Baton Rouge – The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., reminds property owners to remain vigilant for termites during late spring and into the coming summer months.

With Louisiana’s warm and wet climate this time of year, termites can get especially active as they constantly seek out new food sources.

“Turning off outside lights at night or using yellow bulbs can help you avoid attracting swarming termites,” says Commissioner Strain. “However, there are also other proactive measures you can take on a regular basis to protect your property from the destruction of termites.”

• Fix any leaks in the roof, pipes, and outside faucets on your home.
• Repair rotting wood on the fascia, soffit, and exterior wood surfaces.
• Remove any wood lying under or around your home, and store firewood away from your home.
• Examine your home’s slab line and the base of piers for signs of termites.
• Clean the gutters on your home and repair sections that may be damaged.
• Trim tree limbs and vines that may be growing on your home.
• Drain water away from the slab or under your home; do not let it pool.

Treatments and annual inspections by a licensed, insured, and bonded pest control company are a good termite preventative. Between professional inspections, property owners can also look for mud tubes on slabs, piers, or walls; pinholes in wallboards; softness in flooring; or blisters in paint or wallpaper.

To find out which companies are certified and licensed to perform termite-related services, consumers can contact the LDAF at 225-925-4578, visit the LDAF website at www.ldaf.la.gov, or download the LDAF Business Search App (available in the Apple and Google Play store).

Northwestern State University awarded 905 degrees to 881 graduates during spring commencement May 11-12.  Graduates collected diplomas for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates and post-master’s degrees. 

Commencement ceremonies were schedule for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 and 10 a.m. Thursday, May 11.  The ceremonies were to be live streamed at www.nsula.edu.  More information on commencement is available at www.nsula.edu/graduation.

Graduates listed by hometown (in Sabine Parish) are as follows.

Converse – Emiley Mowad, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Monica Rascoe, Master of Education;

Florien – Kerry Gauthier, Associate of Science in Nursing; Danielle Lowery, Bachelor of General Studies; Diego Almanza, Ashley Carter, Jordan Merritt, James Miller, Nicholas Slayton, Bachelor of Science; Aswanya Law, Master of Arts in Teaching; Travis Cook, Post Baccalaureate Certificate;

Travis Cook, Post Baccalaureate Certificate;

Many – Gertude Maxie, Bachelor of Arts; Kamryn Barnhill, Joel Heard, Layton Knowles, Bachelor of General Studies; Connor Higgins, Katara Jackson, Michael Lane, Alexander Martinez, Kasey Moore, Walker Rule, Alexandra Sims, Joely Vines, Bachelor of Science; Chikuita Carhee, Bachelor of Social Work; Sydni Easley, Post Baccalaureate Certificate; 

Noble – Emma Craig, Tanner Funderburk, Nickolas Tramel, Bachelor of Science; Sarah Mann, Master of Education; 

Zwolle — Olivia Crittenden, Canada Sepulvado, Associate of General Studies; Nolan Ezernack, Associate of Science; Melissa Guin, Bachelor of General Studies; Mckenzie Leone, Matthew Lovelady, Khristian Parrie, Chyna Sepulvado, Kaylyn Sepulvado, Bachelor of Science; Joshua Strickland, Master of Arts in Teaching

Hello, young friends. It’s that time of year; only a few days remain until we turn to that last page. Graduation night.

Just as fast as this year came, now it draws to a close. The past 12 years have gone by in a flash, in a moment like breath on a mirror. You accomplished great things, and you saw the world change so much in such a short period of time. You made it through COVID and thrived.

But now a new world loom. The adults, well, we know the challenges that are a’comin. So just once more, let an old fella, a simple teacher from up Northwest Louisiana way, give you one lesson as you get ready to go on out there into that big bad world.

Point one: 

You cannot stop change from coming. The time to move on has come. You can’t stop change, no matter how much you wish you could. And sometimes, that change can be a very good thing. You may not want to stop it. Change can bring risks in its wake, but a life lived without ever taking a risk is not a life well lived. Change is the common theme for the rest of your life. I’m reminded of what another writer once said about change. This fellow was more proficient at prose than I could ever hope to be, and I like what he says better than anything I could ever muster. So, he said, when you think about it, we’re all different people, all through our lives. And that’s okay, that’s good, remember you gotta keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be. Just remember and just swear. You will not forget one line of this, not one day. Swear. You will always remember when you were here. And no matter how many years go by, no matter how many summers you see, your school will always be a part of you.

