By Paige Nash

The Webster Parish Convention and Tourism Commission (WPCVC) has partnered with Claiborne Parish and the Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Commission, who has written a grant to receive artwork along the Boom or Bust Byway. One of these pieces will possibly be featured in Webster Parish if they can find somewhere to put it.  

“Right now, we are trying to get land secured on Highway 2 to place a gateway sign that is funded partially through an art grant,” said WPCVC Executive Director Serena Gray. “We have been unsuccessful so far in finding someone who owns property that would be willing to let us place this sign.” 

The Boom or Bust Byway is a popular tourism attraction in Northwest Louisiana. It is described as the ultimate road trip for young explorers, families, retirees and international visitors who are seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. It is a 136-mile self-driving tour across four North Louisiana Parishes- Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne.  

This grant will allow the placement of 11 pieces of art along this route. They will serve as a gateway sign to introduce and welcome visitors to various locations along the way. Each piece will be different and individually reflective of the area that they are located. 

“The pushback we get is that the sign is so big. It is a 16’ x 18’ gateway sign. It is a beautiful entrance into the city, but we can’t seem to get anyone to say ‘yes’ to allowing us to place it on their property. If we do not get that, then we will not be included in the project,” said Gray.  

Gray reached out to the Webster Parish Police Jury for recommendations. 

“Hopefully that pans out,” said Gray. “I would hate for us to be the only parish who does not participate in this grant. I don’t know why they are saying no. It is no cost to anyone. It is just a beautiful gateway sign into the community.” 

Shreveport-Bossier has secured their sites, as well as Claiborne Parish. 

---

Oh my stars, this was out of this world good!  Inspired by the flavors we all love in French Onion Dip, this takes it up a notch with caramelized onions, pasta and the most delicious dressing.  I made this recently for Grady Woods’ birthday party as a side dish, and everyone there loved it!  The onions do take awhile, but do not skimp on this labor of love.  The end result is worth the time!  This will keep in the fridge for a few days as well.

Ingredients:

• 2 yellow onions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3/4 pound bow time pasta
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Garnish:  reserved caramelized onions & more fresh parsley

Directions

Slice the onions very thing into strips.  Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add the olive oil and butter.  When the butter is melted add the onions.  Cook, stirring occasionally for 45-50 minutes. (Yes, a long time but so worth it)!  The onions will begin to really caramelize at 40 minutes or so.  Do not rush this process.  It will not be the same!

While the onions are caramelizing cook your pasta.  Drain and set aside.

Also, mix the sour cream, mayo, white wine vinegar, parsley and soy sauce together for the dressing.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

When you are ready to assemble, pour the pasta into a large serving bowl.  Pour the dressing in as well as most of the caramelize onions, but do reserve some for topping.  

Garnish with leftover onions and extra parsley.

 (Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)

---

“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”

—Edmund Burke

It’s not often we witness a jarring cultural phenomenon in our country.  The new documentary thriller, Sound of Freedom, is just that. 

Actor Jim Caviezel—who first pricked our conscience with his graphic and riveting portrayal of Christ’s suffering in The Passion of the Christ—plays the lead role and was part of the team that pushed through many obstacles to produce the film five years ago, and ultimately to distribute it to theaters.    

“Sound of Freedom” is based on the true story of Tim Ballard and his mission to save children from the underground sex slave trade.   After working as a special agent for years at the Department of Homeland Security, Ballard quit his job and embarked on a mission to save child-trafficking victims.  Today, he runs the organization Operation Underground Railroad working with law enforcement to rescue children from some of the darkest recesses of our world. 

The story involves the account of two young children—a brother and a sister—whose trusting father allows them to participate in a supposed “modeling” and “acting” opportunity during which the children are kidnapped and sold into child sex slavery.

The production marks the first dramatic crime story for Angel Studios which up till now has generally sponsored only Bible-based stories.   

