Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports the arrest of Monty Ervin Knippers, 55 of Florien, on Jan. 24. Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives began investigating the case earlier this month when a concerned citizen reported possible inappropriate sexual contact between Knippers and the juvenile victim. During the investigation, Detectives discovered Knippers allegedly touched the juvenile sexually beginning when the victim was 8 until she was 13 years old.

Knippers was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for:
Molestation of juvenile under age 13
Sexual battery of juvenile under age 13
Indecent behavior with juvenile under age 13

No bond has been set at this time. The case remains under investigation and other charges and arrests are pending.

Mark your calendars! The Many Gras Parade is happening on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6 pm and this year brings an exciting addition—The Krewe of Paws Pet Parade! Dressed in their best Mardi Gras costumes, pets will parade through town, bringing festive fun for all.

And the excitement doesn’t stop there! This is a nighttime parade, so stick around after the festivities for live music and delicious eats from local food trucks.

Let’s make Many Gras 2025 the most memorable one yet—for the whole family, pets included!

The streets of downtown Many will come alive under the lights as Many Gras 2025 shifts to an exciting nighttime parade!

The festivities kick off Saturday, Feb. 1 with the parade rolling at 6 PM, bringing all the energy and pageantry of Mardi Gras after dark.

After the parade, the celebration continues in the square with a street dance featuring DJ Doug and a variety of delicious offerings from food trucks, including Big Meaux’s, 626 Lunchbox, and Shellshocked.

Locals and visitors alike are invited to join the fun for an unforgettable “Louisiana Saturday Night” filled with music, dancing, and great food. Don’t miss this exciting new tradition in Many!

BOM was a sponsor of the Zwolle High School Annual Basketball Tournament. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Tiffany Miller, Stephanie Leone, and BOM’s Ashley Parrie

By Doug De Graffenried

The washing machine at the Gibsland house is one of those front-loading types. The dryer is also. The dryer is stacked on top of the washer. I can stand in the laundry room and watch the laundry wash and dry. Sometimes that is better than what is on television. I have entered the phase of watching old football games to get through to the NFL-pre-season in August. I am rapidly running out of football season. I have tried to watch the new spring pro football games, but they have not caught my football fancy completely.

I remember the old-fashioned load it from the top type washing machines. I owned one that had a clear lid so I could stand there and watch the laundry do its thing too. I was a newer model that was missing something, more on that soon. If you have never seen laundry in the machines, you might try it. It is hypnotic. You can play games timing how long it takes the sweater to move from the front to the back and return. I know that none of you kill time like that. There are apps for killing time!

What both washing machines were missing was that thingy in the middle of the washing drum.

That thingy is called the agitator.

The internet, keeper of all knowledge, reads:

“In top loading washing machines, the agitator is responsible for moving the clothes through the water and detergent and is driven by the output shaft of the transmission. The output shaft is normally splined, and the center of the plastic agitator will have a matching spline to ensure a tight fit.”

The new washers have an agitation feature, but it is done in different ways. The thingy in the middle is not there. You want your laundry agitated!

Read again the definition for agitator in washing machines. They move clothes through the process. They are necessary for the washing process.

I think I am going to follow God’s call to be an agitator. My goal is to move people through the process of knowing Christ. If someone knows Christ, I want to agitate in such a way they will know Him better. I will agitate for the church to be a better place. I will agitate myself so that my life and faith are in alignment.

The thing about agitators, they are moving the process toward a better outcome. They not only point out what is wrong, they offer solutions and suggestions to make improvements.

Sunday, I invite you to a gathering of agitators at your local church. They are agitating for change, to transform the world in the name of Jesus.

By Steve Graf

When it comes to bass tournament anglers and sponsors, the winds are changing, and the opportunities are diminishing. Today we’ll take a look at what many young anglers are facing with regards to landing sponsors while trying to compete on one of the professional bass tournament trails. If you’re looking to fish for a living, pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you.

First, let’s address why sponsors are necessary; without them the decision to fish professionally can be next to impossible unless you have parents or grandparents willing to foot the bill. To fish at the highest level requires lots of money up front even before you ever wet a hook. Without great sponsors, it’s almost impossible to make the dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman a reality.

In today’s professional bass fishing world, there are only so many sponsors available as anglers are constantly competing for what few there are. Not all sponsors are created equal, as some are willing to pay the angler a salary, while others just give product such as a bass boat, fishing tackle, or possibly a truck in exchange for the angler’s promotion of these items.

But before an angler needs to worry about sponsors, he or she needs to learn how to find fish. The one mistake I see with many young anglers on the rise is that they are too worried about how to obtain sponsors rather than learning how to find and catch fish.

Kids today are star struck by the fancy sublimation shirts that really do turn heads. But it goes without saying that unless you can catch fish, you won’t have to worry about landing sponsors. Tournament success is still important!

