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The Mt. Lebanon Historical Society will host its annual Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, July 4th, at the Stagecoach Trail Museum.
Guest speaker will be Kevin Smith, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Ruston.
This is a patriotic and educational event for all ages.
The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude with breakfast at the Country Store. Please bring a covered dish breakfast.
On Friday, the Arcadia Lions Club installed Mary McDonald as its president for the upcoming year.
During the meeting, Jeff Adams was presented an award for being the “Lion of the Year.”
Congratulations, Ms. McDonald and Mr. Adams!
Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a statement about the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the United States Supreme Court, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
Gov. Edwards said:
“I am and have always been unabashedly pro-life and opposed to abortion. However, I understand that people on both sides of this complex issue hold deeply personal beliefs, and I respect that not everyone, including many in my own party, agrees with my position.
While we are still reviewing the decision issued by the Court this morning, Louisiana has had a trigger law in place since 2006 that would outlaw abortion, without exception for rape and incest, should the United States Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade.
I asked the Legislature to include exceptions for rape and incest in the legislation most recently passed. While the bill that passed expanded the exceptions from the 2006 law to include instances of medical futility and treatment of ectopic pregnancies, these important exceptions were not included.
As I have said many times before, I believe women who are survivors of rape or incest should be able determine whether to continue with a pregnancy that is the result of a criminal act.
And, to be clear, the legislation I recently signed protects all forms of contraception, including emergency contraception, which remains fully legal and available in Louisiana.
Being pro-life means more than just being against abortion. It means providing the necessary resources and implementing policies that provide real options and not just lip service to the children, women, and families we are blessed to serve. Now more than ever, it’s critical that Louisiana funds services to support women, children, and families throughout their lives, which is why I have expanded health care through our Medicaid program and lobbied for measures to make sure workers are paid better and more fairly. It’s also why I’ve supported better funding for Louisiana’s public education system, including early childhood education. I believe all people should have the opportunity to succeed and that starts with providing a strong foundation early in life.
Make no mistake, there is much more that we can do to support women, children, and families, and I hope that my fellow pro-life public officials will join me in these efforts in the coming months and years.”
In late July, 1923, Vice President of the United States Calvin Coolidge was greatly relieved by news that President Warren Harding was recovering splendidly from his bout of pneumonia at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Calvin was spending time at his summer home, his boyhood home, in Springfield, Vermont. While taking a break from the politics of Washington, D.C., he performed amateur tree surgery on the beautiful old shade tree in his front yard. He paid no attention to reporters and looky-loos as he concentrated on his work.
On the afternoon of August 2, President Harding’s physicians sent Calvin a telegram and reassured him of the president’s health. The Coolidge home had neither electricity nor a telephone. At about 10:30 p.m. that night, Calvin went to bed. Shortly after midnight on August 3, another messenger arrived by car at the Coolidge residence. Calvin was in bed asleep when his father, John C. Coolidge, awoke him. Calvin knew something was wrong by the sound of numerous cars pulling up at the normally tranquil home. John read the telegram to Calvin: “The president died instantly while conversing with members of his family at 7:30 p.m. The physicians report death was apparently due to some brain embolism, probably apoplexy.” He immediately returned a telegram to Mrs. Harding: “We offer you our deepest sympathy. May God bless you and keep you.” He, Calvin, was now President of the United States.
The news was a great blow to Calvin, though he took it with his characteristic calmness. He dressed immediately and descended the stairs to the sitting room where an army of reporters had already gathered. They could detect no difference in Calvin’s demeanor, as was his nature. He calmly told the reporters, “Reports have reached me, which I fear are correct, that President Harding is gone. The world has lost a great and good man. I mourn his loss. He was my chief and my friend.”
Within half an hour, the Coolidge residence, which was normally a quiet and lonely farm house became “a mecca for hundreds.” By 1:30 a.m., a telephone was installed at the Coolidge residence. Calvin called Washington and received instructions on how to perform the oath of office. He learned that he needed a notary public to administer the oath of office. Just then, a congressman arrived with two federal employees to act as bodyguards. Calvin’s father, John, a notary public, held a brief swearing in ceremony in his own home. Calvin’s father beamed as he spoke in a trembling voice, “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” A reporter asked Calvin’s father to describe his feelings while swearing in his son to which he replied, “One would not say that he was elated to have the President die.”
