It was the heart of baseball’s dog days, mid-August 1995, summertime in the bottom of the seventh, when broadcaster Bob Costas in his eulogy for New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle, gone at only 63, reminded us of something said by baseball’s first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, way, way back in a time very different than today:

“Every boy builds a shrine to some baseball hero, and before that shrine, a candle always burns.”

When you’re a boy and you choose a baseball hero and light a candle, it pays to choose wisely. I did. My guy was Brooks Robinson.

As Mickey Mantle, a hero so grand and flawed he bordered on myth to boys of the 1950s, was leaving the game, Brooks Robinson was just settling in at third base for the Baltimore Orioles and I was settling in to boyhood. Brooks was from Arkansas and my baseball-loving granddaddy was from Louisiana. The Braves had just arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee, but the Orioles were the closest established big-league team to my Carolina hometown and Brooks had been picking it for the O’s since I was born.

So Brooks Robinson was my guy.

And when he passed away three weeks ago in late September at 86, just days before the Orioles won their 100^th game of the 2023 season, a lot of guys my age took a double knee and more than a moment of silence for the joy he gave us, for the dreams he inspired in us kids wearing Husky jeans and pedaling to the ballparks and the chain-link-fenced outfields of our youth.

Sure, he was good at baseball. Best defensive third baseman ever. The Human Vacuum Cleaner. Hit it to Brooks and you were out.

MVP in 1964. World Series MVP in 1970. An All-Star 18 times. A Gold Glover for 16 straight seasons. Two times a World Champion. For 23 seasons, a Baltimore Oriole.

Often in my head and for no reason, the tape will play and he’s robbing the Cincinnati Reds of extra bases, time and again, in the 1970 World Series on the black-and-white Sylvania in our little den in South Carolina. How in the world … ?

I’m not sure boys my age wanted to be Brooks Robinson like guys 10 years older than me wanted to be Mickey Mantle. The Mick was movie-star good-looking and played center field and was in New York City and slugged like a house afire. Brooks Robinson wore a goofy batting helmet with a too-short bill and was constantly in the middle of an electrical storm at third base in blue-collar Baltimore and had some great offensive seasons but was, for two decades, steady as the sun rising.

We didn’t really want to be him. But we sure wanted to be like him. He was dependable. Kind. Approachable. And really good at what he did. Unassuming. He was Mr. Oriole.

I have never asked for an autograph from a big-league player. I have autographed baseballs from Little Leaguers and their parents and some friends, and treasure those and the memories behind them. But I do have two Brooks Robinson autographed baseballs, each a gift. They are in the shrine I still have today. There’s my Brooks Robinson poster, a Boys’ Life magazine with him on the cover, a 5×7 framed head shot, a few action figures, a bobblehead Oriole … it just makes me feel good to know it’s there.

I never met him and never tried. Just knowing he was there was enough.

It hurt me that he died, but especially that he died on the eve of the postseason, Baltimore’s first October appearance in a couple of decades. I didn’t understand it. But the Orioles were swept last week, so maybe it’s best that he wasn’t here to see it.

But it sure is comforting to know he was here, and to know what he meant to so many, and to know that he’ll remain a cool and refreshing memory, just like the autumn wind at the end of a long season, when the leaves turn Baltimore Oriole orange and the weathered tan of a baseball glove.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

---

Congratulations, Marcus Harmon, our Week 7 winner of Webster Parish Journal’s Football Pick’em Contest.

We will be contacting Mr. Harmon today to set up a photo awarding him $100 in cash from title sponsors Under Dawgs. 

Celebrity stats:

Pat Culverhouse  9 of 12

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker 8 of 12

Sibley Mayor Jimmy Williams  6 of 12

Minden Mayor Nick Cox 6 of 12

 Minden Police Chief Jared McIver 6 of 12

Signing up for the contest only takes a couple of minutes. Log on to https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163 and follow the instructions.

Entries will remain open until 4 p.m. each Friday before the listed games.

---

It’s funny how at different ages I have assumed I had life completely figured out.

When I was 19 no one could tell me anything. I thought I knew it all. The truth is I was clueless and wandering aimlessly down a dangerous path. By 21 I was clean and sober and starting a life of recovery, re-enrolling in college, and living with tunnel vision as I had one singular goal in life— to open and operate my own restaurant.

In my mid thirties my career was in full swing as I opened more restaurants, I was young and cocky and believed that I had the restaurant business down pat. During that period, I probably looked back on my early twenties and realized that I had been clueless about so much I thought I had figured out. I was confident that I had this life thing solved in my thirties. Nope.

My daughter was born when I was 36 and my son when I was 40. My values and priorities changed instantly, and I’m certain that I assumed I had it all figured out by then. Wrong.

As my kids were growing, I prioritized family over work and knew that was the correct thing to do. After a few years of fatherhood, I discovered that I didn’t have the whole parenthood thing solved, either. Despite my best efforts and dedication to being a dad, I was still learning at every stage of parenthood.

After 25 years in the restaurant business, I was still learning about that industry, too. I opened more restaurants, closed a few— some because I had to and some because I wanted to. There was never a bankruptcy, though I’ve been on the verge a couple of times over the years. It’s a brutal business. But I never walked away from a closed business owing anyone money, no matter how much or how long it took to pay them back, and I have never missed a payroll. For that I patted myself on the back, arrogantly assuming that I finally had it all figured out. I was mistaken.

