The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces catfish stocking at 17 different sites and a free Get Out & Fish! event on Saturday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Turner’s Pond in Minden.

It’s springtime, and that means the fishing is heating up! Be sure to get out and fish at one of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Get Out & Fish! sites across the state where LDWF will be stocking adult-sized Channel Catfish at 17 different locations. All sites are scheduled to be stocked by April 15. To view the full stocking schedule and find a location near you, visit http://www.wlf.la.gov/gof. Stay up to date with stockings, park events and more on Facebook and Instagram: @ldwfgetoutandfish.

In addition to stockings, LDWF will host a FREE Get Out & Fish! event on Saturday, April 12th at Turner’s Pond in Minden. The event will take place from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and will include free bait and tackle. Loaner rods and reels will be provided as supplies last. The event will include LDWF staff and volunteers on site to provide information and lessons on skills to help you catch, including bait & tackle selection, casting, knot tying, and fish handling.

Anglers 18 and older must possess a Louisiana Basic Fishing Season or Hook and Line license. Licenses can be purchased online at www.louisianaoutdoors.com. By purchasing a fishing license, Louisiana receives matching funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program for public fishing and boating access, fishing programs and education and fisheries management.

The Get Out & Fish! Program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education. For more information email us at GOF@wlf.la.gov.

The LDWF Get Out & Fish is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). The Foundation was formed to help expand and support LDWF education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.

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Not really sure where to start with this article. I understand that we live in a world that is constantly moving forward in so many ways, especially when it comes to technology. All sports evolve with time! While some progress is for the good of the sport, it could be argued that some is not. 

Golf, for example, has become so advanced due to technological advances with equipment, that some golf courses are becoming obsolete. Whether it’s the clubs or the balls, the advancements are insane and have made some golf course architects lengthen their new designs to accommodate the improvements in golf equipment. 

This is true even with bass tournaments. Rods and reels, tackle, bass boats and electronics have all come so far in the last 20 years that the sport is no longer just about who can catch bass, but who has the best equipment. 

Technology has leveled the playing field with the controversial forward-facing sonar (FFS). This invention has allowed the younger generation of anglers coming up to compete with the older more experienced anglers. No longer can an angler just go flip bushes and win an event. He or she better be good at using FFS and looking for fish that are roaming in open water, a technique that was unheard of 10 years ago. 

Also, 10 years ago, 20 pounds was the target weight if you wanted to have a chance to win. Not today! The new normal at weigh-in time has become 25 pounds or better. Twenty pounds today is average with this new FFS technology. 

Another question that’s being asked today: “Why has bass tournament participation gone way down?” By way down, we mean cut in half, as most tournament trail registrations are down 50 percent! Why? There could be several reasons like the economy, the price of bass boats, etc., but most will say forward-facing sonar. 

Anglers using FFS are dominating tournaments. While other anglers can’t afford it, some have just rejected or refused to learn to fish this way. They have come to the realization that they just can’t compete with anglers who are using this advanced technology. Therefore, many have decided to withdraw from tournament competition all together.

What does this mean for tournament organizations in the long run? Well, if they don’t adapt and change, some will just fade away like the sun going down. But I think there might be a glimmer of hope! 

Some tournament organizations have taken the initiative to ban FFS in all their events in order to encourage tournament anglers to come back. Up until now, only a few have taken a hardline stance on this issue. Most benefit tournaments like the Despino Tire Fishin’ for Kids event have banned this technology and have had record numbers of anglers show up to fish their tournament. The Dylan Kyle Poche Tournament for 2026 will also be a no-FFS event. 

Other organizations have also taken a stance to ban this technology like the newest professional level circuit, the NPFL (National Professional Fishing League). Top name pros have made decisions to leave major organizations like Major League Fishing (MLF) and the Bassmasters (B.A.S.S.) in order to fish with no FFS. 

As some of the older anglers will tell you, the sport of bass fishing should not come down to who has the best electronics, but rather who has the most skill for both finding and catching bass. The new technology has ruined the purity and integrity of the sport of bass fishing. For the first time in my life, FFS may be the most controversial advancement that a lot of anglers feel has not been good for the sport. 

So where do we go from here? Will 2026 bring a whole new set of rule changes like banning forward-facing sonar? Will all tournament organizations finally take a stance and do what’s best for the sport or will they be convinced by money from these electronic sponsors to maintain the status quo? 

Only time will tell what the future will hold for so many tournament organizations as they attempt to reel in so many anglers that have left the sport for what they feel is an unlevel playing field. 

‘Til next time, make sure your hooks are sharp, and your boat is full of gas. Hope to see you on the lake! 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Members of the Scottish Society of the Louisiana Highlands are busily preparing for the 23rd annual Scottish Tartan Festival. The date has been set for Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Miller Quarters Park.

Tickets can now be purchased on scottishtartanfestival.com. Ages 5 and under are free, ages 6 – 11 are $5 and adult tickets are $15. There will be limited seating, so please feel free to bring lawn chairs or blankets. 

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Ramen Stir-Fry Serves: 7 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes

Are you looking for a quick and flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy? Try this lower-sodium ramen stir-fry recipe. Packed with vegetables, protein, and plenty of flavor, this well-balanced dish will leave you satisfied while taking less than 40 minutes to prepare. Pair it with a tangy quick pickle cucumber salad for a refreshing side. Follow along as LSU AgCenter Nutrition & Community Health (NCH) agent Layne Langley demonstrates how to prepare this delicious and nutritious stir-fry. For more information about healthy eating and active living, contact your local LSU AgCenter Nutrition & Community Health agent: https://bit.ly/LSUAgent.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 
• 1 (20-ounce) bag frozen stir-fry vegetables 
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced 
• 1 package instant ramen (noodles only) 
• 2 cups cooked chicken 
• Red pepper flakes, to taste 
• 1 cup water 
• 2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped 

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetables, sliced onion, ramen noodles (slightly broken), chicken, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are softened. 
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, and ground ginger until well combined. 
3. Pour the sauce over the stir-fry mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. 
4. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
5. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

   (Shakera Williams, M.P.H. is Assistant Nutrition Extension Agent- FCS for Webster/Claiborne parishes. Contact her at (318) 371-1371.)

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The countdown to race day is on! The Phillip’s 5K 2025 will start with a pounding of the tennis shoes at 217 W. Union Street in Minden, on Saturday, April 12 at 8:15 a.m. A Fun Run will begin at 8 a.m.

