Please send all non-profit calendar events to bpjnewsla@gmail.com

October 23 – 27

Red Ribbon Week 

October 28 

Pine Beetle Festival hosts Gumbo Cook Off, Cupcake Wars & Pie Bake Off

October 29 (10 a.m.)

Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday with Guest Speaker Christell Evans Hicks – Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

October 31 (6- 9 p.m.)

Town of Arcadia’s Fall Festival

November 2 (10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

The Circle of Bienville Medical Center’s Lunch & Learn – Arcadia Event Center

November 4 (7 – 11 p.m.)

Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum – Locked and Loaded Paranormal Investigations

The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies.

10/16/23

Zane Miller of Minden was arrested on two counts of failure to appear.

Andrew Bolyer Jr. of Jamestown was arrested for two counts of child support obligation. 

Kursty Fleming of Castor was arrested as a fugitive for possession of methamphetamine and possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia. 

10/17/23

Deondre Glover of Ringgold was arrested for aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

10/18/23

Mikala Jefferson of Keithville was arrested for first offense possession of marijuana over 14 grams.

Stephen Martin of Arcadia was arrested for resisting an officer, expired vehicle registration, expired motor vehicle inspection, possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses, obstructing public passages and second offense D.W.I.

Kentray Collins of Bethany was arrested as a fugitive for second offense possession of marijuana over 14 grams. 

10/20/23

Amber Lampton of McKinney, Texas was arrested for operating a vehicle with a suspended license and other offenses. 

Richard Roberson of Arcadia was arrested for violating probation/parole and battery of a dating partner with strangulation. 

Shinlanica Russell of Arcadia was arrested for failure to appear.

Lori Feazell of Castor was arrested for criminal trespass of an immovable structure. 

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Notice of Death – October 24, 2023

Shirley Ramey

Sept. 17, 1962 – Oct. 19, 2023

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, October, 27, 2023, Memorial Funeral Home in Homer

Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, October 28, 2023, Memorial Funeral Home in Homer

Interment: Following service at Antioch Cemetery.

Thomas McDonald

Dec. 06, 1950 – Oct. 21, 2023

Homer, La.

Visitation: 11a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Calvary Baptist Church of Homer

Memorial Service: Immediately following visitation

Juan Buggs

Oct. 27, 1951 – Oct. 24, 2023

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, November 03, 2023, Memorial Funeral Home in Homer

Funeral Service: 2:30 p.m., November 04, 2023, Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Summerfield

Interment to follow.

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or bpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)

By Paige Nash

It was a packed house on Tuesday evening, October 17, at the Bienville Parish School Board’s special-called meeting to consider the process of hiring a new Superintendent and the placement of the current Superintendent, William Wysinger. This meeting followed a failed motion to approve Wysinger’s new contract with a 4-3 vote, at the board’s October regular meeting.

Tuesday’s special-called meeting resulted in a lot of questions and concerns from residents, school principals, parents, teachers and colleagues of Wysinger, yet none of those questions were answered.

The public was allowed to arrive early to the meeting to fill out an index card, granting them permission to make comments – no questions made by the public would be addressed.

Board member Donald Calloway, who has supported Wysinger since discussions regarding the renewal of his contract first began in September, had questions of his own though. He asked, ““Why would we as a board get rid of a man who’s done a good job?”

Calloway also pointed out how much test scores and participation in the dual enrollment program across the parish has improved under Wysinger’s guidance.

“There are people here who don’t always agree with Mr. Wysinger, but they agree he should remain superintendent,” Calloway said.

Ultimately, the vote to consider the process of hiring a new Superintendent did not pass. The vote was tied with Board Member Sharolyn Boston being absent. Board President Martha Griggs voted against the search followed by Donald Calloway, and Derikka Bailey. Voting to proceed with the search were Colton Guin, Oswald Townsend and Darren Iverson.

Another special-called meeting will be taking place on Monday, October 23, at 6 p.m. at the School Board Annex located at 1956 First St. in Arcadia.

Items on the agenda include discussing the process of hiring a new Superintendent and considering placement of the current Superintendent.

By Shawn White

(NWLA Under the Radar)

As you know, November is hooping time, so it’s time for dunks, fast breaks, and chewing the referees out from the stands.   The 2023-24 season will kick off for Class B & C schools (Castor, Gibsland-Coleman, and Saline) next weekend.  Class A will have to wait until after football season and will start for Arcadia on November 11 and Ringgold on November 14.  

Bienville Parish was full of district champions deep playoff runs last season.  Ringgold will defend its District 1-1A boys title and Arcadia will defend its girls title. Arcadia girls reached the state semifinals and were knocked out on a heartbreaking last second shot to eventual champion Oakdale.   Gibsland-Coleman won their district in both boys and girls and took a trip to Marsh Madness in Lake Charles to fall in the semifinals to eventual state champion.  The Bulldogs were the only Class C school to reach the state semifinals in Division V. Gibsland-Coleman girls reached the quarterfinals in Division V.  Saline Bobcats and Lady Bobcats will look to defend their District 2-C titles. 

