Whatever line of work you’re in, there is always a goal or a destination you’re trying to reach. Without goals it’s hard for us to measure our success. For some the goal might be attaining a title while for others it might be reaching a financial milestone that gives you security. But for tournament bass fishermen, it’s all about the money. No matter how good you do or how many tournaments are won, anglers are never satisfied.

In no other sport do participants question themselves more than tournament anglers. It’s similar to a football coach critiquing film the day after the game. Bass anglers do the exact same thing but on a different level. Anglers are even more critical of themselves than any coach could ever be. Here’s a long list of questions anglers may ask themselves no matter how well they do.

First, they will question where they started the tournament if they didn’t catch fish early. Did they leave their starting spot too early? Did they use the wrong technique, or could they have changed lures that may have triggered the fish into biting? Should they have used a different color soft plastic worm? They question if their timing was off on their rotation of spots they planned to fish that day. (In bass fishing, timing is everything.) Did they stay tool long in one area?  Should they have started out in deeper water rather than fishing shallow? The questions never seem to end.

Tournament anglers are always looking for excuses. They can always find a reason the tournament did not go their way. For example, the water was too cold or too hot. A cold front came through the night before and the fish did not bite. There was a full moon last night so the fish fed at night. But the most famous excuse is that someone was on their best spot — all day.

Just like a Monday morning armchair quarterback, anglers question if they should have called an audible at 10 o’clock that morning rather than waiting ‘til 1 in the afternoon to make a change. Even when they get a check and have a high finish, anglers still question what they could have done better? The only time anglers are truly satisfied, is when they pull out a win.

Wins are few, especially today with so many great anglers competing. Sometimes anglers must have a little bit of luck to get a win. There’s a saying among tournament anglers about winning, “When it’s your turn, it’s your turn and there’s nothing you do to screw it up.” It’s as if the bass fishing gods have intervened to make sure you win. It’s like playing a slot machine when you pull that handle and triple 7’s pop up. This is where luck comes into play. As a Las Vegas casino attendant once told me, the machine is constantly playing itself, you just happened to be sitting there when the machine decided to pay off. Even in tournament fishing, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

From the start of an angler’s career, they are always looking to fish the perfect tournament. Even in the tournaments they win or had a high finish, there were still things they felt they could have done better. It’s even worse on the questions they ask themselves when they bomb in a tournament.

As you can see, anglers are tough on themselves no matter the results. They will always question what, how and where they caught every five-fish limit they weigh-in. They will always wonder if they could have done something a little bit better. 

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and always strive to be the best angler you can be … win or lose.

 Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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By Doug De Graffenried

I started Monday with a trip to the doctor. There is nothing wrong. I was there for my 250,000 mile checkup. Because I have reached my “golden years” they asked me some unfamiliar questions. 

The question that threw me off was, “have you fallen recently?” I try not to fall. In the years since I was a younger man, gravity has become stronger. In High School I could dunk a volleyball. I never could get enough air to dunk a basketball, but I was so close. I could run like the wind. I got knocked down a great deal on Friday nights. Yes, I played football! Now if I were to try to jump at all, the results would be hilariously embarrassing. And the only wind I feel now is the kind that God sends. Now, I am watching football.

My current reality is I will miss a step on the ladder. I get tangled up with all the plants on the floor of my greenhouse. I know I have too many plants, because my 10’ x 20’ green house is full. I stumble but I don’t fall. I spill things in the kitchen, but I don’t fall. I trip sometimes but I don’t fall. Yet.

I know why they asked the question. At my age, that hurt to type, falls become an issue. There are many reasons a person might fall and there are definite consequences of falling.

I started thinking about falling. Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall and bad things happened. He was so smashed up all the governmental programs and personnel could not put him back together. When the stock market falls my wallet and future are imperiled. There are times clothes will fall, that is called a wardrobe malfunction. We used to call it flashing, but us ancient people are not cultured, civilized, or politically correct. 

Falling can be good. If a few pounds fall off, that is good. Your numbers might fall and that would be another good thing. What about falling in love? That can be a good, bad, or complicated thing.

There is a whole season dedicated to fall. It is called fall. I remind people it is not called rake, mulch, or burn. It is called fall, and the leaves are beautiful and obedient. Leave the leaves in their fallen condition, your lawn will thank you in the spring. I can’t verify what your neighbors might think about it, but the grass will love it.

