All our lives we’ve heard people say, “I was there when …” Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. I was there when Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in a World Series game. I was there when Dale Earnhardt crashed in turn four and died at the Daytona 500.

Well, there was one event that I can say “I was there when” one particular fishing bait was introduced to the bass fishing world.

It was on Lake Okeechobee in 2006 when the concept of a new bait took bass fishing by storm … the ChatterBait! This was a bait that has become a staple for all bass tournament anglers. It’s a combination of two of the best baits ever made, a jig and a spinnerbait.

It’s a skirted jig with a small blade attached to the head of the bait. It has an unbelievable vibrating action that bass cannot refuse. Over the last 20 years, there have probably been more bass caught on this bait than any other.

I remember the day that I first heard about this new bait. I was fishing an FLW Tour event on Lake Okeechobee in South Florida and the word was out about this new bait that was catching bass like crazy.

Anglers were scrambling to get their hands on just one of these baits! Some guys would pay as much as $100 to get one. At this event, Roland Martin Marina was the only tackle store where you could get one. Every day for three straight days I walked into this store and every time all the pegs were empty.

Finally, with only one day left in the tournament, I asked Mrs. Mary Ann Martin (Roland’s wife) to please put one back for me and I would pick it up after I weighed my fish on the final day.

Turns out pro angler Bryan Thrift, in his first professional bass tournament, won this event and the ChatterBait craze began. For a couple of years, he tried to keep his secret bait under wraps but the folks that make the ChatterBait asked that he please let the cat out of the bag.

It was on stage during that FLW Tournament weigh-in on Lake Okeechobee that Bryan introduced the world to this revolutionary bait. From this event in 2006 through today, there’s probably not a single bass angler on a body of water that does not have some form of the ChatterBait tied on.

The company behind this bait is known as Z-Man and they have not only perfected this bait over the years but have come out with more versions. One thing about the fishing business; it’s a copycat industry, as other companies have tried to emulate this bait, but none have had the impact of the original ChatterBait.

While Z-Man has a patent on this bait protecting their blade design, there are other brands on the market that have had a little success, but no one has been able to capture that same magic that a ChatterBait produces.

While it’s not often that many of us can say “I was there when” a special moment took place, I was actually there when one of the greatest bass fishing lures hit market … the ChatterBait!

Get ready to experience the magic of handcrafted wonders at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival, taking place on April 18 from 9 am – 5 pm, and April 19 from 10 am – 3 pm. The festival will be held at Melrose on the Cane where attendees can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of unique treasures crafted by talented artisans, savor a variety of delicious foods, sip on beer, wine, and other refreshing beverages such as fresh squeezed lemonade. Homemade ice cream returns to the festival this year as a long standing fan favorite as well as iron and wood works for your home and garden. We are also excited to feature local authors throughout the festival, along with live demonstrations that highlight traditional crafts such as basket weaving and quilting. These interactive experiences offer guests a chance to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the area.

Additionally, Randolph “Randy” Deaton will be presenting a special talk on Clementine Hunter on Saturday, April 18 at 11 am. Guests are encouraged to bring any photos or personal stories they may have of Clementine Hunter, which can be scanned and added to his growing collection.

Tickets for this exciting event can be purchased at: https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026. Attendees will be able to shop for: stunning jewelry, exquisite paintings, savory salsa, intricate woodwork, delectable desserts, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something special, there’s something for everyone to discover and cherish at the Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival.

“We’d love for y’all to come out, shop, and support historic Melrose. Take in the views, check out all the vendors, and just enjoy a good day together at the festival. Tours of the Big House and African House will be available- so bring your friends and family and make it a day to remember, ” said Ariel Rachal event organizer.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate over five decades of artistic excellence at the 52nd Annual Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival. Purchase your tickets today and join us for a weekend of creativity, community, and celebration!

For ticket information and event updates, visit https://givebutter.com/MelroseArtsAndCrafts2026 

If it feels like getting or keeping insurance lately comes down to luck, you’re not alone. With rates climbing, policies changing, and hurricane season always looming, many homeowners are left wondering what they’ll land on next—and whether they can afford it.

This morning at the dayschool, the fish tank was mysteriously covered with a blanket like it was being punished for bad behavior. If you didn’t know better, you might’ve thought the fish were grounded for talking back to the teacher or refusing to share their crayons. But no—turns out we’ve got ourselves an algae outbreak. A fullblown, green, slimy, “Swamp Thing” situation. And the only way to get it under control is to keep the light out until the bloom settles down.