The local Bienville Parish Schools released their schedules for the 2023-24 season.   Stay tuned to the Bienville Parish Journal all season for updates to the upcoming basketball season. 

Arcadia Hornets & Lady Hornets

All Games Start at 6:00 pm Unless Otherwise Noted

Castor Tigers and Lady Tigers

All Games start at 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted

Gibsland-Coleman Bulldogs & Lady Bulldogs

All Games start at 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted

Ringgold Redskins & Lady Skins

All Games are 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted

Saline Bobcats & Lady Bobcats

All Games start at 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted

 Funeral services for Betty Faye Upshaw Laky, 91, of Jamestown, LA will be held at 11:00 A.M. in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Ringgold, LA under the direction of Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, LA.  Burial will follow in Old Sparta Cemetery.

Betty was born on December 18, 1932 in Sparta/Kepler, LA, to the late Erie Denver Upshaw and Nellie Faye (Murphy) Upshaw. Her childhood was spent on a country road, named after her maternal grand-father, Tom Murphy, surrounded by family, but life would lead to many destinations before her return to the old home place.

Betty was predeceased by her husband of 65 years Joseph S. Laky, her brother Erie Wayne Upshaw, and her sister Judy Elaine Upshaw. She is survived by her sister-in-law Aline Hood Upshaw.

Betty is survived by her children and their families: daughter Elizabeth Laky Boese, husband Matthew Boese, their sons, daughters in law and grand-daughter: Samuel Joseph Boese, his wife Liese Boese, their daughter Estrella Leigh Boese; George Andrew Boese his wife Alexandra Palmer Boese; James Edward Boese his partner Bonita Patel.

Son Joseph Stephen Laky Jr. his wife Catherine Olsovsky Laky, their daughters Lauren Elizabeth Laky and Madelyn Faith Laky.

Betty was an avid reader and an amazing cook. She attended Bienville Schools and graduated with honors including a state of LA Algebra award with a scholarship for college that was unrealized. She attended secretarial school in Shreveport and began her career.

During a night of dancing, Betty met Joe Laky; their love of dancing and each other began officially on December 3rd 1953 and continued throughout their married life.

Life as an Air Force wife was very exciting when combined with two family additions, Elizabeth in 1958 and Stephen in 1959. After staying home for a few years, Betty returned to work. The family followed the Air Force to England in 1963. Betty learned to drive on the left side and worked as a base secretary. Duty led the family to Kansas in 1964 and on to California in 1965. Betty successfully continued to work as an executive secretary for the pilot/officers during experimental testing of advanced aircraft. Betty and Joe retired from the Air Force in 1968 and moved to Ft. Worth for second careers. Betty was executive secretary to the president at Corning Appliance Company (CAC) until her second retirement in 1986.

Life brought the Laky family back to Tom Murphy Road; Betty embraced her final occupations: daughter, sister, mother, grand-mother, sister-in-law, family coordinator, church volunteer, Sweet Adeline’s bass vocalist, tourist, world traveler, and thoughtful neighbor. Her door was always open and her giving nature was all encompassing. She will be missed. Special thanks to the family members who supported Betty: Meagan, Lori, Allen, Adele, Kim and Shea. Sincere thanks to the loving staff of nurses and aides at Green Meadow Haven Nursing Home, Betty’s final residence these past four years.

Experience Legendary Music, Food & History at the Louisiana Legends Fest presented by Car Giant Chevrolet GMC of Homer! This unique festival is this Saturday, October 21st from 10am- 6pm in Downtown Historic Homer, LA!

The music line up this year includes two stages of live music starring multi-platinum singer/songwriter Deana Carter!

9:00 – 12:00 – DJ Haynes
12:00-12:30 – Firm Foundation (GBT Gospel Stage)
12:30 – 1:00 – Edgewood Square (GBT Gospel Stage)
1:00 – 2:30 – Muzikology (Fibrebond Main Stage)
2:30 – 3:00 – Combined Choirs of Homer & Haynesville 1st Baptist Churches, Calvary Baptist and Cornerstone (GBT Gospel Stage)
3:30 – 4:00 –  Sean and the Crew (GBT Gospel Stage)
4:00 – 5:30 –  Deana Carter (Fibrebond Main Stage)

Tours will be available of the historic Claiborne Parish Courthouse and Ford Museum. Enjoynlocal antique shopping, over 50 art and craft vendors and mouthwatering food in the food Court.

There will also be cars on display at the Thomas G. Bourn Memorial Car Show, Art Contest, Farmer’s Market and much more!

The Louisiana Legends Fest honors and celebrates Louisianans’ that have had a significant impact with their life. This year’s honoree is Coach Alton “Red” Franklin who served as Head Coach of Haynesville’s Golden Tornado. From 1966-2000.

