Date: 11-13-22
Name: Micheal FosterΒ
Address: HomelessΒ
Race: Black
Sex: MaleΒ
Age: 22
Charge:
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.
The Christmas season is quickly becoming one of the Villageβs busiest time of the year.
The Christmas in the Park Pageant will be held Saturday November 19th at Goldonna Elementary School. The pageant begins at 9:00. They will have a queen in each division as well as a Peopleβs Choice award.
On Saturday, November 26th at 1:00 they will welcome back the Indian Santa who visited last year. Children of all ages are invited to take pictures with Santa and he will have a special gift for everyone that comes to Town Hall.
Goldonna Baptist Church has a full calendar for the holiday season. They will be having a Thanksgiving dinner directly after the church service on Sunday November 20. They will not have an evening service on this day. The Kingdom Kids will not be meeting the week of Thanksgiving as they follow the NPSB holiday schedule. They will be hosting a Hanging of the Greens service on November 27 at 5:00pm. On December 3rd they will be taking a field trip to Candy Lane in Calhoun, La.
Goldonna Elementary Junior High School will soon be out for the Thanksgiving Holiday but until then they have been busy Wildcats! They will be having a Grandparents Thanksgiving Lunch on November 17th. They have began their Food Drive to benefit the Central Louisiana Good Bank. Non-perishables will be collected at the school and presented to the food bank.
Goldonna Christmas in the Park Committee is still seeking donations and volunteers for the Festival that will take place on Friday, December 9th. Pictures with Santa will take place at 4:00pm until 5:30pm. The parade will begin at 6:00pm with lineup beginning at the School. The fireworks show will start at 8:00. There will be refreshment served. If you have a business who would like to sponsor please reach out to Mayor Smith or one of the councilmen.
If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps atΒ jreba.phelps@gmail.com
Veterans Day Friday reminded me of it, brought him and her and them to my mind and took me back to the late 1960s and being a little boy who knew something was going on but just didnβt know what.Β Β
Because Aunt Daisy was unsure how long it took a letter to get to Southeast Asia, she mailed one just about every other day, an endless stream of news from Carolina, from home.Β
And so, there were two things a 19-year-old Jimmy Bass, whoβd always bought me milkshakes at the Dairy Maid, could count on in Vietnam: getting shot at by people he didnβt know, and getting letters from Aunt Daisy. She gave me carbon copies of most every one.Β
Dear Jimmy,Β
Why they decided you needed to be flying a helicopter I do not know, but your daddy tells me youβve been doing good at it. Thatβs saying something as I know Newton Bass is hard to please. Before you were born, him and my Hank vowed they had to taste every bottle of whiskey in a store before they could decide which one they wanted to drink for the night. They thought for the longest time that me and your mother felt that was a good excuse. I never thought either of them would quit drinking, but they did, and if you donβt believe in miracles, you should after knowing that. Which is why I expect to see you walking up our driveway any day now.Β
Of course I donβt know exactly where you are over there, and even if I did I couldnβt pronounce the name of the town. While youβre over there, why not talk the locals on our side into naming places that make sense, like Sunrise or Rock City or Dillon. If I lived over there I couldnβt tell anybody my address because I wouldnβt know how to say it. Theyβre either too short on consonants and long on vowels or the other way around. Fix that, Jimmy? Itβll give you something to do and me something to take credit for.Β
Nothing much to report here. Weβre still trying to get a preacher. Weβve had all the success of a boy mouse in a roomful of girl cats so far. Last week Farmer started talking in the middle of preaching, without meaning to. Him and the Scrap Iron Quartet sung a couple hymns, then about halfway through our substitute preacherβs talk, here Farmer went. I know it donβt surprise you to hear he was sleeping in church as thatβs what he always does when heβs not singing. Donβt know what he does better, snore or sing. But by god heβs always there, ainβt he. So heβd plowed βtil church time as always, then about halfway through the sermon Farmer, deep in slumber and obviously dreaming, hollers out real loud like, βWhoa! Whoa!β None of us paid it much mind but it shook the visiting preacher up pretty good.Β Β
