It’s that time again, another fishing season is upon us. Now begins the preparation for bass tournament competitions. Almost 95 percent of all tournament trails crank up in the month of January. With January comes one of two things, very cold days or sometimes what is called an Indian Summer. Don’t ask me why it’s called that, because I have not done any research with regards to this topic.

But usually it means some very cold weather conditions that can bring not only low temperatures but sleet and snow on rare occasions. Today we’ll look at how we not only prepare for these types of conditions but also what goes into getting ready to fish.

Cold temperatures dipping into the upper 20s and low 30s is fairly common in both January and February. The most important part of being able to fish in these conditions is dressing properly. We’ve all heard how you’re supposed to dress in layers and this is exactly what you better do. In order to focus and concentrate on fishing you better be comfortable and warm. Nothing is worse than trying to fish while your entire focus is on how cold it is, and that you can’t wait for this event to be over so you can get back to your truck and thaw out.

The only other thing worse than being cold — being wet and cold. This is why you never pinch pennies when it comes to good rain gear or outerwear. Both Bass Pro Shop’s 100 MPH suit and SIMMS outerwear make some of the best rain gear money can buy. This was the first I lesson learned while fishing as a co-angler on the FLW Tour back in 2004. Nothing is more valuable than good rain gear made from Gortex.

Some anglers can fish with gloves and some cannot. Fishing with gloves is not for me because of my inability to feel the line coming off the spool when casting. But it is highly recommended that you have a good pair of gloves with handshake warmers inside them while making those cold boat runs.

Another thing that’s a must-have during cold weather fishing — good socks. This is sometimes the most overlooked item when it comes to staying warm. There are a ton of options from a wool/cotton blend to electric; you just have to try different kinds and see what works for you.  

Now let’s talk tackle and what baits will be my primary go-to for this time of year. First and foremost, no good angler will hit the cold waters of January and February without a Rat-L-Trap style bait tied on. There’s actually two that I totally rely on — the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap and the SPRO Aruku Shad in two colors, Toledo Gold and Texas Craw, both of which are primarily orange colored baits. If you’re only given one bait to fish this time of year, make sure it’s a rattling style bait like the Trap or the Aruku Shad.

Next, an A-Rig, this umbrella style rig is a go-to when bass are feeding on shad and is a great way to locate schools of bass. Another bait that will be tied on is a Chatter Bait. No other bait has probably been more productive at catching bass in the last 15 years than the Chatter Bait. This is basically nothing more than a skirted bass jig with a small blade attached to the head of the bait that creates a fish-attracting, side-to-side vibrating action that bass cannot resist.

There was time when the number one bait of choice for wintertime fishing was a jig. A lot of money has been won over the years with what anglers call a jig and pig. This is a combination of a skirted jig paired with a crawfish imitator in either soft plastic or actual pork rind. Pork rind is used mainly during cold temperatures when you’re looking for a more subtle presentation. While there are other baits that are good choices, the ones talked about today are the ones most anglers will have tied on this time of year.

Here’s a tip that might save you the headache of trying to pry open those frozen shut rod and storage compartments on your boat.  A cold rain followed by freezing temperatures will literally seal each compartment shut on your boat, but if you will leave each storage lid partially open and not completely closed, it will save you the hassle of having to use hot water to get them open.

Wintertime fishing can be really productive and it’s also a good time to catch lunker bass. But you just have to make sure you’re prepared for the conditions you’re likely to face when fishing with Old Man Winter. Having the right tackle and the right clothing, will make your cold-weather fishing much more enjoyable.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

The Sabine Parish School District is proud to welcome seven newly elected board members. All nine board members were recently sworn in. All board members pictured, from left are Josh Jenkins (District 3), Donald H. Remedies (District 8), Stacy Alford (District 1), John Stewart (District 6), Dale Skinner (President – District 9), Kowonno Greene (Vice President – District 4), Dr. Leah Byles (District 2), Terrell Snelling (District 7), and Everett Guidry (District 5).

The North Sabine Fire District received the following calls during the month of October, 2022.

116 calls total including:
EMS, 80     (YTD – 869)
Unspecified, 0     (YTD – 38)
Structure Fire, 4     (YTD – 29)
Woods/Grass Fires, 5     (YTD – 157)
Vehicle Fire, 0     (YTD – 15)
Motor Vehicle Crash, 7     (YTD – 97)
Fire Alarms/Public Service/Other, 20     (YTD – 158)
LZ Setup, 0     (YTD – 9)
Mutual Aid, 0     (YTD – 7)
Transports, 0     (YTD -2)

Total calls for 2022: 1381

PROUDLY SERVING WARDS 5-10 OF SABINE PARISH

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NATCHITOCHES — Why would Jess Curtis leave the powerhouse Class 2A high school football program he built at his alma mater, in his hometown, to take over as coach at perennially-struggling Natchitoches Central High School in the state’s largest classification?

