Quincy Jones was a record producer and composer whose awards include a Tony Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 28 Grammy Awards.  The list of albums, films, and television shows he worked on from the 1960s until his death in 2024 would be lengthy, but many of them would not have come to fruition had he remembered something.

On August 8, 1969, Steve McQueen, the actor who earned the nickname the “King of Cool,” called Quincy and wanted his, Quincy’s, hairdresser Jay Sebring to meet Peter Yates.  Peter had just directed what has become one of Steve McQueen’s most notable films, Bullitt.  Quincy recalled, Jay Sebring “was my barber and the most famous hairstylist in Hollywood.”  Quincy agreed and picked Jay up.  As they were driving to meet Peter, Jay invited Quincy to a small get together later that evening at 10050 Cielo Drive in Los Angeles.  Quincy was familiar with that residence because he had almost bought the house a year or two earlier.  Quincy was working on the musical score and soundtrack for the comedy film The Out-of-Towners starring Jack Lemmon but said he would stop by after he finished work for the day.  Quincy dropped Jay off and returned to work.  Hours later, Quincy went home and went to bed.  He completely forgot about meeting Jay and his friends.

On the following morning, August 9, 1969, Quincy’s friend, actor Bill Cosby, called him from London.  “Did you hear about Jay?”  Quincy replied, “What about Jay?  He was with me last night.”  Bill told him, “He’s dead.”  Quincy was in shock.  In disbelief, he called Sebring International, Jay Sebring’s company.  When Quincy asked about Jay, the person on the other end of the line asked, “Who’s this?”  Quincy replied, “Quincy Jones.”  The person said, “Jay Sebring is dead,” and hung up.  Quincy turned on the television and saw “all the bodies spread out on the lawn with sheets covering them.”  Quincy was lucky because that slip of memory saved his life.  Jay Sebring was just one of the unlucky people to be at 10050 Cielo Drive that fateful night.  Quincy said, “I knew them all, man.  I knew them all.  Heavy scene.”  The others who were unlucky to be at that home were Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, Abigail Folger, and Sharon Tate and her unborn child, all victims of a murder spree led by Charles Manson.  Quincy Jones was lucky to have forgotten about the party invitation, though he never forgot the horrible event that took place that night.  It troubled him for the rest of his life.

Sources:

1.     Alex Simon, “Quincy Jones Talks Keepin’ On and Other Pearls of Wisdom,” The Hollywood Interview, accessed September 20, 2026, https://thehollywoodinterview.blogspot.com/2014/09/quincy-jones-hollywood-interview.html.

2.     Chris Heath, Quincy Jones Has a Story About That,” GQ, January 29, 2018, accessed September 20, 2026, https://www.gq.com/story/quincy-jones-has-a-story. 

© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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Joseph Ray Lester
November 12, 1982 — September 27, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 2pm at Southern Funeral Home, Winnfield.

Winn Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or bill@journalservicesllc.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to WinnNewsLa@gmail.com

Northwestern State University’s Rodeo Team is preparing for its first collegiate competition since the program was reestablished, with 12 student-athletes set to compete at the Panola College Rodeo Sept. 24-26 in Tatum, Texas.

The competition will mark NSU’s debut in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region after the university announced the return of the Rodeo Team in May. The team has since grown to a roster of 14 student-athletes under Coach Cody DeMoss, with 12 set to compete at Panola College.

NSU will be represented in several events during its opening competition. The lineup includes four saddle bronc riders, five competitors in breakaway roping and two barrel racers. NSU will also field a team in team roping, while another NSU competitor will team rope with a student from Trinity Valley Community College.

“This is the very first college rodeo that they are going to get to go to,” DeMoss said. “This one being right here in Tatum, Texas, just 120 miles down the road, is a perfect warmup for us.”

DeMoss, a 14-time National Finals Rodeo bronc rider, was named coach as NSU reestablished the program. He said he sees potential across several events as the team enters its first competition.