Another thing young anglers don’t understand in today’s professional bass fishing world, it’s not just about catching bass, it’s also about an angler’s ability to promote a product. Most sponsors could care less if you can catch bass. They’re more concerned with your ability to communicate and sell product for them.

They want an angler who will represent their brand in a professional manner by attending boat shows, fishing seminars and doing a great job with social media promotions. My first advice to any angler looking to fish professionally is to take speech and learn how to sell yourself and communicate with people.

Here’s the truth…once you sign with sponsors, you’re now obligated to them and must respond to their beckoning call. They’re not paying you to fish, but rather to represent their brand and promote product.

Here’s where the love hate relationship comes into play. Every angler will tell you that when it comes to sponsors, it is a double edge sword. With success comes more responsibility and commitment to the sponsors you’re connected with.

This means more time off the water and less time practicing, which can interfere with your ability to compete at the highest level due to the fact that your sponsors are pulling you away from what you really want to do the most….go bass fishing!

But sponsors are a necessity for a fulltime professional angler, and they hold all the cards in an angler’s ability to make a living. Every angler will tell you there’s no way an angler can make a living just off tournament winnings. Anglers must draw a salary and get help with expensive tournament entry fees in order to make a living for their families.

So, the next time you see a professional bass fisherman wearing one of those great looking sublimation shirts with all the different company logos, understand that each logo comes with a high level of commitment and dedication, not just to the companies he represents, but his family as well.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and always believe that the fish are going bite tomorrow. The power of positive thinking is the most important ingredient an angler can have in order to achieve success.

Eight hundred ninety-two undergraduate students were named to the Spring 2023 Dean’s List at Northwestern State University. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full time and earn a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99. 

Converse – Logan Carter, Willa Gregston

Florien – Leighton Anderson, Alexis Brooks, Melody Dixon, Cesaleigh Hall, Charles Krumholtz, Kayley Parrie

Many – Alizabeth Boyles, Shiley Cartinez, Shania Collier, Lexi Ezernack, Shelby Leone, Allison Simmons, Masen Starks, Sarayah Waller, Hannah Webb, Hilary Williams, Alaina Wright

Noble – Rebecca Hardee, Mason Lowe, Addison Rivers, Selena Rodriguez

Pleasant Hill – Takera Turner

Zwolle – Madasyn Ebarb, Nyaishya Lilly, Kade Meshell, Christian Rivers, Alexis Sepulvado

By Brad Dison

In 1873, Julius Wettstein, a German cheese maker, opened a cheese factory in Monroe, New York. He named it Monroe Cheese Company. The company was so successful that Wettstein sold the company five years later for $16,000. Adjusted for inflation, that would be just over half a million dollars in today’s money. The cheese company was bought and sold twice, each time making a profit, until Adolphe Tode and a partner bought it in 1884 for $25,000. In 1888, they hired 21-year-old Swiss immigrant Emil Frey to work in the factory.

In 1889, Adolphe challenged his cheese makers to produce a popular cheese called Bismarck. Bismarck cheese imported from Europe spoiled before it reached American grocers. After two years of failed attempts on his own time, Emil developed a new spreadable cheese that was so popular that the company discontinued their efforts to create Bismarck cheese. They named Emil’s creation Liederkranz after a famous New York Singing Society. Liederkranze cheese became popular across America, but Adolphe had made enough bad business decisions that he lost everything.

In 1891, New York wholesale grocer Jacob Weisl bought the Monroe Cheese Company from the Goshen Savings Bank. Under Jacob’s leadership, the Monroe Cheese Company grew and expanded. They opened a second factory in Covington, Pennsylvania where they focused mainly on producing Swiss cheese. Sales of Swiss cheese were spectacular, but there were some issues with producing and distributing wheels of hard Swiss cheese. It often came out misshapen or was broken during the manufacturing or distribution processes. Jacob deemed the misshapen or broken cheese unsalable, but what could they do with all the “waste cheese?”

In 1916, Jacob challenged his employees to find a way to turn the “waste cheese” into a profitable product. Luckily, Emil Frey was still working for Monroe Cheese Company. In his spare time in his home kitchen, Emil mixed and measured various ingredients. After two years of trial and error, he came up with a concoction which used only three ingredients; the waste cheese, whey, which was the leftover liquid from milk curds, and an emulsifier used to blend and stabilize the product. Emil patented the process, named his new cheese, and shared his discovery with his boss. The new cheese could easily hold its shape, required no refrigeration, had a long shelf life, and turned into a silky sauce when melted.

The Monroe Cheese Company quickly put the “waste cheese” into production. Like Emil’s Liederkranze cheese, his new creation became popular in homes, hotels, and restaurants. It was so popular that on Valentine’s Day 1923, Jacob created and incorporated a new independent company to produce this one product. In 1927, Kraft Foods bought the “waste cheese” company.