Now, I’m no marine biologist, but I do know this: when the fish tank is greener than a St. Patrick’s Day parade, something’s off.

And wouldn’t you know it—Jesus has something to say about this.

Because algae, as it turns out, loves light. Not the good, lifegiving kind of light Jesus talks about. No, algae loves the “I’vebeen-left-alone-too-long-without-boundaries” kind of light. Give algae too much light, and it throws a party. Give it a little more, and it invites all its cousins. Before long, the fish are filing formal complaints and asking for relocation.

So the solution?

Cover the tank.

Limit the light.

Let things reset.

And that’s when it hit me: sometimes God does the same thing with us.

Not because we’re bad. Not because we’re in trouble. But because something in us has started growing that doesn’t belong there—resentment, worry, pride, comparison, hurry, that one comment someone made in 2009 that we still replay like it’s a classic movie.

Sometimes the Lord lovingly puts a “cover” over our tank.

A season of quiet.

A pause we didn’t choose.

A slowdown we didn’t schedule.

A moment where the lights dim and we wonder, “What is happening?”

But maybe God is simply helping us get rid of the spiritual algae that’s clouding the water.

Jesus once said, “I am the light of the world,” and He also said, “You are the light of the world.” But He never said, “You need to be under the spotlight all the time.” Sometimes the brightest thing God can do is give us a little shade so the unhealthy stuff stops multiplying.

Think about it: When was the last time you slowed down long enough to notice what was growing in you?

When did you last let God filter the water of your soul?

The fish tank will be uncovered Thursday morning. The water will clear. The fish will go back to doing whatever fish do (mostly judging us through the glass). But the covering is part of the healing.

Maybe you’re in a coveredtank season right now. Maybe God is dimming the lights not to punish you, but to purify you. Not to hide you, but to help you.

And when the cover comes off, you’ll shine clearer, brighter, and more beautifully than before.

Even the fish would say amen to that—if they weren’t so busy swimming in circles.

John P. Thompson changed our world yet most of us have never heard of him. At some point in our lives, each of us has used his inventions. It would be hard to find a home in America which does not contain multiples of John’s inventions. They are so commonplace that they often go unnoticed.

Little is known about John Thompson, but he was born in 1857 in Iowa. After working various jobs including laborer, bank teller, and room furnisher in a couple of different states, he eventually settled in Portland, Oregon. While there, he worked as an auto mechanic. John used a hand tool to tighten fasteners to the cars he worked on, but the tool kept slipping off the fastener. This resulted in skinned knuckles and damage to the cars. Finally, John’s frustration had reached its limit. He decided to create a new tool and fastener that when used together would not slip. No one knows how long John worked on his inventions or how many attempts it took before he created his “cruciform groove” tool and fastener, but in the summer of 1932, John filed for patents for his two inventions. On May 9, 1933, the United States Patent Office granted patent numbers 1,908,080 and 1,908,081 for John’s fastener and tool respectively. For reasons that remain unclear, in the patents John assigned or transferred his rights to his inventions to Henry Frank. The connection between John and Henry has never been proven, but many people believe that Henry purchased or funded John’s patents.

Rather than investing the money to create and sell the tool and fasteners himself, Henry created a company to franchise the products. Companies which produced them paid Henry’s company a hefty royalty. In 1936, Cadillac became the first industrial customer to use John’s inventions for its 1937-year model cars. The new tool and fasteners increased production and lowered costs. Word quickly spread and within a short time the other automobile companies as well as railroad and aviation manufacturers adopted John’s cruciform groove inventions. In September 1940, John died impoverished and largely forgotten, but Henry became wealthy. John’s cruciform groove inventions could have been known as the Thompson screw and Thompson screwdriver, but because he transferred the patents to Henry, we know them by his last name. We have all used Henry Frank…Phillips screws and Phillips screwdrivers.

Sources:

1. Michael J. Allen, “Phillips screw and driver,” Oregon Encyclopedia: A project of the Oregon Historical Society, accessed April 5, 2026, https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/phillips_screw_and_driver/.