Calvin’s first act as president after the swearing in was… to return to bed. The two federal employees turned bodyguards stood on either side of the door to Calvin’s bedroom to ensure that no one disturbed the president and first lady. Cars came and went as Calvin slept. Reporters waited quietly but impatiently outside the Coolidge home. Finally, at 7:20 a.m., Calvin looked out the front door. Reporters bombarded him with questions, but Calvin spoke not a word. Calvin bowed at them indifferently, posed for a few photographs, and went back inside. Ten minutes later, Calvin and several others were “taken by motor car” to a special train which delivered him to the White House.
Becoming president upon the death of a previous president had its challenges. Everyone, especially Calvin, understood that he had not been selected by the people to become president. That changed when he won the 1924 election. Calvin strongly supported women’s suffrage and equality. The economy during his presidency, one of rapid and expansive growth, became known as the “Roaring Twenties.” Calvin preferred to take a hands-off government approach and lived up to his nickname “Silent Cal Coolidge” as he seemingly only spoke out of necessity.
In 1927, Calvin took everyone by surprise when he told reporters in as few words as possible, “I do not choose to run for president in 1928.” Reporters gasped. Calvin briefly explained, “”If I take another term, I will be in the White House till 1933. Ten years in Washington is longer than any other man has had it – too long.”
Following his presidency, Calvin published an autobiography and wrote a syndicated newspaper column entitled, “Calvin Coolidge Says.” The columns most certainly were brief. Just after noon on January 5, 1933, Calvin’s wife returned from shopping and found the former president unconscious on his dressing room floor. A sudden heart attack struck as he was preparing to shave and he fell to the floor. Although several people were present in the home at the time of his death, no one heard Calvin fall. Even at the moment of his death, he remained silent.
On this fourth of July, as you enjoy hot dogs and burgers from the grill and drink cool refreshments, take just a moment of silence for “Silent Cal.” Say Happy Birthday to America… and to Calvin Coolidge. He is the only American president who was born on the fourth of July.
Sources:
1. Vermont Standard (Woodstock, Vermont), August 2, 1923, p.1.
2. The Barre Daily Times (Barre, Vermont), August 2, 1923, p.7.
3. Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, Vermont), August 3, 1923, p.1.
4. Burlington Daily News (Burlington, Vermont), August 3, 1923, p.1.
5. Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, Vermont), January 6, 1933, p.1.
There have been many famous pigs in literature, movies, and television. There were the original industrious and clever “three little pigs” from the English folktale written by Joseph Jacobs. Shy “Piglet” from the Winnie the Pooh stories, “Babe” the Gallant Pig from books and movies, “Wilbur” the smallest pig in his litter and saved by a spider, in Charlotte’s Web, and who could forget television star “Arnold Ziffel” from Green Acres! But the most famous pig of all-time? Daisy the World-Famous Pig and her human sidesick, Farmer Minor!
Because of prior commitments, Daisy and Farmer Minor will have a shortened schedule of appearances at the Bienville Parish Library. Thursday morning the Daisy and Farmer Minor arrive at Arcadia Main Library and in the afternoon, they head over to the Ringgold Branch to perform.
Arcadia at 10:00 a.m.
Ringgold at 2:00 p.m.
On Friday, Castor welcomes Daisy and Farmer Minor in the morning and then they arrive at the Saline Branch later that afternoon for their final performance.
Castor at 10:00 a.m.
Saline at 2:00 p.m.
Daisy and Farmer Minor have been performing “Pig Out on Reading” programs across the U.S. for over 14 plus years! Daisy became the first pig ever invited inside the U.S. Capitol while on her 1st National Tour in 2002. She has been issued hundreds of honorary Library cards from public libraries & school libraries across the U.S. Daisy has also received “Keys to Cities”, proclamations from town mayors and certificates of “thanks” from schools and libraries!
Farmer Minor does storytelling about Daisy’s formative years (all true) with Farmer & Mrs. Minor. The audience will learn special Daisy noises, give Daisy treats, and Farmer Minor talk about Daisy’s pampered porcine life and about how Daisy I and Daisy II became such famous pigs (all due to their love of “Pig Books” and Libraries). Farmer Minor brings his rocking chair, many of Daisy’s newspaper articles on posters and of course, many of their favorite pig books. Daisy has the world’s largest collection of “pig books”. Based on the age and number of children, Farmer Minor selects a book that the children can help read to Daisy. With older children, he tells a story from one of Daisy’s favorite books. At the end of the program, following the Daisy pledge, all are able to pet Daisy. Photo opportunities are plentiful! Willing participants will be able to give Daisy a BIG SMOOCH as part of a reading incentive, summer reading program, or simply because they want to kiss the “most famous pig in the whole world!
Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. Collecting the 2022 “Oceans of Possibilities” brag tags is a reading incentive to give your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
1534 – Jacques Cartier was the first European to reach Prince Edward Island.
1613 – The Globe Theatre in London, built by William Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, burned to the ground.
1620 – English crown banned tobacco growing in England, which gave the Virginia Company a monopoly in exchange for tax of one shilling per pound.
1864 – At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, were killed in Canada’s worst railway disaster after a train failed to stop for an open drawbridge and plunged into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec.
1888 – George Edward Gouraud recorded Handel’s Israel in Egypt onto a phonograph cylinder, thought for many years to be the oldest known recording of music.
1889 – Hyde Park and several other Illinois townships voted to be annexed by Chicago, which formed the largest United States city in area and second largest in population at the time.
1927 – The Bird of Paradise, a U.S. Army Air Corps Fokker tri-motor, completed the first transpacific flight, from the mainland United States to Hawaii.
1950 – Korean War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman authorized a sea blockade of Korea.
1952 – The First Miss Universe pageant was held. Armi Kuusela from Finland won the title of Miss Universe 1952.
1956 – The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 was signed by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which officially created the United States Interstate Highway System.
1957 – Buddy Holly recorded the song Peggy Sue.
1959 – Dick Clark announced that he was teaming up with Irvin Feld to stage a series of Dick Clark Caravans.
1967 – Keith Richards was found guilty of allowing his property to be used for the smoking of marijuana and was sentenced to one year in jail and was fined. Mick Jagger was found guilty of illegal possession of pep pills and was sentenced to three months in jail.
1968 – Pink Floyd’s second album A Saucerful of Secrets was released.
1969 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last concert on the last day of the Denver Pop Festival.
1971 – Prior to re-entry (following a record-setting stay aboard the Soviet Union’s Salyut 1 space station), the crew capsule of the Soyuz 11 spacecraft depressurized and killed the three cosmonauts on board. Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev were the first humans to die in space.
1972 – The United States Supreme Court ruled in the case Furman v. Georgia that arbitrary and inconsistent imposition of the death penalty violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
1972 – A Convair CV-580 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collided above Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin, killing 13.
1975 – Steve Wozniak tested his first prototype of the Apple I computer.
1987 – Vincent van Gogh’s painting, the Le Pont de Trinquetaille, was bought for $20.4 million at an auction in London, England.
1995 – Space Shuttle program: STS-71 Mission (Atlantis) docked with the Russian space station Mir for the first time.
1999 – Leif Garret was arrested during a sting operation at an apartment in Los Angeles, CA. He pled guilty to drug possession on August 14, 1999.
2006 – Hamdan v. Rumsfeld: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President George W. Bush’s plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates U.S. and international law.
2007 – Apple Inc. released its first mobile phone, the iPhone.
2012 – A derecho, a widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm that is associated with a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms, swept across the eastern United States and left at least 22 people dead and millions without power.
Inspired this spring by the Byrd High School girls bowling team knocking off the state’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs and finishing as the surprising, out-of-nowhere state runner-up, I accepted the challenge to captain a team last week in the 2022 “Surfs Up” Bowling Bash at the Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria.
The event was one of many that made up the always-good-times Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Week, which began Thursday with a press conference to meet the Class of 2022 and ended with the induction of that class Saturday at the Natchitoches Events Center.
In between was tomfoolery, something I know a little something about.
The Big Weekend rolls around every year at this time, and all are welcome, including at the bowling event. Grab five folks, a few bucks, and you’re in. Go to LASportsHall.com and see pictures and videos of all the events and start thinking about next year. I talked with a couple of dozen first-timers who say they’ll be back.
And why? Because a good time was had by all. Especially by me. And especially bowling, because we won.
Not only won, but shattered the events record with a score of 925 for our five-man team in 10 frames of team bowling. (They tell me that’s good. What I know about bowling, you could fit inside a bowling ball’s finger hole.)
