United Christian Assistance Program needs the following items:
Food: Cereal, crackers, powdered milk, biscuit mix, cornbread mix
Clothing: Men’s shoes/tennis shoes (9 and larger)
Household goods: towels, twin and queen sheets, pots and pans, plates and bowls
Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant
Thank you for supporting UCAP!
UCAP is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 204 Miller Street, Minden, for food, utility and rent assistance. Clothing is dispersed on Wednesdays only.
Black History Month begins February 1.
Feb. 18
11 a.m. 2023 Martin Luther King/Black History Parade & Youth Rally. Downtown Minden. Parade contests, Battle of the Bands, scholarship winners announced, area vendors.
Will your church or non-profit organization be hosting an event? Email Webster Parish Journal at wpjnewsla@gmail.com, and we will post it in a list of Black History Month programs and events.
Events will run throughout February, but the sooner you send it, the longer and more often it will run and the better the chances of it being seen.
Thank you!
The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of January 20:
Jan. 20
Philip Jake Killgore vs. Valarie Wilson Killgore, divorce w/children.
Jan. 23
Sterling Jewelers Inc. vs. Michael E. Williams, judgment executory & garnishment.
Citibank NA vs. Albert A. Greene, monies due.
Citibank NA vs. Melba D. Vaughan, monies due.
Citibank NA vs. Jamin G. Perkins, monies due.
Jan. 24
Sapphire E. Jones vs. Sean W.E. Jones, custody.
Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .
Jan. 26
9 a.m. until 2 p.m. LifeShare Blood Center “Extra Ordinary” blood drive at Minden campus of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.
5 until 7:15 p.m. Adult Paint Night, Minden Main Branch, Webster Parish Libraries. For more information, call 318-371-3080 ext. 123.
Jan. 31
11:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Women’s Wellness of Minden.
11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Minden Presbyterian Church Bible Study with free lunch. The public is invited to attend.
Feb. 2
10 a.m. Minden Planning Commission, Pelican Room, Minden City Hall. Agenda: request from Webster Land Corporation for preliminary approval of a lot split on property owned by them on Recreation Drive. The public is invited to attend.
Feb. 4
11 a.m. Springhill Main Street Mardi Gras Parade.
5 p.m. Minden Mardi Gras Parade through downtown Minden.
Feb. 11
6 p.m. ArkLaTex Mega Star Search. Poets, rappers, singers, instruments. Sign up early. Call 318-562-3664.
Feb. 13
W.H.O. of North Webster’s 8th Annual Chili Supper Since 2015, we have had the honor to bless a family every year with proceeds from the sales of chili dinner! W.H.O. Members do everything—sell tickets, make chili, create homemade desserts, and bring right out to your car. This year’s event will benefit Brooke Malone, a dear North Webster mom fighting endometrial cancer. Tickets are available now. Contact any W.H.O. Member to purchase!
6 p.m. Doors open. Piney Woods Jamboree at Frank Anthony Community Activities Center (CAC Building), 301 West Church St., Springhill, La. Show begins at 7 p.m., with Josey Hargis performing. Tickets are $10 per person; $5 for children 5 years to 12 years. Sold at the door.
Feb. 21
11 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Shields Storage Center.
Feb. 25
8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. until noon lectures for Buds & Blooms 2023, sponsored by Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardners. First United Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Topic: Landscaping for birds. Tickets: $15. All proceeds go to 4-H Youth Gardening Contest and 4-H Scholarships.
March 4
6 p.m. LaMa Bingo, Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill.
March 24
Today is the deadline for vendors to register for 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport. Please make all checks payable to Parker Still and mail them to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055. Checks or cash may also be delivered in person to the Minden Airport seven days a week from 8-5. AirRunners Aviation will not be providing chairs so please bring your own. No more than 2 people per booth. Completed Registration forms must be mailed to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055, emailed to airrunnersaviation@yahoo.com, faxed to 318.377.6789, or delivered in person to the Minden Airport no later than March 24.
March 28
Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala. Call 377-4240 for more information.
April 1
AirRunners Aviation is seeking vendors to participate in the 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport.
April 26
10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters, 198 Gleason St., Minden, La.
• Scottish Highland dancing
• Storytelling, living history exhibitions
• Food and merchant vendors, including Great Raft beer
• Traditional music and Celtic Rock
• Scottish Highland cattle petting area
• Broadsword demonstrations and Highland Games exhibitions
• Clan tent exhibits and the March of the Clans
Brayden Lee Pruett
Jan. 23, 2023 – Jan. 23, 2023
Springhill, La.
Funeral service: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 at Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.
Burial: Springhill Cemetery, Springhill, La., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.
Stephanie Sharp Watts
Oct. 24, 1989 – Jan. 21, 2023
Ringgold, La.
Visitation: 1 p .m. until time of service, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, First Baptist Church, Ringgold, La.
Funeral service: 2:30 p.m. following visitation.
Dennis Lamar Davis
Jan. 26, 1964 – Jan. 18, 2023
Springhill, La.
Private family service scheduled for a later date.
Charles “Charlie” Augustus Lee Fields
June 21, 1933 – Jan. 14, 2023
Visitation: 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday Jan, 26, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, La.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, La.
Donald Dean Stillwell
Jan. 13, 1948 – Jan. 19, 2023
Visitation: 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Cornerstone Ministries Cowboy Church, 494 Bethel Rd., Logansport, La.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. following visitation.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete 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 Josh Beavers
Note: This is the second in my new series of stories about people who go above and beyond to help our local schools.
This week: Mrs. Rita Bates of Lakeside baseball
Famed soccer manager Pep Guardiola has a slogan adorning one baby blue wall of his sparse Manchester office in England. It simply states, “Some are born here, some drawn here but we all call it home.”
That’s how Mrs. Rita Bates feels about being a part of the Lakeside baseball team.
“Lakeside is an extension of Sibley High,” Bates told me. “We are family! We work together for the good of the students, and I believe the goal of the adults here is to help our kids be the best they can possibly be.”
Bates attended Sibley in the 1960s and told me she found a report card from her grammar schoolteacher, Mrs. Gladys Shipp, just the other day when she was looking through keepsakes for this article. She’s been married to Jerry Bates for almost 44 years. “We have/had two sons-Christopher Lee and Jason Neil. Chris was killed in a car wreck in 1994. Jason has two daughters who went to school at Lakeside, Paige, and Kallie Bates,” she said. “Jason and Jessica, the girl’s mom, also worked closely with the staff at Lakeside.”
While she’s always had Sibley/Lakeside in her heart, what she’s likely best known for is her steadfast commitment to Warrior baseball.
“Jason played baseball, and when he lost interest, I did not,” she said. “I said I would like to stay, and Coach Bob Gray was a happy coach! It’s a team effort for the adults to run a successful baseball program, and I like to think we have been successful as an adult team.”
With baseball, she has kept the books, paid the bills, and run the concession stand since 1995.