Point two:

A lot of you have shown us you have something that can’t be attained. Grit. You were born with it. It’s that simple. When the world seemed crazy, and your life was upside down and you were struggling to stay afloat in heavy seas, you didn’t give up. You made a stand. You had the guts to do what you deemed right even if others turned tail. Continue doing that. It’ll get harder in your 20s and 30s as you take on more responsibility- not just for yourself but the family that will likely come. But then around the middle of your life you’ll realize that standing up for what you believe in is really about the only thing in life that matters. As Polonius told his son Laertes “to thine own self be true.”

Point three:

It’s ok to mess up. It really, really is. Just know that it is a human fault to usually remember the bad as opposed to the good. In other words, when you mess up, no matter how much good you do, those around you will likely remember that one bad moment more than all those good ones. And you know what? That’s ok, too.

Life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things can’t always make a nice soft cushion from the bad things. But the bad things don’t always spoil the good or make them not matter. 

Life will hit you. People will hit you (hopefully not literally). And there likely won’t always be someone there to help you get up. But get up anyway.

Point four:

Don’t grow old before your time. I say that, but truthfully, this is the hardest thing to do in what I’m telling herein. Somewhere between now and say 25-26 (somewhere around in there) you’re going to start losing some of that inexhaustible palp of life you are drawing on now for your youthful vigor. Next thing you know you’ll wake up one morning and the face staring back at you in that mirror will be that of a 40 year old with all the well-worn marks of adult life. It just kinda ebbs away. You don’t know it’s happening. It’s not like a tire blowout. More of a slow trickle.

Life will pass you by if you let it. So, live it. You are all so ready to get out. Hit the real world. However, it’ll hit back. And once you hit that rat race, it will likely forever dominate and consume you. So, as you go into it, make sure you know to make time to live life. Make time to see people and go places. Be responsible so that you can live a life worth living. Make the right financial decisions, and if you don’t know how to do something then ask someone who does. Mistakes made early can last a long time. It’s ok to mess up (point three), but why take a risk when an answer is only a text away?

Point five:

Floss and take care of your teeth.

Point six:

Don’t abuse credit cards. Really, really don’t.

Point seven:

Don’t ever be so “grown” that you can’t act childish and silly from time to time. 

Point eight:

Listen to other people. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk. And when you do talk, be calm. Loud doesn’t equal right.

 Point nine:

Life is like the ACT a lot of times. There may be more than one right answer to a problem but there’s usually only one correct answer.

 And finally point ten:

Always be the optimist. Dream. But don’t just think and never do. Go get what you are worth. Work hard. Work smart. And just realize that even though you may fail, never give up. Hard work does not guarantee success, but don’t work hard and see how far that gets you. 

That’s it. Everything has an end. All clocks strike 12. The world keeps spinning and the days keep dwindling. This was your story in high school and your school’s chapter in the book that is your life. You’re now tasked with writing new stories, filling those pages with more stories of your own.

 Make them good ones.

 Or you could just ignore everything I’ve said here. I would have when I was your age. You’re a teenager after all. Life will teach you what we couldn’t. Just don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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

TONIGHT kicks off the 26^th annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival on the Cane River Waterway Commission main stage at 7:00pm with Elton Live! (The Elton John Experience) Followed by The Purple Madness (A Tribute to Prince) at 9:00pm.

Saturday is packed full of fun with 3 stages offering a wide variety of bands of different genres, including; Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, Deep Water Rehab, Klockwork Band, Jenny & Kelli plus many more.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll enjoy a “Double Shot of Country” with headliners; Mark Chestnutt and Tracy Byrd, along with Louisiana native CUPID.

Check out the times and stage location of your favorite bands here.

See full line up
https://www.natchjazzfest.com/lineup-2023      

Purchase tickets here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/26th-annual-natchitoches-jazzrb-festival-tickets-520954377567

My father-in-law is always telling me that I’m a “good ole boy,” but “that there’s just not much demand for good ole boys.” Well, I have a group of anglers that I travel with for the tournament trail we follow who would all fall into the good ole boy category. As far as anglers, they are all very good, but as people, they are even better! Today I’ll give some insight into what makes good travel partners for bass fishing.