As a nod to the 50th anniversary of Title IX — and an equal nod (OK, a bigger nod) to them being really good — I recruited members of Louisiana Tech’s girls bowling team. They accepted. Even without under-the-table cash or an NIL deal.
Just solid old-school recruiting. It all comes back to that when you’re trying to build a one-game, winner-take-all team. Surround yourself with quality kegglers.
It is a plus that, besides finishing their most recent season with 33 wins over top-25 teams, 20 wins over Top-10 teams, 12 wins over Top-5 teams, three wins over No. 2 and two wins over the country’s top-ranked team at the time, these young female student-athletes are a joy to be around.
And even more fun since they earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament and finished as an Elite 8 team.
Friday in Alexandria, they finished as an Elite 1.
Our “five-man team” team is a figure of speech. There was me, bowling-lover-gone-bowling-madman/wizard Coach Matt Nantais, and three willing talents from the team, listed here with some of their 2021-22 accomplishments:
Averi Brown, a grad student from Columbus, Ohio who qualified for the singles national championships; Patricia Rosales, who made a pair of All-Tournament teams; and,
Danielle Jedlicki, who bowled two perfect games, was named to a pair of All-Tournament teams and earned a Tournament MVP.
They had rosin bags. Little pieces of tape on their fingers. A hand fan. Braces for their wrists. Everything but eye black. In it to win it, they were.
Teddy wept.
Did you even know Tech had a bowling team? Now you do. And the state does. And next year, hopefully more of the nation will know. The national championships will be in Vegas next year. Maybe I’ll “need” to go cover it.
So think about going to some or all of the Hall of Fame events next year. And think about going bowling. Start now if you want a chance to beat us.
Which you will, because I think we’ve been, for future events, disqualified.
But it sure was fun while it lasted.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
June 19
June 21
June 22
June 23
June 24
What happens when you cross a Master’s degree in Oceanography with a career in children’s music? You get a beach party! Award-winning children’s musician Shana Banana merges her two specialties in creating a fun, music-based show about our aquatic and marine water systems and the animals that live there. Using puppets that go on an exciting adventure through the water cycle, plus lots of audience interaction and original songs, her program emphasizes the interconnectedness between ourselves, the earth’s water resources and the animals that live there. Includes some Native American (Seminole) references and stories. On Wednesday afternoon, the beach party arrives at the Gibsland Branch!
Wednesday, July 6th
Gibsland at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday morning the Banana Beach Party catches the perfect wave into the Arcadia Main Library and in the afternoon, they head over to the Ringgold Branch to continue the party!
Thursday, July 7th
Arcadia at 10:00 a.m.
Ringgold at 2:00 p.m.
On Friday, Castor welcomes Shana Banana and her beach friends in the morning and then the afternoon party waves roll into the Saline Branch for a tidal wave of fun!
Friday, July 8th
Castor at 10:00 a.m.
Saline at 2:00 p.m.
After working and teaching on a marine research vessel through the University of South Florida, Shana Smith decided to take a leap of faith and explore her creative talents in singing and songwriting. Her mother’s preschool in Gainesville is where Shana discovered and developed her incredible joy of writing songs for children. Over the years, she became nationally known as “Shana Banana” and earned a reputation as one of today’s top children’s entertainers, with a voice that delves into blues, jazz, folk, and spiritual music as well.
Performing at major festivals, schools, libraries, and performing arts centers across the United States, Shana Banana has earned many prestigious awards along the way, including: two first-round Grammy nominations, Parents’ Choice, NAPPA, Kids’ First Coalition for Quality Children’s Media, and, in 2004, she won “Best Children’s Song in the Country” by the Just Plain Folks organization. Her music has taken her to the White House, Seattle’s Whirligig, the Florida Folk Festival, Merlefest, Seminole Tribe Indian Reservations, the Bluebird in Nashville, and various jazz, Americana and blues events across the country, as well as to yoga studios, spiritual centers and festivals for her “Chanting to the Open Heart” kirtan circles and yoga for adults and children.
Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. Collecting the 2022 “Oceans of Possibilities” brag tags is a reading incentive to give your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
On Saturday, June 25, on a day when temperatures in Ruston reached a scorching 102 degrees, Saline marathon runner Don Brown participated in the Trininity UMC 5K race.
The out and back race began at the Trinity United Methodist Church and continued through the north section of the Rock Island Greenway Trail.
Mr. Brown finished with a time of 27.24 .30 and took first place in his age group.