“I do my best to support the coaches and the players,” she said. “While being involved in baseball at both schools, I have been a church secretary, worked in medical records for about 15 years, and then went to work at Youth Challenge Program for several years after that. There were many rewards with the students there. It’s good to see kids want to better themselves and to be able to help them achieve that goal. I’ve been retired for, goodness, probably 10 years.”
So, why do you do what you do, Mrs. Rita?
“I love working with the kids, and hopefully being a positive influence on these players,” she said. “We all need somebody to listen and encourage us, and that’s what I try to do with these guys. ‘Miss Rita’ comes to the rescue with Band-Aids, safety pins for buttons or zippers that broke, even a belt or socks occasionally (don’t tell coach!) and with food and drink! Seriously, my goal and the reason I am still with Lakeside baseball is to make a difference in their lives, and if I accomplish that with just one player, it’s all worth it. And the kids keep me young at heart!”
I then asked her why she loves the baseball team?
“I think it all goes back to one thing – loving and supporting the kids” she said. “I love the outdoors and I love the sport, but I’m still here because of the kids. There have been hundreds of kids to come through this program, and even today a lot of them are Facebook friends, and more than that, the guys that have come through here are now working with us as their own kids are playing for Lakeside. I still have guys who are in their 40s talking to ‘Miss Rita’ and sharing their memories of their baseball days.”
And now comes the time when she didn’t know how to proceed. I asked what her favorite memory was, and she said she couldn’t just name one. So go ahead, Mrs. Rita, let’s hear as many as you’d like to share.
Memory 1:
Years ago our first tournament of the season was in Abbeville. We made this trip for several years. This was the end of January-beginning of February. That trip and those games were so much fun. I’ve heard many parents, and now players who are parents, say they would love to go back.
Memory 2:
One of the last times, if not the last time, we went to Abbeville, the players and coaches stayed in a duck camp. They were all hyped up-until they saw the camp. Coach Bob passed it by, not recognizing it for what it was supposed to be and had to go back to it. It was a rainy weekend, the camp, which if I remember correctly, was some sort of camper, leaked INSIDE so the guys got wet. It was a memorable weekend but not one of their greatest weekends.
Memory 3:
I remember state playoffs the year Jason Mizell and I believe Will Gray graduated. Jason missed a ball. We lost that game, but Jason came up to Coach and said, “If I had just lifted that one last weight!”
Memory 4:
We had a Chevy mini-van, and we loaded kids up and took off to games. I told Coach Gray that I didn’t have seat belts for all of them-they were sitting in the floor and really scrunched in together. Coach said, “If you pack them in tight enough, they won’t need one.” Those were the days!
Memory 5:
You know how boys’ feet sweat and stink? Well, yep, we had one with smelly feet. The guys would be packed into that van and here he would come out of his shoes. It would take a few minutes, but Jerry Bates would get a whiff of stinky feet. “___________, put your shoes back on.” And __________ would say, “Yes sir, Mr. Jerry.” (We have blanks for names because I wouldn’t dare throw one of my kids under the bus. But I bet he laughs if he reads this!)
Memory 6:
Lakeside Baseball Field has not always looked like it does today, not by a long shot. In the winter before our first season, Mr. Pete Brunson, our longest running supporter as far as I know, got busy on the concession stand. Now, Coach Gray had been told to wait a couple of years and the schoolboard would build the concession stand. But coach knew that our concession stand was an integral part of our program. So, we built the concession stand. I say we because I was part of that, too. I don’t know that I did much building, but I was there to do what they needed or asked me to do. Camaraderie was built during that time, as well as the concession stand, we have now.
Memory 7:
You notice our restrooms aren’t attached to the concession stand. For the first 3 or 4 years, maybe longer, we didn’t have restrooms. We had Port-a-Lets. No, it wasn’t ideal, but it was what we had. Nobody really likes one of those things, but let’s face it-when you got to go, it’s a good thing to have. The booster clue paid that bill monthly during the time we had them. We were proud to see our dressing room/restroom facilities being built.
Memory 8:
We lost one of our biggest, constant fans this month. The mother of Coach Bob and grandmother of Coach Will left this world to meet Jesus. “Miss Mary Lane” was at every game, except on Wednesday nights because that was church night if she was able to go. Home games, or away games, she was there, rooting our guys on and offering encouragement to both the players and the coaches. “Throw the wiffer” will be forever etched in my mind.
(“For the Kids” is a series of regular feature stories published in the Webster Parish Journal. If you have a recommendation of someone who needs to be recognized for their work with our local school children, please reach out to Josh Beavers either through Facebook or email at joshwbeavers@gmail.com.)
By Tina Montgomery
It’s almost time to lace up your sneakers for a popular fundraising event in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The 15th annual Minden Run for St. Jude is happening on Saturday, February 11. The 2023 Run will include a 10K, 5K, a Virtual Run (10K or 5K), a Kids’ Half Mile Fun Run, and Sleep in Supporter (entry is for a race sweatshirt only). The Kids’ Fun Run kicks everything off at 8 a.m.
The 2022 Minden Run raised $98,000 with 1220 runners registered. Over 500 runners have registered so far and there are still many spots open for the 10K and Kids’ Run. A few changes have been made to this year’s run: There will not be a half marathon nor a color run and the Kids’ Fun Run will be a timed half mile. The race shirt this year is a hoodie sweatshirt.
Race Director Erin Ramsey posted the following on the Facebook:
“Let’s talk about my favorite part of Minden Run for St. Jude…the Kids’ Fun Run! This is for kids that are 10 and under. Each kid gets a medal at the finish line! It doesn’t get any better than this race. And if you haven’t ever stood near the finish line and watched this…you’ve missed out. Each age will have a first place winner prize. We can’t wait to get these littles up on the podium this year!”
Registration for the race ends at noon February 10, so you still have time to enter. Entry fee for the 10K and 5K races is $45 plus $3.70 sign-up fee. The Kids’ Half Mile Fun Run and the Sleep in Supporter fee is $35 plus $3.10 sign-up fee. Registration for the Virtual Run is now closed. Runners can register online at Minden Run for St. Jude.
So far, the Minden Run for St. Jude has received more than $52,000 in sponsorships. 2023 sponsors include:
Title Sponsor: B1 Bank, Minden Family Medicine Clinic, Merrill Lynch, Wimberly Agency, Sierra Frac Sand LLC, and Fairway Carts
First Place Podium: Minden Family Dental
Second Place Podium and Platinum Sponsor: The Copper Whisk
Platinum Sponsor: Southern Classic Chicken and Querbes & Nelson
Gold Sponsor: Louisiana Bowhunter, Milbar Hydro-Test Inc., Tri-State Vacuum & Rental LLC, Home Federal Bank, and Ted’s Pharmacy
Silver Sponsor: Fluid Disposal and Jan Frye & Associates Century 21
Additional race information can be found at Minden Run for St. Jude . Questions can be emailed to Erin Ramsey at eramsey@maddencontracting.com .
By Bonnie Culverhouse
A Webster Parish inmate on work release in Arcadia has been arrested after walking off the job.
