May Daze Car Show cruises into Many this Saturday

Toledo Cruisers will present the 7th Annual May Daze Car Show on Saturday, May 14 at Many High School from 9 am – 2 pm. Awards will be presented at 1 pm. 

  • Spectators free
  • $20 – 1st vehicle entry fee
  • $10 each additional

Awards will be presented for Best of Show (3 places), Top 20, Ladies’ Choice, Long Distance and more. There will be lots of door prizes, goodie bags and old time Rock & Roll music.

The Many High School Band Program is the designated charity recipient for this year’s show.

For more information, email toledocruisers@gmail.com or visit Toledo Cruisers Facebook page.


Tickets on Sale Now for NRMC Foundation’s 2022 Black & White Gala

The NRMC Foundation proudly presents the 34th Annual NRMC Foundation Gala Saturday, May 21st. Join us for an evening of glamour and fine dining with entertainment provided by Limelight – a renowned eleven-piece band experience. The 2022 “Black and White” Gala will be a night to remember. Proceeds from the event will support the mission of the NRMC Foundation. Tickets are on sale for $100 per person, and a few table sponsorships (reserved seating) are also available.

Make a difference for better health in our community and have an amazing night with us.

Saturday, May 21, 2022
Natchitoches Event Center
Cocktails served at 6:30pm

For tickets, table sponsorships or more information, please contact Cathy Jacobs at Cathy.Jacobs@nrmchospital.org or call 318.214.4513.

Special thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who make this event possible.


Join the celebration as Fort Jesus turns 200

On May 13th, 1822, future President Zachary Taylor arrived at Fort Jesup with four companies of the 7th United States Infantry officially opening the Fort.  Fort Jesup would not only be an important part of Sabine Parish History but would also play an important role in American History.  Help us celebrate the founding of Fort Jesup on Friday and Saturday, May 13-14 with a weekend full of special events. 

Kicking the celebration off at 6 pm on Friday will be a special “Taste of History” meal served in the original army kitchen.  Experience some of the dishes that officers and soldiers would have eaten in 1822 by candlelight in the only original building from Fort Jesup.  After the meal, at 7 pm, there will be special presentations on the history of Fort Jesup and the region. 

On Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm there will be a Living History Day that will recreate military and civilian life at the Fort from 1822-1846.  There will be a special flag raising ceremony at 10:30 a.m. to commentate the opening of the Fort.  Step back in time and experience what life was like 200 years ago at America’s newest frontier fort.

Tickets to the Taste of History are $ 25 and can be purchased at Many Town Hall or by contacting the Friends of Fort Jesup at ftjesupfriends@yahoo.com, ftjesup.org or 318-461-5376.  Only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.  All proceeds go to the Friends of Fort Jesup to help fund special events, youth education programs and new museum exhibits.

Admission to the Special Presentations is free and a ticket to a Taste of History is not required.

Admission to the Living History Events will be regular park admission of $ 4 for adults.

Mark your calendars for Fort Fest Arts, Crafts, and Heritage Festival on Saturday November 12!


Sabine Speedway Results: May 6

 
FWD
 
1. #10G Bryan Guice – Sibley, LA
2. #88 Danny Bryant – Haughton, LA
3. #22 Conner Cook – Princeton, LA
4. #7 Robert Vanderwaters – Pineville, LA
5. #11M Michelle Tedder – Many, LA
6. #C23 Collin Jones – Provencal, LA
DNF #F5 Ben McDuff – Keithville, LA
DNF #05 Luke Dupont – Boothill, LA
 
BOM BANK FACTORY STOCKS
 
1. #15X Dakoda Wyatt – Provencal, LA
2. #55 Dalton Dubois – Robeline, LA
3. #9 John Parker, Jr – Dry Prong, LA
4. #40 Jeff Lewis – Haughton, LA
5. #37 Mickey Steele – Pollock, LA
6. #7L Dewayne Rains – Anacoco, LA
7. #1 Stoney Dubois – Robeline, LA
8. #100+ Ross Cook, Florien, LA
9. #88M Joshua Martin – Colfax, LA
10. #44 Toby Airhart – Anacoco, LA
11. #004 Todd Fredieu – Many, LA
12.#M13 Robert Barber – Florien, LA
13. #27 Josh Greenwalt – Shreveport, LA
14. #535 Paul Graves – Montgomery, LA
15. #5M Michael Harlow – Lake Charles, LA
16. #23B Blake Griffin – Leesville, LA
 