Researchers at Kraft quickly began tinkering with Emil’s formula and process. Remember that Emil patented the process for making his “waste cheese.” Rather than three ingredients, the new formula had a paragraph’s worth of chemical ingredients. Kraft advertised the “waste cheese” as a health food and diet aid, though it was neither. With clever marketing campaigns, Kraft’s version of Emil’s “waste cheese” remains one of the most popular cheese products in the world. Kraft’s version still tastes and melts pretty much the same as the Emil’s “waste cheese,” and still uses the name Emil gave it because of its velvety smoothness when melted. You know Emil’s “waste cheese” as Velveeta. What you may not know is that Kraft’s version of Velveeta cheese does not contain any cheese.

Sources:

1. David Levine, “Where Does Velveeta (and Liederkranz) Cheese Come From? Monroe, NY, Of Course!” Hudson Valley Magazine, March 18, 2013, https://hvmag.com/food/where-does-velveeta-and-liederkranz-cheese-come-from-monroe-ny-of-course/.

2. David Levine, “Who Emil Frey whipped up a smooth dairy sensation,” Smithsonian, January-February 2025, p.35.

3. “The History of Cheese Making in Monroe,” Monroe Historical Society, monroehistoryny.org/cheese-in-monroe.

January 29 marks National Puzzle Day, a celebration of one of humanity’s oldest and most engaging pastimes. From ancient riddles to modern jigsaw puzzles, the act of solving challenges has captivated minds for centuries. Beyond their entertainment value, puzzles offer significant cognitive and emotional benefits, making them a valuable tool for people of all ages.

The origins of puzzles date back thousands of years, with some of the earliest examples being labyrinths and mazes. Jigsaw puzzles, as we know them today, were invented in the 1760s when British cartographer John Spilsbury mounted a map on wood and cut it into pieces to teach geography. Since then, puzzles have evolved into a diverse array of formats, including crosswords, Sudoku, and escape room challenges.

Puzzles are more than just a source of entertainment—they’re a workout for the brain. Solving puzzles helps improve memory, problem-solving skills, and spatial reasoning. For children, puzzles aid in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. For adults, they offer a way to keep the mind sharp and reduce stress. Studies have even shown that engaging in puzzles regularly can delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults.

The joy of puzzles lies in their universality. Whether you’re a beginner tackling a simple crossword or a seasoned puzzler working on a 5,000-piece jigsaw, there’s something for everyone. Families can use puzzles as a way to bond, while individuals can enjoy them as a solitary escape.

Celebrate National Puzzle Day by exploring a new type of puzzle or revisiting an old favorite. Consider challenging friends to a puzzle race or working together to complete a complex jigsaw. Libraries and online platforms often offer free puzzle resources, making it easy to join the fun.

By incorporating puzzles into your routine, you can experience the joy of problem-solving while reaping the cognitive benefits. So, grab a puzzle and get solving—you’ll be doing your brain a favor.

John Wade Riley
January 5, 1942 — January 24, 2025
Funeral Service – Wednesday, January 29, 2025 2:00 – 3:00pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

David Louis Moore
1954 – 2025
Memorial service – February 5th 11:00 – 8:00 p.m. Pat’s Place 21340 Highway 191 Zwolle, Louisiana, LA

I’m Mary Beth Key Brocato and I will seek re-election in March as your Alderman at Large on the Many City Council. As a voter, it’s important for you to do your research and find out how any and all candidates for any elected positions have already served our town and are currently serving it and you. I would like to tell you a little about myself, and explain why I want to continue to serve you as your alderman just as I have served you for the past six years.

I was first appointed to this position when Mrs. Barbara Peterson passed away while serving in this position. I then ran for Alderman at Large in 2018 and was elected to fill the remainder of her term. I then ran for City Council again in 2020 and was once again elected. I have served the people of Many faithfully for the past six years. I would like to continue my service to serve our town and you.

When I retired as an associate professor at Northwestern State University in 2012, I asked myself what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. 

The answer came quickly.  I wanted to volunteer and give back to my hometown of Many and all of you who have played such an important role in making me a responsible, productive, dependable and caring adult. That’s exactly what I have been doing since 2012.

I helped to create and then became chairperson of the Town of Many Cultural District Advisory Committee.  I also serve on the board of the Sabine Parish Humane Society and the Sabine Animal Shelter. I am a member of the Sabine Parish Historical Society and serve on the board of directors of Project Celebration.  I was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Northwest Louisiana Alliance on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. We opened a clinic at 257 Highland Avenue to work and counsel with people who have alcohol and/or substance abuse problems.   

Serving on the City Council has enabled me to do even more to serve my town and you, the residents of Many.  That is why I decided to run for these next four years – so that I can accomplish even more for you and our town.

