On April 4th, NRMC is opening its first retail Pharmacy. Conveniently located in the Multispecialty Clinic, on the corner of Keyser Avenue and Bienville, community members are encouraged to take advantage of this great service.
Especially beneficial for NRMC patients, the onsite service will ensure prescriptions are filled quickly. Whether leaving a doctor’s office, discharging from the hospital or Emergency Department and need a prescription filled, or just in the area and need over-the-counter medications, this service will exceed expectations. Offered to the entire community, not just NRMC patients and Associates, the Pharmacy is a full retail pharmacy that is well stocked, focused on customer service, and offers convenience.
The Pharmacy is open 12 hours a day from 8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M., 7 days a week. “We are all about service,” explained Stephen Stricklin, Pharmacy Manager. “Being able to offer this innovative service is fantastic for our community. From extended daily and weekend hours to drive through and curb service to the peace of mind that comes with knowing that this is yet another quality driven NRMC service, our pharmacy is something special.”
The Pharmacy team will provide Shingles and Pneumonia vaccines, supplements, and offer alternative medicine selections. The RxLocal mobile app allows for quick and easy refills, along with direct communication with the Pharmacy team.
From competitive pricing to acceptance of most insurances, the new Pharmacy focuses on patient needs. “We are pleased to be able to offer retail pharmacy on our campus, and we know word will spread quickly about how well it works,” explained Kirk Soileau, NRMC Chief Executive Officer. “Most importantly, our Pharmacy team has the experience and expertise to set them apart. This is an exceptional group of professionals who will be able to assist patients with complex medication needs. Our pharmacists will provide medication consultations and help customers down to the smallest details.”
For more information, call 318.214.5777 or fax to 888.698.1529.
Outpatient Medical Center is recruiting a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or a physician to provide primary care at its Natchitoches or Leesville location. We are a federally-qualified health center offering weekday ambulatory primary care to anyone, but especially the underserved.
A rewarding career serving those with greatest need, excellent benefits, no Holidays, and competitive pay for a workstyle that supports a family life.
Rotary Student of the Month Griffin McFarland, a Senior at the Louisiana School for Math Science (LSMSA) and the Arts, was introduced by LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Steve Horton who described his many academic and personal accomplishments. His parents are Drs. Sarah McFarland and Mark Melder. Joe Pierson, John Ackel, and Josh Manuel of City Bank and Trust Company were sponsors of his Rotary Scholarship. Pictured from left are Dr. Kristi Key, LSMSA Director of Academic Affairs; Melder; Sarah McFarland; McFarland; and Horton (Photo by Dr. Ron McBride).
The Natchitoches Parish School Board has announced that ALL Natchitoches Parish Schools and facilities will be open today, April 5, 2022, for normal school hours.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Natchitoches Parish Fire District #9 responded to the scene of a portable building fire on April 4 in the 300 block of LeBrum Street in Campti.
There were no reported injuries. The building was a total loss.
Northwestern State University will host its sixth annual LitCon April 8-9 in the Orville Hanchey Gallery and Room 206 of the Fine Arts Annex. Presentations will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day. Admission is free and open to the public.
LitCon is a two-day celebration of the humanities, which highlights the interconnectedness of academic and artistic disciplines. Organizers define “humanities” broadly to include many facets of film, literature, music, writing, pop culture, theater, visual arts, etc., and the appreciation of their value to students, academics and community members. This is first time in three years the conference has been presented in person.
Started in 2017, this conference seeks to bring together and feature academics, artists, makers and thinkers from the local community and beyond. LitCon offers a playful environment for artists and academics where we all encourage and learn from each other. At its core, LitCon is a hybrid event bringing together elements of the traditional academic conference and the popular culture convention.
The event will feature literary presentations, vocal performances, creative workshops, an artist vendor booth, a cosplay contest, slow stitching, Viking games, D&D roleplaying, poetry and dance, improv performance and las afrombras (carpets).
Presenters on Friday will be Anna Tapia MacDonald, Carly Chandler, Phyllis Lear, Sarah Puryear-Dunn, Krista Hanson, John Dunn and members of the Demon Writers Guild.
