A confidential source spoke to the SPJ April 25 and confirmed that National Mail-It, a direct marketing company out of Shreveport, sold April 23 to Mspark Company of Alabama.

A subsidiary of National Mail-It, the Metro Leader newspaper, will no longer be published in Natchitoches, Sabine and Winn Parishes.

You’re Invited! Realtor Raylie Hardy is holding open house Sunday in Grand Bayou Subdivision. The open house will be from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 821 Pine Hill Street. Attend and be entered to win a $100.00 cash prize.

Hardy said, “This beautiful lake front home is located on 1.81 acres with over 200 feet of frontage on Grand Bayou Reservoir. I would like to show you this large four bedroom home with three full baths.” She added, “The home is beautifully landscaped along the front and there are two master suites.”

“There is plenty of room for your family to spread out,” said Hardy. She added, “There are over 2,200 square feet of living area. This is an open house that you will not want to miss.”

Come to the open house Sunday April 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Everyone in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a $100.00 cash prize. This lakefront property is located at 821 Pine Hill Street in Grand Bayou Subdivision. Raylie Hardy, licensed realtor, with Century 21 Elite, offers this home. Call 318-471-8554. Each office independently owned and operated.

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Sabine Parish Schools Drama Club will preform Larceny and Lace May 4 at 7 pm and May 6 at 2 pm in the Many Community Center in downtown Many. Mark your calendars and don’t miss it! These are some very bright and talented students who have worked hard outside of their regular school requirements. Please come and support their efforts.

 

 

By Reba

There is a weed found in many pastures that boasts yellow flowers and blooms in the springtime. Driving by you would think they are exquisite, especially when a pasture is covered with them. Upon first look you may not realize that cattle will avoid it unless they have no other choice but to eat it. If the cow is a milk producer then the milk will be very bitter. The milk will be drinkable but not enjoyable. It leaves a terrible after taste in your mouth that will make your cheeks pucker.

Makes perfect sense if you think about it….bitter in, bitter out.

Growing up as a preacher’s kid I have heard countless sermons on unforgiveness and what it does to your soul. Specifically, how your soul may not make it to the mansion in the sky should you chose not to forgive others. We should forgive just as our father in heaven forgives us. I’m quite sure I’ve overlooked these sermons because I always told myself I’d never hold a grudge. I knew better and was taught better. But the older I become I realize that I’ve eaten plenty of bitterweed in my lifetime.

Sometimes we eat the bitterweed bit by bit and don’t even realize how much we’ve consumed until we see the transgressor again. I’d get this instant bitter taste in my mouth when I remembered the sins they’d committed against me, or my children, or even my friends. This bitterness builds up gradually because you can’t pinpoint the exact thing they’ve done to you. It could be just an abundance of small misdemeanors all kept in a memory bank and never dealt with.

This is the bitterweed you eat and no one can tell that you’ve consumed it because typically you still have a smile on your face and can live what seems to be a normal life to casual observers.

There are then the larger crimes committed against you that will have you devouring every bit of bitterweed you can find. It may be that someone contributed to the dissolution of your family through divorce. Someone intentionally mistreated you during a sorrowful time in your life. Someone caused you not to get that promotion you thought you earned. Someone deliberately hurt you or your child. These are the enormous ones that should be deemed justifiable. It would be excusable for you to be bitter against these monsters who brought pain into your life for no reason at all. Right?

This is the type of bitterweed that is worn all over your face in the form of a deep scowl and it oozes out of your mouth with every word you speak. When you live with this form of bitterness it consumes your every thought and creates a sour disposition that everyone you come in contact with can recognize.

What if the only bitterweed you’ve eaten is because of your own actions? What if the only person you need to forgive is yourself? Sometimes forgiving ourselves is harder than forgiving others.

No matter how you choose to eat your bitterweed there are consequences. The sad thing is that you are the only one who suffers when you harbor unforgiveness. Studies have shown that it actually shortens your life and can physically make you ill.

Forgiveness is not saying that it makes it okay that someone harmed you. Forgiveness is merely saying that I release you and I trust God to make this right. One of the hardest lessons to learn is that forgiveness is not a feeling. It’s a choice that you make on a daily basis that you will not carry the hurt any longer.

