SPARK high school students take 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the 2025 parish-wide Poster Contest “One Pill Can Kill.”

1st Place Jakolby Pilkington
2nd Place Emma Vincent
3rd Place Ayden Wells

These students have learned a lot about fentanyl prevention, the risks, how to keep themselves safe, and what to do if someone may have fentanyl poisoning. These students are learning to be leaders and have shown outstanding character by increasing their awareness to the growing problem of fentanyl.

By Steve Graf  

Tournament bass fishing has been a huge part of my life since the early 1990s and occasionally, the sport reminds you that you’re not as good as you think you are. Tournament bass fishing has a way of checking your ego and bringing an angler back down to earth. This happened to me just recently at an event on Lake of the Pines located in the heart of East Texas. 
 
As I arrived for practice on Tuesday for the ABA Solo 150 Tour event No. 1, I carried high expectations for several reasons. I had fished well there in the past and a warming trend was taking place for the entire week, which should have meant the bass would be pulling up into the shallows. 
 
Next, based on the results of tournaments staged over the weeks prior to our event, it appeared the bass were biting. And the fact that spring was looking to make an early arrival had me beaming with excitement. 
 
Nothing gets an angler’s blood flowing more than the thought of bass getting ready to spawn. This is when the big female bass (known as big girls; sorry ladies) come in looking for a place to lay their eggs. It’s a time when they are most vulnerable to being caught, so it just might be my favorite time of year to bass fish.  
 
While 90 percent of all tournament anglers don’t keep bass to eat, they still enjoy the challenge of catching bass off their beds. Female bass (big girls) can be tough to catch this time of year when it comes to biting an artificial lure during the spawn. They just don’t bite the same when they are on the bed (nest) laying their eggs.  
 
For this event, however, it was all about location, location, location! Never in my 30-plus years of tournament bass fishing have I seen the number of five fish bags being weighed over 30 pounds each. Based off simple math (which I can do), some of these anglers were weighing in a 6-pound average for every bass in their bag.
 
It would not shock many anglers for someone to do this during any springtime event, but in this tournament, five anglers did it on the final day with one angler (the winner) bringing in a little over 39 pounds with a five bass limit! 
 
That’s just shy of an 8-pound average, which is unheard of. By the way, the same angler that weighed 39 pounds on the final day of our event, followed that up with another huge bag over 30 pounds the next weekend in another event.
 
Here’s how the weigh-in went for me: I had a little over 13 pounds on Day 1 and 14 plus on Day 2 for a total of 27.85 pounds, landing me in the middle of the pack at 21st place. Basically, I was 34 pounds behind the leader, which is the largest margin I’ve ever lost by in a tournament. It was as if I was fishing on a completely different lake than the top 10 anglers!
 
I would like to point out that there were a few guys complaining about ONLY catching 23-24 pounds at the weigh-in. Hey guys, here’s some free advice from someone who has been doing this for over 30 years. When you complain about having over 20 pounds at a weigh-in, it makes you look arrogant and dumb — SO DON’T DO THAT!!!
 
Now that I have that off my chest, there’s one thing I do know about bass fishing. You never stop learning, and you never quit trying. You just lick your wounds and move on to the next tournament. I do recognize that this event was the exception to the rule when it comes to 30-pound bags being weighed-in. But this one event truly humbled me as an angler.
 
While these kinds of weights coming to the scales is not the norm for most area lakes, Lake of the Pines is fishing exceptionally well at this time when compared to other lakes in our region. This is a testament to the outstanding job Texas Parks and Wildlife is doing with managing all our Texas lakes. 
 
‘Til next time, keep your hooks wet and your live wells full and make sure you take the time to take a kid fishing! 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

March 8, 1944 — March 17, 2025

Lyle Angus, a devoted husband and beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died on March 17, 2025 at the age of 81. Lyle was born in Wakefield, Michigan and passed away in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Lyle, also known to some as Unc, was a gentle giant of a man; the type to lend a helping hand to anyone he could. His passions in life included the Green Bay Packers, hunting, going to basketball games with his nephew Randy, helping his nephew Jimmie work at the farm, and spending time with Boo and Kelly Ray. He cherished his close friends and neighbors and enjoyed floating down the river with the Schweihofer family. Lyle was proud of his service to his country and enjoyed volunteering with the Zwolle fire department.