All proceeds from the run will benefit Phillip’s Cottage, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which will provide transitional housing to women and their children who are graduating from the Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge program.

Registration fees are $30 through Friday, April 11 for the 5K and $15 for the Fun Run.

Runners can sign up on the Phillip’s Cottage Facebook page, where a Course Map is available.

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We have all heard the roar of criticism of President Trump’s tariffs imposed on April 2nd.  Let me begin by saying that Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs didn’t start a trade war; Instead, they are the response to a 50-year trade war against the U.S.

The sweeping executive action was announced in a statement titled “President Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security.”  The statement continues that in “Pursuing Reciprocity to Rebuild the Economy and Restore National and Economic Security” Trump declared that “foreign trade and economic practices have created a national emergency” and, as a result, he was “imposing responsive tariffs to strengthen the international economic position of the United States and protect American workers.”

Trump lays down both the premise of, and justification for, his actions: “Large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits have led to the hollowing out of our manufacturing base; resulted in a lack of incentive to increase advanced domestic manufacturing capacity; undermined critical supply chains; and rendered our defense-industrial base dependent on foreign adversaries.”

The statement then highlights the disturbing truth that “in 2024, our trade deficit in goods exceeded $1.2 trillion—an unsustainable crisis ignored by prior leadership.”  The entire Trump effort is summarized with a final declaration that ““Made in America’ is not just a tagline—it’s an economic and national security priority of this Administration. The President’s reciprocal trade agenda means better-paying American jobs making beautiful American-made cars, appliances, and other goods.’”

The release contains other examples of the economic abuse America has suffered due to grossly unfair trade imbalances and then makes the point that such abuse will end now, stating “access to the American market is a privilege, not a right.”

And why wouldn’t this be the position of the United States?

We are the indispensable nation. We are the country blessed with the strongest economy and currency—the ‘Almighty dollar’—in the world. Why would we allow ourselves to suffer such patently unfair trade disparities, particularly with respect to NATO countries in the defense of whom the American taxpayer has spent trillions of dollars?? And, knowing Trump’s personality as we do, much of this may simply be the setting up of negotiations, with America in the most advantageous position possible. 

The roar in the national media about the “ill effects” of the tariffs is richly hypocritical, as if Americans have already forgotten the inflation and cost of living under which they acutely suffered during the just-ended Biden Administration.  Also, recall that in the first Trump Administration he was criticized that his “tariffs would be inflationary” but we enjoyed 1.5% inflation, the fastest growing economy in decades and the beginning (before Covid) of a manufacturing resurgence in America.

Millions of Americans believe we have “offshored” too much of American manufacturing—making us dependent on hostile nations for our critical needs.  For example, if China controls our pharmaceutical needs or the sophisticated computer chips we need to drive our American economy, what are we going to do if we are ever at war with China?

Even short of war, why would we allow Japanese or European automobiles, for example, into our country for a comparatively small tariff when those nations demand exorbitant tariffs (to say nothing of non-tariff practices like currency manipulation) for American vehicles to be sold in those countries?  That’s what galls Trump, which is truly what makes the reciprocal nature of these tariffs strike many Americans as only fair.

It’s the same for oil and gas, as well as food—agriculture.  Knowing as we do that food and energy security are national security, why would we ever depend upon other nations—often our adversaries—for these critical needs? Especially when we have as much energy reserves in the U.S. as there are anywhere in the world!

Perhaps there will be some economic pain associated with these tariffs, but there is no doubt in my mind that the end President Trump seeks will strengthen America’s economic and security position.

As Kevin McCullough of Townhall summarizes the issue of Trump’s Liberation Day, “…thanks to Trump, the tide is turning.

He may be the only president since Reagan who’s had the courage to stare down the world and say, ‘You will not take advantage of America anymore.’ And for that, every American — every farmer, every factory worker, every small business owner — should be standing and cheering.”

(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.  He has witnessed up close several Speaker races. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com .)

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court on Friday, April 11:

ASHCRAFT, STEPHANIE ANNE

T032625 AT Arraignment LSP

Failure to Use Safety Belt

ASHTON, JHANSI JANAE

T021124 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

BRASWELL, GLENDA MAE

T032725 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

*Single vehicle crash

BROWN, GARRETT MICHAEL

T030225 General Speed Law (School Zone)

T030225A No Drivers License On Person

*57/45

BROWN, KALEIGH NICOLE

T032825 Speeding 11-15 MPH

*70/55

BRYANT, LAJERRICK K

T030325 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

CADE, SARAH NICOLE SIMMS

T032925 Speeding 25 & OVER

*97/70

CARTER, MELADY ELAINE

T030425 Speeding 11-15 MPH

T030425A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

*50/35

COILE, JOSEPH DAVID

T030525 Operating A Vehicle With Improper Tail Lights

T030525A Failure To Secure Registration

T030525B Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

COLEMAN, JARED SETH

T029724 Failure to Use Safety Belt

T029724A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

CROCKETT, JOHN MICHAEL

T033025 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

Single vehicle crash

DOSTER, ZACKARY LOGAN KADE

T030625 Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

DREW, JELISA F

T109020 Speeding 11-15 MPH

T109020A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FAULK, ASHLEY NICOLE

T030725 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FOSTER, DARRELL

T033125 Tampering With Barricades, Signs, And/Or Signals

FOUNTAIN, DAVID RAY

T033225 Speeding 16-24 MPH

*73/55

FULLER, AUSTIN LEWIS

T033325 Failure to Use Safety Belt

GARMANY, HOLLY N

T033425 Speeding 16-24 MPH

*73/55

GILES, KEVIN LEE

T030825 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

GLOVER, RICKIE DEMOND

T030925 Operating A Vehicle With Improper Tail Lights

T030925A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HALL, REGINA MICHELLE

T033525 Improper Driving Left Of Center

HARRIS, AYEESHA ANTOINEETE

T033625 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HARRIS, JR, DONALD LESLIE

T031025 No Insurance

T031025A Switched License Plates

HARRISON, GLENDA FAY

T033725 Failure To Obey Traffic-Control Signal

HARVILL, LELAND DEWAYNE

T122524A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HICKS, BRITTANY

T108124 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

T108124A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HILL, LARRY J

T033825 Speeding 11-15 MPH

70/55

HUCKABAY AKA BEARD, AMBER LEANN

T021825 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HULION, CHRISTIAN LEE