Maggie is getting prettier every day. I think sheβs in her room writing you a letter right now. We talk about you all the time and hope you get our letters every week. If you can keep from wrecking that plane theyβre idiot enough to let you fly, I might let you drive the Falcon again when you get home. Just got the oil changed.Β
Love,Β
Aunt DaisyΒ
Even after his momma and Mr. Newt got word Jimmy was MIA, Aunt Daisy kept writing. In fact, she wrote more. She didnβt give up. Neither did Jimmy. So she was the least surprised person in town the day the knock came on her door, and standing there, milkshakes in both hands and a duffle bag on his shoulder, stood Jimmy, threadbare and scarred, but smiling. And home.Β
Contact Teddy atΒ teddy@latech.eduΒ
From 1902 to 1924, the Stanley Motor Carriage Company built what were colloquially known as Stanley Steamers.Β Β The automobiles earned this nickname because, like a locomotive, the propelling motion was produced by burners boiling water which produced steam.Β Β The engine was essentially a hot water heater.Β Β There was nothing electric on the Steamers.Β Β Everything was steam-powered, even the headlights which were lit by a match.Β Β They were eventually rendered obsolete when the internal combustion engine increased fuel efficiency and power delivery.Β Β Nowadays, most Stanley Steamers are in museums or are owned by wealthy private collectors.Β Β Jay Leno, long-time host ofΒ the Tonight Show, has a collection of them.Β Β You rarely see one being driven on the road.Β Β When people are lucky enough to see a Stanley Steamer on the roadway, most cannot help but stop and stare.
Willie was on summer vacation.Β Β His job required him to spend most of his time in our nationβs capital, about 400 miles from his home in Canton, Ohio.Β Β When vacation time came up, he and his wife escaped the busy streets of Washington for the relaxation of their home in Canton.Β Β Each day, Willie took long walks to take in the fresh air and clear his mind.Β Β On July 13, Willie was enjoying his usual walk when something caught his eye.Β Β It caught everyoneβs eye.Β Β His pace slowed as he focused his eyes.Β Β An automobile puffing white steam was driving in his direction.Β Β Almost no sounds came from the car.Β Β Just an occasional hiss, like a steam train on a much smaller scale.Β Β It approached Willie and slowed.Β Β βWillie,β the man yelled with a wave.Β Β He blew the carβs steam whistle.Β Β Willieβs old hometown friend, Zebulon Davis, was driving a Stanley Steamer.Β
Zebulon pulled alongside Willie and the two exchanged pleasantries.Β Β They took turns speaking about their work, their families, and made other small talk.Β Β All the while, Willie peered uneasily at the Stanley Steamer.Β Β He was cautious but curious.Β Β As with a steam train, Willie understood that the boiler in a steam-powered car could explode if the steam built up too much pressure.Β Β Naturally, the focus of their conversation turned entirely to the rare car.Β Β Finally, partly out of politeness and partly to give Willie the rare opportunity to ride in a Stanley Steamer, Zebulon offered Willie a ride.
Willie smiled uncomfortably, thanked Zebulon, but politely declined.Β Β Maybe another time.Β Β Zebulon could see that Willie was still curious.Β Β He asked again.Β Β This time, Willie was slower to say no.Β Β Willie walked around the car and asked what this part did and how that part worked β questions any of us might ask if we saw one in person.Β Β Zebulon knew Willie was hooked.Β Β He asked Willie again and, this time, Willie accepted.Β Β Willie stepped into the passenger seat and the two men set off.
The car hissed away from the curb.Β Β Willie was uptight and nervous as the Stanley Steamer gained speed.Β Β His whole body, like his grip on the seat, tightened each time the carβs narrow tires hit a bump.Β Β The longer they rode, the more relaxed Willie became.Β Β Finally, Willie was enjoying the ride.Β Β Well, until someone on a bicycle pulled directly into the path of the Stanley Steamer.Β Β The brakes on the Stanley Steamer lacked the stopping power of a modern car.Β Β Zebulon jerked the wheel.Β Β Willieβs grip tightened once more.Β Β Onlookers gasped in expectation of a serious accident.Β Β To everyoneβs relief, especially the bicycle riderβs, the Stanley Steamer narrowly missed the bicycle.Β Β A short time later, Zebulon dropped Willie off to continue his walk.Β Β They said their goodbyes and Zebulonβs car hissed as it sped away.