Last Friday afternoon, Curtis explained, after he was introduced as the Chiefs’ new coach to media, local leaders, and a couple dozen of his new players in a press conference at the sparkling new football fieldhouse at NCHS. That’s three times in the same sentence that “new” was used, and that provides the first insight into what will take some a long time, if ever, to understand.

Why make a move that shocked everyone – first and foremost, Many High football players, their families, Tiger supporters, and experts like prep football coaches and media around the state?

That new building is part of the draw. Not only because of its impressive structure and functionality, but because of the statement made with its construction last year. Curtis was curious to see it, and to hear about why it was built. He loved what he saw, and was intrigued by what he heard from Natchitoches Central principal Micah Coleman and Natchitoches Parish superintendent of schools Dr. Grant Eloi.

But it was fundamentally a desire to scratch an itch, to see if what worked in Many could transfer to a much bigger school, one in search of something it has rarely tasted in the six decades it has existed – consistent success in football, let alone football championships.  NCHS hasn’t won the district this century. The Chiefs have two winning seasons in the last decade, the same span when Many has emerged as one of Louisiana’s premiere powerhouses.

Can Curtis carry the Chiefs from the doldrums to great success?

“You gotta believe. I’m here because I do,” Curtis said. “Everybody has called or texted me, some good friends, (asking) ‘man, what are you doing?’ That was one of the big things that got me here — this is a challenge. I like to build, I like when maybe you’re not the favorite, when you get taken lightly.  It’s going to be fun to see how quickly we can climb that ladder.

“I needed that. I needed a new challenge,” said the man whose Tigers had won 53 consecutive district games … had played in state championship games in each of the last four seasons, winning two of the last three (going 38-2 overall this decade) … and had plenty of talent returning from the 13-0 squad that won last fall’s Division III Non-Select state title.

It wasn’t the first time he thought of coaching elsewhere. He didn’t chase opportunities because he was happy at home, but he fielded phone calls after every season from school leaders around the state wondering if he might consider a move. After the 2019 season, he had conversation about the NCHS job, and because it was 25 miles from home, he did entertain the prospect. Not for long.

His nephew Tackett Curtis was a freshman, and it was already obvious he had a chance to be a very good player. Sunday, Tackett was named Mr. Louisiana Football, as he settled into Los Angeles to enroll at Southern Cal to play for the Trojans. In 2019, the coach/uncle knew Many was poised to challenge for state titles in the next few years. That expectation obviously was on target.

“I wanted to see my nephew through his four years. Four straight state championship games, that was fantastic. Now I think it’s time. It was a crossroads question. I didn’t have much of a Christmas holiday. I was playing tennis in my head, whether I wanted to go or stay, and I want to give this a shot while I’m young enough to hoop and holler and get rolling. I think I’ll need all that energy here and I can’t wait to do it.’

The timing was right to scratch that itch. There was only one opening he found appealing.

“If I’d have sat back and stayed, it would have been wonderful. What I’ve had at Many is what coaches dream of having. I know that. I’m lucky, I’m blessed. But at the end, I’da said ‘what if?’ and I’m not a ‘what if?’ guy. We’re going to go do it, we’re going to see, we’re going to take a swing at it.”

“I wanted to try something different, at another level. Natchitoches Central gives some pull here with these new facilities, the (enrollment) numbers they have. I don’t have to move across the state for a great opportunity. It’s here. It’s a 5A opportunity in my backyard.  The kids here are a lot alike those we have at Many. Can we get them to buy into what we do, down the road? We’ll see. I think we will.”

By the time friends and coaching colleagues were texting and calling asking why he would move to NCHS, Curtis had been through the ringer.

“It was tough. I give credit to Micah Coleman for giving me time, and he did. If he had pressured me to make a decision, I would probably still be in Many. It took me that long to piece it together.

“I talked to them multiple times, and Dr. Eloi was here on most of those talks. It’s impressive to sit with a superintendent who is that invested in seeing great improvement in the football program, and to team up with a principal who has won state championships as a coach. Micah knows how to win here. It’s a great combination of leadership.

“You see an administration that’s hungry for football to win, to be significant, to have the kids have a great experience, and that’s why I’m here, to try to give them what they want, and to accept a new challenge,” said Curtis.

