For the past 4 years, our gas prices dropped dramatically and stayed around the $2.00 mark. But with the Democrats taking charge of the White House and Covid-19 making its presence felt, gas is once again soaring. At the time of writing this article, gas was at $2.99 and rising. This has a huge impact on tournament anglers, especially the weekend warriors and those who compete in local and area wide tournaments for the love of the sport. Today, we’ll talk about what 2022 might be like in terms of bass tournaments and how anglers will be affected.

Let’s first start with boats and the demand for parts. It has been, and could continue to be, a problem for boat owners to get parts needed to keep their boat engines running. If you own a bass boat, it’s just a matter of time before you’ll need engine repairs. Getting the parts, like powerheads, filters, or water pumps, has been a real issue ever since Covid hit a year ago last February. Since many parts come from overseas, the back log of the supply chain has also had a ripple effect into boat manufacturing facilities. Without parts, some boat factories have had to cut production in half or even completely shut down. When parts do arrive on American shores, getting the parts off-loaded is a whole other issue. Then to top it off,  there are not enough truckers to get the parts to the marine dealers.

The next issue is the increase in pricing for both new and used boats. It’s all about supply and demand. When the demand is higher than the supply chain, boat dealers can and will increase their prices as well. The other side of the coin is that, if anglers continue to buy these high-priced boats, dealers will continue to raise the prices.  As for the boat manufacturers, they have had to increase prices because the cost of materials continues to skyrocket. Furthermore, after a boat has been built, there is a major challenge to get a new outboard motor to put on the boat. Dealers will tell you that you’re probably looking at 6 months before they will see a new motor. The brand of engine does not matter at this stage of the game. Some guys who have always run a certain brand like Mercury or Yamaha, are now taking whatever, they can get.

Last, but not least, tackle! Companies like Strike King, V&M and Berkley are having a hard time keeping up with the demand for products like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or jigs. This is mainly due to the lack of hardware needed to produce these types of baits. Hooks, swivels, wire, and plastic are just a few of the thing’s manufacturers are having trouble getting their hands on. For months, retailers have been out of stock and are doing their best to keep up with the demand. But as fast as manufacturers can get it to the dealer, customers are grabbing them up, and in some cases, one customer will buy every bait on the peg just because he does not know if or when they’ll be restocked. It’s created a type of panic mode similar to the ammunition demand.

So, if you’re an angler, try and exercise a little patience as manufacturers push to get caught up. But don’t expect to see any relief anytime soon as this could go all the way into 2023. Nothing will change until the supply chain gets back to a normal mode. Tune into the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show on AM 1130 The Tiger KWKH, every Wednesday at 11:00 and Saturday mornings at 6:00 for the latest outdoor news.  Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook.

Steve Graf

SABINE:
George Everett Miles
March 9, 1931 – November 10, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

Scott Allen Ray
February 2, 1967 – November 10, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at San Patricio Baptist Church

NATCHITOCHES:
Margie Ann Monette LaCour
December 26, 1940 – November 09, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 11 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cloutierville

Pamela Brown Nobles
September 14, 1951 – November 06, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Walnut Ridge Baptist Cemetery

LaVerne Middleton
June 15, 1932 – November 04, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Belva Jean (Lauw) Welch
July 02, 1951 – October 28, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

WINN:
Linda Kay Vines Harris
September 06, 1954 – November 06, 2021

RED RIVER:
Lucille LaCaze Rachall
April 07, 1926 – November 07, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Many, La – The Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission (SPTRC) Board of Directors elected a new Executive Director today at the regularly scheduled board meeting. The Board of Directors elected a 3-person Interview Committee last month and the Committee received 124 resumes with only 15 completing the application process as requested in the hiring notices that were placed locally, state-wide, and nationally. The Interview Committee consisted of board members Martha Henderson, representing Zwolle, Suzanne Williams, representing Florien, and Board President Lauren Moore.

