LaCap’s Financial Education Program Coordinator, Krystle Johnson, works as a member service officer in Natchitoches. She coordinates LaCap branch employees that participate in the program to go into the community to spread financial knowledge when groups see a need to benefit its members.

“I enjoy educating people so they know what to look for when dealing with their finances,” said Johnson.

LaCap works with any group, employer, school or club to customize the topic of instruction to fit their needs. For example, high school students learn about the basic information they need to know once they graduate and move on to college or find a job in the workforce. Workshop topics can include saving money, handling checking accounts, lending basics, understanding credit scores, and more.

Contact Krystle Johnson at 318-357-3103 (ext 3408) to customize and schedule a financial education workshop for your group today.

Tip for the day:
The Criteria for Credit-The Three C’s

Expect lenders to review the three Cs to evaluate whether you qualify for a loan — capacity, capital, and character.
• Capacity refers to your ability to meet your payment obligations. Lenders assess whether you have a sufficient source of ongoing revenue to pay your current bills and other debts plus meet the additional financial obligation related to the loan you seek.
• Capital refers to your savings and other assets that may be used as collateral for a loan.
• Character refers to your demonstrated behavior, specifically how good your history is of having paid bills or debts on time. The lender’s primary source of information in this regard is your credit report.

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Come experience the scares of the season at Rebel State Historic Site’s Annual Haunted Museum select nights in October from 7-10:30 pm.

Dates include: Oct. 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28. Rebel State Historic Site is located at 1260 Hwy. 1221 in Marthaville.

For those a bit faint of heart, there will be hayrides available to enjoy. Admission for this special program is $5 person, free for children 3 and under and for seniors 62 and over. For more information call 888.677.3600 toll free or 318.472.6255 locally.

Lawrence Leo Lewis, Jr.
December 12, 1960 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 10 am at Bethlehem Cemetery

Eugene Victor Knecht, Sr.
November 5, 1928 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery

Patricia Turner
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Mt Calvary Baptist Church in Zwolle
Interment: Garden of memories Cemetery in Zwolle

Herbert Simon
August 12, 1920 – October 11, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Rosetta Lewis McDaniel
October 11, 2017
Arrangements TBA

George Thomas
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Memorial Cemetery in Leesville

Leander Pearson
September 29, 1949 – October 10, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Micheal Lamar Poole
August 15, 1951 – October 7, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2 pm in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena

Bernard B. Miller
March 15, 1926 – September 28, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Prospect Cemetery in Florien

Visitation is Friday evening, Oct. 13, from 5-8 pm with a memorial service Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am for Coach Gene Knecht, an iconic figure in Northwestern State’s athletic history who was a 1988 inductee in the university’s N-Club Hall of Fame. Visitation will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home and the service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches.

Knecht passed away Monday, three weeks shy of his 89th birthday. He was an assistant football coach for the Demons from 1961-79 following a highly-successful eight-year high school head coaching career at Winnsboro and Coushatta.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Dorothy “Dot” Knecht, four children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Sons Gene and Brett Knecht played football for the Demons while son Jim was an Academic All-Southeastern Conference player at LSU and has been an NSU team doctor since 1982. The fourth child was a daughter, Pam Singletary.

Knecht was a two-time All-Gulf States Conference fullback at Louisiana Tech for coach Joe Aillet after an outstanding high school career at Warren Easton High in New Orleans. In college, he was also a GSC champion javelin thrower, and a sprinter, for the Bulldogs. He was selected in the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams but chose to get married and start his coaching career.

In 1952, he started the football program at Coushatta High and over his last four seasons went 37-3, winning three straight district championships. Among his standout players at Coushatta, several moved on to play for the Demons, including N-Club Hall of Fame members Jerry Fowler, Johnny Ray Norman and Ferrell Yarbrough, all who played professionally, along with N-Club Hall of Fame member and longtime state senator Don Kelly.

After leaving Coushatta, Knecht went 15-5 in two seasons at Winnsboro before joining coach Jack Clayton’s Demon staff.