Harvey Major reportedly walked away from House of Raeford Farms, a Bienville Parish chicken plant early last week.
Minden Police aided Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies in re-arresting Major, 48, this time for simple escape. He was found on Marion Street in Minden.
“It took a day, but we found him in some apartments in Minden,” said Sheriff Jason Parker.
Major was arrested around 9 p.m.
“He must have had someone waiting on him with a vehicle,” said Minden Police Chief Jared McIver. “It’s the only way he could’ve gotten back to Minden so quickly.”
Parker said there are around 75 or 80 inmates in the program and 80 to 90 percent of those will benefit from it.
“This one – Major – only had a couple of weeks left on his sentence, but after this, he won’t ever have another chance,” Parker said. “In fact, he will be shipped out; he won’t go back to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
“We try to give the prisoners who meet the criteria the chance to work a job and possibly have a job when they get out prison,” he said.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
Undoubtedly, when you get around your old football-playing buddies and reminisce on the good ol’ glory days, you might recall an opponent that cleaned your clock or put on a show in front of the Tide faithful. All former athletes take some sort of pride knowing they played against ol’ so-and-so. I know my wife groans and rolls her eyes when we’re watching football, and I say (for the 57th time), “I played against that guy.” Like I’m sharing his achievement for making it that far in his football career. This week we’ll look at those guys – specific “Tide Killers.”
We’ll highlight some early attention-getters and record-setters and follow with current record holders in each category. To shake things up a bit, “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.”
Kickers: In 1923, “Toots” Womack (Marshall, TX) drilled a 40-yard FG to defeat the Tide 3-0 in the season opener. Although matched in 1924, 1971, and 1990, “Toots’” 40-yarder would be the standard bearer for 79 years until 2002 when Nick Presley (Neville) blasted a 51-yarder to claim the top spot. Parkway’s Alex Christ came close by nailing two 47-yard FGs (2009, 2010), but 51 remains unbeaten.
Punters: Benoit from Shreveport High uncorked a 60-yard punt in 1915. Then in 1932, “Little” Jay Ambrose (Bossier) blasted a 74-yarder! Just six years later in 1938, Bob Votieu flipped the field in favor of Opelousas with a whopping 85-yard punt in the State Championship game versus Minden. It didn’t help his team win the State Championship, but it safely landed for the longest punt against the Tide.
Special Teams: In 1923, Mason (Homer), and an unnamed Monroe player in 1927, each returned a punt for a TD for their respective teams, but from undisclosed distances. (Remember what I said about unreported information?) However, in 1937, Bossier’s J. Thibodeaux outraced the Tide post-punt from 90 yards out for a Bearkat TD. That record still stands today.
The first kick-off return TD on record versus the Tide was in 1951 when Jonesboro’s Joe Harveston sliced and diced his way to glory from 85 yards away. Then in 1955, Wayne Banks (Homer) got as close as one could get from returning the kick-off the full length of the field with a 99-yarder for paydirt. In 2013, current Buffalo Bill and former Northwood Falcon, Marquez Stevenson, tied Banks’ long kick return TD of 99 yards in a 67-34 drubbing of the Tide. A 100-yard kick-off return is technically possible if the returner is standing 1” from the goal line, but it may still be scored as a 99-yarder due to any part of the ball or returner crosses the goal line, it’s ruled a touchback.
However, that rule doesn’t apply to interception (INT) returns. The rarer INT return TD against Minden first occurred in 1922 with Murphey (Marshall, TX) phoning home from 50 yards away. That record distance was pushed several times over the next several decades but was officially pushed to the limit in 1970 when another Northwood Falcon, Larry Griffin, tested his 100-yard dash time after snagging an errant Minden pass. Huntington’s Cecil Tuiel duplicated the feat in 1993 aiding his Raiders to a season-opening shutout of the Tide.
Sticking with INTs, Joe “Polly” Phelps from Shreveport High was the first Tide foe to swipe two INTs in a game in 1924. Seventy-four Minden adversaries have accomplished this same task, but only seven have intercepted three in a game. The earliest to do so was Monroe’s Godwin in 1928. However, it wouldn’t be until 1981 that that number was repeated by yet another Neville Tiger, Johnny Ray Ambrose. Comedy comes in threes, folks. The most recent to have 3 INTs versus the Tide is Myron Elam in 2020… from Neville.
Receiving: Monroe High’s Sawyer was the first to log two receiving TDs in 1926. This record would only stand two years after another Monroe Tiger, Buddy Maxwell, grabbed three TDs. However, two players have received four TDs versus the Tide – Malcom Williams (Northwood – 2013) and Donovan Thomas (Bolton – 2014). Donovan Thomas also has the second-most receiving yards in a game with 216. Thomas is second to Former New York Giant and Wossman Wildcat, Odessa Turner, who put on a show at The Pit snatching 248 yards and two TDs on just 9 catches in 1981.
Two North DeSoto Griffins hold the top spots for longest opposing receiving TDs. Kyler Radford hit Damien Boone for a 98-yard TD pass in 2013, then Jaden Procell synced up with Delmonte Hall for one yard more in 2016.
Rushing: The Stamps, AR crew did their share of “stamping” in 1926 with initial record-setting long TD runs by Huffman (60-yds) and Wells (70-yds) en route to a 21-0 shutout of the “Greenies”. The longest TD run against Minden was set in 1964 by Jim West (Airline) when he ran 98 yards towards daylight.
A pair of Byrd backs solidified their place in the Minden record book when Joe Almokary (1928) and Lee Stokes (1931) set the high-water mark for rushing TDs in a game with five. Since then, five other opposing running backs have matched that mark – the most recent being Leesville Wompus Kat, Caleb Galleshaw in 2021.
George Hubbard from Ruston had the earliest dominant rushing attack against the Tide with 250 yards in 1929. West Ouachita’s Mark Henderson matched the 250-spot, in 1996, but the rushing record wouldn’t be broken until a Covid-induced impromptu matchup with Cedar Creek in 2020 when Bryson Fields ran roughshod over the Tide D with 288 yards.
This fun fact has nothing to do with dominant performances, but the running back group dominates the nickname game: “Bootsy” Watson (Menard, 1957), “Jabbo” Stell (Byrd, 1934), “Lefty” Leonardos (Fair Park, 1942), Don “Moon” Mullins (Fair Park, 1955), Gene “Red” Knight (Bossier, 1942), and Erick “The Red” Kilpatrick (Airline, 1966)
Passing: The aforementioned, George Hubbard (Ruston), found his way into the Minden record books in the passing department as well. Completing only nine passes, Hubbard managed to set the early record for passing yards with 300. This all happened in the same game he set the record for rushing yards. Hubbard had the most dominant performance ever recorded against the “Greenies” or Crimson Tide: 650 total yards and 6 TDs.
Hubbard’s passing record would stand until 2001 when Gary Cooper (BTW) slung it for 345 yards. Of course, in the era of pass-happy offenses, the numbers kept climbing: 355 – Jerrick Peterson (Northwood, 2013), 370 – Regginald Williams (Bolton, 2014), and 403 – Logan DuBois (Tioga, 2015). DuBois also set the record for most pass attempts in his 403-yard performance (58).
