After 37 years American Discount Furniture, located at 5747 US-167 in Winnfield, is c𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 its 𝒅𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 and must immediately sell the entire inventory. 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗢!
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, “It’s the City of Lights, baby! That’s what we do!”
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 do…whether that is hanging Christmas lights, digging ditches or even serving in a pubic office…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 narrow…and simply will not be found on this side of heaven.
I pray you always find the joy and our Savior in all situations.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
Date: 11-3-22
Name: James E Hanson III
Address: Ruston, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Fugative
Date: 11-3-22
Name: Charles Estes
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Fugative
Date: 11-3-22
Name: Spencer Ty Jones
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 44
Charge: Simple criminal damage to property, Criminal trespassing
Date: 11-7-22
Name: Ladarius A Reed
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 29
Charge: Theft (over 1,000), Malfeasence in the office
Date: 11-7-22
Name: Maurice D County
Address: Nachitoches, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 22
Charge: Criminal trespassing
Date: 11-8-22
Name: Bradley Smith
Address: Jonesboro, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Charge: Careless operation
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.
Date: 11-6-22
Name: Donald W Barnes
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 65
Charge: DWI, Speeding
Date: 11-7-22
Name: Kyle Joseph West
Address: Baton Rouge, La
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Charge: DWI, Speeding
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.
ALEXANDRIA, LA (November 10, 2022) – 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.
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is launching a new program that will provide thousands of families with $1,000 tutoring vouchers to help children learn to read. The Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program connects families of eligible K-5 public school students with high-quality literacy tutors. Starting Nov. 9, Louisiana families can visit the online portal to learn more about the program and share their email address to be notified when student registration opens this year.
“This voucher is another tool in the toolbox to help kids learn to read,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “Steve Carter believed in helping kids – that’s what this program does.”
The Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program is named after the late Baton Rouge State Representative. The program is the result of Act 415 of the 2021 Legislative Session (RS 17:4032.1). The LDOE has invested $40 million to fund the program as part of the state’s comprehensive strategy to combat Louisiana’s literacy crisis.
School systems are now identifying eligible students and will notify families if they are eligible. Students in grades K-3 are eligible if they scored below proficient on their beginning of year screener. Students in grades 4-5 are eligible if they scored below Mastery in ELA on the spring 2022 LEAP assessment. Families who are unsure of how their child scored should contact their school for additional information.
Eligible families can expect communication from their school system about the program and how to access the user platform. Once student registration opens, families can use the online portal at www.louisianatutoringinitiative.com to register, browse available tutors, and manage their $1,000 voucher. Families who have additional questions after contacting their school system can email LouisianaLiteracy@la.gov.
This program connects families with high-quality tutors who have been approved through the LDOE. Tutors are certified teachers in elementary or reading or have a degree in education, English, or another subject indicative of expertise in reading and literacy.
Once student registration opens, families will utilize the online portal at www.louisianatutoringinitiative.com to choose from the approved list of tutoring providers. In some cases, a child’s school system may be a tutoring provider. Tutoring appointments are scheduled between the parent/guardian and tutor and may take place at a mutually agreed upon location that may be a physical or virtual location. Multi-lingual tutors will be available to accommodate students who do not speak English as a primary language.
So, do you think you want to be a professional bass fisherman? Well, we’ve already covered this once, but today we’ll look at what and how some of the greatest anglers in the world spend their off-season or downtime. After being on the road for weeks and months at a time away from family, pro anglers are looking to slow down and catch their breath. Because of the everyday grind and dedication, it takes to compete at the highest level, anglers need to recharge their batteries. Let’s look at the different ways these guys re-energize themselves and get ready for another long season of fishing.
Most professional anglers grew up either in the woods or on the water. Most have an extensive past of hunting big game, ducks, squirrels, or hogs. Most cut their teeth and might have even been in diapers when they shot their first deer. But nothing brings them back down to earth more than spending quality time at their favorite hunting camp. It’s not about the kill as much as it is about just getting away from the pressure and demands anglers are under during the regular season. It’s going out and sitting in a deer stand where all you can hear is the wind blowing, squirrels barking, and the cracking of the sunflowers seeds they’re eating. Yes, it’s true they do fall asleep once in a while when the deer aren’t moving, but that’s okay. They take no phone calls and are unavailable for interviews. The only calls they take are from their publicist or from one of their many sponsors….oh and maybe their wives or children. Sometimes they won’t even talk to their friends! But it’s the time back at the camp talking to their hunting buddies about the big deer they saw or missed while enjoying some of the great meals, that makes a hunting camp special. It’s the stories they tell year after year about previous hunts, stories they’ve already told time and time again. But no one really cares, because the stories (lies) just get bigger and better with every passing year.
Amongst the many professional anglers, some would rather hunt waterfowl and sit in a duck blind for hours…again telling more stories about how many ducks they’ve killed over the years, or they discuss why there are not as many ducks as there used to be. But one thing that makes a good duck hunt…the biscuits and sausage they cook and share in the blind while waiting on the next group of birds to come into the hole they are sitting on. One common theme for any hunting trip is the food. For some reason, hunting camp or duck blind food is always better than any meal you can get anywhere else on the planet. Not sure why, but it’s true!