Luckily, successes came more often than failures and other business opportunities arose— books, television, more restaurants, newspaper columns, other writings, etc. I was still learning every step of the way, but mostly what I learned is that I didn’t have it all figured out yet.

At every stage of my life, I’ve felt confident that I knew the reasons why I was put on this earth. And at every stage I learned that I still didn’t know what I thought I knew.

I love owning restaurants. I used to believe it was what I was meant to do. Though in the past decade, I have come to believe that I fell in love with the restaurant business so it would lead me to what I am truly SUPPOSED to do— Serve others.

I know that statement sounds pious and self-aggrandizing. Trust me, it wasn’t easy to type. But it’s how I truly feel and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Somewhere along the way this selfish, self-centered, egotistical, and narcissistic restaurateur/columnist did a 180 and began prioritizing serving the community as much as serving guests. These days I gain joy out of being a very small cog in a machine that serves others.

One of those ways is through the non-profit Extra Table. There are others, but what I am most proud of at this moment is the New South Restaurant Group Community Council.

The New South Restaurant Group Community Council was formed several years ago when I brought together an all-volunteer collection of team members from all our restaurants. They became the hands and feet of our service efforts in the community. Each NSRG restaurant concept has representatives that serve on an informal board and make decisions on how best— and where— to serve our community, and specifically our neighborhood of Midtown Hattiesburg.

We chose Thames Elementary School as our adopted neighborhood school and pledged to Thames’ administrators and teachers that we would help them fulfill their mission of teaching and supporting their school children. Thames is a 100% free breakfast and free lunch school. There are several students who attend Thames who are homeless. They needed help and we were happy to step up to the plate.

Over the years our team members have volunteered to read in classrooms, tutored students, helped the school with their community garden, collected money for new uniforms for students who couldn’t afford them, fed the teachers on the first and last days of school, collected Christmas toys for the kids (many of whom weren’t going to receive anything for Christmas), fed the kids at Ed’s Burger Joint when they have made exceptional grades, and various other things the school requested.

In 2018 Thames Elementary was a D-rated school by the Mississippi Board of Education. Today Thames is an A-rated school. The school administrators, staff, and teachers accomplished that impressive and important task, but our team members were there to help them along the way.

Last week, a few of our community council members volunteered at Thames Elementary’s Goal Party. They stood in for student’s parents who couldn’t— or didn’t— show up. That is what has me so proud to be a business owner today. It wasn’t me. I was working overseas. It was our team members and I am as proud of them as I am my own children.

As an owner of restaurants, I’ve come to believe that it is our duty— not only to take care of our guests, but— to take care of our community and those who need our help the most. What if every business in Mississippi figured out a way to become the hands and feet of the community’s needs?

I spent a majority of my first five decades as a self-seeking, self-centered, consumer and collector of material and monetary things. It’s where I thought my joy lived. I didn’t go into business to serve others. As a 26-year old I just wanted to own my own restaurant and make money.

At 62-years old, and after 43 years in the restaurant business, my gut tells me that I finally have it all figured out. Though life experience tells me that I’m still learning. I’m learning about life. I’m learning about business. And I’m still learning about parenting and other relationships. But maybe what I finally have realized is that serving others is a huge part of this life thing.

I also realize that five or ten years from now I am probably going to look back at this period of my life, and maybe even re-read this column, and realize: Once again, Robert, you thought you had it figured out, but you didn’t. Maybe that’s what life is about— continuing to figure it out along the way. Maybe I’ll never have all the answers, but it doesn’t mean I can’t stop searching.

Onward.

Potato Soup

1 /2 lb Bacon, diced

1 Tbl Butter

1 cup Onion, small dice

1 /2 cup Celery, small dice

1 /2 cup Carrot, small dice

2 tsp Garlic, minced

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Black pepper, fresh ground

2 lbs Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 /2-inch cubes

1 1 /2 quarts Chicken broth

1 /2 cup Butter

3 /4 cup Flour

3 cups Heavy whipping cream

1 cup Sour cream

1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded

1 tsp Hot Sauce

1 /2 cup Green onion, freshly chopped

Place bacon and butter in a six-quart stockpot over medium heat and cook bacon until golden brown. Drain fat and add vegetables, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for four to five minutes. Add potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a slow simmer.  Cook until potatoes become tender, about 15 minutes. In a separate skillet, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux. Cook until the roux is light blond and gently whisk roux into soup mixture. Try to be careful not to break up the potatoes. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer once more. Remove from heat and serve. Yield: one gallon.

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

---

When our country was still in its infancy, in the 1790s, John Chapman began an apprenticeship in Ohio as an orchardist, a grower of fruit trees.  John was born in 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts.  He was the second of three children.  John’s mother died in 1778 shortly after giving birth to John’s younger brother.  Two years later, John’s father remarried and had several more children.  Little more is known about John until he was an adult, and even then, the details are sketchy.  

During his apprenticeship, John learned to grow and care for a wide variety of fruit trees, but he preferred apple trees.  Once his apprenticeship was complete, John set up his own apple tree nursery.  He planted a large tract of land in apple trees, all from seeds, and built a fence around the plot to protect the seedlings from wildlife.  Once the trees were established, John turned the nursery over to a neighbor.  The neighbor watched over the nursery, sold the young trees, and he and John divided the money.  Most of the trees were sold to settlers as they arrived in the area.  The neighbor saved John’s portion for his eventual return.       