After picking the top 10 candidates, the Interview Committee enlisted the help of three outside people representing Tourist Commissions from across the State to narrow the list to five candidates after they reviewed the applications and checked their references. Four people were interviewed today prior to the Commission’s Board meeting this afternoon.

The Interview Committee then recommended Mrs. Georgia Craven, of Many, LA, to the entire SPTRC Board of Directors, who unanimously voted to hire her as the next Executive Director. Mrs. Craven will begin working on December 2, 2021.

The entire Board of Directors along with the current SPTRC staff are excited to welcome her aboard to lead our organization and our Parish to the next level.

“I like how you can listen to a song and it hits you the way you want to feel.”

Local musician Justin Merritt certainly delivered on the feelings of excitement, fun, and enthusiasm at his show in Many Saturday night. With Martone’s, a Sabine Parish date night staple, being nearly packed,  Justin set the stage once again for the perfect night out with friends or dinner with family. Before the first chord was even played, the atmosphere in one of our favorite local joints was full of energy and ready for a great performance. And with an artist as talented as Justin, the audience was definitely in for a treat. 

Justin Merritt, joined by Blake Clickscales on bass, kicked off the night with his rendition of the well-known country classic “Tulsa Time,” setting the bar pretty high for the show to follow. With each song being more soulful than the last, Justin far exceeded the feel of a local artist playing for friends and family by curating a musical experience that left the audience wanting more with each tune played. 

As the music kicked up, the boots hit the floor with the enthusiastic crowd eager to dance and have fun as Merritt skillfully and smoothly transitioned between artistic covers and impressive originals. And with songs as well-crafted as the incredible food being served up by the Martone’s staff, its easy to see why Merritt’s shows are always a hit. 

Justin Merritt has been playing music and writing his own songs for quite a while. With two albums already under his belt and another set of original singles ready to be recorded, this Sabine Parish favorite is no stranger to incredible music. His original songs Saturday included: “Might Get Drunk”, “Road to Hell”, “Used to Be”, “Grass in Dixie”, “Honky Tonk Angel”, “Won’t Back Down”, and his newest single, “Don’t Wanna Dance”. Justin’s music, described as a blend of Red-Dirt country and Americana, flowed perfectly between crowd favorite covers including “Lady May”, and his ending cover,  “Good Lord Lorrie” by the Turnpike Troubadours leaving the audience wanting more. Not one to turn down another musical round, Merritt gave the fun-filled crowd what they wanted and pulled the perfect out-of-left-field encore cover of Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell.” While this song choice may seem a far stretch from the folksy feel of show, it’s just another musical favorite for Justin, who “loves other styles of music and [has] always enjoyed how deep and powerful [Nutshell] is.” The song choice, according to Merritt, also has the added bonus of being something seemingly out of the wheelhouse of a country artist adding to the “shock-factor” that makes for the perfect encore to remember an incredible show by. 

If you’re looking for the chance to see this local favorite and amazing homegrown Sabine Parish talent play another show, make plans to hit the road (but not too far) and travel to his Natchitoches show at the Mariners on Saturday, December 4th. In the meantime, The Justin Merritt Band can be found on iTunes and other streaming apps! 

Catch up with the Sabine Parish High School Basketball Scores with the Sabine Parish Journal. 

Monday November 1

GIRLS

Stanley 44 (1-0)
Ebarb 29 (0-1)

Doyline 56 (1-0)
Converse 45 (0-1)

BOYS

Ebarb 63 (1-0)
Stanley 56 (0-1)

Doyline 74 (1-0)
Converse 42 (0-1)

Tuesday November 2

GIRLS

Elizabeth 68 (1-0)
Pleasant Hill 49 (0-1)

Anacoco 51 (2-0)
Florien 48 (0-1)

Zwolle 55 (1-0)
Doyline 46 (1-1)

Hicks 64 (1-0)
Negreet 42 (0-1)

BOYS

Anacoco 69 (2-0)
Florien 45 (0-1)

Elizabeth 44 (1-0)
Pleasant Hill 43 (0-1)

Hicks 46 (1-0)
Negreet 31 (0-1)