T031125 General Speed Law (School Zone)

*57/45

HULLABY, ROXANNE

T083120 Speeding 16-24 MPH

T083120A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/

ISTRE, ROBERT PAUL

T031225 General Speed Law (School Zone)

*58/45

JACKSON, NAESHA NEVERSHAE

T033925 Speeding 16-24 MPH

71/55

JOHNSON, HAYLEE LOUANNE

T034025 Failure to Use Safety Belt

JOHNSTON, JENA RACHEL

T034125 Speeding 16-24 MPH

91/70

JONES, ALEXIS LEEANN

T034225 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

*Single vehicle crash

JONES, ANTHONY BERNARD

T031325 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

JOYCE, HEATHER

T001325 Speeding 16-24 MPH

T001325A Operating A Vehicle With An Expired Driver’s License

T001325B No Insurance

KERVIN, JONATHAN LOGAN

T034325 Failure to Use Safety Belt

LANDERS, STACY

T031425 Speeding 16-24 MPH

*76/55

LINWOOD, JATORIAN

T031525 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

*Crash

MARTIN, CHRISTOPHER ALLAN

T034425 Failure to Use Safety Belt

MONDAY, ALEXIS GABRIELLE

T031625 General Speed Law (School Zone)

*57/45

NORRIS, DANIEL JORDAN

T034625 Speeding 11-15 MPH

69/55

NORTON, KEVIN DEMARCUS

T031725 Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

T031725A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

PAUL, BRANDON JEFF

T034525 Failure to Use Safety Belt

PERKINS, JOHNNY R

T137223 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T137223A Failure to Use Safety Belt

PIGGEE, KENDRIEN

T031825 Speeding 25 & OVER

RAMSEY, RICKY

T031925 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

*Single vehicle crash

REYES, RAFAEL

T034725 Speeding 16-24 MPH

75/55

ROSS, TYLER ISHAD

T034825 Improper Lane Usage

Single vehicle crash

RULEY, AMANDA DARLENE

T034925 Failure to Use Safety Belt

T034925A Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

SHAW, SKYLAR

T032025 Improper Turn And/Or Failure To Give Required Signal

*Argumentative

SIMMONS, ASHUNTEE MICHEE

T035025 Failure to Use Safety Belt

STANLEY, PAMELA DICK

T035125 Speeding 11-15 MPH

70/55

STEPHENS, LORI LEA

T032125 Speeding 11-15 MPH

*50/35

TEAGUE, CODY BENJAMIN

T032225 Speeding 11-15 MPH

T032225A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

*60/45

TEAGUE, CODY BENJAMIN

T003225 Speeding 11-15 MPH

T003224A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

THOMAS, WALTER DONELL

T035225 Speeding 16-24 MPH

72/55

WARD, STACI DANIELLE

T032325 Operating a Vehicle Without Properly Lit Lamps for Condition

T032325A No Insurance

T032325B Operating A Vehicle With An Expired Driver’s License

WASHINGTON, JOEY TERRILL

T032425 General Speed Law (School Zone)

T032425A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

*58/45

WHITE, LATALYA LYNEICE

T051724 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T051724A Operating A Vehicle Without Current Number Plates

WHITE, LATALYA LYNEICE

T025825 Operating a Vehicle with an Unlit License Plate

T025825A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

WILLIAMS, ASHANTI

T032525 General Speed Law (School Zone)

*45/58

WILLIAMS, JACOB LAMONT

T029825 Failure to Use Safety Belt

WILSON, KYLIE JO

T035325 Failure to Use Safety Belt

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

April 12

8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Get Out & Fish. Turner’s Pond, Minden. Free event. Learn to fish Adults and Youth. Keep what you catch. Free bait; rods and reels available for use. For more information, contact Danica Williams at 504-628-7282.

8:25 a.m. Phillips 5K, a benefit run for Phillip’s Cottage, Minden. Tickets: run signup.com/Race/LA/Minden/PhillipSCottageK.

10 a.m. 23rd annual Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. scottishtartanfestival.com.

11 a.m. The Lucky Pup Easter Bunny Photos, 217 North Main, Springhill. Egg hunt at 1 p.m.

11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Community Easter Extravaganza, Springhill City Park, N. Main St., Springhill. Sponsored by St. Rest Baptist Church. Egg hunt, food, picture with Easter Bunny, bike give-away.

7 p.m. Piney Woods Jamboree, CAC building, Springhill. Jack Daniels Family.

April 14

5:30 p.m. Doors open for Night at the Museum, Minden. Museum Director Jessica Gorman shares story of a letter and highlight the importance of preserving an sharing old letters, photos and documents. Admission is free; donations encouraged. Pot luck snacks and desserts. Seating is limited.

April 17

7 p.m. Living Lord’s Supper, living dramatization, First Methodist Church, Minden, 903 Broadway. No cost admission. Public is invited.

April 18

1 p.m. Easter egg hunt for all youth, Pine Grove Methodist Church, 4549 Lewisville Rd., Minden.

CANCELED: 6:30 p.m., “A Picture of Calvary” Easter play. Pine Grove Methodist Church, 4549 Lewisville Rd., Minden. This is an Easter play that will take you back in time, back over 2,000 years to the foot of an old rugged cross. We invite you join us for this extremely moving presentation of the gospel.

April 19

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., LaMa Animal Rescue Shelter and Jordan’s Way. Grand Opening and virtual livestream fundraiser. 220 Bennett Rd., Sarepta. Activities, games, field day style races, corn hole tournament, pie eating contest, egg hunt. Free hotdogs and chips. Crawfish available for purchase. Live stream on Facebook.

3-5 p.m., Easter Egg Hunt Fest, Beech Springs Baptist Church. The public is invited.

April 26

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Furry Friends Fundraiser, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street, Minden. Percentage of proceeds will be donated to LaMa Animal Rescue to help with vet bills and expenses incurred from Doyline hoarding situation.

April 29

10 a.m. until 2 p.m.,Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2025. Minden Civic Center. There is no charge for a business or resource provider to participate. There are a limited number of spots available. Please respond no later than Thursday, April 24. Spots are first come, first serve. Contact the chamber at 318-377-4240 or info@mindenchamber.com . Event is in partnership with Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Webster Parish Schools, Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College and Louisiana Workforce Commission.

