By Marilyn Miller

School administrators. Elementary school teachers. Middle school teachers. Children’s counselors and therapists. Pastors. Church educators and Children’s Pastors. College professors.

Bosses and supervisors.

These are just a few of the leaders and professionals who will find value in attending “Third 

Culture Kids: An informative Seminar” on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. at the Minden Presbyterian Church on Broadway. (Use the parking lot entrance)

Of course, if you are a TCK, you should attend. Just who is a TCK??

“Third Culture Kids are identified by a childhood spent largely in a culture other than that of their parents. Some call themselves ‘military brats,’ but they might also be the children of business-people, missionaries, or diplomats,” said Rev. Keith Mariott, pastor of the Minden Presbyterian Church and a “TCK” himself.

“While this lifestyle can bring benefits like learning foreign languages and experiencing different ways of life, it can also adversely affect the health and wellbeing of TCKs, as they struggle with their sense of belonging in the world.”

Minden’s proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base and Louisiana’s reliance on the oil and gas industries have historically led to a large incidence of TCKs in area schools, churches and the workforce.

“This is the fastest growing demographic in the world and makes up 7-10 percent of the population of the United States,” pastor Mariott said. “If the question ‘Where are you 

from?’ is best answered with a paragraph – you might be a TCK.”

“’Third Culture Kid’ is a term used increasingly in the international community, but TCKs are not always children. TCKs are those who, as children, spent a good portion of their developmental years in a culture other than the ‘passport’ culture of their parents.”

“These are adults whose culture is neither that of their birthplace, nor of the ‘foreign’ lands in which they grew up,” Mariott continued. “They have formed a unique third culture that has no national or cultural boundaries. They fit in everywhere, and yet nowhere in particular.”

The April 11, 2024 seminar will focus on:

• Learning to identify the TCK in schools, colleges, businesses and churches;
• Acknowledging the unique nature of their culture;
• Identifying different behavioral patterns associated with TCKs;
• Identifying losses and wounds caused by a mobile childhood;
• Accepting that TCKs view the world through the lens of multi-cultures;
• The awareness that TCKs are chameleons, and experts at mirroring those around them, including their counselors, teachers or bosses;
• Recognizing the special gifts of a cross-cultural upbringing, and more.

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Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

Showers likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

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The original words and music of “Once Upon A Tree” by Pepper Choplin will immerse attendees in the passion and intensity of the events of Holy Week.

Please join First Methodist Church’s family at 7 p.m. Friday, March 29 at 903 Broadway, Minden for this Good Friday event.

As the character of Luke is deeply touched by the story he is recording, the choir and soloists assume his role in the drama. Starting with Palm Sunday, it eloquently moves through the major events up to Good Friday and finally Easter.

This is a story of LIFE that leads us through the range of human experience through the celebration of the triumphal entry, the struggle of Gethsemane, the tenderness of a mother’s grief, the anger in the face of injustice.

The story takes one to the depth of human suffering and then lifts one to the ultimate victory over death.

“Once Upon A Tree” is directed by Dr. Dan Gibbs and is offered by First Methodist Minden Chancel Choir with Chamber Orchestra. Soloists are Mickey Love, Pat Culverhouse and Melanie Comb with Judge Parker Self as Luke the Physician.

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Because we are in the middle of high school and college baseball season and because desperate times call for desperate measures, I am having to name myself Infield Fly Rule Sheriff for north Louisiana and maybe even for east Texas.

This is effective immediately. No time to waste …

The Infield Fly Rule can make you look crazier than a road lizard, more foolish than the guy who botched the one-car funeral procession. Not knowing this rule has caused more Walk of Shames than beer.

We’ve witnessed it mangled twice last week.

Once, a defender’s mistake cost his team a run. The other time, a baserunner ran his team out of an inning.

This happens more often than you’d think. And when it does, it looks like a prison break.

“An infield fly is a fair ball — not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt — which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out.”

Once the umpire declares “Infield Fly!” and/or points to the sky, the batter is out and all force plays are removed, regardless of whether the ball is caught.

This is to protect defenseless runners: an infielder in this situation could drop the ball on purpose and then turn an easy double play.

The rule sounds tricky but it’s not once you ponder it for a moment. And the moment to ponder is not when the Infield Fly Rule has been declared. It’s now, while no bullets are flying and all is quiet on the western front. 

So, the examples from last week:

Runners first and second, one out, fly to infield’s right side. Infield Fly is declared. Fielder misses the ball, and the runner on second, safe as grandma’s banana pudding secret recipe, semi-panics and takes off for third. The throw from the second baseman, who’s recovered the ball, is in plenty of time — BUT the third baseman doesn’t tag the runner. Steps on the bag thinking there was a force. But the force is off once Infield Fly is declared. The runner, who was surprised as anyone by his good fortune, then scored on a two-out base hit.

In the other example, runners were on first and second, one out, their team trailing by a run, eighth inning. Big Moment. Infield Fly is declared on a very high pop behind first; it hits the fielder’s glove and drops maybe three feet from him and — the runner on second bolted toward third as if propelled from a cannon. Easy throw to the third baseman, who makes the tag, end of that half inning and end of threat.

Makes your heart hurt.

So it is my suggestion that each team designate an Infield Fly Rule Captain. Or it could be Infield Fly Rule Sergeant-at-Arms or Infield Fly Rule Flavor of the Day/Ringmaster/Man About Town. Whatev. The point is, when the Infield Fly Rule is in effect as noted above, that appointed Infield Fly Rule Specialist is yelling to the baserunners, “HOLD YOUR BASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING DECENT AND GOOD, DO NOT MOVE!”

Whether the fielder catches the fly or not, you are safe. Batter up.