First and foremost, you must trust those who are in your inner circle. You see, bass fishermen are a fickle bunch and not many can be trusted, especially in terms of fishing information. You can’t have anyone with any sort of criminal record. You need good guys who have Christian values… guys that if you get in a bind, will come to your aid the minute you call. These are the kind of guys I run with, and I appreciate each and every one of them. Now don’t get the wrong impression here! Each of us wants to stomp a mud hole in the others in our group when it comes to fishing and winning a tournament. We are all very competitive, but at the end of the day, we all pull for each other as well.

Here’s a good example of what makes great travel partners. I was on my way back from a tournament at Lake Palestine and headed east on I-20 just outside of Longview, Texas, when I noticed smoke coming off one of my boat trailer tires. I pulled over to check it out. Sure enough, it was an angler’s worse fear…no not a flat tire, but worse…a wheel bearing had gone out. Seconds later, to my surprise, one of my travel partners called to see how I did in my tournament and was on his way back from a Lake Fork event. It was none other than Cole Garrett! I told him my situation and he wanted to know my location because he wasn’t too far behind me and he thought he had an extra wheel assembly I could use to fix my wheel.

Shocked that he would even have such a part, I sent him my location, and 20 minutes later he pulled up behind me ready to assist. Long story short, after careful inspection of the situation, we realized we didn’t have the right tools to fix the problem, so we just removed the wheel. I came back to Shreveport on three wheels and dropped it off at my boat dealer (The Boat Shop). This is why I love tandem axle boat trailers…you can always come in on three wheels if you must, but you might have to take it a little slower.

Now even though Cole couldn’t fix my problem, just the fact that he thought enough of me to try and help anyway, meant the world to me. Even though he was tired after three or four days of hard fishing, he still took the time to try and help a friend. That’s what makes someone a good travel partner…someone who will drop whatever they’re doing to try and help someone else!

As anglers, we follow tournament trails all over the region, and no matter how new or old your boat is, there will be times when you need assistance. Having good travel partners is essential to making life less stressful and it puts your mind at ease. Even though we all have top of the line bass boats, it’s kind of like owning a motorhome. It’s not a matter of if something will break, but when. The group of guys I travel with…Brett Hortman, Adrian James, and Cole Garrett are all great anglers in their own right. But as people, they will do whatever they can to help in any way possible, no matter what situation or problem may arise.

So, if you’re looking to hit the road and follow a tournament trail, make sure you have some good ole boys you can trust that will always have your back no matter what comes up. Till next time good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen.

OPENING DATE: Mon. 05/01/23
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
SALARY: $30,000.00 annually
JOB TYPE: Unclassified
LOCATION: Natchitoches, Louisiana

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Northwestern State University is currently accepting applications for a Student Accounts Specialist. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

To Apply: Submit a letter of application, resume, and complete contact information for three professional references to: apply@nsula.edu

The successful candidate will be subject to a background check, as a condition of employment.

OPPORTUNITY: Student Account Specialist (2 Positions) – Click Here

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT – Click Here

Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on May 7 around 4:30 pm on Louisiana Highway 191 north of Louisiana Highway 392. The crash claimed the life of 32-year-old Shawna Crochet. 

The initial investigation revealed that a 2019 Volkswagen, driven by Crochet, was northbound on Louisiana Highway 191. For reasons still under investigation, the Volkswagen crossed the centerlines into the southbound travel lane and collided head-on with a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado. 

Crochet, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The juvenile driver of the Silverado, who also was restrained, sustained no injuries. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. 

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences. 

In 2023, Troop E Troopers have investigated 20 fatal crashes, resulting in 23 fatalities. 

I am a Cereal Harlot.

Do not judge me: something tells me you are too.

I covet a good bowl of cereal. Have never tried to hide it.

My spousal unit knows it. My friends know it. The American People know it.

Folks like us, we’ve forgotten more about cereal than most people will ever know.

Kind of proud of it.

What about you? Don’t you love cereal with cold, cold milk? Isn’t cereal the food version of the marvelous dog? Always there when you need it, always forgiving and welcoming, refreshing, low maintenance, a friend at all times?

Tougher question: If you can eat only one cereal the rest of your days, what is it?

If you answered Frosted Flakes, you are correct. But, different strokes for different folks. Next week we will examine the Top 10 Cereals of All-Time, According to Me. What does your Top 10 look like?

In the meantime, let’s more fully explore this simple yet complex culinary treat that should be a Food Group all its own.

Consider the fascination and charm of its history, from a guy “inventing” granola more than 100 years ago to Cap’n Crunch, which is a cottage industry unto itself.

