Today I’m writing this article based on my personal experience as a tournament angler. Over the years, I’ve come across a lot of anglers who have always talked about how they should be fishing tournaments because they “ALWAYS” catch fish every time they go fishing. All I have to say to these anglers….”You’re a liar!” These same people will try and tell me how good they are as a bass fishermen and that if they fished in tournaments, they would probably be standing in the winner’s circle at the end of the day. To these same anglers, I say, “Put your money where your mouth is!”

I came across one such angler one day on Toledo Bend, who in his mind, was the best angler on the lake or maybe even the greatest angler of all time! During one of my practice sessions on the Bend, this guy came up to me at the boat ramp. While loading my boat he eased over to me and proceeded to talk about how many fish he caught that day and that he quit counting at 100. I’m not sure why, but for some reason, some anglers feel the need to exaggerate how they caught 100 fish in a day. In reality, they probably really caught about 30 to 35….not 100. If you think about how many casts you make in a day, to catch 100 basses in a day is about 1 bass every 4 casts. That would be an awesome day by anyone’s standards and a day all anglers dream about.

Now during my conversation with this angler at the ramp, he asked me if I was getting ready for a tournament. My answer was yes, and he said that he would probably win it if he decided to fish it. My response to him, with a sense of sarcasm of course, was that if he was on that many fish, he’d be crazy not to fish the tournament. And, that I might as well just give him my entry fee! This is what we call baiting someone!

Well, low and behold he showed up Saturday morning and put up his money (donated). I was a little surprised he showed up because most of these “great” anglers never show up. He actually pulled up beside my boat before takeoff that morning and began to tell me how many fish he had caught the last two days and put in the freezer. It was at this point; I knew he was in trouble. After a tough day of fishing, as the fish did not bite very well at all, I pulled up beside him at the dock and asked how he did. Let me go ahead and state the obvious; he was not a happy camper (angler) due to the expression on his face. I was the last guy he wanted to talk to since he had talked so much trash about how he “always” catches fish every time he goes fishing. He finally answered me by saying how he just couldn’t understand what had just happened. He’s never gone fishing in his life and not caught fish! He was very confused and had that bewildered look (so many anglers have had before) as to what just happened.

It was at this time with a smirk on my face and a wink, I said, “Welcome to tournament fishing!” It just proves that no matter how good an angler you are or think you are, there will be days that you just don’t figure them out. Oh, and with a slight chuckle, I reminded him that the fish he caught the last two days and put in the freezer won’t bite on tournament day after they’re frozen. That’s why tournament anglers practice catch and release. I never saw this guy at a tournament ever again! Guess you could say he got humbled; tournament fishing will do that to an angler. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen. Take it from me, Melanoma does not discriminate!

Steve Graf
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show & Tackle Talk Live

By: Royal Alexander

History has shown that the party of the president typically loses seats in the midterm elections and that has occurred in the U.S. House of Representatives although we don’t yet know how large the Republican majority may be.

Regardless, Republican control of the House—the Chamber in which the Constitution requires that spending bills originate—will be enough to block the Biden Administration’s legislative agenda and reckless spending spree. That is why winning the U.S. House of Representatives is a galactic victory for all Americans and Louisianans.

At the time of this writing, it appears that Democrats have won the Senate races in Nevada and Arizona. If these results hold under scrutiny, the December runoff in Georgia between Herschel Walker and his socialist democrat opponent won’t determine Senate control but would return the 50-50 split that has been in place for two years, and since the last Georgia runoffs of 2020.

In terms of the interminably long ‘vote counting’ process, I always find it inexplicable that in such a technologically advanced age in which most information is instantly available at one’s fingertips, where we’ve gone to the moon and are now returning to space, we cannot seem to count votes more quickly for an election we know for certain will occur every two or four years. Perplexing and suspicious, in my view.

In the U.S. House, the new majority could be from plus 15-25 seats. Regardless, it will be a Republican House Majority which certainly bodes well for Louisiana. U.S Rep. Steve Scalise will likely become the 2nd ranking Republican in the U.S House while our very own U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson will also hold one of the top Republican leadership spots.

