The Mt. Lebanon Historical Society invites you to join us on Saturday, November 4, 2023 for the Mt. Lebanon Fall Festival.Activities are from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., and include a silent auction, a cakewalk with DJ John Cole, cake auction with homemade cakes and a quilt raffle. The raffle features a beautiful Harvest Spice quilt, hand-made and donated by Emma Kidd. Quilt raffle tickets are $1 each, and the drawing will be at 3 p.m. You do not need to be present to win.
Tickets can be purchased from Gibsland Grill, Gibsland Bank in Gibsland, Melinda Kidd at State Farm Insurance in Arcadia, any board member, or on site the day of the festival. The Country Store will serve lunch from 11 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. Menu:gourmet hot dogs with all trimmings, chips, desserts, and a drink (tea, soft drink, or water). Make plans to attend! If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to our museum. This is a fun day, and an important fundraiser for our museum.
BARBERINO-TAVERNELLE, TUSCANY— I first came to this part of the world in 2011 on a three-week stopover with my wife and kids during a six-month family jaunt through Europe. What struck me within the first few days I arrived in Tuscany was that it felt a lot like the American South.
It’s not a hard conclusion to reach. It’s an agrarian society, but instead of soybeans and cotton, they grow grapes and olives. One is as likely to get stuck behind a tractor on the tight roads of the Via Roma as to lag behind a slow moving combine on US 49 in the Mississippi Delta. The difference, of course, is that the Via Roma is a 2,000+ year-old road. It’s the road that Michelangelo used to travel from Rome to Florence. It’s so old that when Jesus was walking in Jerusalem, someone was walking on the Via Roma, the road that bisects my Tuscan homebase of Barberino-Tavernelle.
The people here are friendly. There is no sign of European haughtiness with the Tuscans. There is a certain uneasiness Americans experience in French restaurants and shops. A lot that is brought on by Americans. But not always.
When in France I’ve found if one says “bonjour” in a friendly manner, and at least tries to communicate in their language, most French people will respond with a degree of politeness. Most, but not all. Many Tuscans seem embarrassed— and are often apologetic— if they can’t speak English well (a majority can). But it’s their country and their language, they have no reason to apologize.
Another reason Tuscany struck me as the South’s counterkin cousin is that they are so welcoming and hospitable. Mississippi is known as the “Hospitality State” of America because its people are so warm and inviting. Possibly not the case for our entire history, but in this columnist’s opinion, it’s most certainly the case today. Tuscany welcomed me with open arms the minute I set foot in this area. These days I feel like an adopted son of Tuscany.
The Tuscan people are family oriented. It matters here. As with many Asian cultures, they take care of their elders. They value and prioritize family just as we do.
Tuscans love to share a meal with friends and family. Meals in this part of the world can drag on longer than a Friday lunch at Galitoire’s. They’re rarely in a hurry.
Lately, I’ve been spending approximately 10 weeks a year here. I host groups of 25 Americans for weeklong deep dives into local Tuscan culture. As a part-timer, I feel as if I have assimilated into this culture. If I totaled up the time I have spent in this area over the past 12 years— from that initial visit, to vacationing with friends and family, to my work hosting Americans— I’ve probably spent close to 18 months here in total. I’ve made friends. True friends. Lifelong friends. People say, “Buongiorno, Robert,” when I walk into a store or restaurant. They smile. They’re always smiling over here. I only wish my Italian was half as good as their English.
My grandparents lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan during the entire decade of the 1960s. My mother, brother, and I visited several times. As a six-year-old I can remember being puzzled after saying, “Hi,” to random people on the streets and not having it reciprocated. That’s not a dig against New York. I love that city. People are too busy, and the place is too crowded to spend time reciprocating pleasantries to a first grader on Park and 77th. But I’ll bet any Tuscan, on any day, would respond with a smile and a “Ciao,” to a six-year old who spoke to them on the streets of Florence. I know Mississippians— even on their worst day— would respond to a child’s greeting.
Though what I am feeling grateful for today are the friendships I’ve made over here. In the first few years I came here, I never gave it much thought. I was in town unintentionally assimilating into the culture. A few years ago, it hit me. I have made several solid and meaningful relationships here. I feel as close to many of these people as I do to my friends back home.
Last year Dario Cecchini told a group of my guests, “Robert St. John is a spiritual; member of our family.” I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anything on this continent that has made me happier— or prouder— than that. Last week, Paolo Cresti, owner of Caffe Degli Amici, the local restaurant I frequent the most, told my guests, “Robert is a part of our family.” I feel as if he meant it. I certainly feel that way about him. These people make me feel like a true Tuscan son.
In the fall of 2021, after cancelling the fourth tour group over here due to Covid, my wife and I hopped on a jet and flew over anyway. I wanted to let the people I work with over here, and my friends, know that we were coming back with more Americans as soon as we could.