He came on board as a graduate assistant in 1961, then became full-time as an assistant coach and physical education instructor in 1962. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1972 and gained tenure in 1977.

Knecht helped coach the 1966 Demons to a perfect 9-0 record, and was part of conference champion staffs in 1962, 1966 and 1972. He served under Clayton, Glenn Gossett, George Doherty and A.L. Williams, finishing his career as defensive coordinator for Doherty in 1972 and remaining in that post for Williams. He was regarded as a dynamic recruiter who also briefly coached golf and tennis for the Demons.

Knecht retired from coaching and teaching in 1978, then served as coordinator of plant maintenance for the university until retiring from NSU at the end of 1987.
In 1969, he, Johnnie Emmons and Walter Ledet re-initiated the N-Club for graduated athletic letterwinners. Knecht was also noted for cooking for university and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame events for at least two decades, and was an avid outdoorsman.

He remained very engaged with the university until his passing. His obituary says “his love for Northwestern State University never wavered” and he, and his wife, frequently attended home games in many sports until very recently.

The deadline to reserve your seat at the Farm to Table Dinner at the historic Cherokee Plantation is Friday, Oct. 13. You don’t want to miss out on this spectacular event.

A Farm to Table Dinner promotes the overall feeling go community pride. Maison Louisiane Catering will showcase local and regional products in a. Skillfully prepared four-course dinner (see menu below) presented with wine pairings.

The dinner will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $85. All proceeds benefit the animals in need at Natchitoches Hope for Paws.

For more information call 318-446-0027.
Send your check to NHFP- P. O. Box 2552 – Natchitoches, La. 71457. You will not receive tickets. Your name will be listed at the event.

Rotary District Governor Paula Weaver Gates visited the Natchitoches Rotary Club Oct. 10 to discuss the district conference in Shreveport in November and bring the Natchitoches Club up to date on other Rotary programs. In addition, she noted that fourteen cases of polio were reported in the world this year, and Rotary International took polio on as its project to eradicate a disease that has killed thousands and left many paralyzed over the years. Her husband Wayne Gates, a former District 6191 Governor joined her.

Pictured from left are Wayne Gates, Paula Weaver Gates, Rotary Club of Natchitoches President David Zolzer (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).

Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated presented several workshops for Beautillion participants and community high school students. These workshops included a Health Forum, which provided students with information on the consequences of sex, alcohol and illegal substance. A Financial-aid workshop was also presented by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), which focused on information and documents students will need to fill out for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The next workshop will be held Oct. 15 at 6 pm at 726 Third St. This workshop is entitled “Our Lives Matter,” and will emphasize the importance of not letting obstacles hinder success. All area high school students are invited to attend.

Public Notice is given that the regular scheduled, Oct. 17 meeting of the Natchitoches Parish Communications District Board of Commissioners is cancelled. The next scheduled meeting of the Communications Commission is on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. in Room 211 of the Natchitoches Parish Court House.

One of the American Cancer Society’s Tributes of Hope is Wanda Poche. Wanda has been a nurse for 44 years and is currently working at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. Wanda is a breast cancer survivor and believes that early detection is key to a cure. Wanda is serving as an honoree this year along with 11 other individuals within our community. To purchase tickets to the Belles and Beaus on the Cane, which will be held Oct. 26 at Melrose Plantation, call 318-219-1668. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting main.acsevents.org/bellesandbeausnatchitoches.

Tickets are $100 and include a live and silent auction, dinner catered by Maison Louisiane Catering, and live entertainment by Grammy Award Winning Artist Wayne Toups.

Picture the Exxon logo. A Greyhound bus. The Coca-Cola bottle. The blue nose of the President’s plane, Air Force One.

What do they have in common?

Only one thing: an industrial designer named Raymond Loewy.

Loewy was an immigrant who arrived in Manhattan in 1919, dreaming that New York would be an elegant and stylish place. When he arrived, he was disappointed. What Loewy found was a grungy product of the industrial age — “bulky, noisy and complicated.”

Loewy decided to change things, designing products that ranged from Lucky Strike cigarette packs to International Harvester tractors. He did “more than almost any person in the 20th century to shape the aesthetic of American culture.”