Now if you are a fielder — this will take some practice and communication and work and your coach will have to agree — you almost always “have” to let the ball drop. The batter will be out anyway, the runners probably won’t know the rule or will panic, and you can double one up. If the runners don’t move and the ball doesn’t drop and take a wild bounce, no problem. Ball back to pitcher. Batter up.

And if you forget all that, it’s OK. The important thing is that you find and read “Mitch and the Infield Fly Rule,” an essay by the master of the art, the late and great Mississippian Willie Morris.

In it, when Morris taught a class in the American Novel as writer-in-residence at Ole Miss in the 1980s, a “willowy, full-breasted blond Chi Omega” called Mitch, 21 and a straight-A student, “tall and slender and lithesome, wry and irreverent and whimsical,” stands in class one day, recites the Infield Fly Rule in its entirety and finishes by saying, to her wide-eyed classmates in the cataclysmic quietness of the large amphitheater classroom and with a throaty Bacall voice, “I always thought it a fine rule.”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Billie Nolan will be held Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10:00         a.m. at City On A Hill Pentecostal Church in Minden, Louisiana with Pastor Andy Wilson, Pastor Dee Anders, and Rev. Jimmy Buie officiating. Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bastrop, Louisiana under the direction of Rose Neath Funeral Home with Pastor Dwight Fulton officiating. 

Billie was born March 22, 1951, in Bastrop, Louisiana and entered into rest March 18, 2024, in Minden, Louisiana. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurel and Geneva Buffington, husband, Greg Nolan and grandchildren, Kyle and Jordan Buffington. 

She is survived by her son, Alfred Todd Buffington and wife Dr. Ashley Buffington of Minden; sister, Linda Gale Buie and husband Jimmy of Livingston, TX; grandchildren, Nathen Buffington (Amber), Tearien Mitchell (Erika), Darien Mitchell, Aaron Buffington, and Joseph Buffington; and great-grandchildren, Isabella Mitchell and Judah Buffington. 

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Buie, Jaime Buie, Aaron Buffington, Joseph Buffington, Nathen Buffington, and Tearien Mitchell. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Magaha, Jimmy Goleman, Gerald Martin, John Guthrie, and Mike Trammell. 

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Attention Minden residents!

I’m thrilled to announce that we’re bringing something brand new to our city this week: a spring carnival! I’m excited to invite you all to join in the fun and festivities happening right here in Minden at the Webster Parish Fairgrounds! 

This carnival isn’t just about enjoying rides and treats—it’s also an opportunity for us to give back to our community. Part of the proceeds will be dedicated to raising funds for the Minden Recreation Complex, through our new fundraising organization, the Minden Diamond Club.

Come out and support our community while having a blast with friends and family. See you there! 

– Mayor Nick Cox

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Dorcheat Bayou has overflowed its banks, thanks to a recent period of rainfall locally and in the northern areas of the waterway. Along Hwy. 80 west between Minden and Dixie Inn, water has risen in ditches and adjoining bodies of water, putting a couple of travel trailers and a vehicle in flooded areas.

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VALENCIA, SPAIN— It was a tight spot. Not in the figurative sense in which one is faced with a challenging situation that needs immediate attention. Though this was a very challenging situation that needed immediate action, but it was also a literal tight spot.

The word “literally” is thrown around by many these days, usually incorrectly, but a space to stand— or move— couldn’t get any tighter than the one in which I found myself. My travel group and I were face to face, chest to chest, smashed up against each other in a crowd of 80,000 Spaniards during the busiest day Valencia will see all year, and no one was moving, not even a literal inch. There was nowhere to go. It was truly a tight spot.

Let me back up a bit. I am in the middle of hosting 25 Americans through Spain. We started in Madrid over a week ago and since we touched ground we have spent time in Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Gibraltar, Malaga, Valencia, and about to head to Barcelona. We’ve been hitting it hard because— as I strive to do on all the trips I host— I want to cover all the bases and check all the boxes. To do that we need to cover, not only the country’s food, but the art, architecture, culture, history, personalities, terrain, transportation, and traditions.

We have taken a sunset cruise on the Mediterranean, attended Flamenco dancing lessons before a professional Flamenco performance, had a paella-making workshop and then ate the results, marveled at world class art at the Prado Museum, zip lined across the river in Toledo, dined in caves, explored other caves, mingled with the monkeys of Gibraltar, tried our hand at virtual bullfighting, ate in the homes of Spanish housewives in the Spanish countryside, walked under cork trees with the Iberico Pigs of Jabugo who feed on their acorns, visited royal palaces, and magnificent cathedrals, and have eaten world-class, local cuisine in the style of each region we have visited.

We have travelled by fast train, bus, boat, jet, the aforementioned zip line, small two-person city cars that talk, and by foot. It’s during one of the by-foot treks that we ended up in the tightest spots of all tight spots.

For years the Fallas of Valencia had been on my bucket list of things to do before I die. And since it is always held in the middle of March, I always hoped that we could be there on my wife’s birthday, which is the 16^th. This was our third year to attend, but our first on her birthday. None of my guests had ever been to the Fallas, and I think most didn’t know what it was.

The Fallas is held in Valencia and is a celebration of St. Joseph that includes several days of daytime fireworks at city hall (I know what you’re thinking, trust me it’s incredible), nighttime fireworks displays that put Disney to shame, many side celebrations, and the constructing of over 800 falla (paper mache statues of varying sizes created by each neighborhood). The statues are intricate, colorful, and fun. Some are several stories tall. Think of the elaborate floats by the Mardi Gras float master, Blane Kern of Mardi Gras World and then multiply them in size, scale, and quantity. As a matter of fact, Kern came to Valencia to study falla how the falla are made. One night a year all 800+ of the falla are burned across the city to signal the coming of spring. They start getting ready for next year’s Fallas, immediately.

