Today Santa came to Many Police Department for their Annual Ride with a Cop! They went to Walmart with Santa and handed out gifts to boys and girls as they came and went!

This is a magical time of year. We are kinder. We smile more. We give and love to see the joy our gifts bring to those we love. We say Merry Christmas freely and without fear of offense. I do at least. I’m telling people Merry Christmas at 12:01 am after Thanksgiving Day. We stop being so consumed with our work and put family and friends first if only for a little while.

During this time of year, we are more than our jobs and what the government and our bosses, and a fickle society tell us to be. Rather we are the best of what we can be. We are men and women who want to see good in the world, and for a little while, just a sliver of a moment in the seemingly eternal struggle, we say there is more to the world than work and money and arguments and deadlines and commitments.

There is good and there is God and in the smiling faces of our friends, our husbands, and wives, and our children, we can see Him beaming back at us.

I’m reminded of my favorite Christmas song:

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in Heavenly peace!
sleep in Heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, Love’s pure light
radiant, beams from Thy Holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

That last bit – the part about Love’s pure light – resonates with me. God speaks directly to our hearts every day. But it seems like it’s only at Christmas that we take the time to listen. On that Silent Night, after the redeeming grace, we can truly know that our hope and faith in humanity can be reborn, just like hope for the world was redeemed 2,000 years ago with the birth of the Once and Future King.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence we hear Him a bit more this time of year. I don’t believe that at all. Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men during this time of year.

So, if I have one hope for this Christmas it would be the same hope I have for every Christmas. I hope that more of us can carry on the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. I hope that the people in charge will care a little bit less about power and more about what’s right. I hope the people with the money will care a little bit less about profit and a little bit more about humanity. And I hope the people with hate in their hearts will smother those flames under a blanket of love from the one above us and the ones around us.

Hate in the heart poisons the soul. I’ve been there. And I never want to go back, so I try to live every day like it’s Christmas Day. I fail a lot. But the point that matters is I keep trying. I won’t let the difficult people in this world – the cruel, the greedy, the politicians, the panderers, the schemers, and the fake folks who surround us – keep me from trying to make this place just a little bit better than it was before I entered it. I hope you too can find yourself working toward that goal. Stop worrying about gaining political points in a world that’s rigged against you. Stop worrying about what others think of you. God doesn’t care. So, neither should you.

Merry Christmas, my friends, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Find peace in the promise and excitement of your own chance to be reborn.

Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.

Just for kicks and giggles, let’s pretend that Santa Claus became a touring bass pro. What would that look like? Who would be his major sponsors? What would be his favorite technique? What brand boat would Santa run, or would he just transform his sleigh into a fishing machine?

First, Santa would probably have to lose a few pounds in order to compete at the highest level. Fishing the tour is a grind and it’s not for someone carrying 50 to 80 pounds of extra weight. But the extra weight would come in handy for insulation on those cold early-season boat runs. He would definitely have to give up the cookies and gingerbread that he so dearly loves, while joining the North Pole Fitness Center. 

Now that we have a much slimmer Santa, let’s look at who would sponsor Jolly Ole Saint Nick. Obviously, it would have to be the best sponsors in the industry on a global level. When it comes to what rod and reel line he would choose, I think his first choice would be 13 Fishing. Since 2012 this company has rose to the highest ranks in the fishing industry. Of course, Santa would want nothing but the best and I think he would choose 13 Fishing’s Concept A3 series as his reel of choice.  

What kind of fisherman would Santa be? More than likely a power fisherman. A guy of his stature and physical presence would probably like to chunk and wind a spinnerbait or crankbait, or maybe he would like to flip and pitch a jig. Either way, he would be an angler who would never pick up a spinning rod, or as some pros call it, a Fairy wand. 

What kind of fishing line would he spool on his reels? Well, that’s an easy answer! Only the best will do for the man in the big red suit, so that would be Seaguar fishing line. They carry the best fluorocarbon and braided lines made on the planet. As for hooks, what would he use? Again, it’s a no brainer! He would choose a Japanese brand, Gamakatsu Hooks, the number one brand used by the best pros in the world. Not even his elves could produce a better hook from scratch.

What about a boat? What brand of boat would fit Santa and fulfill his every need? One thing we’ve made clear, Santa likes the latest and greatest when it comes to product and has nothing but the highest of standards. There are lots of boats that would be okay, like Ranger, Skeeter or Bass Cat, but today he would choose Caymas. This would give him the best combination in terms of speed, ride, comfort and fishability. Caymas truly is not only a great boat, but one of the newest brands on the market today and becoming very popular among tournament anglers. Don’t just take my word for it, stop by The Boat Shop in Shreveport and see for yourself why so many anglers are switching over. 