ACS LIMITED MODIFIEDS
 
1. #47CC Conner Williams – Sibley, LA
2. #3D David Edwards – Natchitoches, LA
3. #B99 Ben Leedy – Jonesboro, LA
4. #78 R C Hagan – Glenmora, LA
5. #3GT Bob Kellogg – Natchitoches, LA
6. #15 Jarred Hebert – Ville Platte, LA
7. #71 Matt Burney – Forest Hill, LA
8. #34X Matt Ebarb – Bossier City, LA
9. #21 J R Bamburg – Pitkin, LA
10. #08 Timothy Minister – Greenwood, LA
11. #5C Logan Crayon – DeRidder, LA
 
FOY MOTOR’S CRATE LATE MODELS
 
1. #485 Tony Lindsey – Keithville, LA
2. #1 Kevin Sitton – Baytown, TX
3. #15 Clayton Stuckey – Shreveport, LA
4. #24 Garren Lindsey – Keithville, LA
5. #76B Jerry Basco – Flatwood, LA
6. #69 Stacy Veuleman – Florien, LA
7. #9 Mark Powell – Anacoco, LA
8. #4X Brock Williams – Leesville, LA
9. #28 Kristopher Shaw – Ragley, LA
10. #38 Kris Shaw – Ragley, LA
11. #38B Corey Basco – Flatwoods, LA
12. #21X Ryan French – Natchitoches, LA
13. #18 Caleb Dillard – Robeline, LA
14. #100 Bryan Cook – Florien, LA

VFW Post presents area students with scholarships

The Zwolle-Ebarb VFW Post 5187 awarded $1,000 scholarships to the following students for 2022:
 
Leah Anderson- Zwolle HS
Keeley Gracie- Ebarb HS
Adrianna Payne- Negreet HS
Tia Malmay- Converse HS
 
Pictured is Keeley Gracie being presented with her scholarship. VFW members wish them the best as they pursue their college dreams.

Big Bass Splash: Amateur bass anglers compete for $500,000

Family, Fishing and Fun at the Big Bass Splash presented by Sealy Outdoors. $500,000 Guaranteed in Cash and Prizes with 1st Place Overall winning a Phoenix 721 Pro XP powered by Mercury equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance, Navionics, Power Pole and X2 Power Batteries; a RAM Truck plus $5,000 Cash. That yields a total GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT $100,000!

Fifteen places will be paid in cash each hour of each tournament day beginning with the 7-8 AM hour and continuing through the 1-2 PM hour for the fifteen single heaviest bass weighed in. Top prize each hour is $2,500. Hourly updates will be broadcasted live on KICKS 105.1 FM and once hour is official, results are listed on Facebook/BigBassSplash1984.

Contestant(s) weighing in the first 3.00/4.00/5.00 exact weight bass each day of the tournament will be awarded $5,000 at Sunday awards ceremony. In addition, all contestants are eligible to win a Phoenix 819 Pro powered by Mercury, equipped with Minn Kota, Lowrance and X2 Power Batteries. That drawing, deemed as the renowned “Elimination Drawing”, will be held during the Sunday awards ceremony and entrants must be present to win.

Optional Bonus Games such as the Bonus Card (aka “Insurance Card”) and Bonus Shirt Hours can win you additional cash.

Children ages 5-12 may participate in the Little Angler’s Division and can catch bass, catfish, crappie, or perch.

All participants and spectators ages 18 years of age and up can get in on the action.  Come out to the tournament site, enjoy the festivities, and get your free entry for the Open Drawing on Sunday May 22.

Registration is open online for the Lake Toledo Bend Big Bass Splash®. To enter, visit http://www.sealyoutdoors.com. Onsite Registration will be at Cypress Bend Park in Many from 10 AM-8 PM on Thursday, May 19. Registration will continue each morning starting at 5 AM on days of the tournament. Tournament Entry Fees are $165 for One Day, $215 for Two Days and $265 for all Three Days. The Little Angler’s Division entry fee is $10 per day.