As a council member, I work very hard to find ways to make your lives better. We work to operate the city’s budget wisely and we stretch every dollar as much as we can  for the betterment of our community. If I am elected, I will continue to strive to operate our city budget in a responsible manner.
I chaired the effort to renovate the old Sabine Theater and I helped raise over $100,000 for the renovation. I then supervised the renovation. When it was complete, we renamed it The Many Community Center. We have provided lots of events there for Many and Sabine Parish. We have music shows that help to raise money for the Wounded Warriors and other groups that need help. Some of the music shows that I’ve worked hard to bring to our town are the annual Willie Stewart Family and Friends Patriotic 4th of July Shows and also their annual Christmas Show, The Amazing Musical Disciples, and many others. These shows are free and may ask only for donations for worthy causes. We also began Movies in Many and showed free movies twice a month with free movies for families and special holiday movies at Easter and Christmas. There are plays there, beauty pageants and talent shows. This beautiful old historic theater is truly a community center and asset for everyone now.

I also began to tackle the renovation and restoration of the Many Depot to become a No Man’s Land Museum. Again, I helped raise approximately $100,000 to renovate our train depot and I supervised the complete renovation of repairing, rewiring, replumbing, repainting, putting in a new roof, and creating a historic building that we can all be so proud of. I hired only local builders, electricians, painters, carpenters, and plumbers to do this work. Our depot in 2022 was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

I’ve worked hard for grants to improve our city family parks. During my current term as your alderman, I asked for and received generous donations from private citizens to install professional basketball goals for the Leon James Park on Martin Luther King Drive. I then obtained another generous donation in 2023 to build a volleyball court at the Fairgrounds.

I work very hard to secure funding for music shows and other events held at the Many Community Center.  In 2021 we received a $20,000 grant for playground equipment for the Fairgrounds Ball Park. I also asked for and received a generous donation of a professional basketball goal and installed it at the fairgrounds for our citizens to enjoy. Parents and  children enjoy going to the Fairgrounds Ball Park  with their families and having a great time on the new recreational equipment.  

I had seen little free libraries in other towns and I thought book nooks in Many would make it possible for our citizens, and especially our children to easily find books to read. I decided we should have at least 12 book nooks. I approached private citizens and asked them to sponsor at least one free library. They agreed and I then set about having the book nooks built, painted and installed all around town. I’m happy that our book nooks, now four years old, are a big success and provide free books for so many of our residents.

Another cause that is dear to my heart is the renovation and restoration of the old Sabine High School. It too has been named to the National Registry of Historic Places and I help in every way that I can to restore this historic school and make it a community center that will offer so many services to our residents.

I currently serve as the Mayor-Pro-Tem (when Mayor Hable is unavailable) and represent the Town of Many as a member of the board of directors of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission,

These are only a few of those things that I’ve been able to accomplish as your Alderman at Large, serving all the areas of Many and all the residents of Many. As your Alderman at Large, my responsibility is to EVERY CITIZEN IN EVERY DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF MANY.

Being the Alderman at Large can and should be a full-time job.  I am retired. My full-time job is serving all of you and every resident of Many full time.  I refuse to be a part-time council member.. I’m always available when you have a problem and want to talk with me.  It is important that your council member can talk to you anytime about a problem — whether it be potholes in front of your house, an unreasonably high-water bill, garbage pickup, or some other problem. As a retired citizen and a member of the council, I will have no other job responsibilities and I can serve you full time.    

As you can see, my retirement works to your benefit whenever you have a concern and need to talk to me. You can reach me on my cell phone 318-617-5239 or by email brocatomary@gmail.com. I always like to hear from you. As a retired person and a member of the council, I have no other job responsibilities and I will serve you full time. I also want to hear from you with your ideas on how we can make our community even better.

As a private citizen, I am a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Ladies of Faith, and St.Vincent de Paul Society. We actively provide food, pay utility bill, and other bills for the needy. We also secure housing for homeless people who seek our help.

For the past 11 years, I have had a radio program named Save the Date on KTEZ, 99.9 on your radio dial.

The purpose of this program is to let listeners know about all the events an activities happening in Many, Sabine Parish and the surrounding areas. I also maintain a Facebook Page named Save the Date which provides detailed information about these events and activities.

I always try to help whenever and however I can. During our frigid January weather, I offered free hay to many of our folks who needed it for their horses and also to the Wild Horses of Kisatchie National Forest.

I’ve felt so good about this project that I plan to do it every year rather than selling the hay that I harvest on the ranch where I live.

As for my background, I grew up in Many, graduated from Many High School and later taught English and Speech there for 12 years. I have remained in close contact with many of my former students and love them all.