Lyle is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Theresa Angus and his brother, Dennis. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sister, Carol Boden; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bell Rivers; and brother-in-law, Gene Bell.

He also leaves behind his children, Melissa (Keith) Schweihofer, Tina (Ron) Crimmins, and Dale (Orna) Angus; grandchildren, Christopher (Erin) Schweihofer, Scott Schweihofer, Samantha Schweihofer, Aden Angus, and Sara Angus; great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Bryce, and Blake Schweihofer; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the North Sabine Fire District – Zwolle station at (318)-645-2500 or to the VA Hospital – Overton Brooks in Shreveport, Louisiana at http://www.volunteer.va.gov

May 12, 1940 — March 22, 2025

A memorial service for Phillip Leon Lore, 84, was held on March 27, 2025 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy. in Many. Inurnment followed at Central Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery in Leesville, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Brother Buster Jordan.

Phillip was born on May 12, 1940 to Charles Joseph Lore and Clara Alexander Lore in St. Louis, Missouri and passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Philip joined the Marines in 1957 and was loyal to his country and during the 45th and 47th Presidential election he made sure to vote for the winner. He received a Good Conduct medal during his enlistment. He provided for his family for 35 years while working at AT&T as a cable technician and splicer. He enjoyed his job and made many lifelong friends while working there. He retired on Toledo Bend Lake in 1996 with his wife. He became an avid fisherman; where to some in the area he was known as “The Fish Whisperer.” He told the best fishing stories and always wanted family and friends to fish with him. He was a devoted LSU Tiger fan, and, on many occasions, he was unable to sleep after evening games. He lived life to the fullest, but his greatest love and accomplishment was his family. His biggest blessing was his 6 grandchildren and soon to be 6 great-grandchildren.

Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Clara Lore and sisters, Linda Higgins and Joann Bell. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Alice Lore of Many, Louisiana; son, Christopher Lore and wife, Kim, of Jasper, Arkansas; daughters, Sherrie Womack and husband, Mike, of Magnolia, Texas and Rebecca Cox of Elm Springs, Arkansas; sister, Brenda Rolfes of St. Louis, Missouri; brother, John Lore and wife, Jan, of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Casey Lore, Cristen Michael and husband, Lake, Ashleigh Gosnell and husband, Luke, Joshua Womack, Lacey Bettis, and Kinsey McFarland and husband, Michael; and great-grandchildren, Annabell Grace Bettis, A.J. Michael, Jax Michael, Levi Marshall Gosnell, Austyn Alice McFarland, and soon to be, Blakley Myshell McFarland.

November 18, 1947 — March 14, 2025

Funeral services for George Jerome Cain, 77, was held on March 18, 2025 at Pendelton Assembly of God, 14152 Texas Hwy. in Many, under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home. A burial followed at Pendelton Church Cemetery. A visitation was held on March 18, 2025. Officiating the service was Brother Hayward Hossler and Brother Ed Held.

George was born on November 18, 1947 to L.L. Bo Cain and Amy McComic Cain in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana and passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

George’s life was a testament to his faith, sharing his love of life with all he encountered. He will be remembered for the warmth of his smile and the kindness of his words, offering prayers and encouragement to everyone he met. His greatest joy came from tending to his farm and caring for his beloved cows—he was a true cattleman until the end of his days. On a perfect day for George, he would rise at sunrise, have a quick cup of coffee and a bite to eat before heading off to the cow pasture. His days were filled with purpose: feeding and doctoring cows, mending fences, loading and unloading cattle, baling and cutting hay, and repairing washed-out bridges. He kept tractors running despite their tendency to break. Even during periods of illness, his dedication to his land never wavered as he worked tirelessly in the pasture with true grit. Yet, he kept holy the Sabbath day, setting aside his tools as no work was done on Sunday.