Β At 58 years old, Willie finally rode in his first Stanley Steamer automobile.Β Β For the entirety of his life to that point, Willie had avoided riding inΒ anyΒ automobile.Β Β Willieβs first ride in an automobile made history, and not just for him personally.Β Β The date was July 13, 1901β¦ the date William βWillieβ McKinley became the first President of the United States to ride in an automobile.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Source:Β Β The Kansas City Times, July 15, 1901, p.1.
Photo Caption: The Stanley Brothers in a Stanley Steamer circa 1897
Baton Rougeβ Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., has proclaimed Nov. 15 as Louisiana Sweet Potato Day in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission.
The Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission, which works to expand the market and increase consumption of sweet potatoes grown in Louisiana, was created on July 8, 1952, by Act 272 of the 1952 Regular Session, making it the oldest agricultural commodity commission in the state.
Thanks to the commission, and Louisiana farmers and researchers, sweet potatoes in Louisiana have come a long way since their first commercial production in the state, which occurred in Sunset, La., in 1910.
According to the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter, in 2021 there were over 7,100 acres of sweet potatoes farmed in the state, creating a total value of $85 million. The LSU AgCenterβs Sweet Potato Research Station is the only one of its kind in the country and has developed new varieties that are now some of the most popular in the world. Additionally, the Lamb Weston Sweet Potato Processing Plant in Delhi, La., is the largest, sweet potato french fry plant in America.
βWe hope youβll join us in celebrating Louisiana Sweet Potato Day. It not only commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission but also celebrates the sweet potato as Louisianaβs official state vegetable and the largest vegetable crop grown in the state,β said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. βAs we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, weβre pleased to recognize the humble and delicious Louisiana sweet potato, which will play a starring role on tables all over the country next week.β
To learn more about Louisiana sweet potatoes and the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission, visit http://www.sweetpotato.org/.
ALEXANDRIAβ The Rapides Foundation is issuing a local casting call for various roles in their upcoming #TreatYourselfCenla campaign, launching in 2023. The campaign is looking for talent throughout Central Louisiana, specifically in Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn parishes. You must be a resident of a listed parish to participate.
The #TreatYourselfCenla submission process opens November 11 across social and online media channels and will close November 21. Applications for talent to appear in still photography, voice-over, and video are being reviewed for people of all ages, body types, ethnicities, and genders. We encourage people living throughout Central Louisiana to join the casting call by visiting our landing page and submitting photos and videos showcasing their personality and why they would be a good fit for this campaign. When the casting call closes, all applicants will be notified. The finalists will be selected during the week of November 21 and begin the photo shoot and filming process throughout the months of November and December.
To find out more about the #TreatYourselfCenla casting call, please visit http://www.treatyourselfcenla.org, and join the conversation with the hashtag #TreatYourselfCenla.
The Rapides Foundation is a philanthropic organization that develops initiatives and provides grants to organizations that share the Foundation’s mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana.
Throughout the campaign, The Rapides Foundation hopes to inspire residents of Central Louisiana to eat better, move more, and breathe freely.
Shirley βSueβ Goins Franklin was born to Robert βBabeβ Goins and Joy Henderson Wise on September 2, 1947, in Winnfield, Louisiana.
She was married to John R Franklin for 54 years. They had two sons, Michael Franklin (Blake) and Joshua Franklin (Jennifer). She was very proud of her sons; she bragged about their accomplishments as long as they werenβt around to hear.
Sue went by many names, but none she loved better than Meme to her grandsons, Bryce and Trent Franklin.