I touched Cap’n Crunch once with a 10-foot pole and promised never to again. But against a cereal that is so self-important it doesn’t even spell out Captain, I am in the minority. There is Cap’n Crunch Berries, Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch, Cap’n Crunch Caramel Crunch, Cap’n Crunch All Berries … dude should have made General by now.

But my spousal unit as a youth enjoyed Cap’n Crunch. I was shocked at this revelation. Investigated further and discovered I am matrimonied to a person whose favorite cereals growing up were Golden Grahams and something I’ve never even seen in real life, and that is King Vitaman, spelled ‘man’ instead of ‘min,’ which in itself is messed up. Why would a little girl eat that? You think you know a person …King Vitaman breathed its last in 2019 so how good could it have been and how good could it have been for you?

Let’s take a roll call and see what memories these bring back:

What is so special about Special K?;

Post Alpha-Bits. Discontinued in 2021. And yes, I took a physical knee in honor of the cereal, and vowed to never eat a Post cereal again — until that night when I ate a bowl of Cheerios, one of history’s greatest cereals;

Sugar Smacks, Trix (are for kids), Grape Nuts and Post Toasties;

(Cukoo for) Cocoa Puffs, Cocoa Crispies, and Count Chocula, which is the cereal company’s way of saying, “We want your child to weigh 260 by fifth grade”;

Total (which is total baloney if you’re a kid), Life, Quisp, Apple Jacks, Lucky Charms, Crispy Critters, Fruity Pebbles (the Flintstones franchise, which is totally bogus since everyone knows there was no cereal in the Stone Age, DUH!), Franken Berry, Sugar Bombs, Shredded Wheat, and on and on we could go.

Your Top 10. Be thinking … (Malt-O-Meal or Cream of Wheat equals an automatic disqualification.)

 Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Don’t forget about the 8th Annual May Daze Car Show this Saturday, May 13 from 9 am – 2 pm at the Many High School. Awards will be presented at 1 pm.

The first 50 entries will receive a goodie bag! Lots of door prizes will be given away! The entry is $20 for the first vehicle and $10 for each additional entry. A silent auction will be held! Various vendors will be there including food vendors!

For more information contact Toledo Bend Cruisers at 318-554-8912.

By Royal Alexander/Opinion

I was taken aback this week to learn that President Biden has decided to send 1,500 active-duty troops to the national security and humanitarian disaster that is the U.S. southern border. This is obviously connected to the ending next week of border restrictions contained in the Title 42 public health law.

Various news agencies have reported that perhaps as many as 35,000 illegals are staged on the Mexico side of the border in Ciudad Juarez alone—waiting to continue this two-year invasion of America encouraged by the Biden administration—and will soon cross over our border with Mexico and into the U.S. at El Paso. This desperate reality has cities across the U.S. declaring states of emergency and requesting federal funding as they prepare for an avalanche of illegals.

To put this news in context, let’s recall how things were a mere 2.5 years ago.

Recall the unrelenting efforts of the Trump Administration to suppress and turn back the tide of illegals of every kind. Please know that we are long past talking about Hispanics who are coming to America to work, seeking a better life. We are now having transported into our country illegally massive quantities of drugs (including fentanyl which is killing Americans every day), human and child trafficking, violent criminals, terrorists, and everything in between.

However, the entirety of the Biden Administration has been about undoing all of the Trump Administration efforts.

So, why now?

My best guess is that this disaster on the Southern border is finally doing real harm to the President’s reelection prospects—the blue states and sanctuary cities are finally feeling the crushing economic burden imposed by illegals that states like Texas and Florida have borne for years.

To this end, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal this week entitled “Chicago’s Sanctuary City Awakening.” It makes the point that because of the impact of both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron Desantis busing illegals from their states to sanctuary cities like Chicago, Chicago is now crying for help as it shoulders the burden of thousands of men, women, and children with no resources of their own.

However, as WSJ notes, “that’s nothing next to El Paso which this week declared a state of emergency, as it braces for the end of Title 42 pandemic expulsions.” A state of emergency. Numerous American cities are now literally begging for help to stop the illegal invasion that is overwhelming them.

I also note that the Biden White House has carefully tried to avoid the elephant in the room this week—that the man, Francisco Oropesa, accused of murdering five people, including an eight-year-old child, in Cleveland, Texas, is an illegal alien who was previously deported five times.

Recall, this is the same Biden Administration that has told us repeatedly that the “border is secure.”