Making presentations on Saturday will be Lee Babin, Mary Fletcher, the Brainy Acts Poetry Society, Emilie Rodriguez, Holly Penta, Catelyn Errington and Meilyn Woods of Sigma Tau Delta, Dr. Steve Marsden, Austin Warren, Laura Osborne and Christy Lorio.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host a FREE youth fishing clinic at Oakland Plantation on Saturday, April 9 from 10 am to 12 pm. The clinic is limited to twenty participants. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 318-352-0383 x316. Oakland Plantation is located at 4386 Highway 494 in Natchez.
Learn basic fishing techniques and ethical angling practices through the Let’s Go Fishing Junior Ranger program. Earn your Junior Ranger Angler badge! All fishing equipment will be provided, and children will get to take home their rod and reel! Fishing is catch-and-release only. Fun for the whole family!
*A Basic Fishing License is required for adults (16 years+) who would like to participate in fishing. Visit: wlf.louisiana.gov to learn more.
The grounds of Oakland and Magnolia Plantations are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nearly 80 original buildings remain, many open for self-guided tours including several that are historically furnished from Wednesday through Sunday. Park staff conduct tours of the plantation grounds daily Wednesday through Sunday. In addition, the park offers a cell phone tour. The Oakland Main House is open for self-guided tours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Magnolia Main House is privately owned and is not open to the public. For more information, please call the park at 318-352-0383, ext. 316.
Northwestern State University trombone students will celebrate International Trombone Week with three trombone performances.
The NSU Trombone Choir will present a concert on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. “A Day of Trombone Solos and Fanfares” will be performed on Sunday, April 10 at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Both events will be in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Those attending are asked to wear a mask, but they are not required.
The NSU Trombone Choir will feature works by Massaino, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Rachmaninov, Hermann, Chase, Hennagin, Rauch, Pederson and others.
“A Day of Trombone Solos and Fanfares” will include fanfares by Stevens and Hartley featuring soloists Michael King and Jessica DuBose at 3 p.m. and Trevor Powell and Evan Bryant at 5:30 p.m. The solos will include compositions by Rimsky-Korsakov, Larsson, George, Gröndahl, Castérède, Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Nowakowski, Semler-Collery, Šulek, Pascal, Peeters and Webber.
For additional information, contact J. Mark Thompson at (318) 357-5791.
The 8th Grade class at Provencal School chose Hope for Paws for their community service project. It was a great success! The students showed great pride and determination with this project. The class worked with the Provencal School families for donations and received a mountain of items! Thank you to all families that donated! The class culminated their experience with a trip to the Hope For Paws Center on March 25. They toured parts of the center, learned important information on how the center works, and learned how to adopt dogs. The project was a great opportunity for the students and a way for them to give back to their community.
Pictured below from right to left: Christiana Shilling, Jace Sweeney, Mason Britain, Makenzi Garlington, Evan Calhoun , Kennedy Coutee, Anna Roberts, Mackenzie Orr, Payton Ivy, Aniyah Gillie, and Mrs. Lucia Maley, 8th grade Quest teacher.
SALARY: According to parish school salary schedule.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be certified or eligible at the time of the application according to Louisiana State Department of Education requirements and must have 5 years of teaching experience.
DEADLINE: Friday, April 8, 2022; 4:00 p.m.
APPLICATIONS: Application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, official transcripts from institutions awarding degrees, a copy of Louisiana Teacher’s Certificate with principal/education leadership endorsement, three (3) letters of reference, (one being from your immediate supervisor).
WHERE TO APPLY: Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel Natchitoches Parish School Board 310 Royal Street, P. O. Box 16 Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016 Phone: (318) 352-2358 Website: npsb.la
Date: April 12, 2022 Location: L.P. Vaughn Elementary School Location: Natchitoches Magnet School Time: 8:30a to 10:30a
Date: April 14, 2022 Location: Marthaville Elementary School Location: Provencal Elementary School Location: Fairview Alpha Elementary School Location: Goldonna Elementary School Time: 8:30a to 10:30a
Melissa White, Early Childhood Coordinator 318-238-0707 Emilyn Horton, Ed.S. 318-357-7165
NATCHITOCHES: Emanuel Paul Dupree August 28, 1943 – April 2, 2022 Service: Saturday, April 9 at 11 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Isle Brevelle
Billy “Bill” Lewis March 23, 1931 – April 3, 2022 Service: Wednesday, April 6 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Natchitoches Parish Fire District 9 was dispatched to a mobile structure fire at 2:24 am on Sunday, April 3 at 133 Wardell Street in Campti, LA.