On that original trip I turned 50-years-old here. In 2021 I celebrated my 60th birthday in the same villa I celebrated the 50th. The difference is on that second celebration it was filled with friends I have made over here. Annagloria and Enzo were there. They were the first people I met here. Our go-to tour guide and part-time co-host Marina was there with her boyfriend, Marco. Our friend Jesse— also a fellow tour guide for Spain, Sicily, and others— took the train up from Rome. Our friends Barbara and Alberto drove down from Milan. Toby and Susan from my favorite bakery in town came and brought the birthday cake. Marco and Cristina from the sheep farm just down the road brought a huge wheel of pecorino. Massimo and Cecilia two local restaurateurs who also host my pasta-making classes were there. Our Florence tour guides Ricardo and Cynthia left the city and drove out into the Tuscan countryside for the night. And Nadia and Rosanna, two of the finest Italian home cooks I know, prepared dinner. Annagloria and Enzo’s daughters, Gemma and Bianca served the meal. After dinner Annagloria and Marina arranged for ex-pat Brit, and former MTV Europe VJ, Rick Hutton and his band to perform for the group. It was a very special evening.
Our tours resumed in the spring of ‘22 with five groups and we’ve been working here spring and fall ever since. There seems to be no end to people wanting to join me overseas. For that I am grateful. Our recent trips to Sicily, England/Scotland, and Spain sold out in under 15 minutes. I’d love to sit here— let my ego do the typing— and take credit for the popularity of these tours I host. But I’m afraid it’s the locals who make the experience memorable and keep people returning on subsequent trips to new locales.
In Tuscany one can’t discount the familiarity southerners feel when they encounter the local citizenry. Good food, good times, and good people are always a winning combination whether one is in the Deep South of America or the Olive groves of Tuscany.
Onward.
Bucatini al Amatriciana
This classic Italian dish comes from the town of Amatrice in the Lazio Region— which includes Rome— and Pecorino romano is the cheese that is used in this dish. Period. They are serious about that. It’s not Amatriciana with any other cheese.
1 lb. Dry bucatini pasta 1 gallon Water ¼ cup Kosher salt 2 TB Extra virgin olive oil ¼ lb. Guanciale (cured pork cheek) or pancetta, medium diced 2 cups San Marzano tomatoes, canned, crushed ¾ cups Yellow onion, small diced 1 TB Garlic, minced ½ tsp Crushed red pepper Grated Pecorino Romano as needed
Cook the bucatini following the directions on the package.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta, stirring frequently so as not to burn, until cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and continue until the onions are soft, not browned, about 5 minutes. Add marinara and crushed red pepper and stir until sauce is hot. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the hot bucatini pasta and combine thoroughly.
Divide among six serving bowls. Finish each with the grated cheese as needed.
(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
American Journalist Christopher Hitchens once said, “Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where it should, I think, in most cases, remain.” Abraham had published several books, but when he got to his seventh novel, most people thought it should have remained inside his own mind and not in print.
Abraham was the manager of the Lyceum theater in London’s West End. As manager, Abraham held a position of prestige, but his salary as manager did not necessarily reflect his position. To supplement his income, Abraham wrote reviews of plays and books. He also published poetry, stories which were serialized in newspapers, and novels. He had no aspirations to become famous, he wrote whatever he thought would sell well. Most of his published works were in the romance genre. His seventh novel, however, was something altogether different.
Despite many popular reviews, Abraham’s seventh novel was not the runaway success that he had hoped for. He had spent years researching the book and had handwritten over 100 pages of notes on the project, but it sold poorly compared to some of his other published works. When he died on April 20, 1912, he had made little income from his seventh novel, and it was no longer in print. When newspapers in Europe published the news of his passing, the articles listed several of his popular novels but his seventh novel was rarely included among them.
In 1927, Abraham’s seventh novel was used as the basis of a stage play which was better received than the novel had been. Based on the play’s success, Universal Pictures purchased the rights to the book for $40,000. Adjusted for inflation, $40,000 in 1930 would be almost $750,000 in today’s money. Abraham’s widow, Florence Balcombe, made much more money from the seventh novel than her late husband had. Universal Pictures took a giant risk with the film. Production costs totaled nearly $400,000. The film based on Abraham’s seventh novel was released on February 12, 1931. Universal Pictures executives were relieved when, unlike the novel, the film became a hit. Domestically, it earned more than $700,000, almost double its production cost. The film added a new character into worldwide popular culture which is instantly recognizable. The film also spawned new interest in Abraham’s seventh novel. Since the film’s release, Abraham’s book has never been out of print, and it has become one of the most famous works of English Literature. Abraham’s novel has been adapted for film more than 30 times so far, and his characters have appeared in all forms of media. Abraham could never have imagined how popular his creation would become.
We almost knew the title of Abraham’s seventh novel by a completely different name. Just before the novel went to the publishers for printing, Abraham made a last-minute decision and changed the title of the novel from “The Un-Dead.” You and I know Abraham “Bram” Stoker’s seventh, almost-forgotten, novel as “Dracula.”
7 p.m. Halloween Movie Nights. Lake Bistineau State Park. Family friendly movies. Bring a chair or blanket. Park admission is $3 per person, 3 and under, 62 and older, free.
Oct. 26
4:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Mack Memorial Library, Springhill, La.
5:30 until 8 p.m. Wiggin’ Out, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street. Home Federal Bank matches 10 percent of sales.
Oct. 27
4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church, 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring a photo ID and proof of residence.
4:45 p.m. National Night Out/Meet the Panthers event located in downtown Doyline. On top of celebrating National Night Out, Meet the Panthers is also held annually. It recognizes student athletes and hamburger plates are sold to raise funds for letterman jackets. At this event around 4:30 or 5 the sports teams will be announced.