Can you imagine how his boat would be wrapped? There would be all the colors of Christmas and every sponsor would be displayed proudly all the while paying homage to Rudolph and the other eight reindeer with their photo image on the wrap. Obviously, there would be a grand display of red and green Christmas lights from bow to stern that would light up an entire body of water. No one would have a better-looking boat than Santa with his heated boat seats and automatic hot chocolate dispenser!  Oh, he’ll also need a truck to pull that Caymas boat with. How about a new Ford F150 4X4 pick-up truck from Jimmy Granger’s Natchitoches Ford! This would complete Santa’s fishing rig and have him hitting the tournament trail in style.  

Christmas is a special time of year and the fact that Santa is real makes it even more special. Like I still remind my kids — who are now in their 20s and 30s — when you stop believing, he stops leaving the gifts you so enjoy. But at our house, we know the true meaning of Christmas and celebrate it honoring the birth of Jesus by making a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls and placing a candle in the middle and singing happy birthday to our Lord and Savior.  

I hope you’ve enjoyed considering what kind of fishing pro Saint Nick would be if he chose to change his profession. ‘Til next time good luck, good fishing, and Merry Christmas! Here’s hoping your stocking is filled with some great bass catching lures and plenty of sunscreen!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahool.com

Nancy West Harrington departed this life on December 21, 2022 after a brief illness. She was 98.

Nancy was born December 6, 1924 in the village of Roxwell, Essex County, England to Charles Henry West and Phyllis Mildred West. She had one sibling, her brother, Don. Nancy had a happy life in the small village that was filled with many of her relatives. She attended Roxwell Church of England School, and was active at St. Michael’s and All Angels church in the village. She taught Sunday School while a teenager. Also as a teenager, Nancy founded a Brownie troop for girls in Roxwell, and became its captain. She graduated the Mid-Essex Technical College with a degree in business, and went to work for the school system. Nancy and her family lived through the Great Depression and World War II. They survived the bombing of their street and yard during the Battle of Britain.

In August 1943, Nancy and a friend were sitting on a bench at the end of her street when two American airmen from a nearby base walked by. One of them was her future husband, Billy. They started dating and became engaged. Billy was sent to France and then Belgium, as part of the Allied invasion of Europe. After Germany surrendered in May 1945, Billy learned that he was being sent to the Pacific theater with his B-26 bomber squadron. He was granted leave and rushed back to Roxwell to tell Nancy that they should get married. Her mother put together a wedding at St. Michael’s church in five days, with Nancy wearing a wedding gown borrowed from the widow of a British soldier who died at Dunkirk. They celebrated a three day honeymoon, and Billy went back to his unit.

After Japan surrendered in August 1945, Billy was sent home to Louisiana. In June 1946, Nancy finally got to join him as one of 65,000 British war brides that arrived in the U.S. by ship. They first lived at Monette’s Ferry with his family, then moved to Cypress and eventually to Flora. Nancy went to work for the Natchitoches Parish School Board, where she had a long career, including many years as the Executive Secretary to five superintendents of schools. When she retired, the School Board voted to permanently name its meeting room The Nancy West Harrington Board Room.

In 2018, Nancy was honored by the Citizens for Democratic Action for her tireless service to others.

Nancy first attended Trinity Episcopal Church on Easter Sunday, 1947, beginning a relationship with a church that she loved so much, and that she and Billy raised their children in.

Nancy and Billy had three children, Rick, Rodney, and Billy Joe. They all graduated Northwestern State University, and all became attorneys. One was elected district judge and another was elected district attorney of Natchitoches Parish. Another has a successful law practice.

Nancy and Billy loved their boys, and were active in their lives from their youngest days, teaching them to hunt and fish, play sports, and excel in school. They raised them as Christians. Nancy taught her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren many life lessons, but perhaps the most important was to treat all people with respect and dignity, no matter who they were.

She lived her life with dignity and grace, and was a living example and inspiration to all who knew her.

Nancy lost her beloved husband in 2004 and moved from Flora to Natchitoches to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She continued to stay active in their lives and attended their sporting events and other activities. She was her grandchildren’s adored “Grandma Nan”.