Sadly, Ballard has stated that the United States has the number-one demand for child exploitation material and is the number one consumer of child sex in the world.   As such, “we’re thrilled that we have an opportunity to shine a light on what is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world,” he said.  $150 billion is made every year off the backs of slaves, including millions of children who are enslaved.  We’ve ranked in the top three for destination countries,” he added. “It’s the economy of pedophilia.”  (Fox News, Katie Pavlich on Jesse Watters Primetime, July 9, 2023). 

It must sting for the major studios to realize that—none of them would agree to produce it—the film posted an impressive $40 million after six days of release and has now soared to over $100 million.  

But it wasn’t just rejected by Hollywood and the Left, it’s been smeared by it as a “dangerous conspiracy theory.”   In response to this, Ballard states, “pedophiles are salivating’ at media outlets ripping ‘Sound of Freedom’.”

The fact that Disney will release a movie about a girl getting pregnant by the devil in a one-night stand but Disney, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all have refused to stream Sound of Freedom, should tell us everything we need to know.

Actor Dean Cain has asked “why is the movie being suppressed.”   He reasoned that the movie is receiving pushback from the mainstream press because “it’s ugly. People don’t want to talk about something that’s really ugly.  The idea that there are children who are sex slaves is crazy — and that are trafficked, that’s insane.  The idea that you know people just want to bury that, ‘I don’t want to see that, it doesn’t exist.’ Well, it’s here. It’s all over the United States. It’s all over worldwide.  It’s a multi-billion-dollar business.” (Newsmax, July 19, 2023).

 Referencing America’s porous southern border as a major part of the problem, Caviezel stated that “when you don’t have a south border you don’t have a county; … a sovereign country has to have borders.”   Even the New York Times has reported that 85,000 unaccompanied minors have crossed our wide-open southern border and are now lost and unaccounted for somewhere in America. 

How is this trafficking done?

Social media is the wide-open frontier for pedophiles.  

 For example, Instagram, a hugely popular platform, uses algorithms that connect and promote the pedophile network.  How so? Because “the platform and its system of fostering communities with sets of narrow interests has helped guide users to illegal child sex content.”  (Wall Street Journal, 6/8/2023).

 This is not a Republican or Democrat issue; it’s not a liberal or conservative position and it’s much more than simply a matter of perversion and immorality.  This is a matter of good and evil. 

 I encourage you to see the movie which concludes with the powerful admonition that “God’s children are not for sale.” 

 We all have an obligation to stand up and speak out about this heinous reality of American culture.

(Royal Alexander was a staff member to the late U.S. Representative Clyde C. Holloway of Louisiana’s 8th congressional district, since disbanded, who also served as chairman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He was also a member of the Republican State Central Committee of Louisiana from 2008-2012. He is an attorney.)

---

United Christian Assistance Program is in need of the following items:
Food: Vienna sausage, green beans, canned fruit, crackers, powdered milk

Clothing: Men’s jeans/pants (waist 32 and 34), men’s shoes (9 and up), men’s socks and underwear
Household goods: towels, twin sheets, silverware, pots, pans and skillets

Monetary donations

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.

---

Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .

August 1

10 until 11 a.m. School Storytime, Minden branch, Webster Parish Library

August 2

Webster Parish New Teacher Breakfast, Harper Pathways to Excellence Center, 618 Germantown Rd., Minden.

August 4

8:30 a.m. Glenbrook School New Teacher Breakfast, Glenbrook School.

August 4 and 5

8 p.m. Annual Pete Colvin Memorial  Rodeo, Minden Rodeo Arena.

August 5

9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Back to School Market at Springhill Farmers Market, 500 N. Giles, Springhill, La.

August 6

3 until 5 p.m. Minden High Back-to-School Registration Day

August 9

15 under 40 Nominations due at Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

August 12

9 a.m. Eighth Annual Prayer in the Park, Academy Park, Minden. Prayers offered for students and teachers, law enforcement, city government and the city as a whole.

9 a.m. until noon. Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce’s Back to School Water Wars, Springhill Recreation Complex. K-12th grades. Free water balloons, no outside balloons permitted, free water gun filling stations, concessions available. $10 admission fee benefits LaMa Animal Rescue.