Doyline 64 (2-0)
Zwolle 63 (0-1)

Pleasant Hill Tournament
November 4, 5, 6

GIRLS

Pleasant Hill 43 (1-1)
Ebarb 36 (0-2)

Florien 38 (1-1)
Hornbeck 31 (1-1)

Stanley 51 (2-1)
Pleasant Hill 42 (1-2)

Florien 60 (2-1)
Zwolle 44 (1-1)

Florien 45 (3-1)
Stanley 37 (2-2)

BOYS

Pleasant Hill 62 (1-1)
Ebarb 50 (1-1)

Florien 88 (1-2)
Ebarb 71 (1-2)

Pleasant Hill 48 (2-1)
Stanley 41 (0-4)

Hornbeck 64 (2-0)
Florien 54 (0-2)

Simpson Tournament
November 4, 5, 6

GIRLS

Anacoco 42 OT (3-0)
Negreet 37 OT (0-2)

Negreet 69 (1-2)
Grace Christian 9 (1-2)

BOYS

Anacoco 28 (3-0)
Negreet 25 (0-2)

Negreet 59 (1-2)
Oak Hill 36 (0-3)

Fairview Tournament
November 4, 5, 6

BOYS

Zwolle 60 (1-1)
Pitkin 41 (1-2)

Zwolle 72 (2-1)
Fairview 59 (2-1)

Monday November 8

GIRLS

Florien 56 (4-1)
Ebarb 36 (0-3)

Negreet 62 (2-2)
Calvin 37 (2-2)

BOYS

Florien 55 (2-2)
Ebarb 51 (1-3)

Calvin 77 (4-0)
Negreet 48 (1-3)

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces the Felony Narcotics Arrests for the month of October 2021.

Top Row: Left to Right

Brenda Faye Ezell (age-46) of Monroe
Possession of schedule II (Hydrocodone), Possession of schedule IV (Xanax), Possession of schedule IV (Carisoprodol), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Resisting arrest by false information.

Dan Robert Henley (age-44) of Many
Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of Marijuana, Possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, Driving left of center.

Kearia Nicole Smith (age-24) of Many
Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bottom Row: Left to Right

Cardetrick Eudarris Woods (age-43) of Many
Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia, warrant for 3-counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth), warrant for 1-count of Distribution of schedule I (Synthetic Cannabinoids).

Brandie Nicole Blanchard (age-34) of Winnsboro
Possession of schedule I (Marijuana), Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of schedule II (Cocaine), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Violation of Protective Order.

From its opening in 1974 until the late-1980’s recession, Louisiana Downs in Bossier City was an excessively loud and glorious dream of colors and sounds, impossibly attractive animals and tell-tale silks, screams and yells and excruciating moans, bulging neck veins in both patrons and ponies, a sea of torn hopes and tickets, and the ring of the cashiers’ “cha-ching!”, that deeply longed-for sound of a winner, winner, chicken dinner.

A mixture of thoroughbred prancing and pooping and people the likes of which you’ve never seen.

It was A Thing back then, Louisiana Downs, the new kid on the area’s racing block. A shiny, fresh-off-the-shelf toy. It’s where dreams lived and died — and often, it didn’t take long for either.

For those of us who found ourselves for whatever reasons hanging around the track back in its glory days, the news that Harrah’s Louisiana Downs horse racetrack and casino has been sold to Rubico Gaming for $22 million — a deal that’s been in the works for more than a year — made the memories come racing back. Not that some of us (me) knew anything about horse racing. The novelty and fascination was because of just the opposite: we’d never experienced, seen, smelled, or stepped in anything quite like it.

“We are prepared to bring this iconic track back to its iconic status,” Rubico President Kevin Preston said as the sale neared completion.

Harrah’s and Caesars Entertainment admitted to little interest in racing. Rubico feels differently, and the transition back to an updated casino — and track — is underway.

Which means that maybe we can go home again. At least for a visit.