Firefighters arrived 8 minutes after the call for service, and immediately applied heavy stream devices to get the fire under control. After the fire was knocked down, hand lines were used to finish extinguishing the fire. Firefighters entered the part of the residence that was not collapsed, to look for a possible occupant. Firefighters also removed the collapsed roof to search the remainder of the structure. No one was located after the search and a secondary search. 16 Firefighters responded to the scene with 2 Fire Engines, 1 Service Unit and 1 Fire Tanker.
The Caroline Dormon Foundation held its 13th annual Spring Picnic Fundraiser on the grounds of the 212 acre nature preserve Saturday, April 2. A crowd of about 150 supporters and friends of the preserve enjoyed a catered picnic lunch, walking tours led by knowledgeable naturalists, a plant sale, and raffle.
The Briarwood Nature Preserve is the birthplace and childhood home of famed naturalist Caroline Dormon. Dorman was a naturalist, author and the first woman hired by the US Forest Service. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Kisatchie National Forest. The Briarwood Nature Preserve serves to carry on her legacy of preservation and education about the natural world.
The preserve also holds the distinction of hosting some of the few surviving specimens of the endangered tree Torreya Taxifolia. The tree originally grew in an area on the Florida/Georgia border. Caroline Dormon brought some seedlings home from a trip to Florida in the 1930’s. The trees disappeared from their original habitat and now only exist in a few places. According to Louisiana Scholars’ College professor, Dr. Betsy Cochran, the Briarwood Nature Preserve boasts the largest number of Torreya Taxifolia trees in the United States.
From wildflowers to birds, animals and miles of walking trails, there is indeed something for everyone at the Briarwood Nature Preserve. The Natchitoches Parish Journal also wishes to congratulate Lakeview and NSU alumnae, Ms. Bayli Quick, on her new position as the preserve’s curator.
(Robeline)-At approximately 1:04pm on Friday, April 1 Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and multiple units from Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #7 responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a mobile home fire in the 400 block of John Banks Road near Robeline according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
According to NPFD #7 the mobile home reportedly owned by Man Odums and occupied by Bonnie Allen was a total loss.
NATCHITOCHES – If Saturday’s first spring football scrimmage had halves, the offense would have hung its hat on the first half while the defense stiffened in the second half.
The offense scored five of its six touchdowns in the scrimmage’s first half before the defense dominated the second half, forcing all five of its turnovers in the latter stages.
NSU coach Brad Laird, who is beginning his fifth season as the Demons head coach, said he saw plenty of positives from the nearly 90-play scrimmage.
“The first scrimmage was good, especially with it being the first time we’ve had officials out here,” Laird said. “The offense came ready to play right out of the gate, and the defense settled down after that and we had good competition, which is what the spring is supposed to be about.
“We ended up (five) turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles, which is good to see that from the defense but also means that your offense needs to protect the ball better.”
Receiver Javon Antonio accounted for three touchdowns Saturday, two receiving and one throwing.
Antonio won’t be throwing his hat into the quarterback race, but the junior said the offense is in a strong position under first-year coordinator Cody Crill.
“Today was fantastic, and everything is coming together as an offense with the new coaches,” said Antonio, who was an All-Southland Conference receiver in the 2021 spring season before having to sit out this past fall. “Everything is clicking right now, and we’re getting better every single day.
“We’ve had a powerhouse defense in the past, and now I feel like the offense is matching that.”
Both of Antonio’s receiving touchdowns came from the arm of Zachary Clement as Antonio hauled in scores of 61 and 20 yards.
Antonio’s touchdown pass also involved Clement, who caught a 20-yard touchdown that included juking a defender near the goal line.
Clement finished 9-15 passing for 143 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He was also the scrimmage’s leading rusher with 33 yards on three attempts.
The sophomore quarterback started the scrimmage with an 18-yard touchdown to junior college transfer Zach Patterson, who totaled three catches for 33 yards.
Quarterbacks Kaleb Fletcher and Kareame Cotton each threw a touchdown and an interception.