The crowds at the Fallas are a cross between the shoulder-to-shoulder tightness of Times Square at New Year’s Eve and the frivolity of Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras in New Orleans. But the energy and attitude are much friendlier, less intoxicated, and the events are more family oriented. More than 80,000 people pack into the town square for an amazing display of daytime fireworks. I always host my groups in a 10^th floor penthouse with several outdoor balconies high above the madding crowd. I have it stocked with a full bar and a catered lunch staffed with bartenders and servers so my guests can watch the festivities without the discomfort of the shoulder-to-shoulder, jam-packed crowd. When we are high above the celebration it’s exhilarating. Though one must get to the location of the penthouse before one can be high above the crowd. On this day we were following our local guide who took a wrong turn and that’s when the trouble began.

The past two years we have had no trouble weaving through the crowd to get to the entrance of our building. This year our city guide— who had done a good job up to that point— chose the wrong street. It was the street that leads directly up to the prime spot of the fireworks setup where the ground shakes and the explosions can be felt to one’s core. We weaved through the crowd that began to get tighter and tighter. People had claimed their spot hours earlier and weren’t going to move. We were halfway to the door when I realized that route wasn’t going to work. 

We were surrounded by thousands of Spaniards and the guide, who was 10 feet ahead of me kept trying to push through. We reached a bottleneck to where no one could move to make way for us even if they had wanted to (and they didn’t want to). I understood their stance, but we weren’t trying to get in front of them, we just wanted to get by them and get out of everyone’s way. The crowd was so tight I couldn’t lift my arms or move frontwards or backwards. It was so tight and so face-to-face packed, it was scary. “We have to turn around,” I yelled to the guide.

If it was just me bound by the throng of people everything might have been OK, but I had 25 guests and my claustrophobically inclined wife directly behind me in the same bind, and yes it was a bind of the problematical sort AND a bind in the restrained-type variety. As a travel host you are as happy as your least-happy guest. At this point I had 25 unhappy guests who must have been wondering why we were even going through this much trouble for daytime fireworks. I had almost resigned myself that the rented penthouse, food, and bar were going to remain empty, and we were going to be standing, packed, cheek-to-cheek for the next two hours. 

My guests were stranded at different points in the packed crowd. We couldn’t communicate. We couldn’t move forward— not even a step— and we couldn’t go back the way we came as the crowd had moved in on us. It was frustrating but it was also a little scary.

Just about the time a livid and screaming man and I were about to come to blows over the pushing and shoving around us, our full-time tour guide and my trusted boots-on-the-ground man, Jesse jumped the barricades, sweet talked a couple of policemen, convinced them to temporarily take down one of the barricades, which allowed our group of Americans to inch sideways and out of the crowd. I’m not sure what white lie he told them, but it worked. We finally got out into an open space and, with a police escort, were led to the entrance door by way of another street.

Jesse Marinus saved the day!

Once on the 10^th floor, my guests learned exactly why we went to all the trouble. A unique and memorable time was had by all while witnessing a one-of-a-kind event. 

One of the best laugh lines in the Coen Brothers classic “Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?” (filmed in Mississippi, by the way) was George Clooney’s “We’re in a tight spot.” In that movie he played a Mississippi boy leading a couple of escaped convicts to a pile of stashed cash. I was leading a group of mostly Mississippians to a unique one-of-a-kind of bucket-list event. In the end, Clooney never got the cash, but my group and I reached our destination and had a blast.

Onward.

Stewed Squid

¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
1 ¼ tsp Crushed red pepper
1 TB Garlic, minced
2 TB Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 TB + ½ tsp Kosher salt
2 ½ lbs. Squid, tentacles and sliced tubes
1 each 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
2 cups Shrimp stock 
2 bunches Swiss chard, stems removed and rough chopped
5 oz. Fresh spinach, stems removed and rough chopped

In a 2 quart sauce pan, heat the oil over medium and sweat the garlic and the crushed red pepper for 2 minutes. Add the squid, salt and parsley and continue cooking over medium heat until any excess liquid from the squid has evaporated, about 6-8 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Add the canned tomatoes, including the juice, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the shrimp stock and bring to a simmer. Add the Swiss chard and the spinach, reduce the heat to low. Cover and continue cooking for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let all the stock evaporate. There should be about ½ cup of liquid left.

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

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Arcadia, Louisiana — In a groundbreaking initiative, community leaders have come together to launch a comprehensive program aimed at addressing the pressing issues faced by at-risk youth in a 6-parish area (Bienville, Claiborne, Jackson, Lincoln, Union, and Webster). The program, aptly named “WestTown Truce”, the brainchild of Calvin R. Young, a local public health professional and visionary; seeks to provide support, education, and resources to young individuals grappling with bad decision making, gun violence, drug addiction, delinquency, mental and behavioral challenges, and we additionally provide programs and services for their parents and guardians.