John moved on, sometimes to another state, to start another apple tree nursery.  He usually moved west to stay just ahead of the arriving settlers.  Again, once the trees were established, he turned the nursery over to a neighbor.  He repeated the process over and over.  By the end of his life, John owned or had long-term leases on about 1200 acres of land in Ohio and Indiana.  John planted orchards in Ohio, Indiana, and several other states.  It is impossible to know just how many apple trees John planted in his lifetime. 

When heading to a new area to set up a new orchard, John often visited his sister, Elizabeth, who lived in Savannah, Ohio.  Based on newspaper and magazine articles written about him during his lifetime, John became wealthy from selling young apple trees, yet he almost always traveled on foot so as not to misuse or abuse horses or other animals.  Always preferring to travel light and practical, John wore a hat made of metal, probably tin, and liked to walk barefooted to feel the earth on his feet. The metal hat kept his head dry during rainstorms, and he used the hat to fetch drinking water and to cook food over an open fire.  While visiting his sister, John refused to sleep in her or anyone else’s home.  John usually slept on the floor of a small outbuilding at a nearby farm owned by a Mr. Harvey.  On one such trek to his sister’s, John showed his gratitude to Mr. Harvey by establishing an apple orchard on his farm. 

Most of the trees that John planted died many decades ago.  If you visit a certain picturesque 19th century farmhouse just outside of Savannah, Ohio, you can see an ancient tree which is little more than a large stump with sparse and random sprouts. This tree, on what was the Harvey farm, is believed to be the last surviving apple tree planted by John, a Males Pumila. 

The ancient apple tree on the old Harvey farm is just one reminder of John’s love and appreciation of apple trees.  70-year-old John Chapman died in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1845 after contracting pneumonia.  Following his death, one newspaper reported, “This man had imbibed so remarkable a passion for the rearing and cultivation of apple trees from the seed, and pursued it with so much zeal and perseverance, as to cause him to be regarded by the few settlers, just then beginning to make their appearance in the country, with a degree of almost superstitious admiration.”  Although the exact location of John’s final resting place has been debated for decades, many historians believe his grave is located on a small hill in a park in Fort Wayne which bears his nickname.  It is known as Johnny Appleseed Park.

Sources:

1.       The Wilkes-Barre Advocate, June 3, 1846, p.1.

2.     “The Man – the Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum.” Accessed October 15, 2023. https://johnnyappleseedmuseum.org/the-man/.

3.     “Chapman’s Last Stand.” n.d. Johnny Appleseed Organic. Accessed October 15, 2023. https://www.johnnyappleseed.com/blog/chapmans-last-stand#:~:text=The%20Last%20Living%20Tree%20Planted%20by%20Johnny%20Appleseed&text=Situated%20on%20a%20lonesome%20county.

---

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

Every Saturday in October

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. 19

4 until 6 p.m. Witches’ Ride in downtown Minden. Tickets can be purchased online at the following link https://linktr.ee/witchesrideminden or in person at Red Blooms, Say Baby or Simply Chic in Bossier.  They are $45 per ticket. All money raised from ticket sales will benefit Miller Quarters Park, which will serve as the ride’s starting and ending point and will be the site for the block party set to follow the ride. A portion of money raised will also be donated to a non-profit organization called We’re Here, We Care. 

5:30 p.m. Men of Courage, Minden Civic Center.

Oct. 19-21

10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Each Day. Louisiana Jet Rally Airshow. Minden Airport.

Oct. 21

9 a.m. Reunion of former students, teachers and workers of Sarepta High School. Sarepta Community Center. Lunch at noon. Reserve meal by Oct. 19. $17 per person. Call 318-847-4270 or 318-578-3053.

10 a.m. until noon Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports registration. DISCIPLINES OFFERED – BB, Shotgun, Archery, .22 Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Hunting Skills. SIGN UP PROCEDURE – A 4-H’er must turn in BOTH a general 4-H enrollment form AND the outdoor skills registration worksheet as well as pay both parish/school dues and outdoor skills project club fees.

Participants can register at the Extension office at 1202 Homer Road in Minden or attend visit the 4-H Shooting Sports Practice Range on Landfill Road. Fees are due at time of registration and are as follows: $15 for the first discipline plus $5 for every additional discipline. For more information contact the Extension Office at (318) 371-1371.

5 until 11 p.m. Oktober Fall Fest on Pearl Street. Live music, corn hole, costume contest, charity raffle. Free entry.

6 p.m. Monster-Mash BINGO Event. $25 admission for 10 games. Costume Contest, silent auction, raffles. Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill. Proceeds go to LaMa Animal Rescue.

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

4:30 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. This year is extra special as the Doyline Fire Department (Webster Parish Fire District 3)  will be recognizing 2 volunteer firefighters with Life Saver awards from a baby’s near drowning experience that occurred in June.

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. 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.  

---

In the movie Forest Gump, he talks about how life is like a box of chocolates. Well bass fishing is very much the same. In every tackle box there are a plethora of baits to choose from. So how does an angler know what to choose?  There are so many factors that go into selecting the right bait. One is the time of year, which has the most influence on what you should be throwing most of the time. But there are exceptions and sometimes the fish will bite anything you’re throwing. In fishing, timing is everything and what to throw and when to throw a particular bait is what makes fishing so difficult.