“I think they’ve got a chance,” DeMoss said. “There are a couple bronc riders in here that have really got a chance to do some good, quite a few breakaway ropers. The horsemanship on quite a few of them is pretty good, so there’s some real talent.”

Allison Savant, a freshman industrial engineering major from Kenner, competes in breakaway and team roping. She said the team has been practicing nearly every night leading up to its first competition.

“I’m pretty confident. We have a pretty strong team,” Savant said. “Mr. Cody has definitely coached us up. We’ve been practicing almost every night. We have really good calves to practice on, so I think we are going to do a really good job.”

For Savant, the Panola College Rodeo will also be her first experience competing at the collegiate level.

“I feel like it’s going to be a fun experience,” Savant said. “First college rodeo, it’s not going to be like the high school rodeos. It’s going to be a little bit different, so I’m excited to see what’s new.”

Cyler Yeager, a freshman from Montana, competes in saddle bronc riding. He said the opportunity to join a new program helped draw him to NSU.

“When I first got to talking to Mr. Cody, he had a lot of great things to say, and I thought it would be great to be a part of a new organization,” Yeager said. “I thought I might be able to help create history and maybe be history myself.”

Yeager said he feels confident entering his first collegiate competition after weeks of preparation.

“We’ve been training pretty rigorously lately, hopping on horses and on the dummy over there and just trying my hardest to get ready for it,” Yeager said. “You’ve just got to trust in the motions that you know.”

The Panola College Rodeo opens a five-event fall schedule for the NIRA Southern Region. Following Panola, the region is scheduled to compete at Southwest Texas College Oct. 1-3 in Uvalde, Texas, Northeast Texas Community College Oct. 8-10 in Mount Pleasant, Texas, McNeese State University Oct. 30-31 in Lake Charles and Sam Houston State University Nov. 12-14 in Huntsville, Texas.

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September 19, 2026

Ashani N. Hanson, 26, of Atlanta, was arrested for direct contempt of court (failure to appear).
Willie D. Hanson, 26, of Atlanta, was arrested for direct contempt of court.
Shannon Farmer, (homeless), was arrested for entry or remaining in a place after forbidden.
Matthew Patton, 45, of Winnfield, was arrested for direct contempt of court.
C. Gilbert, 41, of Winnfield, was arrested for disturbing the peace (language).

September 21, 2026
Prentis Scott, 43, of Winnfield, was arrested for second-degree battery.

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Arrest Report

9/14/26 Courtney Weaver W/F 32- P&P Warrant, Probation Violation

9/14/26 Elie Cormier W/M 39- Fugitive from LaSalle

9/15/26 Barbara Hall B/F 63- Child Desertion

9/15/26 Victoria Wright W/F 39- Failure to Appear

9/15/26 Mary Johnson W/F 39- Bond Violation

9/15/26 Dustin Norton W/M 37- Probation Violation

9/15/26 Jonathan Turner B/M 21- Bond Violation

9/15/26 Adam Shirley W/M 38- Bond Violation

9/18/26 Mickal Riggs W/M 49- P&P Warrant

9/19/26 Matthew Patton W/M 45- Failure to Appear x3

9/20/26 Adam Weston B/M 31- Fugitive from Rapides

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Two suspects were in custody Tuesday morning following an overnight manhunt that began after a stolen vehicle led Winn Parish deputies on a high-speed pursuit before crashing near the Winn Correctional Center.

According to the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies spotted the stolen vehicle Monday evening on Gum Springs Road, just south of Calvin, and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, leading deputies on a pursuit that crossed U.S. Highway 84.

Authorities said speeds during the pursuit exceeded 125 mph before the vehicle crashed south of the Winn Correctional Center.

Two men fled from the crash site into a wooded area. One suspect was apprehended by Winn Parish deputies, while the second remained at large for several hours.

The Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police and the Winn Parish Chase Team continued searching throughout the night near the correctional facility and the Gum Springs Road area.

At approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office advised residents living near Gum Springs Road between Waterwell and Black Mountain roads to keep their homes and vehicles locked while authorities searched for the remaining suspect.