During its heyday in the early 1980s, as many as 1.3 million fans attended the track over the racing season. Hard to imagine that scene today if you didn’t experience it then.

“As a senior in high school, everyone (principals, teachers, coaches) sent me to the track from Ruston to bet the daily double,” said my friend Hilly, and I was close enough to the situation to testify that this activity extended past Ruston High and into our shared time at Louisiana Tech. “You’d almost have to park on I-20. I hope for a small return to glory.”

Time out for a moment of clarity: Hilly studied and knew the horses. He was there for a very different reason than I was and for the very same reasons the thousands of others were. And that’s to cash tickets.

I grew up with horses. I owned a horse. Loved horses. Still do. But if you handed me a horse and saddle right now, I’d have to think a minute before putting it on. The bridle would be another five minutes.

This did not stop the Shreveport Journal, the area’s afternoon paper back then, from sending me and JJ, young sportswriters who gladly did whatever we were told, to the track to support turf writer extraordinaire Gary West. If you ask enough questions and listen, you can find out what you and readers need to know about the horses. Just go to the backside, to the stables.

The appropriately named “backside” is where you find all kinds of horse poop. Again, all kinds.

But, no one loves these horses more than the trainers and grooms and jockeys and exercise riders and veterinarians, and if you’re eager to learn, they’re eager to teach you. Fascinating people — and thoroughbreds.

We’d write, and during downtime, we’d ask West what horse or horses to bet on, then race to the window to make a standard $2 wager, then hold on and hope, same as your average railbird.

The next morning, we’d put together a sports section that contained almost an entire page of Downs results: how the races finished, that day’s races with probable odds, West’s picks, the “Barnburner’s Picks” — West’s semi-rival — and a feature called “$2 Bettor,” which one of us wrote — officially “TDB at the Downs” — complete with a pencil-drawing head shot of a guy in coat and tie and beret with a heater in his mouth and tickets in his hand. It wasn’t serious. I’m looking at one now from the mid-’80s, which is about “Lyrical Lewis, a poet of some note,” who came to the track as a newbie, picked horses by which names he liked, and of course won while the expert handicapper lost. Don’t know if I wrote that one or not, but it could have been about me. Except for the winning part.

When racing season rolls around in May and the transition is complete, consider a day at the races. Take six bucks and decide you’ll have no more than that much fun betting, no matter what. Food and checking out the crowd and enjoying the races and the competitive thoroughbreds and jockeys — there’s a lot more to do than wager, especially if you don’t know how. And if you don’t know how, not wagering is the safest bet. Take it from the old $2 Bettor.  

BATON ROUGE – The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System voted unanimously to name Marcus Jones the 20th president of Northwestern State University Monday. Jones has served the institution in many ways throughout his 23-year career including roles such as professor of business law and international business, vice president for university affairs, and executive vice president for university and business affairs. He has most recently served as interim president since July of 2021.

“Northwestern is home to me. I know Northwestern and Northwestern knows me,” Jones said. “This is about fit and timing for Northwestern, and I will hit the ground running.”

The Northwestern State Presidential Search Committee narrowed the field to two finalists, Jones and Kim LeDuff, after interviewing six semifinalists on Northwestern’s campus last week.

“It’s an historic day for Northwestern State,” UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson said. “Marcus is an authentic leader of character, integrity, and vision. His familiarity with the community, his passion for student success, and his commitment to excellence will advance our alma mater for the next generation.”

During his interview, Jones spoke of the importance of a strong institution for university alumni and the Natchitoches community as a whole. He also discussed his vision for the university working more collaboratively with business and industry to ensure graduates have both the hard skills and soft skills to meet the needs of the global market.

Jones is a native of Winnfield, La. and is the 18th of 20 children.

Jones has an extensive academic, business and legal background, having served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the University of Louisiana System for the past year, where oversaw the areas of business finance, internal/external audit function, EEO and IT for the System and handled matters of system level importance on behalf of the UL System president.

He also oversaw management of budgets, administration, policies and procedures and international relations and acted as the legal liaison for the System.