Falling is also theological. Since the Garden of Eden, we humans are said to be in a fallen state because of sin. There is one more theological insight about falling.

Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Have you fallen recently?

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Independent Banker magazine, the award-winning monthly publication of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), named BOM Bank as a 2023 Best Community Banks to Work For recipient on Dec. 4. The $972 million-asset bank received accolades for instituting a healthy work-life balance for employees and fostering an environment conducive to acts of community service. 

“We are honored to be named one of the Best Community Banks to Work For by ICBA Independent Banker magazine,” Ken Hale, president of BOM Bank said. “Our employees are an extension of our community, so we consider it our responsibility to make certain they have what they need to succeed and to aid our efforts to give back to the community. This year BOM Bank employees logged over 5,000 hours performing volunteer service.” 

BOM Bank is highlighted in Independent Banker’s December issue representing community banks between $751 million to $1 billion in assets. Each self-nominated community bank’s full-time employees were asked to complete a workplace survey hosted by Avannis, an independent research agency. Key criteria considered in selecting this year’s honorees included: work environment, compensation, leadership and corporate culture, and opportunity for recognition and advancement. 

“Whether it’s fostering professional development, encouraging acts of service, or providing flexibility and support, this year’s standouts showcase the community banking difference and why this profession continues to attract compassionate and dedicated professionals motivated to helping their communities prosper,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “We’re proud to recognize BOM Bank for powering its employees to fulfill their potential and wish them continued success.” 

To learn more about the winners and methodology, visit independentbanker.com.

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He was 6-8 and thin as a celery stick in the 1970s, a young athlete all afro and smiles and jump shots.

“The kids today, they see that afro I had back then — they love that,” says Aaron James. “I couldn’t grow one now.”

Retired in Ruston — “You better believe it!” says the ex-NBAer and college coach and administrator — James is still all smiles. It would be hard to know him and not like the easy-going, lanky dude who led the nation in scoring as a senior at Grambling in 1973 when he pumped in 32-plus a game.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, the Grambling Hall of Famer, Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Famer, and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer was back on the court, minus the hops and the afro but still hanging with teammates and getting love from fans, just as he did in 1974 when the New Orleans Jazz was born and James was the franchise’s first draft pick.

In Salt Lake City since 1979, the Jazz hosted James and former teammates Truck Robinson — an All-Star forward and still the franchise’s all-time rebound leader — and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Gail Goodrich for a weekend, part of a season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Jazz. Similar events are planned through the spring, when the organization will release a documentary featuring former players, coaches and owners titled “Note Worthy: 50 Seasons of Jazz Basketball.”

“They really did it up nice,” said James of the weekend, one that included “lots of dinners,” a meet-and-greet with four dozen or so fans who’ve had season tickets since 1979, and, from a luxury suite in the Delta Center, watching the Jazz beat the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I love the Pelicans,” said James, whose All-America hoops career began at the Dryades Street YMCA in New Orleans. “But when they play the Jazz, well, I gotta pull for the Jazz.”

He still talks to several of his teammates three or four times a year, something he understands is unusual for former NBAers. E.C. Coleman. Nate Williams. Freddie Boyd. Paul Griffin. Several others. He’s spent time on vacation with Rich Kelley up in Sun Valley, Idaho, where the former 7-foot center lives, and Kelley and his family have attended the Bayou Classic and shared Thanksgiving with James’ family in New Orleans.

“We were close when we played together,” James said of those first Jazz teams. “We were just like family. Of course, that means we’d fight a little bit too. But we were all just really good friends. At least once a month I talk to one of the guys.”

Good times. Back then, if there was a basketball goal within 35 feet or so, James was taking aim, so much so that former NBA star and Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod Hundley called him “AJ From the Parking Lot.”

“I still get that from time to time,” James said. “Somebody will come up to me and say, “Wait … AJ From the Parking Lot!”

When was the last time, I wondered, he shot a basketball?

“Last week when they had me and Truck and Gail on the court during the Pelicans game,” he said. “We each shot a free throw. They missed; I made mine.”