Oct. 28
6 until 9 p.m. Minden Rec Annual Fall Festival.
6 p.m. Pretties & Pajamas, Women Helping Others (W.H.O.) fundraising event. Bingo, dinner, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes. Tickets $50 individual, $400 reserved table of 8. For more information, visit whoofnorthwebster.org.
Oct. 29
3 until 5 p.m. Fall Festival. North Acres Baptist Church and Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Rd., Minden, Trunk or Treat, fun games, a bounce house, Cotton Candy, popcorn, and Sno-cones. Public is invited to attend.
Oct. 30
5 until 7 p.m. Glenbrook Fall Fest
5:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Minden Branch, Webster Parish Libraries.
Oct. 31
5 until 7 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat Fest, Beech Springhill’s Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy, 80, Minden. Games, trunks, free food, gallons and face paint. Special presentation at 6 p.m. by Luke the Gold Retriever.
Nov. 2
10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2023. Minden Civic Center. Sponsored by Chamber, Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Louisiana Workforce Commission. Open to the public.
Nov. 3-4
Main to Main, Vendors that wish to set up on City of Minden property can register online at https://www.mindenla.org/mainstreet-page/ There is a $10 fee for setting up downtown.
Nov. 4
9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Hunt for W.H.O. Big Doe contest, 390 Johnny Mouser Rd., Shongaloo. Registration ends at 10 p.m. Nov. 3. Benefits Joey Gore who was injured in a traumatic car accident in 2003. Gore is dependent on a wheelchair and his chair accessible vehicle is in desperate need of repair, now. He has not been able to visit a doctor in-person since before Covid.There is a $50 entry fee, cash prizes. Fish dinner $15/plate. For more information, call 318-455-7578 or 318-578-1288. Also message Facebook page.
10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Baby Bazaar Craft/Bake Sale. First Baptist Church gym, Minden. Blessing families that are adopting/fostering children. Handmade crafts, silent auction, bake/casserole sale, hot dog or jambalaya lunch. All proceeds go to the children. For more information, contact Martha Tucker @ 318-207-1079 or Tammy Burton @ 318-469-8742.
Nov. 11
8 a.m. VFW Post 2885 and Auxiliary will be having a Buddy Poppy drive and bake sale at Walmart beginning at 8 a.m. until all sold. The money raised at this event will go to help veterans in the area.
First, I would like to preface this article by saying please don’t judge me for how this article is written. I’m only trying to show the verbal nature of a particular co-angler I fished with a couple of years ago and that I do not condone the language she used.
In a recent American Bass Anglers (ABA) regular season two-day championship on Lake Sam Rayburn. What made this event unique was the fact that it was the final event in which ABA allowed co-anglers. Let’s define what the term co-angler means. This is an angler who fishes out of the back of the boat and is not allowed to fish off the front deck because it is strictly for the boater/pro. The co-angler is only fishing against other co-angers while the boater/pro is fishing against other boater/pros.
Over the years, I’ve had some co-anglers who were great anglers and I’ve had a few who had no clue what they were doing. Some get in the boat looking to learn while others are there to get your fishing locations so they can come back later and fish everything you showed them. This is a major no-no in the tournament fishing world and there are even rules in place to discourage co-anglers from such behavior. No co-angler is supposed to share the information they learned while fishing with the boater/pro. But there are no rules in place for language.
In one particular event, I had a co-angler, who we shall call “Karen,” who threw me for a loop and tested my patience. Not because she talked too much, but rather how she talked. Over the years, I’ve only had a female co-angler maybe twice. But for this event, Karen would be my co-angler and would be one I’ll never forget.
On the Friday evening before an event, the ABA tournament director sends out who your partner will be the day of the tournament via a text message, along with their contact information so you can call them and make arrangements on where to meet on tournament morning. My very first conversation with Karen was one to remember. As I made the call to introduce myself, her response was, “Mr. Steve, how the F*** are you?” Well rather than continue to go over every conversation we had for our two days together, I’ll cut to the chase. Turns out, she was not able to complete a sentence without an “F” bomb or two thrown in to make her point clearer.
Understand, I grew up in locker rooms and understand foul language. For some, it’s just how they were raised and that’s the only language they know. Hoping Karen would take a hint, I tried to steer the conversation by asking her what church she went to? Even though I already knew the answer, I was hoping it would bring light that I’m a Christian and attend church on a regular basis. Now I’m not a saint and have my own issues from time to time with a damn or hell occasionally, but she took foul language to a whole other level. It was by mid-morning on tournament day that I said to myself, “I wish she would shut up!”
Being paired up with someone like this makes for a long day on the water. It’s a true test of one’s patience as she continued with her obscene language all day long. To make this day even worse, we had a late weigh-in time of 4:00 rather than 3:00. So, the joy for me was knowing I had an EXTRA hour of “F” bombs! But it all came together when she told me how she was raised. Now off the top of my head, I was thinking she came from an abusive home life with maybe an alcoholic parent or maybe she spent time as a child in a juvenile detention center. No. Turns out that she grew up on a bull riding ranch in Texas. Ha! Now it all came together; she was raised by cowboys!
Rodeo cowboys are a species unto themselves and have their own language limitations. If you ever watched the hit TV series, “Yellowstone,” you’ll understand how cowboys communicate. There’s a reason someone wrote the song “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” Look, I realize it takes all kinds to make up this world, and I’m not one to judge, even though I do.