The Big Bass Splash events are considered to be the World’s Largest Grassroots amateur big bass fishing tournament of its kind. Sealy Outdoors attracts thousands of amateur anglers to these weekend events. It’s what we call “Fishing, Family and Fun” for everyone. This event benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sponsors includes Phoenix Boats, Mercury Marine, Minn Kota, Lowrance, T-H Marine, Power-Pole, Navionics, X2 Power Batteries, Weaver Motors of Kirbyville, TX, Costa, Shimano and Texas Fish & Game Magazine.

A Special Thank You to the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission and Sabine River Authority for hosting this event.  


Notice of Death – May 10, 2022

SABINE:
William Manual Stewart
August 6, 1945 – April 25, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 14 at 2 pm at Warren Meadows Funeral Home in Many

Rosalie Alford
December 10, 1928 – May 7, 2022
Service: Thursday, May 12 at 10 AM at First Baptist Church of Florien

Billie Doris Corley Hammond
November 14, 1927 – May 8, 2022
Service: Wednesday, May 11 at 10 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel

NATCHITOCHES:
JR Davis
October 13, 1959 – May 9, 2022
Service: Thursday, May 12 from 6-8 pm at the New Life Evangelism Center

Pete Stewart
August 25, 1958 – May 9, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 14 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Dorothy Mobley Weeks
March 27, 1937 – May 7, 2022
Service: Wednesday, May 11 at 12 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches


Many softball goes back-2-back, takes state again

As soon as a team wins a championship, the question gets asked: can you win it again next year?

For the Many High softball team, that answer is an emphatic YES.

The Lady Tigers finally got a test in the state championship game Saturday, but teams that don’t score, don’t win. Port Barre could not solve the arm of tournament MVP Tia Holmes or the Many defense, and could not get on the board.

A 3-0 win was more than enough to end the 2022 season exactly the way the team and coach Keaton Booker planned from when they celebrated their 2021 state title, the first in the softball program’s history.

The 2022 Class 2A champions outscored their playoff opponents 62-4 in five games, including an 11-0 destruction of Doyle in Friday’s semifinals as Many blasted seven home runs to back up Holmes’ perfect game – no runs, no hits, and behind her, no errors.

The Lady Tigers (29-4) got only one over the fence Saturday, a two-run shot by Camryn Ford in the bottom of the third. That came an inning after Kristen Martinez cracked an RBI double to put the champs up 1-0.

Port Barre’s best chance came in the top of the first when the Devils got runners on second and third with one out, but Holmes and the flawless Many defense came up with the outs and kept the losers (23-6) in neutral the rest of the way.

The Lady Tigers have won their first two state championships in the past two seasons. While some outstanding seniors are headed off to college, some to continue softball careers, most of the 18 girls on the 2022 Many team will be back on the diamond next spring, hoping to add to the fast-growing championship tradition.

Booker’s second season ended like the first one. He’s the first to share the credit with his assistant coaches: Josh Jenkins, Dayton Craig, and his wife, the Lady Tigers’ pitching coach, Emma Callie Booker.

Congratulations also should be extended to Sabine Parish’s other state tournament team, the Florien Lady Black Cats. They gave defending state Class B champion Holden all it could handle in Friday’s semifinals, but in a see-saw game, Holden made a late surge and eliminated Florien 10-6.


Drugs and cash seized during traffic stop, arrest on Ponder Street

Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced that Devonte Marquise Taylor, 26 of Many, was arrested by Patrol Deputies shortly after midnight on April 28.
 
Deputy Brennan Jones noticed a Ford truck that had a brake light not working as it turned on Ponder Street from San Antonio Avenue. Deputy Jones conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Taylor.
 
Further investigation led Deputy Jones to discover approximately one ounce of suspected methamphetamine inside Taylor’s truck and $2,020 cash in Taylor’s pants pocket. The drugs and cash were seized and logged into evidence.
 
Taylor was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth) and brake lights required.
 
Sheriff Mitchell commends Deputy Jones on his alertness and further investigation during this traffic stop to get more illegal narcotics off the streets in Sabine Parish.

A touch by the better angels of our nature

In the pre-GoogleMaps days, the late, great Paul Harvey liked to remind us that when people asked for directions, we’d often start by saying, “Well, go down two red lights and…”

“But that light is green,” he’d say in his lyrical, always optimistic voice, “as often as it is red…”

We have a way of coloring things dreary at first glance. Human nature. And while none of us would argue the world is not in dire straits — where to begin? — there is much more good news than bad.

