By Shanda Gann

Food truck Fridays are headed to Minden. Professional Home Health and Hand in Hand Hospice are working together to bring a different food truck to Minden every week. 

The trucks will be serving lunch to customers from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 1316 Sibley Road.

The first food truck, KillaDillas will arrive on April 8 followed by CC Kitchen on April 15, Taylor’s Eats and Ragin Cajun Louisiana Kitchen on April 22, and RayKens on April 29.

318 Food Company will serve on May 6 and Uneeda Taco on May 13.

More trucks will be announced at a later date. 

The 2022 4-H Shooting Sports Northern Regional Competition was held March 14 – 20 at Long Range Alley Gun Club and David Means Memorial 4-H Center in Grand Cane and Shreveport Gun Club. After months of preparation, members of Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports competed in a variety of shooting sports competitions bringing home a total of 58 medals over the course of the week. 

In Smallbore Rifle, Mahailey Nail placed 5^th in Junior CMP No Scope. Camryn Nail placed 10^th in Junior CMP Scope/Aperture, 4^th in Junior NRA, and 9^th in Junior Silhouettes. Cailey Nail placed 1^st, Danielle Collins placed 2^nd, and Madison McGraw placed 6^th in Senior CMP No Scope. Cailey Nail also placed 3^rd in Senior NRA. Brandon Bell placed 2^nd in Senior NRA and qualified for state competition in Senior CMP Scope/Aperture. 

In BB Gun, Brandon Bell placed 8^th in Kneeling, 4^th in Standing, 2^nd on the BB Test, and 3^rd Overall. Camryn Nail placed 7^th in Standing, 6^th on the BB Test, and 10^th Overall. Madison Miller placed 5th in Prone. Madison McGraw placed 2^nd on the BB Test. Webster Parish had the 3^rd place BB Gun team composed of Brandon Bell, Cailey Nail, Madison Miller, Madison McGraw, Mahailey Nail, Abigail Miller (alternate), and Camryn Nail (alternate).

In Air Rifle National, Danielle Collins placed 9^th overall.

In Shotgun, Kaden McCuen placed 5^th in Junior Modified Trap and Eli Baker, Nolan Still, and Franklin Bridwell qualified for the state competition. Brice Baker placed 1^st in Senior Modified Trap and Statler Craig, Summer Lussier, and Ethyn Rader qualified for state. Alex Bailey placed 2^nd in Senior Advanced Skeet, 1^st in Senior Advanced Sporting Clays, and 1^st Overall in Senior Advanced. 

These shooters will advance to the Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition scheduled for April 26 – May 1 in Port Allen and Gonzales. 

The Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports Program is under the leadership of coaches Danny Puckett, Benji Bell, Phyllis McGraw, Sutton Orenbaun, Brian Still, Jerry McCuen, Wade Butcher, Regina Butcher, and Benjamin Gorman. For information about participating in or supporting the Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports program, please contact the LSU AgCenter Extension Office at (318) 371-1371.

Lakeside 13, Doyline 0

Doyline Panthers fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 13-0 loss to Lakeside on Wednesday. Lakeside took the lead on a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

The Doyline Panthers struggled to contain the high-powered offense of Lakeside, giving up 13 runs.

In the first inning, Lakeside got their offense started when Bradley Dick singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.

A single by Cayden Mingo in the third inning was a positive for Doyline.

Cooper Chase was credited with the victory for Lakeside. The ace allowed one hit and zero runs over three innings, striking out four and walking one. Dick and Cade Boley entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Mingo took the loss for Doyline. The righthander went two innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, striking out one and walking zero.

Mingo went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead Doyline in hits.

Lakeside racked up ten hits in the game. Eli Musgraves, Dick, and Jordan Isbell each managed multiple hits for Lakeside. Musgraves led Lakeside with three hits in three at bats. Lakeside didn’t commit a single error in the field. Jon Jon Dick had eight chances in the field, the most on the team.

Natchitoches Central 9, North Webster 1

North Webster Knights watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 9-1 loss to Natchitoches Central on Monday. Natchitoches Central scored on a single by Brock Laird in the first inning, a triple by Tyler Metoyer in the first inning, a fielder’s choice by Cooper Hudson in the first inning, a triple by Metoyer in the second inning, and a groundout by Dillon Braxton in the second inning.

The Knights struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Natchitoches Central, giving up nine runs.

Natchitoches Central opened up scoring in the first inning. Laird singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run.

Ross Lindsey was the winning pitcher for Natchitoches Central. The pitcher surrendered zero runs on zero hits over two innings, striking out five and walking one.

Sawyer Wages took the loss for North Webster. The pitcher lasted one inning, allowing five hits and five runs while walking zero.