George treasured simple pleasures: enjoying country meals and visits with family and friends. Beyond his cattle, George also ran an emu farm where he delighted in entertaining school children on their field trips, sharing his knowledge and love for animals with younger generations. People will remember Mr. George as a pillar of faith in the community, but lest we forget, he did have a humorous side. He could take a joke, but better yet, he was always willing to tell a funny story to get a smile on someone’s face or bring laughter into a room. His faith was his guiding light, inspiring him to share his joy with those around him. His life was defined by hard work, kindness, and appreciation for the blessings of family. Though he has left us, the lessons of his dedicated life and the warmth of his spirit remain with all who knew him.

George was preceded in death by his parents, L.L. Bo Cain and Amy Cain. He is survived by his loving companion, Martha R. Henderson; daughters, Shanna Malone and husband, Matt, of Springfield, Missouri and Christy Butler of Many, Louisiana; bonus daughters, Connie Strahan, Janet M. Henderson, and Rhonda Henderson; grandchildren, Justin Miller and wife, Meagan, Faith Malone, Jacob Malone, Kurtlyn Cain, and wife, Megan, Jalen Singleton, Tylen Singleton, and Lynlei Butler; great-grandchildren, Kellen Miller, Jocelynn Miller, Julia Miller, Zayn Cain, Braydon Castor, and Haven Castor; sister, Patricia Hossler and husband, Hayward, of Winnfield, Louisiana; and nieces, Jill Pruitt and husband, Paul, of Wheeling, Louisiana and Jennifer Bates and husband, Wayne, of Winnfield, Louisiana.

Honoring George as pallbearers were Kurtlyn Cain, Jacob Malone, Zack Peace, Paul Pruitt, Jalen Singleton, and Tylen Singleton.

April 18, 1955 — March 14, 2025

Funeral services for Michael Doyle Keel, 69, were held on March 17, 2025 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy. in Many. A burial followed at Beulah Baptist Cemetery in Many. A visitation was held on March 16, 2025. Officiating the service was Brother Leon Manshack.

Michael was born on April 18, 1955 to Ernest Doyle Keel and Peggy Johnson Keel in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Peggy Keel; sister, Debbie Ashby; and grandson, Zackary Rhame. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Charlotte Keel, of Many, Louisiana; sons, Eric Keel of Marthaville, Louisiana and Tim Rhame and wife, Dee Dee, of Tyler, Texas; daughter, Stephanie Oxley and husband, Mark, of Many, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Bobby Ashby of Blanchard, Louisiana; grandchildren, Breanna Oxley and Kaydence Oxley of Many, Louisiana; nephew, Brad Ashby of Blanchard, Louisiana; and niece, Lesa Herman of Blanchard, Louisiana.

Honoring Michael as pallbearers were Jerrad Bragg, Jimmy Elliott, Joshua Hippler, Justin Merritt, Breanna Oxley, Tim Rhame, and Bobby Steele. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Jason Heard, David Hippler, Shane Hippler, and Kaydence Oxley.

December 25, 1946 — March 28, 2025

Jimmy Duraso, 78, was born December 25th, 1946 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to James Duraso and Gwenona Thorpe Duraso. He left his earthly body Friday, March 28th, 2025 at his home in Belmont and was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior!

A funeral service was held on April 1, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 9696 Hwy. 175 in Belmont, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home. A visitation was held on March 31, 2025. A burial followed at Belmont Cemetery in Belmont, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Brother Buddy Freeman with the eulogy by Buddy Free. The burial was officiated by Brother Taylor Stephens.

Jimmy was one of those people that once you met him, he left an imprint on your life in some way; whether it be the stories of friends and family, things he “got into” when he was younger, driving his log truck, Vietnam, or trying to keep Brenda in line (he would always say SHE was a full-time job)! He had a heart of gold and would do anything in his power to help you.

When Jimmy got the orders for Vietnam he went with no hesitation. If you knew Jimmy, you knew he loved to serve his country and he did so proudly. After coming home, he joined the National Guard and served for 7 years. Those years of his life introduced him to lifelong friends that he was honored to have.

