The festive spirit is alive and well in Zwolle as the town prepares for the 17th Annual Zwolle Christmas Festival, promising two days of holiday fun for the entire family.

Kicking off on Friday, Dec. 6, enjoy a cozy movie night at 7 p.m. at the Festival Grounds building with a screening of The Grinch. Attendees are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring blankets for the ultimate holiday movie experience. Complimentary popcorn, donated by BOM, and hot chocolate from Noble Sons will be served to make the night even sweeter.

The celebrations continue on Saturday, Dec. 7, starting with the annual 5K run in memory of Herman “Red Rider” Garcie. Check-in begins at 7 a.m., inviting participants to honor a beloved local while embracing the spirit of giving.

At 1 p.m., the Zwolle Christmas Parade will march through town, spreading cheer with colorful floats and holiday music. Following the parade, opening ceremonies will commence at 2 p.m., and the Noble Sons Giveaway will delight festival-goers at 3 p.m.

The day concludes with a bang as fireworks light up the night sky at 6 p.m., offering a magical ending to a weekend of community and celebration.

Don’t miss this cherished tradition that brings the Zwolle community together to celebrate the holidays in style.

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Sabine Ready Start Network, which includes Sabine Universal Preschool Programs and Faithlynn’s Learning Academy, is proud to announce its exceptional performance in delivering high-quality early learning services for families in Sabine Parish. In recent results released by the Louisiana Department of Education, the Sabine Ready Start Network has achieved a HIGH PROFICIENT rating, scoring 5.95 out of 7.00 points. This rating demonstrates its commitment to nurturing and educating young children in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.

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Meet Chilly Willy, a sweet and playful black and white cat looking for a loving forever home! With his striking tuxedo coat and bright, curious eyes, Chilly Willy is sure to steal your heart the moment you meet him. 

Chilly Willy has a gentle personality and enjoys spending time with people, whether it’s snuggling on the couch or simply following you around to keep you company. His soft purring is sure to brighten your day, and he loves to be near his humans. He’s also great with children and gets along well with other pets, making him the perfect addition to any family.

Chilly Willy is neutered, fully vaccinated, and in great health. He’s ready to become a part of a loving home where he’ll receive all the care and attention he deserves. If you’re looking for a sweet, affectionate companion who will bring joy to your life, Chilly Willy is the perfect cat for you.

For more information contact the Sabine Parish Animal Shelter at 318-256-2275, located at 502 McDonald Dr. in Many.

Sabine Parrish Animal Shelter is a non-profit shelter and thanks the public for its support.

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The Natchitoches Parish School Board is excited to announce an opening for the position of Principal at Natchitoches Magnet School. This leadership opportunity is perfect for dedicated and qualified education professionals ready to make a significant impact on one of our district’s amazing schools.

Position: Principal

Location: Natchitoches Magnet School

Application Requirements:

Applicants must meet Louisiana State Department of Education certification requirements or be eligible at the time of application. A minimum of 5 years of teaching experience is required.

Interested applicants should submit a complete application packet, including:

• Letter of application Resume.
• Official transcripts from institutions awarding degrees
• Copy of Louisiana Teacher’s Certificate with principal/educational leadership endorsement
• Three letters of reference (one from the applicant’s immediate supervisor)

Salary: In accordance with the Natchitoches Parish School Board salary schedule.

Deadline to Apply: All application materials must be received by Monday, December 16, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

If eligible, apply at https://www.npsb.la/page/job-openings

For any questions or serious inquiries, please contact 318-352-2358 or LPage@npsb.la

 

About Natchitoches Parish School Board
The Natchitoches Parish School Board meets the challenges required to raise academic standards and positively impact student achievements throughout all of Natchitoches Parish. We are committed to a a policy of educating children by helping them to develop an awareness and appreciation for the achievements, problems and aspirations of all people in our culturally diverse society.

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By Steve Graf

Over my many years of traveling the country and fishing tournaments, most places and the people that live there are usually friendly. Texas has always held a special place in my heart since I’m from there and there’s nothing like Texan hospitality. Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Arkansas also have some fine folks, but there’s one place you need to proceed with caution; that would be south Louisiana down on the Bayou.

Now let me clarify the last statement. South Louisiana folks, or Cajuns as they like to be called, are some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Most have never met a stranger and most have a big heart willing to share their dinner table with anyone.

But when you get into the swamps and bayous of south Louisiana, the demographics change over to a different kind of soul. These people who live on the swamp see the outside world as infringing on their way of life and do not welcome outsiders with open arms.