By approximately 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office announced that the second suspect had been captured, bringing the overnight search to an end. Both individuals were in custody.

The Sheriff’s Office had not released the identities of the suspects or a list of charges as of its latest update.

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There’s no better place to celebrate Dolly Parton than the Louisiana town where one of her most beloved characters came to life.

This October 9–11, Natchitoches invites visitors to spend a weekend celebrating Dolly with Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration. Inspired by Dolly’s unforgettable role as Truvy Jones in Steel Magnolias, the three-day celebration brings together music, movies, local businesses and plenty of pink for a weekend in the heart of Louisiana’s oldest city.

Natchitoches has long held a special connection to Steel Magnolias. The beloved film was shot in and around the city, and decades later, visitors still come to Natchitoches to experience the places that made the movie so memorable. This October, that connection takes center stage as the community celebrates Dolly’s legacy in true Natchitoches fashion.

The celebration begins Friday, October 9, with Dolly Bingo at the LSHOF at 5:30 p.m. Later that evening, channel your inner Dolly and head to Mama’s Blues Room for karaoke beginning at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, October 10, start the morning with Books & Butterflies from 8 a.m. to noon at the Natchitoches Farmers Market. The celebration continues throughout the day with Truvy’s Downtown Traipse, inviting visitors to explore Natchitoches’ historic downtown and experience Truvy’s Specials offered by participating businesses.

Saturday evening, tease up your hair and get ready for Truvy’s Big Hair Affair at Parkway Cinema 6 at 7 p.m. It’s a fitting way to celebrate a character, a movie and a little bit of Southern style that have become part of Natchitoches history.

The weekend wraps up Sunday, October 11, with a Blush & Bashful Brunch at Flying Heart Brewery beginning at 9 a.m.

While you’re here, make a weekend of it. Stroll the brick streets of the Natchitoches Historic District, shop local boutiques, enjoy Louisiana flavors, take in the beauty of Cane River and discover the filming locations that helped bring Steel Magnolias to the big screen. As Louisiana’s oldest city, Natchitoches offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend filled with history, Southern charm and plenty to explore.

Whether you’ve loved Dolly for decades, can quote Steel Magnolias from beginning to end, or simply need an excuse for a girls’ weekend in Natchitoches, Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend is your invitation to celebrate friendship, Southern charm and the legacy of a woman whose talent and spirit have touched generations.

Pack something pink, bring your best big hair and join us October 9–11, 2026, in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

For complete event information, updates and weekend details, visit Truvy’s Blush & Bashful Weekend: A Dolly Parton Celebration at Natchitoches.com. Visitors can also explore Natchitoches.com for lodging, dining, attractions and everything needed to plan a weekend getaway.

Lodging link: natchitoches.com/stay/
Calendar link: natchitoches.com/calendar/
Embedded event link: https://natchitoches.com/truvys-blush-bashful-weekend-a-dolly-parton-celebration/

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Winn Parish Fire District 3 crews responded to six calls for service from Friday through early Monday morning, including four vegetation or fire-related incidents and a fire at a local plant that required more than five hours of operations.

One of the weekend’s most challenging situations unfolded Saturday when firefighters were dispatched to a camper fire approximately four minutes after receiving a call for a vegetation fire.

With the two incidents occurring simultaneously, incident command divided available personnel and equipment between the scenes.

According to Winn Parish Fire District 3, operations at the camper fire initially began with only two personnel because other resources were already committed to the vegetation fire. About 15 minutes later, two off-duty personnel arrived to assist, followed by another off-duty firefighter and a volunteer firefighter.

By that time, the camper fire had spread beyond its point of origin, igniting two vehicles and surrounding vegetation. Despite limited resources and the simultaneous emergencies, firefighters were able to bring both incidents under control.

The busy stretch continued into early Monday morning. At approximately 3:45 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a local plant following a malfunction in a venting system that caused a fire to spread throughout the ductwork.

Crews spent more than five hours working at the plant before completing operations.

Fire district officials thanked personnel who responded throughout the weekend, particularly off-duty and volunteer firefighters who came in to assist during the multiple emergencies.