He couldn’t imagine a negative to staying at Many. The program was built on rock-solid foundation. The support was tremendous. He loved the town, the school, his team, and had everything he needed – except a big challenge. The Tigers program takes nothing for granted, but it’s at the level and has such returning talent that the 2023 season and beyond is shaping up as more of the same top-level success.

Knowing what is in place at MHS provided some comfort for Curtis as he considered moving east. The history teacher in him as well as the football guru knows there are no guarantees when there’s a change in leadership, but there’s every reason to have faith in the Tigers’ future.

The most difficult part, he said, was telling his players. Since, it’s been  coping with consternation and frustration from back home, from good people who just don’t see it the way he does. He understands, and hopes in time, they will, too. There was nothing about his decision that was easy.

He’s got to wrap up things at Many High, where his brother Moses is principal and he will assist in picking his successor. That may take a couple weeks, he said, but he’s already building his new staff. His son Jesse will quickly get involved leading the Chiefs’ strength and conditioning program, what he repeatedly cites as the key on the path to a consistently winning team.

“That starts immediately,” he said.

But he’s never turning his back on the Tigers.

“I’ll have a big part of my heart there, hoping for the very best for those kids, that program,” he said. “Anything I can do to help, there’s no doubt. It’s my alma mater, my hometown. They’ll get a great coach, no doubt.”

By JIMMY WATSON, Written for the LSWA

Already in California to begin classes at USC, Many linebacker Tackett Curtis made history in his home state Sunday by receiving the highest honor awarded by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association – the Farm Bureau Insurance/LSWA Mr. Football award.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound enforcer becomes the first Many athlete to receive the designation since the LSWA began awarding the Mr. Football recognition in 1995. He joins a stellar list of previous honorees including Leonard Fournette, Ryan Perrilloux, Brock Berlin and Derek Stingley. He’s the second Mr. Football to choose USC joining John Curtis running back Joe McKnight in 2006.

The nephew of former Many coach Jess Curtis and son of MHS principal Moses Curtis, the mid-year high school graduate led the Tigers to four consecutive trips to Louisiana High School Athletic Association championship games. Many won the Class 2A title in 2020 in Northwestern’s Turpin Stadium, just a 25-minute drive from Many. Curtis capped his sterling career with a Non-Select Division III title last month in New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome.

He selected USC last summer after narrowing his 40-plus offers to the Trojans, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

“There wasn’t a linebacker in the country we wanted more than Tackett Curtis,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said in his signing day news conference. “I think he’s the best inside linebacker in the country. There’s not one I would take over him.”

Along with his pivotal role the last four seasons at linebacker/safety, Curtis served the Tigers as quarterback the last two seasons, and as a kick/punt returner. Curtis compiled 112 tackles, including 16 for a loss, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions this season. He also rushed for 1,115 yards and 11 touchdowns with two of his biggest coming in the state championship game against Union Parish. The title game MVP was a finalist for the nation’s high school Butkus Award, which recognizes the top linebacker in the country.

“He’s kinda like a little John Rambo — he doesn’t show a lot of emotion,” Jess Curtis said. “He just does his job. He doesn’t like the limelight. He likes to play and play hard, and he’s done it the right way. He was always in the weight room at night, lifting, not for any fanfare — he just wants to be better.”

Curtis has won a multitude of awards during his prep career including back-to-back LSWA 2A Defensive Player of the Year accolades as well as All-District 3-2A honors since arriving on the Sabine Parish football scene as a quiet, gangly freshman with a big upside. His father said Tackett’s great grandfather, the late Leonard O’Neal Tackett, had a rough and rowdy past that might help explain some of Tackett’s grit on the gridiron.

“Papaw Tackett’s whole family is a bunch of Texas outlaws that came from Waco,” Moses said. “They grew up hard and were into the Bonnie and Clyde family. That side of the family was tied into Bonnie. They were some interesting people.”

Papaw Tackett was the first on his side of the family to attend, and graduate, from college. He earned a doctorate as a chiropractor, built a car from scratch and could fly an airplane. His great-grandson and namesake hits like a Mack truck, has made just one “B” in 12 years of school and will eventually earn a degree from one of the top universities in the country.

That apple apparently hasn’t fallen far.