5 until 9 p.m., Peace Out Summer Back to School Bash, Sarepta Community Park. Admission $2; games, food and raffle. Pack the Bus by bringing supplies. Sponsored by Women Helping Others. For more information: contact Ramanda Ketchum at 318-347-2612 or Rketchumwho@gmail.com,  Elizabeth Simmons at 318-517-5207 or emccuen92@gmail.com, Tammie Wynn 318-268-5535 or tammie.wynn@la.gov .

6 p.m. Doors open for Piney Woods Jamboree, Second Anniversary Show, which begins at 7 p.m. with headliner Dawn Glass. CAC (Community Activity Center), 301 W. Church St., Springhill.

August 15

7:30 a.m., Ministers’ Breakfast, hosted by City of Minden. Discussing issues facing the city. Minden Community House, 711 Gladney St.

August 26

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Brunch. Minden Junior Service League “Mamma Mia” Girls Night Out, Minden Civic Center.

6 p.m. Dorcheat Museum Annual Fundraiser Gala, 116 Pearl St., Minden.

Sept. 1

Webster 4-H enrollment begins.

Sept. 9

Vintage Car Club of Minden’s annual car show in downtown Minden. More information when available.

September 28 through 30, Oct. 1

 Minden High School 30th Class Reunion

Sept. 28 – 6 until 9 p.m. Meet and Greet, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main St., Minden, La.

Sept. 29 – 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Meet and Greet, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main St., Minden, La.

Sept. 29 – 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., Kickback, Camp Minden, 100 Louisiana Boulevard, Minden, La.

Homecoming Parade TBA

Sept. 30 – 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Family Fun Day, Hot Wheels Skating Rink, 3000 Old Minden Rd., Bossier City, La.

Sept. 30 – 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., Still Rollin 30 Years Later, Camp Minden, 100 Louisiana Boulevard, Minden, La.

Oct.1 – Church Fellowship TBA

Oct. 14

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Minden Makers Fair. Accepting vendor applications, demonstrations and volunteers. https://www.mindenmakersfair.com/vendorregistration.

Oct. 24

6:30 p.m. 15 Under 40 Awards Gala, Minden Civic Center.

---

With zero fishing going on due to the hot weather we have been experiencing, today we’ll look at my working career. After walking away from my athletic career in the late ‘80’s, it was time to get a real job. It was time to put my college degree (Industrial Engineering Technology) to good use. One reason I chose this as my major was due to the number of IET graduates the oil and gas companies were hiring out of Northwestern State in the mid ‘80’s. This was my original plan, but the oil and gas industry tanked, and they no longer were seeking graduates with this degree. 

Now one thing I’ve learned over the years from the many different jobs I’ve held was that each job helped prepare me in some way for other positions I’ve held. These included car salesman, supervisory role at CONAGRA Poultry, and high school and college coaching. Nothing gave me more satisfaction than coaching did. Working with kids at the high school and collegiate level was truly rewarding and enjoyable. But the hours you put in on the college level are insane and was not a good fit for me personally or my family. I was not willing to make those family sacrifices that college coaches make. 

Then in 1990, I decided to apply for an engineering job at a textile company, Holloway Sportswear, based out of Ohio but with factories in Louisiana. Best job I ever had! It was a company that made athletic outerwear and high school letter jackets. Holloway was the Mercedes of the athletic apparel world; they made the best. If you ever earned a letter jacket in high school, there’s a good chance it was made by Holloway who was the original letter jacket company. 

After two years with the company, I was promoted to Louisiana Director of Manufacturing overseeing six factories across the state. The job was demanding, but the people were incredible.  

Then around 1998, President Bill Clinton signed what was called the NAFTA agreement with Mexico. This was the beginning of the end for Holloway and all textile companies in Louisiana and across the country. It was at this point that my boss and I made several trips to Mexico to set up sewing factories. Then one by one we slowly pulled styles out of Louisiana and sent them to Mexico for production. This was the hardest thing I ever went though as an employee. It was my job at this point to tell all Louisiana employees they no longer had a job. 