All around and every day.

Each year at the annual springtime Volunteers of America North Louisiana “Cherish the Children” breakfast, I show up saying I won’t cry this year but … I do. A video from the after-school LightHouse program will usually do the trick. A talk from a homeless veteran who’s now employed and helping others in a circumstance similar to his when hope seemed lost. A newlywed couple with learning disabilities but a home and hope and friends who love them as they are and are helping them get to where they wish to be.

Also this spring was the VOA’s annual “thank you” luncheon, and I snuck in (sneaked in?) for selfish reasons: this is the kind of group you want to hang around if you want to feel better Right Then because …

Well, you meet members of the church congregation who’ve basically adopted an elementary school in their area and provide tutoring, books, supplies, and clothes to children with these insecurities;

Or old friends who pair up to help children after school by developing special reading projects for them or taking them to the library;

A group who takes children on an annual Christmas shopping trip;

An empty nester wife and mom who noticed early in the pandemic the increased vulnerability of senior citizens’ health and arranged for phone friends, grocery pickups, and a monthly surprise treat of a delivered meal or snack.

VOA serves more than 7,000 people in north and central Louisiana through 40 or so programs — but “programs” is just a word without volunteers.

I was lucky enough this spring to hit the Volunteer Trifecta since I snuck in (sneaked in?, again?) the United Way of Northeast Louisiana “Celebrating Excellence” breakfast too. More than 300 people, many of them volunteers, packed the Davison Athletics Complex on Louisiana Tech’s campus for inspiration from videos and testimonies, and to celebrate volunteers, another word for “servants.”

During the pandemic, which included a couple of storm disasters, the group realized its most donations ever. Compassion and forward thinking and responsive hearts are winning the day for neighbors who need help.

The light is green for each of us to do our part. No man is an island. And nothing can rob us of the joy of giving.

Today it’s “them” who need a hand. Tomorrow, it could be you and me. The bell tolls for us all.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu


Reys in the City of Light

Hans Augusto Rey was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1898. Following World War I, in which Hans served, he designed posters for a circus and studied art at Hamburg University. Hans struggled to make a living with the postwar inflation in Germany. In 1924, Hans accepted a job in Brazil where he composed commercial lettering for advertisements and offices and sold bathtubs along the Amazon River.

In 1935, Hans met Margret Elisabeth Waldstein, a fellow artist and Jew who was also from Hamburg. Their similar interests drew them together and they married later the same year. Together, the Reys began a joint career which consisted of magazine work, advertising, and illustrating books. The couple was so busy with work that they delayed their honeymoon. Finally, the Reys planned a honeymoon trip through Europe. They visited their homeland of Hamburg and eventually made their way to Paris, France. The Reys loved Paris so they kept putting off their return to Brazil. Four years later, still in Paris, they found themselves in a precarious situation.

In 1939, Paris began preparing for what they realized was an inevitable war with Germany. Paris underwent a drastic transformation. City workers dug miles of trenches in the city squares and parks that the Reys enjoyed visiting. Signs throughout the city pointed the way to the nearest trench. The city distributed gas masks to its civilians. Children were evacuated from the city into the countryside. The beautiful Parisian lights—Paris is still known as the City of Light—were turned off at night as a precaution against German air raids. Workers removed the stained-glass windows from the Sainte-Chapelle and placed them in storage. Curators at the Louvre, aided by packers, cataloged and transported major works of art in crates which were labelled only with numbers to disguise their contents. The works of art were transported in trucks at night in slow convoys with their headlights off. Historically significant buildings and architectural landmarks were surrounded by walls of sandbags. The city rationed certain foods and gasoline.

After months of waiting, the Germans attacked France on May 10, 1940. With each passing day, the Nazis drew closer to Paris. Eighteen days later, the British realized that France would fall to the Germans and withdrew their soldiers to the beaches of Dunkirk. While retreating British soldiers were being loaded onto ships, Germain airplanes attacked relentlessly. Refugees from the battle zone started pouring into Paris. On June 3, the Germans began bombing Paris and its suburbs. A week later, the French government fled Paris. Fearful Parisians followed their example and fled from the city using any means available including trains, cars, buses, wagons, carts, bicycles, and on foot.