FREE General Admission
$25 Super Fan (Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access)
$100 VIP (Covered Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access – VIP Parking – VIP Lounge Access & Complimentary LLF Folding Chair)

Tickets: https://www.legendsfest.us/tickets

Homer is located 45 miles south of El Dorado, AR and is approximately 50 miles east of Shreveport and 65 miles west of Monroe.

More information can be found by visiting legendsfest.us.

The second happiest moment for me as a hunter occurred when I went to the photo shop and picked up pictures of my buck of a lifetime. My happiest moment, obviously, was when I walked up and found that huge 8 point lying at my feet; the photos were just icing on the cake.

During the years since that fortunate occurrence, memories of the actual event have become faded and frayed. The photos, though, are still there, sharp as ever. My grandkids are somewhat interested when I talk about that buck. Their eyes light up, though, when I whip out the photos. This is why it is ever so important that good quality photographs are taken so such memories can be preserved right there in living color.

I have the good fortune of getting to write stories of big bucks taken in Louisiana each season for Louisiana Sportsman magazine and website. I frequently receive photos of someone’s trophy, hunters who are obviously proud of their accomplishment but sadly, they didn’t take enough time to shoot quality photos. I’m unable to use some of the most poorly composed shots because they’re….well….just plain awful. The rack and body of the deer may be impressive but other elements of the photo don’t measure up.

With this in mind, I contacted friend and expert wildlife photographer from Tuskegee, AL, Tes Randle Jolly whose photos frequently find their way to magazine covers and full page spreads in some of the country’s most popular outdoor magazines. I asked Jolly for some tips to help the average hunter get the most memorable photos of their trophy.

“First, try and take a photo as soon as possible after harvest so you can capture the hunter’s excitement. You may have to move the deer to a more favorable spot to get the best possible photograph,” Jolly said. “If there is a little rise in the land, put the deer and hunter on the rise so the photographer can be a little lower. This way you may be able to capture some blue sky behind them.

“Before doing that,” she added, “be respectful of the animal and clean it up. I keep paper towels in my pack to wipe the deer’s face, removing blood and debris. If blood has dried, I carry a spray bottle of window cleaner to soften dried blood and making it easier to wipe away.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to stop blood from oozing from the nostrils so I tear off a piece of paper towel to plug each nostril. Tuck the tongue back into the mouth.

“If the deer’s side is bloody, I also clean it, sometimes in a pinch using dried leaves. The main thing,” she added, “is to show respect for the animal you have just taken.”

I’ve seen photos of big trophy bucks hanging from the meat pole and sometimes over a gut bucket. I’ve seen photos of bucks in the back of a pick-up with beverage cans, sacks of corn or other assorted stuff cluttering the photo. Jolly says it is important to set up the photo for the most pleasing presentation.

“Prop the deer up on its chest and tuck the front legs under at the elbows. Have the hunter kneel or sit behind the animal holding the antlers but be sure you check the background before composing the shot, complying with your state’s hunter orange regulations with the hunter wearing his vest,” Jolly added.

While Jolly goes afield with thousands of dollars worth of photo equipment, she says that there are many point and shoot cameras available costing under $200 and good quality cell phones that work quite well.

Follow these recommendations from a professional nature/wildlife photographer to enable your photos to not only pop but those that lend dignity to the animal you photograph.

Two weeks ago, I discussed how to draw a pistol in the article entitled “Skin Your Smoke Wagon.” This week I’d like to discuss how to properly and safely re-holster your sidearm. As mentioned in the previous installment, you’re more likely to negligently shoot yourself when drawing or re- holstering your weapon than you are doing almost anything else with a handgun. During the seconds it takes to produce or put away one’s heater, the universal firearm safety rules are often overlooked – even by many who are otherwise diligent regarding gun safety. We can’t forget that the universal firearm safety rules always apply, and violating them at any time, even for an instant, can lead to devastating consequences.

If you follow this article, you’ve seen me quote the late James Yeager of Tactical Response, several times. Surprise! I’ve already quoted him this week too, as the very title of today’s column is something I heard from the “MFCEO” himself – “Re-holster reluctantly.” What’s different about today’s article is that I’m going to disagree with James (and many other firearm instructors) about one aspect of the re-holstering process. I believe that James’ training and the curriculums he implemented at Tactical Response encompass some of the best, most complete gunfighting education available to anyone in America – perhaps the world. However, I am an open-minded, free-thinking person who is capable of drawing my own conclusions and I think James would appreciate that – even though I’m certain his language would be rather colorful when telling me that my conclusion is wrong.

I fully agree with the premise of re-holstering reluctantly, but let’s dig into where my opinion differs from others. If you were to take a class at Tactical Response, train with law enforcement, or attend most any other tactical firearms training, you’d be taught to re-holster your weapon with your head up, maintaining visual awareness of your surroundings. In most training environments it’s considered bad practice to look at your holster when putting your weapon back into its receptacle. Even glancing at your holster when stowing your pistol is considered a “training scar,” and is something most firearm instructors will warn against. Depending on the training environment, they might even chastise you on the range.

