Winnfield’s popular Christmas Open House will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5 until 9 p.m.

The event described as “loosely organized by the Chamber of Commerce” allows merchants downtown and across the city to participate at any level they wish and shoppers to enjoy the benefits.  Many stores will serve refreshments while shoppers may look for special sales, discounts, giveaways and door prizes as they move from store to store. 

If shopping works up an appetite, there will be food trucks serving on the Post Office plaza.

Music might also be heard that the other end of Main Street where Spencer Brunson is scheduled to be performing at the museum.  Independent vendors will be offering a selection of goods and wares at the Louisiana Political Museum.  Director Shonna Moss says even more vendors who don’t have their own storefronts are invited to join in at no cost.  The number to call is 628-5928.

The origin of this downtown shopping tradition can be traced back at least 25 years.  Before that time, various businesses picked different days to put on various pre-Christmas events.  One store, the Flower Box, made special efforts to decorate for their Christmas Open House at the same time each year.  Then one year, other businesses agreed that a consolidated effort would attract a larger customer base.  The second Thursday in November was agreed as that date and has been observed since.

By: Daniel Simmons

Photos Courtesy Tiger Snaps Photography

Coming off of a 49-0 blowout loss in Many, the Winnfield Tigers headed to Coushatta to try to bounce back in a contest against the Red River Bulldogs. The score was closer, but the result was the same, as the Tigers lost to the Bulldogs 26-6.

The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and drove down for a touchdown to start the game, jumping out to a 6-0 lead with just over 8 minutes left in the first quarter. The Tigers punted on their first offensive possession. 

Red River took over, and they had a chance to convert a third down with a passing play, but the receiver dropped the ball despite being wide open. The Bulldogs had to punt, and the snap on the punt sailed over the punter’s head and got behind him. The punter picked up the ball inside his own 5 and instead of salvaging the play by punting the ball, he tried to run for the first down. He was quickly stopped by the Tigers, giving them a first down and goal. A couple of plays later, Jeremy Mamon took the handoff from quarterback Damascus Lewis and powered into the end zone from two yards out to tie the score at 6-6. 

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the rest of the game was very similar to the Many game the week before. Fumbles were again a major theme, and the Bulldogs took advantage of the opportunities that the Tigers gave them. The Tigers had a chance to tie or take the lead in the third quarter, trailing 12-6. Facing a 4th and 4 on the 6 yard line, Lewis handed it off to linebacker/tight end Jake Jones, who was lined up in the backfield at fullback. Jones made a big conversion for the Tigers, running straight up the middle for a first down, coming down just short of the end zone. On the following first down play, the Tigers made perhaps their most crushing mistake of the game. They tried the same play that they converted the fourth down with, but the exchange between quarterback and running back was botched, and the Bulldogs recovered the loose ball at their own 1. Red River immediately drove 99 yards for a touchdown to take a commanding two-possession lead that they would not relinquish. 

The loss drops the Tigers to 2-6 on the season and 1-2 in district play. This Friday night, they will go back on the road one more time to take on the Mansfield Wolverines, then return home the following week for a Senior Night battle against old rival Jonesboro-Hodge.

The Southern Plainsmen Quartet, a traveling gospel band, made a well received pit stop in Winn Parish this past weekend amidst their latest tour. 

Winnfield’s very own First United Methodist Church (located at 300 West Main St) hosted the Quartet and the reception that followed within its four walls Sunday, October 22, for the community’s listening pleasure.

The Southern Plainsmen Quartet was originally established out of West Central Louisiana back in May of 1978. For over forty years now they’ve traveled and performed for the whole of LA, and farther still sharing their music, ministry and love in Christ regardless of denomination. 

Halfway through the initial performance for FUMC, Marcelle Slaughter (Group owner/Tenor), called to attention a special guest among those gathered that evening. Gabriel Austin, former SPQ Bass came forward and joined the band in several tunes. His rendition of ‘Holy’ was found especially touching by the audience. 

Joel Carter, Pastor of FUMC would like to remind anyone who missed the entertainment to check out the church’s Facebook page for their live recording of the event. Pastor Carter went on to express his delight with the SPQ and what he considered to be a successful evening, “Their dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ shines through every song and story they share. This was their first visit to the Winnfield First United Methodist Church, but it won’t be their last. They have already expressed the desire to return and those in attendance are already asking when they will be back! Page 334 of the Methodist Hymnal contains a song titled “There’s a Sweet Sweet Spirit in this Place”. That Spirit was here Sunday night. And it touched many hearts for sure.”

Photos Courtesy Tiger Snaps

The Winnfield Middle School Football ended the 2023 season with a record of 7-1-1.  Coach Chance Williams said “This team got better and better as the year progressed and I’m extremely proud of the team’s growth.”  “I’m also very proud of the effort and fight that we showed in each game.”  “Going into each game I knew we were not going to be out-hustled.”  “The 7th grade has 32 players and 8th grade is comprised of 31 players for a total of 63 players which is well over 75% of the boys attending WMS and that means our Football program is very much a positive influence on our young men.” 