Ethyn Rader and Cooper Sanders each collected one hit to lead North Webster Knights.

Natchitoches Central tallied ten hits. Levi Endris, Metoyer, Daniel Wiggins, and Dalyn Davis all collected multiple hits for Natchitoches Central. Endris led Natchitoches Central with three hits in four at bats. Natchitoches Central tore up the base paths, as two players stole at least two bases. Davis led the way with three. Natchitoches Central was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Braxton made the most plays with nine.

North Webster 13, Mansfield 3

Cooper Sanders was dialed in at the plate on Tuesday, tallying four hits and leading North Webster Knights to a 13-3 win over Mansfield. Sanders singled in the first, singled in the second, doubled in the fourth, and doubled in the fifth.

North Webster got on the board in the first inning when Sanders singled on a 3-1 count, scoring one run.

The Knights scored four runs in the second inning. The offensive firepower by North Webster Knights  was led by Kyle Dinkins, Peyton Ingle, and Mason Haynes, all driving in runs in the frame.

Judd Wesson led the North Webster Knights to victory on the pitcher’s mound. The pitcher went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out seven.

J Gamble took the loss for Mansfield. Gamble allowed 12 hits and 13 runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking one.

North Webster Knights collected 13 hits on the day. Sanders, Ingle, Wesson, Haynes, and Dinkins all managed multiple hits for North Webster Knights. Sanders led the Knights with four hits in four at bats. Ingle led North Webster with three stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with seven stolen bases.

North Webster Knights 18, Mansfield 8

North Webster Knights snagged a late lead and defeated Mansfield 18-8 on Tuesday. North Webster was down 8-7 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Mason Haynes doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as North Webster collected 10 hits and Mansfield six in the high-scoring affair

Mansfield got on the board in the first inning when J Gamble singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Mansfield knotted the game up at three in the top of the third inning. J Wilkson drew a walk, scoring one run.

North Webster Knights scored nine runs in the fifth inning. Collin McKenzie, Cooper Sanders, Peyton Ingle, and Ethyn Rader each had RBIs in the big inning.

Mansfield scored four runs in the third inning. Mansfield big bats were led by Wilkson, K Kelly, and J Youngblood, who each had RBIs in the inning.

Ingle was credited with the victory for North Webster Knights. The hurler went one and one-third innings, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out three and walking zero. Landon Allen threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

J Atkins took the loss for Mansfield. The pitcher allowed one hit and seven runs over one-third of an inning.

Jace Wesson started the game for North Webster Knights. The fireballer surrendered six runs on five hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two B Ebarb started the game for Mansfield. The hurler went four innings, allowing 11 runs on nine hits

The Knight totaled 10 hits. Haynes, Wesson, and Kyle Dinkins all managed multiple hits for North Webster Knights . Haynes led the Knights with three hits in three at bats. North Webster didn’t commit a single error in the field. Rader had nine chances in the field, the most on the team.

Gamble went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Mansfield in hits.

Hallsville 11, Glenbrook 1

Glenbrook Apaches watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in an 11-1 loss to Hallsville, Texas Tuesday. Hallsville scored on a single by Blakeley in the first inning, an error in the second inning, a stolen base in the second inning, a groundout by Dunagan in the second inning and a single by Blakeley in the second inning.

Glenbrook struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensivelycontaining Hallsville, giving up 11 runs.

Turner McLelland took the loss for Glenbrook. He lasted one and one-third innings, allowing three hits and six runs while striking out three.

The Apaches socked one home run on the day. Garrett Brown put one out in the fourth inning.

Brown led Glenbrook with two hits in three at-bats.

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media.

By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Shreveport woman is in a Webster Parish Jail on multiple drug charges.

Crystal Miller, 37, of the 400 blocks of Marion Lane, was arrested Tuesday by Minden Police and charged with possession of marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said OFC. Christopher Cayer spotted Miller’s white Ford Focus driving east on Shreveport Road when it swerved between the lanes.

“The officer initiated a traffic stop and when he made contact with Miller, he recognized the smell of burning marijuana,” Cropper said. “Once Miller exited the vehicle, she produced a glass pipe that she said was used to smoke methamphetamine and a cigarette box containing two marijuiana blunts.”

OFC. Cayer reportedly asked Miller if there were any other narcotics in the vehicle.

“She advised there was methamphetamine in her purse,” said the chief.

Miller was placed under arrest and transported to Minden Police Department.

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Taking a nap on someone else’s property landed a north Webster Parish man in jail.

Charles A. McDaniel, 47, of Springhill, was arrested April 5 for possession of methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, marijuana and cocaine, as well as criminal trespass.