May 1

7:30 a.m. Minden Community House. National Day of Prayer with City of Minden. Pray with local leaders.

May 9

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Minden Civic Center. Leading Legacies, a Women in Business Event. Presented by Catherine C. Hunt, realtor, LAState Realty, LLC and Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

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By Jessica Gorman

For several decades, the concert hall at the Minden Female College, later the Minden Graded High School, was a center of social life in Minden. It hosted concerts, plays, meetings, vaudeville shows, conferences, graduations, and other events. It was often filled to or near capacity. By 1899, the building was deemed unsafe and extensive repairs were necessary to keep it in use. It wasn’t long before a case was made for an entertainment venue to accommodate the crowds.

In 1907, the case was made for the need for an opera house in Minden. It was at this time that the McIntyre block in downtown Minden was to be rebuilt. This block extends from East Union to the Bank of Webster building, currently occupied by Logan McConathy State Farm. In May, it was reported that pressure was being put on the Bank of Webster and Mr. Banks McIntyre, owners of the properties in that block, to construct their buildings to include an opera house in the upper portion of the building.

Of course, they had to consider the investment they were making to construct the buildings. The cost of building an auditorium was much higher than to simply build offices. Offices could more easily be rented out at a lower rate to multiple tenants than to rent the entire space to a single tenant. The thought was that if a commitment was made to rent the space for the operation of an opera house, then the investment to build it could be justified and Minden would have its opera house.

Graduation exercises of Minden High School underscored the need. The Minden Democrat described the crowd as “packed to suffocation” claiming at least one thousand in attendance. Many attendees were forced to stand outside. In the same issue, it was announced that plans had been drawn for the Bank of Webster and the McIntyre building. Those plans did not include an opera house. Despite the urging of local leaders, it was determined that the upper portion of the building would not be an appropriate width to adequately accommodate an auditorium. Nevertheless, the newspaper was sure that Minden would soon have an opera house stating that, while they would remain nameless, there were those with plans to build an opera house that would accommodate 800 people.

Several months went by with no new developments. In November, an article appears in The Minden Democrat expressing frustration with a lack of needed facilities within the city for it to continue to grow and prosper. In regards to the opera house, it states, “a lessor stands ready to sign a five year lease on an opera house yet we have none and no appropriate place to take care of even a fair sized lodge convention.” It seems that no one had been willing to put up the money to bring the project to fruition.

Soon thereafter, the first mentions of theatres in Minden begin to appear. Events and performances continued to be held at the concert hall until construction of the new high school building a few years later with many community events then being held in the new school auditorium.

(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)

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Larry L. Culverhouse, Sr.

August 1, 1942 — April 9, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2024, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Burial: Andrews Chapel Cemetery, Heflin.

Joye Dumas O’Bier

November 22, 1942  –  April 4, 2025

Springhill, La.

Visitation: 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2025, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Graveside service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

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 Bonnie Culverhouse

Members of the Minden City Council are considering an agreement with the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery to help the city retrieve delinquent payments.

“We went to the Office of Debt Recovery and they would recover any amount of money that is owed to the city,” said Mayor Nick Cox. “It’s very broad what they can go after. They have different tools in their tool box.”

ODR is under the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

“They do not charge us for the service,” said the mayor. “They tack that fee onto the end user.”

He explained that if the city has tried to collect the debt and cannot, ODR would collect it and add to it a percentage that would be paid to the state.

There are several departments within the City of Minden that are owed money.

“Occupational licenses are particularly delinquent,” Cox said. “We seem to have a problem with our citizens defaulting on utility bills and other areas where citizens are fined, like traffic violations.”

Cox said utilities alone are more than $800,000 delinquent since 2022.

“People don’t realize that the city literally pays for the utilities, and the citizens pay us back,” he said.

“I think that as managers of the city’s budget, we should do what we can to recover any monies owed to the city,” Cox continued. “And it’s not just a matter of recovering money owed to the city, it’s about making sure that we have the ‘teeth’ to enforce the rules that we make and get people to follow through with the penalty.”

ODR enforcers do their jobs by making phone calls, then possibly wage garnishments and income tax offsets.

“These things are not very pleasant, but these are things that would only apply to people who are willingly and purposefully defaulting against the city,” he said. “We have to realize those who pay for these defaults are the ones who don’t default. Somebody has to make up for it.”

If the council agrees, the resolution could come up for a vote at the May meeting.

ODR is the Office of Debt Recovery, a division of the Louisiana Department of Revenue authorized to collect outstanding debt owed to Louisiana state agencies, parishes, municipalities, boards & commissions.

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By Pat Culverhouse

By a 10-1 vote with one abstention, Webster Parish School Board members agreed Monday to convert transactions to credit and debit cards rather than cash in all parish schools.

Board members agreed to contract with KEV School Solutions and allocate $58,195 for the cashless online payment systems. Money to support the move will come from district funds of each of the 15 schools.

Going cashless has already been in effect for up to three years in selected schools, and reports have been favorable according to information from school principals where the program has been implemented.

Purchases such as school clothing items like T-shirts and tickets to athletic events can be made on cards. Cashless system devices will be provided for all schools. Cash will still be accepted while schools transition to cashless.

Director of Finance Crevonne Odom said an annual fee to KEV of just over $39,000 will be paid through the various school maintenance funds.

Board members also passed a resolution calling for special elections in five districts for renewal of sale and use taxes.

Districts include the parish school district, Consolidated School District 3, Cotton Valley School District 12, Sarepta School District 35 and the District 6 sales tax.

“We want to emphasize that all these are renewals, not new taxes, and they’re at the lowest rates,” Rowland said.

Also during Monday’s meeting, school board members:

• Named Samantha Lewis, teacher at North Webster Jr. High, Employee of the Month for March; recognized Stephanie Pitman, teacher at Central Elementary, as Employee of the Month for April. Both teach special education.

• Approved $224,892.19 for Homeland Safety Systems in parish schools; to be paid from the various system maintenance and sales tax funds.

• Approved budget revisions for fiscal year 2024-25.

• Approved trip to Logoly State Park on Friday, April 11 for all students from North Webster Lower Elementary who meet PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support)  requirements. Funded by fundraisers.

• Approved trip to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX on April 25-27 for North Webster High Talented Art students to visit various parks and museums. Funding source fundraiser and donations.

