So, how do you cook an alligator?  Ask members of the Cajun Camp who slow-roasted a whole gator over an open fire on the final Saturday of the Hog Dog Trials.  First, you get a gator.

But wait, cautions Kim Crochet, one of the five Crochet brothers at the Cajun Camp.  He’s contracted with the state as a nuisance control officer who comes in to handle problem alligators that wander into populated areas.  Even though the prehistoric reptile has made an amazing comeback in the south, taken off the Endangered Species list in 1987, there’s still a very limited hunting season (September) and you have to have a tag for any you take.

Back to the recipe:  Built a hardwood fire.  Skin out the alligator, leaving the frame whole.  Tenderize then season with plenty of Tony Chachere’s.  Attach to the grill that can be turned and place over the low fire (about 200 degrees) for hours and  hours, turning and spray-basting periodically.  The slow cooking ensures two goals: the meat is not too dry and there’s plenty of time for passersby to watch this fascinating cooking process.

“People come by, ask questions, take pictures,” says Kim.  “We’re promoting our Cajun culture.  We give away what we cook.  Alligator, catfish, shrimp, ribs, bison and elk burgers, even Florida iguana.  You see, people out here at Uncle Earl’s come from all over—California, Florida, Maine, Kentucky, Texas—and may not have experienced good Cajun food.  When you don’t have the food and ingredients up there, you can’t cook with it.”  (The brothers also throw in some of their own flavor of Gospel music nights to broaden that experience).

The five brothers are Ray, Kim, Darrell, Fred and Roddy.  But over the years, the Cajun “family” at the camp as grown to include Bobby Buatt, Tim Stout, Tommy Richard, Andrew Guidry, Jerry & Amy Turner, Bryan Butallis, Jimmy Strong, Herman Bell, Steven Dallas and more.  Plus two local honorary Cajuns, Jamie Maxwell and Cranford Jordan.

Kim actually applies the term “family” to the overall turnout at Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trails for over time, competitors become friends then family.  The fairgrounds are filled with visitors from children through seniors and dogs from puppies to old dogs, all in a laid-back atmosphere.

The Cajun Camp has been coming to Winnfield on the third week of March for years to be immersed in Uncle Earl’s.  They also went up to Cincinnati once before the Joe Burrow days when the Saints played the Bengals.  And they really enjoy tailgating (and cooking alligator) when Florida comes to play LSU.

Then the fun part cames.  For hours, folks had been hovering around the fire, asking like kids around a Thanksgiving kitchen “How soon?”  By late afternoon the cooks determined the time was right and the gator came off the fire and was placed on a table.  Ray Crochet began pulling the tender meat from the carcass, handing one early sample to the Journal.  “That’s good, yeah?” he asks.

A call to the onlookers that food was ready brought folks in to get a taste of fresh-cooked alligator together with pork ribs from a pit nearby.  Just like the Thanksgiving meal, what took a long time to prepare was consumed in short order.  Soon there was nothing left but the bones and, as the Crochet brothers would hope, an expanded appreciation for the Cajun Culture.

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Opening Day of the Winn Dixie League program was held Saturday, March 23, when blue skies welcomed a field full of friends, family and teams of boys and girls dressed in a rainbow of team tee shirt colors.

The teams were announced, 26 of them in all, and each walked into the park to line the infield.  Playing this year will be about 275 children ages 3 through 14.

The day began with a time of sadness and respect as the 2024 Winn Parish Youth season was dedicated to the memory of Chase McManus who was lost in a tragic accident three months ago.  A special plaque was presented to the family at the pitcher’s mound and brother Micah McManus threw out the first pitch with Leo Bryant catching.

 

Calvin High School senior Lilly Barnes has signed a letter of intent with Centenary College in Shreveport where she’ll play basketball with the Ladies.

Lilly was contacted by then-Assistant Coach after a NSU Summer Team Camp game during the summer before her junior year.  But she then had a wreck before the season started which resulted in a broken neck and back fracture which set her back. 