But one thing I’ve always found strange is another way some of the pros relax; they go fishing! Yes, I said fishing! Who would have thought that since these guys are on the water trying to make a living from January through September, that fishing would be a way for them to relax? Let me help you understand this. There’s a huge difference between fishing tournaments and fun fishing. Some of the pros use this time to test new lures they’ve been involved with designing for the companies they’re representing like Strike King and Berkley. This is something pro anglers really enjoy…designing baits that will hit the market one day with their name on it. But fun fishing for some of these guys is a trip into the marsh or saltwater fishing for speckled trout and redfish. This is when they can be with their family or friends and just enjoy a day on the water without cameras or a boat official watching their every move.
The life of a professional bass fisherman can be a hectic one. There’s a lot of pressure to not only perform at a high level but put food on the table for their families. The stress is off the chart for all of these guys because if they’re not successful, they will be eliminated from the pro tour and replaced by another up-and-coming young angler. Just because you make it to the highest level of bass fishing, does not guarantee you a spot for life. Anglers still must go out and perform. This is why they need that downtime to relax and get away from the everyday grind it takes to be a professional bass fisherman. Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen.
Steve Graf Hook’N Up & Track’N Down
Show & Tackle Talk Live
By: Glynn Harris
When I was growing up out on the rural route, falling leaves, southbound geese calling from the skies overhead, me trading short pants and tee shirts for sweats as weather started cooling down meant one thing for this country boy. It was time to go hunting.
We were limited in the wild game we were after to basically squirrels. Deer? We didn’t have any. I can remember growing up that if someone in the community reported finding a deer track, most of the community would head to the spot where a deer crossed the road and marveled at the thought that an actual deer had made that track.
Eventually I grew up and although deer had responded to trapping in areas where they had deer and released in our part of the state, squirrel hunting remained my passion.
My job transferred me to Claiborne Parish and once squirrel season opened, I had already scoped out the woods around Homer to find where most of the oaks and hickories grew knowing that acorns and hickory nuts would attract squirrels. I soon developed a friendship with James White who also loved to squirrel hunt. However, every year as November rolled around, I’d be left alone as my friend would bid me adieu as he headed out to deer hunt.
James started gently working on me telling me how much fun it was to hunt deer suggesting that I come with him to give it a try. My excuse was that I didn’t own a rifle while he countered with the suggestion that the shotgun I used for squirrel hunting would work fine; I’d just need to substitute buck shot for the # 6 shot I used for squirrels.
One thing that started making me think that deer hunting could possibly be fun was the morning I was squirrel hunting alone when I heard the bawling of a hound in the woods near where I hunted. I was somewhat upset at the prospects that my squirrel hunting was about to be messed up when I saw movement out front and a big heavy-antlered buck stepped out, stopped to look my way before bounding away. Admittedly, I felt a little tingle that hearing a squirrel cutting a hickory nut never gave me.
I finally agreed to go on a deer hunt with my friend and on November 24, 1967, James picked me up where I joined him and his three sons to hunt deer with Bill Bailey near Summerfield in northern Claiborne Parish. Once we got there, the five of us spread out along a narrow pipeline where I was instructed to sit tight, enjoy the scenery until I heard Bailey’s hounds headed my way.
I was enjoying the scenery and the chill of a November morning when in the distance, I heard the hounds. Then I realized that the bawling of the hounds was growing closer so I started scanning the woods out front when suddenly, a buck appeared on the pipeline in front of me but instead of dashing across like deer usually do, this buck made a turn and headed down the pipeline that would put him directly in front of me at no more than 20 yards.
I raised my shotgun and fired. Just to make sure the deer wouldn’t get away, I fired twice more in rapid succession…..BLAM…BLAM…BLAM. The deer collapsed on the spot. I not only killed the buck but shot half his 10-point rack off which I found and later reattached. This was long before the days of cell phones so I had to wait for my friend to show up so I could tell my story.
Once James got there, he admired the buck and congratulated me on getting such a fine deer on my first ever deer hunt, but he had a question; why did I shoot him three times. I countered that he was still standing.
James comment still makes me chuckle more than 50 years later…”Son, you have to give him time to fall.”
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
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.
NATCHITOCHES – Jerry Pierce, who served over 57 years on staff at Northwestern State University and as vice president of External Affairs since 1990, died Tuesday, Nov. 8 after a brief illness.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Pierce’s impact at the university, in the community and around the state was profound, not only as an administrator, but as a writer, humorist, ambassador, fund raiser and mentor to personnel at all levels of administration, including eight NSU presidents.
“Mr. Pierce has been part of the fabric of this institution since the mid-60s and served under several presidents with integrity and class. He will be irreplaceable,” said NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones. “I consider him a friend and a mentor who has always been there to provide sage advice.”
“Words cannot express the magnitude of the impact that Jerry Pierce had on Northwestern State University and on me professionally and personally,” said Dr. Chris Maggio, NSU’s immediate past president. “He knew everyone on a statewide level and opened so many doors for me. There was not a day in my presidency that Jerry and I didn’t talk. Whether it was in preparation for visits to the Capitol, meetings with donors or presentations to constituents, Jerry was there for me with research done, briefings prepared and communication tips provided. He was such an effective communicator.”