• Approved trip to Dallas, TX on April 17 by Webster Jr. High sixth grade students to visit Aquarium, Medieval Times and the George W. Bush Presidential Library. Funding source Title I.

• Gave approval for Special Education Dept. employees Kassidy Alexander and Jill Hunter to attend LRP (Long Range Planning) National Institute on Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities in Phoenix. AZ April 27. Funding source IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

• Approved trip to Dallas, TX by Ursula Hullaby on May 19-22 for 2025 Conference on Crimes Against Women. Funding source Title IV.

• Granted approval for Jr. and Sr. high school students plus district employees to attend 2025 Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, FL June 26-29. Funding source Title IV.

Board members also approved, in globo, invoice payments for individual schools totaling $519,864.27 to be paid by the four school district maintenance funds plus the sales tax fund . Those included:

• Consolidated Dist. 3 Maintenance Fund — $107,940.95: Major expenditures were $79,500 to install seven mini-split systems on fifth grade wing of Central Elementary; $11,659.96 to purchase 40 football helmets for Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $8,070 for computer lab check-out unit at Central Elementary; $5,601 for two desktop computers and one 16-inch notebook for teacher use at Lakeside Jr/Sr High.

• Doyline Maintenance Fund — $102,127.03: Expenditures included $46,305.20 to replace the fire alarm system at Doyline High; $41,890 to purchase two sets of walk-through metal detectors at Doyline High; $9,470 to repair refrigerant leak in principal’s office at Doyline High.

• District Six and One-Half cent Sales Tax Fund —  $204,555.07: Top payments were $75,000 to paint Minden High gymnasium and hallways of A wing; $25,000 to hire company to clean out drains beneath football/track field at Minden High to prevent flooding; $14,600 to prep concrete, repair existing cracks and apply base and top coat at front and side entrances at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $14,305 to install mesh fence screens at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $14,140 to install six heat exchangers, two induced draft kits at J.A. Phillips; $8,800 to prep concrete, repair existing cracks and apply base and top coat industrial texture coating to front porch at Richardson Elementary; $8,680 to install heat exchangers (2), blower combustion motors and fuses at J.A. Phillips Elementary.

• Springhill Maintenance Fund — $10,909: Expenses include $3,920 for delivery of heat exchanger for Brown Upper Elementary; $2,359 to purchase wet/dry vacuum and buffer machine for Browning Elementary.

• Sarepta Maintenance Fund — $88,782.22: Only three items submitted for approval. Those were $37,786.22 to replace windows in cafeteria at North Webster Jr. High; $28,500 to prep and paint gymnasium at North Webster Jr. High; $22,496 to purchase portal metal detector at North Webster Jr. High.

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Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 75.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 48.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

Continue your article here…

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The challenge of betraying Jesus faced by every Christian on a daily basis was depicted on canvass by Leonardo da Vinci in “The Last Supper,” and will be brought to life in a dramatization at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the sanctuary at First Methodist Church Minden.

In 1494, when Leonardo was 42, he was commissioned by the Duke of Milan to decorate the dining room of the convent church, which was the favorite shrine of the Duke’s young bride.  As an appropriate theme for this dining room, the painter chose “The Last Supper.” 

His painting was not intended to be a faithful reproduction of the original scene as it had taken place in first century Palestine, but as it might have taken place in fifteenth century Italy. He chose what he considered the most dramatic moment of “The Last Supper.”

Variations of “The Last Supper” have been performed since 1989, when this script was first brought to Elaine Ward and Mary Ann Hamilton by Col. Andrews, a church member who was stationed at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant.  The Backdrop was painted by Damon Kearney, assisted by Cheryl Kearney and Wanda Kendrick.  This year Gayle Cabaniss and Ronda Carnahan are in charge of costumes and Christina Harris Chester, Susan Whaley & Elaine Robertson are in charge of props.

In this Living Dramatization, the 12 apostles speak their minds to themselves, to each other, and to the Lord in light of the words, which they have just heard Jesus speak, “One of you will betray me.”

Music will be interspersed among the speakers by FMC Minden Chancel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Dan Gibbs with accompanist, Helen Nelson. The program will conclude with “The Lord’s Prayer.”

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He wore a tight crewcut colored a khaki blonde that turned white through the years. He kept it short and clean and mean.

That look could have had him playing a mean master sergeant in any military movie you’ve ever seen, except he couldn’t have pulled it off. Way too sweet. He had the bark, but not the bite.

Uncle Alfred could never master angry. Had trouble getting in the same ballpark with irate, this pleasant, easy-going, blue-collar, American-made uncle of my mom’s.

Usually there was a work cap perched up there on his rectangle of a noggin, not a ball cap, but instead something advertising Pennzoil or Quaker State or John Deere, a freebie he’d picked up on the job or from a customer.

His face didn’t draw attention, but if you looked you saw bright blue eyes, thin lips that formed quick smiles, cheeks and neck always shaved tight. He protected pale skin from the sun with long-sleeved work shirts that almost always had an oval and his name over his heart.

No telling how many different places he worked in his life, but the one I remember is his job at a Gulf station that was once on North Seventh Street in West Monroe. He wore navy work pants and the Gulf shirt with the oval and the Pennzoil hat and brown work boots. A couple of red oil rags hung out his back pockets. I remember because he took me to work with him one day.

What was I, maybe 8? Pumped gas. Checked oil. Aired up tires. He gave me a red rag to put in my back pocket. Shocked he didn’t give me a pack of Larks and a lighter.

The best thing was I got to eat breakfast with him that morning in his and Aunt Opal’s trailer. Each day it was the same thing at 5 a.m.: two eggs over easy, two pieces of bacon, two pieces of toast. Aunt Opal doubled her work load that day and sent us off full to “the fillin’ station.”

They didn’t have any children. Just two weenie dogs. Saphire was the mom. Her son? Teddy. True story.

None of us get to choose our uncles and aunts. And they don’t get to choose us.

Sometimes we’re stuck with each other.

But sometimes it all works out, a lucky accident from Mother Nature.

And so it’s gone for me, and so it went for me and Uncle Alfred, who always gave off the lightest scent of menthol and gasoline.

I saw him young only in pictures, and again in an oval, this time framed, he on one side, my Aunt Opal on the other.

But for me, he was always the perfect age.

