Cleveland County, North Carolina doesn’t get a lot of airplay nationwide. You might hear about it in August when they play the 95^th American Legion World Series there at its permanent home, Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium, a gorgeous park and setting.

If you’re a member of the medical community, you can even get in free this year, the American Legion’s tribute to you for all your work during the pandemic.

So there’s that. (Oh … Shelby, the county seat and roughly 21,000 strong, also has a Bojangles. The biscuits are killer.)

But other than the mid-August baseball traffic, Cleveland County and Shelby keep a relatively low profile, just being cool and calm and living the good life at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the state’s southern line, there in the western Piedmont.

For a closer perspective, it’s 43 miles west, give or take a soybean field or two, from Charlotte. Just hop on Interstate 85 toward Spartanburg, take a right on Hwy. 74 at Kings Mountain, and pretty soon it’s paydirt.

To me it’s become a kind of home away from home because, for various reasons, it’s been the site of most of our family reunions, the most recent of which was last weekend and which also didn’t get much national attention because people sitting around telling stories no one else would care about and eating fried chicken from Food Lion and watching kids play isn’t big news — unless you’re an Allen or unless, in a weak moment, you married into such a magnificent mess.

I love this little town.

It started in 1990, one year after grandmamma died, so this was the 33^rd annual gathering, although we skipped two years ago when the world shut down because of the you-know-what, which we are all literally paying for now. No telling how many chickens have died, how many eggs have been deviled, how many potatoes have been peeled over the past three-plus decades, each a martyr to the Allen Family Reunion cause.

Sometimes I take a baseball. I don’t ask anyone to sign a baseball unless it’s a Very Special Deal, (a “VSD”). Unless it’s been a Little Leaguer, I’ve never asked a ballplayer to sign a baseball. But I’ve asked my Aunt Virginia and my Aunt Sarah. And Amy, who drew a little heart by hers this year. (Extra points for cousin Amy.) And Dylan, who added a smiley face. And Terry and Matt and Austin and Robin and Judy No. 1, not to be confused with the irreplaceable Judy No. 2 or other Judys that fell by the matrimonial wayside. (I appreciate that the Judys always sign with a Roman numeral I or II. Keepers, that pair.)

I look at the baseball anytime I want during the year, see the names, and remember. It’s a selfish tradition, I know …

We’ve had the reunion, depending on where people were living and who was hosting — been some moving around in 30 years — at New Smyrna Beach, Fl. (looked down the beach and saw the space shuttle launch and felt the sonic boom a minute or so later, a reunion highlight, because nothing much happens at our reunions); at Bowdon, Ga.; at North Myrtle Beach/Cherry Grove, S.C.; even in Swartz, La., which got no points for Things To Do but which did retire the trophy for Hottest Reunion Ever. Seems liked it cooled off to 102 one day.

It’s at Cherry Grove next year around July 10 if you want to come. Love to have you. You might enjoy it since all the old stories we’ve heard time and again will be new to you. And since it’s your first time, we won’t make you peel eggs.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Recall that at the time of drafting our Constitution, our nation had just come out of a brutal war for its independence and our leaders sought to establish a fundamentally different kind of government, one based upon self-government.

Our Framers sought to balance individual liberty, which they had foremost in mind, and social order as they drafted the document grounded in this principle of self-government.

So, the Founders devised a system in which the states and the federal government were joint sovereigns sharing power.  However, in this arrangement they demanded that the new constitution limit the national government to specific, express, enumerated powers which they listed with great specificity, with all other power reserved to the states and the people.  Said another way, the states—as the legitimate repositors of power—agreed to a voluntary transfer of enumerated powers from the states to the federal government.

Secondly, they created a three-part federal government, Legislative, Executive and Judicial, that would remain that way based upon a delicate system of checks and balances.  This is our Separation of Powers which simply means that our three branches of government would be required to “stay in their own lanes” such that one branch could no more make itself more powerful at the expense of another branch than they could give their constitutional authority away to another branch.

And, equally importantly, the federal government was required to stay out of the lanes of the states.

With this in mind let’s review some recent Supreme Court decisions.