The WestTown Truce Program: A Beacon and Ray of Hope

1. Community-wide & Holistic Approach

The WESTTOWN TRUCE program takes a holistic approach, recognizing that these challenges are interconnected. By addressing them collectively, we can create a stronger safety net for our youth. Here are the key components:

• Mentoring and Counseling Referral: We will refer to experienced mentors and counselors that will work closely with participants, providing emotional support, guidance, and practical advice. These trusted relationships will help at-risk youth navigate their struggles and build resilience.
• Education and Skill-Building: The WESTTOWN TRUCE program offers workshops on conflict resolution, anger management, and decision-making. Participants will also receive vocational skill sets, equipping them with valuable skills for future employment.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with the community is crucial. WESTTOWN TRUCE will organize neighborhood events, recreational, edutainment activities, and cultural programs to foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

2. Gun Violence Prevention

Given the alarming rise in gun-related incidents, the WESTTOWN TRUCE program places a strong emphasis on preventing gun violence:

• Education: Workshops will educate participants about the consequences of gun violence, emphasizing non-violent conflict resolution and responsible gun ownership.
• Community Policing: Collaborating with local law enforcement, WESTTOWN TRUCE aims to build trust between officers and youth. Officers will participate in community events and engage in open dialogues.
• WestTown Truce Conflict Resolution App: A confidential computer App that will be developed, and modeled after a peer reviewed and filed tested program in the city of  Philadelphia, PA. will allow at-risk youth and community members to get information and advice on how to de-escalate threats and to get youth to make better decisions on the fly.

3. Drug Addiction and Delinquency

• Early Intervention: The WESTTOWN TRUCE program identifies at-risk youth early on and provides targeted interventions. Substance abuse. rehabilitation, and prevention referrals.
• Alternative Activities: To divert youth from negative influences, WESTTOWN TRUCE will organize summer camps, in-school detention programs, creative classes in art and music, and recreational activities.
• Parental Involvement: Parents and guardians play a crucial role. WESTTOWN TRUCE will offer parenting workshops to strengthen family bonds and communication. We will have a strong referral base to assist the parents with all types of social issues and challenges.

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Historian and professor Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner has spent decades researching the Gage family in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  Decades earlier, she met and befriended the last living member of the family, Matilda Jewell Gage (1886-1986).  Dr. Wagner learned much about the Gage family from Matilda that would have been unattainable otherwise.  Matilda was the first of three children born to Thomas and Sophia Gage.  Alice Eliza Gage, the second child, was born and died on the same date, December 12, 1891.  The cause of her death is unknown.  Although no headstone is known to exist for Alice, she is believed to have been buried in Riverside Memorial Park in Aberdeen along with many other members of the Gage family.  Matilda’s youngest sister, Dorothy Louise Gage, was born on June 11, 1898, shortly after the Gage family moved to Bloomington, Illinois.  Five months later, November 11, 1898, Dorothy died from what was then called congestion of the brain. 

Members of the Gage family from near and far gathered for little Dorothy’s funeral including little Dorothy’s Aunt Maud who had taken a train to get to Bloomington.  For reasons that remain unclear, little Dorothy’s Uncle Frank did not attend the funeral.  The death and funeral were terribly sad, as you would expect.  Maud hid her grief as much as she could while she was with her family in Bloomington.  None of the other passengers on her return train trip home were aware of her grief.  When Uncle Frank picked her up at the train station, she seemed to crumble.  For days Aunt Maud was in a terrible state.  Uncle Frank wanted to ease Aunt Maud’s suffering but there was nothing he could do.  Or was there?

During one of Dr. Wagner and Matilda’s many conversations, Matilda mentioned little Dorothy’s grave.  Did little Dorothy’s headstone still exist?  Dr. Wagner visited the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery to search for little Dorothy’s grave.  What seemed like a simple task at first turned out to be a formidable undertaking.  The cemetery consisted of over 20,000 marked graves and there was an unknown number of unmarked graves.  Finally, Dr. Wagner found seven headstones with the last name Gage, but little Dorothy’s grave was not among them.  Was her grave unmarked?  Was Dr. Wagner looking in the right cemetery?  Undeterred, Dr. Wagner continued the search.  At last, Dr. Wagner found a small headstone with the following inscription:  Dorothy Louise, Dau. Of Mr. & Mrs. T.C. Gage, June 11, 1898, Nov. 11, 1898. 

Little Dorothy’s tiny headstone was lost in a sea of over 20,000 headstones.  Something more was needed.  In 1997, people gathered at the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery for a ceremony to open the Dorothy L. Gage Memorial Garden which included a new, larger headstone in memory of the almost forgotten child.  Still, it seemed that something more was needed, but what?  Twenty years later, in 2017, officials at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery decided that an old oak tree near little Dorothy’s grave had to be removed.  The tree was around 200 years old.  Cemetery officials saw this as a unique opportunity.  Could this oak tree somehow memorialize little Dorothy?  In June 2018, officials at the cemetery hired Bill Baker of Top Notch Chainsaw Carving to carve the tree stump into the figure of a little girl with a dog at her feet standing on a road.  Since then, thousands of people have visited little Dorothy’s grave. 

Shortly after little Dorothy’s death, Uncle Frank struggled to find a way to ease Aunt Maud’s sadness.  Two years later, he found a way.  Under any other circumstances, little Dorothy, the child who died at just five months old, would have been forgotten just as her grave had been lost.  Uncle Frank found a way to immortalize his niece when he named the lead character in a children’s story after her.  You see, Dr. Wagner’s research of the Gage family was because of little Dorothy’s connection to Uncle Frank, L. Frank Baum, the author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

Sources:

1.     The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois), June 26, 2018, p.A3.

2.      “Dorothy Louise Gage (1898-1898), Find a Grave,” www.findagrave.com, Accessed March 17, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4083/dorothy_louise_gage.

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

March 20 through 23

2024 Minden Spring Fling at Webster Parish Fairgrounds. Rides, treats. Portion of proceeds go to Minden Recreation Complex.

March 22

Deadline for nominations for Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce awards. Civic Service Award, Ambassador of the Year, Businessman of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year, Business of the Year, Lifetime Achievement.

5 p.m. Lakeside High School, Gary Cooper Day, inviting all alumni to honor Gary Cooper for his dedication of 23 years coaching Sibley and Lakeside High School.

March 23

11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Easter Eggstravaganza, North Acres Baptist Church. Egg hunt, Easter presentation, hot dogs, bounce house, face painting, snow cones and cotton candy!