Jimmy married the love of his life, Brenda Isgitt Duraso, in 1994. Together, they built a wonderful life for 31 years doing things they loved like traveling. He was always ready for those spur of the moment road trips with his love. Jimmy would often take Brenda cross country with him, seeing 48 states. He had so many stories of those trips but especially of the beautiful sites they both saw together. Together was his favorite place to be with his wife that he cherished! Jimmy’s love for driving was a lifelong commitment so much so that he traded the cross-country truck in and became a log truck driver. His favorite boss was Mr. Johnny Jenkins of Jenkins Logging whom he held the highest respect for! That was his family. He always loved working and even later returned to work after his retirement.

If you didn’t see Jimmy riding around with Brenda or at church you would most likely see him outside doing what he loved; sitting on his porch, walking around his yard, looking at his animals, and watching Brenda work in their garden. He was always a busy man and always ready to jump in the vehicle to go eat or go watch westerns at his brother-in-law, Bobby’s house.

He held a special place in many people’s hearts especially his grandkids and they in return loved their grandpa Jimmy aka “Pa Jimmy”. His grand and great grandkids were truly his treasures. He loved each one of them so much and he loved to brag on them. He was definitely a proud Paw Paw! His great nieces held a special place in his heart too. They would often run on the porch and yell across the yard, PAWWWW! He would then say, “heyyy my girls!!!!” They loved their Paw!

A life lived to the fullest, we know that Jimmy was a devoted, Godly man. He loved church, he loved telling you about Jesus and was going to be ordained as a deacon in October of 2025 at Spring Ridge. He was so proud. If you met Jimmy Duraso, you met a man with compassion, pride for his Country, love for his Lord and Savior and his family and made a friend for life.

Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, TK, Shane, and Phil; and sisters, Rose, Ginger, and Robbie. He survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; sons, Jimmy Gwen Duraso, Jr and wife, Melinda and Guthrie Sistrunk and wife, Brittney; stepson, Maurice Messina; daughters, Tammy Hendricks, Shana Sistrunk, and Dellie Martin; sisters, Dee and Belinda; brothers, Richard and Dennis; grandchildren, Tyler, Dylan, Clayton, Trevor, Trent, Nate, Faith, Madison, Kason, Dylan, and Maxim; great-grandchildren, Addy and Weston; brothers-in-law, Allen and wife, Vicki, Benny and wife, Cheryl, Bobby and wife, Janice, and Richard and wife, Marcia and a host of nieces, nephews and precious friends.

Honoring Jimmy as pallbearers were Trent Chaney, Trevor Chaney, Clayton Duraso, Dylan Duraso, Tyler Duraso, Nate Jennings, Ethan Jones, and Dylan Torres. Serving as honorary pall bearers were Dub Bernard, Allen Isgitt, Richard Isgitt, Bobby Isgitt, Benny Isgitt, Brandon Isgitt, Richard Duraso, and Dennis Duraso.

February 11, 2025 — March 26, 2025

A funeral service for Matthew James Martinez was held on March 29, 2025 at 4 p.m. at Harmony Cove Baptist Church, 2879 Kites Landing Rd, Florien, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home. A visitation was held beforehand. A burial followed at Harmony Cove Baptist Church Elm Cemetery. Officiating the service was Brother Randall McFarland.

Matthew was born on February 11, 2025 to Michael Martinez and Ashley Wilkerson Martinez in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away on March 26, 2025 in Florien, Louisiana.

Matthew is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Martinez; grandparents, Tony Wilkerson and wife, Gretchen, of Many, Louisiana, Mark Martinez and wife, Brenda, of Anacoco, Louisiana, Jamie Dees of Many, Louisiana, and Cory Dees of Many, Louisiana; and his brother, Mason Martinez.

BOM attended the Sabine Hall of Fame annual induction banquet on March 25. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Twyla Lovelady, Kayla Windham, and Brittany Sepulvado.