In June of 1940, the Reys knew their honeymoon in Paris had come to an end. With no other means of transportation available, they fashioned bicycles out of discarded broken bicycles. They had no choice but to abandon most of their possessions. As they prepared to flee, Hans grabbed the manuscripts of a children’s book that he and Margret had written and threw them into a bag. Hans grabbed the bag and they pedaled their way through the throngs of people leaving Paris. The Reys eventually made their way to a ship which was heading to America. The Reys were unable to relax because they were aware the German U-boats and warships were targeting ships in the Atlantic Ocean. In the Fall of 1940, the Reys arrived safely in New York.

Within a month of their arrival, American book publisher Houghton Mifflin agreed to publish the Reys’ children’s book. In 1946, after the end of World War II, the Reys became American citizens. People so loved their children’s book, that they eventually wrote a whole series based on the two main characters. By 1997, at the time of Margret’s death and twenty years after Hans’s death, the books had sold more than 20 million copies in more than a dozen languages. The tales have been adapted for television, films, and video games. For the rest of her life, people asked Margret “were you afraid?” She always replied, “you don’t have time to be afraid.” In an interview with The Associated Press, Margret said, “Actually, it was fun.” The manuscript carried by the Reys as they fled Paris on makeshift bicycles told the tale of the man in the yellow hat and his pet monkey,… “Curious George.”

Source:
1. The Morning News (Wilmington, Delaware), November 19, 1953, p.13.
2. The Springfield News-Leader (Springfield, Missouri), January 17, 1997, p.22.


Genevieve Gordon Named Second Vice President of Louisiana Retired Teachers Association

(Baton Rouge, La.)- Genevieve Gordon, a Many resident, was recently elected second vice president of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association. In addition, Gordon will serve as Chair of LRTA’s State Program Committee making her responsible for working with the district’s second vice presidents on program promotion.

“I am pleased to work with and serve retired teachers in Louisiana as LRTA Second Vice President,” says Gordon.

Gordon retired with 31 years of experience as an educator. She has been a member of LRTA since 2009. Gordon previously served as president of LRTA District VIII, which encompasses DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Winn parishes. In 2014, Gordon was the recipient of the Horace G. Robinson Lifetime Membership Award and the LRTA Name of Fame.

Gordon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business education and a Master of Science degree from Northwestern State University. She also earned a Certificate in Education Specialist concentrating in administration and supervision from Louisiana State University. Gordon is an active member with Aimwell Baptist Church. In her spare time, she and her husband love to travel.

The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association is a membership organization solely devoted to protecting and enhancing benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. LRTA represents over 20,000 retired educators and continues to promote the professional, social and economic welfare of all Louisiana retired educators. 

For more information about LRTA, visit lrta.net.


NATCHITOCHES JAZZ/R&B FESTIVAL – LINEUP

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Cane River Waterway Commission
 
MAIN STAGE

FRIDAY NIGHT KICKOFF

7:00 – 8:15   Gerard Delafose and the Zydeco Gators (Zydeco)
8:30 – 10:00 L. A. Roxx (Glam Rock Tribute)

SATURDAY

1:00 – 2:00 Klockwork Band (Rhythm & Blues)
2:15 – 3:45 The Chase Tyler Band (High-energy Country)
4:00 – 5:00 Johnny Earthquake & The Moondogs (High-energy variety show band)
5:05 – 5:20 James Burton (Guitar Legend)
5:25 – 5:55 Marty Haggard (Country – “Tribute to Merle”)
5:55 – 6:25 Deshawn Washington (R&B vocalist)
6:50 – 8:20 Resurrection (Journey tribute)
8:45 – 10:15 The Commodores (Presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and the Cane River Waterway Commission)

BEAU JARDIN JAZZ STATE

12:00 – 1:00 Dave Duplissey’s Sax in the Corner Band (Smooth Jazz)
1:15 – 2:15 The Nakatosh Rhythm Chiefs (Gypsy Jazz)
2:30 – 3:30 Dan Sumner Band featuring Coco York (Jazz/Pop)
3:45 – 4:45 Forsyth Jazz Collective (Jazz)

 