Just when you think 403 could never be touched, it got demolished this past 2022 season. Huntington’s Kamron Evans put on a passing masterclass with 491 yards and SEVEN passing TDs! He only threw two incompletions in the effort. Until Evans’s seven, five passing TDs was the previous record with five players sharing it.
Based on both installments of the “Tide Killers”, I’d have to say the Neville Tigers hold the heavyweight title.
Mercy, this one was long. But sometimes those classic beatdowns seem they will never end. So, I guess the length of this article was appropriate. This concludes this season’s “For the Love of the Tide” segment. I’ll see you closer to kickoff next season. ROLL TIDE ROLL!
Historical Footnotes: Monroe High = Neville High; Shreveport High = Byrd High. If only a player’s last name was mentioned above, it was because that was all that was originally reported. Also, Minden’s mascot was the Greenbacks (Greenies) until 1934.
(Jake Chapman works with Mark Chreene on Friday nights in the fall to bring you the Minden High Crimson Tide games over the air on KASO/KBEF Radio.)
Guest speaker for Thursday’s noon meeting of the Minden Lions Club will be Terry Slawson, founder/director of Ministry Development at Seeker Springs Ministry in Okaloosa, La.
Terry was serving as a youth minister in 1996 when he began to feel God was calling him to a different ministry. He saw a need to go deeper into the lives of those he served and minister not just to youth, but also to their families. On Sept. 10, 1996, after a period of seeking the Lord, he realized that the Lord was calling him to begin a ministry at the old Okaloosa Baptist Encampment. He shared this revelation with his family and several people at the church where he was serving, and there was confirmation after confirmation that this was the right direction.
The Northeast Baptist Association owned the property at the time but wanted to sell it to a church or a group of churches so that the ministry could be rekindled after being shut down for several years. Many people in the community caught the vision and gave generously to purchase the property. In January 1997, the property was purchased and dedicated to the Lord.
The name Seeker Springs comes from Isaiah 55:1 & 6: “Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is still near.” It is named Seeker Springs “Ministry” because it was believed that the Lord would use it for more than a rental facility. Since the beginning this has proven true and Seeker Springs has continued to strive to use the tools God has given them to meet the needs of the community.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but we don’t have you in our computer.”
Can you hear worse news?
You can — “Sorry, we’re out of bacon” — but it’s a short list.
Such was the case this week when my friend Shine Broussard called a government entity about something governmental.
“We don’t have you in our computer,” he was told. Cold words to hear in person, colder over the telephone.
“Now I’m out here with the gnashing teeth bunch, out here where the sun doesn’t shine,” Shine told me. “No program. No starting lineups. No jersey numbers. ‘Not in our computer.’ I’m on an island with the lepers.”
If you’re ‘not in our computer,’ you are a non-person, is what you are. These days, you have to be in the computer. In a lot of computers, actually. You might be in your dentist’s computer, which is good when a molar won’t behave, but being in your dentist’s computer won’t help you a lick if a kidney wants to opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Then you’d better be in your urologist’s computer. Now. Today.
There was a time when you didn’t need to be “in our computer.” There was a time when people knew your voice on the telephone, or trusted to some extent that you were who you said you were. Those days vaporized with vaudeville.
Then you had to be “in our files.” A lot of trees died for those files. If you wanted a Social Security check or a driver’s license renewal or a copy of your transcript, you had to be in the files.
Now the files are “in our computer.” You are in our files and in our system if you are in our computer. And if our computer says you aren’t in there, well, you can’t argue with our computer. Forget that a computer is only as smart as its programmer, as energetic as its power source and as efficient as the person who typed you “in” to start with.
It’s the computer, bud. Don’t argue with it. You might as well try to win a spat with Aunt Ethel about how to cook greens or shell peas or do the jitterbug or read your Bible. Good luck with that!
So if you’re not In The Computer, you’re out of the loop. In a fix. Up a creek. Down the river. Out of luck. In a jam. Between a rock and a hard place. Out of the picture. Off the radar.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but we don’t have you in our computer.” (That’s just one frantic, lonely step removed from the hazy “I’m sorry, but our system’s down” No-Man’s Land. If the system’s down, you might as well call in the general and tinkle on the fire because the game, my dear friend, is over.)
I can imagine the computer people talking on their break. “Some poor guy called and wasn’t in the computer. I mean, come on! Idiot…Haha. Hahahahaha….!”
Makes you jealous of people who are “in.” Things are easier for the in’s among us. But how did they get in, anyway? Being “not in” makes you feel like those people Hunter S. Thompson wrote about in the Gonzo Papers, people who chase something they’ll never so much as sniff. Missing. Back-ordered. No teng .Vaya con dios. Seeya!
But do you really want to pay the price for ins-manship? First-born child? Life savings? Moe Bandy record collection? What do I have to give up? And here’s a question: What if you get in and you can’t get OUT? There’s you a pickle.
Such are modern times. All the more reason to hope that when I meet St. Peter, I’m in the computer and the system’s not down.
(Originally ran August of 2010, when all
the computers seemed hot and angry … )
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
January 22-28, 2023, is National Passenger Safety Week. In 2019, vehicle passengers made up 62% of traffic fatalities nationwide according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. By empowering passengers to speak up for their safety when in a dangerous driving situation, we can reduce this number. Louisiana State Police and Destination Zero Deaths are working together to provide passengers with tools to make the roadways safer. Use these tips below to get the conversation started:
1) Seat Belt Safety: Passengers can help ensure all occupants are properly restrained inside the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported unrestrained rear seat passengers are two times more likely to be killed in a traffic crash. By confirming all occupants in the vehicle are buckled up, passengers can help keep everyone in the vehicle safe. Seatbelts should be used by front and back seat occupants no matter the time of day or distance of the journey.
2) Distracted Driving: Sometimes a break in conversation is the best way to be helpful to a driver. Although a driver may be looking at the roadway, listening and replying to a conversation can be a distraction. By limiting conversations, a passenger can help a driver fully concentrate on the roadway ahead. Passengers can also help reduce driver distractions by managing the radio or navigation systems and encouraging the driver to not use their phone.
3) Extra Set of Eyes: Passengers can be an extra set of eyes for a driver to help everyone get to their destination safely. By scanning the roadway for potential hazards, passengers can help alert a driver to something they may have not seen.
4) Speak Up: If a driver is partaking in risky behavior behind the wheel, passengers should not be hesitant to speak up. If a driver continues once the behavior is brought to their attention, passengers should make the choice to not ride with that person. No one should ever get into a vehicle with an impaired driver.
Passengers have the power to promote safe driving practices and to prevent unsafe ones by speaking up when their lives are in danger due to a reckless driver. By encouraging safe, focused, and sober driving, we can all work together to make Louisiana roadways a safer place to travel.