Jones served as NSU’s executive vice president for university and business affairs from 2017-2020 where he was a key administrator in the planning, operation and management of the University. He oversaw University Police, the Environmental Health and Safety office, Grounds Department and the Physical Plant and was responsible for construction, maintenance, custodial and general upkeep of all University facilities and grounds. He also reviewed and executed University leases and cooperative agreements and oversaw the environmental health and safety officer. He was NSU’s vice president for university affairs from 2007 to 2017.

Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Northwestern State, a master’s in international trade and finance from Grambling State University and a law degree from Southern University Law Center where he was managing editor of the Southern Law Review. He also studied international business and finance at the University of Plymouth in Plymouth, England.

Jones has been a member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1994 as an instructor of business, assistant professor of business law and international business, associate professor of business law and international business and has held the Ben D. Johnson Endowed Professorship since 1999. Proficient in Spanish and French, he led the university’s international recruiting efforts, which substantially increased the number of students at NSU from outside the U.S.

Jones has also been treasurer and a consultant to the Ben D. Johnson Educational Foundation and finance/accounts manager and consultant for the Ben D. Johnson Construction and Finance Co. In his role with the construction and finance company, Jones supervised subcontractors at construction sites, managed the company’s operating budget, provided financial oversight and worked in economic development. He has also served as treasurer and consultant of the Northwest Louisiana Athletic League and has served in several capacities including co-editor of “Callaloo,” a literary magazine based at Texas A&M.

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the American Bar Association and the Louisiana State Bar Association.

EOE

NATCHITOCHES:
Joyce Norrgard Burkhalter
June 25, 1928 – November 04, 2021
Service: Thursday, November 11 at 1 pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church

LaVerne Middleton
June 15, 1932 – November 04, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Belva Jean (Lauw) Welch
July 02, 1951 – October 28, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

WINN:
Clifton Martin Bernard, IV
April 21, 1978 – July 27, 2021
Service: Friday November 12 at 10 am at the Olla Cemetery

James “Rickie” Kelley
January 05, 1945 – November 06, 2021
Service: Thursday, November 11 at 10 am at Antioch Community Church

Rev. Walton Deloy Shows
October 21, 1932 – November 08, 2021
Service: Wednesday, November 10 at 1 pm at Zion Hill Baptist Church

Andy Stevenson
May 17, 1979 – November 06, 2021
Service: Wednesday, November 10 at 6 pm at Southern Funeral Home

The reigning Class 2A state champion Many Tigers football team looked the part Friday night as they routed the Lakeview Gators 50-0 in a game that featured a running clock from around the 4:00 minute mark of the first quarter.

The Tigers ran their record to 9-1 and 6-0 in District 3-2A while the injury-riddled and outmanned Gators fell to 1-9 and 0-6. It was the ninth consecutive win for Many, which officially claimed the district championship again. MHS remains No. 1 in both the LHSAA power points rankings for Class 2A and the Louisiana Sports Writers top 10 poll.

The Tigers scored 29 points in the first 10 minutes and 49 seconds, as coaches agreed to use a running game clock late in the first quarter.

London Williams scored four first-half touchdowns, reaching the end zone on all but one of his carries in a short night’s work for the state’s third-leading rusher.

Meanwhile, the Tigers’ defense allowed only two first downs. The Gators’ woes were complicated by injuries that benched their quarterback, who was their third starting QB knocked out of a game this year, and their running back, forcing Lakeview to play its seventh first-team ballcarrier.

Swayze Carheel stood out for Many on defense, recovering a fumble and blocking a punt in the game’s first four minutes to set up the first two scores.

After Carheel’s fumble recovery, Williams got the Tigers off and running with a 23-yard touchdown run at the 9:50 mark in the first quarter. Deacon Lafollette added the kick for a 7-0 score.

Carheel blocked a punt to end Lakeview’s next possession. Williams scampered 27 yards for a touchdown on the next play from scrimmage. A two-point conversion was successful on a pass from Tylen Singleton to Williams to make it 15-0 with still 7:58 left in the first.