I left Many to go to college at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and attained a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in journalism from LSU. Yes, I am a proud alumnae of LSU and love LSU football and Mike the Tiger. I also love Many High School and am looking forward to a winning year for our Many Tigers football team.

My father always said I would eventually come back home to Many, and he was right. My late husband and I moved back home in 1978 and I have lived here ever since then and loved every day, month and year of being a citizen and resident of Many Louisiana!

Many is an awesome and caring small town and it’s my hometown that I love so very much. Let me continue to serve you and let’s find even more ways to keep making our town better for everyone, I sincerely and humbly ask you to vote in March for Mary Beth Key Brocato as Alderman at Large for the Town of Many. I promise I won’t let you down. 

TOGETHER LET’S KEEP MANY GREAT!

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Another fresh face is ready to serve the Town of Many. Jamey McIntyre is running for Alderman at Large. She is a longtime Many resident who has worked in the Sabine Parish District Attorney’s office several years and built strong relationships throughout the community. Brief highlights of her announcement follow:

It is time for leadership that works for everyone! If it is an issue to you, then it is an issue to me. When you talk, I will listen.

With fresh ideas and a new vision, we can make the most of what Many has now and build toward a bright future together.

I recognize the value of strong leadership, and I don’t quit. I will consider everyone’s needs and strive to meet those needs in a way that best serves all.

I have lived in Many all my adult life, almost 20 years. For the past five years, I have worked in the Sabine Parish District Attorney’s office.

• Graduate of North DeSoto High, 2006
• Degree in Human Resources and Hospitality Management
• Three additional certifications in Business Office Technology

Nothing in life has ever been handed to me. I believe in hard work and a strong work ethic.

My priorities are

• Many’s youth
• Helping law enforcement ensure safety and security for citizens
• Strong support for street and other infrastructure improvement
• Assisting the elderly with special services
• Helping the Town provide events and activities for all citizens, not just a small segment

First and foremost in my life is Jesus Christ. This is not a political statement. It is simply who I am, and the one I strive to follow. I am nothing without Him.

I am enthusiastic, committed, young, ready to listen and go to work for everyone, I humbly ask for your support and vote. If you place your trust in me, I promise you my heart and my best!

Visit the Jamey for Many Alderman Facebook page to learn more about her vision, upcoming events, and to join the journey as Jamey develops a plan of action to fully support the issues Many residents feel are most important.

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A single-vehicle crash occurred on Jan. 21 on LA Highway 6 east of Many, near the bridge by Many High School. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.

Authorities are urging drivers to slow down and avoid the area if possible. Roads, highways, and bridges throughout Sabine Parish have become hazardous due to icy conditions, though no official closures have been announced at this time.

With temperatures expected to remain below freezing for at least the next 24 hours, roadway conditions are not likely to improve soon.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell has advised residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Drivers who encounter dangerous conditions are encouraged to report them to the Sheriff’s Office by calling 318-256-9241 and selecting option 5.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, recently conducted an important opioid awareness and Narcan training session. Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced that the training, held last week, was aimed at equipping local law enforcement and first responders with the knowledge and skills to combat the opioid crisis.

The session, led by Region 7 Overdose Prevention Coordinator Yolanda Duckworth, educated over 80 Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputies, along with officers from the Zwolle Police Department and members of the Sabine Parish District Attorney’s Office.

Duckworth provided valuable information on opioid addiction, highlighting the growing dangers of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, and offered practical training on how to properly administer Narcan (Naloxone) in the event of an overdose. Narcan is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses if administered quickly.

“Opioids, including prescription painkillers like hydrocodone and oxycodone, as well as illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl, present a serious threat to public safety,” Sheriff Mitchell explained. “This training is an essential step in ensuring our deputies and other law enforcement personnel are prepared to respond effectively in life-threatening situations.”

Sheriff Mitchell expressed his gratitude to Duckworth and the Louisiana Department of Health for bringing this critical training to Sabine Parish, emphasizing the importance of community and law enforcement collaboration in tackling the opioid epidemic.

Two individuals were arrested on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop in Zwolle on Jan. 16. Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports that Felicia Sepulvado Garza, 46, of Noble, and Benjamin Shane Rivers, 49, of Zwolle, were taken into custody after a stop by the Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (T.N.T.).

The stop was initiated due to traffic violations when Garza was seen driving in the City of Zwolle. A brief investigation led to the discovery of a range of illegal items, including suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, a glass smoking device, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun.

Garza was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail on charges including:

Possession of Schedule II narcotics (Methamphetamine)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Obstruction of justice
Two headlamps required on motor vehicles
Operating a vehicle in unsafe condition (cracked windshield)
Failure to signal 100 feet before a turn

Meanwhile, Rivers, who was also present in the vehicle, was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center on charges including:

Possession of Schedule I narcotics (Marijuana)
Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics (Methamphetamine)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled dangerous substances (CDS)
As of now, no bond has been set for either suspect. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

By Doug De Graffenried

Writer Robert Fulghum in his book, Uh-Oh, talks about a neighbor of his who drives a brand-new Range Rover, a vehicle that Fulghum says “can outrun a lion and take a rhino charge head-on.”