Just like the box of chocolates, soft plastic fishing worms come in a variety of colors. Now I’ve never been able to figure out how fishing worms got certain names, but the color wheel for soft plastic worms in the fishing industry is weird. Here are some examples: Redbug, Plum Apple, Gleason Candy (one of my favorites), Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Watermelon Red, Hematoma, and Sprayed Grass to name few.  

I remember as a kid finding my dad’s old tackle box which truly was a box of chocolates. He had baits that I had never seen before or even knew how to use. Even though it was a tangled mess inside this tackle box, I separated out the baits that I wanted to try. For some reason this got me excited, and I could not wait to take them to one of our stock ponds and give them a try. 

While I wish I could say that I caught a boat full of fish on these old lures, truth be known, most got hung up and never made it back to the tackle box they came from. Dad never really asked about any of these old lures, but I’m pretty sure he knew why they were missing. 

One thing I have learned over my many years of tournament angling is that there is usually more than one way to catch bass. For proof of this, all you need to do is look at the final results of what the top 10 anglers used to catch their fish for a particular event. Bassmaster magazine does a great job of summarizing each event and will give you the secrets of the top 10 anglers and how they caught their fish.

It always amazes me at how many different techniques and baits are used by the higher placing anglers. It can be as many as ten different baits by the top 10 guys. You would think that most of these anglers were probably doing pretty much the same thing, but very seldom is that the case.

While everybody has their favorite chocolate, anglers have their favorite baits as well as a favorite color they like to throw.  Most will fish with the baits they have the most confidence in and over the years, there’s one particular bait that has put money in my pocket and has played a big role in my tournament success…. a Black Emerald  Zoom Trickworm. There is nothing exciting or special about a Trickworm, but this particular worm and color has long been a go to lure for me. It’s basically a six inch straight tail worm with very little built in action. But when paired with a 3/16 tungsten weight and a 2/0 hook, it WILL catch fish! 

The color Black Emerald is best described as a black worm with green metal flake with a few sprinkles of red metal flake mixed in. Another worm that I really like in this same color is the Zoom 10.5-inch Ol’ Monster. I discovered the color Black Emerald while fishing as a co-angler on the FLW tour back in 2004. I found out that no matter where the tournament went from Florida to the Carolinas and back to Toledo Bend, this color would catch fish. I think part of its success is the fact that not many anglers throw that color, and the fish don’t see it very much. 

So, there you have it. Fishing truly is like a box of chocolates; you never know what or how you’re going to catch fish. 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!

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.

Oct. 16

Chauncey Grant, 27, of the 700 block of Plum St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for failure to appear warrant for aggravated flight.

Oct. 17

Brittania Bailey, 30, of the 1100 block of Shreveport Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for failure to appear warrant for child support.

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.

---

Ava Nell McWhorter

Feb. 14, 1930 – Oct. 14, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, Antioch Cemetery, Dixie Inn.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Antioch Baptist Church, Dixie Inn.

Burial: 1 p.m. Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Lisbon, La.

Terry Stephens

April 12, 1958 – Oct. 13, 2023

Taylor, Ark./Springhill, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Robbie Christine Baylis

July 14, 1955 – Sept. 22, 2023

Ringgold/Minden

Graveside service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, Providence Cemetery.

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.)

---

By Bonnie Culverhouse

In an effort to keep Minden Police officers on the streets, the local department has purchased 38 laptops – one for each officer.

“They are programmed and each officer is going to get one,” said Chief Jared McIver. “It’s going to allow our officers to stay out in their patrol areas instead of having to come to the office and do all their reports there. It’s more time in the field.”

For some time, City of Minden has been looking at a Baton Rouge-based company, Kologik to supply and load software for the laptops, called Toughbooks.

“They can also function as a notebooks,” said the chief. “It’s a touchscreen but it also detaches and acts as a camera. Then it automatically uploads and synchs with their report and goes into the Cloud and the kologik/evidence.com program that we are on.”

McIver said Kologik spent a week training the officers on the program. Within the next two weeks, all officers will be equipped.

Cost of the laptops was between $15-$16,000, said the chief. Money to cover them came from the Safety Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).

---

By Bonnie Culverhouse

(Editor’s note: All results from Saturday’s election are unofficial at this time.)

In a Saturday election that should have been filled with general election runoffs, there are surprisingly few that will be on the November 18 ballot.

All that is required to be elected is 50 percent plus one (vote). Statewide, Republican Jeff Landry beat 14 other candidates for governor with 52 percent of the vote. The closest candidate was Democrat Shawn D. Wilson with 26 percent. In Webster Parish, Landry was the top vote-getter with 61 percent.

Republican Billy Nungessor returns as Lt. Governor with 66 percent of the vote statewide and 64 percent In Webster Parish.

There will be runoffs between Secretary of State candidates Gwen Collins-Greenup and Nancy Landry who each acquired 19 percent of the vote. Green is a democrat, while Landry is a republican, Attorney General Liz Baker Murrill (republican) with 45 percent of the vote and Democrat Lindsey Cheek with 23 percent and Treasurer candidates Republican John Fleming and Democrat Dustin Granger. Fleming had 44 percent of the statewide vote, while Granger garnered 32 percent.  