According to Police Chief Will Lynd, two of his officers responded to a report of an unknown subject sleeping in a shed that belonged to a North Street homeowner.

“The homeowner did not know the man, who was identified as McDaniel, nor did he have permission to be in the shed,” Lynd said. “McDaniel was removed from the shed and detained for police investigation.”

A police search of the area where McDaniel was sleeping, reportedly revealed one small plastic bag filled with methamphetamine, one small plastic bag with synthetic marijuana, one small bag with marijuana, laced with cocaine.

McDaniel was booked at the Springhill city jail and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of March 30:

March 31

Barksdale Federal Credit Union vs. Judith C. Horn, monies due.

Gulfco of Louisiana LLC dba Tower lOan of Mansfield, vs. Wendell Damond Whitaker, judgment executory & garnishment.

Bank United vs. Delandra Wayne Washington Jr., executory process.

Katrina Whiting vs. Derec Whiting, divorce.

April 1

Kenyatta Manning Combs vs. Lemunel Trevor Combs, divorce.

Thomas Ray Mahaffery Jr., vs. Pamela Boswell Mahaffey, divorce w/children.

Emily White Miller vs. Clayton Wayne Miller, divorce.

April 4

Crystal G. Snyder, Kialisha O. Harris vs. Ace Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Allstate Insurance Co., Sovann Kenny Kuoy, DH Transportation LLC and Jatoris D. Caldwell, damages.

Portfolio Recovery Associations LLC vs. James T. Rudisill, monies due.

Ashley Marie Arrington vs. Nicholas De’Ericcyon Bryant, protective order.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Peyton A. Masingill, monies due.

Roy Doyle vs. Gwendolyn A. McCann Doyle, divorce.

April 8

9 a.m. Celebration of Growth and Reaching Goals, Brown Upper Elementary School, Easter Celebration Parade.

April 9

10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Egg Hunt sponsored by Webster Parish Libraries. Ages 4 and under: hunt at 10 a.m.; 5 to 9 at 10:30 a.m.; 10 to 13 at 11 a.m.; 14 to 18 at 11:30 p.m.; 18 and over at noon.

11 a.m. until 1 p.m. YWSC Easter egg hunt at The Farm of Cultural Crossroads. Ages 0-3, 4-7 and 8-12. Bounce houses and lunch provided. Free to the community.

April 10

9 a.m. until 1 p.m. LifeShare Blood Center blood drive, West Lake Baptist Church. For more information, call 318-673-1485.

8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., LifeShare Blood Center blood drive, First Baptist Church, Minden. For more information, call 318-673-1485.

April 13

1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Minden Community Blood Drive, LifeShare Blood Center. For more information, call 318-673-1485.

April 14

1 p.m. Genealogy meeting at The Quad. Sponsored by Webster Parish Library. Guest speaker; Jessica Gorman.

April 15-17

Spring Highway 80 sale between Minden and Dixie Inn.

April 19

9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Fibrebond, Inc., Blood Drive with LifeShare Blood Center. For more information, call 318-673-1485.

April 21

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Senior Fun Day for ages 50 and older. Vendor booths, games, door prizes. Springhill CAC Building. Sponsored by Springhill Medical Center. Free admission; free lunch sponsored by Regional Hospice.

April 23

Piney Hills Master Gardeners Annual Green Thumb Jamboree. Plant sale, vendors, food truck and activities for the kids. Vendors of all kinds contact Marilyn Bunton at 318-299-0137. 

10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Bluegrass Festival, Minden Fairgrounds.

10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Scottish Tartan Festival, 224 La-518, Minden.

April 30 & May 1

7 a.m. both days, Minden Evening Lions Club will be hosting a garage sale fundraiser at the Minden Fairgrounds field. They are taking donations now if you have anything you’d like to contribute to help them raise funds you can contact Sherrie McMurray at 294-6346, Dru Brown at 272-2467 or Tommy McMurray. 

May 7

9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tradition with a Twist Quilt Show presented by Piney Needles Quilt Guild. South Main Mall, Springhill. Free admission.

• If you have a non-profit event: church, school or community, please email it to wpjnewsla@gmail.com.* Webster Parish Journal reserves the right to determine if a calendar item is a paid advertisement.

Rita Faye Basinger Flores

August 16, 1945 – April 1, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2022 at the funeral home

Burial: Western Cemetery, Emerson, Ark.

Beverly Claire Coates McElwee

Nov. 21, 1938 – April 3, 2022

Visitation: 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Coushatta

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Coushatta

Burial: Zion Cemetery

Mary Elizabeth Barber (MaryBeth)

May 5, 1930 – April 4, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City.

Rosary: 7 p.m.

Burial: Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley, Ore.