One morning Fulghum left his house about the same time as his neighbor. The neighbor was carrying a golf bag, a gym bag, a raincoat, an umbrella, a coffee cup, a sack of garbage for the dumpster, and his briefcase. He was in a hurry. Two little pieces of toilet paper stuck to his chin from a hasty encounter with his razor and a knitted brow testified to a hasty encounter with his wife. But he is carrying that talisman of his success, his briefcase-solid-brass hardware, combination lock, lined with watered silk with his name embossed in gold. The prestigious bag probably weighed ten pounds.

A neighbor lady two doors down, a social worker for the Episcopal church, pulls out of her driveway about the same time as this businessman and Fulghum. The businessman cranks the engine of his Range Rover like he has the pole position at the Indy five hundred. Uh-oh–he has put his coffee cup and briefcase on the roof of the Range Rover, and there they stay as he drives away.

The lady neighbor is right behind him in her eight-year-old Just-Get-Me-There-and-Back-Please-God Ford sedan. Fulghum is behind her in his 1952 GMC two-ton Go-Ahead-and-Hit-Me panel truck. The lady begins to honk her horn at the Range Rover, which the man ignores because he is already on his phone talking to London. She keeps honking. He finally hears her, flings down the phone, leans out of the window, and makes an obscene gesture at her. She continues to honk while waving to him to stop.

Fulghum, then, hits his horn which he salvaged off an old Model A. It goes AAAOOOGAAH. The man jams on his brakes, flings open the door of the Range Rover and tries to get out–without first unlatching his seat belt. At the same moment, his morning cup of coffee slides off the roof, bounces across the hood, and smashes onto the street. This is followed by the brass-bound briefcase, which crashes onto the hood and scrapes paint off as it screeches to the ground.

The dear lady coasts slowly around the scene of the accident, smiles, waves, sings out “Have a nice day!” to her neighbor still dangling from the car in the clutches of his seat belt. Let me quote Fulghum, “And, no, she did not, as you might expect, run over his briefcase. No, she did not,” he says. “I did.”

Fulghum reports the man is a little distant these days, but his wife smiles and waves. Fulghum writes, “He’s not a bad guy. Like me, he takes on more than he can manage sometimes. Like me, he gets confused about what’s important. I see myself in his mirror. It’s less embarrassing to talk about how he runs his life than to talk about the cartoon quality of my own.”

Fulghum closes this story with these words, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?”

Brody Colle of Gary, Texas caught this 10.38-pound bass on Jan. 17 and weighed it in at Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle on Toledo Bend Lake. Brody will receive a fiberglass replica from The Toledo Bend Lake Association for his weigh in, measuring, tagging, and returning the fish to the lake alive.

Congratulations on the catch! This is Lunker #16 for the June 2024-25 year.

By Steve Graf

Today I’ll wrap up my life’s journey explaining how I have become the person I am today. While fishing and the outdoors have been a huge part of my life, sports have been my saving grace. It has all been due to great parents, teachers, and coaches who have had the greatest impact on my life.

Although my biological mother made a tough decision to walk away from me in the summer of ’69, it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. My life turned 180 degrees as my aunt and uncle made it official in 1970 by adopting me.

A year or two before, they decided to adopt a child from birth and named him Chad, who was 6 or 7 years younger than me. Now this young boy was super smart, funny with a great personality, somebody who never met a stranger. Was class president and class favorite throughout his entire junior and senior high years. He was a good athlete, a team player, and very mechanical minded who could fix anything.

As I stated earlier, I had a younger stepbrother (Kenny) who I have lost contact with but did very well for himself as he graduated from Texas A&M and became a navy captain on a nuclear submarine. Last time I heard, Kenny was working for Texas Instruments out of Dallas. Hats off to my bio mom as she decided to raise Kenny herself and it appears she did a pretty good job. After her second divorce, she finally found a good man in her third husband (Bill) who gave Kenny some direction and discipline being a former military man himself.

Now according to my aunt, who I later would call mom, it turns out that it took me a little while to adjust and feel secure, as I still was hiding food under my bed for about a year. Based off what a psychologist told her, this was considered normal behavior because I was still in survival mode. This would eventually stop as I became confident that I was going to be taken care of.

There was another obstacle I had to overcome early with my education. I was diagnosed with dyslexia going into the second grade. Every day for both the secod and third grade years, I would leave my mainstream class during the English period and go to Mrs. Carpenter’s classroom as she slowly turned me around by improving my ability to read. I owe a lot to Mrs. Carpenter who did an outstanding job of getting me on the right path.