Farm Bureau Insurance/LSWA Mr. Football

2022: Tackett Curtis, Many
2021: Landry Lyddy, Calvary Baptist
2020: Sage Ryan, Lafayette Christian
2019: Christian Westcott, Lakeshore
2018: Derek Stingley Jr., The Dunham School
2017: Anthony “Pooka” Williams, Hahnville
2016: Keytaon Thompson, Landry-Walker
2015: Lindsey Scott, Zachary
2014: Deshawn Capers-Smith, Warren Easton
2013: Leonard Fournette, St. Augustine
2012: John Diarse, Neville
2011: Landon Collins, Dutchtown
2010: Anthony Johnson, O. Perry Walker
2009: Gavin Webster, Lutcher
2008: Blake Matherne, Belle Chasse
2007: Randall Mackey, Bastrop
2006: Joe McKnight, John Curtis
2005: Charles Scott, Jonesboro-Hodge
2004: Ryan Perrilloux, East St. John
2003: Chris Markey, Jesuit
2002: Robert Lane, Neville
2001: Jason Miller, Iota
2000: Byron Robertson, St. Thomas Aquinas
1999: Brock Berlin, Evangel
1998: Bradie James, West Monroe
1997: Adam McConathy, West Monroe
1996: Travis Minor, Baton Rouge-Catholic
1995: Cecil Collins, Leesville

Credits: Henrietta Wildsmith, Shreveport Times

There is still a “t” or two to cross, but if Buc-ee’s comes to Ruston and Tarbutton Road as most hope, the next generation of Lincoln Parish children will be more spoiled than the generation who were on the good end of the transition from outhouses and Sears and Roebuck catalogs to indoor plumbing and toilet paper.  

I can hear a kid 10 years from now: “Paris? Rome? Waikiki? Man, that don’t impress me much. My momma used to change my diaper in Buc-ee’s. BUC-EE’S, bro! I grew up there. I grew up in there.” 

No way can you adequately convey what a Buc-ee’s is and isn’t. But one trip and you will never forget it. 

The more I’ve heard about this newest enterprise, the more I’ve imagined the famous monologue by James Earl Jones in W.P. Kinsella’s brilliantly conceived Field of Dreams in 1989, the scene that shows his character convincing Ray, the owner of the baseball and corn fields and Kevin Costner’s character, not to sell his land, even though the bank plans to foreclose the next morning. In the Ruston re-make, the setting is Tarbutton Road’s northwest corner by I-20, Ray is Ruston and Jones is Jones and Mark is the brother-in-law representing the bank, in this case a Buc-ee’s non-believer. 

JAMES EARL JONES: “Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Buc-ee’s in Ruston for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up into the store, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive to get a selfie made with the giant wooden buck-tooth beaver, innocent as children, longing for the past —  and maybe for some Buc-ee’s Barbecue Rub or Steak Seasoning, gluten-free if needed.  

“‘Of course, we won’t mind if you look around,’ you’ll say. ‘You just need to buy some gas, or maybe a smoker or a onesie pajama bear suit or a dozen shoe charms or icebox magnets.’ They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have, and peace they lack. Peace, and some Buc-ee’s Fruit Sours.”  

MARK: “Ray, this is going to hurt the town more than help. We can’t waste this land. It’s obvious that … “ 

JONES: “And they’ll walk out to the Nut Wall, just gaze as they did when they were children when they cheered their heroes, which were either Planters salted or unsalted, except here they are overwhelmed by Beaver Nugget Sweet Corn Puff and Butter Toffee and Honey Toasted and Pina Colada Pecans and that’s only the tip of the nutberg — and it’ll be as if they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces …”  

MARK: “Ray what Ruston needs is another Mexican restaurant. It’s as plain as that cup of Dippin’ Dots you’re holding … “  

JONES: “People will come, Ray.” 

MARK: “We need money, we have this tremendous asset of location and land, and we’re putting it on a joint that sells tie dye drink glasses and T-shirts that say stuff like ‘I Paused My Game to Be Here’ and ‘I’m Into Fitness. Fit’ness Taco In My Mouth’?” 

JONES: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. Well, that and consumerism. And free enterprise. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a brisket at a tailgate barbecue, rebuilt, and erased again. But it’s jerky that has marked the time — the Bohemian garlic flavor, mesquite, lemon pepper, Teriyaki … it’s salt water taffy in a resealable bag and a pink imitation leather cosmetic case that reads, ‘Just a Girl Who Loves Beavers,’ and mostly it’s that Buc-ee’s sign taller than Wyly Tower or Mount Driscoll and that Giant Magnetic Beaver, whose Siren Song draws tourists to these clean bathrooms like tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches draw Protestant country folk. It’s consumerism that has marked the time, Ray. The hope of this store, this sort of Giant Jerky Wall joint, this heaven of dessert-in-a-plastic-case-to-go, this wellspring of emotion overload, this ‘game’ — it’s part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. 

“Ohhhhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”  

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

By Brad Dison

Two American tourists took a much-needed vacation in England and Scotland.  They had visited the usual tourist attractions in London such as Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the British Museum, and the Great Clock of Westminster, which is commonly referred to as Big Ben.  They traveled to several cities in Scotland and visited the usual tourist sites there such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Holyrood House.  Finally, they decided to get away from the bustling crowds of the cities and went hiking in an area of the sparsely populated Scottish Highlands, about 100 miles north of Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.  The views were breathtaking.  They hiked on the ancient winding paths at the base of the mountains along the River Dee.

While hiking, they met another man and woman, Dick and Liz, who were walking in the opposite direction toward a favored picnic site.  Dick and Liz rarely saw hikers in this area because it was so remote.  As the hikers neared, Liz said hello and sparked up a conversation.  The hikers were instantly drawn in by Dick and Liz’s accents.  The foursome engaged in small talk.  The hikers told Dick and Liz of their travels throughout Britain and where they would be visiting on the remainder of their vacation. 

As the conversation progressed, one of the gentleman hikers asked Liz where she lived.  She replied, “Well, I live in London, but I have a holiday home just the other side of the hill.”  “How often have you been coming up here,” the gentleman hiker asked.  “Oh, I’ve been coming up here since I was a little girl, so over eighty years.”  Dick and Liz could see that the gentleman was thinking about her reply.  Then he asked what was one of the most asked questions by a tourist in Britain.  “Well, if you’ve been coming up here for 80 years,” he said, “you must’ve met the Queen.”  Liz replied, “Well I haven’t, but Dick, here, meets her regularly.” 

The hikers turned their full attention to Dick, who had spoken very little up to that point.  “What’s she like,” the hikers asked Dick.  “Well,” Dick replied matter-of-factly “she can be very cantankerous at times, but she has a lovely sense of humor.”  The hikers held onto every word Dick said about his meetings with the Queen.  The hiker was so enamored that he had met someone who had met the Queen that he handed Liz his camera and asked if she would take a picture of him with Dick, to which she obliged. Then, they swapped places and Dick took pictures of the hikers with Liz. 

After a while, the hikers said goodbye to Dick and Liz and continued on their hike.  As Dick and Liz gave a final wave to their new hiker friends, Liz turned to Dick and said, “I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he shows the photographs to his friends in America.”  You see, Richard “Dick” Griffin really had met the Queen regularly because he was her royal protection officer.  The American hikers learned at some later point that the lady who accompanied Dick on the picnic was Queen Elizabeth II.

Source:

https://news.sky.com/video/platinum-jubilee-richard-griffin-on-the-queens-sense-of-humour-12626988

Trinity United Methodist Church of Ruston is finding new ways to reach the community in regard to how the congregation serves and how members spread the word of God. One way this church reaches the community is through different lecture series each year. This year’s offering, which the church is opening to the public, is the Laskey Lecture Series with Dr. Sandra Richter.

Created by Virginia Laskey, the lecture series brings in dynamic speakers with a variety of topics including politics, spirituality, arts, the environment, and much more.

Three FREE sessions will be taught by Dr. Sandra Richter to speak on the bible’s Old Testament on Saturday, Jan. 21 beginning at 10 am until 4 pm. Dr. Richter is a leading expert on Old Testament knowledge. She will convey a complex understanding of culture, archeology, and language to the listeners in a way they can understand. She will address leadership and hope through examining the life of Debra in the Book of Judges.

Attendees will receive complimentary childcare services.

Other offerings to the community include regular Sunday worship and bible studies throughout the week. The congregation also invests in children and youth as they are the future. They also feed the community, which is a big part of the church’s mission because there is such a big need for feeding programs.

More recently, our outreach committee is exploring new and innovative ways we can fight hunger in the Ruston community and beyond

To find out more about the lecture series or to sign up for it, call (318) 251-0750 or go online to www.trinityruston.org/announcements/laskey-lecture-series.

BOM was a sponsor of the Village of Pleasant Hill’s Annual Christmas in the Country Parade. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Ashley Parrie and Mrs. Gloria Stewart (Mayor Pro Tem).

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NATCHITOCHES — Early Thursday morning, Natchitoches mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. was checking his social media when a Shreveport-Bossier Journal headline on Facebook jumped out at him.

“Many’s Curtis is new Natchitoches Central football coach.”