Following a three-and-out by Lakeview, Many set up shop on Lakeview’s 47. A 42-yard pass from Jack Deville to Mason Leach put the Tigers at the 6-yard line. Williams punched it in from there and with Lafollette’s kick, the score was 22-0 with 6:02 left in the first quarter.

Lakeview’s next possession ended after a Demario Glover hit that caused a fumble recovered by Garet Culverson. This time it took two plays to score. Jeremiah James gained 7 yards on first down and Williams accounted for the last 16 yards on a second-down TD.

Lafollette added the kick for a 29-0 score at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter.

From this point, with a running clock, the game moved along at a very fast pace.

The Gators picked off a Deville pass and returned it 70 yards to the Tiger 5 for a chance to get on the scoreboard. After a Gator penalty and a couple of defensive stops, Lakeview tried to pass but it backfired.  Malik Garner intercepted and raced 96 yards for a touchdown, which wound up being the only score of the second quarter. Many led 36-0 at halftime.

The second half started with a Trevor McLendon kickoff return for a touchdown, but it was brought back by a holding penalty. The Tigers’ starting running backs were finished for the night as the first possession of the third saw Jamaryn Garner and Trent Williams in the backfield. Garner took a handoff 20 yards, Williams had one for 6, and then Garner took one 40 yards to the house. Lafollette’s kick was good to push the margin to 43-0.

Many’s last tally was a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter from Joseph Yount to Sean Mitcham. With Lafollette’s kick the Tigers stretched the lead to 50-0.

The Tigers emptied their bench and mass substitution followed for the remainder of the game.

Many totaled 293 yards on the night while Lakeview had a net of minus 14.

The Tiger defense was led in tackles by Marquise Maxie and Keaton Montgomery. The Tigers had 8 tackles behind the line of scrimmage..

With the playoffs looming and the Tigers resting a lot of players to get healthy for the playoffs, they look to be in great shape.

The opening round will be at Many High School’s John W. Curtis Stadium next Friday night at 7. The first round opponent will be named Sunday afternoon.

Scoring Summary:

First Quarter

9:50 London Williams 23 yard run, Lafollette kick, 7-0

7:58 Williams 27 yard run, Singleton to Williams two-point conversion, 15-0

5:17 Williams 6 yard run, Lafollette kick, 22-0

4:11 Williams 16 yard run, Lafollette kick, 29-0

Second Quarter

6:46 Malik Garner 96 yard interception return, Lafollette kick, 36-0

Third Quarter

9:12 Jamarlyn Garner 40 yard run, Lafollette kick, 43-0

Fourth Quarter

8:34 Joseph Yount 35 yard pass to Sean Mitcham, Lafollette kick, 50-0

Individual Stats:

Passing: M – Deville 1-2-1, 42 yards

             Yount 1-1, 35 yards, 1 TD

        L – 0-3-1

Rushing: M – L. Williams 5-75, 4 TD’s, J. Garner 2-60,1TD

             Maxie 4-40, James 3-24, Deville 1-8,

             Higginbotham 4-8, T. Williams 1-6,

             Warren 1-5, Aldredge 2 –negativr 10

         L – 26-negative 14

Receiving: M – Leach 1-42, Mitcham 1-35, 1 TD

Many High School is hosting a state playoff football game Friday night at 7 at John W. Curtis Stadium.

There’s no doubt about that, just like the Tigers left no doubt on the scoreboard in nearly every game in the regular season. They’ve won nine straight.

Who are the Tigers going to play? We’ll have to wait until 11 this morning, at the earliest, to find out.

The announcement of the LHSAA’s nine different playoff brackets was slated for Sunday but was delayed.  An appeal, reportedly involving the use of an ineligible player at Booker T. Washington High in New Orleans, will be considered at 9 a.m.

The LHSAA delayed all bracket releases until after it is resolved because results of the appeal could affect all classifications.

