Wanda Rivers is representing the Tourist Commission, Toledo Bend, and the state of Louisiana at the 2018 Bassmaster Classic and Expo in Greenville, SC the weekend of March 17.

 

 

Northwestern Opera Theatre Ensemble will perform Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” March 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Treen Auditorium at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public. Dr. Marcy McKee is musical director of the Opera Theatre Ensemble.

“Die Fledermaus” is an fun operetta about old friends, one of which is orchestrating an elaborate plan to get revenge for a previous joke played upon him.

The cast is Rachael Bryant of Gonzales as Rosalinda, Amanda Charles of Houston as Adele, Billy Gorr of Houma as Gabriel Eisenstein, Jenson Wall of Denham Springs as Alfred, Gabriel LeMoine of Kaplan as Dr. Blind, Aaron Rogers of Amarillo, Texas, as Dr. Falke, Michael Martin of Pineville as Frank, Nadya Cesario of Fort Smith, Arkansas, as Sally, Daniela Salas of Cartagena, Colombia as Prince Orlofsky and Michelle Moline of Miami and NSU faculty member D’Nissa Hester and party singers.

The chorus is Emily Adams of Raceland, Matthew Armand of Plaucheville, Valentina Herazo of Cartagena, Colombia, Kenyon Johnson II of DeRidder, Morgan McCrory of Deville, Zachary Moreau of Marksville, Lee Whitney of Theriot, Ashleigh Pope of Beaumont, Texas and Zachary Gaultier of Avoyelles.

Dr. Chailing Hsieh is collaborative artist and assistant music director.

Sen. Gerald Long of Natchitoches is listed among several potential candidates who may seek to run for Secretary of State in 2019. This information comes in the wake of Tom Schedler’s announcement March 14 that he won’t run for re-election following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him last month.

The Journal spoke to Long this morning, March 16, to talk about next year’s election and the opportunity it presents.

“The public is looking for someone they can trust to be a person of integrity,” said Long, who is doing his homework before he makes the major decision of whether or not he will officially announce his candidacy later this year. Long plans to begin traveling throughout the state to meet with people.

“With all these sexual allegations being brought up, we need to elect men and women whose compass is a moral one,” said Long. “We need officials who can manage their office and personal life well. I try to live this. Faith has always been a big part of my life.”

Long said only 23 percent of the vote in Louisiana is from Alexandria, North. It’s hard to recall anyone from North Louisiana that’s been elected statewide in the last 20 years. It’s difficult to analyze the race without an understanding that a candidate needs to be well known throughout the state. It’s also important to Long to know there’s a base of support in North Louisiana as he considers the opportunity and faces the challenge of the money it would cost to run for such a position.

Another challenge that comes with the Secretary of State position is that no one knows it exists unless they’re already involved in the government. However, it’s an extremely important part of the election process. People want to know elections are bing held fairly.

Long feels the Secretary of State position doesn’t define candidates as Democrat or Republican. It focuses on their ability to be fair to all when it comes to the responsibilities and duties of the office.

“My past is tied so much to my family and my late wife that this would be a new adventure for me,” he said. “It’s gratifying to see how many people are encouraging me and I’m taking a good look at it.”

By Reba

This past December I attended the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party. After mingling for a few minutes, I found my friends huddled around a small table laughing and having a grandiose time. The conversation had turned to what everyone was wearing to the bank Christmas party. Being very excited about my selection I began looking for the picture in my email that confirmed my purchase.

Once I found it I proudly displayed it to the group and I received the exact response I expected: “Ohhh,” “Wow,” and “You’ll look fabulous.” Mind you, this was an amazing dress going on an amazing woman and my friends would never make me feel anything less than beautiful. But, no matter how amazing you think you are you still appreciate that peer approval. Five years ago I would’ve never thought this about myself or my selection of clothing.

Naturally the next question that followed was, “Where did you find this?” The old, unrestored version of me would have lied. I would have told a falsehood out of shame. However, the new me told everyone that I found it on a Plus-Size website. As another person walked up I had to retell the story and show them my dress and answer the same question with the same response.

Once I had told the truth not once but twice my precious, 90-pound petite friend said, “Quit calling it Plus-Size, I don’t want you to feel bad about yourself!”

I could earnestly tell this statement was coming from a place of pure love for her “Plus-Size” friend. Not wanting to make my friend feel bad I jokingly said, “Anyone with eyeballs can tell you and I clearly do not shop on the same racks” (in my exaggerated southern belle accent).