In multi-parish elections for state senate, incumbent Alan Seabaugh held his seat over fellow Republican Mike McConathy with 54 percent of the vote, Stewart Cathey will represent 33rd Senatorial District with 53 percent of the vote and Adam Bass is the new 36th District Senator with 62 percent of the vote over incumbent Robert Mills.

In Webster Parish results, Webster Parish Police Jury District 3, incumbent Daniel G. Thomas, a republican, won handily over Democrat Patricia A. McMurray with 71 percent of the vote.

In District 5, Republican Mike Griffith will retain the seat he was appointed following the death of Bernard Hudson. Griffith had three democrat opponents but won with 66 percent of the vote.

WPPJ District 5, the seat vacated by Nick Cox when he was elected Minden Mayor, will be held by Independent Nancy Hines who won over Democrat Winky Newer with 61 percent of the vote. Although, Cox’s wife was appointed to fill his position, Hines makes history as the first caucasian female to be elected to the jury in Webster Parish. Cox did not seek election.

Democrat Latanya Grigsby will hold the District 10 seat, beating Republican Darrelll Morris with 67 percent of the vote. That seat is currently held by Jurywoman Vera Davison who did not seek re-election.

Town of Cullen has a new alderperson. Lacandy Gipson, democrat, won with 53 percent of the vote over Terry Lewis (no party).

All four Constitutional Amendments passed.

Unofficial election turnout was around 34 percent of registered voters.

---

By Paige Nash

It was an emotional night for all in attendance at the annual Seed’s Banquet held last Thursday evening, October 12.  

Executive Director of Seed’s Women’s Center Amber Bradford announced that the center has grown by 87 percent over the last 12 months. They have served 335 clients, administered 214 pregnancy tests, 308 ultrasounds, 7 women have chosen adoption, and 97 women are currently enrolled in parenting classes.  

She credited God’s plan for where the center is today. 

Seventeen years ago, Bradford herself was a client when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant with her daughter. 

“He knew I was going to be here at this moment, in this time and He knew I would be the Director of an amazing Seed’s Women’s Center,” said Bradford. “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God? He knows every person that comes through our center and is not sure what is going to happen and how they are going to get through the next nine months.” 

This year was the first that the center has branched out and held an 11-week Navigating Fatherhood Class. “Over those 11 weeks, they went from not just a couple of dads, but to friends and now a brotherhood,” said Bradford. “They rely on each other. They are actually really good friends that call onto each other and do Bible study together.” 

Seed’s is planning to have another fatherhood class in the coming year.  

Keynote speaker for the night Brandi Geiger shared her adoption story and there was hardly a dry eye out of over 300 in attendance. A story of rape, fear, adoption, God’s timing and victory left quite the impression and laid the foundation for the remarkable impact a center like Seed’s can have on the community and the mothers, fathers, children and grandparents who are a part of it.   

Geiger shared that she was raped by a former boyfriend which resulted in a pregnancy. Her mother initially brought her to a Planned Parenthood clinic but decided not to follow through with the abortion. Her mother was supportive of her decision and later her decision to place her baby up for adoption.  

16 years after Geiger placed her daughter, Kelsey, for adoption, she went on to move and later discovered that her daughter’s adoptive mother, Donna, taught in the same school district. She was able to eventually get in contact with Donna who graciously allowed Geiger to attend events and see her daughter from afar.  

“Kelsey had always said that one day she wanted to meet me, but she wanted to wait until she was 18. When I contacted Donna, Kelsey was a junior,” said Geiger. “One day she turned 18, her senior year, and her mom set up a meeting with us exactly a month later.” 

Kelsey is now 30 and has a close relationship with her biological mother and her family.  

“We have a wonderful relationship now. She is a wonderful, godly woman,” said Geiger. “I understand many adoption stories do not turn out the same as this. I understand that other people have different experiences, but just remember we live in a fallen world. What man means for evil; God can change for good.” 

The purpose of the banquet was not only to celebrate the amazing progress the center has made over the last year, but also to raise funds in hopes of moving to a bigger location soon. A larger building would provide opportunities to better serve families in the community and surrounding areas. 

For those who were unable to attend, you can still donate by PayPal: @seedswc or on our website www.seedswomenscenter.com .

---

By Paige Nash

Makers, bakers and lemonade shakers gathered at the Farm of Cultural Crossroads Saturday afternoon, October 14.  

“Saturday was probably the prettiest day we have ever experienced during Makers. The weather was perfect, and the eclipse was an added bonus,” said Elaine Eaton, President of the Board of Directors of Cultural Crossroads of Minden and Event Founder/Coordinator for the Minden Makers Fair. “There was a steady stream of attendees from 11 a.m. up until 4 p.m. We had several attendees drive from Arkansas. The last attendee I talked to arrived at 3 and was from El Dorado.” 

There were free events for everyone to enjoy such as taste testing, balloon animals, face painting, mask making and henna tattoos. Other vendors filled the location selling anything from candles, baked goods, woodworks, wreaths and everything else in between.  

Live demonstrations were a sight to see with glass blowing by Ivy Woods, a pottery wheel by Mandi Ebard and Jiu Jitsu/Kickboxing with Minden Jiu-Jitsu. Make and Take art was provided by the Webster Parish Libraries and a free test tasting was held by the LSU AgCenter. 