However, during her senior season, the now-Head Coach of the centenary Ladies contacted her again to come watch her play.  After an official campus visit, Lilly decided that continuing her basketball career at Centenary was the right fit for her. 

She signed her letter of intent with Centenary on March 13.  Lilly’s honors include:2022 & 2023 All District Honorable Mention
2024 All District First Team
Academic All State Basketball and Softball

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Photos Courtesy David and Jennifer Loftin

While the earlier days may have been overcast and maybe a little damp, Saturday was a festival-quality sunny day as Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trails drew near the close of its weeklong competitions at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds, featuring the Bay-Offs and the Best of the Best events.

The event brought in hundreds and hundreds of visitors, many of whom camped for the week at the fairgrounds and spent money here on food, gasoline and sundries.  It all ended Sunday when the Youth Bay events were held and the last of the tents and trailers disappeared as the visitors headed home.

Uncle Earl’s, produced for the past five years by HogBaying.com and receiving the contract for the next five year, will be working with the Louisiana Political Museum, Chamber of Commerce and other local groups in 2025 as Uncle Earl’s reaches its landmark 30th anniversary.

Following are some scenes from the fairgrounds inside the arena where the hog baying action took place.

 

On Saturday, March 30th, the Village of Goldonna will celebrate Easter. They will host their annual Easter Egg-stravaganza at 2:00 at the Town Hall and Park. Children under the age of 12 will be able to show off their egg hunting skills and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Refreshments are also available.

Goldonna Baptist Church will be hosting a Skeet Shoot on March 30th with all proceeds benefitting the Operation Christmas Child mission. resume their Operation Christmas Child collections for 2024. There will be adult divisions and youth divisions. The entry fee is $25 and lunch will be provided. Participants will need to provide their own gun, ammo, and protective gear. The event will be held at the 4H Shooting Range located at 8882 Highway 34 between Winnfield and Atlanta.

The church is asking for local businesses to consider donating an item for the winner’s prize package. Donors will be recognized on the day of the event as well as social media “shoutouts”. Please contact Pastor Ben Dupree at 318-663-0302 if you want to participate or donate prizes.

Goldonna Baptist Church Youth is hosting a Revival April 5th through the 7th with Luke Hockenjos as the guest minister. Broken Vessels will lead the music. Friday and Saturday evening services will begin at 6:30 at the school auditorium. Sunday services will begin at 10:00 and will be followed by a luncheon fellowship.

One of our very own, former Mayor, Jenny Garner Smith, needs our help. Smith has unexpectedly fallen ill and is hospitalized in Fort Worth, Texas. She has an incredibly long road ahead of her and mounting expenses as she is unable to work. Her husband, Wade, has not left her side. A love fund has been established at BOM Bank. Donations can be accepted at any branch in Texas or Louisiana. Family and friends have also started selling raffles tickets for $10 each. The winner will receive a 30-06 Savage Rifle with a scope. The winner will pick up the item at Nichols of Winnfield. If you would like to purchase a ticket please contact Eugean Garner, Patricia Garner, Courtney Whatley or Reba Phelps.

Goldonna Elementary Junior High School News-

The Good News Club will meet on April 30th from 3:00 until 4:45. After school programs and attendance recovery is held Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:00 until 5:00. Attending two days of after school programs will excuse one full unexcused absence.

The children will be out for Spring Break from March 29th until April 5th.

The community has also started having their planning meetings in hopes of keeping the Historic Goldonna Elementary Junior High School open. If you would like to help with the efforts please reach out to Eugean Garner at 318-533-5044.

If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com

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Winn Parish voters went to the polls in 2015 and approved a half-cent sales tax to support road maintenance efforts by the Police Jury.  The parish governing body is hopeful that voters will do the same on April 27 when it seeks a 10-year renewal of that tax which is set to expire June 30, 2025.

Ten years ago, that half cent generated $900,000 annually that allowed the jury to maintain, repair and improve public roads and bridges here.  Included have been lease and purchase of equipment (plus its maintenance) and purchase of materials like fuel, gravel, dirt and asphalt, culverts and street signs.