To wrap up my day with the queen of obscene language, Miss Foul Mouth ended with these comments as she decided that her fishing day was over. As she sat down in the passenger seat on my boat, she made this profound statement, ”Mr. Steve, I’m done and let me tell ya what I need right now. I need an F***ing cigarette, an F***ing beer and a F***”ng toilet, and not necessarily in that order!” I was now beyond the shock value of Karen’s statements but could not wait to get her out of my boat. Rather than make an issue out of what her most recent demands were, while shaking my head, I just decided to say, “Me too!” I pulled the trolling motor up and cranked my engine to head back for the weigh-in. This was something I’d never done before…come in from an event 30 minutes early.
Over the years, I’ve had some long days on the water, but none longer than this one. It just goes to show, you never know who or what kind of person you’re going to get in a Pro/Am tournament. You just hope and pray that Karen is not your partner for the day. Till next time good luck and good fishing! Please make sure to check out our Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Facebook page for all kinds of tips and tricks to help make you a better angler. Go to hutdshow.com to learn more!
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.
Oct. 23
Justin Slade Billups, 22, of the 1300 block of Dorcheat Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for criminal damage to property.
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.
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 no charge.)
Authorities from multiple jurisdictions are reportedly searching a heavily wooded area in Claiborne Parish, looking for individuals who led officers on a high speed chase that began in Bienville Parish and ended when the suspects’ vehicle was found abandoned on Clear Creek Rd. off U.S. Hwy. 79 south of Homer.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said parish deputies joined Bienville Parish units around 2:55 a.m. Sunday in a pursuit that began on Interstate 20 and wound through streets of Minden before heading northeast on U.S. 79 into Claiborne Parish.
“The vehicle exited I-20 onto U.S. 80 and headed toward Minden at speeds of up to 105 miles per hour,” Parker said. “We joined the pursuit when the vehicle crossed into Webster and they took us through the city pretty quickly before heading out the Homer Road.”
Parker said the chase again reached speeds in excess of 100 miles-per-hour entering Claiborne Parish before officers lost sight of the vehicle. Officers found the abandoned vehicle just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday while searching area roads, but no suspects were located.
“They’re getting dogs from Wade to help search for the suspects,” Parker said.
Enjoy the photos and videos from Thursday’s inaugural Witches Ride. Streets were lined with community residents from the young to the young at heart. Afterward, the celebration continued at Miller Quarters Park which will be one of the recipients of ticket sales for the ride and after-party. Watch Webster Parish Journal for the amount collected and the lucky recipients of the donations.
Pearl Street in downtown Minden was an active place Saturday due to weddings, parties and an Octoberfest. Games, food and a Cornhole Tournament were just part of the fun until 11 p.m.
Edward Wayne Booth, age 75, of Sibley, LA. passed away on October 13, 2023, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Wayne was a graduate of Sibley High School where he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He attended LA Tech University and LA Baptist Christian College where he also played baseball and earned a BA in Education. He served in active military duty in the Air Force from 1968-1972 as SSgt. in Laos and Udorn, Thailand. After returning home, he worked for Haynes International, and retired after 30 years, as Director of Human Resources.
As an avid outdoors man, he loved to hunt and fish, spending most of his free time outdoors. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Minden where he served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and security detail.
Mr. Booth was preceded in death by: his father, Jack E. Booth; sister-in-law, Regina Booth; and brother-in-law, Walter Hays. His memory will be cherished by: his wife of 56 years, Charlotte P. Booth; only daughter, Kimberly B. Stephens and husband Heath; grand-children and great grandchildren: Whitney Phillips and husband Bo, children – Emmi Blake and Case Michael, Tyler Perryman and wife Alora, Paige Lott, Sawyer Stephens and fiancé’ Tyler Furqueron, Gunner Stephens, wife Kaylie and son Witten, and Piper Stephens; his mother, Bobbie D. Booth; brothers, Robert, Larry, and Danny Booth; sister, Susan Noonan and husband Frank; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Services to celebrate his life will begin with a Visitation between 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at First Baptist Church Minden, 301 Pennsylvania Ave, Minden, LA, with Brother Leland Crawford presiding.
In lieu of flowers, please donate, in Mr. Booth’s honor, to First Baptist Church Minden – Building Fund, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
A local man has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle his wife with a young child nearby.
Jesse Ruybal, 35, of the 100 block of Kirby Place, is charged with domestic abuse battery with strangulation and child endangerment.
Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said his officers, Sgt. Anthony Miller, Sgt. Shawn Griffith and Ofc. Logan Clingan responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Kirby Place address around 9:45 p.m. Sunday.
“Sgt. Miller said he responded first and determined Jesse Ruybal had grabbed his wife around the throat and squeezed until she lost her breath and began choking,” McIver said. “The sergeant observed scratch marks on both sides of her neck.”
The couple’s one-year-old daughter was reportedly in another room of the residence at the time.
Ruybal was arrested and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
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.
When you turn on the evening news or sit through a city council meeting you get a stark reminder of how much in common Washington DC & Springhill Louisiana have.Both institutions have serious issues with transparency, spending, accountability, and consider themselves less than a step below our creator.This is not our grandparent’s town or country anymore.