The department also recognized Winn Parish sheriff’s deputies Chandler, Sellers and Loftin for assisting at the camper fire and thanked Sheriff McAllister for providing assistance with cleanup following the plant incident.

Winn Parish Fire District 3 said the weekend highlighted the importance of cooperation among local agencies, particularly when multiple incidents place demands on available emergency response resources.

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WINN PARISH, La. — Winn Parish will see a stretch of hot and mostly dry weather through the weekend, with temperatures climbing close to 100 degrees before a slight chance of rain returns Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 97 degrees. Northeast winds will range from 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 67 and northeast winds around 5 mph.

Thursday will be mostly sunny and slightly cooler with a high near 93. Northeast winds will continue at 5 to 10 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 65.

Temperatures will begin climbing again Friday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 95.

Friday night will become mostly cloudy with a low around 66.

Saturday is expected to be the hottest day of the forecast period, with partly sunny skies and a high near 98 degrees. Mostly cloudy conditions are expected Saturday night with a low around 67.

Sunday will remain mostly sunny and hot with a high near 97. A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms develops Sunday night, with a low around 67.

The slight rain chance will continue into Monday, with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, conditions will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 96 degrees.

The National Weather Service forecast indicates Winn Parish will remain dry through most of the weekend, with the first rain chances arriving Sunday night and continuing Monday.

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The Winn Farmers Market is getting a fresh look thanks to a community improvement effort that brought together local volunteers and organizations over the weekend.

Members of Winn Parish 4-H, Winn Parish Master Gardeners, LSU AgCenter agents and other community volunteers spent Saturday working on improvements at the farmers market.

The effort also received support from Mr. Brandon and WoodmenLife Winnfield Chapter 107.

Winn 4-H thanked everyone who dedicated part of their weekend to the project, emphasizing that the work was part of an ongoing effort to improve the community one step at a time.

The project highlighted the combined efforts of youth, volunteers and community organizations working together to enhance a space used by residents and local vendors.

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Programs that experienced a turnaround can often point to a season, perhaps even a game, in which players, coaches, and the fanbase can identify as a no-doubt turning point.

With Winnfield starting this season 3-0 in the second year of Byron Keller, winning a fourth straight game to start the 2026 campaign would be monumental.

That’s because the fourth game is a trip to Jena, a participant in last year’s Division III Non-Select championship who’s already avenged that loss to Sterlington in Week 2 this season.

The Giants (2-1), who rank No. 4 in the LSWA Class 3A poll and are coming off a 28-12 loss to Class 4A No. 1 Westgate, are going to be chomping at the bit to get back to their winning ways Friday at home.

“We will have to pull off a flawless performance against Jena,” Keller said. “They are a complete team.

“We will have to take advantage of and capitalize on any mistakes that they make to get out of there with a win.”

Winnfield’s defense had been pretty close to perfect through the first two games this season in wins against Glenbrook (20-8) and Arcadia (40-0).

The Tigers defense, a revitalized unit under new defensive coordinator Scott Green, did settle down in a 48-28 win against an explosive Jonesboro-Hodge this past week.

But Keller knows the Tigers have to stay in their lanes and be disciplined against a Jena veer attack that has routinely scored in the 40s, 50s, and even 60s.

The Giants haven’t put up those kinds of numbers this season without the likes of Sedrick Wilson and Deuce McPherson, but Jena still had the horses to gallop past Class 2A No. 4 Mangham (26-12) and 3A No. 3 Sterlington (34-28).

The Winnfield and Jena programs have similar trajectories, albeit at different points in history.

The Tigers broke through and won their first (and only) state title in 1982, although Winnfield has plenty of history and statewide relevance, including its most recent state championship game appearance in 2011.

Jena is a program that’s been mediocre for most of its history but has found its way since head coach Jay Roark arrived in 2012.

The Giants finally cracked the glass ceiling to the Superdome this past season after deep playoff runs throughout Roark’s tenure, but they are still in search of the program’s first title.