I learned this firsthand during a bass tournament just outside of Morgan City. There’s an area down there where Bob’s Bayou Black Marina is located and was the host for this tournament. The minute you pull up to this marina, it’s like going back in time. It has an earie feel to it and reminds you of the movie, “Deliverance.”

It has a feel that makes you very uncomfortable just getting out of the truck and going inside to pay the boat ramp fee. Locals at the ramp give you a look that simply asks, “Are you lost?” But as I entered the store, I noticed a photo on the wall that was signed by Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin Van Dam (greatest bass angler of all time) which did make me feel a little more at ease.

Now being new to this area, I was looking for information; not about what the bass were biting, but where I could and could not run my 20-foot Ranger bass boat. I had heard stories about anglers getting in trouble in the swamp by fishing areas they were not welcome in.

The gentleman who owned the marina was more than willing to show me on a wall map the areas I should avoid at all costs. Due to horror stories of the past that were embedded in my brain, he had my full attention.

So, now that I had a good idea as to where I could and could not fish, I dropped my boat in the water and, without fear, headed out for a day of fishing looking for the winning stringer of bass.

Now if you want to get lost and test your navigational skills, venture into the swamp and bayous of south Louisiana! All I will say is this, “Thank the Lord for GPS!” Because I can now understand the stories I’ve heard of anglers getting lost. It truly is a maze of waterways and canals that seem to branch off in every direction like a state road map.

While fishing a stretch of a canal, I noticed a house, on stilts of course, just about 50 yards in front of me. As I approached this house, a man walked out holding a 12-gauge shotgun and looking at me in a not so friendly way. He asked me, “Son, are you lost?” I responded with a very kind, “No sir.”

He then informed me that I had two options, “Leave now or stay for dinner and never be heard from again!” I chose the first option and left that area never to return! It was nice of him to offer me dinner, but I did not want to stay for dessert.

I’ve also learned through other’s mistakes when dealing with these so-called swamp people. One such unwritten rule is to never enter a canal that has a gate at the front of it. Another fact is that one place you do not want to be after dark would be the Louisiana swamp! Ask Elite Series Pro Gary Kline who found out firsthand just how spooky the swamp can be when the sun goes down.

Gary also found out first-hand how unwelcoming swamp people can be when he was shot at while practicing for the Bassmaster Classic. So, the next time you’re headed for the bayous of south Louisiana, make sure you know the lay of the land and what areas you might want to avoid.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and just because it’s December, does not mean the fish won’t bite. You just need to slow down with your presentation and be a little more patient. You might not get as many bites, but the ones you catch will be good ones.

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By Doug De Graffenried

If you read “Bob, a DJ and a clown” on a guest list, are three people coming to the party, or only one? That depends on whether you are for or against the Oxford comma — perhaps the most hotly contested punctuation mark of all time. The “Oxford comma” is an optional comma before the word “and” at the end of a list. The following is an example of the use of an Oxford comma.

We sing songs, hymns, and choruses.

The question for those of us who write is whether to use the Oxford comma. Sometimes I use an Oxford comma and other times I ignore the convention depending on my mood. The comma does have the grammatical ability to add clarity to communication.

You may need that extra comma for clarification.

This is an apocryphal book dedication, but it shows what happens when the Oxford comma is omitted.

This book is dedicated to my parents, Amy Rand and God.

The omitted comma has given theological import to the sentence. Your eyes might fix it, and your brain knows that Amy Rand and God are not the parents of the author. From a grammatical point of view the sentence is correct, but the meaning is muddy or heretical depending on your perspective.

Today remember the comma.

Small acts of kindness, hospitality, and patience will make a positive impression on the guests God sends to our lives at Christmas. Perhaps after you show kindness you will have the opportunity to talk to someone about why Christmas has a special meaning to you. You might hear a God story coming from a stranger. Something small could open the way to a bigger event.

God is always trying to sneak that Oxford comma into the grammar of our souls. He sends little blessings and reminders of His love for us. He moves in small ways that allow our hearts to experience His grace. We want God to speak big and boldly. We want fireworks! We want certainty. The essence of faith is to believe where we can’t clearly see. Believe that in those small commas that drop into your soul God is working His plan in your life.

Finally, the comma makes you pause. Read the earlier comma examples aloud and hear your brain and voice pause for each comma. We need those pauses in our lives. We need time to just sit and be. I had a friend who sent me what became an annual Christmas tie. Ned lived into her mid-nineties. She loved her beloved pastor friend, such that I received a dozen Christmas ties from her.

The last line of her last Christmas note encouraged me to “linger in His presence long enough to let God’s blessings, happen.”