March 24

Noon until 5 p.m. Thomas & Rhone Elementary Reunion. Registration, Meet & Greet, Ole Fashion Fish Fry.

March 25

10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thomas & Rhone Elementary Reunion. Games, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs, Visit to School Site, Shongaloo Civic Center. For more information, call  (318) 847-4436 or (501) 347-4856.

March 29

7 p.m. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. “Once Upon A Tree” directed by Dr. Dan Gibbs. First Methodist Minden Chancel Choir with Chamber Orchestra. Soloists: Mickey Love, Pat Culverhouse and Melanie Comb with Judge Parker Self as Luke the Physician.

March 30

Sibley Volunteer Fire Department’s 45th Annual Bass Tournament. Lake Bistineau. Weigh-in at Port O’Bistineau.

April 3

Greater Minden Spring Job Fair & Resource Expo.

April 4

6 p.m. 2024 UCAP Hunger Fest and Dessert Auction. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Tickets are $5 each; table sponsorships are $100.

April 14

2 until 4 p.m. Oak Cottage Open House, 406 3rd St. NW, Springhill. Air B&B/Event venue. Refreshments will be served.

April 15

The founders’ vision for ACE Scholarship was powerful but simple: that all children have access to great schools. Glenbrook School has partnered with the ACE program for the 2024/2025 school year.  Applications for scholarships due date is April 15. For more information, go to:

 Welcome to Grant & Aid (factsmgt.com) or call Naomi Coyle at 318-377-2135.

6 p.m. Night at the Museum with Museum Director Jessica Gorman. Discussion: preserving local cemeteries. Admission is free; donations welcome. Refreshments: potluck snacks and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Call 318-377-3002 for more information.

April 16

6 p.m. Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce 70th Annual Awards Banquet. Community Activity Center, 301 West Church St., Springhill. Entertainment by Piney Woods Jamboree. Table sponsorships available. Individual tickets $50.

April 18

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Senior Fun Day sponsored by Springhill Medical Center. Springhill CAC Building. Ages 50 and older. Free admission. Free meal sponsored by Bristol Hospice.

April 20

6 p.m. LaMa Animal Rescue hosts Murder on the Boardwalk, Oak Cottage, 406 3rd St. NW, Springhill. Tickets much be purchased in advance. Call 318-272-6093.

April 29

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Food Truck Night at Miller Quarters. Live entertainment by Braydon Watts. Sponsored by Main Street Minden and Minden Police Chief Jared McIver.

May 4

6 p.m. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to LaMa Bingo, Springhill Civic Center. $50 jackpot, $00 and $200 games, door prizes, silent auction, concessions, costume contest, split the pot.

May 18

9 a.m. Registration, 10 a.m. Freedom Walk 2024 at Broken Bean. Sponsorships available. Registration $25 per person. All proceeds go to Minden Adult and Team Challenge. Live music, food, fun, games and more … ends at 4 p.m. Register online at www.laatc.com/freedomwalk or at Broken Bean. Call 318-382-0203 or 318-469-5393 with questions.

May 24, 25

A committee of former Thomas & Rhone Elementary School students have planned a reunion for all former students, faculty and staff.  This reunion is schedule for Memorial Day Weekend, Friday and Saturday, (May 24 and 25).  All activities will be held at the Shongaloo Civic Center, 119 LA 2 Alt Rd, in Shongaloo, La.

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While I’m all for the sport of bass fishing growing, at what cost? Professional anglers are taking the new forward-facing sonar technology to levels that may not be good for the sport. Our lakes and waterways are under assault as we speak. Lakes are being invaded with sonar technology that has all species of fish on high alert. Today we’ll look at the impact this may have on the industry in general.

To understand where we are with today’s technology, we must first look at where we came from. The first fish finder device was developed in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1948. Then in 1957 Lowrance released the Fish-Lo-K-Tor that was designed for recreational fishermen. These first fish finding units were hard to operate and were difficult to read unless you had a good understanding on what you were actually looking at, but they were prone to misinterpretation.

But today’s electronics can be read without any misinterpretation as anglers watch on a 12-to-14-inch screen on what can only be described as a high-tech video game. This technology has played right into the hands of the young anglers on the rise looking to compete with the best anglers on the planet.

Their learning curve has been fast forwarded to warp speed like the Star Trek’s Enterprise. No longer do they have to spend years developing a feel on how and where to find bass based on weather conditions. No longer do they have to spend years understanding how to read water. They no longer need the instincts that the older generation of anglers used to compete with on the highest level.

This being said, how will this new technology affect the industry overall? It appears to me and many others that we are developing a group of young anglers without the fishing instincts so many of today’s top professionals possess. These seasoned anglers took years of time on the water to develop instincts and skills necessary to compete with the best anglers in America and across the globe.

One facet of bass fishing that will be truly affected is the bait and tackle industry. With the popularity of forward-facing sonar has come a new series of minnow style baits. These baits are all the craze right now and are winning tournaments consistently. So, what about all the crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs that have made up a huge part of bass fishing sales over the years? What will become of all these baits that have been the bread and butter of all major bass fishing companies? Will they just sit on the shelf and collect dust, or will it all come back to life after this forward-facing sonar obsession is over or possibly banned?

For tackle store owners, there’s got to be a sense of nervousness as dealers all over the country do inventory on baits that are just hanging on pegs waiting for anglers to pull one off. It’s almost like land of the misfit toys in the Christmas movie “Rudolf.” They are just waiting for the day when they will be wanted again.