He was a great great-uncle.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Pat Culverhouse

A select group of Webster Parish school system students, teachers, administrators and support personnel were honored Monday as tops in each category were presented at Monday’s school board meeting.

Named parish Students of the Year were Lakyn Pate, Elementary, Central Elementary;  Ayauna Roberson, Middle School, Lakeside; and Peyton Handy, Doyline,  High School. 

Parish Teachers of the Year are: Elementary, Hannah Pevy, Phillips; Middle school, Tunisia Hampton, Webster; and  High school, Leslie Utley, Lakeside.

Named principals of the year were Cortney McCall, Elementary; Gwenzetta Bradford, Middle School; and Ashley Hooter, High school.

Parish Support Worker of the Year: Joseph Smith received honors as Support Worker of the year.

Those personnel honored by each parish school include:

Phillips Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Hannah Pevy. 

Support Person: Haley Perryman 

Minden High

Teacher Of Year: Haynes Mandino

Student Of Year: Copeland Cupples (12)

Support Person: Laura Davidson

Richardson Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Robin Herman

Student Of Year: Kaleb Stephens (5)

Support Person: Debra Boyd

Central Elementary

Teacher Of Year Melisa Adkins

Student Of Year: Lakyn Pate (5)

Support Person: Molly Griffith

Browning Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Myrhonda Turner

Support Person: Amber Mallory

Brown Upper Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Cayla McKinsey

Student Of Year: John Harris (5)

Support Person: London Brown, Custodian 

North Webster High 

Teacher Of Year: Wendy Markham

Student Of Year: Kerianne Allen (12)

Support Person: Kamisha Barriere

North Webster Jr. High

Teacher Of Year:  Marla Hanson

Student Of Year: Isabella (Bella) Deaver (8)

Support Person: Linda Beene

Webster Jr. High

Teacher Of Year: Tunisia Hampton

Student Of Year: Turner Wilson (8)

Support Person: Vicki Eubanks

Jones Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Hannah Barton

Support Person: Jessica Gavin

Lakeside Jr./Sr High

Teacher Of Year: Jeff Stewart, High School

Teacher Of Year: Leslie Utley, Middle. 

Student Of Year: Alyssa Chang (12); Ayauna Roberson (8)

Support Person: Jana Tharpe

Doyline

Elementary Teacher Of Year: Whitney Vollmer

Jr. High Teacher Of Year: Nancy Griffith

High School Teacher Of Year:  Ms. Tiffany Trent

SOY: Peyton Handy (12); Canaan Estes (8); Reagan Liggins (5)

Support Person: Erika Fuller

North Webster Lower Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Robin Campbell

Support Person: Joseph Smith

North Webster Upper Elementary

Teacher Of Year: Raven Berry

Student Of Year: Dixie Deshotel (5)

Support Person: Anita Rushing

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— Since 2017, over 1,350 people have traveled with me on more than 55 trips to seven European countries and 40 European cities. What started as a single, one-off trip hosting a few people interested in the people and places I had discovered in Tuscany has turned into a second business that occupies almost four months of my year. That’s 14 weeks spent hosting American travelers in Europe—an incredible blessing I never take for granted. It’s work I’m deeply grateful to do.

Whenever I tell my friends I’m going overseas to work, they smirk a little and say things like, “Yeah, sure, it’s work.” Those who’ve traveled with me over here understand it’s steady work—seven days a week, around 80 hours a week. 

If you’ve got to work somewhere, this isn’t a bad place to do it.

Enjoying the work was never in question. Turning folks on to the things I’ve discovered in my years of travel abroad is one of the highlights of my year. What I never expected was to make such lasting friendships along the way.

Most of the people who travel with me are “my people.” They come from the South, with Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia making up the lion’s share. But there are always folks from Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas, too. Every now and then, someone signs up from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, Washington state, or California.

People fascinate me. Always have. There’s something about learning who they are, where they’re from, and what matters to them that keeps me engaged. Getting to know people was one of the great surprises of this travel gig. But it’s not just about meeting them. It’s about hearing their stories.

That’s how I met Andy Anderson from Rolling Fork, Mississippi. He’s with this current group. We were talking over dinner last night when his story emerged—a testament to resilience, grit, leadership, and unwavering faith in the face of unimaginable hardship.

At 8:04 p.m. on March 24, 2023, Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was devastated by an EF4 tornado that packed winds up to 170 mph. The damage was complete and far-reaching, leaving the community with almost nothing. But Andy, along with four others, started a nonprofit called Rolling Fork Rising to help rebuild their town from the ground up. When a place like Rolling Fork—a town located in one of the poorest counties in the nation—gets knocked down, it’s an uphill climb just to get back to level ground.

Resilience comes in many forms. Building something from nothing—whether it’s a business or a town left in ruins—takes the same stubborn determination to press forward. Andy’s fight for Rolling Fork recalled the lessons I learned while trying to get Extra Table off the ground. Those early days taught me the importance of showing up, even when the road seemed impossible. Like Andy, I’ve had to lean on the kindness, wisdom, and hard work of others to keep moving forward. It’s a reminder that none of us do anything worth doing alone.

But Andy and the folks in Rolling Fork face an even steeper climb. Renters—who make up around 67% of the town—have been left out of most government recovery housing assistance. They had little to no relief, and many of them will never be able to return home. The people who once owned homes are now renting, and those who rented before (the 67%) are left with nothing. It’s an unfair reality for too many people.

Rolling Fork Rising is trying to change that. They aren’t just rebuilding homes—they’re creating pathways for people who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance. Most of the effort is aimed at helping renters who lost everything. And they’re not just handing out houses. Each applicant is assigned a Survivor Advocate or Case Manager who helps guide them through a rigorous qualification process. It’s a model built on accountability, commitment, and opportunity.

Applicants must complete several steps before being offered a home. They go through financial literacy training, homeowner education, and emotional and spiritual care classes. Only after completing these requirements can they be considered for a home. Rolling Fork Rising has already built four homes and plans to have another twelve completed by the end of the summer. The homes are sold at a discounted price with 0% mortgages, paid off over 20 years. It’s a model that others around the country could learn from, especially in rural areas like Rolling Fork.

The night the tornado hit, Andy raced to open doors to relieve the atmospheric pressure before huddling in a tub with his wife and 75-pound dog. The storm tore through just 250 yards away, flattening houses two doors down. His home stood. The devastation all around was beyond words.