April 2 marks World Autism Awareness Day, an internationally recognized event dedicated to raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and promoting inclusion for individuals on the spectrum. Established by the United Nations in 2007, the day encourages global initiatives such as the “Light It Up Blue” campaign, where landmarks and buildings are illuminated in blue to show solidarity.

Autism advocacy groups use the occasion to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, accessible therapies, and educational resources. This year, organizations across the country are hosting events, including sensory-friendly community gatherings, educational seminars, and social media campaigns aimed at spreading awareness.

As the prevalence of ASD continues to rise, with the CDC estimating that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with the condition, World Autism Awareness Day serves as a call to action for greater understanding, acceptance, and support for those affected by autism.

Carol Ann Huffman
June 24, 1967 — March 27, 2025
Arrangements TBA

Jimmy Gwen Duraso
December 25, 1946 — March 28, 2025
Funeral Service held April 1

Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)

You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com

The Sabine Parish Road Department announced on March 20 that DOTD will perform traffic counts in Sabine Parish over the next two months. The counts will be completed with cameras and tube counters that are strategically placed on roadways to monitor and record traffic patterns, including vehicle volume and classification. Sabine Parish has a total of 751 local road count locations. These counts are completed on a 10 year cycle required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for a minimum of 48 hours. DOTD also uses this data to better understand traffic patterns throughout the state to assist in determining the transportation needs of the citizens of Louisiana.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports an illegal alien was detained by Sabine Parish Sheriff Criminal Patrol Deputies yesterday afternoon, March 24.

Rigoberto Sanchez Dominguez (age-34) was stopped by Deputies for a traffic violation on LA Highway 476. Dominguez had no driver’s license but produced a Mexican identification card. Deputies contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and learned Dominguez was wanted for an arrest in Texas on November 17, 2023, for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Dominguez was transported to the Sabine Parish Detention Center where he was transferred to the custody of ICE Agents.

In the Fall of 1993, Nicole Woods was a newlywed Sophomore at Northwestern State University. After a visit to the then Crisis Pregnancy Center, she learned she was also pregnant with her first child. With the support of the late Mrs. Terri Galloway, a volunteer at the Center, she began her motherhood journey with the encouragement of a small group of women who were determined to make a positive impact on expectant mothers in the community. Her oldest son, Colt, was born in May of 1994 but not without complications that resulted in an orthopedic issue. With the support of her family and the amazing volunteers at the Center, she was able to properly care for him with the confidence they all helped to instill. More than 30 years later, Nicole Woods has been named the Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center.

Nicole went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University and spent the next 20 years working in the criminal justice and non-profit arenas. She would also go on to become Mom to Farrah and Chase. She is very active in the community and serves as President of the Natchitoches Lions Club. She was awarded the 2024 Natchitoches Historic Foundation’s President’s Award for her support of her hometown. Nicole and her husband, Sammy, are members of First Baptist Church, both are avid golfers and supporters of the 4-H program.

The Center is maintained by an outstanding Leadership Team. Sandy Keller serves as the
WRC Program Manager. Sandy was born and raised in Indiana. Since earning her bachelor’s in social work, she has worked with children and families for several years in a non-profit organization. She is the proud mother of three and grandmother to one. She has had a passion for pregnancy centers for many years and volunteered with Crisis Pregnancy Centers in both Indiana and Louisiana. She has called Louisiana home for the last 12 years, with Natchitoches becoming her home when she joined the WRC staff in July, 2022. Sandy enjoys the role of Program Manager because she has been able to work with and support clients by managing volunteers, client schedules, classes as well as the Little Rose Boutique. Sandy also works directly with volunteers and gets the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients as needed.

She played a vital role in the creation of the Rose Long Educational Center which provides space for onsite educational programs for community members and clientele. She is excited about the future of WRC and the possibility of additional educational opportunities to benefit new parents.

Brandi Kay serves as the Center’s Office Manager. Brandi joined the Women’s Resource Center as Office Manager in August 2024, boasting an impressive 10-year financial tracking and record management background. Focused on consistently delivering exceptional outcomes in grant and donor tracking, daily office tasks, event coordination and communication; Brandi ensures that the Center continues to be a good steward to our supporters and clients. A long-time resident of Flora, Brandi has been married to Johnny for 22 years and they have two children, Cailynn and Conner. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, crafting, and baseball games.