Like anything new, we wonder if this new unbelievable technology is here to stay. Is this just a fad like bellbottom jeans and silk shirts with white dress shoes? Or is this like the Pet Rock and Ty Beanie Babies that some thought were the best ideas ever! The one unknown factor at this point is IF tournament organizations will ban these new fish-finding units. If this does happen, maybe things will get back to what we used to think of as normal.

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and make sure to check out Tackle Talk Live podcast, as well as the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show on You Tube. 

Steve Graf                                                                                                                        

Angler’s Perspective

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Daniel W. Newell, District Attorney for the Second Judicial District in and for the Parish of Bienville, makes the following announcement relative to disposition of cases in Bienville Parish on the dates indicated:

03/05/24

Miller, Zane Ethan of Minden, La. — Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II CDS-Methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

03/06/24

Shephard, Jeremy Sherrod of Dubberly, La. — Pled guilty to Theft Over $1,000 Less Than $5,000. He was sentenced to 2 years at hard labor, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation.

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Billie Marie Buffington Nolan

March 22, 1951 – March 18, 2024

Minden, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, City On A Hill Pentecostal Church, Minden.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, Memorial Park Cemetery, Bastrop, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Joyce C. Cox

Feb. 7, 1943 – March 17, 2024

Cotton Valley, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until noon Thursday, March 21, 2024, Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley.

Funeral service: 1 p.m., immediately following visitation.

Burial: Cotton Valley Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Dorothey Jean McBride

April 21, 1934 – March 16, 2024

Arcadia, La.

Visitation: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: 3 p.m. Tulip Cemetery.

Ernie Camp

April 5, 1954 – March 9, 2024

Springhill, La.

Online guest book at http://www.baileyfuneralhome.net 

Any service will be under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

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.)

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By Pat Culverhouse

A 34-year-old Old Arcadia Rd. resident wanted on several outstanding Minden Police Department warrants is behind bars after he was detained by Webster Parish deputies Sunday. The suspect is also looking at a couple of additional drug-related charges.

Maurico Murphy, 34, was wanted on six bench warrants that include two for entry on or remaining after forbidden, theft, no driver’s license, violating maximum speed limit and no insurance. Now, he’s also facing possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

MPD Sgt. Reece Tewell responded to a call from WPSO Lt. Chase Walsworth on Walter Lyons Rd. at Camp St. where Murphy had been detained. At the scene, Sgt. Tewell retrieved a bag from the ground near a bicycle the suspect reportedly had been riding. Inside the bag was a glass pipe commonly used for smoking methamphetamine. 

A further search of the suspect’s property uncovered a white substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine, inside the plastic lining of a cigarette package. Murphy reportedly was transported en police headquarters and later transferred 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.

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By Paige Gurgainers

The kayak dock in Sibley is scheduled to be installed by the end of the month weather permitting. This has been a long-time coming and passion project for Serena Gray, Executive Director of Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission (WPCVC). 

She said, “We are waiting for the rain to stop so we can get all the large dock pieces on the water and in position. We are at the mercy of the weather at this point.” 

Gray has frequently visited with the Webster Parish Police Jury to discuss the docks and ideal locations across the parish where they can be installed and get the most use from the community. Last year, they landed on the Sibley boat launch on Bayou Dorcheat located along Highway 164. The jury has put in a lot of groundwork to ensure that the dock will be easily accessible and long-lasting.  

Once the dock is installed, Gray said they will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony similar to the one that took place last year at the Dixie Inn launch.  

“We have really made an impact amongst other tourist destinations with our kayak efforts, and they are reaching out to us to ask how we got all of this done,” said Gray.  

Other upcoming events for tourism include a proclamation for Scottish Tartan Day to be held on April 6 at UnderDawgs Sports Grill. This is a joint effort with the City of Minden and the Scottish Tartan Society. The Scottish Tartan Festival will be taking place on April 20 at Miller Quarters Park.  

The following weekend they will be hosting the Archery Shooter’s Association (ASA) tournament, as well as a welcome dinner on April 26 at 6 p.m. at Camp Minden.  

“We will have live music, and food,” said Gray. “It’s just a great way to network with all the archery shooters and the staff there, to celebrate that they are here.” 

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By Pat Culverhouse

A traffic stop on a local street Saturday morning netted Minden police officers a 35-year-old local suspect on several drug charges, plus a pair of charges involving a firearm.

Nicholas Lebo Aaron Vantrez Jones has been booked for possession of CDS Sch. I (natural marijuana), possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS, resisting an officer, three traffic charges and as a fugitive from Bossier Parish, according to MPD Chief Jared McIver.

McIver said Jones was pulled over on Goodwill St. by Officer Cadyn O’Conner around 8 a.m. Saturday, where a driver’s license check revealed outstanding warrants from Shreveport and Bossier Parish.

During questioning, Jones reportedly provided officers a small amount of natural marijuana. McIver said Jones was removed from the vehicle and MPD Officers Ben Sarks and Jessica Thompson began a search for additional narcotics.

“While searching the vehicle, Officer Sparks located a silver handgun under the driver’s seat,” McIver said. “When the officer retrieved the firearm, Jones ran from the scene. After a brief chase, he was subdued.”

Jones was taken to the MPD’s holding cell where he is reportedly awaiting transfer to the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

Cotton Valley woman attempts theft from discount store

In a separate incident, a Cotton Valley woman allegedly nabbed for attempting to avoid paying for a quantity of merchandise at a local discount store has been arrested for theft and on a number of bench warrants.

Shantell Hubert, 26, was arrested Friday after discount store personnel reportedly witnessed her in the self-checkout lane, bagging items which she did not scan for purchase. MPD Chief Jared McIver said a receipt check by store personnel showed 34 items valued at just over $345 were unpaid.

Hubert reportedly is being held on one count of theft with a $750 cash bond, plus three active bench warrants.