For clarification, I believe that being able to re-holster your weapon without looking it into the holster is a valuable skill. If you can re-holster in that manner, you should. Keeping your gun out until you’re CERTAIN that the initial threat has ended, and no other immediate threat exists is “life or death important.” However, I don’t believe that re-holstering blindly is an absolute – nor is it a function that must be so strictly adhered to that the task itself becomes a detriment to safety.

If you draw your gun in self-defense, be CERTAIN that the initial threat no longer exists, and thoroughly scan your surroundings to ensure that no additional threats are present before putting away your pistol. Once your gun is no longer needed, you will likely need your hands free for other tasks – for example medical treatment or evacuating a child. The best place for your gun when not in your hands is in its holster. If you’re already reluctant to put away your pistol, glancing down to verify the location and condition of your holster is okay with me. I even encourage it in my classes. Whether you glance at your holster or not, re-holstering quickly is rarely, if ever, necessary – so why not sneak a peek?

Holster designs vary and weird things can happen in a fight. Your holster can move – it can break – it can be obstructed by clothing or debris. Checking to make sure the holster is still in the same spot and that it can still function appropriately can be accomplished by looking at it once you’re sure it’s safe to momentarily shift your gaze.

During my first training experience at Tactical Response, I was performing a series of drills that required me to fire from the ground. After one of the iterations of fire, I stood and attempted to re- holster my pistol keeping my head up and scanning my surroundings – but the gun wouldn’t go into the holster. I moved slowly and deliberately – keeping my finger well away from the trigger, but my gun just wouldn’t fit. I motioned for one of the instructors and told him something was wrong. Together, we inspected my predicament and found two small rocks had made their way into my holster. The type of holster I was wearing had to be completely removed from my belt and emptied because my fingers wouldn’t fit far enough into the opening to retrieve the rocks. Looking at my holster wouldn’t have allowed me to clear the obstruction any faster in that situation, but had I been allowed to visually identify the problem, I would’ve known that attempting to re-holster in that moment was futile. From that day forward, I’ve only used holsters with open bottoms.

We know that responsible gun carriers carry their guns concealed, but cover garments can pose issues when re-holstering a firearm. Shirt tails, zippers, drawstrings, and even snaps on the holster itself will inevitably find their way into holster openings and if you’re not extremely careful, any of those things can get into the trigger guard of your pistol. If you force your gun into an obstructed holster, you’re going to send a round through your leg, hip, foot, or buttocks. Say it like Forrest Gump – you know you want to.

If you have to watch the gun into the holster in order to safely put it away, do that. Drawing and re-holstering our pistols properly, believe it or not, are two of the most “advanced” things we’ll ever learn to do with our handguns. The importance of becoming proficient at those tasks cannot be overstated. When mitigating the risk of being shot during a gunfight, you must consider the reality that you could be shot by any participant in the fight – including yourself. Whatever actions you perform, whatever skills you exhibit, whatever tactics you employ – do them all with a safety-first mentality.

Nobody “wins” a gunfight, but you certainly don’t want to beat yourself.

Re-holstering without looking at the holster is a skill – learn it. Practice it (with an empty weapon) and when doing so, as in any other time, abide by ALL FOUR universal firearm safety rules. Safety, however, is always more important than skill. Safety is a lifestyle – live it. If you don’t, you might not be living for long.

1.) Treat all guns as if they’re always loaded.
2.) Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
3.) Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
4.) Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you’ve made the decision to fire.

Avoid what you can. Defeat what you can’t.

-Ryan

Please submit your questions to Ryan via email at Ryan@9and1tactical.com

(Ryan Barnette is not a licensed attorney or a medical provider, and no information provided in “Slicing the Pie,” or any other publication authored by Ryan Barnette should be construed, in any way, as official legal or medical advice.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Onward.

Potato Soup

1 /2 lb Bacon, diced

1 Tbl Butter

1 cup Onion, small dice

1 /2 cup Celery, small dice

1 /2 cup Carrot, small dice

2 tsp Garlic, minced

2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Black pepper, fresh ground

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

1 1 /2 quarts Chicken broth

1 /2 cup Butter

3 /4 cup Flour

3 cups Heavy whipping cream

1 cup Sour cream

1 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded

1 tsp Hot Sauce

1 /2 cup Green onion, freshly chopped

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

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

1740 – Maria Theresa became the ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia with the death of her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

1774 – The new Continental Congress, the governing body of America’s colonies, passed an order proclaiming that all citizens of the colonies “discountenance and discourage all horse racing and all kinds of gaming, cock fighting, exhibitions of shows, plays and other expensive diversions and entertainment.”

1803 – The U.S. Senate approved the Louisiana Purchase.

1818 – The U.S. and Great Britain established the boundary between the U.S. and Canada to be the 49th parallel.