Established in 1989 as the Crisis Pregnancy Center, it has now evolved into the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and serves as the only Pregnancy Help Medical Clinic in a 50-mile radius. The Center currently serves women from Bienville, DeSoto, Grant, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Vernon and Winn and is here to serve anyone who is, or may be, pregnant. The Center focuses on offering hope and enables expectant mothers to make educated decisions.

The mission of the WRC is to educate and empower individuals to make life-affirming choices. The Center offers 100% free and confidential services such as pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds and material assistance to mothers from pregnancy through the baby’s first year regardless of insurance status or income. With over 850 educational visits in 2024, the Center offers classes in: Child Safety, Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding Education, Healthy Beginnings (a two-part nutrition class in partnership with the LSU Ag Center), Carseat Safety and Financial Literacy (in partnership with Engage Federal Credit Union).

The success of the WRC is strongly based on the support of its advocates, volunteers and donors. While some grants are received, the Center offers numerous ways to support through monetary and material donations. Individuals and organizations are vital to the day-to-day operations of the Center. From the support of volunteers to NSU special interest groups to local churches, the Center draws its strength from supporters in all forms.

Fundraisers are an important part of the Center’s success and two major fundraisers are quickly approaching. We are excited to announce that this year the Run Baby Run will be held in conjunction with the 28th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival. On May 10th, runners, walkers and supporters will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Natchitoches while supporting the Center.

When Jazz Fest organizer (and WRC Supporter) Rodney Harrington was asked about this new collaboration he said “I think it’s awesome that the Run Baby Run is going to be held the morning of the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival on May 10th! It’s going to be a spectacular day in our town. The participants will be able to finish their run, shower and still make it down to the riverbank in time to hear Gretchen Wilson, the BAR-KAYS and all the other great acts at the festival. See y’all there!”

The largest fundraiser of the year, The Right to Life Gala, is slated for the evening of Sept. 18 at the Natchitoches Event Center. This premier event is a sellout year after year, so plan to buy your tables early this year.

All information on the Center and its events can be found on the Women’s Resource Center’s Facebook page, at wrcnatchitoches.org or by visiting 107 North Street, Natchitoches.

Anyone interested in becoming a client, a volunteer, a donor, or have questions can call 318-357-8888.

I’ve always enjoyed remembering how things used to be, and I look forward for what the future holds with regards to tournament bass fishing. Today we’ll step back in time and look at how tournament fishing was in the early days. 
 
As I’ve noted in past writings, my tournament days go back to the early 1990ns. To say that times have changed is truly an understatement. Things are different today in several ways and the first thing that comes to mind, is how anglers had respect for each other on the water. Anglers were always conscious of not fishing too close to another angler and never wanted to invade another their territory, especially if he was leading the tournament. THAT’S NOT THE CASE TODAY! 
 
To use an old phrase, “back in the day,” anglers showed respect for each other by not fishing areas on the lake that someone found first. Unfortunately, anglers today tend to hold no regard or respect for another angler’s area. 
 
Many of our younger anglers think that all water is open for anyone to fish any time during the tournament.  But I’m not going to throw shade just on our youth for all the issues taking place in tournaments. It’s not really their fault, as 95 percent of both high school and college anglers have never been exposed to the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Etiquette has been forgotten and is not being taught.
 
Another issue today that anglers have is the disregard for the “no information” rule. At no time has this rule had more attention than it has this season. Several touring pros have been disqualified for violating this rule in 2025. Most tournament trails have a written rule that does not allow anglers to receive information about a particular body of water within a specific time frame. Without a doubt, this is the most abused rule on every level! 
 
Back in the day, anglers were held to a higher standard than they are today. Some tournament organizations are turning a blind eye to some of the infractions and are not holding anglers accountable. This is why anglers continue to bend the rules and is one reason tournament entries are down nationwide.
 