For most of my adult life, especially post-children, I’ve been what society refers to as “Plus-Size.” Curvy, thick, big boned, stout, full figured, chunky, and pleasantly plump are a few of the adjectives one may use to describe a larger lady.

Until a few years ago I would’ve never used any of these words to describe myself. Frankly, I was in denial and had very low self-esteem until God placed people in my life to show me there is no shame in being who God made me to be. There is more to a person than the number on a scale.

I spent so many years dressing to cover myself and hide the way I looked. If you looked in my closet you would quickly learn I was prepared for a funeral on any given day.

There was so much shame and I tended to blame every bad thing that happened in my life on my weight. Marriage issues had to be because I was overweight. My children misbehaved because I was chubby. Sounds extreme but when you aren’t happy with yourself this is what happens.

I even struggled with the fact that I shopped at Lane Bryant, Torrid and other places that catered to Plus-Size women. I have literally stuffed my Lane Bryant bag into a Dillard’s bag walking through the mall so no one would know where I shopped.

As women we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to look a certain way and be accepted by others. We let society measure our self worth by our size and not the size of our heart and goodness of our soul. When we finally realize that it’s not what’s on the outside that counts we look at people in a whole different light.

I thank God every day that he blessed me with friends who help me see that I’m perfect the way God made me. I’m learning daily to rejoice in who I am. God made us in his image and likeness. If we aren’t happy with that then we’re telling God he didn’t do his job to our standards.

These are lessons that I will always teach my daughters. Love what you see in the mirror. We are God’s unique design.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

The Town of Zwolle is ready for the Spring Trash Bash on March 24th! Pictured are Zwolle Mayor Pie Martinez and Councilwoman Martha Henderson. For information on how you can help cleanup the town of Zwolle, call 318-645-6150.

Volunteer to clean up around your town, neighborhood, or just your own yard. Every little bit helps! Join us at our next meeting March 21st at 3:30 pm at the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission to find out how you can get involved!

Join us on Saturday, March 17th at 7 pm for a free showing of “The Quiet Man” at the Many Community Center!

The Duke, (Sean) knowing he has a special talent in the “Art of Boxing”, prefers to be called a coward & possibly lose the “Love of His Life” than possibly taking another life by his unheralded talent as a boxer! Meanwhile, Does O’Hara have an Ulterior Motive for Love? Or is it True Hollywood Conniving? Is it her Pockets she wants filled or her Heart? You decide which? Does Sean, after taking so much, feel good after that first punch to Will? Or do you see any remorse at all? You decide which?

Rated G. Admission is free. Drinks and popcorn only $1 each.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department is seeking information in regards to a residential burglary that occurred on 09/29/17 off Hwy 191 in Converse. The suspect and the vehicle are pictured. Any information can be reported to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department Dispatch at 318-256-9241, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division at 318-590-9475 or Crime Stoppers at 318-256-4511. Please Share This Post.

The third annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Bass Tournament will take place on Toledo Bend Lake on Saturday, March 24. First prize is $7,000. The event will also include raffles, DJ, bounce house for children, food and more. Funds raised will support the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Foundation, which awards a scholarship to Northwestern State University students who are members of the NSU Fishing Team.

Anglers can register by accessing a printable entry form at dylankylepoche.com and mailing the form to Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 74, Natchitoches, LA 71458. Mail-in registration must be received by March 22.

On-site registration will take place from 2-6 p.m. Friday, March 23 at Toledo Town and Tackle and from 4:30-6:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Cypress Bend Boat Launch. Fishing starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. March 24. Rules and regulations are printed on the entry form.

Contact Burt Poche at (318) 652-3176 or (318) 652-7192 for more information.

The deadline to apply for the Dylan Kyle Poche Fishing Scholarship is April 15. Scholarships will be presented to two freshmen from Natchitoches, Sabine, Rapides, Caddo, Bossier, Winn, Grant or DeSoto parishes who join the NSU Fishing Team with preference given to those who participate in the Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial Fishing Tournament.

The NSU Fishing Team is open to all students and taps into the growing popularity of organized competitive bass fishing. The team competes in FLW, B.A.S.S. and Collegiate Bass circuits.