2. “J.P. Thompson Screw, patent number 1,908,080,” United States Patent and Title Office, May 9, 1933, accessed April 5, 2026, https://ppubs.uspto.gov/api/pdf/downloadPdf/1908080?requestToken=eyJzdWIiOiIzODg1YzMwNC1hNmRjLTQwMzMtYWNlYi0xODAxMTlkNzZkNjciLCJ2ZXIiOiJlYWZmMjhlYi1hMmRlLTQ4ZGUtYTQxMy01M2E2NzJjZjZjOTYiLCJleHAiOjB9.

3. “J.P. Thompson Screw Driver, patent number 1,908,081,” United States Patent and Title Office, May 9, 1933, accessed April 5, 2026, https://ppubs.uspto.gov/api/pdf/downloadPdf/1908081?requestToken=eyJzdWIiOiIzODg1YzMwNC1hNmRjLTQwMzMtYWNlYi0xODAxMTlkNzZkNjciLCJ2ZXIiOiJlYWZmMjhlYi1hMmRlLTQ4ZGUtYTQxMy01M2E2NzJjZjZjOTYiLCJleHAiOjB9.

April 15 is a date etched into history through events that span tragedy, perseverance, and transformation across different eras.

Perhaps the most widely recognized event tied to this day is the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. After striking an iceberg late on April 14, the luxury liner sank in the early hours of April 15, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. The disaster shocked the world and led to sweeping maritime safety reforms, including improved lifeboat requirements and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol.

April 15 is also known in the United States as Tax Day, the deadline for filing federal income tax returns. While far less dramatic, the annual date has become a consistent fixture in American life, often sparking discussions about fiscal policy, government spending, and economic responsibility.

In 1947, another milestone unfolded when Jackie Robinson made his debut in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier. His first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, challenging segregation in professional sports and paving the way for greater inclusion.

The date also carries somber significance in more recent history. On April 15, 2013, two bombs detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds. The attack led to a massive manhunt and ultimately changes in security measures at major public events.

Across generations, April 15 has come to represent both loss and progress, serving as a reminder of how pivotal moments can reshape safety standards, social norms, and national conversations.

Ricky Lynn Johnson, age 69, of Dodson, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at his residence. Born on June 27, 1956, in Winnfield, Louisiana, Ricky spent his life rooted in the close-knit community of Dodson. He attended Calvin High School and was a retired logger, a profession that reflected his strong work ethic and deep connection to the land. In his spare time, he found great enjoyment in hunting and fishing, pursuits that brought him both peace and fulfillment.

Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Henry Clay Johnson; his mother, Thelma Jones Johnson; his beloved wife, Barbara Johnson; and his son, Josh Corbit. He is survived by his son, Antonio Whisenant, siblings, William Johnson, Lessie Martin, Dessie Whisenant, Diana Hunter, and Louise Holmes, along with a host of extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

A time of visitation will be held at Southern Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Graveside services will follow at 12:00 PM at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Bobby Bates officiating. Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery.

Mary Lou Carpenter, age 88, of Calvin, LA, was received into Heaven on April 10, 2026. Born on April 9, 1938, in Urania, LA, Mary Lou graduated from Calvin High School and attended Huey P. Long Memorial Trade School. She worked as a bookkeeper at Tremont Lumber Company, a teller at First Federal Savings, and eventually retired as a bookkeeper at CCA.

Mary Lou was saved in Bethlehem Baptist Church at an early age, under the ministry of Bro. and Mrs. L.H. Hickman, where she served as church pianist and organist. She grew up in the church participating in the Girls’ Auxiliary, Mission Belles and a member of the M.I.S.F.I.T.S. Sunday School Class. Her faithful service and attendance at Bethlehem continued until she became ill. Mary loved her Lord and her music and spent numerous hours practicing and perfecting her gift. She enjoyed traveling with her niece, Nora Lee, and friends, Vickie and her mother, Mrs. Kelley. Several years ago, she and Vickie, along with Dr. & Mrs. William Poe, traveled to London, Germany, Switzerland and other sites in Europe. One of Mary’s greatest joys was working in her flowers and yard, which was always filled with vibrant color. Everyone in the community was amazed each spring at her beautiful snowball bush. She enjoyed shopping and eating out, visiting on her back porch and drinking coffee. 

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Luther C. and Mary Collins Carpenter; three sisters, Linnie Carter, Winona Dubois and Lottie Ree Carpenter; one brother, William Carpenter; nieces, Nora Lee Carter, Wanda Lee Allen; and nephews, Jesse Carpenter and Bud Carter. 