The mayor, a proud 2004 NCHS graduate and an avid sports fan, knew all about Jess Curtis but had no clue about the hiring. He devoured the story and immediately fired off a one-word text to Natchitoches Parish schools superintendent Dr. Grant Eloi.

“My word was simply ‘HUGE’ in all caps. It’s a huge move to get somebody like Coach Curtis,” said Williams, a junior high teacher and coach before getting elected mayor two summers ago. “It’s going to change our program hopefully for a very long time. I’m very pleased.

“He’s going to create a winning culture. It’s a major move for us as a high school, as a community, for our kids, and I know he’s going to bring a level of expectation and a level of discipline that will set a great tone,” said Williams.

A mid-afternoon announcement on social media officially confirmed the news – that Curtis, the architect of one of Louisiana’s most dominant high school football programs in the past decade, had accepted the task of elevating a long-struggling football team into a consistent winner and championship contender.

In his 13 seasons leading his alma mater’s program, Curtis went 142-32 (.816) with state championships in 2014, 2020 and 2022, three more state runner-up finishes (2013, 2019, 2021) and another three state semifinal berths (2016-18). The Class 2A Tigers have won 50 of their last 53 games while making four straight state championship games, and are 6-0 in that stretch over Class 4A or 5A opponents.

Moving 25 miles east to NCHS, Curtis takes over a Class 5A program with only two winning seasons in that span. The Chiefs have not had consistent success since the mid-and-late 1990s, highlighted by a state semifinal appearance in 1996.

It was a stunning hire that captured statewide attention Thursday. Nearly 46,000 Twitter users clicked on the @s_bjournal account to read the story. The Facebook post was shared 93 times. Numerous other state and regional media outlets made their own social media posts about Curtis’ move.

“I’ve never been more surprised by coaching news than I was today,” said KTBS-TV sports anchor Alex Anderson.

Veteran Chiefs radio play-by-play announcer Steve Graf, who played professionally in the USFL in the mid-1980s, praised the move.

“So excited to see Natchitoches Central hire a high-quality football coach in Jess Curtis. He has more than proven himself as a quality coach but more importantly as a developer of talent. He knows how to build a program,” said Graf.

“I hope and encourage officials at Natchitoches Central to give him their total support in order for the Chiefs to return to prominence as a 5A football program,” he added.

The reaction in Sabine Parish was mixed, with some Many fans disappointed and even upset about their coach’s departure. But plenty of support was expressed on social media or in texts expressing gratitude for Curtis and sending him best wishes at Natchitoches Central.

Former Sabine Parish school board president Buddy Wood has a longstanding friendship with the new NCHS coach, and has been the public address announcer for Many home games for years.

“Jess and I coached Little League baseball together for seven years back in the mid-to late ‘90s and it was evident then he had a remarkable love for kids and young men. He wanted to help them succeed. He has a passion for winning but a greater passion for doing it the right way,” said Wood.

“But his greatest passion is teaching respect and having young men represent themselves and their families, their coaches and teammates with class. It’s spurred a remarkable winning formula at Many High School and created community support on a remarkable level. I expect the same result will come at NCHS and in the Natchitoches community.”

NCHS will introduce its new football coach to the media just after lunchtime today, and has invited supporters to meet Curtis at the Chief Dome gym on campus tonight at approximately 7 o’clock between the girls and boys home basketball games against District 1-5A foe Haughton.

“As a district, we want to excel in everything we do, whether it be academics or athletics,” said Eloi. “Coach Curtis, with his track record of leading young people, gives our students the opportunity to achieve success both on the classroom and on the field.”

NCHS principal Micah Coleman was ecstatic.

“It is hard for me to contain my excitement for our student-athletes, our athletics program and Natchitoches Central High School. Coach Curtis is a winner in every phase.

“One of the things that excited me most was Coach Curtis’ passion and competitiveness within his LEAP 2025 scores for U.S. History,” said Coleman. “Coach Curtis wins in the classroom, he wins the hallways, therefore he wins on the field.”

The NCHS announcement noted that Curtis’ son, Jesse, a key figure on his Many staff, will be the strength and conditioning coach for the Chiefs.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Funeral services for Sabine Parish Deputy Adam Ryan Nelson, 26, of Marthaville, Louisiana, will be held on Friday, Jan. 6,  at 10:00 AM at Old Pisgah Baptist Church with Bro. Dean Johnson and Bro. James Greer officiating. Burial will follow in the Hebron Cemetery in Dry Prong, Louisiana. 