During the Kennedy administration, Loewy complained to a friend in the White House that the commander in chief’s airplane looked “gaudy.” Determined to improve it, he spent several hours on the floor of the Oval Office, cutting up shapes of blue paper along with President Kennedy. Finally, he settled on a design for the nose of the plane that has been in place ever since.

So, what was Raymond Loewy’s secret? He sensed that consumers are torn between two opposing forces: a curiosity about things that are new and a fear of anything that is too new. As a result, they are attracted to products that are bold but also instantly comprehensible. Loewy believed that people want things that are “Most Advanced, Yet Acceptable,” a phrase which can be shortened to MAYA.

Think about how MAYA works in your own life. You probably find yourself drawn to the joy of a new discovery. But at the same time you want something familiar, because it makes you feel safe. Think of the iPhone by Apple. When it was introduced in 2007, it was a thrilling new discovery and it launched a new era of smartphones. At the same time, it was not too radical for customers to accept. The iPhone was familiar to people who had been introduced to iPod music players back in 2001. Over the course of six years, consumers had become accustomed to their distinctive shape, size and design.

When the iPhone appeared, it was advanced. And yet, the iPod made it acceptable. It was Most Advanced, Yet Acceptable. MAYA.

Raymond Loewy believed that people are torn between a curiosity about new things and a fear of anything too new.

How is MAYA at work in your faith community? How is MAYA at work in your own life? As you think about the ministry of Jesus, you discern a certain level of MAYA in the way He kept the faith while pushing the envelope.

Maybe a little MAYA in our community and in our churches would bring about a world changing experience.

The Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation will accept applications until 12 noon on October 15, 2017. Grants are awarded for those projects and programs that provide and promote healthcare services, health education and healthy lifestyles and wellness activities in the community.

Applicants must have 501c3 non-profit designation to qualify. Applications for construction and remodeling projects and salaries will not be accepted. Grant applicants must match up to 50% of the funds awarded.

Applications may be obtained on the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center website at http://www.natchitocheshospital.org under the “Hospital Foundation” tab or by calling Cathy Jacobs at 318-214-4513.

Grants will be awarded in December.

Paid Notice

City Marshal Randy Williams wanted to inform the following people that they have outstanding bench warrants through the Natchitoches City Marshal’s Office. The names on this list did not pay their fines in full nor did they return to court on the court date they were sentenced to by City Court Judge Gahagan. These individuals will need to clear up their fines and bench warrant fees at the City Marshal’s Office located at 373 Second St. to stop any further actions:

FINE PAYMENT (F):
Tycionna Remo, 186 Sorgee Rd, Natch, La – No DL in Possession
Catrica Williams, 298 Vienna Rd #15, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Ray Anderson, 1301 W. Fifth St, Natch, La – LM, Exp MVI
Aqualious Harris, 1514 Amulet St, Natch, La – SPOM
Demetris Burnett, 1408 Northern St, Natch, La – TBS
Sarah Zeringue, 414 Sibley St, Natch, La – Obstructing Public Passages
Rakia Burton, 635 Jackson Dr, Natch, La – NSB
Jimmy Carter, 529 Keegan St, Natch, La – TBS
Kimberly Garlington, 1851 Hwy 491, Natch, La – Windshield Requirements
Latoya Johnson, 100 Marie B-2, Natch, La – No DL
Leon Johnson, 1308 West Lakeshore Dr, Natch, La – SPOM
Alisica Lomas, 230 5th St, Natch, La – SCDP
Niaya Monnette, 471 Canal Rd, Natch, La – No DL
Temika Payton, 430 Howell St, Natch, La – DP
Brian Rachal, 110 Sycamore Court, Natch, La – DWI
Patricia Scroggins, 210 Fairgrounds Rd Apt 5, Natch, La – TBS
Antonyo Turner, 240 Hampton St, Natch, La – Resisting an Officer
Tyrian Vanburen, 813 Williams Ave, Natch, La – SPOM
Mikal Zeno, 1815 South Dr Lot 1312, Natch, La – No DL
Shaterrica Demars, 201 Pierson St, Natch, La – Exp MVI
Samuel Futrell, 211 Dunn Rd, Natch, La – DWI
Demetric Walker, 216 Tammey Lane, Natch, La – SPOM