Her siblings are Robert Goins (Linda), Charles Goins (Phyllis), and Teresa Goins Brooks (Jimmy). Being Sueβs younger siblings helped βtoughen them up.β
Besides her family and friends, Sue loved animals, but especially HORSES, including the one that threw her and broke her leg when she was 68 years old while trying to break him and the one that broke her back while riding saddle broncs. She was a barrel racer for years and a rodeo photographer. She bred horses and loved raising and training the colts…
Sue loved old houses, old furniture, and βgood stuffβ she rescued from dumpsters. Her favorite job was working as a carpenter with her brother, Charles. While working, they explored a lot of abandoned houses and ate a lot of good food.
Sue was Very Frugal with her money but generous with her time.
Through her 19 year fight with ovarian cancer, she faced it head on. We shared a lot of laughs, and she didnβt have a pity party. When asked how she kept beating it, she jokingly said, βGod didnβt want her yet.β
God wanted Sue on October 27, 2022; she left this world having lived a full life with few regrets and will be greatly missed by so many!
Services will be held at the Expo center in Ruston on November 19th, visitation at 2:00, Service at 3:00. Bring your stories and Sue mementos.
Boots and jeans are welcome.
WINN:
Edgar βEddieβ Allen Burlew
January 28, 1964 β November 8, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 12 at 11 am at Nolley United Methodist Church
Kelly C. Allen
November 24, 1977 β October 31, 2022
Service: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 am at Christian Harmony Baptist Church
SABINE:
Brice Ellzey
April 6, 1945 β November 13, 2022
Service: Thursday, November 17 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel
NATCHITOCHES:
Molly Loraine Meshell
April 28, 1964 β November 4, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 12 at 11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Margo Haase
January 21, 1952 β October 23, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 am at St. Charles Borromeo Chapel in Bermuda
Jerry Pierce
November 8, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 12 at 2 pm at at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches
Charles βChuckβ Severance, Jr.
November 29, 1959 β November 3, 2022
Service: Friday, November 11 at 11 am at St. Anneβs Catholic Church
Stephen Lane Stroud
October 26, 1959 β November 2, 2022
Service: Tuesday, November 29 at 10:30 am at Rosemary Beach Town Hall in Panama City Beach, FL.
Meet the 2022 Winnfield Tigerette Basketball team and their new coaches who are Head Coach Bobby Armstrong, Asst. Coach Nykeria Jones and Asst. Coach Rania Kimble.
“This year’s senior players will leave their all on the court in honor of Emma Claire Gill their fellow Tigerette,” according to Sr. player Shania McClain.
Pictured below: Senior players Ashanti Cherry, Shania McClain, Kamarie Brown, Helen Sapp
After 37 years American Discount Furniture, located at 5747 US-167 in Winnfield, is cππππππ its π ππππ ππ€π§ππ«ππ§ and must immediately sell the entire inventory. ππ©ππ₯π¬π§πππ‘π π π¨π¦π§ ππ’!
This Friday, Nov. 11 from 9am-6pm, Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10am- 6pm, and Sunday, Nov. 13 from 12-5pm. Tell your friends and family. Bring your trucks and trailers. Financing and delivery are available. No reasonable offer will be refused.
Have you ever gone to our local Subway off Hwy 167? Maybe you’ve glanced to the left on your way inside, taking notice of the middle storefront with its sign in bold lettering, ‘Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,’ wondering to yourself, “what exactly is going on in there?!” I know I have! After an inquiring message from one of the school’s very own students and minimal convincing on my part, I assuaged that curiosity once and for all this past Wednesday evening!
Thanks to the easy manner and patience of Coach Christina D’agular, I now have a more in-depth picture of the journey she and Professor Rick ‘Ricky’ Below are working to provide within their four walls. Classes are divided into two age groups, Kids (6-13) and Adults (13 and up), and are available every Wednesday and Friday evening, beginning at 6 pm and ending at 8 pm. On the fence? No worries, Team Jucao offers one week of free instruction for anyone willing to poke their heads through the door and experience something new!
Along with informing our community of the upcoming tournament in which several of Team Jucao’s students will be participating this coming Saturday, November 12th, located at the Bayou Jiu-Jitsu League in Monroe, Louisiana, this reporter will be taking Team Jucao up on their generous offer and trying their week of free instruction out for size. So stay tuned for more detailed coverage of this institution and what it’s offering our little city!