Keller brought Winnfield back to its roots with the veer offense, something in which Jena runs its own version.

The Tigers would love to resemble Jena in other ways as Friday is a measuring-stick type opportunity to see how close to a championship-caliber program Winnfield is.

“We do have very similar styles and philosophies about how to build a football program,” Keller said. “You have to tip your hat to Coach Roark and his staff.

“They have built it and are reaping the benefits of their hard work. We are working to get to that point in our program.”

Winnfield’s offense improved greatly in its Week 3 win, scoring a season-high 48 points as new pieces are finding their places.

The Tigers had two 100-yard rushers (Kenneth Richard 18-127 and Gabe Wren 13-114) and nearly a third as Braylen Butler (16-92) almost hit the century mark.

Keller said the offensive line paved the way while quarterback Nickalas Mockosher is capable of making plays with his arms and his legs to keep defenses honest.

“The offensive line play has continued to improve each week,” Keller said. “With that unit playing as well as they are, it’s making the running back’s nights very easy.”

Mockosher threw for 119 yards on 5-of-7 passing and two touchdowns, rushing for another.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reminding hunters to carefully identify waterfowl before taking a shot as the state moves through its special teal season and prepares for Louisiana’s first special black-bellied whistling duck season.

Louisiana’s special teal season runs Sept. 19-27. During the nine-day season, hunters may harvest only blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal. The daily bag limit is six birds, with a possession limit of 18.

LDWF noted that identifying teal can sometimes be challenging, particularly when birds are in flight. Blue-winged teal have a large light-blue patch on the upper portion of the wing, while green-winged teal are the smallest of the dabbling ducks and have a green speculum. Cinnamon teal, which are extremely rare in Louisiana, are more similar in appearance to blue-winged teal than green-winged teal.

Another special season will follow in October. Louisiana’s first-ever special black-bellied whistling duck season will be held Oct. 3-11.

Only black-bellied whistling ducks may be harvested during the special season. Hunters will have a daily bag limit of four birds and a possession limit of 12. A free special permit is required to participate.

Black-bellied whistling ducks can be identified in flight by a wide white stripe on the upper surface of their wings and feet that extend beyond the tail. Adult birds typically have bright orange bills, pink feet and a chestnut-colored chest that transitions into a black belly. Juvenile birds may be more difficult to identify because they have grayish bills, less prominent pink coloring on their feet and lack the distinctive black belly seen on adults.

LDWF cautioned that other species of waterfowl may occupy the same habitats during both special seasons, making positive identification especially important.

“Know the season. Know the species. Know your target,” the department advised.

Hunters are encouraged to review identification materials and current Louisiana waterfowl regulations before heading into the field.

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As many of you know, I was adopted by my aunt and uncle, Laverne & Loyd Graf Jr., when I was 10 years old. They quickly became mom and dad for me. My biological mom, Alta Mae, was not capable of raising two young boys. After starting and struggling through the first grade in Rosenburg, Texas, I was failing school and they rescued me from Houston, Texas, and brought me to Mt. Pleasant just after Christmas. 

I was enrolled in Vivian Fowler School at that time and did extra work into the summer as I got caught up enough to be passed on to the second grade. It was also at this time that I started my youth baseball career in 1968 while spending the entire summer with Mom and Dad.

One place that holds a special place in my heart, as I spent many a day there, was my Dad’s ranch. Graf Brothers Ranch was a partnership between my Dad and his brother William Ed Graf (Uncle Bill). Uncle Bill was the proud owner of a trucking company in Ft. Worth and was basically a financial partner of the ranch more than anything else. 

He had two sons who would come to the ranch once every few months. One of these cousins, Matt, and I became close, as we both loved to hunt and fish. With our ranch having three different stock ponds loaded with bass, Matt and I basically taught ourselves how to bass fish. 

We both subscribed to Bassmaster Magazine and would read each one cover to cover while learning about new baits and techniques. Then when he would come to the ranch, we would go and apply what we learned. 