Of course he did.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Brad Dison

For much of the English-speaking world, the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree inside the home became popular in the Victorian era.  For hundreds of years, people had decorated Christmas trees, but they were kept outside.  Prior to 1840, when Queen Victoria married her German-born cousin Prince Albert, indoor Christmas trees were normally a tradition only held by the royal family.  A few upper-class families adopted the tradition, but the popularity of indoor decorated Christmas trees quickly spread when commoners saw an etching of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children celebrating around a festively decorated tree.  Other countries, including the United States, quickly adopted the tradition.  Everyone, it seemed, wanted to celebrate in the same fashion as the royal family.  Well, almost everyone.

In September of 1901, Junior, his second wife Edith, and four of their children, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald, and Quentin, moved into a new-to-them house.  The house was over a hundred years old when they moved in.  Junior and his family loved to celebrate Christmas, but they had never adopted the tradition of having a decorated Christmas tree in the home.  Although his children would certainly have enjoyed a festively decorated Christmas tree with all the trimmings, Junior ultimately decided not to get a tree.  Junior had nothing against Christmas trees in particular, there was just not enough room in the home for a tree.  Can you imagine not having a Christmas tree as part of your holiday decor? 

Late in the afternoon on Christmas day, Junior and his family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner.  As Edith and the children looked on with watering mouths, Junior carved the 32-pound turkey.  After they ate their fill of turkey and all the trimmings, they turned their attention to the mince and pumpkin pies.  What a feast it was. 

Not wanting his children to miss out on the Christmas tree tradition altogether, Junior found a solution.  Following Christmas dinner, Junior made some excuse and conveniently disappeared.  Edith and the children took a carriage to the nearby home of Junior’s sister and brother-in-law, Anna—they called her Bamie—and William Cowles.  The two families, minus Junior, were enjoying a festive celebration around the cedar Christmas tree complete with red, white, and blue electric lights when they had a visit from Santa Claus.  He had white hair, white beard, and belted out the unmistakable “Ho! Ho! Ho!”  However, this Santa had no red suit and hat lined with white fur as we would expect.  He wore the khaki uniform of a soldier and a sombrero pulled down low over his eyes.  Santa passed out a large number of presents to the children, then they all joined in games and the telling of ghost stories over snacks.  As the celebration was winding down, the unusually dressed Santa Claus said a final “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and made a hasty exit.  Edith and the children said their goodbyes, wished each other “Merry Christmas,” and returned to their house.  With a twinkle in his eye, Junior met them at the door and asked for details of their celebration at the Cowles’ home, which they were only too eager to share.  Even without a Christmas tree in their new-to-them house, Junior, Edith, and the children had a most memorable Christmas together.

The home that Junior and his family moved into, which Junior deemed not large for a Christmas tree, now includes just under 100 Christmas trees as part of its annual holiday décor.   The house had plenty of rooms to be sure, but Junior was so popular and received so many visitors on a daily basis that all the rooms were required for guests.   The house is still popular with guests.  Visitors wanting to get a glimpse inside the house must apply months in advance for the chance to take a tour.  The Santa Claus that joined the celebration at the Cowles residence was wearing, not a traditional Santa suit, but the uniform of a Rough Rider.  Junior, the 26th president of the United States, was Theodore Roosevelt.  The house without room for a Christmas tree was the White House. 

Sources:

1.     The Baltimore Sun, December 22, 1901, p.2.

2.     Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon), December 25, 1901, p.3.

3.     St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 25, 1901, p.2.

4.     The Washington Times, December 25, 1901, p.5.

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The first day of December brought what, in some ways, may stand as the first day in a new era of Northwestern State athletics.

On an unseasonably warm Friday on the Northwestern State football practice field, 15 dignitaries turned over a pile of dirt, symbolizing the groundbreaking for the multi-million dollar David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center.

The annex that will be located in the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex will include a new 11,600 square foot weight room with space for more than 100 student-athletes, a 25-foot artificial turf pad, a new nutrition center, a student-athlete lounge and offices for the strength and conditioning staff. A second phase of the construction project will convert the current weight room into a high-tech rehabilitation center along with other sports medicine upgrades. The third phase will be the renovation of the current Eugene Christmas athletic training room.

The roughly hour-long ceremony brought to life a project that worked its way through the legislative and fundraising process, much like a football team making its way steadily downfield rather than by virtue of one or two big plays.