Mr. Brown will next compete on July 9 in the Dam Melon Run 5K held at Mill Creek Reservoir in Saline.
Congratulations, Mr. Brown, on your 5K win!
By Bonnie Culverhouse of the Webster Parish Journal
A Ringgold woman is in a Webster Parish Jail, thanks to Minden Police.
Manee J. Ahner, 36, of the 1400 block of Vickers, is charged with resisting an officer, felony theft, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, introduction of narcotics in a penal institution and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Police Chief Steve Cropper said said Off. Kayla Little and Ofc. Christopher Cayer were dispatched to a Homer Road pharmacy with multiple shoplifters.
“When officers entered the store, they were met by an employee who advised them that 2 females went outside to their vehicle prior to their arrival, and another female was still in the store,” Cropper said. “The females in the car were both juveniles and officers asked them to return to the store.”
The female still in the store was reportedly approached by officers and identified as Manee Ahner.
“After they were read their rights, all three subjects denied stealing anything from the store,” said the chief. “Off. Little searched Ahner’s purse and located makeup products that were still packaged. Ahner owns the vehicle where the juveniles were located. Officers searched it and located more makeup items.”
Lt. Griffith reportedly escorted Ahner to his unit for transport. While Little was conducting a patdown search, she discovered more items on Ahner’s person.
“She located fingernail polish, hair straightener, a small bag of methamphetamine and a glass pipe with white residue,” Cropper said. “After they transported her to the police department, Little searched Ahner a second time and a small clear baggie with a white crystalline substance was discovered.”
Ahner reportedly lied about the identity of a male subject that was with the three, the chief said. He also said the juveniles admitted that Ahner asked them to remove the narcotics from her person while she was handcuffed. Both juveniles reportedly refused.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video 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.
Athens – On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, just after 10:00 p.m., Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop G began investigating a one-vehicle fatality crash on LA Hwy 518 at Old Athens Road. This crash claimed the life of 33-year-old Patrick Halliburton, who was not wearing a seat belt.
The initial investigation revealed a 2001 Ford pickup, driven by Haliburton was traveling west on LA Hwy 518. For reasons still under investigation, Halliburton exited the roadway, and struck a tree.
Halliburton, who was unrestrained, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene by the Claiborne Parish Coroner.
It is unknown if impairment is a factor in this crash; however, routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.
Troopers remind motorists that buckling up is the most effective way to protect yourself during a vehicle crash. Failure to take a few seconds to buckle up can have devastating consequences. Louisiana law requires every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, to be properly restrained day or night.
In 2022, Troop G has investigated 18 fatal crashes, resulting in 19 deaths.
Print this page to work the puzzle. If you are unable to print this page you can download it by clicking “Download” below.
Instructions:
ZCIRPZCI is EINSTEIN
In Cryptoquotes, one letter stands for another. In the example above, Z is used for two E’s, I for the two N’s, etc. Single letters, double letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. The code letters change with each puzzle.
TODAY’S CRYPTOQUOTE:
“ZNT MANU ZNT HEP NA GLP ENHY GN KTRRPKK JQ ZNT UNTSY YN ZNTE FNC HAY ANG CP WHJY QNE JG.” ~ NWEHL UJAQEPZ
Previous Cryptoquote solution: “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ~ Winston Churchill
The Bienville Parish Library 2022 Summer Reading Program continues after a brief pause to observe Juneteenth! Then the “Oceans of Possibilities” steams full ahead with a special performance from New Orleans based author, illustrator, visual arts educator, and puppeteer, Karen Konnerth.
Karen Konnerth and the Calliope Puppets arrived mid-week and kicked off the third live performance of the Bienville Parish Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Program, “Oceans of Possibilities.”
Friday, June 24
Castor at 10:00 a.m.
Saline at 2:00 p.m.
FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA!
Ms. Konnerth and her puppets bring to the stage a rollicking, new, tall tale as Calliope Kate tames the Mississippi River, rides a giant catfish, and finds her voice in the raucous steamboat calliope!
The performance is adapted from the new picture book, written and illustrated by Konnerth entitled, Calliope Kate and the Voice of the River. The book tells the story of Kate’s family flatboat adventures downriver to New Orleans. Kate’s Ma fails to tame her to lady-like piano playing, with Kate instead using the ear splitting din of a steamboat calliope to save the city from a hurricane. Illustrations feature hand carved Czech marionettes created by the author.