What a gracious and wise comma.

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BOM is continuing its support of the Many FFA program with a donation to sponsor the Many FFA chapter. They were recently named a finalist in the Social Sciences category in Division IV of the competition at the 97th National FFA Convention, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Twyla Lovelady and Darrell Simmons.

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By Brad Dison

Jimmy was born in Atlanta, Georgia in November 1900, the second child of Eugene and Maybelle Mitchell. Maybelle wanted Jimmy to have an education and to have the best possible chances in life, as most parents do. From the time Jimmy was born, Maybelle read to the child. Once old enough to write, Jimmy began writing original stories of adventures in faraway lands. From childhood, through adolescence, and into teenage years, Jimmy continued to create vivid characters in worlds which were sometimes real and other times imaginative.
In September 1922, Jimmy got married against the advice of Maybelle and Eugene. John Marsh, a friend of the couple, was the best man at the wedding. Jimmy’s spouse, nicknamed “Red,” worked in a bootlegging ring and often drank more product than was sold. When juiced up on bootlegged liquor, Red liked to party, carouse, and turned violent toward Jimmy. In December 1922, after less than three months of marriage, Jimmy gave up. The marriage was over, but not legally. At first, Red refused to give Jimmy a divorce. Finally, with a loan from John Marsh, the best man at their wedding, Jimmy was able to get a divorce. Six months later, Jimmy married for a second time.

Jimmy went to work as a reporter for a newspaper called the Atlanta Journal. It was a nice job that Jimmy thoroughly enjoyed. Then, Jimmy injured an ankle which failed to heal as quickly as anyone expected. Unable to walk without crutches, Jimmy had no choice but quit the reporting job. Jimmy’s spouse brought armloads of books into the house to keep Jimmy occupied. Finally, Jimmy’s spouse’s patience was exhausted. Tiring of the constant trips back and forth between their apartment and the public library, Jimmy’s spouse said something to the effect of, “For God’s sake, can’t you write a book instead of reading thousands of them?” With that challenge, Jimmy began writing. For three years, Jimmy wrote, edited, fact-checked, and rewrote. Finally, in 1936, Jimmy published a book that became a bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize. Three years later, a film was released based on Jimmy’s novel which is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.

Let me back up just a moment. Remember Jimmy remarried six months after the divorce? Jimmy married John Marsh, the best man at her wedding and the man who paid for her divorce. Her wedding? Her divorce? You see, when Jimmy was only three years old, her dress brushed up against an iron grate and caught fire. Luckily, she was unharmed, but the experience was traumatic for her mother who feared that the child’s clothing would catch on fire again someday and she would not be so lucky. From that moment on, her mother dressed her in boys’ clothing. Her brother mockingly nicknamed her Jimmy and, much to her chagrin, the nickname stuck. Jimmy was the nickname of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.

Sources:

1. The Atlanta Constitution, December 6, 1936, p.12.

2. The Atlanta Journal, August 12, 1949, p.1.

3. The Atlanta Journal, August 16, 1943, p.1.

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Every year on December 4, cookie lovers unite to celebrate National Cookie Day, a day devoted to the delightful treat that has warmed hearts and kitchens for centuries. From their humble beginnings as simple test cakes in ancient Persia to the endless variations enjoyed today, cookies hold a special place in culinary traditions worldwide.

The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch koekje, meaning “little cake,” a nod to their origins as small test batches of cake batter. As trade routes expanded, these sweet treats traveled across continents, evolving into beloved cultural staples. In Italy, biscotti pair perfectly with espresso, while France offers the delicate, almond-flavored macaron. Swedish pepparkakor, spiced with ginger and cinnamon, are a holiday favorite, and Mexican wedding cookies, coated in powdered sugar, have become a cherished tradition at celebrations.

In the United States, cookies are an integral part of the holiday season. Favorites like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and gingerbread evoke nostalgia and bring families together for festive baking sessions. National Cookie Day is the perfect excuse to explore these timeless recipes or try something new, like the chewy sweetness of South African hertzoggies or the crisp butteriness of Danish butter cookies.

For those looking to celebrate, holiday baking offers endless opportunities to experiment. Add a personal touch by mixing unexpected ingredients—cranberries, pistachios, or dark chocolate—or shape cookies into festive designs that double as edible decorations. Baking as a family is a wonderful way to create lasting memories while filling your home with the irresistible aroma of fresh cookies.

On National Cookie Day, take a moment to share a plate of your favorites with loved ones or donate a batch to those in need. After all, few things bring people together like the universal joy of a warm, freshly baked cookie.

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