1827 – The Battle of Navarino took place during the Greek War for Independence.

1873 – A Hippodrome was opened in New York City by showman Phineus T. (P.T.) Barnum.

1892 – The city of Chicago dedicated the World’s Columbian Exposition.

1903 – A joint commission ruled in favor of the U.S. concerning a dispute over the boundary between Canada and the District of Alaska.

1910 – A baseball with a cork center was used in a World Series game for the first time.

1930 – “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” debuted on NBC radio.

1935 – Mao Zedong arrived in Hanoi after his Long March that took just over a year. He then set up the Chinese Communist Headquarters.

1942 – Pierre Laval told the French labor that they must serve in Germany.

1944 – Allied forces invaded the Philippines.

1944 – During World War II, the Yugoslav cities of Belgrade and Dubrovnik were liberated.

1947 – Hollywood came under scrutiny as the House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings into alleged Communist influence within the motion picture industry.

1952 – The Mau Mau uprising against white settlers began in Kenya.

1955 – “No Time for Sergeants” opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre. The show starred Andy Griffith and Don Knotts made his Broadway debut. The last show was on September 14, 1957.

1957 – Walter Cronkite began hosting “The 20th Century.” The show aired until January 4, 1970.

1968 – Jackie Lee Bouvier Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis.

1979 – The John F. Kennedy Library in Boston was dedicated.

1984 – The U.S. State Department reduced the number of Americans assigned to the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

1993 – Attorney General Janet Reno warned the TV industry to limit the violence in their programs.

1994 – The website WhiteHouse.gov was launched.

1995 – Britain, France and the U.S. announced a treaty that banned atomic blasts in the South Pacific.

2003 – A 40-year-old man went over Niagara Falls without safety devices and survived. He was charged with illegally performing a stunt.

2009 – European astronomers discover 32 exoplanets.

Please send all non-profit calendar events to bpjnewsla@gmail.com

October 21 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

CASA’s 13th Annual Car Show – 1952 N. Railroad Ave. in Arcadia

October 21 (10 a.m. – Noon)

Free Child Safery Seat Installation – Bienville Fire District 4 & 5

October 21 (1 – 3 p.m.)

Live Music with Jenifer Thompson & Bougee Boutique Pop Up – The Gathering Place

1721 Military Rd, Ringgold 

October 23 – 27

Red Ribbon Week 

October 28 

Pine Beetle Festival hosts Gumbo Cook Off, Cupcake Wars & Pie Bake Off

October 29 (10 a.m.)

Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday with Guest Speaker Christell Evans Hicks – Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

October 31 (6- 9 p.m.)

Town of Arcadia’s Fall Festival

November 2 (10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

The Circle of Bienville Medical Center’s Lunch & Learn – Arcadia Event Center

November 4 (7 – 11 p.m.)

Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum – Locked and Loaded Paranormal Investigations

Notice of Death – November 19, 2023

Catherine Salsberry

May 08, 1944 – Oct. 10, 2023

Springhill, La. 

Visitation: 9 – 11 a.m., Friday, October 20, 2023, Harrison Chapel Baptist Church – Springhill

Funeral Service: immediately following visitation

Linda Marie Haulcy

June 13, 1961 – October 11, 2023

Arcadia, La.

Visitation: 1 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, Memorial Funeral Home – Arcadia

Funeral service: 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, New Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church

Interment: 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Fellowship Cemetery

Betty Jean Nelson

Jan. 19, 1936 – Oct. 14, 2023

Homer, La. 

Visitation: 12 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, Memorial Funeral Home – Homer

Funeral service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Friendship Baptist Church in Haynesville

Interment: 11:45 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Friendship Cemetery

Aline Hood Upshaw

April 05, 1938 – Oct. 14, 2023

Jamestown, La.

Memorial Service: 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Rockett Funeral Home – Ringgold

Betty Upshaw Laky

Dec. 18, 1932 – Oct. 11, 2023

Jamestown, La.

Funeral service: 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Rockett Funeral Home – Ringgold

Bienville Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or bpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)

The election is over, and while some will remain in office, others will head to a runoff set for Nov.18. Offices set for a runoff include: Assessor, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.

In the Oct. 14, election, the unofficial results are as follows:

Governor: (statewide) Jeff Landry, 52 percent, 547,828 votes; Shawn D. Wilson, 26 percent, 275,527 votes; Stephen “Wags” Waguespack, 6 percent, 62,280 votes; John Schroder, 5 percent, 56,656 votes; Hunter Lundy, 5 percent, 52,167 votes; Daniel M. “Danny” Cole, 3 percent, 27,663 votes; and Sharon W. Hewitt, 2 percent, 18,469 votes.

Lieutenant Governor: (statewide) William “Billy” Nungesser, 66 percent, 678,521 votes; Willie Jones, 20 percent, 211,991 votes; Elbert Guillory, 6 percent, 64,059 votes; “Tami” Hotard, 5 percent, 50,711 votes; Bruce Payton, 2 percent, 17,198 votes; and Gary Rispone, 1 percent, 13,112 votes.