Nancy was proud of her English heritage and she and her family made many trips to England to visit their relatives there. Her English family also made many visits to Louisiana to see her. She eventually obtained her U. S. citizenship so that she could vote here, without surrendering her British citizenship.

Nancy was predeceased by her parents and brother, and her husband, Billy. She is survived by her sons, Rick (Carolyn), Rodney (Jan), and Billy Joe (Donna). She leaves eleven grandchildren and their spouses: Charlotte Harrington, Andy (Holly) Harrington, Camille Harrington, Curtis (Kasey) Harrington, Eddie (Emily) Harrington, Emily Erin Harrington, Mary Catherine Harrington, Drake (Brandi) Harrington, Claire (Brandon) Mayeaux, Kyle (Emily) Lechman and Peyton Rimmer. She had 13 great-grandchildren: Austin and Naomi Page, Nell and Lonnie Harrington, Alice and Edmund Harrington, Hudson, Hendrix and Hayes Harrington, Anna and Eva Mayeaux, and Charlotte and Amelia Lechman.

The family expresses its gratitude to Courtyard of Natchitoches, Hospice of Natchitoches, Ellen Chalk, Wanda Sykes and Pam Williams for their care of Nancy.

Services for Nancy will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 822 Second Street in Natchitoches, Louisiana on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be in the church before the service, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Her pallbearers will be her grandsons Andrew, Curtis, Eddie and Drake Harrington, and her grandson-in-law, Brandon Mayeaux. Burial will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Flora, Louisiana, where she will be placed at rest beside Billy. On her gravestone is a phrase from a poem by the British poet Rupert Brooke: “There’s some corner that is forever England.”

Those wishing to honor Nancy’s memory with a donation may contribute to the Trinity Episcopal Church RRR Fund, 148 Touline, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

The very first Nativity scene of record dates back to the year 1223. History credits Saint Francis of Assisi, as the creator of a crèche for a Christmas Eve Mass while he was visiting in Grecio. After this meaningful display of an ox, donkey and a manger, it quickly became a trend. During these times sculptors mainly fabricated these out of marble. Through the years people began to use different materials such as clay and wood so they would be affordable for common people to have. Though the Nativity scene started with very humble beginnings, with only a few figurines depicting Jesus’ birth, it grew over time to include a variety of farm animals, numerous angels, Shepherds, the Wise Men and camels.

This tradition eventually morphed into the home variety of Nativity Sets that are still largely popular today.

Theologians agree that the typical Nativity Set that is sold in stores today inaccurately depicts the actual night of our Savior’s birth. They say that most Nativity Sets portray the first year of
of his life and the Magi followed the star to Jesus’ home a year after he was born.

Regardless of the historical accuracy, many people find comfort in having all of the pieces together in one big show. As a child growing up I remember our family having a Nativity Set that we set out every year as part of our Christmas decor. I vividly remember the grassy textured roof on top of the barn and it had all of the major players glued down to the bottom of the barn. I am fairly certain that my parents appreciated the fact that they were permanently in place but it bothered me.

Looking back, I think it was mainly because I wanted to integrate these figurines with my Barbies. My Barbie needed a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth and farm animals to complete her family.

Over time different pieces of our Nativity Set were broken, lost, and all that was left was the dusty barn. Since that time I truly never had a crèche of my own. Years later when my oldest daughter was born, my mother bought her a Fisher Price Nativity Set. It was brightly colored, child-size and child-proof. My daughter cherished it and passed it on to her younger sister years later. Unfortunately, some of these pieces were lost, chewed up by household pets and disposed of. As of today I can only find Mary….

This year, for the very first time in my life, I am the proud owner of my own Nativity Set. It proudly sits in a place of honor on my fireplace mantle and it includes all of the extra people and animals who were not present on the actual night of his birth. It serves a gentle reminder that Christ entered this world in the most humble of ways. He was carried by a virgin teenager who God handpicked for this monumental task. He came as a baby, lived a natural and human life. He was born with the purpose of being the Savior of the world.

When I ponder all of the reasons that we need a Savior, it floods my soul to know that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. This is a gift that lives in our hearts and not on a mantle or stored away in box year to year. Merry Christmas….

“She will give birth to a son, and you are give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”
Mathew 1:21

Although the answer seems a paradox, the debate over Santa’s best reindeer is easy: it’s Rudolph, by a nose.  

Deciding the best Christmastime movie, that’s a whole other sleigh full of toys.  