“A party without cake is just a meeting” –Julia Child
It started as a whim. It ended as a quest. A quest that probably added five percent to my total body mass index, an inch to my waistline, and almost put me in a diabetic coma. But it’s what I do. I eat for a living. When it comes to king cake, I took one for the home team.
We are a few weeks away from opening a bakery in Hattiesburg. It’s a project I’ve been working on for six years. It typically doesn’t take six years to develop a new concept, but I spent five and a half of those years begging pastry chef, and James Beard Award winner, Martha Foose, and her baker husband, Donald Bender, to move from the Delta down to my hometown of Hattiesburg to head up what will soon be known as Loblolly Bakery.
Foose and Bender have finally pulled up longstanding roots in the Mississippi Delta and are now firmly ensconced in the Pine Belt of South Mississippi and ready to start baking. They’ve traded the rich Delta soil for the taproot of Loblolly Pine.
We have been developing menus, laying out kitchen equipment, and battling with city planners, which has pushed us back from our December 2022 target opening date. We hoped to be neck deep in king cake sales at this point of the game, but fate pushed our target date a little farther down the road.
Nevertheless, Foose and Bender are baking trial-run king cakes and when we feel we’re ready we’ll start selling them out of our Creole concept Crescent City Grill. In the meantime, I wanted to grab a few king cakes in New Orleans to bring back as examples and to jump start the creative process. Seriously, that’s how it started. A simple task. I was just going to grab a couple of king cakes. But, as my wife often accuses, I overdid it, took it too far, chose excess over austerity and 32 king cakes later, I sit here writing this column with a sugar hangover of the first order.
I’m not sure when it switched from grabbing a couple king cakes, to sampling a several king cakes, to all-out competition of who makes the best king cake in New Orleans, but it did. It probably had something to do with the popularity of the much-lauded New Orleans East mainstay Dong Phoung Bakery, the feverish love and adoration poured out for their king cakes— and the frustration that came from trying to get my hands on one of them— that led me to buy as many king cakes as I could in one day to see if the Dong Phoung product lived up to the hype. Though there’s a slight chance that the entire exercise morphed into a mission to prove the masses wrong.
A few weeks ago I called the Dong Phoung Bakery to place an order for a couple of king cakes but was told they were sold out for the season. Not for the day, or the week, or even the month, but they had sold out every king cake they had made and were going to make this year in advance, before Twelfth Night! I am told that Goldbelly had them marked as sold out as early as October. That hardened my resolve. While talking to Justin Ferguson, our executive chef at Enzo in Ridgeland, he told me that Dong Phoung delivers to a handful of small stores in the area, and that the Adams Street Grocery was one of them.
I called Adams Street and was told that they get a Dong Phoung delivery five days a week. But that the cakes go quickly so I should get there early. I drove down from Hattiesburg last week and didn’t get there early enough.
This past weekend I decided to sample 30 king cakes to find the best king cake in New Orleans. My job was made easier by a place called the King Cake Hub. It’s a brilliant idea in its fourth year. King Cake Hub is a seasonal pop-up set up in a craft beer brewery that sells over two dozen varieties of king cakes by 15 local bakeries who deliver to that location every morning. It’s like a roadside fireworks stand for king cake.
I arrived at the King Cake Hub 30 minutes early and was third in line. By the time they opened the line stretched down the sidewalk past the beer garden. I had a list already prepared and asked a nice lady named Rachel to help me knock the list of 20 cakes, which we did in a matter of minutes. She also gave some “You want this one instead of that” advice along the way. After loading the backseat of my truck with the initial load I headed to Adams Street Grocery to wait in line for the elusive great white whale of king cakes— the Dong Phoung.
I passed Laurel Street Bakery on the way and popped in for one of their cakes.
I arrived at the tiny Adams Street Grocery 30 minutes before opening and was fourth in line. There is a certain comradery that develops between people standing in line in a light drizzle waiting for king cakes. It’s akin to being at a sperm bank— everyone is a little embarred about why they are there and what’s about to happen, but after all everyone is there for the same reason. There is also a nervous energy that is almost palpable the farther one is back in the line as the farther back one is, the less chance he or she will have to score the ultimate Mardi Gras score, a Dong Phong king cake.
There were more than 20 in line when the door opened and it was almost like the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld as we all proceeded, in a straight line— and with great reverence and caution— to the register. They had four varieties of Dong Phoung king cake behind the counter but were only allowing two per customer. The owner was gracious, and nothing like the Seinfeld character. I tried to pull the I-drove-all-of-the-way-from-Hattiesburg plea to see if I could get more than two, but my appeal fell flat and I didn’t want to upset the cream-cheese filled apple cart, so I paid my tab and considered myself fortunate to have scored two of the most sought-after, holy grail, toppermost of the poppermost king cakes to be found. But how could they ever live up to the prebilling?
I stopped by a few other bakeries in town and even drove over to the West Bank where I met Hope Liberto, a wonderful lady who owns Bae’s Bakery in Gretna and stopped by Antoine’s Bakery for one of their much-lauded king cakes. My truck smelled like a candy factory all the way home to Hattiesburg.
Which of the 32 king cakes would win the day? The list of king cakes, the results of the tasting, and the video accounts of the process can all be found on my social media accounts and at robertstjohn.com.
It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to chew it.
Onward.
KING CAKE BREAD PUDDING
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup sugar, divided
4 egg yolks
8 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 8-10” round cream cheese filled King Cake
Place the milk, cream and half of the sugar in a small sauce pot and place over medium heat. Bring this mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent the sugar from burning. While the milk mixture is heating, place the remaining sugar, egg yolks, whole eggs, vanilla and salt into a stainless-steel mixing bowl. Using a wire whisk, beat the egg mixture until it become light yellow in color. Slowly begin adding the hot milk to the beaten eggs, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking.
Cut the King Cake into two-inch thick slices.
Pour half of the custard into a two-quart round Pyrex baking dish (nine-inch diameter).
Submerge the King cake slices into the custard. Pour the remaining custard over the top and cover the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate over night.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Remove the covering from the refrigerated bread pudding and gently press down the King Cake so that the custard completely covers the surface. Cover the bread pudding with a piece of parchment paper, and then cover the paper with a piece of aluminum foil.
In a roasting pan large enough to hold the Pyrex dish, place two inches of hot water. Place the Pyrex dish in the water and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and parchment paper and bake for 10 additional minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow the pudding to rest for one hour before serving.
Serve with Brandy Crème Anglaise
Yields 8-10 servings
Brandy Crème Anglaise
1cup cream
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup brandy
3/4 cup sugar, divided
4 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a stainless steel pot bring the cream, half and half, brandy, half of the sugar and to vanilla a simmer. While it is heating, combine the yolks and remaining sugar in a mixing bowl and whip until pale yellow in color.
Slowly begin adding the cream mixture into to yolks, stirring constantly until all the milk has cream mixture has been added. Pour the mixture back into the sauce pot and cook over a low-medium flame stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat a spoon or spatula.
Remove from the heat and cool down in an ice bath.
This sauce may be made two-three days in advance.
Yields : 8-10 servings
(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Black History Month begins February 1.