** Webster Parish Journal posts paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Tuesday evening, 80 years were packed into two hours at the Minden Civic Center, as the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual gala with history, food and awards.

Brigadier General and City Judge Sherb Sentell was presented with the first ever Hometown Hero award for his many years of service in the military and to his community.

George French III, community leader and former CEO of Minden Medical Center, took home the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award, one that is not given every year.

Small Business of the Year went to Velvet Home & Clothing, Business of the Year was awarded to Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College. Dr. Ryan Oglee, of Minden Family Pharmacy is the newest Business Person of the Year and the Webster Parish Library was recognized as Community Partner of the Year.

Former Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce President Sue Gruber was also honored for her hard work and years of community service, while paving the way for the chamber to serve local businesses.

By Paige Nash  

Following the sale of the Webster Parish landfill to Republic Services, residents of Webster Parish are concerned about the half-cent sales tax that was adopted in May of 1984. Many are under the impression that this special tax was put in place strictly for the maintenance and upkeep of the landfill, and they want to know why they are now being charged to dump their garbage when they pay the taxes for the landfill.  

The ordinance states that it can be used for the purpose of solid waste disposal and collection, including litter boxes, constructing, maintaining and improving public roads, streets, highways and bridges. It can also be used for the construction and renovations of the jail and penal farm facilities.   

The special tax will be staying in place. 

“The tax was passed way before we even had a landfill,” said Patrick Jackson, Webster Parish Attorney. “Even though we don’t have a landfill, we still have to spend money picking up garbage along the side of the road.  None of that tax is being misused or misspent.” 

A few residents and jurors stated concerns about “dumping” and littering becoming more of an issue in the parish now that residents are being charged to dispose of their trash.  

Murray Sparks, whose family owns Best Environmental Waste Services, said he has received many of those calls of complaints and questions. He started receiving inquiries about the prices of his services due to the charges that are now required at the landfill and receiving station. 

“It’s going to get bad,” Sparks said. “Out of the people that are calling me, one lady went out there said that she is being charged 40 dollars to dump her trash. Rural people in this parish cannot pay that.” 

He feels the residents of the parish were blindsided by the charges. 

“We took bids and tried to negotiate with Republic on a new operator’s contract,” said Webster Parish Police Jury President Jim Bonsall. “Whether they operated it for us, or we sold it to them, the number was going to go up. It was not sustainable. It was a 25-year-old contract, and it was good for the people of Webster Parish for a long time. For the business of the parish, I believe this was the right thing to do.” 

Sam Plants, owner and operator of Knights Services La, LLC, took over the Sarepta Transfer/Receiving Station at Wenks Landing. They were not able to open on March 31, like they originally planned due to a hold up with their insurance, but they were able to get that taken care of and opened for business on the following day, April 1. 

“We staffed up and got everyone unloaded with no problem,” Plants said. “The thing that slowed us down was communication. Everyone had 10 questions.” 

They are open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and are currently charging $1 per 13-gallon trash bag. Anything above that weight will be $2 per bag. But it hasn’t been that simple. 

“There have been people who show up with a truck load of construction debris,” Plants said. “By the time I unload all of that, load it into a container and pay $40 per ton to ship it to the landfill, the price for me to do that does not economically make sense.” 

He says they are holding off on making any major investments into the property until they know for sure it is going to work out. If they continue going in the right direction, they will be looking into repairing the scales and purchasing new compactors.  

Republic Services, who now owns the landfill, are open Monday through Friday. They are charging $2 per bag, weighing anywhere from 13-50 gallons and $40 per ton. Both Knight Services and Republic Services are open to adding days and opening on the weekend if the customer base is there and they feel it is needed. As of right now they do not feel it is necessary.  

By Bonnie Culverhouse

A zoning variance appeal by Huffman Management, LLC was denied by Minden City Council members Monday when the item failed for lack of a motion.

Jim and Kim Huffman spoke on behalf of the appeal, saying they are purchasing Grace Estate to be a bed and breakfast destination as well as an event venue. Grace Estate is located at 1114 Broadway, which is in Councilwoman Terika Williams-Walker’s district.

Jim Huffman told council members that when he took on the project, he didn’t realize the repercussions.

“I never realized in my wildest dreams that we would create the controversy that we have created,” Huffman said. “For that to our city, I say we’re sorry.”

Huffman said his family never anticipated a tax audit on his business or a policeman on his doorstep, asking if he sold alcohol to his bed and breakfast guests.

“We still graciously ask that you consider our waiver for an event center, which it currently is and currently supports that waiver,” Huffman continued. “We will conduct ourselves as good neighbors. We will do business in an orderly, kind and legal manner.”