Secretary of State: (statewide) “Gwen” Collins-Greenup, 19 percent, 196,537 votes; Nancy Landry, 19 percent, 197,521 votes; “Mike” Francis, 18 percent, 182,841 votes; Clay Schexnayder, 15 percent, 149,981 votes; Arthur A. Morrell, 11 percent, 113,700 votes; Thomas J. Kennedy III, 10 percent, 102,632 votes; Brandon Trosclair, 6 percent, 64,687 votes; and Amanda “Smith” Jennings, 1 percent, 13,273 votes.

Attorney General: (statewide)”Liz” Baker Murrill, 45 percent, 463,108 votes; Lindsey Cheek, 23 percent, 239,653 votes; John Stefanski, 17 percent, 172,304 votes; Perry Walker Terrebonne, 7 percent, 74,479 votes; and “Marty” Maley, 7 percent, 74,170 votes.

Treasurer: (statewide) John Fleming, 44 percent, 442,665 votes; Dustin Granger, 32 percent, 321,426 votes; and Scott McKnight, 24 percent, 241,130 votes.

BESE District 4: (multiple parishes) Stacey Melerine, 47 percent, 55,297 votes; Emma Shepard, 32 percent, 35,850 votes; and Paige Hoffpauir, 23 percent, 26,477 votes.

State Senate 31st Senatorial District: (multiple parishes) Alan Seabaugh, 54 percent, 16,982 votes and “Mike” McConathy, 46 percent, 14,355 votes.

State Senator 33rd Senatorial District: (multiple parishes) Stewart Cathey Jr., 53 percent, 15,397 votes; and Harvey “Ned” White, 47 percent, 13,711 votes.

Sheriff: John Ballance 68 percent, 2,782 votes; and Henry Ford, 32 percent, 1,331 votes.

Assessor: Catherine Perritt, 38 percent, 1,467 votes; Tyler Nutt, 32 percent, 1,224 votes; and Ricardo “Rick” Moore, 31 percent, 1,183 votes.

Police Jury District 1: William “Bill” Sims, 72 percent, 442 votes; Feleshia Russell, 17 percent, 107 votes; and David Williams, 10 percent, 63 votes.

Police Jury District 2: Jerry Roberson, 63 percent, 406 votes; “Kenny Wayne” Vernon, 33 percent, 214 votes; and Chris Davidson, 4 percent, 29 votes.

Police Jury District 6: Michael Nelson, 77 percent, 500 votes; and Harold Byrd, 23 percent, 149 votes.

Police Jury District 7: Robert Keith Duck, 51 percent, 324 votes and Raymond E. Malone, 49 percent, 309 votes.

All four amendments on the ballot passed Saturday, and the results are as follows:

CA No. 1 (Act 200, 2023 – HB 311) Prohibits the use of private funds in the administration of elections: Yes, 73 percent, 734,325 votes; and No, 27 percent, 277,560 votes.

CA No. 2 (Act 30, 2023 – SB 63) Provides that the freedom of worship is a fundamental right worthy of the highest protection: Yes, 79 percent, 805,669 votes; and No, 21 percent, 211,625 votes.

CA No. 3 (Act 107, 2023 – HB 47) Dedicates certain payments to be applied to the state retirement system unfunded accrued liability: Yes, 56 percent, 559,537 votes; and No 44 percent, 436,718 votes.

CA. No. 4 (Act 48, 2023 – HB 46) Restricts ad valorem tax exemptions for certain nonprofit organizations: Yes, 66 percent, 661,328 votes; and No, 34 percent, 340,633 votes.

By Shawn White

(NWLA Under the Radar)

The Arcadia Hornets (5-2, 1-2) came up short against the Haynesville Golden Tornado (6-1, 4-0).   

Haynesville accumulated 337 yards rushing against the Hornets.  

Arcadia’s Ian Fitzgerald was the top rusher with 18 carries for 86 yards.  Rodtravious Jackson tossed one touchdown to Tekiyrian Abney.  Omareion Carr gave the special teams a touchdown credit.  Abney also was strong on defense with 9.5 tackles (6 solo, 7 assists).  Ryheem Abney had 6 tackles (5 solo, 2 assists). 

Haynesville had quarter Isaiah Washington use his rushing skills with 5 carries for 99 yards.  The scoring was spread around for the night with two touchdowns each from Byruss Burns, Jayden Green, and Hayden Gilbert.  Alonzo Jackson, Jr. and Donnie Critton.

Haynesville reached the end zone first in the first quarter.  Alonzo Jackson, Jr. crashed into the end zone on a 2-yard run.  Hayden Gilbert scored for the Tornado on a 23-yard touchdown bolt.  Haynesville carried a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.