Our focus is primarily on money or financial issues these days.People are a foregone conclusion. This was recently displayed right here in our little town.A page out of the DC swamp’s playbook has been used on the people of this town.Every year this page is played.Y’all know the one….” The State of Louisiana is coming to take us over!”“If the state comes in, we could be out of a job!”Interesting thing is even with a new council, your playbook never changes…we need more revenue, and you do nothing about your spending problem.You don’t do your job very well.Might be time to think about retirement or unemployment.
I can do nothing about the inept city government of Springhill.Y’all voted these folks in. I can however, shed a little light on how this will affect our seniors and homeowners in Springhill.
The average Senior/homeowner living within the town of Springhill is mandated to pay for water/sewer/garbage and is living on $600-1,200 per month.Many of the seniors here in Springhill were International Paper workers during the city’s booming times.They bought a home, raised a family, and retired right here.In 2019, the first year of our current mayor’s first term, water rates went up almost 67%. Within the first year of the mayor’s second term, they are set to go up an additional 28%.These numbers do not look like much to the shell game masters at City Hall but, to the elderly, it’s the end amount or total bill that keeps them up at night worrying if they are going to be able to stay in their homes.
Our seniors will tighten their belts because this is how they were raised. What will they sacrifice to stay in their homes?Food? Medicine? Car insurance?The base rate and all the other charges on their new monthly bill, for now 1,000 gallons instead of 2,000 gallons of water is now $75.66. Who uses just 1,000 gallons when the average is 3,000/month?In 2014 those same residents were paying $56.50 for up to 3,000 gallons.Factoring in Social Security’s minimal pay increases and rising Medicare costs for health insurance, seniors are not enjoying the golden years here in the “town” of Springhill.It isn’t just about losing their home.It’s about their very survival.These are folks have worked for everything they have, and it is deeply ingrained in them to pay their way.It’s about independence, living up to their responsibilities, and not being a burden on their families.With a yea or a nay, ALL the citizens in this community are being forced to pay our way out of extremely irresponsible decisions by City Hall.
While seniors and homeowners in Springhill are tightening their belts, City Hall is contemplating how they will spend their newfound revenue granted to them from City Council and spend they will.You see, our present mayor, got away with claiming the first jump in water rates in 2019 was not his fault.City Hall got that revenue and what did they do with it? City Hall didn’t improve water quality, pay down water debt or address crumbling infrastructure. What they did was blow it on personal whims for employees and blame it on Covid. Not this time Mr. Mayor, you own this one.Between writing off unpaid debt, purchasing frivolous items from an account in the red, and no plan for maintaining the city’s infrastructure to the cost of almost what the water department is in the red at ($300k) how will you justify next years rate increases?It will not be the 2%, that is the minimum raise, it will be much more because you fail to admit your administration has a spending problem.It will naturally be higher because we are bleeding people. That translates into less people to sustain your spending addiction within the water department, and you need more from whomever is left.
Mr. Mayor, your tenure as a “banking” man taught you how to spend other people’s money quite well.Your scare tactics do not hold water for anyone in this town except for those wishing to keep their city job. There are folks who want this town to go back to what it was in the 70’s, the heart of the boom where we had at least three times the population and revenue was a plenty.The “salt of the earth” people of this town, are being told sit down, shut up, and pay your bill or you will be finding other living accommodations.Springhill has lost their city status, and we are now a town with approximately 4K people.Roughly half of that 4K are paying water customers today.Seniors/homeowners are the target here to dig City Hall out yet again for their uncontrolled and irresponsible spending habits.
The link is now live for this week’s Football Pick’em Contest, sponsored by Under Dawg’s Sports Grill and Yocom Law Firm.
Every week, local high school football games, four college teams and four pro teams will be on the ballot, which will include tie-breakers based on total points of two selected teams will be posted on the Webster Parish Journal. And just like the Journal, there’s no cost to enter.
Each weekly winner over the life of the contest will be on the receiving end of $100 and will have their photo taken at our title sponsor Under Dawgs Sports Grill, the gathering place featuring a home-field atmosphere.
Anyone 18 and older is eligible to participate. All it takes is an email address and a combination of skill and a little luck.
The contest opens on Tuesdays and remains open until 4 p.m. each Friday before the listed games (unless there are Thursday games). Weekly winners will be notified and announced in Webster Parish Journal the following week.
We celebrated my mom’s 63rd “YPPAYH YRITDBHA” with this Sugar Cookie Golden Oreo Funfetti Cake.Packed full of so many good things it was sure to be a crowd pleaser! (Candles and spelling brought to you by my 4 year old).
Layer with store bought sugar cookie dough, Golden Oreos and finish with Funfetti cake and frosting.You can easily adapt this to any holiday or theme!
Ingredients:
2 packages pre-portioned sugar cookie dough, room temperature
Golden Oreos
Funfetti cake mix (plus ingredients called for on box)
Funfetti frosting
Sprinkles
Directions
Preheat oven to temperature called for on box. Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Press both packages of cookie dough onto the bottom of the pan evenly to make a crust. Layer Golden Oreos on top with as many as will fit. Mix cake mix according to package directions and pour batter over the Oreos. Bake until done. Cool. Frost and sprinkle.
(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)
The Minden Lions Club appreciates James Thurman serving as our guest speaker during last week’s club meeting.