My junior high years offered a different kind of challenge especially athletically as the skinny beanpole kid, which is a perfect description of me at that time, went out for seventh grade football. I was so skinny that extra-small pants were loose on me. I was still a good athlete but did not have any lead in my britches, so to speak. As good as I was at baseball, that did not translate to being that good at football initially as I started the season as a third team running back. Not first or second string — third string!

By the end of my eighth grade year, I had moved up to second string. Then as I got to high school in the ninth grade, I was moved to starting quarterback and never looked back as my body started to fill out and with great coaching, my confidence soared.

The one thing I never lacked was confidence on a baseball field. This is the one area of my life that I always felt I was as good as anyone who stepped on the field. After a great Little League and Dixie Youth experience, I was ready for high school and the best four years of my life!

My high school (Mt. Pleasant) had the reputation as one of the top athletic programs in Texas. The 1970s were some glorious times for the Mt. Pleasant Tiger athletic program in all sports. During this period, Mt. Pleasant was the winningest all-around program in the state of Texas, only behind Odessa Permian which many of you know from the movie, “Friday Night Lights.” It did not matter what sport; the MP Tigers were a state contender in all sports throughout the ‘70s.

Then during my junior year in the spring of 1978, it all came together for a group of guys who had grown up together playing baseball. After a couple of disappointing finishes from the previous two seasons, we finally got the job done, going 26-4 and winning the ’78 Class 3A state baseball title — Mt. Pleasant’s first state championship in any sport!

Then came my senior year, which was a year of highs and lows, as the ’78 football season would be a true trial and tribulation for me mentally and physically. We struggled the entire season with a new coaching staff. To this day, I still have mixed emotions about that year as it was probably the most difficult season I would ever endure as an athlete.

Compounding a difficult football season, I lost my best friend Kevin Owsley. He was a brother from another mother for me and we shared some good times together growing up playing ball, hunting and fishing. Kevin was one of those people everyone liked due to his infectious personality. He was also our starting second baseman on our defending state championship baseball team and losing him really put a huge damper on our attempt to repeat as we came up one game short of a trip back to the state tournament in Austin.

But there was one great thing that came out of my senior year, an offer to play in college on the Division I level. While I had several Division I offers, it wasn’t until a coach by the name of Al Miller (later an NFL strength coach for the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons) came to my house and made an offer to continue my athletic career and education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Committing to NSU turned out to be the best decision I ever made. This is where I met my wife of 43 years, Sherrie. We have celebrated life together and raised three awesome kids Brittany, Meredith and Brandon. I cannot imagine where I would be today had I not gone to NSU.

After graduating from NSU with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology/engineering, I was blessed with the opportunity to play baseball on the next level after being drafted in 1983 by the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals). Playing in the Expos minor league system and trying to reach the major league level was truly a great experience and one I am thankful for.

The friends I have made through my college experience is priceless. I had the privilege to play with some of the greatest to ever wear an NSU Demon uniform, several that went on to play in the NFL with great success. The level of talent at NSU during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s was incredible!

In 2009, I had the greatest honor you can receive from your alma mater, being inducted into the Northwestern State N-Club Hall of Fame as a two-sport athlete. In 2023 I was welcomed into the Mt. Pleasant High School Hall of Fame.

The good Lord has blessed me in so many ways I’ve lost count. The early years of my life were merely a test of my determination and perseverance. I’m a true believer in the words, “God had a plan.” Over my lifetime, so many families, friends, teammates, coaches and teachers have had an impact on my life that I cannot even begin to list them all.

Most of them know who they are and all I can say is “thank you.” Thank you for believing in a young boy who had all kinds of issues and challenges he had to overcome to achieve success. Without each of you, none of it would have been possible.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to thank those that have impacted your life before they are no longer with us. Next week we’ll get back to more stories and experiences of the great outdoors as tournament fishing season is upon us.

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and when in doubt … set the hook!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) announced the introduction of a new area code, 457, to provide relief for the 318 area code region. This overlay ensures sufficient telephone numbers are available to meet future demand while minimizing disruption for customers.

What is an Overlay? An overlay introduces a new area code to the same geographic region currently served by an existing area code. Customers with 318 area code numbers will retain their current numbers, but new phone lines or services activated after September 25, 2025, may receive the 457 area code. Importantly, customers will need to use a 10-digit dialing procedure—the area code plus the seven-digit phone number—to make local calls.

Key Dates for the Transition:

February 24, 2025: Begin using 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) for all local calls. Calls made with 7 digits will still be completed during this period.

August 25, 2025: 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory. Calls dialed with only 7 digits will not go through and will receive a recorded message to redial with the area code.

September 25, 2025: New numbers in the 457 area code may be assigned.