Governor Abbott tweeted this week that “Biden says he will deploy 1,500 troops to the border — primarily to do paperwork. And only for 90 days. This does nothing to stop illegal immigration.” He added, “I deployed up to 10,000 Texas National Guard to the border to fill the gaps created by Biden’s reckless open border policies.”

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler commented on what could have been done prior to needing troops: “Biden could have finished the wall. He could have enforced our nation’s laws. He could have protected our national security,” he tweeted. “But he chose to do nothing. Now, active-duty troops head to the border to clean up his mess.”

U.S. Senator Tom Cotton suggested the Biden troop initiative is a mere “publicity stunt” designed to confuse Americans who may believe the Biden Administration is finally taking seriously the pending waves of illegal immigration. (Breitbart)

If the whole situation were not such a dangerous and tragic one, it would be hard not to say “I told you so” to these American sanctuary cities who have ignored federal immigration law for years and done everything possible to impede law enforcement from apprehending and deporting illegals.

This is the point: one of the constitutional powers that actually is directly granted to the federal government is the solemn obligation to secure our borders and defend them against invasion. The Biden Administration is, by design, abjectly failing at this responsibility.

As President Trump has said, “If you don’t have borders then you don’t have a country.”

The Sabine Medical Center and Express Care Clinics celebrated Hospital Week on May 9 with the dedication of the Rock M Bordelon Conference Center.

Simon “Sam” Marrix was born in 1859 in Alsace, France. In 1880, he emigrated to New York. Because of the country of his origin, his friends in America called him “Frenchie.” Four years after moving to America, he married an immigrant from Dornum, Germany called Miene Schoenberg. To lessen confusion over the pronunciation of her name, she adopted the spelling “Minnie.” In Germany, Minnie’s parents worked on the fair circuit. Her father was a ventriloquist, and her mother was a yodeling harpist. In America, Minnie’s younger brother, Adolf Schönberg, began performing in shows under a stage name that was easier to pronounce, Al Shean. With Minnie’s help, her brother entered the vaudeville circuit and eventually became half of the popular musical comedy team called Gallagher and Shean.

In 1885, Frenchie and Minnie had their first child, Manfred, who died at the young age of seven. Between 1887 and 1901, they had five more sons, Leonard, Adolph, Julius, Milton, and Herbert, respectively. Rather than having aspirations for her sons to become doctors, lawyers, or engineers, Minnie wanted her sons to join the family business and become stage performers. Minnie worked untiringly to develop her sons’ talents. By 1907, Julius and Milton joined Mabel O’Donnell in a singing trio named “The Three Nightingales.” In 1908, Adolph joined the Nightingales. By 1910, with the addition of Minnie and the boys’ aunt Hannah, they renamed the group “the Six Mascots.”

The members of “The Six Mascots” most likely would have faded into obscurity had it not been for a team of runaway mules. During one lackluster musical performance in Marshall, Texas, the crowd grew bored. Suddenly, a great commotion occurred outside the theater. Audience members in the back of the theater could hear all sorts of sounds of destruction including breaking glass. Many members of the bored audience rushed out of the theater to see what was happening. A runaway team of mules was running wild through the streets of the town. The Six Mascots continued performing their musical act to a much smaller audience. Finally, after the mules were caught, the crowd returned to their seats to see the remainder of the performance. They had paid for it after all. Julius, Milton, and Adolph, irritated that “the audience had deserted Mozart for mules,” began insulting the crowd with wise cracks. The result was unexpected. Rather than resenting the remarks, the crowd began to laugh. The crowd’s laughter grew exponentially with each new insult. They tried the same wise cracks at their next performance and got a similar reaction. The brothers took the hint and revamped their whole show.

Over the next few years, the five brothers, in varying combinations, fine-tuned their characters. Their success continued into Hollywood films beginning in 1929 with Animal Crackers. For the next decade, they worked on at least one film per year, all of which were successful. They continued to work together as well as in solo projects for the rest of their lives. Had it not been for a team of runaway mules, we may never had heard of Leonard, Adolph, Julius, Milton, and Herbert, who purportedly received their nicknames from a friend during a poker game. Leonard became Chico, Adolph became Harpo, Julius became Groucho, Milton became Gummo, and Herbert became Zeppo. You and I know them as the Marx Brothers.

Sources:
1. The Decatur Daily, December 9, 1930, p.2.
2. The Peninsula Times Tribune, August 20, 1977, p.5.