ABOUT KAREN KONNERTH
Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Konnerth’s background as a regional and world traveling professional puppeteer became the foundation for her visual storytelling through writing and illustration for children as well as her specialization in arts integrated teaching. She has shared her classroom experience developing and implementing arts integrated projects with educators at the National Art Education Association, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and for the U.S. Embassy English Language Specialist Program in Central America, Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa.
AN ANCIENT ART FORM
Did you know historians can predate some form of puppetry as early as 2000 BC! Puppets or stringed puppets called “Marionettes” were found in Egyptian tombs and were made of clay and ivory. Some puppets were used to display rituals and ceremonies and later stringed and articulated puppets were used as a form of entertainment for the townspeople or villagers. Live performers, scenery, props, musicians and actors were far too expensive to bring to villages and remote towns, so brightly painted wagons with a miniature theatre was set up, bringing operas, morality plays, comedy acts and even religious reenactments during holidays and special religious feasts with Marionettes or hand puppets as the actors and actresses and even animal Marionettes had acting parts!
DON’T FORGET TO SNAG YOUR BRAG TAGS!
Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. This reading incentive gives your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
The 2022 Summer Reading Program is designed to help:
See You at the Library!
Ringgold High School and Junior High School will be implementing a uniform policy for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is your opinion of school uniforms?
1314 – First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn concluded with a decisive victory by Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce.
1340 – Hundred Years’ War: Battle of Sluys: The French fleet was almost completely destroyed by the English fleet commanded in person by King Edward III.
1374 – A sudden outbreak of St. John’s Dance caused people in the streets of Aachen, Germany, to experience hallucinations and begin to jump and twitch uncontrollably until they collapsed from exhaustion.
1497 – John Cabot landed in North America at Newfoundland and led the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings.
1509 – Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon were crowned King and Queen of England.
1540 – English King Henry VIII commanded his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves, to leave the court.
1604 – Samuel de Champlain discovered the mouth of the Saint John River, site of Reversing Falls and the present-day city of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
1717 – The Premier Grand Lodge of England was founded in London, the first Masonic Grand Lodge in the world (now the United Grand Lodge of England).
1779 – American Revolutionary War: The Great Siege of Gibraltar began.
1813 – Battle of Beaver Dams: A British and Indian combined force defeated the United States Army.
1880 – First performance of O Canada at the Congrès national des Canadiens-Français. The song later became the national anthem of Canada.
1916 – Mary Pickford became the first female film star to sign a million-dollar contract.
1922 – The American Professional Football Association was renamed the National Football League.
1938 – Pieces of a meteorite landed near Chicora, Pennsylvania. The meteorite was estimated to have weighed 450 metric tons when it hit the Earth’s atmosphere and exploded.
1943 – US military police attempted to arrest a black soldier in Bamber Bridge, England, and sparked the Battle of Bamber Bridge mutiny that left one dead and seven wounded.
1947 – Kenneth Arnold made the first widely reported UFO sighting near Mount Rainier, Washington.
1948 – Cold War: Start of the Berlin Blockade: The Soviet Union made overland travel between West Germany and West Berlin impossible.
1949 – The first television western, Hopalong Cassidy, starring William Boyd, was aired on NBC.
1950 – Apartheid: In South Africa, the Group Areas Act was passed, which formally segregated races.
1957 – In Roth v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.
1973 – The UpStairs Lounge arson attack took place at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Thirty-two people died as a result of fire or smoke inhalation.
1974 – Lynyrd Skynyrd’s released the song “Sweet Home Alabama.”
1975 – Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 encountered severe wind shear and crashed on final approach to New York’s JFK Airport. The crash killed 113 of the 124 passengers on board, which made it the deadliest U.S. plane crash at the time. This accident led to decades of research into downburst and microburst phenomena and their effects on aircraft.
1975 – Alice Cooper fell off the set of his “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Vancouver and broke six ribs.
2004 – In New York, capital punishment was declared unconstitutional.
2010 – At Wimbledon, John Isner of the United States defeated Nicolas Mahut of France, in the longest match in professional tennis history.
2021 – The Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida suffered a sudden partial collapse, and killed 98 people inside.