Any sane person would of course say the warm but comedic Scrooged from 1988 is the best. It stars Bill Murray as a rotten, entitled TV exec, a modern-day Scrooge who sees the light after experiences with three unforgettable spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future.  

But then any person with Christmas truly in his heart would say that’s not even the best movie based on Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol. That spots belongs to The Muppet Christmas Carolfrom 1992, the brilliant comedy musical starring Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as his wife, and you get the picture. (The Rats stole the show. I love a funny Muppet rat. In a top hat. And a scarf.) 

But then a person with anything more than figgy pudding for brains would agree that even the 1984 made-for-TV drama A Christmas Carol starring a George C. Scott as Scrooge was the best — unless you go another route entirely and raise your hand for A Christmas Story from 1983, now a Christmas classic thanks to Ralphie and his quest for the Red Ryder, and thanks to the late Jean Shepherd, who wrote the story in his 1966 book, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. 

And we haven’t even mentioned The Grinch or Charlie Brown yet. Gee whiz …   

To each his own in Christmas movies. One man’s Top Gun: Maverick (good!) is another man’s Top Gun (the original: booo!). If we’re choosing reels for reals, I shouldn’t even be given a vote since I’m the only American living or dead who has never seen Christmas Vacation or Home Alone or Die Hard all the way through. 

Maybe one of these lonely days …  

But maybe on this we can agree. Our favorite movies, should we think about it, were lacking in production value, were grainy and hardly in sharp color, and had no script. They weren’t pretty, but they were authentic. My favorites were filmed in the 1960s, a less-than-celebrated decade marked by indoor wood paneling and shag rugs and shaggy hair and bright colors. The ’60s put the “T” in “Tacky.” 

But boy, did it turn out some great Christmas movies. All filmed live. 

Dad in the T-shirt with “the camera,” a projector with two-big bulbs. Looked like he was filming with a giant insect. In nearly every shot, the “actors and actresses” — us and our aunts and uncles and cousins and Christmas morning friends — are shielding our eyes from the double deadly bright Lumen Rays of Death emitted from this contraption our father was shooting us with. (The smarter children of that era decided early on to become eye doctors and specialize in the treatment of “Holiday Retina Burn” — and they’re retired today and have no clue how much money they have stashed, all because of those torturing Christmas bulbs.) 

In those filmed-at-home movies, I see in my mind the old scene with a 4-year-old boy and the bike. My baby sister holding a doll, and big sis, Sissy, with combs and a pink dress. A chihuahua dragging wrapping paper across the wood floor. 

That archaic filming machine captured us with magic sets and footballs and Hot Wheels and Barbies and E-Z-Bakes. Captured Christmases cold and Christmases warm and Christmases wet. Scenes around the table with grandmothers and grandfathers, year after year, older as we grew, but still grainy, shading our eyes, as if trying to squint into the future, with no idea as to how much these movies would mean to us when we finally got there.  

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu or on Twitter @MamaLuvsManning 

#37         Converse        8-9         33.61

By Brad Dison

In 1910, Pietro and Lucia and their six children emigrated from a small town in Italy to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania where Pietro earned meager wages as a mill hand.  Two years after their arrival, they added their seventh child, Ronald, to their ever-growing family which eventually totaled thirteen children.  Ronald was the seventh son of a seventh son, and the first of the children to be born in America.  Ronald’s family spoke Italian at home and Ronald only began to learn English when he entered elementary school, although he had picked up a few words here and there. 

In 1922 or 23, sources vary on the exact year, Ronald began working in Steve Fragapane’s barbershop to earn extra money for the family.  At the barbershop, he built and tended to the fire in the fireplace and swept up hair clippings from the floor.  Ronald quickly learned that he could make more money if he were to become a barber himself, so he watched Steve and the other barbers closely.  He convinced the barbers to let him try his hand at taking a few snips here and there off of the customers.  Their confidence in Ronald grew quickly because he had a steady hand, a good eye, and he showed no outward appearance of nervousness, if it existed at all.  Ronald was always calm and cool.  Eventually, he began learning how to cut hair in all the popular styles and how to give a good, clean shave although, at his young age, he had not begun shaving himself.

Within 3 years, by the young age of 13, Ronald earned his own chair at Steve’s barbershop.  In 1926, Ronald’s father became unable to work due to a severe heart condition.  It became the responsibility of Ronald and his brothers to earn enough money for the family’s survival. 