Until organizations decide to preserve the integrity of the sport, and drop the hammer on these rule breakers, nothing will change. Some anglers will stop at nothing to gather information like waypoints, best areas to fish, and what baits to throw from guides and other resources. 
 
While there are ways to gather information legally, some anglers ignore the rules and show no regard for doing things the right way. Once again, back in the day if an angler violated a rule, he was pulled aside by other anglers and asked to explain himself. The older generation held each other more accountable. 
 
Oh, how I yearn for the days of old where you did not have to worry about who or how someone was possibly cheating or bending the rules. Your reputation as an angler was more important than winning any single event. You would rather sacrifice a win and still have the respect of your fellow competitors than to cash a check doing something shady.  
 
But the philosophy today is to win at all costs, no matter what the consequences. This is pretty much true in all sports, especially on the high school and collegiate levels. Today it’s all about the money being made and if a kid is not happy where they’re at, they transfer to another school that is willing to pay them even more. They are even paid in advance on potential and not on their body of work! 
 
I’ll wrap up this gripe session with this — if we as anglers don’t start demanding organizations enforce ALL the rules, nothing will ever change. We must demand transparency from all tournament organizations.

‘Til next time, go fishing every chance you get because you never know when it might be your last. 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

By Doug De Graffenried

In the 1980’s, Jay Winsten, a public health professor at Harvard got interested in the idea of a “designated driver.” He’d picked up the concept in Scandinavia where it was the norm. At the time, the concept did not exist in the US. None of us knew what a designated driver was.

Winsten and his team at Harvard made it a goal to create a social norm in the United States: If you are going out drinking, you would pick a designated driver who would commit not to drink for the evening. How do you create a social norm out of thin air? Winsten’s inspiration was that you could make the behavior contagious by repeatedly exposing people to it, in many different contexts, even if those contexts were fictional.

Winsten and his team collaborated with producers, writers, and actors from more than 160 prime time TV programs, sprinkling designated-driver moments naturally into the plots. Segments featuring designated drivers appeared on Hunter, The Cosby Show, Mr. Belvedere, and Who’s the Boss? On one episode of the smash-hit L.A. Law, the heartthrob lawyer played by Harry Hamlin asked a bartender to call his designated driver. A designated-driver poster appeared in the bar on Cheers.

Winsten’s plea to the media was for “five seconds” of dialogue about a designated driver. He didn’t want a full episode or even a whole scene. He simply wanted the words mentioned repeatedly. Grant Tinker said about it, “Considering the simplicity of it all, it was very hard for us to feel our independence was being challenged.”

In 1991, three years after the campaign launched, nine out of ten people were familiar with the term designated driver. And they were behaving differently as a result. Thirty-seven percent of all Americans reported having acted as designated drivers, and 54% of frequent drinkers had been driven home by one. The behavioral change saved lives. Alcohol related traffic fatalities declined from 23,626 in 1988 to 17,858 in 1992.

I want you to ponder this under the rubric of “words create reality.” A new reality was created when two words were used repeatedly in the media. This is a positive story about words creating reality. I’m sure you can think of the other side of this issue where words create another reality when they become a constant drumbeat in the media.

What words have created your reality?

Better yet, whose words have created your reality.

Those words are changing your life.

By Brad Dison

Ritchie was a sickly child. When he was six years old, he developed appendicitis. Following surgery, he contracted peritonitis, an inflammation of the lining of the abdomen. His recovery lasted a full year. In 1953, when he was 13, he caught a cold which progressed into pleurisy. After a brief stay at Myrtle Street Children’s Hospital, Ritchie returned home. A short time later, the 13-year-old contracted a disease which changed the course of his life. At first, Ritchie ran a low fever, became fatigued, and developed a minor cough. Ritchie’s condition gradually worsened over the course of a few weeks. His fever rose, coughing intensified, and taking a deep breath became painful. When Ritchie began experiencing chest pains, his mother took him to Myrtle Street Children’s Hospital once again. His diagnosis was tuberculosis, a bacterial disease that affects the lungs.
Being diagnosed with tuberculosis was a shock to Ritchie and his mother. In the year Ritchie contracted the disease, there were over 84,000 cases of tuberculosis in the United States. Nearly 20,000 of those cases, about 23%, were fatal. The percentage of fatal cases in Europe were similar.