By Steve Graf
Now let’s take a look at the impact of the 1980’s and 90’s, just to see how big bass fishing has become. Ray Scott (who passed away this past May) was the man who had the greatest impact and should be given the credit for everything professional bass anglers have today. Ray, from the very beginning, had a vision and wanted the sport to be on the same level as professional baseball or golf. He wanted anglers to have a career and be able to make a living while providing for their families. It was during the 80’s and 90’s that the sport of bass fishing progressed the most.
In 1980, an Oklahoma boy by the name of Jimmy Houston kissed his first bass and, according to his wife Chris, she got used to smelly kisses from that point on. Jimmy, of course, became a household name with his successful fishing career and the TV host of “Jimmy Houston Outdoors,” still airing today as one of the longest running outdoors TV programs ever. But in 1985, there was a shakeup at the top of which was America’s favorite fish to pursue. After a national survey by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, it was determined that the largemouth bass was now the most popular fish to catch, dropping panfish to number two.
In 1987, working from his garage, Herb Reed created a new bass lure that took the fishing world by storm and created a whole new category for soft plastic stick baits with his creation of the Slug-Go. This was the first of its kind and would later be followed by another bait that just might be the greatest bass lure of all time…the Senko. This one was created from the mold of a Bic Pen by the legendary Gary Yamamoto. This bait has many tournament wins to name. It’s a bait that when professional anglers are asked if they could take a bait from today and go back in time, what bait would it be? Ninety five percent will say a Senko. This versatile bait catches fish all year long, in all types of conditions, and has become a staple for all serious bass fishermen.
Moving into the 90’s, Berkley Bait Company introduces the “Power Worm” with a built in scent that fish will bite and won’t let go. The success of their scented worm encouraged other companies to do the same. It’s also a time when scent became all the rage that some thought, and still think today, is a key to catching fish. Some anglers think it’s a hoax and others believe it really works and won’t fish without adding it to their baits in some form or another. One day I asked Michigan’s Kevin Van Dam, who many consider the greatest angler of all time, if he thinks scents work. He told me, “It doesn’t matter what others think, do you believe it works?” I told him “Yes” and he said, “Then that‘s all that matters. Anglers should always fish with confidence and with things they believe in. This is what makes an angler great….confidence.”
In 1992, Arkansas’s Larry Nixon, the greatest worm fisherman ever, became the first pro angler to earn over $1 million in B.A.S.S. events. To compare, Kevin Van Dam has won over $6 million since the late 1990’s. The closest angler to Kevin is California’s Skeet Reece who is #2 on the “All Time Money List” at a little over $3 million in winnings.
Next week, we’ll look at how the TV cable station, ESPN, changed the landscape of professional bass fishing forever. This one move to primetime TV changed the lives of professional anglers forever and exposed Americans to the sport in a way never seen before. Till next week, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!
Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show
& Tackle Talk Live
There have been many famous pigs in literature, movies, and television. There were the original industrious and clever “three little pigs” from the English folktale written by Joseph Jacobs. Shy “Piglet” from the Winnie the Pooh stories, “Babe” the Gallant Pig from books and movies, “Wilbur” the smallest pig in his litter and saved by a spider, in Charlotte’s Web, and who could forget television star “Arnold Ziffel” from Green Acres! But the most famous pig of all-time? Daisy the World-Famous Pig and her human sidesick, Farmer Minor!
Because of prior commitments, Daisy and Farmer Minor will have a shortened schedule of appearances at the Bienville Parish Library. Thursday morning the Daisy and Farmer Minor arrive at Arcadia Main Library and in the afternoon, they head over to the Ringgold Branch to perform.
Arcadia at 10:00 a.m.
Ringgold at 2:00 p.m.
On Friday, Castor welcomes Daisy and Farmer Minor in the morning and then they arrive at the Saline Branch later that afternoon for their final performance.
Castor at 10:00 a.m.
Saline at 2:00 p.m.
Daisy and Farmer Minor have been performing “Pig Out on Reading” programs across the U.S. for over 14 plus years! Daisy became the first pig ever invited inside the U.S. Capitol while on her 1st National Tour in 2002. She has been issued hundreds of honorary Library cards from public libraries & school libraries across the U.S. Daisy has also received “Keys to Cities”, proclamations from town mayors and certificates of “thanks” from schools and libraries!