Ronald never complained and often sang the popular tunes of the day while giving a shave or a haircut, much to the delight of his customers.  Within a year, Ronald had more customers than his single chair in Fragapane’s shop could accommodate.  At the young age of 14, when most children his age were busy being children, Ronald opened his own barbershop where he employed two helpers.  On weekdays, he worked after school until midnight.  He worked longer hours on the weekend. Ronald’s ambition was to become the best barber of Canonsburg, and he was well on his way. 

It certainly seemed as if Ronald’s path in life was set.  In 1933, Ronald and some friends went to the Silver Slipper Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio, to see Freddy Carlone and his orchestra perform.  During the show, Carlone invited people from the audience to sing with his band.  Ronald’s friends urged him onto the stage.  Most of the people from the audience who sang with Carlone’s orchestra had more faith in themselves than they had talent, except for Ronald.  Carolone was so impressed with Ronald’s singing, his casual movements while he sang, and his general coolness, that he offered him a job.  He made more money as a barber than Carlone had offered to pay, but, with the reassurance of his father that he could always return to barbering, he joined the band.   

The chance performance at the Silver Slipper Ballroom set into motion an unexpected career change for Ronald, a career which lasted the remainder of his life, a career in which he sold millions of records, acted in numerous Hollywood pictures, hosted numerous radio and television variety shows, and hosted yearly Christmas shows from 1948 until 1994.  Rather than being known as the best barber in Canonsburg, as he originally wanted, he became known as the best ex-barber in the world.   In 1955, Franklin Avenue, the street where Ronald was born and grew up, was renamed in his honor.  In the 1960s, Ronald became the highest-paid performer in the history of television to that date.  You may recognize some of his songs such as “Till the End of Time”, “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes”, and “Catch a Falling Star.”  Nowadays, he is mostly associated with Christmas due to his recordings of Christmas songs.  In 1954, Ronald introduced a Christmas song in which he mentioned his home state.  He sang, “From Pennsylvania folks are traveling down to Dixie’s sunny shore, from Atlantic to Pacific gee the traffic is terrific.”  The song was “Home for the Holidays.”  Ronald’s full name was …Pierino Ronald “Perry” Como.

Merry Christmas!!!

Sources:
1.     Star-Gazette, November 27, 1955, p.44.
2.    Albuquerque Journal, December 13, 1980, p.19.
3.    Tyler Morning Telegraph, August 1, 1983, p.11.

Southwestern Electric Power Co. is urging customers to be prepared for a potential extreme winter weather event Thursday and Friday. Forecasts predict dangerous, below-freezing temperatures, high winds and some wintry precipitation across Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. These factors can stress the electric grid and cause utility problems. SWEPCO personnel are prepared if power outages occur and are asking customers to do the same by following these tips.

Plan ahead

• Develop a plan for you and your family. Decide now what you’ll do if there’s an extended power outage.
• If you or a family member relies on uninterrupted electric service for health reasons, make a plan now in case there are extended outages.
• Gather an emergency outage kit that includes a portable heater. Review and follow safety specifications before using.
• Make sure your contact information – including your cell number – is current with family, friends and others.
• Learn more about making an emergency kit and get other preparedness tips atSWEPCO.com/Outages/StormPrep

Stay connected

• Charge power banks ahead of time to help keep your cell phones charged.
• Report outages and check power restoration status at SWEPCO.com/Outages
• Download the SWEPCO mobile app for quick access to outage information: SWEPCO.com/App.
• Sign up to get SWEPCO alerts: SWEPCO.com/Alerts.
• Follow SWEPCO on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Be safe

• Treat all downed lines as dangerous — they can carry an electric current that can cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and keep others away, including children and pets. Call SWEPCO at 1-888-218-3919 or 911 immediately.
• Always use caution with any alternate sources of lighting, cooking, cooling or heating. Never operate lanterns, heaters, generators, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
• If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your home’s main electrical panel. This can “back-feed” electricity into outside utility lines, creating the danger of electrocution for repair crews and the public. Instead, read the manufacturer’s instructions, and only plug essential appliances directly into the generator.
• Be careful when driving or walking near all utility work zones.

About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)

SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 547,800 customers in Northwest and Central Louisiana, Northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and Western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO.com. Connect with us at Facebook.com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv and LinkedIn.com/company/swepco.

About American Electric Power (AEP)

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

Ebarb 4-H made Christmas ornaments and decorated cards for the local nursing home residents. Members also did demonstrations on gift wrapping, creating cards, and crocheting.