Fletcher chunked a 48-yard strike to tight end Stanley King before finishing the drive with a 3-yard touchdown to King.
Cotton overcame an early interception and tossed a 65-yard touchdown to junior Josh Carver.
Fletcher threw for 136 yards on 10-17 passing while Cotton accounted for 129 passing yards on 10-16.
Carver had a game-high 94 yards on two catches with Spencer Heard grabbing a team-high five passes for 54 yards.
Defensively, senior Shemar Bartholomew (Clement), junior Waylon Washington (Cotton) and sophomore Kevin Davis (Fletcher) intercepted passes.
Davis’ interception ended the scrimmage as the defense stopped Clement and Fletcher’s two-minute drill attempts.
Senior linebacker Jomard Valsin said the defense is coming along under first-year coordinator Weston Glaser.
“We’re looking great, and we’re working in the new system,” said Valsin, who broke up one pass and logged two quarterback hurries and would have likely scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery had turnovers not been blown dead. “Coach Glaser puts us in the right position to make plays, and the new coaches are coming together well.
“We emphasize turnovers and making plays to get the offense back the ball. I feel like we’re picking up and adjusting to the new system with no hiccups.”
Junior Keenan Leachman led all defenders with four tackles with 11 other Demons logging three.
JaBralen Yarber was a standout on the defensive line, securing a sack and a tackle for loss among his three stops.
Yarber was also flagged for targeting in the scrimmage, one of 12 NSU penalties.
“We’ve got to clean up penalties, but I think we’ll be good in those situations,” Laird said.
NSU has one more week of spring practice, which culminates in the Joe Delaney Bowl on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Turpin Stadium.
Scoring Plays Zach Patterson 18 pass from Zachary Clement (Eddie Godina kick) Javon Antonio 61 pass from Clement (Godina kick) Stanley King 3 pass from Kaleb Fletcher (Godina kick) Josh Carver 65 pass from Kareame Cotton Jr. (Godina kick) Antonio 20 pass from Clement (Godina kick) Clement 20 pass from Antonio (Godina kick)
The Louisiana Piano Series International will present pianist Artem Kuznetsov on Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Tickets are $15. Northwestern State University, BPCC@NSU and Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts students are admitted free with a current student I.D. Those attending are asked to wear a mask, but they are not required. Northwestern State Assistant Professor of Piano Dr. John Price and Associate Professor of Piano Dr. Francis Yang are co-directors of the of the Louisiana Piano Series International.
The program will include works by Granados, Dett, Medtner, Vela and Rachmaninoff.
A native of Balashov, Russia, Kuznetsov is an award-winning concert pianist, a vivid chamber musician hailed for his artistry, virtuosity, lyricism and exciting energy. He is extensively performing solo recitals as well as collaborating with orchestras in major concert halls around the world. He has been part of organizations and concert series that have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities including the “Multiple Sclerosis” society and “Direct relief Covid-19 response.” In 2020 he was appointed an Emissary of the Muses of the city of San Antonio by the Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
Kuznetsov is a winner of more than 10 international competitions including the Valsesia Musica International Competition, the Canada International Artists Piano Competition, the Seattle International Piano Competition and the Dallas International Piano Competition among others. His real passion for music started at the age of 14, when he for the first time visited Sergei Rachmaninoff’s museum-estate and heard recordings of Rachmaninoff performing his own compositions.
Kuznetsov was featured in several radio stations in the U.S. including the “Texas Public Radio” in San Antonio and “King FM” in Seattle. He is actively involved in musical outreach for under-served communities, as well as educational events for young musicians with more than 10 outreach recitals in Texas and Washington, and gave more than 35 presentations and masterclasses for elementary, middle and high school students. His first LP on the “Orpheus Classical” label was released on all the major streaming platforms, followed by a second album released on decentralized music streaming service “Audius” making him the first classical pianist that is streaming on a blockchain.
The Northwestern State baseball team tried to solve Texas A&M-Corpus Christi left-hander Jaime Ramirez Jr. for 101 pitches Sunday afternoon.
It took Bryce Holmes five to figure out Islander right-hander Leo Perez.
Holmes drilled a fastball over the right-center field wall to lead off the 10th inning for a walk-off home run, lifting the Demons to a 1-0 Southland Conference win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to complete a three-game sweep.