Roe v. Wade was a violation of both states’ rights and separation of powers.   It was reversed because the 1973 Roe Court illegitimately decided to “federalize” the abortion issue and take that profound moral policy decision away from the 50 states in whom it is entrusted.  It’s also a violation of the Separation of Powers because the Supreme Court went “outside of its lane,” acting as a “super legislature.”  In so doing, the Roe Court also disregarded its fundamental duty to interpret the law—not make the law—by magically “finding” a right to abortion in the Constitution.

Let’s review another violation of the Separation of Powers.  In a recent case involving the Environmental Protection Agency the Court ruled in such a way that signals a broad reining in of the massive federal administrative state.  The case involved climate change regulation but the principle the Court laid down can be applied to all the federal agencies.  The issue was whether the EPA could use a little-known provision of a major federal statute to essentially redesign our national electric grid.

The Court relied on a legal doctrine which requires courts to be skeptical, if not suspicious, when agencies try to claim a previously unidentified power in a long existing statute; like saying “this statute is 50 years old, but the EPA somehow just discovered this new power in it which it’s now using to massively expand its own authority?” The Court held that the EPA had gone too far and was acting as a legislative body (at the whim of unelected bureaucrats) even though its only legitimate role is to administer laws passed by Congress.

Two final cases involve rights that are actually in the Constitution. 

In a gun rights case, the Court struck down a New York law that prohibited its citizens from possessing a handgun on their person outside of the home unless they proved a “special need” to do so.  The Court said “no” holding that “the Second … Amendment protects an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home,” adding that “individual self-defense is the central component of the Second Amendment right.”

Finally, a case involving free exercise of religion and the “praying football coach” who was fired from his job at a public high school after he briefly knelt after games to offer a prayer of thanks.  The Court ruled in his favor finding that the coach had never attempted to coerce his players to join him, or conditioned playing time based upon player participation in the prayer.  Rather, in firing the coach the school district had unconstitutionally punished him “for engaging in a brief, quiet, personal religious observance.”  

The Left is furious because it realizes that if it can no longer rely on federal courts to accomplish its policy goals it will now have to accomplish them in the constitutional way—by building public consensus and then passing a bill through Congress. 

Royal Alexander is an attorney, writer, and former politician in his native Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2007, he was the Republican candidate for Louisiana Attorney General. In addition to his law practice, Alexander is an opinion writer, a guest lecturer at public events and education forums, and a frequent guest on various TV and radio outlets.

The views and opinions expressed in the My Opinion article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Winn Parish Journal. Any content provided by the authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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Dixie Medical Equipment is hiring a Medical Equipment Delivery Technician. 

Position Requirements:

• Driver’s License
• Must be able to lift over 50 lbs.

Position Schedule:

• Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
• The position will be on call every other weekend

Applicants may drop off resumes or complete an application at 430 W. South Ave., Winnfield, LA. 

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Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation is currently hiring

Position: Development Officer of Annual Giving.

Position Summary
The Foundation Development Officer (DO) will develop and execute the annual giving program, manage the donor database, and coordinate the donor communication/recognition program to generate recurring revenue broadening and growing the donor base.  

Primary Responsibilities
In conjunction with the Foundation Development Director, the DO will develop and implement an annual plan of work to include goals, metrics, activities, and deadlines related to the following programs:

• Annual Giving Program – New donor acquisition; grateful patient giving; Associate giving
• Donor Database Management – Donor demographic, giving history, and communications; donor communication assignments
• Comprehensive Donor Communication Program – Direct response (mail, email, social media, etc.); Gratitude and Recognition Policy and Process; robust gratitude program

Additional Responsibilities

1. Provide input on and adhere to the annual budget
2. Input on the development of philanthropic materials
3. Develop attractive and meaningful giving opportunities as well as recognition
4. Coordinate with Volunteer Coordinator in effective use of volunteers
5. Provide support for Foundation Special Events as needed
6. Periodic travel for presentations, events, and education

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities. 

Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree – Preferably in Business, Marketing/PR, or Nonprofits
2. AHP and/or AFP Membership

Preferred Education and Experience

1. CFRE Preferred – NRMCF will assist in acquiring the CFRE
2. 2 Years Professional Fundraising Experience

To apply, please visit:
https://www.nrmchospital.org/job/development-officer-of-annual-giving/

If you have questions or would like to speak to our Recruiter, please contact Larissa Cameron at 318-214-5819 or at larissa.cameron@nrmchospital.org

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WINN:
Joshua Wayne Feirn
June 1, 1998 – July 9, 2022S
Service: Thursday, July 14 at 2 pm at Gloryway Church in Dodson

SABINE:
Betty Gene Bailey
May 18, 1937 – July 11, 2022
Service: Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m. at Life Church Tyler, located at 107 Barbee Dr. Tyler in Texas

RED RIVER:
Lori Ann Adams Barney
October 30, 1965 – July 9, 2022
Service: Wednesday, July 13 at 12 pm at the First Baptist Church, located at 105 North Church Street in Linden, Texas

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UPDATE 7/12/22 – 

21-year-old Jacob L. Pullig, of Winnfield, was released from NPSO Detention Center late yesterday on a $50,000 bond.

Original Story 7/11/22 – 

According to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office sources around 7:25 p.m. on Saturday, July 9th, NPSO patrol deputies, along with Ashland Police, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, and Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #8 responded to 911 reports of a Utility Terrain Vehicle crash with serious injuries on the Louisiana Trails off Bumgardner Road between Ashland and Chestnut. Authorities arrived on the scene to find several individuals applying first aid to a single person suffering from serious injuries.

NPSO sources say the preliminary stages of the investigation revealed that 24-year-old Joshua W. Feirn of Winnfield was a passenger on a customized 2016 Can-Am Maverick UTV operated by 21-year-old Jacob L. Pullig, also of Winnfield. They were reportedly traveling southbound on the Louisiana Trail on their way to help other friends who were reportedly stuck when witnesses say the UTV went off the trail and overturned several times before coming to a rest on its side.

The reason the UTV went off the trail remains under investigation, but witnesses reported it appeared to have a mechanical issue.

Feirn suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the LSU Ocshner Trauma Center Center in Shreveport, where he was later pronounced dead.

Shortly after 1:00 am, the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reporting Joshua Feirn had succumbed to his injuries.

The sheriff’s office says as in all serious injury crashes, and due to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests administered at the scene, Pullig was taken to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and administered a chemical test for intoxication.

As a result of impairment and the chemical test, the sheriff’s office says Pullig was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated.

At the time of publishing Pullig remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond to be set by a 10th Judicial District Judge.

Louisiana State Police and an NPSO detective assisted in the investigation, which is ongoing.

In its statement on the fatal crash and arrest, NPSO noted the importance of using safety equipment such as helmets and seat belts and never consuming alcoholic beverages while operating any type of motor or off-road vehicle and extended condolences to the family and friends of Joshua Feirn.

This story is developing and will be updated as information is released.

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Date: 7-5-22
Name: Demonyea L Foster
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 21
Charge: Theft (x2), Contempt of court (x3)

Date: 7-5-22
Name: Obryan Holden
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 38
Charge: Domestic Abuse/Battery, Prohibited acts, Illegal carrying of a weapon

Date: 7-6-22
Name: Steven Barton
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 50
Charge: Simple criminal damage to property, Unauthorized entry

Date: 7-6-22
Name: Mark D Autrey
Address: Joyce, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 59
Charge: Theft

Date: 7-10-22
Name: Jose V Lara
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 63
Charge: Driving left of the center, Fake Identification, Driving under suspension

Date: 7-10-22
Name: Keonta M Davis
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Charge: Remaining after being forbidden

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AS PUBLIC INFORMATION. PERSONS NAMED OR SHOWN IN PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEO AS SUSPECTS IN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, OR ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A CRIME, HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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Dixie Medical Equipment is hiring a Medical Equipment Delivery Technician. 

Position Requirements:

• Driver’s License
• Must be able to lift over 50 lbs.

Position Schedule:

• Monday – Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
• The position will be on call every other weekend

Applicants may drop off resumes or complete an application at 430 W. South Ave., Winnfield, LA. 