But Andy wasn’t focused on what was lost. He couldn’t say enough about the outpouring of help that came in the following days. Farmers showed up from all over the county, chainsaws buzzing and bulldozers clearing roads through the night. They were out there for days, doing what they could to help clear debris and restore some sense of normalcy. It was the same in my hometown after Katrina.

First Baptist Church in Rolling Fork has played a critical role, housing volunteers and hosting prayer services for the community as early as two days after the tornado. To this day, they still have 50 beds filled with volunteers. Andy got emotional while speaking about how the community has come together in ways he never expected.

And it’s not just Rolling Fork. There are people like Andy Anderson all over Mississippi. It’s something I’ve seen time and time again. After Hurricane Katrina, and after the EF4 tornado tore through Hattiesburg years later. In Mississippi, when the chips are down, neighbors and churches step up. When disaster hits, this state responds better than anywhere else I’ve ever seen. No headlines. No fanfare. Just Mississippians breaking out the chainsaws, rolling up their sleeves, and doing what needs to be done.

Andy, a banker by trade, is the kind of person who keeps the lights on long after the rest of us have gone home. He’s out there, every day, working to bring his town back from the edge. Folks like him don’t ask for help lightly. But they deserve it. And if you feel moved by their story, consider helping Rolling Fork Rising. It’s not about giving charity. It’s about joining something worth believing in.

Meeting people like Andy is one of the best parts of this work. It’s never just about sightseeing or fine dining. It’s about the friendships made along the way and the remarkable stories people share when you take the time to listen. People like Andy Anderson remind me of the goodness that exists all around us—the kindness of strangers, the generosity of neighbors, and the resilience of those determined to rebuild against all odds. Every trip I host adds another thread to this fabric of connection and gratitude. I’m blessed to meet people like Andy, and even more blessed to share their stories.

Onward.

To support Rolling Fork Rising and the people fighting to rebuild their community, visit rollingforkrising.org.

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

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Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners present their annual Trails & Trellises Garden Tour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. (rain or shine) Saturday, April 26.

Pam & Freddie Gruner Garden – 1155 Alvin Miller Rd, Minden

Pam Gruner’s garden, cultivated over 40 years, features vibrant spring blooms, thousands of bulbs, and a raised vegetable garden. Whimsical gnomes and rabbits peek from the flowers, while a new native rock water feature adds charm. With 700 more bulbs planted last fall, the garden offers a stunning display, especially in spring, for lovers of crocus, daffodils, and snow glories.

Plant Sale: wide variety of perennials and bulbs will be available for sale at The Gruner Garden.

Jimmy & Lynn May Garden – 150 May Lane, Homer

The May Garden offers a serene escape with heirloom plants, native species, and butterfly garden. Visitors can explore wooded trails, a secluded pond, and enjoy the view from the back porch surrounded by maples, azaleas, and tropical plants. Rockers on the front porch provide a peaceful spot to take in the sweeping vistas of hills, ponds, and grazing cattle.

Patti & Tommy Bourne Garden – 12990 Hwy 9, Homer

At the home of Master Gardener Patti and Tommy Bourne, visitors are greeted by a meticulously cared-for yard, complete with vibrant flower beds filled with an assortment of flowers, shrubs, and hanging fern pots. Adding a unique twist, Patti’s husband proudly showcases his collection of antique cars. Visitors can enjoy refreshments in the antique car barn, making this a perfect blend of garden beauty and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Janice Plummer Garden – 289 Coleman Loop, Homer

The Plummer Garden is a vibrant lakeside oasis highlighted by striking azaleas, hydrangeas, loropetalum, sweet olive, and acuba japonica. Flower beds are filled with day lilies, platycodone, echinacea, and blue salvia, while oak trees stand surrounded by hostas and ferns. Near the lake, a beautiful rose garden complements more azaleas, zinnias, marigolds, and begonias. The expansive deck and garden spaces feature potted hibiscus, macho ferns, and exotic plants. It’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 from any Master Gardener or by contacting the Webster Parish Ext. Office or Claiborne Parish Ext. Office.

Visit http://www.phimg.com or Facebook.com/PHLMG/

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Stanley Lady Panthers 10, Lady Warriors 9

A pair of home runs off the bat of Lakeside’s Emily Jones weren’t enough to help the Lady Warriors as an eighth inning Rebecca Palmer double walked off a 10-9 win for the Stanley Lady Panthers Monday.

Jones homered in the first to give the Lady Warriors a temporary lead, then followed teammate Meredith Robinson’s four-bagger with her second of the game as Lakeside took a 9-8 lead in the top of the seventh.

An Amber Gooden home run tied the game in the bottom of the inning, setting the stage for the walkout double in the bottom of the first extra inning.

Campbell got the win for Stanley, giving up seven hits and nine runs (five earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking four. McKenna Chreene took the loss for Lakeside.

Jones, Robinson, and Chreene each collected two hits for the Lady Warriors. Stanley piled up 13 hits in the game. Palmer, Campbell, Jones, and Gooden each collected two hits and Jones and Gooden each drove in three runs.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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Wolves 13, Panthers 0

Weston scored seven runs in the fifth inning and Ty Henderson twirled a two-hit shutout as the Wolves handed the Doyline Panthers a 13-0 defeat Monday.

Weston scored in the top of the second inning when Drew Browning singled in one run and Henderson scored on a sacrifice fly.  Liam Weaver’s base-loaded walk accounted for the third Wolves run.

Weston’s seven runs  in the fifth inning came with on the strength of two hits, two errors and two sacrifice flies.

Henderson had 10 strikeouts and walked two in taking the win.  Dario Galvez absorbed the loss for Doyline.

Noah Spears went two-for-two at the plate to lead the Panthers.

Henderson and Browning each drove in three runs each for Weston and Cole Tolar collected two hits.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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Glenbrook Apaches 5, Cedar Creek Cougars 2

Easton Sanders had a dream day Monday, hurling a two-hitter while recording 11 strikeouts and getting three hits in four at-bats as the Glenbrook Apaches scored a 5-2 win over the Cedar Creek Cougars Monday.

After an error put Glenbrook on the board in the bottom of the first, the Apaches added two more in the third to get Sanders all the runs he would need.

Kade Luker pitched well for Cedar Creek in a losing effort, allowing just two hits and five runs (two earned) over five and two-thirds innings, striking out 13 and walking three.