Farmer Minor does storytelling about Daisy’s formative years (all true) with Farmer & Mrs. Minor. The audience will learn special Daisy noises, give Daisy treats, and Farmer Minor talk about Daisy’s pampered porcine life and about how Daisy I and Daisy II became such famous pigs (all due to their love of “Pig Books” and Libraries). Farmer Minor brings his rocking chair, many of Daisy’s newspaper articles on posters and of course, many of their favorite pig books. Daisy has the world’s largest collection of “pig books”. Based on the age and number of children, Farmer Minor selects a book that the children can help read to Daisy. With older children, he tells a story from one of Daisy’s favorite books. At the end of the program, following the Daisy pledge, all are able to pet Daisy. Photo opportunities are plentiful! Willing participants will be able to give Daisy a BIG SMOOCH as part of a reading incentive, summer reading program, or simply because they want to kiss the “most famous pig in the whole world!
Preventing the “summer slide” continues to be the main objective of summer reading programs. Collecting the 2022 “Oceans of Possibilities” brag tags is a reading incentive to give your reader extra motivation to read and collect all ten tags. It will impress teachers with how many books/pages they read during their summer vacation!
According to Sheriff John Ballance, on June 18, 2022 at approximately 11:40 PM, while on patrol on US 371, Deputy Clay Culpepper clocked a white GMC Yukon at a speed of 70 in a 55 mph zone. Dy. Culpepper activated his overhead blue lights. The vehicle driven by Cedrick Loud turned onto a parish road north of Ringgold and proceeded southbound on Blount Road into the city limits of Ringgold.
At Blount and Tucker the vehicle left the roadway and made several circles in a vacant lot. The vehicle then traveled back onto Tucker Street and turned onto Bobo Street which is a dead end. The driver Loud stopped the vehicle, exited and fled on foot into the woods.
After backup arrived Loud was found to be unresponsive approximately 100 feet into the woods. CPR measures were begun immediately until the arrival of Ward 4&5 ambulance personnel who continued CPR for approximately 30 minutes.
A medical doctor from Minden Medical Center decided to end the resuscitative efforts at approximately 12:12 AM.
A female passenger in the vehicle Loud was driving was transported to ER in Coushatta for possible back and neck injuries she claimed were caused by the off-road incident during the pursuit.
Bienville Parish Coroner Don Smith observed no signs of injuries to Loud’s body but ordered an autopsy to determine cause of death.
This month, five planets—and eventually the Moon—will align and form an arc across the early pre-dawn sky. Earlier this month, on the weekend of June 3, 2022, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn fell into alignment.
On the morning of Thursday, June 23, the Moon will enter into the alignment. This alignment will be viewable with the naked eye but binoculars and telescopes may help.
The last time the five planets aligned sequentially was in 2004. The aligned planets will be visible just before dawn in a long arc across the horizon. One planet, Mercury, will continue to become brighter as the month progresses. In the early hours of June 23, the crescent moon will join the lineup between Venus and Mars.
For best viewing, find a clear view across the eastern horizon. Begin looking about 30 minutes before sunrise (about 5:30 am). Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary but they may enhance your view of the planets.
In addition to the aligning planets, there are several other objects to view this month including the M13 Globular Star Cluster and the constellation Lyra. Take a look at the following NASA video for more information on how to spot the aligned planets, M13, and Lyra.
(Ashland)-A Bienville Parish motorcyclist suffered moderate injuries in a two-vehicle crash on La. Hwy 153 near Ashland on Friday afternoon according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.
At approximately 1:21pm, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Ashland Town Marshal, and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to NATCOM 911 Center reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and passenger car on La. Hwy 153 near Chester Warren Road near Ashland, La.
Deputies arrived on scene finding the operator of the motorcycle suffering from what was believed to be moderate non-life threatening injuries.
Deputies say the preliminary investigation revealed that 32-year-old Harrison F. Foster of Castor, La. was operating a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling southbound on La. Hwy 153 just south of the Ashland when a 2006 Honda Accord operated by 70-year-old Thomas Baumgardner of Ashland entered La. Hwy 153 from a private driveway apparently not observing the motorcyclist. This action caused Foster to impact the left rear of the Honda Accord ejecting him onto the roadway.
Foster wearing a safety helmet was transported from the scene by EMS to a Shreveport hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
Deputies remind motorists, the recent increase of fuel costs has caused an increase in motorcycles being operated on roadways. Please drive safely, obey traffic laws pertaining to motorcycles, avoid distractions and always look left, look right then look left again before entering roadways from private driveways.
Deputy D. Haliburton and T. Stewart worked the crash.