Leslie Rainer, a District B resident of the Historic Residential Association, submitted to the council a petition of signatures against the variance that was distributed and signed in the neighborhood.

“Two different governing bodies in the city voted against this proposal,” Rainer said. “The zoning board and also the Historic Commission. The petition is made up of 65 people representing 45 households. They do not want an event center.”

During a previous planning commission meeting, the board voted to divide Huffman’s proposal, so the bed and breakfast would be voted on separately from the event center. The bed and breakfast passed, while the event center failed.

Kim Huffman thanked the council for hearing their appeal.

“We’ve listened to our neighbors; we’ve heard the issues they have of noise complaints and trash,” she said. “We won’t have a restaurant. We are looking to be able to do other things like murder mystery dinners and Mother’s Day weekends … things like that.”

However, residents of the district said the Huffman’s have not talked with nor listened to them.

“We were told that we would be contacted, and as far as I know, no one was actually contacted by the Huffmans,” said Broadway resident Julie Cavalier.

District A councilman Wayne Edwards said there has been “a lot of civil discourse” with the variance issue.

“It seems to me that somewhere there should be a compromise between the two (parties),” Edwards said. “Have you tried to work out your differences to see if we can all live together?”

Cavalier said, in her opinion, the bed and breakfast was the compromise.

“We have not had that meeting because we have not been contacted,” she added. “I don’t think it’s our job to contact them.”

Huffman said he would be willing to talk with the residents, but residents said, up to this point, no one has spoken to them concerning a meeting.

Williams-Walker said she asked Huffman to get in contact with the other residents following a council workshop.

“I asked you to get in contact with the neighbors, and at this last workshop on Monday, it was stated that either you or your wife reached out to the neighbors and no one responded,” Williams-Walker said, addressing Huffman. “Now is not the time. We are going to vote on whatever is on the agenda now. The original appeal – because you had the opportunity to speak with them, but you chose not to.”

Huffman told the council his wife walked the neighborhood knocking on doors.

“My wife spent over six hours walking and knocking on doors,” he said. “I don’t have the phone numbers of all of our neighbors. All we can do is knock on doors and hope they will open.”

When the appeal was finally brought before the council for vote, no one on the council made a motion, causing the appeal to die. It will be a year before Huffman can appeal again.

“People complain about the council (not working together),” Edwards said. “We have our disagreements but in the end, we want the best for the city. When we see discord on both sides, we’re not working hard enough.”

It was a night for honoring a special group of Webster Parish students Monday when Students of the Year from elementary through high school were recognized during presentation ceremonies at the parish school board meeting.

Receiving special recognition for fifth graders were Presley Wood of Richardson Elementary, Central Elementary’s Brenan Hubbard, Doyline Elementary student Landreigh Sparish, Brown Upper Elementary School honoree Isabella Deaver and North Webster Upper Elementary student Travis Craighead.

Recognized eighth grade honorees were Angel Stewart of Webster Jr. High, Cole Shirley from Lakeside, Kadi Colvin of North Webster Jr. High and Shadavion Martin of Doyline.

Awards were presented to 12^th grade winners Connor Heard of Minden High, Kali Moreno of Doyline, Jake Chumley from Lakeside and Brianna Lewis of North Webster High.

In addition to student awards, school system social worker Jamie Barnett was named Employee of the Month for April. Presenting the honor was Rodney Taylor of Taylor and Sons.

Following a lengthy debate, board members voted 6-4 to approve updated job descriptions for three supervisors including Supervisor of Title 1 and Elementary Grades 3-5; Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability; and Supervisor of Student Services/Child Welfare and Attendance.

Superintendent Johnny Rowland said the job title revisions would help divide a work load for federal Title programs and make room for a potential new program targeting early childhood development and learning. Rowland said the changes would not result in additional expense or staff.

In other business Monday, school board members approved a lengthy list of travel requests and expense expenditures at parish schools from maintenance, sales tax and building funds.

Board members also voted to adjourn into executive session to discuss the status and strategy concerning prospective litigation and a written demand for waiver of dispute resolution procedures by ELA Group on the Minden High School Multipurpose project. 

If you were going to hire a guide to scale a particularly high summit what would be your number one goal?  Reaching the apex?  What about a safe a secure descent?  Real life shows us that most climbers are injured coming down the mountain.  Either from lack of food and water or injury.

Financial and retirement planning is much the same.  We tend to spend significant time planning and saving without really thinking of the best method to “take” these funds.   While working and saving we have co-workers, friends, and financial professionals to assist with decision making.  Without sound advice and planning location and timing of pulling funds can have a direct impact on deteriorating the amount of Social Security taxation and cost of Medicare Part B premiums. 