ROQUE HOUSE STATE

12:00 – 1:00 LA Sweet T (Latin Rhythms)
1:10 – 2:10 The Kelli Roberts Band (Rock & Roll variety)
2:20 – 3:20 The Sundown Band (Rock & Country)
3:30 – 4:30 Armadillo Jackal Band (Americana/Folk)
4:45 – 5-45 Jesse Cole (Alternative Rock)
6:00 – 7:00 Josh Hyde and The Lost Parish (Original NOLA-Style Blues)  

FLEUR DE LIS STAGE

12:00 – 1:00 The Turn-Ups (Classic Rock)
1:10 – 2:10 Snake Doctors (Americana/Blues/Folk)
2:20 – 3:20 50 Man Machine (Celtic/Americana)
3:30 – 4:30 The Comeback Kids (Classic Rock & Country)
4:45 – 5:45 Cane River Soul (Classic Rock/R&B/Funk)
6:00 – 7:00 B Cam and The Zydeco Young Bucks (High-energy Zydeco)  

Active-duty military and 12 years and under FREE!

Purchase tickets here:

Friday Kickoff:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/25th-annual-natchitoches-jazzrb-festival-friday-night-kickoff-tickets-325191545667

Saturday:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/25th-annual-natchitoches-jazzrb-festival-tickets-277225156907

*No umbrellas, ice chests or chairs are allowed*


City Rallies for ‘Get off Your Fanny and Clean up Many’ trash bash event

Street Department employee Cecil Jordan, Sanitation Supervisor Michael Moore, Clean Up Department employee Keaton Leach and Caden Miller on Washington Street.
Employees from the Town of Many’s street, water and sanitation departments, along with Mayor Robert Hable, worked together on April 23 for the town’s annual “Get off Your Fanny and Clean up Many” trash bash event as part of Louisiana’s “Love the Boot Week” in an effort to help keep Many beautiful.
 
Together they worked for four hours and walked a total of approximately 12 miles, picking up a total of 83, 30 gallon size bags of trash. 
 
The Town of Many would like to thank everyone that participated and asks that residents do their part to help keep Many a beautiful place to live and work.
 
Mayor Robert Hable and Street Supervisor Jeremy Wilkerson worked on Sycamore Street. Water Department employee David Smith cleaned up trash on Highland Avenue. Street Department employee Jessie Butler and Clean Up Department employee Joshua Wilson worked along E. Louisiana Avenue.

Market Safe Growth

Friday, April 29, 2022 was a rough day for Wall Street. All markets suffering major losses which has been a trend for the last several months. Many stocks taking back all of the gains from 2021 and early 2022. The market is responding to worldwide and political issues. However, what you should know is that the markets are not the ONLY place you can grow your retirement dollars.

There are volatility buffers available. These financial vehicles offer safe, no risk growth. Historical ten-year average growths range from 6% to 10% returns. Yes, you read that correctly…. Zero market risk with good growth that keeps up with or out paces inflation.

Looking for better options on CD funds. Well, here you are. The safety and security of a CD with real gains AND access to funds. Oh, not to mention the interest credit is tax deferred. No more annual 1099’s to concern yourself with.

Looking for security, zero stock market risk WITH good growth… give me a call!

rfoster@reinettefoster.com
318-481-6539
www.ReinetteFoster.com


National Travel and Tourism Week: Sabine Parish Tourist Commission Celebrates ‘Future of Travel’

Many, LA — National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, spotlights the critical role that travel plays in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme Future of Travel.

This year’s theme elevates how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world.

Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 39th annual NTTW (May 1-7) arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

The Louisiana Travel Association advises that the travel and tourism industry is a key economic driver in the state. Prior to the COVID pandemic, travel and tourism generated $3.7 billion in direct income and $6.1 billion when indirect and induced impacts are considered in 2019. Visitor spending, visitor supported jobs, and business sales generated $3.4 billion in government revenues. State and local taxes alone tallied $1.9 billion in 2019. This year’s Future of Travel campaign will help facilitate recovery and assist in rebuilding Louisiana’s economy.

The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission is celebrating travel’s promising future by continuing to feature and promote area businesses, festivals, tournaments, and other events. Tourists visiting Sabine Parish spent an estimated $8.71 million in 2017, $11.68 million in 2018 and $13.21 million in 2019.

“The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission is planning for a future that will strengthen Toledo Bend Lake Country tourism industry and the Sabine Parish economy,” said Georgia Craven, SPTC Director. “During National Travel and Tourism Week, we are celebrating the Future of Travel and spotlighting how travel supports our local economy.”