The purpose of this event is to “unite all people through the arts” and the money raised from this event will do just that. 

“What isn’t used for paying artisans, purchasing supplies, etc. is used towards operating costs of The Farm of Cultural Crossroads,” said Eaton. “This year we did not have an Event Sponsor, so our budget was cut by $1,500 but we still made it work. It is a priority for me to be able to pay our artists. Often artists are asked to donate their time and supplies and that is not fair to them as they deserve compensation for their effort just like anyone else does for their work.” 

Cultural Crossroads is run completely by volunteers and none of the volunteer staff is paid for their time, including Eaton.  

The next Makers Fair will be held next fall 2024. 

Eaton said, “I use the Old Farmer’s Almanac to choose our date and it has never rained using this method.” 

Eaton would like to thank Tammy Eaton for coordinating with the Youth Challenge Program who prepared the grounds for the event, Tyrone Grider who provided lawn care needs, Webster Parish Tourism for the $2,000 advertising grant and this year’s sponsors; Mike’s Hometown Spirits, B1 Bank, Home Federal Bank, Gibsland Bank & Trust, Speer Roofing, Minden Family Dental, Catherine Hunt Realtor and Brookshire’s Grocery.

---

By Bonnie Culverhouse

A second member of TTS (Trained to Step) gang has pled guilty to Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity.

Jacorian Taviccia Germany, 22, of Webster Parish, received 8 years at hard labor Friday, Oct. 13, in Judge Michael O. Craig’s courtroom, 26th Judicial District Court.

Germany was one of 26 gang members arrested and the second to plead guilty in what would have been a landmark trial under a new revised statute.

He is currently in jail for armed robbery in Bossier City.

---

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.

Signing up for the contest only takes a couple of minutes. Log on to https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163 and follow the instructions.

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 Wednesday.

---

The City of Minden is pleased to announce the completion of the repair work at the Gilark substation. We would like to inform residents that to finalize the project and remove the bypass jumpers, it will be necessary to conduct another planned power outage. This outage will impact the City of Minden for an estimated duration of up to 3 hours.

The removal of the bypass jumpers is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the substation, which directly affects the power supply to our community. This outage is scheduled to take place on at approximately 11 p.m. Thursday, October 19.

We understand the inconvenience that this temporary disruption may cause, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this essential maintenance work. We kindly request residents to make necessary arrangements to mitigate any adverse impact during the outage, such as making sure electronic devices are charged and planning activities that do not rely on electricity.

The City of Minden remains committed to providing reliable and efficient power services to its residents. We will work diligently to minimize the duration of the outage and restore power as quickly as possible.

For further updates or inquiries regarding the planned outage, please refer to our official communication channels or contact City Hall at 318-377-2144. 

-Mayor Nick Cox

---

My goodness, when your table is calling for something rich, hearty and CHEESY, make this!  I halved this recipe and it was plenty for my family of 5.  This is also a great make-ahead recipe to pop in the oven later.  You can make this as spicy or mild as you like.  I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Sprinkles of:  garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning & red pepper flakes
• 1 can Rotel, undrained
• Red bell pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Yellow onion
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 32 oz. Velveeta, cubed
• Rotini, cooked
• 32 ounces heavy cream
• Cajun seasoning
• Shredded Mexican cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a 9×13 greased baking dish place chicken thighs.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper.  Mix spices into the chicken by hand.  Bake for 45 minutes.

Dice peppers and onion.  Saute in the butter.  After veggies are soft add cubed Velveeta and heavy cream.  Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning.  Add Rotel.  

Remove chicken from oven and dice.  Add to cheese mixture and combine all.  

Pour cooked pasta into 9×13 dish.  Pour chicken mixture over.  Top with shredded cheese.  Sprinkle with more smoked paprika.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

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

---

United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: Canned fruit, green beans, corn, canned meats,

powdered milk, Ramen noodles, biscuit & cornbread mix

Clothing: Men’s shoes (9 and up), men’s socks and underwear

Household goods: towels, king and queen sheets

Toiletries: deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap

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.

---

For you [Israel] are a people holy to the Lord your God.  The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy 7:6).

I have been quite taken aback by what I have seen this week.  I think many of us have had difficulty processing it.  

The massacre at the music festival alone is sufficiently chilling and gut-wrenching.  It is estimated that a few thousand young people were observing the end of the Jewish holiday season at the Tribe of Nova music festival, which quickly became the location of the worst mass slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust. 

Some have reported seeing parachutes dropping from the sky while the parachutists were apparently filming the festival attendees on their phones.  Truckloads of armed men soon arrived, and the killing began as the panicked crowd attempted to escape.  “Those who tried to reach their cars to escape were slaughtered as the Hamas killers waited at the exits.  In one festival tent, bodies of the murdered lay piled together where they’d been shot en masse, like the scenes of Jews shot and dumped into ditches in World War II.”  (Wall Street Journal, Oct 10, 2023).

260 bodies have been found so far.  This is to say nothing of the raping and killing that has occurred elsewhere.