Have you heard the term “sequence of returns”?  If not let’s set up a time to review and discuss your exposure to this pitfall.  Having retirement dollars exposed to market risk while pulling income could be a very costly mistake in later years.  Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are especially risky since the individual has little discretion in taking these funds. These issues and others could significantly reduce the longevity of your funds.  Thereby causing you harm as you descend the retirement mountain.  Let’s visit about trip planning!

Contact Reinette today!

rfoster@reinettefoster.com

318-481-6539

www.ReinetteFoster.com]

By Theresa Gardner

Self-doubt and procrastination nearly kept a local woman from having the dream of her book published. Now many years after first putting pen to paper it is finally available to the public.

Dana Mills of Minden said she actually wrote the Children’s book entitled “Sayja’s Eggs,” more than 20 years ago when her own children were young.

Mills said she had kept the handwritten story in a notebook along with some songs she had also written. 

“Every few years I’d run across it and think how much I’d love to get it published someday, but just never knew for sure if the story was actually good enough, so self-doubt cause me to procrastinate,” Mills said.

Mills said a friend, the Rev. David Moore, from Beaumont, Texas, helped her daughter, Krystal Greer, get a book published entitled “Miracle Of Minden.”  The book was about Greer’s own father’s horrible accident which occurred in February 2019.

“When my own children were little, we never talked about, or let them believe there was such a thing as an “Easter Bunny,” or even a Santa Claus either, as a matter of fact,” Mills said. “We wanted our children and grandchildren to know the true meanings of our most cherished holidays.“

Mills said she can’t exactly remember why she chose Easter to be the subject of her first book.

“I knew I wanted to use a creative way to share this amazing story of the Resurrection, and honestly, I can’t even remember how I came up with the characters the ‘Scuddlewhompers,’” she said, “and that is what actually motivated me to finally get this long-awaited dream of mine done.“

Mills explained that her next step was trying to find someone that could draw the illustrations for her inspirational book.

“I had one young lady who helped me some. She had several illustrations finished, but then began having some major health issues and was unable to finish, much to my disappointment,” Mill said. “I asked a couple of friends that I knew were very artistic if they would be interested, but as much as they enjoyed drawing, they both said they didn’t think they had time to take on this project.”

Mills said she took to the Internet to search for the right person to help her illustrate her book.

“I don’t remember if someone suggested it, or I just thought about it, but I decided to put a message on “What’s Happening in Minden” asking if anyone would be interested in doing illustrations for a children’s book,” she said. “I got several very kind and interesting responses. One of these responses suggested I contact Laura Spillers. So after much prayer, I just felt like I should indeed make contact with her. I knew Laura’s mom Renee and good friend Carla.”

Mills said that when she spoke with Spillers about her “little story,” she suggested that her daughter Sophie might be interested. 

“When we met at the library, she brought Sophie, and right away I knew the Lord had brought us together and that Sophie would be the perfect one that I needed for this project,” she said. “I think it was either that same evening or the next day, Sophie already had me a picture of the main character, Sayja! “

Mills said she only made a couple of minor suggestions in changes of the story’s main character and then entrusted the teen with the rest of the drawings.

“I didn’t even see all the finished pictures until I got my first author’s copy, she said, “I was so delighted with Sophie’s work! It was just perfect for my story!” Mills went on to say she is looking forward to working with Sophie again on her next two stories of the Scuddlewhompers.

The books are now available to purchase on Amazon and Mills has some on hand for sell, as well.

POSITION: PRINCIPAL

LOCATION: L. P. Vaughn Elementary School

SALARY: According to the parish school salary schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be certified or eligible at the time of the application according to Louisiana State Department of Education requirements and must have 5 years of teaching experience.

DEADLINE: Friday, April 8, 2022; 4:00 p.m.

APPLICATIONS: Application packet should consist of a letter of application, resume’, official transcripts from institutions awarding degrees, a copy of Louisiana Teacher’s Certificate with principal/education leadership endorsement, three (3) letters of reference, (one being from your immediate supervisor).

WHERE TO APPLY: Linda G. Page, Director of Personnel

Natchitoches Parish School Board

310 Royal Street, P. O. Box 16

Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016

Phone: (318) 352-2358

Website: npsb.la

Barring a pandemic or World War — and you know how people can be — it happens every year around this time, when Augusta National Golf Club opens its verdant doors to the world.

Geezers show up giddy at Augusta National, grizzled veterans of the golf racket still mesmerized by the azalea and the tall pines and the greenest greens and pinkest pinks.

And then there are the rookies wondering if they’ve wandered into a giant golf painting, half expecting a Bobby Jones or a Ben Hogan to stroll out around the next corner or a flowering crabapple.