Attention History Buffs: Living History Dinner

The Friends of Ft. Jesup, a local non-profit group who hosts and supports events at the Fort, is selling tickets at Many City Hall for its Living History Dinner at the Fort’s Officer’s Kitchen on Friday, May 13, at 6 pm. Tickets are $25 and will cover the cost of the meal and guest speakers who begin at 7 pm. Tickets will also be sold at City Hall on Saturday, May 7, during the Sale on the Trail event.  
 
Living History demonstrations will take place at the Fort on Saturday, May 14 during the day. Please come out and be a part of the continuing events to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Ft. Jesup.
 
Please contact Scott DeBose at 318-461-5376, Mary Beth Tarver at 318-332-9901, or Suzanne Williams at 318-715-4963 if you have any questions.

LPSC Approves Plan for First Louisiana Co-op to Offer Internet Service

MANY, LA – The first Louisiana rural electric cooperative to enter the internet business will begin construction next month on a broadband service for its 11,500 members, thanks to approval Wednesday by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

“History is being made here today,” LPSC member Foster Campbell said in supporting a $45-million loan request by Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative of Winnsboro.  The commission, meeting at Cypress Bend Resort near Many, voted unanimously to authorize the borrowing for NELPCO’s “Volt Broadband” subsidiary.

Jeff Churchwell, NELPCO general manager, said Northeast and Volt will partner with Conexon Connect of Kansas City, Missouri, to conduct a two-year build-out of the fiber-based internet service.  Conexon partners with electric cooperatives to offer broadband service in Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi and Florida. 

Initially skeptical of the proposal and concerned about its impact on co-op electric rates, Campbell said he asked former CenturyLink executive Glen Post of Farmerville to investigate.

“(Post) was originally skeptical too, but he called several co-ops, and to his surprise he learned he was wrong, and now he says the deal can work,” Campbell said. 

“For me, that was the icing on the cake.”

Luke Piontek of Baton Rouge, attorney for NELPCO, said members of the Winnsboro co-op will be able to sign up for internet service during the two-year construction phase.  He said pricing will start at $59 per month.

CoBank of Washington, D.C., lender to the nation’s electric cooperatives, will furnish the $45-million loan.  Piontek said Northeast will have the option of selling its interest in the broadband project to Conexon should interest in the service among Northeast members be less than anticipated.

“We surveyed our members at the request of Commissioner Campbell and found overwhelming support” for entering the internet business, Churchwell said.  A follow-up mail survey of all 11,500 NELPCO members confirmed their interest, he said.

“The biggest thing missing in northeast Louisiana is being connected to the world,” Churchwell said.  “We are delighted to be able to provide this service.”

Campbell said he expects Claiborne Electric of Homer and Concordia Electric of Jonesville will be the next Louisiana co-ops to offer internet service.

“I want all of the people of North Louisiana connected,” Campbell said.

Lambert Boissiere, New Orleans-area commissioner and LPSC chairman, said access to high-speed internet service for Northeast members marks their entry into the 21st Century.

“At some point you have to acknowledge that the legal requirements are met and it’s time to move forward and get this done,” Boissiere said


NSU Nursing student inducted into the Honor Society of Nursing, received 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

Kaitlyn C. Foshee, a Nursing Student at Northwestern State University, was recently inducted into the Honor Society of Nursing as a member of the Beta Chi Chapter at NSU. She also received the 2022 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from the Sigma THeta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Beta Chi Chapter. Kaitlyn is a 2019 High School Graduate of Florien High School. She will graduate in December 2022 with her nursing degree.


Notice of Death – May 3, 2022

NATCHITOCHES:
Shane Warren Atkinson
March 23, 1978 – April 30, 2022
Service: Saturday, May 7 at 10 am at Bellwood Baptist Church

Jessie Cole
July 28, 1939 – April 29, 2022
Service: Wednesday, May 4 at 10 am at Blanchard St. Denis in Natchitoches

Robert Rogers
June 18, 1956 – April 24, 2022
Service: Friday, May 6 at 1 pm at Parkview Baptist Church in Metairie

WINN:
Terry Jordan Ray
January 6, 1958 – May 1, 2022
Service: Wednesday, May 4 at 12 pm at Big Creek Baptist Church