Trial (T):
Fitell Bolding, 3900 University Pkwy 431D, Natch, La – Sexual Battery
Brenda Hudson, 1324 Breda Ave, Natch, La – SPOM
Laphiama Yeargin, 198 Cedar Grove, Natch, La – Reckless Operation
Terrence Sanders, 200 Willowbend Apt 209, Natch, La – SPOM
Jordie McDaniel, 132 South Bend, Natch, La – TBS
Stephanie Jones, 515 Fairgrounds Rd, Natch, La – TBS, Simple Battery

Eugene Victor Knecht, Sr.
November 5, 1928 – October 11, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery

Pat Aertker Jr.
January 6, 1924 – October 11, 2017
Service: Friday, Oct. 13 at 1 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Pineville
Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park

Patricia Turner
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 13 from 6-8 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home in Many
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Mt Calvary Baptist Church in Zwolle
Interment: Garden of memories Cemetery in Zwolle

Herbert Simon
August 12, 1920 – October 11, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Rosetta Lewis McDaniel
October 11, 2017
Arrangements TBA

George Thomas
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 13 from 12-5 pm at United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 pm at Wesley United Methodist Church in Mansfield
Interment: Memorial Cemetery in Leesville

Joseph Garrett, Sr.
October 1, 2017
Service: Friday, Oct. 13 at 10 am at the First Baptist Church on North Street
Interment: Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery in Keithville

Dana Shelton Files
May 4, 1966 – October 10, 2017
Interment: Garden of Memories Cemetery
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 13 from 9:30-10:30 am at First United Methodist Church
Service: Friday, Oct.13 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church of Winnfield

Leander Pearson
September 29, 1949 – October 10, 2017
Arrangements TBA

Micheal Lamar Poole
August 15, 1951 – October 7, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2 pm in the chapel of Kinner and Stevens Funeral Home of Jena

Bernard B. Miller
March 15, 1926 – September 28, 2017
Service: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at Prospect Cemetery in Florien

It’s time for your teen to get their driver’s license, but before they get out on the road, drivers education is a must. Platinum Driving School will hold a Drivers Education Course October 20, 21, 23 and 24.

A driver’s license is a privilege, and an automobile can be a dangerous weapon. Owners of Platinum Driving School, Russell and LaDonna Rachal, believe this is one of the most important classes a teenager can take, and one of the biggest responsibilities they’ll encounter.

Louisiana Law requires students ages 14 years and 9 months, up to 17-years-old take a 38 hour course, which consists of 30 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel instruction. Students must be 15-years-old to take driving portion of class.

For the driving portion, students get behind the wheel for 8 hours (two 4-hour sessions) with one of Platinum’s four driving instructors.

In operation for over 5 years now, Russell first started the business after he retired from the Department of Public Safety where he regulated driving schools across the state from 1999-2011.

Platinum Driving School also offers Adult Driver Education for anyone 18 or older, consisting of a 14-hour course (6-hours classroom instruction and 8-hours driving).

Platinum aspires to be your one-stop-shop for all your driving needs. It is a certified Third Party Tester for the DMV Road Skills Test and offers DWI and substance abuse classes and defensive driving courses for individuals or companies.

Drivers Education Courses will also be held on the following dates:
November 18, 20, 21 and 22
December 27-30

Register online now at platinumdrivingschool.org. For more information
call 318-652-0382 or 318-652-0384.

Platinum Driving School is located at 317 South Drive.

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District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced Oct. 11 the guilty pleas of defendant O’shay Hicks of Natchitoches for one count of forcible rape and two counts of second degree kidnapping. The case involved two Natchitoches Parish victims.

Hicks’ jury trial was scheduled to commence on October 9 in Division B of the 10th Judicial District Court in Natchitoches. However, just moments prior to jury selection, Hicks asked to change his plea to “guilty” for all of the charges scheduled for trial.