Once you have chosen to forgive someone you can then begin to feel free from your negative emotions. So now I have committed to living a bitterweed-free existence. I refuse to eat to it and I refuse to eat it on someone else’s behalf as well. The more energy we spend on negativity and dwelling on regrets it robs us of our future and becoming the person that God intended us to be. He has a purpose for each one of us in the life.

I refuse to be bitter and strive for better. Better in…. Better out.

“As far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Sabine Fire District help a training session April 19 at its training center.

Training included:
Ladder drills – working with 10’ attic, 14’ roof, 14’ extension and 24’ extension ladders.
Reviewing care and maintenance proper lifting and setup.
Two man crews raising 24’ extension then deploying a 14’ roof ladder on second floor roof approximately 18’ off the ground.
Practicing bailing out second story window

Sabine Parish community members had a great time painting butterflies at the Sabine Council on Aging’s Toledo site for its “Hooked on Art” Craft event for April. Pictured from left are Leslie, Carol Waller, Cubby Wiseman, Annette Arabie, Libby McGaha, Denise McGaha, and Shanna Gaspard. Not pictured is Joyce Rains.

Don’t forget to vote at the Parish wide election Saturday, April 28. Poll hours are 7 am – 8 pm. To view your sample ballot go online to geauxvote.com.

PW School Dist. – 9.02 Mills Continuation – SB – 10 Yrs.
Pleasant Hill School Dist. No. 42 – 11.82 Mills Continuation – SB – 10 Yrs.
Zwolle School Dist. No. 61 – $4.7M Bond – SB – 20 Yrs.
Sales Tax Dist. No. 2 – 1/2% S&U Tax Renewal – SB – 20 Yrs.

There will be a canned food drive held in Sabine Parish for the Sabine Council on Aging to replenish their emergency food pantry. You can help by bringing a can of food item when you go to vote at the poll on April 28. Donations are deeply appreciated.

Northwestern State University inducted new members into Phi Delta Kappa, an international organization for educators dedicated to research, service and leadership. New members received certificates and graduating seniors received honor cords to be worn at commencement.

From left are NSU faculty Dr. Dan Seymour and Dr. Terrie Poehl with Morgan Burris of Natchitoches, Autumn Blanchard of St. Martinville, Ashley Rico of Natchitoches, Maycy English of Callisburg, Texas; Megan Tucker of Leesville, Bergen Oge of Robeline, Amanda Crawford of Bogalusa, Karlie Kennedy of DeRidder, Heidi Knight of Many, Sarah Moore of Folsom and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Vickie Gentry. Other inductees are Katelyn Boles, Martha Hopewell, Pamela Jordan, Caroline Matthews and Sabrina Ross.

The Toledo Bend Lake Association’s May Monthly Social is Thursday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Sabine Council On Aging building located at 29275 Hwy 191 just north of Toledo Town. The entree’ of Chicken Enchiladas and Tamales will be provided, so bring a side dish or dessert.

Gary Moore and Deb Pennington will give a brief recap of the 2018 Bass Unlimited Banquet. TBLA merchandise will be available.

Also, Lifeshare Blood Center will hold a blood drive beginning at 5 p.m. Come early and give blood.

 

LA Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries and Sabine Parish Schools, with the assistance from Toledo Bend Lake Association volunteers, will present an Aquatic Education Clinic for all 5th grade students in the parish May 8-10. The education program will be held at Cypress Bend Park on Toledo Bend Lake.

Students will rotate through stations that include boater safety, fish identification, casting accuracy, aquatic invasive species, knot tying and cane pole fishing.

For more information call 281-798-7131 or go online to http://www.toledobendlakeassociation.com.

 

 

 

Sabine Parish community members had a great time creating crosses at the Sabine Council on Aging’s Toledo site for its March Craft event. Pictured from left are Mary White, Diane Hyde, Fran Peschel, Carol Waller and Carol Stalling.