Feb. 18
11 a.m. 2023 Martin Luther King/Black History Parade & Youth Rally. Downtown Minden. Parade contests, Battle of the Bands, scholarship winners announced, area vendors.
Will your church or non-profit organization be hosting an event? Email Webster Parish Journal at wpjnewsla@gmail.com, and we will post it in a list of Black History Month programs and events.
Events will run throughout February, but the sooner you send it, the longer and more often it will run and the better the chances of it being seen.
Thank you!
Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .
Jan. 26
9 a.m. until 2 p.m. LifeShare Blood Center “Extra Ordinary” blood drive at Minden campus of Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.
5 until 7:15 p.m. Adult Paint Night, Minden Main Branch, Webster Parish Libraries. For more information, call 318-371-3080 ext. 123.
Jan. 31
11:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Women’s Wellness of Minden.
11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Minden Presbyterian Church Bible Study with free lunch. The public is invited to attend.
Feb. 2
10 a.m. Minden Planning Commission, Pelican Room, Minden City Hall. Agenda: request from Webster Land Corporation for preliminary approval of a lot split on property owned by them on Recreation Drive. The public is invited to attend.
Feb. 4
11 a.m. Springhill Main Street Mardi Gras Parade.
5 p.m. Minden Mardi Gras Parade through downtown Minden.
Feb. 11
6 p.m. ArkLaTex Mega Star Search. Poets, rappers, singers, instruments. Sign up early. Call 318-562-3664.
Feb. 13
W.H.O. of North Webster’s 8th Annual Chili Supper Since 2015, we have had the honor to bless a family every year with proceeds from the sales of chili dinner! W.H.O. Members do everything—sell tickets, make chili, create homemade desserts, and bring right out to your car. This year’s event will benefit Brooke Malone, a dear North Webster mom fighting endometrial cancer. Tickets are available now. Contact any W.H.O. Member to purchase!
6 p.m. Doors open. Piney Woods Jamboree at Frank Anthony Community Activities Center (CAC Building), 301 West Church St., Springhill, La. Show begins at 7 p.m., with Josey Hargis performing. Tickets are $10 per person; $5 for children 5 years to 12 years. Sold at the door.
Feb. 21
11 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Shields Storage Center.
Feb. 25
8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. until noon lectures for Buds & Blooms 2023, sponsored by Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardners. First United Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Topic: Landscaping for birds. Tickets: $15. All proceeds go to 4-H Youth Gardening Contest and 4-H Scholarships.
March 4
6 p.m. LaMa Bingo, Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill.
March 24
Today is the deadline for vendors to register for 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport. Please make all checks payable to Parker Still and mail them to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055. Checks or cash may also be delivered in person to the Minden Airport seven days a week from 8-5. AirRunners Aviation will not be providing chairs so please bring your own. No more than 2 people per booth. Completed Registration forms must be mailed to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055, emailed to airrunnersaviation@yahoo.com, faxed to 318.377.6789, or delivered in person to the Minden Airport no later than March 24.
March 28
Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala. Call 377-4240 for more information.
April 1
AirRunners Aviation is seeking vendors to participate in the 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport.
April 26
10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters, 198 Gleason St., Minden, La.
• Scottish Highland dancing
• Storytelling, living history exhibitions
• Food and merchant vendors, including Great Raft beer
• Traditional music and Celtic Rock
• Scottish Highland cattle petting area
• Broadsword demonstrations and Highland Games exhibitions
• Clan tent exhibits and the March of the Clans
The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies. Minden Police Department (MPD), Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO), Louisiana State Police (LSP) and others which are named.
Jan. 20
Charles Scott Rayner, 52, of the 200 block of Rayner Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for domestic abuse battery.
Cynthia Ann Dick, 60, of South Park Drive, was arrested by Cullen police for possession of methamphetamine, Lortabs and drug paraphernalia.
Jan. 23
Chanceler Crow, 25, of the 500 block of McArthur Loop, Cotton Valley, was arrested by Cotton Valley Police for monetary instrument abuse and theft.
Kwesi Corley Jr., 22, of the 800 block of Harris St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on a warrant for home invasion.
Seth D. Cochran, 33, of the 100 block of Forest St., Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police for simple burglary and interfering with an investigation.
Jan. 24
Janice R. Jordan, 42, of the 300 block of Airport Rd., Springhill, La., was arrested by WPSO on three counts of failure to appear (in court).
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
By Brad Dison
John Joseph was born in Neptune City, New Jersey on April 22, 1937. He was raised by his parents, Ethel May and John, and sisters June and Lorraine. June was 18 years his senior, and Lorraine was 15 years his senior. June aspired to become a famous entertainer. In the 1930s, June Nilson, as she was known professionally, began her dancing career under the tutelage of dancing teacher Eddie King. She danced in several performances and was featured in the opening of a club called the Pic and Pat club in New York City. She also appeared in several off-Broadway productions. On New Year’s Eve in 1935, she was featured as a specialty tap dancer in Earl Carrol’s Palm Island club in Miami, Florida. Earl Carrol was a controversial figure because his showgirls were usually scantily clad. He was known as “the troubadour of the nude.” At some point, June returned to the family home. In 1941, when John was four years old, June moved again to Miami, Florida to work for Earl Carrol. Her aspirations eventually led her to Hollywood, California.
Perhaps, his sister’s ambitions rubbed off on John. In 1954, John, then 17 years old, moved in with June in Hollywood. John found a job as an office boy in MGM Studios’ animated cartoon department. While at work one day, a producer noticed something special in John. It may have been the way he carried himself, the way he said a certain sentence or phrase, or the way he smiled. At the producer’s recommendation, John began taking acting classes. In 1956, John received his first acting credit for his performance in one episode of a television series called Matinee Theatre. In 1958, he performed in the film The Cry Baby Killer. John’s career as an entertainer had been slow in the late 1950s. In 1960, however, John’s career “took off.” In that year alone, John appeared in four films and two television series. Unlike June, whose Hollywood career never came to fruition, John’s career flourished for the next five decades.
It was through his acting career that John learned a secret. John was scheduled to be interviewed about one of his upcoming films by a writer from Time magazine. As part of the preparation process for the interview, researchers from the magazine began exploring John’s background. It was then that they uncovered John’s family’s secret. Rather than revealing this during the interview, a representative from the magazine revealed the secret to John in a telephone call. John sat in stunned silence while the magazine representative revealed that June and Lorraine were not his sisters, and John and Ethel May were not his parents. The evidence provided made the claims undeniable. John’s family had kept a secret from him his entire life. John and Ethel May died without ever revealing that they were not his parents, as John had always been told, but his grandparents. Lorraine, whom John thought was his sister, was actually his aunt. John’s mother was June. According to the researcher, John’s father was Don Furcillo-Rose. June had gotten pregnant out of wedlock, which would have reflected badly on the whole family in that era. After careful consideration, the family agreed to keep John’s true parentage a secret. They hoped it would remain a secret forever.