Harrington stated that the defendant pled guilty to all of the crimes that were set for trial. Judge Lala Sylvester, who presided over the case, ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be conducted by the State of Louisiana Probation and Parole.

Hicks is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 14. Harrington stated that Hicks could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison for the rape and up to 40 years in prison for each count of kidnapping.

The crimes occurred in July 2015 and were investigated by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and assisted by the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force.

“We thank the citizens of Natchitoches Parish for their ongoing assistance in speaking up and notifying law enforcement if they witness or are a victim of criminal activity in our parish. It is because of these citizens who want to continue to have safe communities that we can be successful in prosecuting criminal cases,” said Harrington.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney J. Chris Gulliet.

The Natchitoches Parish Planning and Zoning Department issued 21 permits for the month of September, totaling $756,500 in estimated development costs and $7,325 in permit fees.

Residential-Detached Building:

Andrew Parrish, 193 Moss Hill Terrace Road
Ronald Evans, 201 E Ridge Drive
Dennis Choate, 2141 Johnson Chute Road

Residential-Electrical Trade:

Roland Rodgers, 307 Wilkerson Road
Lee Romine, 187 Beechwood Lane
William Coatney, 173 Keith Drive

Residential-Manufactured Home:

Belton Maze, 279 Independence Street, $80,000
Ernest Rains, 117 Church Street, Marthaville
Charlie Smith, was 7352 Hwy. 84, $3,500
George Horton, 130 Tom Brister Road, Robeline, $40,000
Christel Park LLC, 172 Jim Bell Road Lot 42, Campti, $10,000
Christel Park LLC, 172 Jim Bell Road Lot 44, Campti, $10,000
William Scallion, 225 Albert Conley Road, Goldonna, $17,000
Quentin Johnson, 378 Johnson Loop, Natchez, $39,000

Residential-New Construction:

Gary Mayrand, 1389 Hwy. 117, Provencal, $75,000
Rhodes Properties, 207 St. Jerrard Avenue, $265,000
Brant Summerlin, 123 Lakeside Drive, $217,000

Residential-Other:

Neil Mikkalo, 340 Jim Bell Road, Campti
Mike Brown, 74 Rodeo Drive, Marthaville

Residential-Remodel:

Fair Properties LLC, 156 Vienna bend Road

Residential-Swimming Pool:

Jeffrey Anderson, 373 King Hill Road, Coushatta

By: Carl I. Walters II., Chief Executive
Officer, Outpatient Medical Center Inc. (a Federally Qualified Health System)

Dear Parish Families,

Can we talk for a few minutes regarding how and why you should support your local parish community health center?

How You Can Support Your Community Health Center

You can support your community health center by:

• Making your community health center your family’s primary care, dental care and behavioral health care “home.” We offer one-stop primary care services making it more convenient for your family to get the core primary care services you deserve in one convenient location

• Keeping your appointments. It is important that your honor your medical appointment commitment so our gifted system providers can partner with you to keep your family healthy and whole

• Encouraging other parish families in need of primary care services to establish care with your community health center. Ongoing patient education and receiving core preventative primary care services is key to keeping our valued parish families out of the hospital, reducing hospital emergency room and urgent care utilization and candidly, keeping them alive

• Increasing the utilization of your community health center for non-emergent medical needs. Outpatient Medical Center Inc. provides compassionate urgent care services while saving you money to receive these services

• Bringing your children in for comprehensive pediatric services designed to keep our valued parish children healthy and whole. Having your child routinely get their 6 month dental check-up while staying current on your

child’s well child checks and immunizations plays a major role in keeping your child healthy and we are seeing more and more families bringing their children to Outpatient Medical Center Inc. (your community health center) and for Pediatric Services

• Working at your community health center helps strengthen our ability to have local families taking care of local families (smile)

Why You Should Support Your Local Community Health Center

Now let’s talk about why you should support your community health center (smile):

1. Never forget community health centers were started by local community families wanting to have their
“own” health system for taking care of their community families. Protect your local community health center as you built it and it is yours to keep and strengthen – which you do the more community families who utilize it for their family’s core primary care needs