Most everyone is reduced to Toddler Level, and doubtful things will be different this week for The 2022 Masters at Augusta National, the official name of the 86^th Tournament for those of you keeping score at home, secretly wishing you had a scratch ’n‘ sniff TV set.

Augusta National does this — puts the emotions and senses on high-alert — to anyone who has a pulse plus any level of appreciation for what God is able to graciously furnish and what forward-thinking mortals are able to get as close to perfection as human hands allow.

Shreveport businessman Todd Burns, weekend golfer and dad of PGA Tour pro and local favorite Sam, took the youngest of his three children to The Masters in 2011. This was not long after the just-turned-teen Sam and his family discovered that Sam might have a knack for playing serious golf, ‘knack’ being a word for, “Oh goodness, this kid is some sort of prodigy or genius or glorious mistake of golf nature.”

A couple of Todd’s memories from that trip include how green everything was — “Even the sandwich wrappers were green so when they hit the ground, you couldn’t tell,” he said — and how he sat down on the ground being No. 9 green “and one of the green jackets told me real politely, ‘You can’t sit there, sir. Not on the ground, you can’t.’”

You can sit on the ground at Augusta — just not behind a green. Especially 9 or 18. And while you can sit in some places, you can’t lie flat. You can sunbathe, but only vertically.

Not that Todd will be sitting a lot this week. He was due in Augusta Tuesday with most of the family, although some of the brood will stay back with the newest grandchild who’s not feeling great. (Sam’s a three-time uncle, not a dad yet.) As a dad, Todd is “excited for Sam, and nervous at the same time.” In other words, he’s a parent and a grandparent.

Three weeks ago, he walked Augusta’s fairways — something he didn’t do in 2011 — while Sam played a practice round. He found out something that’s hard to tell on television.

“No even lies,” he said. “Everything is sidehill, downhill…constantly changing.”

But the topography overall, he remembered well from 2011 outside the ropes. “Way more uphill and downhill stuff than you can see on TV,” he said. “Way, way more.” (Well, except for behind 9 green, where there’s this one little flat spot, good for sitting. Until you’re caught.)

Funny, but that course Todd’s talking about sounds a lot like the one Sam practices on all the time. Squire Creek in Choudrant is fairly open off the tee, doesn’t have rough anything close to a U.S. Open setup, and your work is hardly done once you reach the greens, more complex than calculus.

With a game that’s lately shown more improvement around the greens than anywhere else, he’s got everything it takes to win at Augusta but experience — and Fuzzy Zoeller didn’t need that when he won in 1979 as a Masters rookie. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Outpatient Medical Center is recruiting a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or a physician to provide primary care at its Natchitoches or Leesville location.  We are a federally-qualified health center offering weekday ambulatory primary care to anyone, but especially the underserved.  

A rewarding career serving those with greatest need, excellent benefits, no Holidays, and competitive pay for a workstyle that supports a family life.  

Anyone interest may contact us at hr@outpatientmedical.org or call 318-357-2071 (ext. 3202).

By Robert St. John

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— It all starts with a lady named Annagloria. In 2009 I started planning a long trip that would take my family through 17 countries and 72 cities on two continents. We left the United States in August 2011, but a trip such as that takes a lot of planning.

For the two years prior, I spent most nights from 10 p.m. until midnight with my laptop researching destinations, restaurants to visit, villas and apartments to rent and things to do and see. I set up a folder for each country, and within that country, I set up subfolders related to cities and regions. My Italy folder included Venice, Milan, Bologna, Rome, Ostuni, Sicily — along with several cities within that island — and of course, Tuscany. I probably spent the most time researching Tuscany because we would be there the longest. 

I kept coming back to one particular Villa in the Tuscan countryside. It was a 1,000-year old tower and a 1,000-year old barn that had been completely renovated that year. The lady who owned the Villa that I was communicating with spoke English well, seemed to be a foodie and really “got” what my family and I were doing. So I booked her place, Villa Il Santo.

The Villa, the adjoining two towns, and the family who owned the Villa were the perfect choices. The Villa lies at the end of a remote gravel road in the Tuscan countryside; nothing around but a 30-mile view to the west of grapes and olives. No tourists hang out in the town or at the restaurants. It’s all locals. Exactly what I was looking for, but the bonus was that within 30 minutes, we could be in the city center of either Florence or Siena. It was the best of both worlds; perfect. 

Though the bonus was Annagloria, her husband Enzo and their family, they were the perfect hosts and helped guide us through those early days in Tuscany when I was just learning the ropes. Later, when I started hosting tours in this part of the world, Annagloria and her family became vital components in the process. She introduced me to a guide for Siena and Florence named Marina Mengelberg. She is Dutch but has lived in Tuscany for the past 20 years. She also introduced me to Ricardo, another guide we use in Florence. In turn, Marina introduced me to Jesse, who helps with our tours in Rome and Amalfi and just spent ten days with us helping lead my tour through Spain. 