Why is This Change Necessary? The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) forecasts that the 318 area code will run out of new numbers by early 2026. The LPSC reviewed NANPA’s recommendations, sought public and industry input, and approved the overlay to address the shortage.

The 318 area code serves the parishes of: Allen, Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell,
Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.

What You Need to Know:

Current Numbers Stay the Same: If you already have a 318 number, it will not change.

Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing: All local calls within the 318 and 457 areas will require 10 digits.

No Change in Call Costs: Local calls will remain local, even with the added area code.

For more information, visit the Louisiana Public Service Commission website or contact your telephone service provider. The LPSC remains committed to ensuring a smooth transition and reliable communication services for all residents and businesses in northern Louisiana.

By Brad Dison

The detective was dead. On August 6, 1975, the New York Times published a front-page obituary for one of the most famous private detectives in history. Before becoming a private investigator, he had been a high-ranking detective in the Belgian police force. In 1904, he was forced to flee his home because of the invasion, occupation, torture, and mass murder of Belgian citizens by German troops during World War I in what is now referred to as the Rape of Belgium. The detective became a refugee and fled to a town called Styles St. Mary in Essex, England. Despite being a man of small stature—he stood only about 5 feet 4 inches tall—the detective was proud, always impeccably dressed, and very clever.

Shortly after his arrival in England, a wealthy, elderly lady was murdered in her home in the same small town in which he had settled. A friend of the murdered lady knew of the detective’s police background and asked him to help. The Scotland Yard detective allowed the former police detective into the home just to see if there was anything he could offer. Within a short time, the Belgian refugee had solved the crime, earned the respect and friendship of the Scotland Yard detective, and began his career as a private detective. For decades, the private detective had worked independently and with Scotland Yard to solve crimes.

The private detective, now aged, wheelchair bound because of arthritis, and suffering from a weak heart, was working a murder case in the small town where his private detective career began, Styles St. Mary.

The private detective linked four other unsolved murders to the one he was investigating. Through meticulous investigation, the private detective learned the identity of the murderer and wrote it down in a detailed letter to an acquaintance. He went to bed that night without taking his amyl nitrite heart medicine and died during the night from a heart attack.

The New York Times reported that the detective’s age was unknown. Although elderly, the proud detective concealed his age with false hair and makeup. Even his being wheelchair bound was a ploy to help him gain information in what was to be his last case. The former Belgian police detective, the refugee who escaped the atrocities of the Germans, the private detective who purportedly died as a result of a heart attack while solving his last case, was murdered. He was murdered by his own creator.

The private detective was the creation of the most successful novelist of all time, outsold only by Shakespeare and the Bible. The private detective’s name was Hercule Poirot. He was murdered by Dame Agatha Christie just months before her own death. The obituary published on the front page of the New York Times on August 6, 1975, was the first instance in which the newspaper had printed an obituary for a fictional character.

Source:

1. The New York Times, August 6, 1975, p.1.

2. Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (New York: John Lane, 1920).

3. Agatha Christie, Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case (London: Collins Crime Club, 1975).

January 22 marks National Hot Sauce Day, a celebration of the fiery condiment beloved across cultures and cuisines. In Natchitoches Parish, where Southern flavors reign supreme, hot sauce often takes center stage in traditional dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. But the world of hot sauce extends far beyond Louisiana’s iconic Tabasco, offering a global array of flavors to spice up everyday cooking.

Tabasco brand hot sauce, created on Avery Island, Louisiana, is a household staple not only in the state but across the globe. Known for its tangy vinegar base and fiery kick, Tabasco has been a key ingredient in Southern kitchens since its creation in 1868. Its simple recipe of tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt has remained unchanged for over 150 years, making it a symbol of culinary tradition in Louisiana. For many, a dash of Tabasco is the finishing touch on everything from eggs to oysters.

Hot sauce enthusiasts know that these spicy concoctions are as diverse as the cultures that create them. From the smoky chipotle notes of Mexican salsas to the tangy heat of Caribbean Scotch bonnet blends, hot sauces showcase the unique ingredients and culinary traditions of their regions. Asian hot sauces, like Korean gochujang and Thai sriracha, add layers of complexity to stir-fries and marinades, while African peri-peri sauces bring a bold kick to grilled meats.

Incorporating hot sauce into meals is an easy way to elevate flavors. A dash of cayenne-based sauce can brighten scrambled eggs, while a drizzle of habanero-infused vinegar can add depth to soups and stews. For those in Natchitoches Parish, experimenting with different hot sauces can transform even the most familiar dishes into something extraordinary.

As the fiery flavors ignite taste buds, National Hot Sauce Day also serves as a reminder of the shared joy found in food. Spice, like community, brings people together. So, whether you’re a heat-seeker or a mild flavor enthusiast, celebrate this day by exploring the world of hot sauces and adding a little extra zest to your life.

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Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com