Less than a minute into the second quarter Critton carried an 18-yard run to the end zone and widened the lead to 20-0.  Arcadia finally got on the board when Rodtravious Jackson completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tekiyrian Abney to cut the lead to 20-6.  Byruss Burns took his turn on a trip to the end zone for Haynesville on an 8-yard run.  Omareion Carr took the kickoff home on a 97-yard kickoff touchdown return.   Not to be outdone, Haynesville’s Burns scored his second touchdown with eight seconds left on a 10-yard run.  The high-scoring second quarter ended with Haynesville leading 34-12. 

The third quarter was all about Haynesville’s Jayden Green as he scored from 3 and 15.  Haynesville widened their lead to 48-12 heading into the final quarter. 

Hayden Gilbert gave the Tornado one final touchdown as Haynesville won 55-12. 

Arcadia will continue their challenging schedule as they will host Homer.  Haynesville will celebrate homecoming as they will face Magnolia School of Excellence.  

Saline High School is celebrating homecoming this week. A new tradition is beginning this year with our games being the 1st annual Hall of Fame games “Paw Brawl” with Castor High School. This year, the games will be played in the Saline High School gymnasium Thursday, October 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Admission will be $7.00. Alumni have the opportunity to showcase their skills in an Alumni basketball game Friday, October 20, beginning with registration at 6:00 p.m. Admission will be $5.00.

Our Coronation ceremony will be Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Admission will be $3.00. Saline High School Seniors have been selected as King and Queen Candidates for the SHS Homecoming activities. Candidates are Bryce Davis, son of Ralph Davis, Jr. of Saline and Racheal Roncal of Jonesboro; Trenton Ledbetter, son of Colvin and Whitney Robinson of Danville; Maddox Williams, son of Noe Anderson of Arcadia and Jamie Williams of Saline; Alana Gray, daughter of Susan Gray of Lucky and Sheldrick Lard of Minden; Sydney Thomas, daughter of Paul and Lisa Thomas of Saline; and Jordan Williams, daughter of Tony and Ashley Williams of Saline.

Junior Members of the Saline High School Homecoming Court for 2023-2024 are Mason Brawley, son of Cody and Ashley Brawley of Saline; Braxton Davis, son of Ralph Davis, Jr. of Saline and Racheal Roncal of Jonesboro; Clara Mauthe, daughter of Brenden and Raven Mauthe of Saline; Jo Wilfong, daughter of Linda Wilfong and Bryce Weaver of Saline.

Saline High School Sophomore members of the Homecoming Court are La’Javion Nash, son of Lynisha and Reginald Bush, Jr. of Saline; Aiden Welch, son of Ashley Sims of Quitman and Chris Welch of Hardin, Texas; Alyssa Hollingsworth, daughter of Laurie Lyons of Pineville and Trent Hollingsworth of Bienville; and Tyla Malone, daughter of Arlisha Malone of Saline and Fredrick Martin of Jonesboro.

The Saline High School Freshman Class representatives on the Homecoming Court are Gunner Fontenot, son of Lacey Hunt of Saline and Derek Fontenot of Arcadia; Conner Roberts, son of Ryan and Haley Roberts of Fairview Alpha; Alyson Fine, daughter of Micah and Kelsey Arnold of Saline; Kacidy Sims, daughter of Yumeaka Watkins of Pine Grove and Zachary Sims of Jonesboro.

The Saline High Basketball teams have chosen as their Beau, Jer’Courtney Loyd, son of Latiffany Loyd of Jonesboro; and Basketball Sweetheart, Alazja Amos, daughter of Monterio and Angela Amos of Shady Grove.

The Saline High Baseball and Softball teams have chosen as their Beau, Bray Corley, son of Heather and Richie Kelly of Saline and Josh Murphy of Jonesboro; and Sweetheart, Jaydan Williams, daughter of Tony and Amy Williams of Saline.

The SHS Homecoming Court are as follows from left to right. Front row: Alazja Amos, Alyssa Hollingsworth, Kacidy Sims, Jo Wilfong, Sydney Thomas, Jordan Williams, Alana Gray, Clara Mauthe, Tyla Malone, Alyson Fine, Jaydan Williams. Back row: Jer’Courney Loyd, Aiden Welch, Conner Roberts, Mason Brawley, Trenton Ledbetter, Bryce Davis, Maddox Williams, Braxton Davis, La’Javion Nash, Gunner Fontenot, Bray Corley.

Dear Community Members,

As the Community Development/ Recreation Director, it is both an honor and a responsibility to contribute to the development and well-being of our community. Parks and recreational spaces are more than just places for leisure; they are integral to fostering social connections, promoting physical and mental health, and driving community development. In this article, I’d like to shed light on the vital role our parks and recreation programs play in building a stronger and more vibrant community.

Spaces for Connection:

One of the most beautiful aspects of our parks and recreational areas is their ability to bring people together. These are spaces where people of all backgrounds, ages, and interests can connect. Whether you’re enjoying a family picnic, joining a sports league, or participating in a community event, parks and recreation areas are catalysts for building social bonds.