Adam Ryan Nelson was born on Wednesday, May 15, 1996 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Adam went peacefully to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 in Winter Park, Colorado while snowboarding with family. 

To know Adam was to love him. He was passionate about everything he did in which all of his numerous awards reflected. Adam worked for the Sheriff’s Office for almost 3 years. He started as a correctional officer, then patrol deputy, and quickly became a member of the Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team and Special Operations Group (S.O.G). Adam was also a member of the ATF Project Safe Neighborhoods Federal Task Force. Adam’s passion for advanced, continuous law enforcement training and his tactical mindset caused him to excel in his narcotic and firearm investigations at the Sheriff’s Office. In his 26 short years he built a lasting legacy with his work ethic, love, compassion and respect for others.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Paul J. Fett; and his grandfather-in-law, Lloyd H. Ford.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Ford Nelson of Marthaville, Louisiana. Adam and Emily met at the University of Texas in Tyler while he played baseball with the 2018 National Championship team. Soon after meeting, Adam knew Emily was “the one”, and they were married on Sep. 12, 2020. They later moved to Emily’s hometown where she sparked a love in him of travel, outdoors, and hunting. They opened up their home to their two beloved huskies, Aspen and Lou. 

Adam is also survived by his grandparents, Eddie and Carolyn Nelson and Dianne Sparks and her husband Dave; his father, Mike Nelson; mother, Julie Fett Nelson; brother, Andy Nelson and wife Erin and their children, Jackson and Maya; brother, Aaron Nelson; sister, Abby Nelson and fiancé Seth Wimberly; his father and mother-in-law, Bradley and Crystal Ford; brother and sister-in-law; Micah and Brooke Arbuckle and their children, Sophie and Harrison; sister-in-law, Camryn Ford; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and brothers in blue.

Pallbearers will be: Andy Nelson, Aaron Nelson, Austin Nelson, Micah Arbuckle, Sam Beason, Hayden Evans, Miles Savell and Trey Mitchell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team: Jesse Branam, Josiah Steinke, Trevor Beason, Nick Sandel and Brennan Jones.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: C.O.P.S. Louisiana Chapter

concernsofpolicesurvivors.org

Special thanks to his brothers in blue that brought him home.

“Though the mountains may be moved into the sea. Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way, I can hear my father singing over me,,,It’s gonna be ok.” Tasha Layton, “Into the Sea.”

When one boards an airplane for a trip there is an unwritten rule that applies. Everyone who has flown more than once is acutely aware of this. No, you won’t hear this on a pre-recorded message nor will you see it in the safety-manual that is neatly placed on the seat in front of you. This could have been passed down from generations before us or even friends who travel more than we do. On my recent holiday voyage it was my delight to be able to teach this to my youngest daughter who flew with me.

The unwritten but understood rule is…yes, there will be turbulence but if the flight attendant is not concerned, you shouldn’t be either. I have always reasoned with myself that turbulence is like hitting a pothole on a poorly maintained road in the sky.

I have always enjoyed flying and have never had a bad experience but my daughter was very nervous this time. We spoke at length about bumpy flights and I encouraged to download her favorite shows or a book to entertain her while flying.

On our recent mother-daughter trip we flew through many snowstorms, waited while planes were de-iced, re-filled with fuel, delayed flights and changing of planes. We felt like we experienced everything the friendly skies had to offer. We mostly chose joy and tried not to complain to each other although we silently knew we would not be flying during the holidays again anytime soon.

On our flight from the lovely town of Idaho Falls to Denver, Colorado turned into a major concern not long after we hit the air. The flight attendant rolled out her drink cart as normal and was serving drinks with a cheerful smile until the pilot voice filled the background. In a calm but urgent way he advised everyone that we were about to hit “severe turbulence” due to the weather headed into Denver. He urged the attendant to put away the drink cart and return to her seat immediately and all of the passengers should stay buckled up while making sure all of our personal items were secure.

I looked over at my daughter and she was none the wiser. She was clueless that we were about to take a fiery dive into the Rocky Mountains. I glanced at the flight attendant who was rolling that cart faster than Mario Andretti could make a lap around a race track. She had lost her cheerful, genuine smile and traded it for a fake smile that was forced. I briefly thought that this would be the end but then the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had praise music downloaded and I should enjoy the calming music and close my eyes.

Into my Apple Music Library I dove. I have a wonderful playlist downloaded that I normally use for yard work so I will feel closer to the Lord. This was perfect, not knowing what would play next, I clicked “shuffle” and waited for the Lord to WOW me with his peace.