Those left to cherish her memories are special friend, Vickie Kelley; nieces, Naomi Shirey, Martha Bates and Doretha Severino; and nephews, Jerry Dubois and Bo Carpenter, several great and great-great nieces and nephews, and her Bethlehem Church Family.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Winnfield, Louisiana, with Bro. Dick Debusk officiating. Presiding over the interment in Bethlehem Cemetery will be Bro. Todd Whittington. 

Friends may visit with the family at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 10:00 am until time of services at 3:00 pm. 

Pallbearers are Bo Carpenter, Seth Carpenter, Jamie Carter, Tyler Haymon, Austin Willis, Alan Willis, Mike Feirn and Nick Kelley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem Cemetery Fund, 2777 Hwy. 1232, Winnfield, LA 71483. 

Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.southernfuneralhome.com

On Monday, April 13, just a few days away, the public will be able to see first-hand Winnfield’s newest, tallest building complex, the new Winn Community Health Center at 407 W. Court Street.  The public is invited to the Grand Opening of the health center beginning at 11 a.m., announced CEO Deano Thornton. 

Construction of the impressive three-story, 52,000 square foot structure has seen it rise over the past two years to occupy a footprint between W. Lafayette and W. Court streets.  The building will house the expanded array of services of Winn Community Health Center as well as the seven-parish organizational support of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

“Who would have thought that it would come to this when we first started talking about this kind of medical care for our community in 2005?” he said.  “We were funded in 2009, opened our doors July 1 that same year, outgrew that office and moved to our current location in 2011 and are now poised to move into this wonderful structure.”

Over those years, WCHC also expanded beyond its Winn Parish borders to seven parishes with 11 clinics and 60 school-based centers under the inclusive name of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

“So how have we come so far?  I’ve always said that when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen,” Thornton continued.  “Our organization is made up of people who care about the well being of the folks in their community and it shows.  We’re in the business of taking care of people.  This is an amazing, state of the art facility which we’ve been proud to add to the heart of Winnfield.”

The Grand Opening for the general public is Monday, April 13, with activities beginning at 11 a.m.  Thornton said there will be a tent, music with a DJ, refreshments including Dana’s Pulled Pork Sandwiches and giveaways.  The following morning, Tuesday, April 14, medical services at the new center will commence.

Photos below give an early view of what awaits the public during Monday’s Open House:

A warming trend is set to take hold across Winn Parish this week, bringing a mix of clouds and sunshine before transitioning into mostly sunny and warmer conditions through the weekend.

Wednesday will begin with mostly cloudy skies, but sunshine is expected to gradually break through by the afternoon. Highs will reach near 80 degrees, with calm winds shifting to a light southeast breeze around 5 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with lows around 57 as winds calm.

Thursday continues the pleasant pattern, featuring mostly sunny skies and a high near 80. Overnight, expect partly cloudy conditions with a low around 58.

Temperatures begin to edge upward Friday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 83. Friday night will remain mild, with lows around 60 under partly cloudy skies.

By Saturday, full sunshine takes over, pushing highs to around 86 degrees. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 62.

The warming trend peaks into Sunday and Monday. Sunday will be partly sunny with a high near 87, followed by a mostly cloudy night with lows around 65. Monday brings partly sunny skies and the warmest temperatures of the stretch, with highs nearing 88 degrees.

Winn Parish residents can expect a steady warm-up and plenty of sunshine heading into the weekend, making for ideal outdoor conditions with no significant rain in the forecast.

The Winnfield Kiwanis Club will hold its annual scholarship fundraiser lunch Monday, April 13, at the Farmers Market.

The menu features Boston butt steak, green beans, potato salad, bread and dessert. Tickets are $10 and are available from any Kiwanis member. The event is takeout only, with pickup available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Proceeds fund scholarships awarded to graduating seniors from Winnfield Senior High School, Calvin High School and Atlanta High School. Scholarship applications are available at each school.

The Kiwanis Club appreciates the community’s continued support of this annual tradition.

The Women of Zion of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church will host its second annual health fair Saturday, April 25. The event begins at 10 a.m. at the church, located at 430 West Jones St.

Under the theme “Save a Life,” the fair focuses on the stewardship of the body, guided by the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The program will feature guest speakers and various health presentations.

The event offers free health screenings to the public, including checks for:

• Height and weight
• Temperature and pulse rate
• Respirations
• Blood pressure and blood sugar

The health fair is open to men, women and children. G. Tomell Hamms serves as pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church