This hatred for the Jews is eternal.  Many of Israel’s Arab neighbors call for, in their nations’ founding charters, the literal annihilation of Israel.  I’m not suggesting the Palestinian issue is not complicated, it is.  I’m saying Israel is regularly attacked and when it responds—with Palestinian women and children intentionally and strategically placed to be killed during the response—Israel is accused of being a butcher. 

While this murderous brutality is evil it has a clear strategic purpose.  As the Wall Street Journal has stated:

“As this war escalates, it is important to understand that the savagery is essential to Hamas’s goals. Their wanton bloodlust is designed to work twice over. They murder, rape and mutilate Israelis, knowing that in its response Israel will wreak havoc on Palestinians.  Israel, unlike its enemies, will do what it can to avoid punishing the innocent.  But innocents will suffer, because Hamas has positioned them precisely for this purpose.  The terrorists’ objective is truly indiscriminate destruction.  For them a dead Jew is a bonus, but a dead Palestinian is a trophy they can parade before credulous Western media to convey some supposed moral equivalence between their depravity and the actions of a beleaguered nation seeking to preserve its very existence.” (G. Baker, WSJ, 10/o9/23).

Israel is a very small country (9.3 million) and is not going to be able to any longer risk danger from Hamas or other terror groups with Gaza and Palestine so close to it.  Over the decades, the Palestinians have had many opportunities to make peace, through Yassar Arafat and others, but don’t really seek it.   However, as Golda Meir has observed, “you cannot negotiate with someone who has come to kill you.”

I have heard calls for “peace in the Middle East” but what would that look like when your enemy despises—and wishes to end— your very existence.  As Benjamin Netanyahu has said “if Israel’s enemies laid down their weapons, there would be no more war.  If Israel laid down its weapons, there would be no more Israel. “

Why is this occurring now? 

It’s really a mystery why Hamas would do what it did last Saturday.  It must have known that sending terrorists to kill civilians would provoke complete and total destruction of the Gaza strip by Israel.  Perhaps Iran—upon whose funding Hamas relies—promised Hamas it would hit Jerusalem with a nuke.  Maybe Hamas thinks it can hide behind hostages or that forcing Israel into a 2 or 3 front war provides the best chance to destroy it.  Whatever the case, I think it miscalculated because even the doddering, feckless Biden would likely be willing to blast Gaza with the U.S Navy, to say nothing of the American war supplies we are already providing to Israel.

I see no outcome in which Israel is annihilated or Gaza comes out as anything but a pile of rubble—a parking lot.  Israel can simply no longer risk not having total control of this physical buffer zone area around its nation.  In the meantime, it needs our prayers.

(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.)

---

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

Every Saturday in October

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. 17

5:30 p.m. Women of Courage, Minden Civic Center.

6 until 8 p.m. National Night Out parties.

Oct. 19

4 until 6 p.m. Witches’ Ride in downtown Minden. Tickets can be purchased online at the following link https://linktr.ee/witchesrideminden or in person at Red Blooms, Say Baby or Simply Chic in Bossier.  They are $45 per ticket. All money raised from ticket sales will benefit Miller Quarters Park, which will serve as the ride’s starting and ending point and will be the site for the block party set to follow the ride. A portion of money raised will also be donated to a non-profit organization called We’re Here, We Care. 

5:30 p.m. Men of Courage, Minden Civic Center.

Oct. 21

10 a.m. until noon Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports registration. DISCIPLINES OFFERED – BB, Shotgun, Archery, .22 Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Hunting Skills. SIGN UP PROCEDURE – A 4-H’er must turn in BOTH a general 4-H enrollment form AND the outdoor skills registration worksheet as well as pay both parish/school dues and outdoor skills project club fees.

Participants can register at the Extension office at 1202 Homer Road in Minden or attend visit the 4-H Shooting Sports Practice Range on Landfill Road. Fees are due at time of registration and are as follows: $15 for the first discipline plus $5 for every additional discipline. For more information contact the Extension Office at (318) 371-1371.

6 p.m. Monster-Mash BINGO Event. $25 admission for 10 games. Costume Contest, silent auction, raffles. Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill. Proceeds go to LaMa Animal Rescue.

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.

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. 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. 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.

---

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. 11

Janera Jaegerman, 43, of the 600 block of Holly Ridge Rd., Haynesville, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant through Arkansas.

Marcus Trahom Stephens, 48, of the 500 block of Woodbine Dr., Shreveport, was arrested in Webster Parish by LSP-G for possession of a stolen firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, expired registration, white light exposed from rear and improper lane usage.

Oct. 12

Micky Malham, 52, of the 1600 block of Dorcheat Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and on a probation and parole warrant.

Bernard “Pooh Shine” Shine, 43, of the 600 block of W.R. Reeder St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, simple burglary and a probation and parole warrant.

Lavert Letrell Young, 29, of the 500 block of Central School Rd., Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO for operating a vehicle with a suspended license, operating a vehicle with expired license, speeding and driving under suspension.

Willie J. Hickingbottom, 60, of the 700 block of Lawrence St., Haughton, was arrested by WPSO for improper lane usage, no insurance, switched tags, possession of methamphetamine, failure to register and possession of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance.

Daniel J. Carpenter, 34, of the 100 block of Ashwood, Haughton, was arrested by Probation & Parole on a probation violation.

Oct. 13

Meiko L. Prevo, 44, of the 400 block of Walnut Rd., Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police for domestic abuse battery and second degree battery.