Participants will have the opportunity to compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd medals and in Gi and no Gi (Gi is when a contestant is fully clothed, and no Gi is when the contestant is without their official jacket!).
List of participants in Saturday’s tourtament–
-Rylee Duff
-Logan Duff
-Griffin Rackley
-Jonathan ‘Skylar’ Carter
-Brock Sanders
Be sure to offer your support to these talented individuals, and know that the Bayou League’s tournament is open for anyone interested in watching or cheering as the competition unfolds! For more information about Saturday’s events or the Team Jucaos program, please contact Coach Christina at 817-301-3836 or email winnparish@gracieunited.com!
Mount Grace thrift store is operated by Louisiana Adult and Teen Challenge. As the name implies, the center offers residential treatment programs for struggling women. Proceeds from mount grace help fund their adult Christian residential drug and alcohol program for women. The Teen Challenge program is holistic and Christian based to help people achieve sobriety while also rebuilding and bolstering their relationship with God.
Mount Grace also has drop boxes available out front so that you can easily drop off donations after hours.
The annual Kiwanis fruit sale is going on now through November 15th. Delivery should be the first week of December. This is our main fundraiser for the projects that we do for the children of our community and the world. Please contact a Kiwanian and order your fruit for Christmas.
Available fruit includes apples, oranges, grapefruit, pears, clementines, citrus basket, and mixed four pack. Also available is cheese and a wooden gift box including summer sausage and cheese.
Thank you for the support you provide for the Kiwanis club with our fundraisers. We appreciate it.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
A few years ago, this very week, I was finally on my way home from running errands after an extremely long day at the office. Sometimes the simplest of errands can seem so daunting and burdensome. This was definitely one of those days. With a deep sigh I drove my weary self down the picturesque Williams Avenue. Once I stopped at the Church Street Bridge red light, I noticed that it was Christmas light installation time!
This caused my soul to instantly perk up. Christmas lights are my favorite thing, not only during the holiday season but all year round. Yes, I am that person. I even told my children when I leave this world and go onto glory, I would like my casket wrapped in Christmas lights. Forget flowers that will soon die, wrap my rented casket in as many bright lights as the electrical system at the funeral can stand.
While I was sitting at the light admiring what was about to happen to our downtown area I saw three City of Natchitoches utility workers walking towards the area where lights were being hung with care. They were laughing amongst themselves and really seemed to be enjoying their work, this task did not seem daunting or burdensome to them. It always brings me joy when I see others enjoying their work, life is way too short to miserable at work.
Being the extroverted person that I am, I rolled down my window to let the City workers know that I truly appreciated them working late to decorate for Christmas. They laughed and thanked me right before one of them said, βItβs the City of Lights, baby! Thatβs what we do!β
It truly was said in the most lighthearted and respectful way. It was a jolly moment shared between City of Natchitoches residents who have a genuine love for what our town looks like at Christmas. I posted about this particular night on Facebook so it often shows up in my memories. Every time I read it I get overjoyed again at the thought of seeing people love their jobs. As a tax paying citizen in this town, I will always be in awe of people who choose to work for the public and actually enjoy it.
God created us to be laborers, to have careers, and to be fruitful with our time. Adam was put to work on day one of creation. Well, maybe not day one, but definitely in the second chapter. God expects us to pull our own weight. I also truly believe he wants us to enjoy it and be proud of it. When we love the town we live in and take pride in everything that makes it great, residents will benefit for decades to come. When we apply Biblical principals to everything we doβ¦whether that is hanging Christmas lights, digging ditches or even serving in a pubic officeβ¦we are choosing to put God first.
When we put God first all else will fall into place.
Our little Christmas loving and historic town is by no means perfect. She does have her many flaws, bumps and bruises that will take strategic planning, bigger budgets and prayer to overcome. There is only one place that is crime free, pothole free, the friendliest people, no tears, no taxes, no scoffers, calories do not count, the Christmas lights stay on all year (this is not Biblical but one can wish), the road is very narrowβ¦and simply will not be found on this side of heaven.
I pray you always find the joy and our Savior in all situations.
βWhatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.β Colossians 3:23