This is in addition to the committees U.S. Rep Johnson already serves on, the Judiciary Committee, as well as the Armed Services Committee, including specifically the Subcommittee on Readiness as well as the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems. These important committee assignments allow Rep. Johnson to continue to protect Barksdale Air Force Base as well as Ft. Polk and other military interests throughout Louisiana.

The larger point to feel positive and encouraged about is that for Louisiana, as small as we are comparatively, to hold two of the top leadership spots in the U.S. House is remarkable!

Further, in northeast Louisiana, U.S Rep. Julia Letlow of the 5th Congressional District will be serving on the House Appropriations Committee which is invaluable to our state. She will be uniquely positioned to address and protect key funding issues across our whole state. She will also serve on the House Agriculture Committee, including specifically the Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development, which is so very important to our rural, heavily agricultural state. This also means when the next national Farm bill comes up, she will have direct input into the development of the legislation.

Still further, U. S. Rep Clay Higgins of Lafayette will become a high-ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security Committee. This will allow him to have direct input regarding the invasion on our southern border of illegal aliens. He can directly address the issue of illegals and the drugs (fentanyl is killing hundreds of Americans daily across the country), theft, crime, terrorists, and human trafficking that accompanies them. As we know, states like Texas and Florida, in particular, have been burdened with the enormous financial and social costs of a flood of illegals into our country.

Additionally, U.S Rep. Garret Graves of Baton Rouge currently serves on both the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as U.S. House Natural Resources Committee. Both of these committees provide Rep. Graves with the ability to directly influence policy regarding flood control, hurricane protection, and coastal restoration, all critically important needs for our state given the extreme weather events with which our beloved Louisiana annually battles.

U.S Senator John Kennedy was also overwhelmingly re-elected and has been serving on the Appropriations Committee—and crucially important to Louisiana, he serves as the top Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

As we conclude a challenging and yet successful year there is much for which to be grateful in the new Congress. With all of our prayers and best efforts, our state and our country will continue to move forward through our brilliantly constructed governmental structure and under the watchful eye of our Founders who gave us what President Lincoln described as this ‘last best hope of earth.’

Pictured above: 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.

JOB VACANCIES: Head Football Coach

SCHOOL: Lakeview High School

QUALIFICATIONS: Louisiana Teaching Certificate

SALARY: According to the parish school salary schedule

DEADLINE: Tuesday, December 20, 2022; 4:00 p.m.

WHERE TO APPLY: Linda G. Page, Personnel Director
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Fax: (318) 352-8138

APPLICATION WEBSITE: http://www.npsb.la

EOE

NATCHITOCHES:

Geraldine (Gerri) Foster
November 17, 1933 – November 11, 2022
Service: Friday, November 18 at 10 am at Blanchard – St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches

Alexander Ryan Nobles Jr.
July 29, 1949 – October 31, 2022
Service: Wednesday November 30 at 1 pm at Blanchard St. Denis funeral home in Natchitoches

Margo Haase
January 21, 1952 – October 23, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 19 at 11:30 am at St. Charles Borromeo Chapel in Bermuda

Stephen Lane Stroud
October 26, 1959 – November 2, 2022
Service: Tuesday, November 29 at 10:30 am at Rosemary Beach Town Hall in Panama City Beach, FL

The Winn Parish Industrial Board will meet Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM in room 112 of the Winn Parish Courthouse located at 119 West Main Street in Winnfield.

AGENDA

I. Call to Order.
II. Adoption of Agenda.
III. Motion to Adopt Minutes of August 17, 2022 and September 13, 2022
IV. Announcements & Comments:
V.  BUSINESS:
      (1) Follow up discussion with Ms. Lacey Bacchus of Retail Strategies on revitalization of Winn Parish.
VI. Adjourn.

The Winn Parish Industrial Board members are: President Larry Bates, Owner of RYCA Energy, LLC, Vice President Robin Cummings Owner of Six C Fabrication, Secretary/Treasurer, Jason Tarver Senior Vice President and Regional Business Development Manager at Sabine State Bank, Joe Evans, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, Tony McManus owner of McManus Timber.

The board was created in 2006 to promote industry and develop trade by inducing manufacturing, industrial, commercial and other enterprises to locate in Winn Parish.