2. Your community health center is governed by “you” as 51% of our health center Board must be represented by local parish people who utilize the health center for their primary care needs. So our organizational business model is truly one where services are structured by the people (you); for the people (you) and governed by the people (you)

3. Your community health center has been on the front lines helping to keep our valued parish families healthy and whole for 40 years

4. Your community health center is considered a chronic disease clinical expert when it comes to treating parish families who suffer from same

5. Your community health center was charged with practicing population health long before it became a healthcare industry expectation

6. Your community health center employs gifted people from the local community; thus the more community families who utilize our health system services positions us to put more of our local family members to work

7. Your community health center plays a vitally important role in helping to support our local parish economic engine. Outpatient Medical Center Inc. currently pumps over $6 million dollars (and growing) annually into our local health system parishes. We anticipate this to grow to over $7 million annually within the next year or so

8. Your community health center is Joint Commissioned accredited; one of the nation’s highest quality awards

9. Your community health center understands the importance of seeing you as a valued patient and not just another number

10. Your community health center needs increased community family utilization to help us compete with growing competitor threats

11. Your community health centers has helped thousands of community families qualify for Medicaid
or other healthcare exchange insurance. If you currently have no insurance, please come in and let us see if we can help you qualify for same

12. You built your community health center. Protect it; use it and help it grow stronger out of deference to those who helped build it; out of deference to the thousands
of parish families who use it and out of deference to the thousands of parish families who need it to help keep their family healthy and whole. 

Outpatient Medical Center is your community health center and on behalf of our Board of Directors and dedicated professional staff, I encourage more parish families to choose Outpatient Medical Center Inc. as your family’s primary care home. When you can receive outstanding medical care in a personal, professional, culturally-sensitive and cheaper fashion, doesn’t it just make good sense to do so (smile)? So pick up that phone to make an appointment with us or just walk-in and allow our gifted staff to take good care of you. Because caring for you is what we do at Outpatient Medical Center Inc. Be well; be informed; be in touch and – be healthy.

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Popular Natchitoches musician Hardrick Rivers will be honored as a Louisiana Tradition Bearer at a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. The event, “A Life Playing the Blues,” is free and open to the public.

As part of the informance, Rivers will discuss his music with Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University, and perform. Rasmussen will honor Rivers on behalf of the Louisiana Folklife Commission and Louisiana Folklore Society.

October has been declared as Folklife Month in Louisiana by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. Rivers is one of six Louisiana musicians and craftspeople being honored as a Tradition Bearer.

Rivers, a 2001 inductee into the Hall of Master Folk Artists at Northwestern State, began playing music early in his life. At age 13, Hardrick began to study under and play with one of the masters of Louisiana music, Overton Owens—sometimes called Dr. Drip Drop. Hardrick quickly joined Overton’s new group, Overton Owens and the Mustangs, which was formed during the late 1960s. Hardrick worked hard in those early years to find his unique sound on the saxophone.

Eventually, Rivers formed his own group, the Lighthouse Crew, with Pop Hymes, B.B. Major, Jackie Banks and James Lee. Rivers left for Los Angeles in 1992 and the band continued to play without him. In 1994, he returned home to Natchitoches Parish and formed the Rivers’ Revue Band, while B.B. Major started the B.B. Major Blues Band. Since Roque’s Grocery, Pool Hall, and House of Blues has been the location that started many of these musicians in their musical careers, Rivers decided to organize a Blues Reunion there in 1996. This reunion turned into a monthly jam session at Roque’s, which, according to a local blues authority, has become known as “the best juke joint/blues bar in the South.”

During the summer of 2003, Rivers, along with the B.B. Major Blues Band, comprised of Bud Albright, Monty Lamaze, Shane Ward, and Les Whitt, toured Italy playing at numerous blues events.

Rivers is an annual headline performer at the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival and performs throughout north and central Louisiana. He is a former band director at Red River High School in Coushatta.

Rivers has several popular videos on YouTube. Additional information is available at facebook.com/riversrevue.

The event is supported by the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. This program is also funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.