John needed to confirm this for himself. John and Ethel May were long dead, and June died in 1963. The only person left alive who could verify or deny the claims of the Time magazine researcher was Lorraine. He called and spoke with Lorraine’s husband whom he affectionately called Short. “A guy calls me on the phone, and says that my father is still alive, and that Ethel May wasn’t really my mother, that June was my mother.” Shorty was in disbelief and handed the phone to Lorraine. John repeated the information. After a moment of silence, Lorraine confirmed that the story was true although she was unaware of the identity of his real father.
John described the discovery as being “a pretty dramatic event, but it wasn’t what I’d call traumatizing. After all, by the time I found out who my mother was, I was pretty well psychologically formed.” He added, “I was very impressed by their ability to keep the secret, if nothing else.” John jokingly referred to June as his “sister-mother.”
John is considered by many to be one of the greatest actors of all time. He has won 3 Oscars and a host of other awards for films such as Terms of Endearment, As Good As It Gets, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The film for which he was being interviewed when he learned his family’s secret was called Chinatown. You and I know John Joseph Nicholson as Jack Nicholson.
Sources:
1. Asbury Park Press, January 2, 1936, P. 15.
2. Trey Taylor, “Jack Nicholson Grew Up Believing His Mom Was His Sister,” August 6, 2020. https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/jack-nicholson-mom-sister.
3. Swapnil Dhruv Bose, “When Jack Nicholson discovered that his sister was actually his mother,” April 6, 2022. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jack-nicholson-sister-was-his-mother/.
4. Aaron Homer, “How Jack Nicholson Discovered His Sister Was His Mother,” July 18, 2022. https://www.grunge.com/621340/how-jack-nicholson-discovered-his-sister-was-his-mother/
Stephanie Sharp Watts
Oct. 24, 1989 – Jan. 21, 2023
Ringgold, La.
Visitation: 1 p .m. until time of service, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, First Baptist Church, Ringgold, La.
Funeral service: 2:30 p.m. following visitation.
Dennis Lamar Davis
Jan. 26, 1964 – Jan. 18, 2023
Springhill, La.
Private family service scheduled for a later date.
Charles “Charlie” Augustus Lee Fields
June 21, 1933 – Jan. 14, 2023
Visitation: 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday Jan, 26, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, La.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville, La.
Donald Dean Stillwell
Jan. 13, 1948 – Jan. 19, 2023
Visitation: 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Cornerstone Ministries Cowboy Church, 494 Bethel Rd., Logansport, La.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. following visitation.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete 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
Working in conjunction with Minden Police, Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested several persons on drug charges last week.
On Friday, January 20, Jason M. Hillman, 20, of the 200 block of Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, was arrested for resisting an officer by flight, possession of methamphetamine, possession of Clonazepam and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Audrie Elizabeth Rosypal, 29, of the 300 block of Holomon Loop, Dubberly was arrested twice – once for possession of methamphetamine and a second time on a warrant for dogs at large.
Brian Lester Sims, 53, of the 300 block of Ellis Dr., Minden, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Corey Matthew Ray, 51, of the 200 block of Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, was arrested by WPSO and MPD as a fugitive from Minden Police and Bossier Parish Sheriff, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, illegal possession of stolen things and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Charles A. Williams, 48, of the 700 block of Clay St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO and MPD for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and drug paraphernalia.
Trace Bynog, 42, of the 200 block of Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, was arrested by WPSO and MPD as a fugitive from Minden Police.
Derick O’Rear, 37, of the 200 block of Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, was arrested by WPSO for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Lindsey Kennedy, no other information available, was arrested on an unrelated warrant through Minden Police.
Sheriff Jason Parker said arrests were made at the 200 block of Horseshoe Loop, Doyline around 8 p.m. Friday.
“We have been receiving complaints from neighbors near that address,” Parker said. “We have been involved in a lengthy investigation … the first time we arrested five.”
Parker said MPD had a search warrant for stolen property, which included some of those arrested.
“The next day, we got called back to the same residence,” said the sheriff. “There obviously wasn’t supposed to be anyone there, but we ended up arresting four more – one was arrested a second time.”
Parker said law enforcement seized approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine, assorted drug paraphernalia and assorted stolen items during the investigation at that address.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
By Bonnie Culverhouse
Anyone who has ever had a hospitalized loved one knows the importance of rest for the caregiver.
Ronald McDonald House has released plans to build a new $10 million, 3-story, 20,000 square ft. facility in the Shreveport-Bossier area that will house families and serve hospitals there and in surrounding parishes.
Ronald McDonald House CEO Janell Mason said the project “just fell into place.”
“We started fund-raising, just lightly, the fourth quarter of 2022,” Mason said. “We’ve raised $3.6 million already.”
Construction will not begin until 80 percent of the funding is committed.
Mason said it will be located near Willis-Knighton South. There will be 20 family suites, indoor/outdoor place spaces, expansive kitchen and large dining room, laundry rooms, meals and snacks and personal care items, just to name a few amenities. All services are provided free to families.
During a special event Thursday, Minden Medical Center, Northwest Louisiana Medical Center (Ruston) and Allegiance Health Management presented Mason with a check for $25,000. She told MMC CEO Jim Williams the hospitals will be listed on a founding wall, and a suite will be named for them.
Williams, who has a story to tell about his son, said he was more than happy to help garner support for the project from area hospitals.
“I had a scenario where had there been a Ronald McDonald House at that time, I could’ve taken advantage of the services,” Williams said. “My son was born way too early. He was transported to Shreveport.”
Williams’ son stayed in the hospital several months, and a local facility would have helped in many ways.
Ashleigh Benson, whose son Cole is a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient, shared his story with the group.
“When we first took him to Memphis, we were told we would be there an extended period of time and not able to leave,” Benson said.
She said her family wondered how they would eat, where would they sleep and how they were going to pay for these things.
“Ronald McDonald House was a huge blessing,” she said, going on to describe the facilities that included a cafeteria, apartments, a game room, playground area and other amenities.
Goals for the area Ronald McDonald House are to break ground in the first quarter of 2024 with a grand opening Dec. 31, 2025.
To become a founding donor, contact Mason at 501-374-4376 or email janell@RMHCArkansas.org. Also contact Roy Griggs, Campaign Chair at 318-347-3306 or email roy.griggs@partners.mcd.com.
By Tina Montgomery
A savory Minden tradition is returning for the 2023 Minden Auction Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The 32nd annual Minden St. Jude Chili Cook-off takes place on Saturday, February 11 at the Minden Civic Center.
Randy Stevenson, who is now in his 6th year coordinating the chili cook-off, said about 20 participants have signed up so far.
“We typically get about 30 to 35 each year,” he said.
Last year chili lovers raised $8,200 from the sale of the tasting cups offered despite the stormy weather that day; that’s about 1,640 chili tasting cups sold.
“We were cooking in a downpour which was not fun at all. We had to cancel the bands and get everything broken down but we went forward and still cooked,” Stevenson said.
Tasting cups will be sold to the public throughout the event for $5 each.