Glenbrook School athletic director, Apaches defensive coordinator, unofficial weather man, bail bondsman, golf cart maniac, family man … James wears a lot of hats! But today he focused his presentation on Glenbrook. James touted its athletic program, increasing enrollment (more than 400 students), and growing facilities. Thanks, James (and Lindsay!), for being with us.
James was introduced by Lion Dr. Ray Spurlock (seated at right).
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.
7 p.m. Halloween Movie Nights. Lake Bistineau State Park. Family friendly movies. Bring a chair or blanket. Park admission is $3 per person, 3 and under, 62 and older, free.
Oct. 24
6:30 p.m. 15 Under 40 Awards Gala, Minden Civic Center.
Oct. 26
4:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Mack Memorial Library, Springhill, La.
5:30 until 8 p.m. Wiggin’ Out, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street. Home Federal Bank matches 10 percent of sales.
Oct. 27
4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church, 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring a photo ID and proof of residence.
4:45 p.m. National Night Out/Meet the Panthers event located in downtown Doyline. On top of celebrating National Night Out, Meet the Panthers is also held annually. It recognizes student athletes and hamburger plates are sold to raise funds for letterman jackets. At this event around 4:30 or 5 the sports teams will be announced.
Oct. 28
6 until 9 p.m. Minden Rec Annual Fall Festival.
6 p.m. Pretties & Pajamas, Women Helping Others (W.H.O.) fundraising event. Bingo, dinner, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes. Tickets $50 individual, $400 reserved table of 8. For more information, visit whoofnorthwebster.org.
Oct. 29
3 until 5 p.m. Fall Festival. North Acres Baptist Church and Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Rd., Minden, Trunk or Treat, fun games, a bounce house, Cotton Candy, popcorn, and Sno-cones. Public is invited to attend.
Oct. 30
5 until 7 p.m. Glenbrook Fall Fest
5:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Minden Branch, Webster Parish Libraries.
Oct. 31
5 until 7 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat Fest, Beech Springhill’s Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy, 80, Minden. Games, trunks, free food, gallons and face paint. Special presentation at 6 p.m. by Luke the Gold Retriever.
Nov. 2
10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2023. Minden Civic Center. Sponsored by Chamber, Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Louisiana Workforce Commission. Open to the public.
Nov. 3-4
Main to Main, Vendors that wish to set up on City of Minden property can register online at https://www.mindenla.org/mainstreet-page/ There is a $10 fee for setting up downtown.
Nov. 4
10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Baby Bazaar Craft/Bake Sale. First Baptist Church gym, Minden. Blessing families that are adopting/fostering children. Handmade crafts, silent auction, bake/casserole sale, hot dog or jambalaya lunch. All proceeds go to the children. For more information, contact Martha Tucker @ 318-207-1079 or Tammy Burton @ 318-469-8742.
Nov. 11
8 a.m. VFW Post 2885 and Auxiliary will be having a Buddy Poppy drive and bake sale at Walmart beginning at 8 a.m. until all sold. The money raised at this event will go to help veterans in the area.
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.
Oct. 20
Eric McClean Gullett, 49, of the 200 block of Ellis Dr., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for telephone communications.
Risha R. Dossett, 52, of the 1600 block of Traffic St., Bossier City, was arrested on warrants in Webster Parish for dogs at large and simple cruelty to animals.
Hayden Gregory Williams, 25, of the 100 block of Trails End Drive, was arrested by WPSO on four counts of simple burglary (breaking into vehicles) on Warren Trail.
CJ Marry, 29, of the 3200 block of Walnut Rd., Sarepta, was arrested by MPD on an active bench warrant.
Oct. 21
Treasure Tamo Striplin, 30, of the 100 block of Grant Circle, Doyline, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant out of Bossier Parish.
Oct. 22
Michael Ray Waddell, 51, of the 300 block of SE 2nd Ave., Sibley, was arrested by LSP-G for driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, texting while driving and careless operation of a motor vehicle.
Tiffany M. Wright, 28, of Natchitoches, was arrested by WPSO on an active bench warrant.
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.
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 no charge.)
The sun set low on Apache Stadium Friday night as the crowd gathered and the golf carts piled in under the live oaks. Friday was senior night as the Apaches honor this great group of seniors as they retired the Lions of Plain Dealing early by a score of 70-20.
The Senior Apache Football Squad:
#11 Garrett Brown, #66 Spencer Brantley, #62 Joshua Chandler, #61 Dustin Clanton, #69 Mason Farnell, #15 Ben Herron, #21 Nick Kilgore, #57 Jackson Lott, #2 Landry Powell, #1 Chase Sentell.
This group of young men are the epitome of what it means to “lead by example” not just for their younger classmen, but all the way down to the elementary Apaches as well. They are a special group that has challenged for a state title every year in two sports as they were a part of leading Glenbrook into a new era in the LHSAA.
In warm-ups the team looked sharp running routes and Junior starting QB, Easton Sanders was dropping dimes. But with 2nd string QB, Ryan Reagan out from injury, the back up to the 2nd string QB, dropping dimes on the right side of the field would’ve made college scouts eyes pop…but I think he’s aged out by a few years. I’m not sure what would’ve given it away, the khaki long britches, the beard, or the Jordan’s…but Coach O had dimes raining from the sky to the Apache receivers. Age apparently knew no bounds for the coaches deep ball….. Now, on to some football!!