After the 2022 season ended, the WMS Tigers hit the weight room and participated in speed development which carried over into spring training in April.  Team members came back in the middle of July for conditioning, weights and speed training and then transitioned into the 2023 season.  Coach Williams says “our success is built in the weight room which builds confidence, team work and where all players are contributing and encouraging one another”.  

WMS athletic and extracurricular programs are promoted all year with football, girls/boys basketball, softball, and spirit groups.  Brian Savell, Principal of WMS says “Research has shown that students involved in extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, cheerleading, dance line, spirit team, etc, perform better in school, have higher self-esteem and have fewer discipline problems than students not involved.  We are proud of our students involvement in extracurricular activities at Winnfield Middle School and we encourage current and former students to become involved as well.”

Coach Chance Williams said “I want to thank all the many people that made this football season and all our athletic programs a success including parents, businesses and individuals.  This type of success is not possible without you.”

Parish roads play a significant role in the responsibilities of the Police Jury and the Winn lawmakers took a step in that direction at their Oct. 16 when they authorized parish engineer Henry Shuler to draft and submit its Capital Outlay requests to the legislature through its senators and representative.

The jury recently met with Shuler to create a roadwork wish list that he has reviewed to determine potential costs in order to come up with a list of projects with a good chance of state approval in the state’s Fiscal Year 2024-25.

Roadways names are Eugene Garrett, first and second half of Aunt Marie’s, Old Alexandria, L. Sullivan, Frank White, Brownville, Welcome Home, Mars Hill, portion of Gum Springs, Collins Camp, Louisiana, Blewer, Arkansas, the second half of Lum Fox and Bethlehem.

The jury agreed to a motion by Deionne Carpenter to assist the Village of Sikes by repairing potholes, installing new culvert ande adding rock on the Grady Simmons Road.

The jury also agreed to continue participation in the Enterprise Zone Incentive Program, administered through the state’s Department of Economic Development.  This is an ongoing program but governing bodies must confirm their desire to continue, following the publication of each 10-year national census.

An Enterprise Zone is a jobs incentive program that provides tax credits for both income and franchise taxes for new or existing businesses.  Targeted regions are the “bottom 40% of block groups of the state” in terms of per capita income, unemployment and the percentage of residents receiving public assistance.

The intent is to stimulate employment through tax credits available to a broad spectrum of businesses ranging from manufacture to business services to healthcare and distribution centers, to name a few.

Sikes was the center of food, music and fun this weekend as the Wolf Creek Guild staged its 42nd annual Festival under a blue sky providing ideal weather conditions.

Children were able to enjoy an array of activities including a petting zoo and horse rides as well as a jumping bounce house and slide. It was no surprise that the mechanical bull was a hit as was the photo booth.

The musical entertainment was described as “exceptional this year as the bands put their all into every song,”

Food trucks stayed busy all day Saturday providing excellent festival food for the crowd. The Wolf Creek Guild thanked the vendors, the bands and the many who turned out to enjoy Festival 42 as organizers are already looking ahead to their next edition in 2024.

One million dollars sounds like a lot of money, especially around a small parish like Winn. The problem is that this figure is actually a 20-year drop in state funding for local salaries, demonstrating how “flat” state support of the local school system has remained over these past two decades.

Supt. Alfred Simmons spoke to Winnfield Rotarians on October 18 and highlighted his presentation with a quote from a space movie.  “Wow, we’re taking this ship into space!” crowed the astronaut back to earth.  “No,” came the reply from NASA.  “Money is taking you into space.”

Much in the same way, Simmons said, without money, a school system cannot be expected to go up.  While there are various taxes and grants that bring in funding to the parish system to build a $25 million budget, most are earmarked so the system relies heavily on the state’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) to pay mostly for salaries.

Twenty years ago, the legislative MFP was $3,459 per pupil when Winn’s student population stood around 2,400.  That’s about $8.3 million.  The MFP figure today is only slightly higher at $4,015 but student numbers are down to near 1,800, bringing in $7.25 million.  Add to that funding slump is the reality of  increases over that same period in gas, utilities, equipment, vehicles, insurance, salaries and more, Simmons suggested.  His term for that longterm legislative support was “flat.”

Asked about federal assistance, the superintendent replied that much of the one-time federal money (like COVID funds) is rolling off the books this year and it will likely be less in the future.  Some comes in the form of grants to pay for specific programs.  He noted that “the feds don’t send you money.  They send you access to money.”

Simmons holds out some hope in the current election cycle.  The new year will bring in a new governor and some new legislators as well as BESE board members.  Perhaps they will see the need to invest in education.  “The education of our children ought to be our greatest investment.”