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.

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At 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 ground breaking will take place for the first Ronald McDonald House in northwest Louisiana.  The construction project will take one year, with an expected opening in May 2025. The public is invited to attend the event at 9100 Susan Drive in Shreveport.

The 23,000 square foot, 3-story house will have 20 suites and provide families with a safe, relaxing room and comforts of home. It will serve as a home away from home for those with a seriously ill or injured child, up to age 21, in any Shreveport hospital. All services are free to families, reducing stress and financial burdens while providing access to the critical care their child needs. When the Ronald McDonald House opens, families will be referred by their hospital social workers.  

The house is expected to serve 7,300 people in the first year. More than $7 million has been donated by individuals, companies, foundations, hospitals, municipalities, and congregations. With a goal of $10 million, gifts of all sizes are still needed, and every dollar stays local to build the house.  

Inside will be a large kitchen where volunteers will prepare dinner for families each night, family pantry, and 3-story dining room. There will be indoor and outdoor play areas, laundry, serenity room, family great room, outdoor grilling and more. Families will have items available for breakfast and lunch, snacks to pack for long days at the hospital and daily essentials.

Local families with a critically ill child in the hospital not staying overnight may access a “day pass” to utilize first-floor amenities to refresh and recharge while remaining near their child. Transportation will be provided to and from hospitals.

Families who have learned about this Ronald McDonald House have shared personal stories of need.  One was Liam’s, a military family. When Liam was born prematurely, he spent 55 days in the NICU in Shreveport. His family drove an hour each day and were away from their 7-year-old daughter, which was difficult. 

After discharge Liam began having seizures, was hospitalized, and transferred to a Dallas hospital. Liam’s mom, Audrey Tetrault, said, “Luckily the Dallas social worker asked if we were familiar with Ronald McDonald House. We were relieved to hear we could stay there and that everything was provided at no charge. To know we had a safe place to stay together for free, with meals and so much more, and did not have to worry about whether we could afford it took so much stress off us, and in turn we were able to focus all our attention on Liam.”

When Audrey found out about the groundbreaking for Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier she said, “I’m super excited there is finally going to be a Ronald McDonald House here! I have no doubt it will be life changing for families. In addition to the drive we made daily, we met another family in the NICU who drove 2 hours each way. They had to leave their child during the week to go to work and only came on the weekends. Had there been a Ronald McDonald House, they would have been able to stay close to their baby. It would have made a world of difference.” 

For more information contact Lori Moore 318.840.9100,  lori@rmhcar-nla.org or visit RMHShreveport-Bossier.org.

 

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On January 8, Springhill City Council passed a resolution officially designating March 19 as Main Street Day. This declaration celebrates the vibrant heart of our community and honors the businesses, organizations, and individuals who contribute to the vitality of downtown Springhill.

Springhill Main Street serves as the cultural and economic hub of the City of Springhill, offering unique shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences for residents and visitors alike. This designation recognizes the importance of Springhill Main Street in fostering community pride, supporting local commerce, and preserving the city’s heritage.

“We are thrilled the city council has thought to officially recognize March 19 as Main Street Day in Springhill,” said Amie Poladian, Director of the Springhill Main Street program. “Main Street is in the business of helping people love where they live, while preserving our unique architectural history.

“Our downtown is more than just a collection of buildings –  it’s the heartbeat of our city, where memories are made, connections are forged, and dreams of small business ownership are realized,” she continued. “We invite everyone to come spend some time downtown and celebrate all that makes the Springhill Main Street district so special.”

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Tuesday

Widespread frost before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

Thursday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

* Information courtesy of the National Weather Service.

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Mushroom Pork Chops are a perfect week night or Sunday dinner choice.  I am always looking for a new pork chop recipe as we love them so much.  This one is one of our favorites!  I love the twist of using chicken broth and beef bouillon in this one.  The flavor is absolutely spot on.  I hope you love it!

Mushrooms:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• Splash of olive oil
• 1 flat mushrooms

Pork Chops:

• 4 pork chops
• ¼ cup flour
• Salt & pepper
• 4 tablespoons olive oil

Gravy:

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
• 1/3 cup half & half
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ cup white wine
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons flour

Directions

Pound pork chops with meat tenderizer.  Sprinkle with salt. 

Assemble gravy:  In a bowl with a spout combine broth, bouillon, Worcestershire, half & half, and seasonings for the gravy.  Set aside. 

In cast iron skillet heat butter and oil for the mushrooms.  Cook mushrooms 3-4 minutes.  Remove to plate.

Dredge pork chops in flour.  Het oil and butter in cast iron skillet.  Sear chops 3 minutes each side.  Remove pork chops to a plate.  Add wine and garlic to same skillet over medium heat.  Use a wooden spoon to scrape stuck bits.  Add butter and flour.  Stir 2 minutes.  Add gravy mixture in small splashes whisking continuously.  Bring to gentle bubble then reduce to low simmer.  Stir in mushrooms and add pork chops back.  Cover and let cook until gravy thickens. 

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

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Lions Club members had a great time last week, turning a no-speaker day into a fun day.

Lion Dr. Richard Campbell inducted two new members into the club – Bridger Walker and Travis McKinnon.

Then Lion Dr. Campbell (Dr. Feelgood) and Lion Dr. Ray Spurlock (Dr. See Good) performed an unofficial COVID test on Lion Pat Culverhouse. The results: no COVID but no brain either!

And following a mixup with the speaker schedule which resulted in a no-show, Lion Eric Johnson stepped in and told some humorous stories from his early days as an attorney. His tales included references to his Uncle Jimmy Johnson, MPD Police Chief T.C. Bloxom, WPSO Chief Investigator Jimmy Batton and WPSO Sheriff Royce McMahen – all who have now gone on to their heavenly reward.