Stevenson hopes to raise more money this year.
“My goal this year is $10,000, it always has been. A lot of it is dependent on the weather and the number of tasting cups sold. We’ll also have some concessions set up outside,” he said.
The cook-off is no longer sanctioned by CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International).
“This is strictly a hometown event now,” Stevenson said. “We used to be with CASI but we didn’t raise as much money. They were more concerned about the cooks who came from out of state rather than fundraising. When we decided to bring everything centered in Minden we raised about 3 times as much money even though we didn’t have as many cooks.”
Although no longer sanctioned, the cook-off will be conducted under CASI rules. Chili must be cooked from scratch on site the day of the cook-off. All chili must be prepared in the open. Commercial chili powder is permissible, but complete commercial chili mixes (just add meat) are not permissible. No fillers like beans, macaroni, rice, hominy, or other similar ingredients are permitted. Cooks must prepare and cook in a sanitary manner.
Cooks who want to showcase their chili recipes can still pre-register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minden-st-jude-chili-cookoff-2023-cook-registration-registration-500256820617 , or register at sign in the day of the cook-off. The entry fee is $30, which should be paid by cash or check (cash preferred). Participants can begin setting up on Friday, February 10, at 4 p.m. Set up spots cannot be reserved and are arranged on a first come, first serve basis. Categories for the cook-off include Official Judging, People’s Choice Award and Best in Show.
Chili enthusiasts will also enjoy musical entertainment throughout the day.
“We have two bands,” Stevenson said. “Starting at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is Pat Mason & the Bayou Boogie Band. They’re a zydeco band out of Shreveport that’s played for two years or so and they’re really good. We also have local Minden band Flight Delay from 1 until 3 p.m. They’ve played for the last 3 or 4 years.”
Sponsors for this year’s cook-off are: Mike’s Hometown Spirits (Title Sponsor), Minden Family Dental (Partner Sponsor), Wimberly Agency, Dixie Overland Construction, Passages Hospice, Res-Com Washing & Gutter Services LLC, KASO/KBEF Radio, Southern Tire Mart and Louisiana CAT.
For registration and further information, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/minden-st-jude-chili-cookoff-2023-cook-registration-registration-500256820617 . Questions can also be emailed to mindenchili@gmail.com . General information for the public can be found on the Facebook page Minden St. Jude Chili Cook-off.
By Paige Nash
Third-term congressman representing the 4th District of Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson visited Webster Parish last Friday. He was in attendance at a Customer Appreciation Fish Fry hosted by Hercules Ag & Outdoor where he had the opportunity to catch up with locals and fellow elected officials.
Part of his time back home was also spent at the Annual Northwest Louisiana Life March. The march was held on Saturday, January 21. This year’s theme was, “Everyone Deserves a Birthday.”
Pro-life supporters joined Johnson to march across the Texas Street Bridge to Travis Street parking lot located across from the Government Plaza in Shreveport.
Among those celebrating the reversal of Roe v. Wade was a group from the Seeds Women’s Center, a non-profit organization that provides healthcare, supplies and support for women in the area.
“It was a great march over the Texas Street Bridge to show support for pro-life,” Executive Director of Seeds Amber Beckham Bradford said. “Seeds passed out 200 bracelets with scriptures on them to show our support and encouragement. We had a small group attend to represent Seeds Women’s Center but have started making plans for next year’s Life March.”
Seeds is launching a new dad program this April called, “Navigating Fatherhood.” They will be hosting a kick-off event on March 25th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Miller Quarters Park. There will be free hot dogs, bounce houses, door prizes, music and most importantly an opportunity for dads to sign up for this new 12-week class.
“We are super excited about what God has in store for Seeds in 2023,” Bradford said.
There’s an argument to be made, one bolstered by people’s behavior on social media, that those who live in the western world can be filtered into two camps.
Those who just want to be mad about something. And those who don’t.
I know this is a vast oversimplification. There is so much that goes into a person’s anger and hurt that none of us can ever hazard to begin to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. So as to not draw someone’s ire, I’ll just use myself as the example of today’s little bit of writing.
I have realized that at many times in my life I have just been a person who wanted to be mad. I didn’t want to be a victim. That’s an entirely different first-world fault we have. I just wanted to be angry at someone.
Social media was the worst thing to ever happen to younger me. Other people’s opinions, beliefs, words, political perspectives and so forth made me so mad. That’s the story of the modern world. I didn’t like people I perceived to be hypocrites even though I was one of the biggest myself. As Gandhi said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians.” I was one of those he wouldn’t like.
I used to just want to be angry. That’s the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so. Quiet was confused with arrogance when in actuality it was irritation. I had an issue with people because my perspectives shaped my life. It was a long-learned behavior. It made me not like the man I grew up to become. I was a hypocrite. I always told people to just look in the mirror and if you like what you see then you are doing ok. But I never really did. I didn’t like what was looking back.
But something changed a few years ago. I just started talking. I wasn’t talking to anyone in particular. I knew who I was and that person was not who I wanted to be. I didn’t like who I was but I felt encouraged because I wanted to change. Bad people didn’t want to change, right? I wanted to be better. So that had to count for something.
I started talking to no one in particular. And I know I looked crazy to anyone who may have saw me. I started to read. I started to write my thoughts down. I started to ask questions instead of making accusations and thinking I already knew everything. Why did I feel the way I did? I asked more. I didn’t try to tell. I didn’t ask questions I already knew the answers to.
It wasn’t until I started seeking that I started finding. And when I let the answers come, I stopped caring what others put on their social media feeds. I stopped caring who they voted for. So what if you do bad things? So do I. So what if you bad mouth others? I have done that from time to time as well. So what if you stumble and fail and stay down sometimes only to cry and blame everyone else but yourself? Brother, I been there.
I realized that God wasn’t religion. And in all that talk and all that reading, I came to find that God doesn’t want me to care what others think. He doesn’t want me to worry about what others have or the way others live their own life just like he doesn’t want them to care how I lead mine. Someone in all that talk of mine basically talked back. “No one’s thinking about you Josh. No one cares what you think. No one cares if you don’t like them. They aren’t thinking of you.”
And then came the bombshell.
“Isn’t that so freeing? Doesn’t that change everything?”
Wow. When I had this realization, I legitimately said out-loud “Wow,” and a little old lady by the vitamins in Walmart lowered her spectacles (I like that word – spectacles) to wonder if I was a malcontent or rabble rouser.
I realized God wanted me to be all His all the time. He doesn’t want me leaning on others. He doesn’t want me to be self-reliant. He wants me to rely on Him. I am walking a tight rope. So are you. So are we all. Our security rests in Him and not in our best laid plans. Our best laid plans are folly. They suck. They are laughable. We walk that tight rope and it is He alone who helps us stay standing. Not people. Not circumstance. It is He who we must go to for prayer, for answers. I said I didn’t know who I was talking to earlier. But I do now. I was talking to the one above all. I was talking to the one beckoning me —one step at a time.
“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving Presence,” I read once and now I know it to be true.
So too is this: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.)