Over the ensuing decade, sales tax annual revenues have grown to $1.3 million in 2023 “but costs have also risen sharply over the same time,” said Jury President Frank McLaren.  “It’s been a blessing when we could use some of it to provide the 25% match for state Capital Outlay projects more costly than we could have afforded on our own.”

Of the 750 miles of parish roads in Winn, approximately one-third of them are blacktop.  However, most of those were put in during the late 1960s and early 1970s and many are worn out.  The Road Committee recently heard a presentation on a chip sealing process that could help stabilize that base while it is still there for about $100,000 per mile, compared to some $800,000 per mile for new asphalt.

Meanwhile the gravel roads require grading, rocks and ditching, all issues complicated by severe weather over the past few years including hurricanes, floods, ice storms and drought, said McLaren.  Work is accomplished by a crew of 10, including the road superintendent.  Supt. Perry Holmes says that thanks to the tax, the parish road system has seen improvements.  

“Businesses that look at any community consider the quality of the roads,” observed McLaren.  “The better our roads, the more they may want to come to our parish.  There’s also the factor of wear and tear on vehicles of our own residents.  When a vehicle may cost as much as $75,000 these days, we want to keep our roads up as best we can.”

The April 27 ballot will authorize the parish to collect a half-cent sales tax, renewed for 10 years beginning July 1, 2025.  The proceeds of the tax (after a collection fee is paid) will be used to improve, maintain and repair public roads and bridges in Winn Parish.  

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These M&M Marshmallow Creme Sugar Cookie Bars are the sweetest and most colorful Easter treat! I love a sugar cookie bar, and Easter M&M’s make these and many other desserts so pretty. You can even sub the homemade dough with storebought dough if you like!

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Easter M&M’s
Sprinkles
1 jar marshmallow crème
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with crumpled parchment paper. Lightly grease the paper. Whisk the first 3 dry ingredients. Set aside.

Beat the butter and sugars. Once combined mix in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour and stir until no white streaks remain. Set aside 1 heaping cup of the dough and press the rest (I had to flour my hands to do this because the dough was sticky) into the pan. Sprinkle with some of the M&M’s and press them lightly into the dough. Drop large spoonfuls of the marshmallow crème over but do not spread. Then drop chunks of the leftover dough around.

Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and then scatter more M&M’s around the top and lightly press into the crust. Shake sprinkles over. Let bars cool completely before removing the parchment and cutting into small squares.

Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.

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Many come from all over the country to enjoy the dogs, midway food and festival atmosphere at the Hog Dog Trials.  The Journal particularly likes watching the people in their enjoyment and interacting with them when possible.

While sitting under the canopy of the Cajun Camp, waiting for the alligator roasting to complete, I heard a young lady talking to adults at the other end of the table about her noodling experiences.  This caught my attention for I’d envisioned anyone willing to reach under a sunken log to snatch out an oversized catfish to be some grizzled south Louisiana river dweller or equally battered north Louisiana redneck.

The lithe teen I see defies my preconceptions.  By appearance she could be a scholar/cheerleader yet some of the catfish in the cell phone photos she later shows me are nearly as big as she.

I invite Hannah to come sit by me and learn she’s from nearby Saline.  Her folks are Randy and Amanda Dingler and she quickly adds with pride, “Randy Dingler Steel & Pipe Fabrication.”  Father and daughter are a team and Caney is apparently their lake of choice.  Friend Jerry Turner sitting nearby confirms that Hannah is so light that her dad sometimes has to help hold her underwater to make a catch.

Asked their species preference, the young lady replies, “We go for Op, that’s flathead, but sometimes we get Blue.  They’re not so good but we don’t waste anything.”

Asked her technique once they’ve located their quarry, Hannah answers, “I stick my left hand in the fish’s mouth then my right hand through the gill and lock my hands together.  Then I pull it out of the hole.”

As Hannah displayed photos and videos of noodling, she also showed a video her wrestling with a piney woods hog during a hunt.  She says she hunts hogs, squirrel, deer and beams as she describes a trophy buck she shot this season.  She’s quite a sportswoman in a small package.