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Thurs., March 14

Doyline Panthers 10, Zwolle Hawks 4

Doyline Panthers won big over Zwolle in Thursday’s game.

Hawks got on the board first, but Doyline took the lead 4-2 in the top of the fifth, thanks to two errors.

In the top of the sixth, Panthers tied when an error scored one run. A single by Dakota Stewart followed to extend the lead to 7-4.

Austin Arbaugh earned the win for Doyline. The righty allowed four hits and four runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking one.

Arbaugh and Cayden Mingo were a force together in the lineup, as each collected two hits while hitting back-to-back. Noah Spears and Stewart were tough to handle back-to-back as each drove in three runs. Mingo led with two of Doyline’s six walks. Arbaugh and Mingo each stole multiple bases of the 11 total, and Panthers turned two double plays.

Minden Crimson Tide 9, Weston Wolves 6

Despite trailing by as many as four runs, Crimson Tide rallied to top Weston Wolves Thursday.

Weston Wolves got on top in the top of the second inning. MHS took the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Jaxon Smith walked, Hudson Brown singled, Jacob Jackson walked, Zander Rowell hit into a fielder’s choice, Landon Brewer and Brody Bower walked, each scoring one run.

Weston tied the game in the top of the six, but Crimson Tide recaptured  it 9-6 in the bottom of the sixth after Bower singled, Landyn Huddleston walked and Smith hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring a run.

Rowell earned the win for MHS. The lefty surrendered 10 hits and six runs (three earned) over six innings, striking out one and walking none. Bower collected the save.

Huddleston, Bray Winston, Brown, Rowell, Brewer, Bower and Jackson each collected one hit. Bower and Smith each drove in two runs; Jackson led with two of the team’s seven walks. MHS turned one double play.

North Webster Knights 9, Union Parish 1

North Webster Knights defeated Union Parish Thursday, thanks in part to five runs in the first inning. Gerrrit Gillentine singled, scoring two runs, Colby Dinkins singled, scoring two runs and Tanner Temple scored after tagging up.

Knights added to their early lead in the top of the second after Union Parish committed an error and Gillentine hit into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.

In the top of the third Preston Ingle doubled and Nathan Bernard singled, each scoring a run.

Bernard stepped on the mound first for NWHS. The starter gave up two hits and one run (none earned) over three innings, striking out four and walking none.

Gillentine drove the middle of the lineup with three runs batted in. He went 1-for-3 on the day. Leadoff hitter Ingle led with two hits in three at-bats.

Fri., March 15

Doyline Panthers 15, Converse Wildcats 0

Noah Spears drove in four runs on one hit to lead Doyline past Converse Friday. Spears hit a home run to right field in the fourth inning, scoring three runs and walked in the third inning, scoring one.

An error put Panthers on the board in the top of the first. They scored six runs on three hits in the top of the second. Kenneth Lee singled, scoring two runs, Cayden Mingo singled, scoring one, Spears was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Dakota Stewart laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one and Zach Normand singled, scoring one.

Doyline added to its early lead in the top of the third after Austin Arbaugh hit a sacrifice fly, Spears walked, Stewart hit into a fielder’s choice and Normand walked, each scoring a run.

Four more Panthers’ runs crossed the plate in the fourth to extend the lead to 15-0. Mingo singled, scoring one run and Spears homered to right field, scoring three runs.

Spears earned the win. The righty gave up one hit and no runs over five innings, striking out five and walking two. Mingo led Doyline with three hits in three at-bats. The team amassed 12 walks for the game. Spears, Benton Bates and Jonas Florence led the team with two free passes each. Mingo stole two of the Panthers’ four stolen bases.

Sat., March 16

Glenbrook Apaches 9, Rapides Mustangs 0

Glenbrook Apaches easily dispatched Rapides Mustangs Saturday.

A single by Sam Ricord put Apaches on the board in the bottom of the second. They added to an early lead in the bottom of the third after Ryan Reagan singled and Hudson Glasscock walked, each scoring a run.

Easton Sanders started on the hill for Glenbrook. He allowed three hits and no runs over five innings, striking out eight and walking two.

Reagan led Apaches with two hits in three at-bats. Sanders and Ricord each drove in two runs. Landry Powell paced with three of the team’s eight walks for the game. Preston Frye and Powell each stole multiple bases; the team had 12 total.

Glenbrook Apaches 13, Northside Christian 0

Jackson Waller drove in five runs on three hits to lead Apaches past Northside Christian Saturday. Waller hit a home run to center field in the third inning, scoring three and singled in the fourth, scoring two.

Apaches got on the board in the bottom of the first after Dawson Day singled, scoring one run and Ryan Reagan hit a sacrifice fly, scoring two.

A line out by Waller extended the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second.

Glenbrook added four more runs in the bottom of the third on one hit. Sam Ricord drew a walk, scoring one and Waller homered to center field, scoring three.

Apaches scored five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth. Frye singled, scoring one run, Ricord singled, scoring two and Waller singled, scoring two runs.

Apaches accumulated nine hits in the game. Day collected two in three at-bats. Hudson Glasscock and Landry Powell led the team with two walks each of the Apache’s eight.

Seth Mangrum stole two of the eight stolen bases in the game.

Minden Crimson Tide 1, Cedar Creek 5

Crimson Tide fell to Cedar Creek Saturday. Hudson Brown laid down a sacrifice bunt, which helped the Tide tie the game at one in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Landon Brewer took the loss. He went five innings, allowing two runs (zero earned) on two hits, striking out five and walking six.

Brewer and Brody Bower each collected one hit. Brown led the team with one run batted in.

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