As the turbulence began so did the music. Please refer to the lyrics at the very beginning of this article. Does God have jokes? Yes, this is the song that the Lord sent my way to remind me of his goodness and bestow his peace all around me. “Can you make something from the wreckage…though the mountains may be moved into the sea…..”

While I realize we were not flying over a sea….the words “mountains, wreckage and ground crumbling” had me so tickled. The good Lord knows me so well and is aware that I love a good laugh and can find humor in practically any situation. I smiled so big at the thought of him sending this song my way….was he laughing at me? It’s okay, I was laughing at myself and enjoying his presence all at the same time.

The recurring message in the song does say, “It’s gonna be okay, you have never let me down and you won’t.” He didn’t let us down. We truly never felt the severe turbulence.

I know that he delights in his children and he wants us to experience his love, his kindness and his sense of humor. Yes, I am convinced that God has jokes. After all, we were made in his image.

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them.” – Genesis 1:27

The main water line was accidentally damaged by some contractors that were working on gas lines. The town of Zwolle is working to fix this issue to restore water as soon as possible. 

Over the years I‘ve had the honor and the privilege to fish with some great anglers. Even though I think of myself as a pretty good angler, there’s probably never been a single person that’s gotten into my boat that I did not learn something from. Bass fishing is a sport where you never stop learning. New baits and techniques are developed  every single year. Someone is always pushing the limits and trying to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.

Today, we’ll look at a connection I’ve made over the years and the impact he had on me as an angler and as a person.

My competitive fishing career started out with a former softball teammate of mine who asked me to fish a team tournament on Lake Bistineau in the spring of 1990. This was at a time when I was looking for something that would fill my competitive desires that I had during my playing days as a minor league baseball and USFL football player. Like all athletes, the day comes when you realize that your playing days are over. I needed and was looking for something that would fill that void in my life.

Randy Farrar, a Lake Bistineau legend, is the guy the responsible for the exorbitant amount of money I have invested in bass fishing! He’s the reason I’ve been a major donor with entry fees to fishing organizations all across the country.  He’s the reason I have a fishing man-cave second to none! His invitation to fish a team tournament back in March of 1990 was the match that lit the fuse. He’s the one to blame for my bass fishing obsession.

All great anglers have had that one person who has taken them under their wing at some point and taught them the basics of how to catch bass. Not all great anglers are born with fishing instincts like a Kevin Van Dam, bass fishing’s greatest professional angler of all time. Randy was that angler for me. He taught me how to fish a jig, tweak a spinnerbait and understand the technique of pitching and flipping. To this day, he still possesses a wealth of knowledge and always thinks outside the box on why and how bass react to certain baits and techniques. 

Even though we don’t fish as team partners much anymore, I still call on him from time to time to talk bass fishing. But there’s something even more important — he became one of my closest friends. We’ve shared some good times and some tough times together in both victory and defeat. Nothing brings people together more than spending a full day together in a bass boat. You learn who they are and what makes them tick while sharing stories of the past, some true and some totally made up, but who cares —  it’s always great entertainment.  

This relationship started out as teammates on a men’s travel softball team sponsored by Home Depot. The ‘80s and ‘90s were a time when men’s travel softball was huge. We roamed over the South winning championships that included two World Championships.

Randy was considered one of the best Shreveport-Bossier third basemen ever. He was a tremendous defensive player, but could also spray the ball all over the field with his bat. He was a great team player who cared nothing about accolades, but just wanted the team to win. 

But it was during our time in a bass boat when we formed a tight bond that still exists today. Days and hours on in, we scouted, preparing for our next event. Some of these trips had a hiccup or two but that’s what happens when two competitive anglers get into the same boat.

We’ve laughed to the point of almost falling overboard! Several times our agility in a bass boat, or the lack of, was on full display, but no one ever really got hurt, other than maybe a wounded ego.

We did not always agree on where we should fish or what we should be doing to catch bass. Team fishing is like a marriage. You don’t always get along. But one thing was clear, when the dust settled, we both had the same competitive goal — to win!!! While we won our share of events and fished well together, it’s wasn’t the wins or high finishes that made it fun. It was the connection we had as friends that made every trip special.

Time is a funny thing. The times you share with anyone doing something you both love is always special. Good fishing partners are hard to find and not all teammates end up being great friends. In some cases, it can lead to the opposite — enemies forever. Team partners can come and go, but true friendship will last a lifetime.

Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen and regular visits to your dermatologist because Melanoma does not discriminate. 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Reminder that the Town of Many Mardi Gras Parade will be held on Jan. 28 at 5pm. Pet entries are welcome.