All of these people have introduced us to other people and other places. I tell the guests I host on these tours that one of the great surprises leading people through Tuscany, Northern Italy, or Southern Italy — or Spain, for that matter — that I knew I would have fun doing it. Still, I never knew I would make such good friendships with the people who travel with me. That has been the case, but also, it’s the same with the original trip; I knew I would have fun traveling with my family for six months traversing Europe. But I never knew I would make lifetime friends overseas in the process.

The key to my business success over the years (to the extent that I have had any business success over the years) is that I have surrounded myself with more talented people than myself. If I’m good at anything in business, it’s picking talented people and surrounding myself with them. I choose the path, point the ship in the right direction and get out of the way so those people can use their talents to help us reach the destination. The same goes for international travel. I am blessed that I have surrounded myself with talented people who help put these trips together and create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Americans who travel to Europe.

It’s a career I never chose and almost fell backward into. I never intended to be a host for European travel. I planned on doing this once and then moving on. But that first group had a waiting list, and then the waiting list grew a waiting list, and then the first people we took to Tuscany asked, “Where are we going next?“ And so we hit Northern Italy a few times. And then people asked, “Where are we going next?“ And so we hit Southern Italy with a few groups. A few weeks ago, when we finished traversing Spain from the north to the south, we had people on their fourth or fifth journey with me. 

That is special. But I hesitate to take any credit for it because of the wonderful people I have met through the years, those who work with me, and those with whom I have surrounded myself. They are hard-working, talented and extraordinary people who know the area and love hosting Americans.

Annagloria and Enzo know how to host Americans in their villas. Their children work hard to make guests happy and comfortable. Enzo has lived in the area his entire life, and Annagloria grew up in Florence, so they know the area well, which was huge on my initial visits. Marina is a licensed tour guide who has undergone a lot of intense studying and training in Florence and Siena. Ricardo grew up in Florence, and he knows the city well, as does his American-born wife, Cynthia. 

There are countless restaurant and shop owners that we have come to know and love over the years to the point that when we arrive here, it feels like we’ve come home in a way. That doesn’t just happen without special places and special people. I am grateful for each and every one of them. 

Onward. 

 Porcini Mushroom Soup

This is actually my version of a mushroom soup I ate in Lyon, France. But since I use porcini mushrooms, I think of it as an Italian soup. Especially since there’s no heavy cream.

8 Tbsp unsalted butter (1 stick)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 quarts Mushroom Stock (page 000), heated

Porcini mushrooms reserved from Mushroom Stock, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup minced shallots

2 tsp kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp ground white pepper

1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme

2 Tbsp brandy

2 Tbsp sherry vinegar

In a 4-quart pot, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for about 2 minutes, to combine thoroughly and prevent scorching. Slowly add the mushroom stock 1 cup at a time, combining thoroughly each time until all the stock has been added. Turn down the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced to 2 quarts.

While the stock is reducing, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and stir until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add the brandy and continue stirring until brandy has cooked out completely, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer to a food processor and pulse for 1 to 2 minutes, until pureed. Add to the reduced stock and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree the soup until smooth with a stick blender or in a food processor. Season with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and the vinegar.

Yield: 2 quarts

(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and cookbook author. He lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

The Minden Lions Club is doing something special this Thursday. Fifteen students from the Youth Leadership Webster Program will be in attendance at the noon club meeting. A panel of six Lions will be interviewed by the students on topics such as college and career paths, military service, community involvement, successes, failures and decisions that have defined who they are as businessmen and leaders. What better takeaway for the future leaders of our communities than to hear from the current and former business leaders of our communities! Plus, Lions can get to know our fellow Lions even better. 

Panelists include:

Paul Kitchens: Senior Partner/Attorney, Kitchens Law 

Robbie Hayden: Patrol Captain, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office

Joe Morgan: Owner, Morgan Plumbing

Tommy Davis: Retired Businessman and Former Minden Mayor

Carleton Prothro: Retired Educator and Former U.S. Army Aviator

Reed McLendon: Agent, Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Lions: You don’t want to miss it!

Rita Faye Basinger Flores

August 16, 1945 – April 1, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2022 at the funeral home

Burial: Western Cemetery, Emerson, Ark.

Beverly Claire Coates McElwee

Nov. 21, 1938 – April 3, 2022

Visitation: 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Coushatta

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Coushatta

Burial: Zion Cemetery

** Webster Parish Journal posts paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)