No doubt there are plenty of other stories around the fairgrounds.  Just uphill from the arena entrance is a booth where a father/daughter team sit at a table covered with dog horns.  Readers may recall one of the early Hog Dog tee shirts depicting Earl K. Long clutching a dog horn that’s handing around his neck.

This is Paul and Amber Greenwood of Tyler, TX, representing the American Dog Horn Association, sponsor of the One-Dog competition.  Unlike the other vendors who were eager to sell their wares, Paul who has a museum in Tyler seems more interested in sharing the beauty and history of the dog horns laid out on the table.

One is a longhorn depicting The Great Raft of Shreveport/Red River fame, the log raft he explains that blocked miles of the Red River from 1200 AD until 1835 when Capt. Henry Shreve oversaw its clearing.  While Paul does the collecting, Amber Greenwood provides the scrimshaw and etching work on the new pieces.  Their longterm project is to create a series of dog horns that will tell the story of how the West was settled.  Included with the Great Raft are and will include the Chisholm Trail, Cimarron Trail, Santa Fe Trail, El Camino Real and more.

Area residents who’ve not viewed Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials in the 29 years it’s been here, perhaps thinking it’s nothing but dogs, might discover they’ve been missing out.  There are other gems to be found around the fairgrounds.

 

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Information curtesy of the Winn Parish Dixie Youth League

*Please note that though they are dated for the previous year these schedules were endorsed by the WPDY just days ago and are in fact what’s current for the 2024 year

Parents are reminded of the Community Easter Egg Hunt set this Saturday for youngsters ages through 12.  It will begin at 11 a.m. on the grounds of First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Winnfield. 

Hotdogs, chips and drinks will be served following the Egg Hunt.  There will also be a cakewalk and a photo area where children can get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny on the day of the event.  

A daily Scavenger Hunt is underway through the week.  Those who discover the daily prize eggs will bring them to the Egg Hunt Saturday for determination of the Grand Prize winner.

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A friend shared this photo with the Journal of this 18-wheel flatbed that wound up sideways across the highway, with its cab resting in the ditch.  “Thought it might be of some news interest,” he said.

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they had been involved in traffic control while the road was cleared but as to details, the matter on Hwy 84 west between the Collins Camp Road and the Durham Camp Road was handled by the State Police.

But apparently it’s not that rare for a similar incident occurred about a week earlier when a truck that failed an attempted turn-around blocked Hwy 84 east near the double bridges.  A wrecker had to be brought in.  (No picture available).

Then back on March 4, the Sheriff’s Office did have photos of a chip truck that overturned about 4:30 p.m. on Hwy 124.  No one was injured in any of the incidents.

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Al Simmons, Superintendent of Schools, spoke to the Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, March 19. He spoke about several different things and answered questions but his main focus was the tax renewal election coming on April 27. 

There were 1700 students enrolled in Winn Parish Schools on October 1. This number is what the Minimum Foundation Program funds are based on. This is the money that comes from the state and there is a very specific formula that is used to calculate the per student amount that is received. In 2023, 48% of monies came from state sources while sales and property tax supplied 20% and federal monies made up 20%. State money can be used as seen fit by school system. 

Local money comes from sales and property taxes. Sales tax money is dedicated to salary and benefits for employees, instructional materials, supplies and fees. Payroll expenses are about 63% of the budget. So the question is how many people can the system afford to pay? Sales tax is an area of revenue that has grown. Property tax has decreased from $3 million to $2.3 million. A very large part of the parish is Kisatche National Forest and that land cannot be taxed. The federal government does give some money each year but it is not as much as if the land could be taxed.

In 2019 Winn Parish received $15.3 million MFP funds. In 2023 $14.7 million was received. Since this money is a per pupil amount, the fewer students enrolled in school, the less money received. 

All COVID money has to be spent by the end of September. “You spend the money (so you have to have the money), then send in your invoices and get reimbursed,” Simmons said. 