 

John Wayne fans will be happy that True Grit, one of the actor’s greatest films, will be the feature film at the Many Community Center on Saturday, May 5 starting at 7 p.m.
A classic western story of the good guys against the bad guys, it is sure to please everyone in the family who sees this film. Cowboys, pioneers, and a gritty, stubborn young girl who asks a drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Sheriff (John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn) and a Texas Ranger Glenn Campbell) help her to track down her father’s murderer in Indian territory. Sheriff Rooster Cogburn helps her find the outlaws who killed her father and bring them to justice is all part of this compelling movie. Grandparents, parents, and kids are sure to enjoy the movie because of the actors, the plot, and the western scenery.
The story goes like this: The murder of her father sends a teenage tomboy, Mattie Ross, (Kim Darby), on a mission of “justice”, which involves avenging her father’s death. She recruits a tough old sheriff, “Rooster” Cogburn (John Wayne), because he has “grit”, and a reputation of getting the job done. The two are joined by a Texas Ranger, La Boeuf, (Glen Campbell), who is looking for the same man (Jeff Corey) for a separate murder in Texas. Their odyssey takes them from Fort Smith, Arkansas, deep into the Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma) to find their man.

Surely one of the purest westerns ever made, the movie is a simple tale of a lawman tracking down an outlaw. This film is raised way above the norm for western movies in almost all respects: The photography is superb, with the hills, mountains, valleys and forests being the real stars. The acting is first rate, with not a weak performance in sight from even the lowliest minor character. The direction is well paced as we ride along with the 3-person-posse through the landscape and experience the minor twists of the actual hunt, as well as the evolution of the relationships between the characters.

Movies in Many are sponsored by Many Mayor Ken Freeman, the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, and the Many City Council

The movies, usually shown on the first and third Saturday of every month, are FREE to everyone. Concessions are only $1 for soft drinks, and $1 for popcorn.

Movies in Many, Music in Many, Happy Hours Creative Classes at the Depot, and Many Book Nooks are all part of the efforts of Mayor Freeman, the City Council, and the Many Cultural District to bring entertainment and culture to the people of Many and the surrounding area.

 

CASA of Central Louisiana held its annual Awareness Social April 19. It was a powerful program filled with a celebration of success stories and a silent auction to raise funds for the CASA program, which serves Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine Parishes.

The speakers were two former foster youth miracles:

Jarvis Spearman is a 23-year-old social work major and graduating senior at Grambling State University. He was raised in the foster care system along with his siblings. He works with the Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston as an alumni staff and life skills specialist. He’s worked in the Chafee Independent Living Skills Program for the past 4.5 years. He also serves as president for the Louisiana Youth Leadership Advisory Council (LYLAC).

“I never had a stable life and I came into the foster care system at 6 years old,” said Spearman. “I never had the love and support I needed so I had to find it for myself.”

Htet Htet Rodgers is a rising senior at Northwestern State University. She entered the foster care system at 13 years old, where she found her forever family. She believes all youth should receive the love and support her forever family gave to her and wants to be an advocate for those who don’t. She is a member of the National Foster Youth Institute’s eadership Corps and a federal reviewer for the Children’s Bureau.

“The foster care system was a haven I didn’t know I needed,” said Rodgers. “I got a forever family, but many other kids didn’t.”

Now Miss CENLA, Rodgers has decided that her platform will be foster support when she competes in the Miss Louisiana pageant this summer.

Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington spoke about the benefits children like Spearman and Rodgers receive by having CASA advocates that give them a voice.

“I love to see these success stories,” he said. “Our system couldn’t make it without all the CASA advocates.”

Become a CASA Advocate and help CASA of Central Louisiana ensure that every foster child has a caring competent volunteer in all judicial proceedings. If you are at least 21 years of age, respect the inherent rights of children to grow up with dignity in a safe environment, and would like to advocate for a child’s best interests in court, become a CASA Advocate today! For more information call (318) 238-2446.

57,000 cattle are expected to be auctioned today at the Superior Livestock Gulf Coast Classic Cattle Auction taking place today at the Natchitoches Events Center. More than 300 cattlemen from across the country are attending the live video auction which will feature calves on cows, feeder cattle, weaned cattle, and bred stock cattle. All cattle will remain on the farm until delivery. The auction will continue until approximately 5:00 p.m.

Organizer Emily Smith stated that “the auction is usually held in larger cities like Fort Worth. Bringing this many people from states like Montana, South Dakota, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana is great for the City of Natchitoches.”

The cattle auction is being broadcast live online at SuperiorLivestock.com.

For more information, please contact Emily Smith at (318) 471-2771.

Sheriff Ronny Richardson has implemented an employee recognition program in order to honor one of his dedicated deputies each quarter. Sheriff Richardson personally selects the deputy to be honored as “Deputy of the Quarter” from a list of nominees that are recommended by their supervisor.