Date: 11-13-22
Name: Micheal Foster 
Address: Homeless 
Race: Black
Sex: Male 
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 Village’s 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 People’s 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 at 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 didn’t know what.  

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. 

And so, there were two things a 19-year-old Jimmy Bass, who’d always bought me milkshakes at the Dairy Maid, could count on in Vietnam: getting shot at by people he didn’t know, and getting letters from Aunt Daisy. She gave me carbon copies of most every one. 

Dear Jimmy, 

Why they decided you needed to be flying a helicopter I do not know, but your daddy tells me you’ve been doing good at it. That’s 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 don’t believe in miracles, you should after knowing that. Which is why I expect to see you walking up our driveway any day now. 

Of course I don’t know exactly where you are over there, and even if I did I couldn’t pronounce the name of the town. While you’re 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 couldn’t tell anybody my address because I wouldn’t know how to say it. They’re either too short on consonants and long on vowels or the other way around. Fix that, Jimmy? It’ll give you something to do and me something to take credit for. 

Nothing much to report here. We’re still trying to get a preacher. We’ve 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 preacher’s talk, here Farmer went. I know it don’t surprise you to hear he was sleeping in church as that’s what he always does when he’s not singing. Don’t know what he does better, snore or sing. But by god he’s always there, ain’t he. So he’d plowed ’til church time as always, then about halfway through the sermon Farmer, deep in slumber and obviously dreaming, hollers out real loud like, “Whoa! Whoa!” None of us paid it much mind but it shook the visiting preacher up pretty good.  

Maggie is getting prettier every day. I think she’s 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 they’re idiot enough to let you fly, I might let you drive the Falcon again when you get home. Just got the oil changed. 

Love, 

Aunt Daisy 

Even after his momma and Mr. Newt got word Jimmy was MIA, Aunt Daisy kept writing. In fact, she wrote more. She didn’t 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. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

From 1902 to 1924, the Stanley Motor Carriage Company built what were colloquially known as Stanley Steamers.  The automobiles earned this nickname because, like a locomotive, the propelling motion was produced by burners boiling water which produced steam.  The engine was essentially a hot water heater.  There was nothing electric on the Steamers.  Everything was steam-powered, even the headlights which were lit by a match.  They were eventually rendered obsolete when the internal combustion engine increased fuel efficiency and power delivery.  Nowadays, most Stanley Steamers are in museums or are owned by wealthy private collectors.  Jay Leno, long-time host of the Tonight Show, has a collection of them.  You rarely see one being driven on the road.  When people are lucky enough to see a Stanley Steamer on the roadway, most cannot help but stop and stare.

Baton Rouge– 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 70^th 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 AgCenter’s 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.

“We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Louisiana Sweet Potato Day. It not only commemorates the 70^th anniversary of the Louisiana Sweet Potato Advertising and Development Commission but also celebrates the sweet potato as Louisiana’s official state vegetable and the largest vegetable crop grown in the state,” said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M. “As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re pleased to recognize the humble and delicious Louisiana sweet potato, which will play a starring role on tables all over the country next week.”

To learn more about Louisiana sweet potatoes and the Louisiana Sweet Potato Commission, visit http://www.sweetpotato.org/.

ALEXANDRIA– 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 “Sue” Goins Franklin was born to Robert “Babe” 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 weren’t 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 Sue’s younger siblings helped “toughen them up.”

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 “good stuff” 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 didn’t have a pity party. When asked how she kept beating it, she jokingly said, “God didn’t want her yet.”

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 “Eddie” Allen Burlew
January 28, 1964 – November 8, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 12 at 11 am at Nolley United Methodist Church

Kelly C. Allen
November 24, 1977 – October 31, 2022
Service: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 am at Christian Harmony Baptist Church

SABINE:

Brice Ellzey
April 6, 1945 – November 13, 2022
Service: Thursday, November 17 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

NATCHITOCHES:

Molly Loraine Meshell
April 28, 1964 – November 4, 2022
Service: Saturday, November 12 at 11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Margo Haase
January 21, 1952 – 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 “Chuck” Severance, Jr.
November 29, 1959 – November 3, 2022
Service: Friday, November 11 at 11 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Church

Stephen Lane Stroud
October 26, 1959 – 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