Oct. 14

Dontay Dewayne Casey, 25, of the 1900 block of Watters Dr., Haynesville, was arrested by Minden Police for illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

Ryan S. Beene, 31, of the 1500 block of Jessie St., Haynesville, was arrested by Minden Police for domestic abuse battery with strangulation.

Oct. 15

Jeffery Sumlin Jr., 27, of the 1700 block of Walnut St., Springhill, was arrested by MPD for illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

DeShawn Gipson, 33, of the 2300 block of Church St., Gibsland, La., was arrested by Minden Police for remains after being forbidden, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and simple theft.

Lauren Lenard, 34, of the 800 block of Fraizer, Sarepta, was arrested by Springhill Police for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and marijuana liquid.

Oct. 16

Kami Dodge, 33, of the 100 block of Wiley Rd., Gibsland, was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for probation revocation.

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.

---

Ava Nell McWhorter

Feb. 14, 1930 – Oct. 14, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, Antioch Cemetery, Dixie Inn.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Antioch Baptist Church, Dixie Inn.

Burial: 1 p.m. Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Lisbon, La.

Terry Stephens

April 12, 1958 – Oct. 13, 2023

Taylor, Ark./Springhill, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Robbie Christine Baylis

July 14, 1955 – Sept. 22, 2023

Ringgold/Minden

Graveside service: 11 .m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, Providence Cemetery.

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.)

---

By Travis Chapman

Another Friday night under the lights at the end of Country Club Circle brought another impressive win by the Apaches as they speared the Redskins of Ringgold by a massive score of 61-6. 

In a game that showcased their sheer dominance, the Glenbrook Apaches left no doubt about their superiority on the field. Right from the kickoff, they set the tone, pinning the Ringgold Redskins deep in their own territory.

The Apache defense wasted no time making their presence felt. A lightning-quick safety on the very first play set the tone for the rest of the game. The Redskins struggled to find their footing, and a 20+ yard run from the big Landry Powell paid off in a touchdown with the extra point successfully converted. The Apaches led 9-0. 

The Apaches’ defense forced a punt and showed promise, connecting on a 35-yard pass to Sentell, and it resulted in another Apache TD. Apaches stretched the lead to 16-0.

The Redskins had multiple delays in their execution and stifled any momentum. A swarm of Apache defenders smothered the Redskins’ QB, forced a fumble and the big 6’3’ Garrett Brown picked up the fumble and didn’t play. He took it to the house for another Apache touchdown. The extra point was converted. Apaches stretched the lead even further, 23-0. 

As the game progressed, the Apaches continued to dominate. Their defense was unrelenting, causing disruptions and capitalizing on the Redskins’ errors. An Apache interception led to yet another touchdown on the first play from scrimmage by way of bombing, from Sanders to Sentell for 30-yards, extending the lead for the Apaches. 

Special teams played a vital role, with Glenbrook’s kicks consistently pinning the Redskins in their own territory. The Apaches’ offense capitalized on the favorable field position, executing flawlessly.

In the second quarter, the Redskins managed to find some traction, converting a 3rd and long with a well-executed pass. However, the Apaches’ defense tightened up, preventing any further significant gains.

The Apaches marched down the length of the field on the back of Powell and Cade Vining. But the big man, Davairi Jackson punched it in for another Apache touchdown. It got hard to keep up at this point with the Apache offensive display. 

The Apaches closed out the first quarter with a commanding lead 44-0. 

The second quarter saw a continuation of their exceptional performance, with the defense maintaining its relentless pressure. Connor Bolton stripped the Redskins QB but the redskins fell on it still keeping it at a 3^rd and goal. The Redskins’ WR went up in the air and came down with a great jump ball for the first Redskins’ touchdown of the night. Extra point try was not successful. 

The very next Apache offensive possession, Sanders found Jackson Waller for yet another 30-yard touchdown pass. The Apache extra point was good and that closed out the first half with a score of 51-6 in big favor of the Apaches. The defense did its job and gave the ball back to the offense, but the Apaches stalled. Easton Sanders booted a 38-yard field goal to extend the lead at the end of 3^rd quarter, 54-6. 

Despite a brief glimmer of hope for the Redskins, the Apache underclassman, Darren Hollingsworth made a great play on the ball and jumped in front of the Redskins pass and made the interception. This play is sure to show great success in the coming years from Hollingsworth. 

The Apache underclassman continued to go to work, forced a fumble recovery but #20 for the Apaches took the ensuing handoff more than 30 yards to the house for the last score of the game. Apaches stretched the final score out, 61-6 over the Ringgold Redskins. 

In every facet of the game, the Glenbrook Apaches demonstrated their prowess, leaving no doubt about their standing as a force to be reckoned with in the world of football. Their precision, execution, and unyielding defense were the cornerstones of this resounding victory.

We look ahead to a great battle scheduled for next week in the rolling hills of Claiborne Parish as your Apache Tribe looks to make war against the Homer Pelicans at 7 p.m. Let’s show up and show out to cheer our Apaches on to another district win. 

Thanks to Rick Whitehead for taking notes on the game during my absence this week!!

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN APACHE!!!

---

North Webster and Carroll met head-on Friday night with a final score of North Webster 21, Carroll 13. Please watch Webster Parish Journal for the story.

---