The recipient of the inaugural award is Deputy Jayla Remidez. Jayla works fulltime as an Administrative Assistant at the Sabine Parish Detention Center and was nominated by Warden Joe Dewil Jr. In addition to her duties at SPDC, Jayla helps out by working when needed as a Dispatcher, Administrative Assistant at the Criminal Investigative Division (CID), and supervising Juvenile Community Service.

Sheriff Richardson is proud to honor Jayla as the first recipient of the “Deputy of the Quarter” award and thanks her for her tireless service for the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and citizens of Sabine Parish.

Pictured above are Sheriff Richardson, Jayla Remidez, and Warden Dewil.

Join us on Saturday, April 21 at 7 pm for a free showing of Disney’s “Maleficent” at the Many Community Center!

A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.

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

The Friends of Fort Jesup Historic Site, Inc. will be hosting a community planning meeting on Monday April 30 at Fort Jesup Site Historic Site. There will be refreshments from 5:30-6 pm and the meeting will begin at 6 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to get input from community members on what improvements and events they would like to see at Fort Jesup State Historic Site and to begin planning for the 200th Anniversary of the end of “No Man’s Land” in 2019 and the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Fort Jesup in 2022.

Currently, Fort Jesup State Historic Site is on “caretaker” status and is only open by appointment. The Friends of Fort Jesup, Inc., are a group of concerned citizens who are working with the Louisiana Office of State Parks to preserve Fort Jesup and to open the site to the public several weekends throughout the year. The Friends of Fort Jesup, Inc. meet on the third Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at Fort Jesup State Historic Site . For more information, to join the group, or to make a donation please contact Scott DeBose at 318-461-5376 or ftjesupfriends@yahoo.com.

Get ready to rock and roll at the Many Community Center on Saturday, April 28.

There’ll be a whole lotta shakin’ going on starting at 7 p.m. when nationally known entertainer Brandy Roberts performs his tribute show to singer Jerry Lee Lewis.

April 28 is a special date for Roberts because it marks exactly 35 years since he first met Jerry Lee Lewis. Roberts was 14 years old at the time.

“We are thrilled to have a performer of his caliber agree to do a show in our town,” Many Mayor Ken Freeman said. “Frankly I was shocked when he accepted our invitation to return for a second show because he is booked up to a year in advance. One of the reasons we can attract musicians like Roberts is because they enjoy performing in the historic old theatre that is now the Many Community Center.”

Roberts first performed at the Many Community Center in 2017. He was unknown to most of the audience. But the audience fell in love with him and his high energy performance. They gave Roberts a standing ovation. The feeling was mutual.

After the show, Roberts expressed his wish to return and perform again at the old theater. Cultural District Advisory President Mary Brocato quickly began negotiations with Preston Roberts, Brandy’s father and booking agent, to find a suitable date for Roberts to return to Many. The first available date was April 28, 2018, and the talented Roberts was quickly booked.

Brandy Roberts is a high energy performer offering a Jerry Lee Lewis type show. Brandy is personally endorsed by the Killer himself. Brandy Roberts will definitely arouse and please the crowd at the Many Community Center.

Roberts has opened shows for Jerry Lee Lewis and performed at Jerry Lee’s private birthday celebrations from 1995 to 2000. At the gathering celebrating Jerry Lee Lewis’ 40th year in the music business, Brandy performed on stage with Jerry Lee.

Roberts was a member of the Louisiana Hayride in Bossier City, Louisiana from 1985 until it closed in 1987. Bud Christian and his band Homemade Jam will join Roberts on stage. Christian was director of the Louisiana Hayride for 10 years until it closed. He is a talented musician and adds much to the popularity of Roberts’ show.

Roberts has also performed at the world famous Reo Palm Isle in Longview, Texas from 1997 to 1999. There he opened shows for performers such as Gary Stewart, Johnny Rodriquez, and Eddie Raven.

When recording his first CD in Memphis, TN, Roberts used Jerry Lee Lewis’s All Star Road Band. Now many CDs later, he has sold numerous CDs across the United States and around the world in Europe, France, Germany, Australia, and Sweden to name a few.