Promoting Physical and Mental Well-being:

Physical and mental health are the cornerstones of a thriving community. Our parks provide an accessible and affordable way for individuals and families to stay active. Regular physical activity not only improves overall health but also reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally spending time in green spaces has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, enhancing the mental well-being of our community members.

Education and Skill Development:

Our parks and recreation programs offer countless opportunities for learning and skill development. Whether through youth programs, art classes, or outdoor workshops, these spaces empower individuals to acquire new skills, ignite their passions, and broaden their horizons. A well-rounded community is a STRONG COMMUNITY.

Economic Impact:

Community development also involves economic vitality. Parks and recreation areas draw visitors, stimulate local businesses, and enhance property values. A flourishing park system contributes to the overall economic health of our community, benefiting residents and businesses alike.

Community Engagement:

Lastly, community development thrives on citizen engagement. Our parks and recreational programs offer countless opportunities for individuals to get involved, volunteer, and actively participate in shaping our community’s future. By volunteering at community events, joining advisory committees, or simply enjoying the facilities, our residents play an active role in community development.

In closing, parks and recreation are not just amenities; they are the heart of our community. They have the power to improve health, foster connections, stimulate the local economy, and provide spaces for personal growth. As we look ahead, me and our town remains dedicated to enhancing our community’s quality of life through the provision of exceptional parks and recreation services.

I encourage you to explore the many opportunities to become involved in our parks and to engage with our programs. Together, we can create a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community for all.

Yours in community development,

Mario Jefferson I
Arcadia’ s Community Development/Parks and Recreation Director

I want to express my gratitude to the residents of Bienville Parish for giving me the opportunity to continue my campaign for the position of Bienville Assessor. I am truly humbled by the clean and competitive race I have had with my opponents, Ricardo Moore and Tyler Nutt.

Our collective hard work has brought us to a runoff, and the journey is far from over. I am thankful for all the prayers, support, and voter participation in the October 14th election.

The fact that 3800 out of 8000 voters exercised their right to vote is a testament to how every vote counts.

I would greatly appreciate your support and your vote on November 18.

Catherine Perritt, CLDA
Candidate for Bienville Parish Assessor

(Paid content)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, there you have it. Fishing truly is like a box of chocolates; you never know what or how you’re going to catch fish. Till next time good luck and good fishing! Please make sure to check out our Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Facebook page for all kinds of tips and tricks to help make you a better angler. Go to hutdshow.com to learn more!

Steve Graf

Angler’s Perspective

Aline Hood Upshaw, lovingly known to her family as “Mimi,” was born April 5, 1938 at her family home near Bryceland, Louisiana and passed away October 14, 2023 at the age of 85.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Allen and Christine Hood, 7 siblings, 2 sisters-in-law, and her husband of 54 years, Erie Wayne Upshaw.

Aline graduated from Bienville High School in 1956. She was a key member of the Lady Bobcat’s basketball team (following in the footsteps of her sister Alice who set many state scoring records) helping lead her team to a state championship.

She and Erie Wayne were married June 1, 1956 and began their life together.

She worked most of her career as a Bienville Parish school secretary and retired from the Jamestown Post Office. Aline was a beloved vocalist of the Sweet Adelines singing group, and a faithful member and song leader of the Bienville Methodist Church. She was a devoted Lady Techster basketball fan and often travelled with the team (and would have coached too if they had let her).

Family was everything to her. She could always be found at her children’s and grandchildren’s basketball and softball games, cross country and track meets, pageants, graduations, family reunions, and any excuse to get together and visit.

Mimi was a pillar of the Kepler Community and took pride in where she was from and the friends and family around her home.

Lastly, she was an avid floor sweeper! No speck of dirt stood a chance on her floor or carport and no one given the chore of sweeping ever really got it right. The family’s running joke was when she passed away, we would engrave “Loved to Sweep” on her headstone.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Kimberly Warren and son-in-law Shea Warren of Castor, her son Allen Upshaw and daughter-in-law Adele Upshaw of Ruston, six grandchildren (Morgan Teekell, Meagan Teekell French, Mallory Teekell Bordelon, Kathrine Upshaw Simmons, Benjamin Upshaw, and Jessica Upshaw), and eight great grandchildren (Mason, Hunter, Cain, CJ, Madelyn, Kaitlyn, Skyler, and soon to be born…Gideon Wayne).

The family would like to thank the staff of Ruston Nursing and Rehab, Northern Louisiana Medical Center ICU, and Allegiance Hospice for the loving care provided to our Mimi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why is this occurring now? 

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

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

(Royal Alexander was a staff member to the late U.S. Representative Clyde C. Holloway of Louisiana’s 8th congressional district, since disbanded, who also served as chairman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He was also a member of the Republican State Central Committee of Louisiana from 2008-2012. He is an attorney.)