Poche was born March 10, 1997, and was an avid outdoorsman who joined the Natchitoches Central High School Fishing Team and was an accomplished angler. After graduating from NCHS with honors in 2015, he enrolled at NSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree and joined the fishing team in the hopes of eventually becoming a professional angler. Poche tragically lost his life on Jan. 31, 2016.

More information about Poche and the tournament is available at dylankylepoche.com. Information the NSU Fishing Team is available at beademon.com/fishing. To apply for a scholarship through the NSU Foundation, visit northwesternalumni.com/form or contact Kelly Krouse at kayk@nsula.edu or (318) 357-4248.

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) is pleased to announce the 16th Annual Bass Unlimited – Back a Great Fighter Poster Unveiling Gala and Auction at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, in the Grand Ballroom at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend.

The Unveiling Gala is open to the public. There is no admission charge. Refreshments will be served, and a cash bar will be available. The talented staff of Nichols will decorate the Grand Ballroom for this festive event.

This year’s poster is sponsored by Boise Cascade, located in Florien, LA. For more than 50 years Boise Cascade has been producing quality wood products in Sabine Parish. Boise is vital to Sabine Parish and the entire Toledo Bend area, providing jobs at the mill itself as well as many jobs in the timber industry across the state of Louisiana. Boise Cascade in Florien employs over 400 people, making a huge impact on our economy.

Larry Hataway of Boise Cascade plans to attend the Unveiling Gala on Thursday, April 5, when the original artwork, as well as the first numbered framed poster, will be auctioned by professional auctioneer Kevin McDonald. JoAnn Cason, this year’s artist, will be present to sign and personalize posters. Additionally, two pieces of original art by previous Bass Unlimited artists – Don Edwards and Eddie Pastureau, will also be auctioned the night of the Gala.

The signed and numbered 2018 Posters can be pre-ordered now, and will be available for pick up at the Poster Unveiling event. For more information and to order your print on line you can go to http://www.toledobendlakeassociation.com.

Toledo Bend Lake Association is made up of citizens dedicated to serving and improving the Toledo Bend Lake area. TBLA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Bass Unlimited Poster, Banquet and Auction are the Association’s only fundraisers.

Sabine State Bank is a a team for the 2018 Relay For Life of Sabine Parish. This team has really gotten involved this year and is on a roll. We are so excited to have them involved. The Relay For Life of Sabine Parish event will be held on April 13 from 6-10 p.m. at the MHS Football Field. For more information, visit http://www.relayforlife.org/sabinela or call 1.800.227.2345.

Results of the 2018 Northwest Louisiana District Literary Rally, held on the campus of Northwestern State University on Feb. 24, have been released. Students from high schools in central and northwest Louisiana participated in the Rally, which is held each year to qualify academically talented students for the state competition at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on April 21.

Rally Sweepstakes winners for Division I were Caddo Magnet, first place; Alexandria Senior High, second place, and Pineville High, third place. Sweepstakes winners for Division II were Bolton High, first; Buckeye, second. Sweepstakes winners for Division III were Loyola College Prep, first; Avoyelles Public Charter, second, and a tie for third place, Many High and Winnfield High. Sweepstakes winners for Division IV were Zwolle, first; Castor, second. Sweepstakes winners for Division V were Negreet, first; Saline, second, and Converse, third.

Students who qualified to attend the Louisiana State Literary on April 21 (in Natchitoches Parish) are:

Division 1

Natchitoches Central

Tyler Nichols, Advanced Math-Pre Calculus; Zane Harper, Agriscience I; Brandie Prince, Agriscience II; Delores Obannon, Algebra I; Paul Sheffield, Civics; Susan Cook, Nutrition & Food; Thomas Dodd, Physical Science; Byron Pinchley, World Geography;

Division 3

Lakeview

Salem Johnson, Agriscience II; Cadie Coleman, Agriscience III; Jordan Bevill, Business Computer Appl;

LSMSA

Lily Orgeron, Advanced Math-Pre Calculus; Kathryn Lee, Algebra II; Karan Baker, Biology I; Zachary Schleter, Biology II; Shivam Shah, Calculus; Grace Fields, Chemistry; Sydney Schroedter, Civics; Steely Forrester, English II; Casey Tonnies, English III; Bryce Moulton, Environmental Science; Olivia Pereda, Fine Arts Survey; Emilyann Blanc, French I; Kathleen Barrios, French II; Elyse Duplantier, French III; Cooper Miller, Government; Alena Noakes, Journalism I; Connor Harrington, Physics; Ben Walker, Psychology; Beck Mcelveen, Spanish I; Rachel Schnadelbach, Spanish II; Emmanuel Perez, Spanish IV; Andrew Huze, World History;
Medal Winners are:

Division 1

Natchitoches Central

Zane Harper, Agriscience I; Brandie Prince, Agriscience II; Delores Obannon, Algebra I; Paul Sheffield, Civics; Susan Cook, Nutrition & Food;

Division 3

Lakeview

Jordan Bevill, Business Computer Appl;

LSMSA

Lily Orgeron, Advanced Math-Pre Calculus; Kathryn Lee, Algebra II; Zachary Schleter, Biology II; Shivam Shah, Calculus; Grace Fields, Chemistry; Steely Forrester, English II; Bryce Moulton, Environmental Science; Emilyann Blanc, French I; Kathleen Barrios, French II; Elyse Duplantier, French III; Zachary Schleter, Journalism I; Connor Harrington, Physics; Ben Walker, Psychology; Rachel Schnadelbach, Spanish II;

Divison 5

St. Mary’s

Jeremy Friedel, Calculus; Katelyn Yopp, Family & Consumer Science; Sierra Pesnell, Fine Arts Survey; Laura Aviles, Geometry; Andrew Godfrey, Government; George Ingrish, Physics; Emily Maggio, Principles of Business; Sara Loach, Spanish II; Britney Turner, World Geography; Jay Parker, World History

A $3,000 guaranteed payout “Crappie for Cash Tournament” is coming and it’s scheduled for Saturday, April 14 at the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Sponsored by the Sabine River Authority (SRA), this tournament promises to be exciting and fun with 100% pay back of all entry fees!

This year, SRA is teaming up with CASA! CASA of Central Louisiana is a National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association which supports the abused and neglected children in Sabine, Natchitoches and Red River Parishes. With a CASA advocate appointed to our most vulnerable children, they will have someone speaking up for their best interests in the legal system. Any donation given while registering for this tournament will be matched by SRA. With your support, more children in our three-parish area will have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

There is a $125 entry fee per team. Deadline to enter is Friday, April 13 – but enter by April 2 to qualify for a free entry drawing and receive a free t-shirt. A mandatory rules meeting will be held on Friday, April 13 at the Cypress Bend Park Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. Weigh-in time on Saturday is 1 p.m. Also, a “Big Fish PayOut” of $300 will be added!

While Toledo Bend sits in the No. 1 spot in the nation on Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, FishUSA – America’s Tackle Shop lists Toledo Bend as one of the best places to fish for crappie. You don’t want to miss this great opportunity to fish, win money and help our most vulnerable kids – all at one time!

If you have any questions about the upcoming tournament or need additional information to register, contact Susie Anthony at (318) 256-4112 or (800) 259-5253.
You can Text “2help” to 21000 – for more information about CASA of Central Louisiana

Students from the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) donated canned goods to the Sabine Council on Aging’s Emergency Food Pantry. The COA truly appreciates this donation to help the people of Sabine Parish.

Join the Sabine Parish Library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Program. Parents can go to the library for a tally sheet. Keep a record of the number of times you read a book to your child. Three books a night equals 100 books within three months. The prize for 100 books is a tee shirt! Other prizes will be awarded in increments of 100.

Some of you may recall that several weeks ago I wrote about the increasing severity of the illness of our little rat terrier Mosby. Well, it got to the point that we had to have him put down.

That’s always a terribly difficult decision. You’re often not sure if it’s really time, that he doesn’t have a few more good days, weeks or months.

But Mo, as we often affectionately called him, lost his appetite and began to eat just a few bites from his meals, meals that he gladly devoured in the past.. He was losing weight badly and we were afraid he would starve himself to death. But, despite a severe cough, he still enjoyed life as well as he was able.

Until the day that he threw up most of his midday meal. We knew then that the time had come. If he couldn’t keep food on his stomach, there was no hope.

So, in preparation, I hired a couple of young men to dig a grave for him in our backyard and a couple of days later we took him to the vet to be euthanized. You know what bothered me a lot? It was the fact that the poor little dog had no idea that his hours were numbered, that the only existence he had known and could conceive of was about to end.