“The coaches were yelling, ‘No heroes. No heroes. Just pass the torch,’” Holmes said. “That’s what I was doing. I was looking for a fastball. I got it and took advantage.”
Holmes’ second home run of the year came after the Demons (15-12, 5-1) were handcuffed by Ramirez for nine innings in a Sunday pitchers’ duel between the Islander left-hander and Demon righties Drayton Brown and Gus Collins (1-0).
When Ramirez gave way, Holmes delivered.
Perez (2-3) got a first-pitch called strike before missing with three straight pitches, putting Holmes in an advantage count. With one swing, the first-year Demon capped the Demons’ first conference sweep of the season and NSU’s 12th win in its past 15 games.
“It was good to see us continue to fight and win a game a different way,” said sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier, whose team had scored 42 runs in its first five conference games. “We could have been satisfied in that dugout, but our two pitchers were able to keep us in the game.
“Bryce is proven. He’s a proven Southland Conference player who has had a good career. He had a great fall and early spring and scuffled a little bit. I’m so happy for him to have some success. We had a tough time against the left-hander, which we knew we could, but it was good to see the right-hander and for Bryce to get him one.”
While Ramirez scatted four hits in nine shutout innings, the Demon pair of Brown and Collins did the same against the Islanders, keeping Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (15-15, 2-4) off the board with some help from their defense.
Beginning with an around-the-horn double play with one out in the first inning, the Demon defense made three run-saving plays with two outs in innings to keep the game scoreless.
Larson Fontenot’s headlong dive and snag of Brandon Petkoff’s fifth-inning liner stranded a man at second before Sibley capped the sixth inning with a remarkable play.
From a prone position, Sibley was able to handle a tricky hop and throw out Nate White to help Brown finish a first-and-third, one-out jam.
Brown worked six shutout innings before turning the ball over to Collins, who allowed only one walk in four shutout innings, striking out four to earn his first win as a Demon.
“The two pitchers who threw for us today were fantastic,” Barbier said. “We made some game-changing defensive plays with men on base. Sib made one in the six hole that’s as good as you’ll see, and Larson made one coming in on a dive. Whenever we play defense the way we played today, that game-changing defense, it gives the pitchers confidence to stick it in there and gives us energy in the dugout.”
Collins provided a boost of his own, retiring eight of the last nine he faced, including a 1-2-3 10th inning, punctuated by a strikeout of Josh Caraway, setting the stage for Holmes’ biggest hit as a Demon.
“Drayton did a really good job today, getting us back in the dugout,” Collins said. “It was a good team win between the defense and the pitching. Being able to come in and step up in that situation was great to do for the guys.”
The Demons return to action Wednesday at Lamar in the first of a season-long eight-game road trip. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Vincent-Beck Stadium in Beaumont, Texas.
WACO, Texas – Personal records and top-10 finishes abounded for Northwestern State at the Baylor Invitational as the Demons battled the Bears, Oklahoma State, UT Arlington, North Texas, Louisiana Tech and Incarnate Word among other teams.
NSU coach Mike Heimerman said windy conditions created less-than-ideal circumstances for many events, but he’s proud of the way the Demons and Lady Demons competed against a competitive field.
“With the wind and rough lane draws, we were still able to get a lot of personal records in a variety of events,” Heimerman said. “We are still looking for certain things as coaches, but most everybody is bought in and working hard.
“We’re fairly healthy leaving this meet, and we’ll get ready for the next one next weekend.”
The Gumbs twins dominated men’s discus in NSU’s only event win as Djimon Gumbs ran away with the victory with a 181-02. Twin Diamante Gumbs (175-11) took second place and beat the remainder of the field by nine feet.
Diamante Gumbs added a fourth-place showing in the shot put with a 54-1.
“We actually didn’t look very good in the discus, and we tried to force some things and rush some things,” Heimerman said. “But the discus still went decently far despite all that. Down the road, I think they’ll throw really far.”
Kie’Ave Harry lowered his season-best 100-meter time by one-tenth of a second, clocking a 10.36 to finish third.
Four other NSU sprinters logged personal records in the 100 meters as Dylan Swain (10.51, 10th), William Glover (10.74), Galen Loyd (10.79) and Austin Simoneaux (10.80).