“In those days,” Ritchie said, “they just kept you in bed for months. I was in bed for like ten months.” Ritchie said that while being treated, teachers would come in to teach and to keep the sick children entertained. Ritchie joked that while in the hospital, he learned to knit. “One woman came in, not so often, but she came in,” he said, “and she had percussive instruments [such as] maracas, tambourines, and a little drum.” By pointing at red or yellow dots, the woman taught the kids when to strike or shake their instruments. Ritchie said the woman handed the instruments out at random. “I’m in bed … she gives me this little drum and it was like a craziness.” Ritchie said, “I only would play the drum in this mad band that she’d bring in.”

Despite his suffering from tuberculosis, Ritchie was obsessed. He said, “I hit the drum, and I only wanted, from that moment, to be a drummer. And that was what my aim was.” He said it “became the only thing I ever wanted to do.” Ritchie slowly regained his strength and his health. His obsession with that little drum never waned. When he was 18 years old, Ritchie joined a band. For more than 60 years, Ritchie has been a fixture in the entertainment industry. On January 10 of this year, Ritchie released a country album entitled “Look Up” on which he sings, whistles, and, of course, plays drums.

Had Ritchie not contracted tuberculosis at 13, a disease which could have taken his life, and had the woman with the “mad band” handed him anything other than a drum, our musical landscape may have evolved differently. You see, Ritchie, the sickly child, was born Richard Starkey, but the world knows him better as Ringo Starr, the drummer for the Beatles.

Sources:

1. “Tuberculosis Symptoms and Causes,” Mayo Clinic, Accessed March 23, 2025, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250.

2. “TB Incidence and Mortality: 1953–2023,” CDC, October 31, 2024, accessed March 23, 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/tb-surveillance-report-2023/tables/table-1.html.

3. Joe Taysom, “How a life-threatening illness made Ringo Starr learn drums,” Far Out, August 2, 2022, accessed March 23, 2025, https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/life-threatening-illness-ringo-starr-drums/.

4. Chris Barilla, “Ringo Starr’s Childhood Tuberculosis Hospitalization Kept Him in ‘Bed for Months’ but Ultimately Changed His Life,” People, February 20, 2025, accessed March 23, 2025, https://people.com/ringo-starr-says-tuberculosis-hospitalization-kept-him-in-bed-for-months-exclusive-11683518.

Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness

March 26 is recognized as Purple Day, an international movement dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy. Founded in 2008 by a young Canadian girl, Cassidy Megan, Purple Day encourages people worldwide to wear purple in support of individuals living with epilepsy. Organizations host educational events, fundraising efforts, and community outreach programs to increase understanding and reduce stigma surrounding the neurological disorder.

This Day in History: The Birth of Modern Transportation

On March 26, 1872, the first patent for an air brake system was granted to George Westinghouse, revolutionizing railway safety. This invention allowed trains to stop more efficiently, greatly reducing accidents and improving passenger travel. Westinghouse’s innovations in transportation safety set the stage for the development of modern braking systems in automobiles and aircraft.

Leonard Nimoy’s Birthday (1931-2015)

Science fiction fans around the world remember Leonard Nimoy, born on March 26, 1931. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Spock in Star Trek, Nimoy’s legacy extends beyond television and film. As an actor, director, author, and philanthropist, he left a lasting impact on popular culture, science advocacy, and the arts.

Legal Milestone: The Creation of the U.S. Army Medal of Honor (1863)

On March 26, 1863, the Medal of Honor was first awarded during the American Civil War. This prestigious decoration, the highest military honor in the United States, is awarded to service members who demonstrate extraordinary bravery and selflessness in combat. Over the years, the Medal of Honor has come to symbolize the ultimate recognition of heroism in the U.S. military.

Phillip Leon Lore
May 12, 1940 — March 22, 2025
Service: Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many

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