“It’s like (State Senator) Louie Bernard said during the program, ‘Sometimes good things take a little bit longer than you think to come to fruition,’” former Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “This project started before COVID. That meeting with David Morgan in (former NSU President) Dr. (Chris) Maggio’s office was Homecoming of 2019. Then COVID really put the brakes on things for over a year. We got it going again. Thanks to a lot of people from the donors to the legislators to the people on campus, I knew it was going to happen. From the first time (current NSU Director of Athletics) Kevin (Bostian) and I talked, it was a discussion point. There was no doubt it was going to get to the finish line. It was a matter of timing more than anything else.”

The timing of Friday’s ceremony came two days after Northwestern State introduced its new football coach, Blaine McCorkle, who attended the ceremony.

During his introductory news conference Wednesday, McCorkle spoke of meeting with Bostian and how Bostian had a “vision for everything” within the walls of the NSU fieldhouse. Friday’s groundbreaking brought some of those closer to reality.

“There are a lot of times you got into a new place and they tell you what they’re going to do,” McCorkle said. “There’s nothing better when you show up on the first day and they’re putting shovels in the ground. That’s pretty exciting to see, and it gives me hope and encouragement that I made the right choice coming here. It’s not just a vision and a reality, and we saw that today.”

Added Northwestern State President Dr. Marcus Jones: “The renovation and expansion of the athletic complex is a major milestone for NSU Athletics. Not only is it a symbol of progress and pride, but it is also an investment in our coaches, staff, student-athletes and future Demons. For NSU to remain competitive, we must continue to recruit the highest-caliber of student-athlete. Modern recruiting standards are based on the expectations of prospective student-athletes, and the quality of facilities is a major factor in the decision-making process of every student-athlete. Being able to showcase a state-of-the-art facility, such as the one that will be built here, will give NSU an advantage over our peers and help us to attract a high-caliber recruit.”

A significant portion of what lies ahead for NSU Athletics as it relates to the center is rooted in what happened on the campus more than half a century ago. David Morgan walked into a business class – “Late,” Sherry Morgan added – and met his wife.

“There were some young ladies there from the business school who were going to take our letters,” David Morgan said. “We were supposed to read a problem in the business book and dictate a letter to the girls from the secretarial pool who came over to class. I walked in, and I surveyed the group. I saw this beautiful, blonde-headed young lady with a Tri Sigma jersey on. I said, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen here before. I’m going to go it by her.’ That began a 50-year relationship and marriage. We just celebrated 50 years of marriage – to the same person, which I think is important.”

When the Morgans announced their $1.5 million lead gift in April 2022, David Morgan called attending Northwestern State a “game-changer” for both he and his wife.

The same could be said for what the Morgans’ donation did to move the project forward.

“The support this project – and Northwestern State University as a whole – received from David and Sherry Morgan cannot be understated nor can it be underappreciated,” Bostian said. “The David and Sherry Morgan Health Performance Center will benefit current and future student-athletes in much the same way David’s and Sherry’s experiences as Northwestern State benefited them. The work put in by our university administration and our legislative representatives at the local and statewide levels is symbolically recognized here today, but the impact it will have will be seen physically on the fields or on the courts where our student-athletes will compete.”

That impact will be felt outside the walls of the university as well.

“We believe the strength of the university is the strength of our medical center,” said Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kirk Soileau. “As the community grows, we grow as an organization. On behalf of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, our associates, our medical staff and our board, congratulations on this amazing project. Thank you to the Morgans for putting this together and helping this all come together.”

Bernard echoed the Morgans’ sentiments in his remarks.

“There is something about the college experience,” he said. “There is something about going to a university and what it leaves with you. It drips with nostalgia when you come back to your university and you can be proud of it. We’re always going to be proud of Northwestern. There’s not a university, a business, an industry in America that hasn’t had tough times. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do. All of these things you see happening today are positive things for Northwestern, and I challenge all of you to stay strong, stay positive. Be more than involved with Northwestern – be committed to Northwestern.”

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Leonard “Ted” Fowler
August 29, 1945 — December 2, 2023
Friends and well-wishers are invited to pay their respects at Blanchard St Denis Funeral Home on Thursday, December 7, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by a small Memorial service from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The Rosary and Mass beginning at 9:30 will be held on Friday, December 8, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with a reception featuring Military Honors at J. C. Keyser, VFW, Post 1962 Hall.

Judia Ann Hobdy
March 19, 1947 – November 27, 2023
Arrangements TBA

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