April 27 is Election Day for the renewal of maintenance tax for schools. It first passed in 1965 as a 5 mill tax. It is renewed every 10 years. In 1980 it was increased to 8 mills. Now it needs to move to 9 ¼ mills and that will still not keep up with inflation. It is very important that this tax be renewed, said the superintendent. 

Some expenses that have occurred lately are a steamer and steam table for one of the cafeterias at the cost of $70,000 and two 25-ton air/heating units at the cost of $68,000. The cost of a school bus is now $100,000 and they are not air-conditioned. 

Also on the ballot, the Dodson-Sikes Consolidated District 11 has 15 mills on the books that they want to maintain for future improvements at the Dodson school. 

Simmons pointed out that attendance zones, school board districts and taxing zones are different which sometimes makes things difficult.

At the Atlanta school they are moving useful items to other places. Teachers there were moved to other schools with vacancies if they wanted to go. The Atlanta Branch Library building is owned by the Winn Parish Library but the land is owned by the school so they are trying to work out a solution to that.

Simmons gave handouts on Public School Funding and Education Savings Accounts. The Education Savings Account is something that is coming up in the Legislative Session that may not be good for public schools. 

Kiwanis Club members thanked Superintendent of Schools Al Simmons for bringing all this information to their attention.

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The Winnfield Rotary Club received a visit from the Lagniappe Therapy team at its meeting on March 18, 2024, compliments of Rotarian of the Day, Teddy Ray Price. This team, according to its members, is like a family to each other. They enjoy working together, check on each other and take care of each other in addition to caring for the patients in need of therapy at Autumn Leaves Nursing and Rehabilitation.

The Lagniappe Therapy team consists of occupational therapist Jim Muse, occupational therapist assistant Jarrett Gomez, physical therapist Justin Johnson, physical therapist assistant Shawna Ruble and speech therapist Jennifer Lofton. Samantha Daniel, manager of the unit, was the only member of the team not present for the presentation.

While there is overlap in treatment areas of the body between OT and PT, Lagniappe’s team generally has the OT group work with the upper body and the PT group work on areas from the waist down. The team members all help each other with each patient’s treatment as needed. One might find two, three or even four team members helping a single patient if needed.

The Lagniappe therapists are excited about the state-of-the-art therapy systems available at Autumn Leaves, including the suspension system that allows a patient to walk without fear of falling, and the Jintronix video system with an X-Box camera which recording patients on screen as they practice movements such as kicking or reaching. The system measures their functional movements and tracks progress of their recovery.

PT Justin Johnson reported that the team sent 32 patients home from the rehab unit in the last year. They also work with in-patients to help increase their mobility even though their goals may not include going home.

Speech Therapist Jennifer Lofton works with patients who have difficulty with chewing, swallowing, memory, or dementia problems, as well as stroke victims, using electronic stimulation therapy to improve muscle strength as well as exercise and practice of facial, throat and brain movement and function. It is important to begin all forms of therapy immediately after a stroke as the most recovery of function occurs within the first 90 days after the event.

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Turnout in Winn for Saturday’s Presidential Preference Primary was light, with only 328 voters combined: going to the polls, voting early and voting absentee.

Donald Trump was the clear Republican favorite with 295 (93%) Republican votes (a 17.6% turnout) while Joe Biden was the clear Democratic favorite with 78 (72%) Democrat votes (an 8.5% turnout). Trump polled slightly higher here than statewide where he won 90% of the votes in a 19% Republican turnout. Biden fared notably worse here than statewide where he polled 86% in only a 14% turnout.

The names of other candidates appeared on the ballot although they may have withdrawn from the national contest. Several of them received some local voter approval. For the Republicans, Ron DeSantis garnered 2 votes while Nikki Haley received 4. On the Democratic ticket, Stephen Lyons got 3 votes, Dean Phillips got 5 and Marianne Williamson had 8.

One post on Saturday’s did count when Republican voters in the District 31C area cast votes for the Republican State Central Committee. Locally, Lisa Tarpley Price outpolled Rhett Edwards by a margin of 90 to 19. But in the overall district, Edwards won the post with a percentage win of 60% to 40%. Turnout was 17%.

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