Those stock ponds were a great training ground for learning how to fish and understanding bass behavior. Matt and I shared some great times for years until we got into our teens. Then I got more involved in sports and those fishing get-togethers became few and far between. 

I still cherish those early childhood memories with Matt even though those trips dwindled over time as he also made fewer trips to the ranch. We’ve lost touch with each other over the years, but I’m sure he has fond memories like me.

One thing ranch life taught me was good work ethic. A ranch does not run itself as it takes a lot of man hours to keep things running smoothly. We weren’t what many would call a big ranch, but we did run anywhere from 100-150 head of cattle depending on the time of year. 

A ranch is a constant work in progress with doctoring cattle, building fences, working on barns, and cutting and hauling hay to make sure cattle were fed even when weather was bad. There are no days off when you own a cattle ranch. Cattle need attention and must be checked on daily, especially when cows were getting ready to calf. 

There was one job I absolutely hated! It’s what my Dad called “piling chunks.” On our ranch we owned both sides of the main road with one side all pastureland while the other side was half-timber and pasture. But over time Dad cleared some of the timber to create more pasture. 

We owned a large D9 bulldozer that Dad used to clear the timber. As he dropped trees on the ground, smaller limbs that fell off the trees had to be picked up. We would then pile them up in small burn piles. This is what dad referred to as “piling chunks!” This process was hard work and took many hours over several weeks to get the job done.

There are many things that shaped me as a person, but the lessons I learned from growing up on a ranch were invaluable. My Dad was a man of few words and was not touchy-feely. He never really shared his personal feelings, but he did believe in hard work and taught me the value of this concept and how it builds character. 

The ranch for me was a training ground on not just hard work, but on developing my skills as an angler and a hunter. It gave me the freedom to learn how to hunt deer and squirrels and how to catch a bass.  

The number of hours I spent on my own in the woods and around our stock ponds starting at the age of 10 was endless. Most kids today don’t know how to be by themselves all day, making one cast after another and learning how to catch a bass. 

Kids today don’t grow up sitting on a single 2×6 board nailed between two limbs in a tree for deer hunting. They’ve never built a duck blind on the bank of a stock pond and enjoyed a good hunt, and when you shot a duck over the water, you had to wait until the wind blew the duck to the bank so you could retrieve it. 

Kids today would consider the work I did as kid a form of child abuse. Again, my parents did not sugar coat anything. Love, while not openly expressed much in our family, was understood. They had goals and expectations for both me and my brother whether it was a job to be done or school. 

We never did without anything that was essential. My Mom and Dad provided for us as a family and made sure my brother and I had everything we needed to not only enjoy life, but to be successful.

I literally would not trade anything for the time I had growing up on Graf Brothers Ranch, as it taught me everything I needed to succeed in whatever path I chose for the rest of my life.   

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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[jsllc_giveaway_form slug=”dollyparton2026″]

The Parish Journals of Louisiana are giving one statewide reader the opportunity to enjoy a special weekend in Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration.

One qualifying reader will receive a $600 travel package to help make the trip possible.

The prize package includes:

• $300 Food Card
• $200 Travel Cash
• $100 Gas Card

The winner will be selected from the statewide pool of eligible qualifiers on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.

The getaway is intended for the winner to visit Natchitoches Parish during the Dolly Parton Celebration weekend, Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.

Events being planned for the weekend include Dolly Bingo at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Dolly Karaoke, downtown dining and drink specials, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, the Creole Festival at St. Augustine Church, Butterflies and Books at the Natchitoches Farmers Market, Steel Magnolias-themed activities, shopping and entertainment along Front Street, Truvy’s Big Hair Affair on the riverbank and a Blush & Bashful Brunch.

Some celebration events remain tentative and individual schedules, locations and activities may change.

Each participating Journal will have its own signup link, but all eligible qualifiers will be combined into one statewide pool from which the winner will be selected.

There is no cost to participate.

Every eligible qualifier who completes the registration process will also receive a Lifetime Free Subscription to the Journal through which the reader qualified, delivered directly to the email address provided during registration.


Contest Rules

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