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LSU AgCenter, Healthy Communities and the City of Winnfield are hosting a Play Street event on Saturday, July 16th from 10 AM – 1 PM at the Grove Street Recreation Center. Lunch will be served.

Play Streets are popup play events that provide safe places for families to get moving. Equipment such as obstacle courses, kickballs, long jump mats, parachutes, inflatable human hamster wheels, bubble machines and music are set up to promote active play, particularly in communities with limited access to parks and safe places to exercise.

Play Streets are powerful tools for community engagement and health promotion, especially in underserved rural areas of the state. The LSU AgCenter is committed to promoting health equity and engaging community members in problem solving to increase physical activity.

For more information contact Shannan Chevallier at 318-623-7732

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The first local business recognized via the Chambers Facebook page last Sunday was Pea Patch Gallery and Cafe.

𝗣𝗘𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗙𝗘
Meet Gail Shelton, owner of the Pea Patch Gallery and Cafe
We asked Gail S. to give us some interesting background information and history about her business, The Pea Patch Gallery and Cafe.

Gail Shelton said we bought the building in 1991 from Breard Carpenter (Winn Department Store). It took a year to remodel. We opened in August 1992. The building was built in 1908, and was Heard’s Hardware. We decided on the name because it was the name of the farm here of Earl K. Long. Since he was the more popular governor with locals, and came to Winnfield often. We started with only Art and antiques and added the cafe 3 years later. The business grew and changed over the years…adding vendors and all kinds of merchandise, along with custom framing. We are in our 30th year, and will start our 31st in August. We are open from 10-5 Tuesday through Friday, and 10-3 on Saturdays. Lunch is served from 11-2 Tues – Fri. Some tidbits: Heard’s Hardware sold coffins and wagons upstairs… which is as big as the downstairs. PBS Lumber cut all the lumber for us that lines the walls..nit is tongue and grooved, and started in the front corner of the building all the way around. The beaded board ceiling is original. The floor of the gallery is wood from a wall that was upstairs. Many of my employees say the building is haunted… they have heard weird noises, and seen weird things. The pickup truck that is our pay counter in the cafe was my brother’s. He brought it from San Antonio and we had to take it all apart to move it into the building… it was 2 inches too wide. It is a 1959 Ford.. the era Earl Long would have owned. We host all kinds of events: showers and parties, art classes, piano recitals, meetings, book signings, etc. We have participated in Christmas Open House every year and now the Sip and Shop promotions. We want to thank all of our loyal customers over the years… our chicken salad fans! and all the rest. We have seen babies grow up, employees get married, and lots of changes in our community. We are proud to be a part of the downtown and hope to continue to serve the people who visit our shop.
🎉 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐋 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐘 & 𝐂𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐂EI𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊!! 🎉
If you want to visit or know more about The Pea Patch Gallery and Cafe, here is how you can!
📍 Address: 109 S Abel St. Winnfield, La 71483
💻 Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/abelstreetwinnfieldla/
☎️ Telephone: 318-628-3560
⏰ Hours:
10-5 Tuesday – Friday
10-3 on Saturdays
Lunch is served 11-2 Tuesday – Friday

The second and most recent business recognized as the business of the week is The Social Coffee House.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄
The Social Coffee House is located downtown Main Street offering coffee, coffee beans, refreshers, dirty sodas, hot teas, smoothies, gift cards, syrups, cups, mixers, and a brand new item coming soon for the sip n’ shop this Friday. Owners Frederick and Melody Bonnette opened their business doors in 2021.
🎉 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐂EI𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊!! 🎉
If you want to try out one of their good tasting beverages, here is more information on how to find and contact them:
📍Address: 109 S Abel St. Winnfield, La 71483
💻 Facebook page: The Social Coffeehouse
☎️ Telephone: 318-209-5077
⏰ Hours:
Monday 6am-6pm
Tuesday 6am-6pm
Wednesday 6am-4pm
Thurs 6am-6pm
Friday 6am-6pm
Saturday 8am-12pm

💼 If you would like to become a member of the Winn Parish Chamber of Commerce or know of a local business that would, please contact the chamber! 📨
• Website: http://winnparishchamber.com/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/winnchamber/

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SaveCenla, a nonprofit organization focused on providing the public with information and events that will promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, is hosting a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) interactive workshop on August 22-23, 2022 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM day 1 and 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM day 2 at CLTCC in Winnfield located at 5960 US-167, Winnfield, LA 71483. There is no cost to register. 

ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety. Although healthcare providers widely use ASIST, participants don’t need formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.

​Since its development in 1983, ASIST has received regular updates to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice. As a result, over 2,000,000 people have taken the workshop. In addition, studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings in those at risk and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide. 

Saving Lives from Suicide

Thoughts of suicide are surprisingly common. At any given time, around 1 in 25 people is thinking about suicide to some degree.

For most people, thinking about suicide isn’t about wanting to die. Instead, it’s the tension between their reasons for staying alive and their desire to escape from the pain that feels unbearable.

Within this tension lies the risk of death and the possibility of intervention, hope, and life. This is where someone with the right skills can help tip the balance and change a life forever. This is where LivingWorks training comes in.

For more information on the ASIST two-day training, click here.

Register for the two-day workshop in Winnfield, La here.

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NATCHITOCHES:
Carmen Delores Holland
September 22, 1959 – July 4, 2022
Service: Monday, July 11 at 10 am at Friendship Cemetery

Laura Hope Harlan Boles
March 24, 1960 – June 28, 2022
Service: Saturday, July 23 at 1 pm at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches

WINN:
Richard Wayne Skains
July 04, 1925 – July 06, 2022
Service: Monday, July 11 at 10 am at East Winnfield Baptist Church

Thelma L Bumpurs
February 9, 1940 – July 4, 2022
Arrangements TBA

Johnnie Little
July 4, 2022
Arrangements TBA

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By: Kaycie Kile
WPJ Reporter

This past Monday evening, from seven to nine p.m, the first Baptist church of Winnfield took to E Court Street and welcomed all for their first family and firework community event!

Thanks to the local church, Winnfield residents of all ages would come together and enjoy the fresh food, refreshments, and many entertainments provided! With inflatable bounce houses, live music, community fellowship, and a gorgeous firework display to wrap up the night, it was a 4th we won’t soon forget!

Jerry Pipes, the pastor at First Baptist of Winnfield, hopes this event will now become a yearly tradition. It’s a gift he and his fellow church members would like to continue to give to this town, to create a safe and family-friendly environment with no strings attached, “Every year, the city can count on a first-class event they can bring their family to.”

Thank you to the First Baptist Church of Winnfield and all its members and volunteers for bringing such a positive and memorable experience to our town!

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By: Kaycie Kile
WPJ Reporter

In honor of those who aid and serve our country, at home and overseas, on Monday, July 4th, 2022, the Rotary Club of Winnfield teamed up with WPFD3 (Winn Parish Fire District 3) and Reaching Forward ministries to bring the community a bit of Fourth of July fun!

The Firecracker 5k popped off at nine in the morning, with all eager participants wrapping up just before eleven and Daniel Simmons, Number 64, finishing the day’s first-place winner!

Perfect timing considering that Reaching Forward Ministries and all its helping hands had just finished preparing its first round of lunch. All 5k participants, Veterans, and First Responders were treated to jambalaya with sides and a little something sweet for dessert.

It wasn’t long before the Air Evac Helicopter safely landed and allowed guests to approach for a closer look, ask questions and snap a few photos.

A ‘Stop The Bleed’ class, instructed by Hunter Brunet of Air Evac (base 160), took place within the WPFD3 building. Mr. Brunet went into depth about the various approaches to caring for injuries specific to heavy or consistent bleeding while providing a hands-on example for all present.

Last but not least, Landon Womack was hand-drawn as the lucky winner of this year’s 5K door prize, a beautiful handmade Independence Day quilt (see article’s photos) made by Mary Lou Green.

Special thanks to Mary Lou Green, The Rotary Club of Winnfield, Winn Parish Fire District 3, Reaching Forward Ministries, Mr. Brunet, Air Evac, and all volunteers or able hands that put their time and effort into such an enjoyable afternoon!

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