“Harry had a great day, even though he didn’t run a technically sound race,” Heimerman said. “The most impressive thing is he turned around and ran a personal record in the 200 because he said he needed the work.
“Dylan Swain is another guy who ran good races today.”
Destine Scott led the sprints group as he was the top Demon in the 200 and 400 meters, posting personal record times.
Scott ran a sub-21.0 in the 200, placing fifth with a 20.86.
His personal record of 46.89 claimed a sixth-place posting in the 400. Junior Charles (48.82) and Ebenezer Aggrey (49.94) also logged personal records in the 400.
“We had a lot of guys draw some bad lanes, but Destine Scott still ran a personal record out of lane three,” Heimerman said. “He was in there with a lot of guys who run 45 seconds, and they ran 46 seconds because of the conditions and he still ran a PR.
“He also ran a great 200 meter time in a bad lane.”
NSU collected a pair of third-place finishes in the men’s and women’s pole vault.
Hayden Barrios cleared 15-9 and Annemarie Broussard placed third among collegiate jumpers with a 13-3.5. Broussard’s mark matched her outdoor best.
“The wind made it tough on pole vaulters, even though they lightened up in the afternoon,” Heimerman said. “Broussard matches her outdoor record, and she made good attempts at the next bar.”
Long jumper Andrew Gilreath logged a fourth-place finish in a 22-jumper field with a personal record 23-10.25. Nikaoli Williams made the finals and placed ninth at 22-9.
The male 4×100 relay finished third with a 40.54 as the foursome of Evan Nafe, Tre’Darius Carr, Javin Arrington and Dylan Swain passed the baton.
“They didn’t have very good handoffs, so I think they could have run 39.50 with better handoffs,” Heimerman said.
Two NSU women placed in the top-10 in the 100 meters as Lynell Washington claimed sixth in the 100 with a 11.67 and Taylor Shaw came in ninth with a personal record 11.81.
Javelin thrower Ashley Duffus chunked a personal record 137-0 to finish sixth in a 20-person field.
“Ashley had a really good first throw, but she pressed a little in the later attempts,” Heimerman said. “She’s starting to get comfortable, and she’ll should have some really good marks this season.”
Rei Park threw 152-11 to place ninth in the male javelin.
In the shot put, Carnitra Mackey’s 42-7.50 placed seventh.
Janiel Moore inched closer to the minute-mark in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking a 1:00.94.
“She had a phenomenal opening 400 hurdles today, and she would have come under a minute had she not broken her stride at the last hurdle with a little stumble,” Heimerman said.
Aliyah Carswell clocked a 14.20 personal record in the 100-meter hurdles to finish 10th.
Maygan Shaw added a 10th-place finish in the 400 meters, posting a 55.79.
Taylor Shaw shaved nearly a second off her 200-meter time with a 24.41 (16th).
Elyse Jacobs added a personal best in the 800, placing 11th with a 2:25.60.
After weeks of community effort under the direction of artist Edgar Cano, Natchitoches’ first community mural, “Planting Seeds of Hope”, was formally unveiled to the public in a ceremony and festive block party at the Ben D. Johnson Center’s Legacy Garden Saturday, April 2.
Over 100 community members, NSU students and campus and community leaders gathered on a beautiful spring day to enjoy music, fellowship and grilled burgers & hot dogs courtesy of the Legacy Café. The City of Natchitoches brought its Portable Park trailer filled with games for the children.
The mural overlooks the Ben D. Johnson Center’s Legacy Garden and celebrates our community’s agricultural roots. The work is a true community effort as artist Edgar Cano put up the broad outlines of the mural and volunteers from around the community filled the in outlines. Cano then put on the finishing touches. The resulting work is a wonderful celebration of our past and an expression of hope for our future.
The Ben D. Johnson Center, the Legacy Garden and the Legacy Café are all forces for good in our community. “Planting Seeds of Hope” is a superbly done piece of art that beautifully sums up the center’s mission.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the members and parents of the Natchitoches Junior High JAG program, students were blessed with the opportunity to attend an NBA game on March 27. Not just any game, a match up between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers. To say it was “LIT” is an understatement!! They were also able to visit the Mall of Louisiana and travel in style by a Mayos Tours.