Join in on the fun as 4-H Junior Leaders and the SARC make friends, play kickball, and have a few laughs in the process. Kicking for Inclusion will be held Friday, May 12 from 8:30 am – 12 pm at the many Dixie Youth Field. For more information call 318-256-3406.

William “Bill” Lee Cocherl
October 8, 1928 — May 4, 2023
Service: Saturday, May 20 at 10 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 533 Second St. in Natchitoches

Howard L. Lynch
February 23, 1951 – May 9, 2023
Arrangements TBA

Master Alvin Johnson, IV
May 10, 2019 – April 29, 2023
Arrangements TBA

Joann L Knighton
February 27, 1942 – May 4, 2023
Service: Saturday, May 13 at 2 pm in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, located at 318 North Street in Natchitoches

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement division cited five subjects for alleged charter boat regulation violations in April on the Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Agents cited Frank Canizaro, 36, of Mansfield, Zack Gagnard, 33, of Many, Joseph Hains III, 73, of Many, Robert Laffitte, 31, of Many, Matthew Delaney, 38, of Pollock for not possessing a freshwater charter boat fishing guide license.

The Louisiana freshwater charter boat fishing guide license was implemented in 2022 and is required for anyone that is guiding freshwater trips in Louisiana.

After a one-year grace period where LDWF agents educated the public and issued warnings to charter boat captains for not possessing the freshwater guide license, agents have begun issuing citations.

LDWF agents are reminding the freshwater charter guides about the need to acquire a freshwater charter boat fishing guide license prior to planning any guided fishing trips.

Failing to possess a freshwater charter boat fishing guide license brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Agents participating in the cases are Sgt. Harvey Pearce, Corporal James Smith, Agent Michael Thacker Jr., and Corporal Jeremiah Fletcher.

Photo: File Photo

Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives are requesting information about a stolen ATV.

The 2022 Red Honda Foreman 4×4 520 was taken some time between 5-7am on April 26 from a residence inside Florien City Limits.

The identifying information of the ATV has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Sepulvado, at 318-256-9241 or submit an anonymous tip through our Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office App.

As long as I can remember I have always loved a porch. As a child both sets of grandparents had porches. The porch was where the family gathered for the shelling of peas, shucking of corn, snapping of green beans, and drinking a cold glass of tea on hot summer days. Sometimes it would host the scene of long goodbyes or quick visits. The grandparent with the screened-in porch was where I would take refuge from the many dogs who liked to play a little too rough. The other grandparent’s porch was not screened in but had a wooden enclosure to keep someone from unintentionally falling off of it. I would spend long amounts of time sitting on the porch staring at her Mimosa trees with Toledo Bend serenely flowing in the background.

Both Southern porches held many wonderful childhood memories. A porch has simply always been a happy place for me.

When we moved to Natchitoches sixteen years ago, a porch was the only requirement I had while shopping for a home. We were blessed to find a house with a really deep front porch and a comfy smaller back porch. Both porches gave us plenty enough room to enjoy a sitting area during rainstorms or grilling on the back porch.

My sweet southern porch soon became the spot where we took family photos, (still do to this day). It became the sitting area while I waited with the girls to catch the school bus. It became a hideaway when I needed a quiet place with a cup of coffee. Sometimes I would sit out there just to read a book and mentally regroup from the many pressures of parenting, working and life in general.

My porches have held many family meetings and meetings with friends who just needed to stop by and vent for a moment. Numerous coffee clubs have been celebrated in my second-hand patio furniture that adorns every nook and cranny of the porches. My front porch is also occasionally hailed as a commerce sight. If I am selling something it can normally be retrieved from my porch or if I have made a purchase it may be delivered there.

My front porch also plays host to the world’s cutest “ding dong ditchers” and their precious dog, Addie. Lucky for me I get to see this cuteness on my doorbell cameras. While the front porch seems to be a busy place for activity, the back porch views are even better. I have the perfect view of a swing set tower where the “ding dong ditchers” play

Either one of my humble porches is the perfect place to get lost in reading my Bible and talking to the Lord. During some of my tougher times, I found so much peace just sitting outside and being alone. Those tough times soon morphed into pure gratefulness and contentment.

Mark 1:35 tells us, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Even Jesus needed time to recuperate after ministering and being with people for long periods of time. Everyone needs a place they can go and feel close to God and meditate on his goodness and mercy. A porch is the perfect, reflective place to sit and realize how grateful you are to even have shelter and a place to call home. So many people take for granted the simple blessing of being content in your own home, on your own porch and your very own relationship with a God who saves.

Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com