Opening kick-off to the Lions, Landry Powell de-cleated the return man for the Lions and forced a fumble. The Apaches recovered on the 15-yard line. The senior special set showed Landry Powell at QB and Chase Sentell in the back field. On the second play from scrimmage, “The Streak” Sentell took it 15 yards for the first of many Apache Touchdowns. Powell connected with the big TE Garrett Brown on the 2-pt conversion. The Apaches got out to an early lead, 8-0 with 11:37 left in first.
The Apache defense trotted out to the 27-yard line after senior, Ben Herron made a great tackle on the kick return. The Lions came out running the ball but sure tackling lead by senior, Jackson Lott and Jackson Waller forced a punt by the Lions.
The Apache offense took over after the punt. Easton Sanders connected to Powell on a 5 and out that let the massive Powell show us his dance moves and he pushed the ball an extra 40-yards down the field for an Apache first down. Powell caught another bullet from Sanders as the special Lion talent, #9 made a TD saving tackle that setup Big G, Brown that carried the ball up the middle. 1st and goal from the 3, and Sanders found Seth Mangrum on a slant route in the end zone for another Apache touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Apaches led 14-0 with 8:17 left in the first.
The Apache defensemen Cade Vining and Big D and I don’t mean Dallas, Daivari Jackson quickly put the Lions behind the sticks and the defense forced another punt.
The Apache offense took over on the Lion 43. The first play from scrimmage Easton Sanders found Chase Sentell streaking, as it were, down the sideline for a 43 yard bomb of a touchdown, the second of the night for Sentell and Sanders. Apaches led the Lions 20-0 with 5:35 left in the 1st quarter.
Apache lineman Big D Jackson put the Lions quickly behind the sticks but the Lions star player #9 took a toss sweep around the corner for a gain of 12 before Powell made the stop but not before a first down was converted for the Lions. But the Apache defense stiffened up as Nick Kilgore blasted thru the gap and made a tackle for loss that brought up a 3rd and long. The big Swiss Army Knife, Brown did what he does best, wreaked havoc and force another Lion punt.
The Apaches took over on the 40-yard line and the first play from scrimmage Sentell blasted through a hole the offensive line made that was big enough Moses could’ve led the Israelites through, and Sentell went untouched 60-yards for the Apache touchdown, his 3rd of the night (but don’t stop counting there). The Apaches stretched the lead, 28-0 with 2:15 left in the first.
The big defensive lineman #56 Jonathon Bryant smothered the QB for a huge tackle for a loss. The Lions ran a beautifully executed deep ball that gave them a huge gain and a first down to the Apache 31-yard line. The defense stood strong, forced a fumble and backed the Lions up even further with Johnathon Bryant gobbling up the Lion QB for another sack in the same series.
The Apaches took over on downs. The first play from scrimmage again showcased Sentell with his “run from the cops speed” around the right side, 62 yards for his 4th touchdown of the night. Powell smashed the 2-pt conversion down the Lions throat to push the Apache lead to 36-0 with 10:15 left in the second quarter.
The Apache underclassman defense got their time to shine. The extremely fast #9 moved the chains for the Lions but not before Drew Blackwelder laid a big hit on him, and Drew backed it up with a big tackle-for-loss on the ensuing play after taking a great angle on the Lion RB. The senior Josh Chandler got a big push as he tackled the RB in the backfield. But the Lions gained momentum as they scampered for 10-yards that moved the chains with goal to go. The blazing #9 for the Lions took a sweep around the left side for Lion touchdown. The 2-pt conversion failed but the Apaches held on to the big lead 36-6 with 3:43 left in second.
The Apache offensive set came out to Coach Reagan Smith’s words echoing through Apache stadium…”HEAVY..HEAVY” as the Apaches looked to continue their dominance on the ground. The formidable Powell took the handoff, made 2 men miss and blasted down the field 55-yards for another Apache touchdown. Apaches 43-6 with 3:33 left in first half.
The Apache underclassman continued to get great on-field experience as they kicked it deep to #9 for the Lions and he made a few men miss and showcased his raw talent as he took it to the house for another score. The Apache still held on to a big lead, 43-12, but not to be outdone, The Streak Sentell caught the ensuing kick-off and forevermore housed it. From 80-yards out Sentell made dash to the field house for another Apache touchdown. That made touchdown numero ocho for Sentell on the night. Apaches led 49-12 with 2:50 left in first half. Sentell had dazzling first half stats of 3 rushes for 137 yards-3 TD’s, 1 reception of 43-yards and a touchdown , capped off with a kick return of 80-yards and a touchdown. 5-TDs in the FIRST HALF!!
The Apaches’ defense came out roaring with Sr- Spencer Brantley blowing up the backfield that put the Lions quickly behind the sticks. Mason Farnell read a reverse perfectly and made another tackle for a loss that forced another Lion punt. After a Lion miscue the Apaches took over on the 8-yard line of the Lions.
Powell quickly blew through the line for another Apaches touchdown. Sanders nearly kicked it over the field house on the extra point that moved the score to a brisk 55-12 lead at the half.
At halftime the senior night festivities didn’t stop. The beautiful and entertaining Senior Sundancers and Cheerleaders showcased their skills, wooing the Apache faithful!