Of course his last seconds were peaceful and quiet. He literally went to sleep painlessly from the overdose of anesthetic that caused his little heart to cease beating. The doctor checked him and rechecked him to make sure the medicine had worked. And indeed it had.

Mary and I shed tears (as we had been doing for a couple of days) for the little friend that loved and trusted us so much. Then we wrapped him up in a large pillowcase and brought him home. We placed his little bed at the bottom of the grave and gently lowered him in. And covered him with the earth to which his little bones will return.

I’d like to say that I described his loss on Facebook and we received a wonderful outpouring of sympathy and support from family and friends.

His loss leaves us with two dogs, Kate, a 15-year-old spaniel-chow mix, and Bea, a beagle/basset of about 8 years old. We’ve pretty much agreed that, at our age, we will acquire no more dogs. Losing them is just too hard. Mosby is now the third dog to lie buried in our yard. When Kate and Bea go, there shall be no more.

And Mary and I are not the only ones in our household who are grieving. Kate, who treated Mosby like her son, is still sad (six days after his passing as this is written) and looks about the house for him and then looks at us as if to say, “Where’s my boy?”

I expect she will forget him with time, something Mary and I are not likely to do.

I want to relate a story that could have been tragic, but one at which Mary and I can look back and chuckle about. After the grave was dug, with Mosby’s euthanasia scheduled for the next day, we noticed Kate had been outside for a very long time. We went into the back yard and didn’t see her. When we called out, her head popped up over near the fence. She had fallen into the open grave an looked just like a little soldier in a foxhole.

She couldn’t get out on her own so we helped her up and she trotted off wagging her tail. She wasn’t at all hurt, so we could look back on the incident with humor because she looked so cute with her head just above the rim of the hole The grim part, however, is that sometime in the future, Kate will occupy her own permanent place in our yard. Like I said, it’s just so hard losing them.

But I’ll end this column on the upbeat. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Rainbow Bridge. The story goes that when pets die they go to Heaven and cross over the Rainbow Bridge to play and experience joy, waiting for their owners to join them at some future time. When they see their owners coming, a wonderful reunion is held — human and dog reunited for ever. And I’m counting on that I can tell you.

Cypress Bend Resort will serve Seared Ahi Tuna with Stone Ground Jalapeno Grits, Unagi Sauce and Bulls Blood during Flavor of Louisiana, NSU’s upcoming spring fund raiser, set for Friday, March 23 in Prather Coliseum. The event will begin at 6 p.m. when guests can enjoy music and cocktails while sampling seafood dishes prepared by chefs and restaurants from around the state. Tickets to Flavor of Louisiana are $65 per person or $125 per couple. For more information or to make reservations, visit northwesternalumni.com or call (318) 357-4414.

 

Blake Joseph Kendall, 39, of Many, was indicted by the Sabine Parish Grand Jury Monday March 5th, 2018 for 2 counts of 1st Degree Murder in the recent shooting deaths of two Sabine Parish residents.

On 8-19-17, Jerry W. Scott, 72, of Many, was found shot to death inside his home on Matthews Lodge Road.

On 12-15-17, Adam L. Jeter, 34, of Zwolle, was shot to death in his vehicle while checking the mail in front of his home on Patterson Road.
Kendall is set to be arraigned on March 28, 2018.

Also, Brian Rains, 29, of Many, has been indicted on the charge of 1st Degree Rape. Rains is set to be arraigned March 28, 2018.

For the month of March CASA of Central Louisiana recognizes one of its outstanding advocates, Cristina Stringer. Cristina joined the CASA team in 2010 and has been advocating for CASA children ever since. She’s worked over 600 hours and done an outstanding job!

When asked what’s been the most rewarding aspect of being a CASA advocate Cristina stated, “Besides having loving and challenging interactions with children, I really obtain meaning and significance from having positive input into a Child’s life through my input to the judge through my court report.”

By Joe Darby

So there we were, right in the middle of downtown Mexico City, taking a walk after lunch when we came upon the decapitated statue.

It was 1966 and student unrest was rife, all over the world. Graffiti covered the statue but it was in Spanish so I didn’t know the reason for the vandalism. But something about the scene irritated me and I, rather unthinkingly, said moderately loudly, “Viva Zachary Taylor. Viva Winfield Scott?”

Those chaps are, of course, the two American generals who conquered Mexico in the Mexican-American War of 1846-47. To cheer for them in Mexico City was perhaps not the wisest move to make at the time.