“Jerry Pierce is the greatest story-teller I have ever known,” said Dr. Jim Henderson, president of the University of Louisiana System and former NSU president. “All of us in the Northwestern State family should be grateful that he dedicated that peerless talent to serving our alma mater for nearly 60 years. His loss leaves a void that will never be filled, but his legacy will never be forgotten.”
A graduate of Springhill High School, Pierce was recruited to Northwestern in 1957 as a football trainer and was a four-year letterman in that position. As a student, he was an N Club officer and sports editor of the university newspaper. He joined the staff of The Times-Picayune in New Orleans after receiving his journalism degree in 1961 and became executive sports editor at age 24.
Pierce returned to Northwestern in 1965 as Sports Information Director. He later served as News Bureau director and assistant to the president before he was named vice president of External Affairs, overseeing NSU Athletics, NSU Foundation and Alumni Affairs, News Bureau/Media Relations, Sports Information, the Wellness Recreation and Activities Center and the NSU Recreation Complex. He worked for years with legislators and other elected officials as the university’s governmental affairs representative, served as institutional representative to the NCAA and Southland Conference and was a former president of the conference. He co-chaired Northwestern’s Centennial celebration and 125th anniversary activities. Pierce represented NSU as a speaker and master of ceremonies at hundreds of events across the state for decades and as host or guest on numerous radio and television shows and special broadcasts.
Pierce brought the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to Natchitoches in 1972 and directed the program for nearly 20 years. During that time, he was named one of the 20 “Most Influential People in Sports in Louisiana” by The Times-Picayune. He played a leading role in establishing the Long Purple Line, NSU’s alumni hall of distinction, and the NSU Athletic N Club Hall of Fame and was a recent inductee into both entities. Pierce received numerous journalism awards and honors for other civic, social and professional activities.
In addition to writing and editing several decades’ worth of news releases and publications at NSU, has also wrote thousands of stories and articles of all kinds for Louisiana newspapers and statewide publications. Pierce received numerous Louisiana Press Association awards for general interest columns, features, sports columns, editorials and was recognized by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and College Sports Information Directors of America for news stories and sports publications.
Among his many other projects, Pierce was author of a book of columns published by the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives and wrote the text for the 200-page coffee table book “Northwestern at 125” commemorating NSU’s 125th anniversary. He was Northwestern’s liaison for the filming of “Steel Magnolias” and “The Man in the Moon” and was co-editor of “Steel Magnolias Scrapbook” on the filming of the movie in Natchitoches.
Other professional recognition includes 50-year membership awards from both the Louisiana Press Association and Council for Advancement and Support of Education and membership of Blue Key National Honor Society. He was awarded lifetime membership in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and was the first recipient of the organization’s Mac Russo Award for contributions to the ideals and progress of the organization.
Pierce was extensively involved in civic activities in Natchitoches through the years. Among his honors and recognitions, he was recipient of Natchitoches Mayor’s Award for Community Service, American Legion Natchitoches Parish Man of the Year, Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce President’s Award; City of Natchitoches Achievement Appreciation Award, Lieutenant Governor’s Louisiana Ambassador Award, member of Chamber of Commerce first Ambassadors’ Club, finalist for Chamber of Commerce Natchitoches Parish Man of Year; Kiwanis Club member and officer; charter member of the Mystic Krewe de St. Denis; member of The Agitators social organization; Dignitaries and Publicity Committee of Natchitoches Christmas Festival and member of First Baptist Church. He served as coach and counselor for youth sports programs and on budget, publicity and publications committees. He was also an avid tennis player and was a member of USTA teams that won more than a dozen state championships, five regional titles and a national championship.
Pierce provided substantial financial support to the university and was recognized for more than 20 consecutive years of contributions to the NSU Foundation. He and his wife Regina established endowed scholarships at the university in athletics and academics.
In addition to Regina, Pierce is survived by two sons, two stepchildren, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
The November 8th election cycle brought change to the Village of Goldonna.
This January the Village will welcome a new Mayor. Jennifer Smith has served as Mayor for past four years and was unseated by Ms. Gayle Cloud.
“I would like to take the time to thank everyone who voted in this election. Also I would like to congratulate Mrs. Gayle Cloud on her newly elected position. May God lead you over the upcoming term. I would also like to pray for the council members who are elected to serve. May God guide and direct your paths in the days ahead. As for those who have supported me through the past four years, it was an honor to serve as your Mayor and I am truly thankful for your support and kind words. God bless,” shared Mayor Jennifer Smith.
Mayor-Elect Gayle Cloud will soon be sworn in for a four year term.
“I am very humbled and grateful for the support that has been shown to me throughout my campaign. I believe that if the council and the citizens of Goldonna work together, we will see many positive improvements for our Village. I am looking forward to working with everyone for the next four years,” said Ms. Cloud.
There were other changes made to the town leadership that will be covered over the next few weeks. It is always a positive thing to see so many people willing to serve their community.
If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps at jreba.phelps@gmail.com