Many a day after making these announcements, I shed a few tears on the drive home knowing that I had just made life a lot tougher for so many women, many of whom were single moms. Many had no other skills than sewing. Some women were making as much as $14.00 an hour due to their ability to sew. This was good money back in the ‘90’s and there were no other jobs offered in these small communities that paid those kinds of wages. 

All the employees were offered the opportunity to go back to school and learn a new trade. But many were in the age bracket of 40 and above and had no desire to go back to school. Many of these ladies had never done anything else their entire life but work in textiles. 

It was sad to see the impact this had on the people I cared so much about. People with a strong work ethic and dedication to go to work every day. People who took great pride in making Holloway Sportswear the best company it could be were now being sent home… for good. Some locations that had been in operation since the mid 1970’s were now being shut down. 

The old saying, “Nothing lasts forever,” comes to mind when I think about my Holloway days. Again, this was the best job I ever had that came to an end in 2004. Even during those stressful days when I questioned was it worth it, the people were the reason I stayed. One thing about Louisiana people, they take great pride in doing a good job and are very loyal and dedicated to whatever job they’re doing. 

After walking away in 2004, Holloway was sold and is now under the umbrella of Augusta Sportswear in Georgia. The Holloway standard is still alive and well today as they have retained their name and reputation as the best.  

Next week we’ll get back to more fishing topics as we prepare to head into the hottest month of the year…. August. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen and protective clothing. 

Steve Graf                                                                                                                           

Angler’s Perspective 

---

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.

July 26

Dequinly Jones, 34, of the 700 block of Hillside Lane, Minden, La. Was arrested by WPSO on an active warrant.

Jaecia Taylor, 41, of the 700 block of Plum St., Minden, was arrested on 11 active warrants.

July 27

Issac Mendoza, 32, of Texas, was arrested on Interstate 20 eastbound by LSP-G for illegal possession of stolen firearms.

Kordarus D. McClendon, 36, of the 100 block of Knight St., Minden, was arrested by Sibley Police for an active warrant for domestic abuse battery.

Eric Whitley O’Brien, 47, of Elm Grove, was arrested by WPSO and Doyline Police as a fugitive from Caddo Parish

July 28

Hannah Belle Nipper, 19, of the 100 block of Robertson Dr., Minden, was arrested by MPD on warrants for failure to appear (in court) and theft.

George Byron Puffer, 56, of the 1100 block of Shreveport Rd., Minden, was arrested by MPD on six active warrants.

Gregory Lee Shingleton, 27, of the 600 block of Stone St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on seven active warrants.

July 30

Kazanee Willis, 20, of Oscar Moore, Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO for possession of marijuana, ecstasy, carrying a weapons in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, and no license plate light.

Christion J. Harris, Jr., 26, of the 400 block of Sheppard St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for two active warrants – improper equipment and improper child restraint, no license plate light and no child restraint.

Derrick L. Davidson, 35, of Taylor Arkansas, was arrested by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, littering and a parole violation warrant.

Sherrie Harris, 39, of the 600 block of Stone St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on an active bench warrant.

July 31

Jennifer Dickinson, 43, of the 900 block of Celine St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a bond remand for possession of narcotics charge.

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.

---

Thomas “Tommy” C. Stokes Jr.

Oct. 26, 1039 – July 20, 2023

Sibley, La.

Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Stokes Residence, 484 Leachman Rd., Sibley, La. 71073

Ginger Gibbs Bigby

Feb. 27, 1960 – July 28, 2023

Bossier City, La.

Visitation: 9:30 a.m. until time of service, Saturday, August 5, 2023 Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Dr., Bossier City, La.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Linda Marie Rounds

Sept. 9, 1961 – July 24, 2023

Bossier City, La.

Memorial service: 5 until 7 p.m., Friday, August 4, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City.

Private family graveside service, Rose-Neath Cemetery, Swan Lake Road, Saturday, August 5, 2023

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.)

---