For years Roberts lived and performed primarily in Branson, Missouri, and on the road across the United States. He returned to his hometown of Shreveport recently and uses Shreveport as his base.

Jerry Lee Lewis had this to say about Roberts, who performs every year at Lewis’s birthday party, “Brandy Roberts has been a personal friend of mine for many, many years. He is extremely talented in his field and I highly recommend Brandy for any upcoming performances he may encounter.”

Roberts is Jerry Lee Lewis through and through. Roberts was smitten with Lewis’s style of music at an early age and from then on that’s how he wanted to play.

However, rock and roll and boogie-woogie are not his only talent. He is a fine country singer as well. For his April 28 show in Many, he has chosen a mix of upfront rock’n’ roll, Jerry Lee Lewis songs, blues and ballads, and Southern gospel music.

Roberts has recently released a gospel music album, and he will be performing some of these gospel songs as well. There will be songs to please every member of the audience.

He sounds and plays the piano very similar to Jerry Lee Lewis. Critics say that of all the Jerry Lee Lewis imitators, Brandy Roberts is the closest thing to Jerry Lee Lewis on the planet. His stage act is like the Jerry Lee Lewis of the 50s-60s. This piano rockabilly is considered to be the clone of Jerry Lee Lewis.

He will play much of the Killer’s material along with the hits of Carl Perkins, Mickey Gilley, Chuck Berry, Charley Rich, and others. His repertoire consists of rockers, blues, and ballads. His stage performance is considered to be “Wild”!

Roberts has been awarded “The Entertainer of the Year” Award for best rockabilly CD.

Doors to the Many Community Center will open at 6 p.m. on April 28. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

The Brandy Roberts Show is sponsored by Many Mayor Ken Freeman, the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee and the Town of Many. It’s their mission to bring Music in Many, Movies in Many and other activities to enrich the community with music, art,and entertainment so that people can stay home and enjoy activities in Many and Sabine Parish.

Concessions will be available and Brandy Roberts cds will also be for sale, including his new gospel album.

 

Crime Stoppers Reward: Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information in regards to the theft of the pictured kids motorcycle. No brand information is available but the bike is unique in appearance. Motorcycle was stolen sometimes before April 1st 2018 on Permenter Rd. in the Belmont community. Any information in regards to the theft can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 318-256-4511 or the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department at 318-256-9241.

Kelli McLendon and Kayla Hataway from the Sabine Parish Council on Aging recently attended and participated in the DeSoto Regional Hospital Health Fair in Zwolle. They will also be on-site at the upcoming Health Fair May 15.

The Sabine Parish Council on Aging will hold a Health Fair Tuesday, May 15 from 7-10 am at its location at 200 Legacy Drive in Many. All testing will be provided by the Sabine Medical Center.

$10 PSA testing (prostate cancer screening)

$10 cholesterol testing

 

BOM is a Bronze Sponsor of tonight’s Relay for Life in Sabine Parish. The event kicks off at 6pm at Many High School. In the picture from left to right: Debra Funderburk (BOM Branch Manager & CSR and Relay for Life Accountant) and Danielle Cobb (Senior Community Development Manager – South Region- American Cancer Society).

Have you been hearing the word CASA recently? Do you know a CASA? Would you like to know more about how you can help CASA? Well, now you have the perfect chance! The Annual “CASA AWARENESS SOCIAL” is scheduled for Thursday, April 19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Natchitoches.

Once a year, CASA of Central Louisiana presents a powerful program filled with a celebration of success stories, a silent auction, great food and fun and this year is even better – it has two former foster youth miracles telling their stories for all to hear!

The mission of CASA of Central Louisiana is to ensure that every child in foster care in Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine Parishes finds safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive as quickly as possible. CASA of Central Louisiana is a nonprofit organization created so the children in these parishes have a voice in court by educating and training competent Volunteer Advocates to appear on their behalf. CASA volunteers are the voice for abused and neglected children. The work is simply life changing for all involved!

Come join CASA on April 19 from 6-9 pm and learn about the organization. You will be moved and motivated to help once you hear from former CASA kids, advocates, legal representatives all while eating and sharing fellowship with a wonderful group of volunteers!

For more information about the event, call 318-238-2446. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Visit CASA online at http://www.casanat.org or Text 2Help to 21000.

Help a child in need — When you give, you give an abused child a voice!