Ryan Coleman had one run batted in and Connor Yates and Micah Taylor each collected one hit for Cedar Creek.

Lady Vikings 1, Glenbrook Lady Apaches, 0

Glenbrook’s Savannah Mangrum and Airline’s Taylor Smith hooked up in an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel as the Lady Vikings eked out a 1-0 win Monday.

Mangrum went the distance, giving up only three hits and recording five strikeouts in the losing effort. Smith finished her complete game giving up four hits and striking out 10.

A single by Lindsey Marcinkus drove in the game’s only run in the top of the fourth.

Vivian Still, Colby Hollis, Hallie Harmon, and Anna Vining each collected one hit for Glenbrook Varsity Lady Apaches.

Tanesciya Thomas, Madalynn Shortridge, and Marcinkus had one hit apiece for Airline.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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

April 12

8:25 a.m. Phillips 5K, a benefit run for Phillip’s Cottage, Minden. Tickets: run signup.com/Race/LA/Minden/PhillipSCottageK.

10 a.m. 23rd annual Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. scottishtartanfestival.com.

11 a.m. The Lucky Pup Easter Bunny Photos, 217 North Main, Springhill. Egg hunt at 1 p.m.

11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Community Easter Extravaganza, Springhill City Park, N. Main St., Springhill. Sponsored by St. Rest Baptist Church. Egg hunt, food, picture with Easter Bunny, bike give-away.

7 p.m. Piney Woods Jamboree, CAC building, Springhill. Jack Daniels Family.

April 14

5:30 p.m. Doors open for Night at the Museum, Minden. Museum Director Jessica Gorman shares story of a letter and highlight the importance of preserving an sharing old letters, photos and documents. Admission is free; donations encouraged. Pot luck snacks and desserts. Seating is limited.

April 17

7 p.m. Living Lord’s Supper, living dramatization, First Methodist Church, Minden, 903 Broadway. No cost admission. Public is invited.

April 18

1 p.m. Easter egg hunt for all youth, Pine Grove Methodist Church, 4549 Lewisville Rd., Minden.

April 19

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., LaMa Animal Rescue Shelter and Jordan’s Way. Grand Opening and virtual livestream fundraiser. 220 Bennett Rd., Sarepta. Activities, games, field day style races, corn hole tournament, pie eating contest, egg hunt. Free hotdogs and chips. Crawfish available for purchase. Live stream on Facebook.

3-5 p.m., Easter Egg Hunt Fest, Beech Springs Baptist Church. The public is invited.

April 26

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Furry Friends Fundraiser, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street, Minden. Percentage of proceeds will be donated to LaMa Animal Rescue to help with vet bills and expenses incurred from Doyline hoarding situation.

April 29

10 a.m. until 2 p.m.,Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2025. Minden Civic Center. There is no charge for a business or resource provider to participate. There are a limited number of spots available. Please respond no later than Thursday, April 24. Spots are first come, first serve. Contact the chamber at 318-377-4240 or info@mindenchamber.com . Event is in partnership with Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Webster Parish Schools, Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College and Louisiana Workforce Commission.

May 1

7:30 a.m. Minden Community House. National Day of Prayer with City of Minden. Pray with local leaders.

May 9

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Minden Civic Center. Leading Legacies, a Women in Business Event. Presented by Catherine C. Hunt, realtor, LAState Realty, LLC and Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

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By Brad Dison

Each year since 1950, people have gathered at Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle Esplanade in August for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  Not to be confused with soldiers having ink inserted into the dermis layer of skin, a military tattoo is a festival consisting of music, dancing, and general merrymaking focused on Scottish heritage and international culture.  The most anticipated portion of the festival consists of numerous precision military displays.     

Since 1961, His Majesty The King’s Guard of Norway, an elite unit tasked with protecting the Norwegian royal family, has participated in the military displays.  In August 1972, while in Scotland for the Tattoo, the Royal Norwegian King’s Guard added another soldier to its regimental ranks.  On that day, Nils Olav became a lance corporal, a rank which usually requires long or outstanding service to attain.  It was Nils’s first day.  His first duty as a soldier was to inspect his troops, a duty he performed with the confidence and skill of someone with much more experience.  Nils proudly wore a pennant of the prestigious King’s Guard around his right arm.  Most soldiers would have resented a newcomer reaching such a rank without earning it, but no one resented Nils.  You see, Nils Olav’s family had deep Scandinavian roots, and he was, himself, a king.      

Nils may have been given the rank of lance corporal on his first day, but promotions came slowly at first.  In 1982, after 10 years as a lance corporal, Nils received his first promotion when he was made a full corporal.  Five years later, he became a sergeant.  In 1993, during that year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Nils was promoted to regimental sergeant major.  Nils’s promotion and his inspection of his troops was televised in Norway and throughout much of Europe.  Nils became somewhat of a celebrity Europe, though most people in America were unaware of his rising fame.  In 2001, during a ceremony at the Tattoo in which Nils was awarded the Norwegian Army’s Long Service and Good Conduct medal, the Royal Norwegian Guard promoted him to colonel-in-chief.   On the morning of August 15, 2008, Nils’s fellow soldiers gathered for Nils’s knighting ceremony.  He has been known as Sir Nils Olav ever since.  He eventually rose to the rank of brigadier.

If you are able to watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this Fall, you will probably see Sir Nils Olav’s inspection of the troops.  He has done it each year since 1972.  But if you were to look closely at photos of Sir Nils through the years, you might notice minute differences in his appearance.  You must have a keen eye to notice.  In 1987, Nils Olav died and was replaced by a lookalike.  He looked so much like Nils Olav that no one noticed.  When the lookalike died some years later, he was replaced by yet another lookalike who continued his work in the military as if nothing had happened.  Why did news outlets around the world not pounce on the story which should have captured our attention?  You see, Sir Nils Olav is a king…a three foot tall king penguin.  He lives at the Edinburgh Zoo and is the mascot for the Royal Norwegian King’s Guard.          

 Sources:

1.      The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, accessed April 5, 2025, https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

2.      The Guardian (London, England), August 17, 1972, p.6.

3.      The Daily Telegraph (London, England), August 18, 1993, p.4.

4.      Irish Independent, August 18, 2005, p.T4.

5.      East Oregonian, August 15, 2008, p.8.

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