Senior Sundancers:
Captain-Maddy Whitehead, Co-Captain-Gracie Williams, Allie King, Olivia Downer, and Sophie Spillers.
The Lions kicked to the Apaches to start the second half. The Apaches took over on the Lion 47 with #7 Seth Mangrum running behind a host of blockers for a gain of 22. On the ensuing play, the senior Nick Kilgore got his shot a glory with a touchdown run of 20-yards to stretch the Apache led 63-12 with a running clock in the second half.
The seniors came out for seemingly their last defensive stand before the underclassman get to put in work for the rest of the night. Powell made his presence known with a tackle in the backfield, backed up by a huge tackle for loss made by Brown. Brantley continued his spectacular senior night with, yet another pulverizing sack of the Lion QB that forced a Lion punt.
Waller ran out at the helm for the Apache offense and handed it off to #20 Conner Williams that showcased his BLAZING speed as he reached pay dirt with a 47-yard Apache touchdown. The scored widened with a running clock, 70-12.
The Lions’ extremely talented RB, #9 took another handoff down the right side, broke tackles and made an amazing run of 70-yards for another Lion TD. Lions tighten the Apache lead, 70-20. The Apache underclassman continued their much needed playing experience behind great offensive line play and Connor Williams toting the rock. Waller moved the chains as he called his own number for a gain of 12. Sanders tried a 43-yard field goal, had the leg but missed just wide right. The clock continued to run late in the 4th quarter with the Apache youngsters needing their uniforms washed after lengthy playing time from the night as they closed the game out with another big Apache win over the Plain Dealing Lions, 70-20.
The Apaches moved to 7-1 with that big win. Let’s get live and loud for our Apache Tribe as we look to make war against the Homer Pelicans in a very important district game at 7pm next Friday night! What a great night for our Apache Seniors! Forever Apaches!
Minden’s Crimson Tide ran into a buzzsaw on the west side of Shreveport Friday, dropping a 56-0 decision to the Evangel Christian Academy Eagles in a District 1-4A game.
Things went bad for the Tide from the get-go when ECA’s Tyreek Robinson hauled in a 63-yard scoring toss from quarterback Peyton Fulghum on the game’s first play, a score that opened the flood gates for an Eagles’ 35-point first quarter.
After the Tide stopped an ECA scoring march with a fumble recovery at its five-yard line, Robinson took off on a 47-yard scoring run on the second play following Minden’s punt. Leading 14-0 with just under six minutes remaining, ECA put three more scores on the board on a nine-yard run from Josh Isaac, a 25-yard interception return and a 44-yard scoring toss from Fulgham to his brother, Parker.
Minden’s best scoring opportunity of the night came early in the second quarter. After a fourth-down Fulghum pass fell incomplete at the Tide 39, quarterback Hudson Brown hit Cameron Mitchell with a 48-yard pass to set the Tide up at theECA 11-yard line. But Eagles lightening struck two plays later when Kennedy Calhoun stepped in front of a Tide receiver for an interception and scampered 95 yards to pay dirt and a 42-0 lead.
With a big lead and a running clock, ECA showed no merciful intentions, attempting an unsuccessful on-side kick following the score. But the Tide fumbled one play after recovering the kick and an ECA defender scooped and scored from 43 yards out for a 49-0 lead. ECA tried another onside kick following that score, but an offsides penalty killed that play and ended the half.
A 13-yard Fulghum-to-Fulghum scoring pass, this one in the third quarter, was the game’s final tally.
While the ECA defense put three scores on the board, the offense was piling up 278 yards on just 30 plays. Peyton Fulghum ended the contest with 10 completions on 12 attempts worth 183 yards and three touchdowns. Brother Parker Fulghum had five catches for 86 yards and caught two scoring passes. Robinson had a big night, rushing five times for 72 yards and a touchdown while hauling in four passes for 80 yards and a score.
Minden’s Brown finished the evening with nine completions on 27 attempts for 105 yards, but had three interceptions. Cameron Mitchell led receivers with 57 yards on two catches while Maurice Rabb caught three for 16 yards. Jackson Smith had a pair of catches for 11 yards and Jakobe Jackson caught one for 19.
On the ground, Calen Aubrey had 46 yards on eight tries, Dunovan Robinson gained 14 yards on 12 carries and Jackson carried three times for five yards.
With the loss, the Tide falls to 1-7 for the season; 1-4 in conference play. Next on the Tide schedule is a road trip to Shreveport next Friday to take on the Washington Lions in another district contest.ECA now stands at 5-3 for the year; 4-1 in 1-4A.
Loyola College Prep scored most of their points in the second quarter, leading to a final score of 52 to 0 over Lakeside Warriors Friday.
The Flyers scored 7 in the first, third and fourth quarters and 31 points in the second. The first was a rushing touchdown with PAT. Rushing touchdowns and punt return scores were the name of the game for the Flyers until the third quarter when they completed an 18-yard pass for a touchdown.
A few minutes later, Lakeside fumbled and Loyola recovered. At the end of the third quarter, the score was LCP 45, Lakeside 0. The final fourth quarter score was another rushing TD and with 10 minutes to go, Lakeside couldn’t punch it in.
Next week the Warriors play Calvary Baptist in a district game at home in Sibley.