My action caused my traveling companion and good buddy Bob to react with chagrin and do his best to shush me up as quickly as possible. I suppose we were very lucky that no militant students were nearby to hear my provocative words. Just some older Mexican citizens going about their daily business, who gave us some annoyed looks, as I remember. “Dos Gringos stupido,” was probably their private thoughts.

Aside from that touchy moment, our trip was pretty much all that we expected it to be. Bob. another young reporter at the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and I had been eagerly planning our trip for months. It was the fist visit to a foreign country that either of us had ever made.

We were to catch a night flight out of New Orleans International Airport, but the plane on which we were to fly was having mechanical difficulties, so the airline put up all of the passengers at a nice hotel across the street. We’d take off the following morning.

Bob and I decided to take advantage of the hotel pool, where we encountered two attractive young ladies who were also flying to Mexico and despite — or perhaps because of — our somewhat clumsy attempts to strike up an acquaintance with them, they decided to go their way so we had to go ours.

We’d carefully picked out our hotel, the Hotel Compastella, on Sullivan Street in downtown Mexico. Funny what details you can remember from special times.

The Compastella was not fancy but it was clean, we had our own private bath, two beds and it all cost $2.50 a night. Yes, you read that right.

We hit the tourist highlights. We visited the magnificent National Museum of Archaeology, where fabulous Meso-American treasures are collected. And we went to the historic Chapultepec Castle, high on a hill right in the middle of the city.

The castle, which contains a great collection of armor of the conquistadores, was the final military objective of the American troops when they captured Mexico City in the war. US forces overwhelmed cadets from the Mexican military academy, who are rightly regarded as heroes by the Mexicans today.

Bob and I also hired a car and driver to take us out to Teotehuacan, one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever seen in my life. Magnificent pyramids to the sun and moon dominate many other smaller structures and the atmosphere surrounding the place is almost unworldly. It was built by a people of whom little is known, about the time of Christ. Scientists are still exploring its wonders to this day.

The two New Orleans youngsters, relishing their first big adventure, also partook of the Mexico City nightlife, but as Forest Gump said, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

Bob is one of my oldest friends. He still lives in the New Orleans area and reads my column in the NPJ. Hope you enjoyed this one, old man!

This will be the final story of my international travels. If you’ve followed my recent scribblings, you’ve read about what I think are some very interesting places. I hope I made it worth your time. Next week? I’m not really sure yet.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward in regards to the pictured boat that was stolen on Toledo Bend Lake between 10:00 P.M on Saturday March 3rd and 5:45 A.M. on Sunday March 4th. The boat is a 2003 Champion 206, white and red, bearing Louisiana registration number LA5782FP with hull ID#GCB26155L203. The boat is powered by a 2003 model 250 Yamaha with serial #60X61000944. Information can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 318-256-4511 or the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-256-9241.

Wanda Rivers Williams with the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission helped welcome 400 Bassmaster Nations fishermen at Cypress Bend Resort. Twenty central states are competing in the three day event. Launch and weigh in each day at Cypress Bend Park. Visit http://www.toledobendlakecountry.com for schedule.

 

It’s official, the Tourist Commission welcomed the Chamber of Commerce to their new office March 2. The office is now located at the Tourist Commission Building (1601 Texas Highway in Many).

“We are very pleased that the boards of the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce and Sabine Parish Tourist Commission recognize the advantages of us officing in the same complex. It furthers our efforts in representing Sabine Parish in its economic interests,” said Linda Curtis-Sparks, director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission.

The Chamber’s e-mail, website, phone number, and friendly smile will stay the same; however, it does have a new mailing address:

Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce
1601 Texas Hwy.
Many, LA 71449

Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Lillian LaTour hopped on down the bunny trail to the Miss Bunny pageant to congratulate the newly crowned queens:

Miss Bunny Tristan Pippin
MS Bunny Lauren Ashley Cheatwood

The Iowa Rabbit Festival was started in 1986. It began as a way to promote the only rabbit processing plant in the area. The first festival was held in 1987 with a small rabbit show, a parade, and boothes to sale crafts. The few bands they hired played on a flatbed trailer. There was a pageant to crown Miss Bunny who then traveled to other state festivals promoting the Rabbit Festival.

The Festival has since grown from year to year. The processing plant is long gone, but the festival lives on. An average of 20,000 people attend the festival every year.

Photos by Kriste Latour