Many (9-1) is the No. 1 seed in Class 2A. The defending state champions won’t be impacted and their first round opponent is almost certainly going to be Independence (3-5), according to the Geauxpreps.com power ratings.  

On Thursday, November 11th, parishioners and guests will come together at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Many to dedicate and unveil the historical marker, recently approved by the State of  Louisiana. Bishop Francis Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport,  will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10AM and pray for all our veterans, living and deceased.  Immediately following the Mass, the historical marker will be unveiled, blessed and dedicated in front of the church. There will be a reception after the unveiling in the cafeteria.

The Louisiana Historical Marker program commemorates facts, persons, events, and places prominently identified with the history of the nation, state, or region. Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church is proud to have been selected for this honor.

Everyone is invited to this event.

Plans are moving along rapidly for the Choctaw-Apache Exhibit Room  at the Town of Many’s upcoming “No Man’s Land” Museum at the Many KCS Depot.

The goal is to have the museum open in Spring 2022.

Author Dorsey Ebarb Bronson, a member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb and the author of Trail of Tears, the Story of the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Louisiana, and Lauren Moore, owner of Nichols Stores, have donated $1000 from the sale of the book.  The money will be used to help fund the Choctaw-Apache Exhibit Room at the highly anticipated Depot Museum.  

MANY, La – Children and their families traipsed  down San Antonio Street in their Halloween costumes last week at the annual Trick or Treat activities sponsored by the Town of Many.

Approximately 1500 children stopped at Many City Hall and stores and businesses in downtown Man to ask for candy to fill their Halloween buckets and bags.

Posing for pictures, calling out “Trick or Treat”, and happy, laughing children crowded the sidewalks and streets of Many.

Many Mayor Robert Hable deemed the Halloween activities a big success and was pleased to see so many children with their families enjoy the perfect weather and trick or treating together.

The day was capped off with a special Halloween movie, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at the Many Community Center.  Concessions were free for all the children, and after the movie, they left with a trick or treat bag filled with candy.

National Collection Week for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child will be November 15-22. The two drop off centers for Sabine Parish will be located at Calvary Baptist Church  in Many and Mitchell Baptist Mitchell. Please deliver your Gospel Opportunity Shoeboxes during these times to receive assistance.

The Sabine Parish Journal in conjunction with all Journal Services outlets would like to welcome award-winning columnist Teddy Allen.

Starting this Wednesday, the weekly effort will run each hump day as the  Sabine Parish Journal and all of its Journal Service sister outlets will be the exclusive provider of Teddy Allen’s column.

Teddy covered local sports for Shreveport, Monroe and New Orleans dailies from 1984 until 1990, then wrote metro columns for Louisiana Gannett papers for 30 years. For his sports writing, he has multiple times won the Associated Press Sports Editors national feature writing award and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Story of the Year, Columnist of the Year, and Sportswriter of the Year awards.

For his metro columns, he has multiple times won both the Ernie Pyle Award as the top columnist in Mississippi and Louisiana and Columnist of the Year in the Louisiana Press Association.

Teddy’s work has been featured in the Poynter Institute’s annual “Best Newspaper Writing.” He is a 1982 and 1984 graduate of Louisiana Tech and currently works with the school’s University Communications team; you can find his work at LATech.edu and LATechSports.com.

He is also in his 11th season serving as the color analyst for Bulldog football games on the LA Tech Sports Network broadcasts … mainly because he has the perfect face for radio and despite the fact that he has the perfect voice for newspapers.

TA is married to Linnea Fayard Allen. He has a son, Casey, and a daughter, Emily, who is married to Braden Hilton. His dog – and writing partner – is a Maltese named Gracie Lou.

NATCHITOCHES:
LaVerne Middleton
June 15, 1932 – November 04, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 2 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Belva Jean (Lauw) Welch
July 02, 1951 – October 28, 2021
Service: Saturday, November 13 at 10 am in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

WINN:
Andy Stevenson
May 17, 1979 – November 06, 2021
Service: Wednesday, November 10 at 6 pm at Southern Funeral Home