By Greg Burke

Winn Parish residents no doubt take immense pride in home grown athletes like P.J. Brown and Anthony “A-Train” Thomas, who have been recognized for their accomplishments through induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

For years, the only point of recognition for those honorees was in trophy cases at Northwestern State University’s Prather Coliseum. In 2013, recognition of Louisiana’s greatest athletes took a monumental step forward with construction of the state-funded 27,000 square foot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches’ downtown historic district.

In addition to being open to visitors and for group tours, the museum has hosted events such as the recent 50th anniversary commemoration of singer Jim Croce’s untimely death after performing at NSU, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners, meetings, and other functions.

The first-ever Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame “Join the Team” membership drive – which research shows is standard for most hall of fame museums – has been initiated to secure resources which can be used to update and upgrade the museum. State funding underwrites basic operating costs for the museum but there are often inadequate funds to enhance the museum, especially in this age of “bells and whistles” (aka “technology”). Log on to LaSportsHall.com and click the “Join the Team” button or text LSHOFTEAM to 41444 to “Join the Team.” Checks can be mailed to 500 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

While today’s technology comes at a cost, the “asking price” for Hall of Fame membership can be as little as $10 per month. Member benefits include official Hall of Fame team member gear, the opportunity to win monthly drawings, discounts on merchandise and other amenities. 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductees Alana Beard – Shreveport (Southwood High School), Duke University, and 15-year WNBA standout – along with two-time LSU national champion and 14-year Major League Baseball pitcher Paul Byrd, are Honorary Co-Chairs of the inaugural membership campaign.

And if that isn’t attractive enough, members who sign up by December 31 of this year will be entered in a January 1 drawing for the “Ultimate 2024 Hall of Fame Weekend Experience,” which includes two tickets to all induction weekend events, a photo with your favorite 2024 Hall of Famer (Drew Brees…Seimone Agustus…Daniel Cormier…or another inductee…your choice!) and exclusive access to some events. The value of that package is close to $1,000!

The initial goal is a very conservative and surely attainable 100 members. This museum is our state’s pride and joy, a legacy locker room for its greatest athletes that celebrates excellence from all 64 parishes, from Ida to Grand Isle, from Lake Providence to Lake Charles. Statewide ownership will ensure that just as Louisiana athletes are among the best from coast to coast, the same can always be said about its Sports Hall of Fame Museum.

Greg Burke is Director of Business Development and Public Relations for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation. He was formerly Director of Athletics at Northwestern State University for 26 years. Burke can be contacted at gregburke@lasportshall.com

Fall Festivals will be in full swing around Winn as October comes to a close.

Judgement House at Winnfield First Baptist will stage its final three performances of “Deadly Encounter” tonight, Saturday and Sunday nights, Oct. 25, 28 and 29.  Response has been strong but the church will do its best to accommodate callers who contact the office as 318-628-3544.  Due to the nature of the performance, Judgement House is not recommended for children younger than 10.  Children 10 and older must be accompanied by an adult.  A $2 per person donation is suggested.

On Friday, Oct. 27, Calvin Baptist and Bethlehem Baptist churches will combine resources to put on a Trunk or Treat in the lot next to Calvin BC.  Time will be 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Sardis Baptist Church will put on a Fall Festival for the community on Saturday, Oct. 28.  Fun will get underway at 5 p.m.

On Halloween night itself, Tuesday, Oct. 31, the Downtown Winnfield Fall Festival will be held, stretching down Main Street from First United Methodist Church to the Louisiana Political Museum.  For booth assignments, contact the museum at 628-0169.

Fun for youngsters will start early at the Louisiana Political Museum with registration at 5 p.m. and start time 5:30 p.m. for both the Costume Contest and the Pumpkin Decorating Contest.  The Costume Contest age groups will be 0-3 years; 4-7 years; 8-10 years; 11-13 years, 14-17 years and 18 & up.  There will also be a Theme Groups category as well as a special contest for pets (one category).  Age groups for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest are Pre-K through Grade 1; Grades 2 through 5; and Grades 6 through 8.  Entrants should attach the name and age of the child as well as parent’s name and contact phone number to their pumpkin.

Other activities will include bounce house and a dunking booth located beside the courthouse as well as hot dogs, chips, drinks and other games located at First United Methodist Church.

A new Garden Club is forming for Winn, with its inaugural meeting set for Tuesday, October 31, (Halloween) with the session to be held at the main Library in Winnfield.  So new is the club that a name has yet to be determined.

Organizer Tracy Zimmerman says the sessions are open free to anyone interested.  The club meeting itself will be 11 a.m. until noon but there will be a social gathering beginning at 10:30 a.m.  There is no need to make reservations…just show up.

Guest speaker will be Donald Boyett who will make a presentation on fruit trees and bushes, advising folks on planting, pruning and general maintenance.

Refreshments will be served and door prizes are planned.  For details, contact Mrs. Zimmerman at 318-471-7883.

The club plans to meet monthly on the last Tuesday of the month.  (An exception will be December when no meeting is planned due to the holidays).

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.

No current reports as of 10-24-23, please check back next Wednesday, 11-1-23.  

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.