Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter DAR met on November 2 at the Webster Parish Library. Hostesses
for this month’s meeting were Cindy Madden, Caldwell Colvin, and Nancy Procell. Six new
members were introduced to our chapter.

Julia Allen: her patriot ancestor is Corporal John Gill, who was born in 1754 in Craven Co, South
Carolina. He served in the South Carolina Militia in Col. William Thompson’s 3rd Regiment in He died in 1828 in Lawrence Co, Mississippi.

Samantha Lewis and her daughter Brianna Schumacher: their patriot ancestor is Capt. John Willey, who was born on Oct 11, 1732 in Hartford Co, Connecticut. During the Revolution, he served as a Captain in Col. Joseph Spencer’s Regiment during the Lexington Alarm. The Lexington Alarm was an urgent call to arms that spread throughout the colonies on April 19, 1775, signaling the start of the Revolutionary War.

Shannon McFate: her patriot ancestor is Aaron Vincent, who was born around 1747 in North Carolina. During the Revolution, he served as a Constable and Justice of the Peace in Johnston County, North Carolina, and he registered for military service in 1781. He died in Johnston County in 1791.

Susie Reynolds: her patriot ancestor is Jeremiah York, who was born June 22, 1762 in Virginia. In his Revolutionary War pension application, he stated that he joined the army in 1780 and was stationed at Fort Pitt, which is now Pittsburgh. He served as a Private in Capt. Uriah Springer’s 8th Regiment of the Continental Line. Jeremiah died on September 10, 1835 in Perry County, Indiana.

Tammy Trainor: her patriot ancestor is Abraham Southard, who was born on August 5, 1758 in New Jersey. He served during the Revolution as a Private in Captain Mott’s 3rd Battalion in the Continental Line. Captain Mott’s battalion was involved in various actions, including harassing British forces during British foraging expeditions in New Jersey. Abraham died at the age of 96 in Ohio.

The new members were presented by Chapter Registrar and Historian Donna Sutton, and were given the Oath of Membership by Chapter Chaplain Kathy Johnson. Each new member was presented with a gift bag. After the ceremony, Chapter Regent Cindy Madden gave a presentation to show new members how to access and use the DAR national website. Because DAR is a service organization, it is important for members to log their monthly volunteer service hours. The website also has a genealogy section with a wealth of records and information including genealogy instructional videos called Genie Clips, copies of members’ Bible records, transcribed Revolutionary War records, and proven lineages to Revolutionary War patriots.

Nothing is more exciting than the day a bass fisherman buys his first bass boat! For me, that was 1990 when I bought a new Pro Gator from Cary’s, a dealer in Ville Platte, Louisiana. It was an 18-foot boat with a 150 Yamaha and was loaded with the best electronics money could buy, for a boat at that time. But if you own a bass boat, then you know first-hand all the trials and tribulations that come with being a boat owner.

At the time of my purchase, I was working for an apparel company by the name of Holloway Sportswear. They were an outerwear/jacket manufacturer based out of Ohio. They had 6 cutting and sewing factories in Louisiana, one of which was in Ville Platte where I was plant manager at the time of my boat purchase.

I was one happy camper the day I picked up my new Pro Gator bass boat! It had all the bells and whistles that I could want. Being the plant manager at this facility meant I had to spend a couple of nights a week in the apartment located inside the Holloway factory.  

But just outside of Ville Platte was Chicot Lake, loaded with good quality bass that anglers crave. So, one day after work and with plenty of daylight left, I decided to take my new boat to Chicot Lake and give it a good test run. 

I was so impressed with this boat and how it handled. It was great  for bass fishing. After catching a few bass, I decided to head back to the boat ramp about an hour after dark. 

Once I returned to the dock at the ramp, I tied off my boat and went to back my truck in the water so I could load my boat. Funny thing about owning a boat… sometimes things happen that defy explanation. 

Well after backing my boat trailer down the ramp, I put the truck in park and walked back down the dock to get the boat, only the boat was not there! Looking around I noticed the boat had floated away from the dock about fifty yards. All I could see were the running lights in the pitch-black darkness! Yet there it was floating all alone like a lost puppy waiting for me to save the day and bring it back.  

Now, one thing that I remembered as I left the dock to go fishing earlier that afternoon was that there were several alligators sunning on the shore of the bayou that my boat was now floating in. So, after a lot of thought and consideration as to what my options were, I decided the only way to get the boat back was to swim to it.  

So, I took off my shirt and shoes and laid my wallet on the dock. I got a good running start and sprinted down the dock and dove into the lake headfirst… (which looking back was probably not a very good idea as I could have landed on a stump and suffered a catastrophic injury; but the good Lord above was watching out for me.) 

Those of you old enough might remember the Olympic gold medal swimmer, Mark Spitz. He won a record seven gold medals in the 1972 Olympics. But that night, not even Mark Spitz could have out swum me as I had visions of alligators chasing me! Nor has anyone ever leaped into a boat quicker than I did that night. 

So, what’s the lesson I learned that night? Always make sure you tie a good knot anytime you’re leaving your boat by the dock. There’s nothing like owning your first bass boat even when it means you have to risk your life swimming with gators! 

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and make sure to introduce a kid to the great outdoors. Kids that hunt and fish, don’t deal and steal.  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

There is a lot to consider about the broad presidential pardon granted to Hunter Biden this past week but virtually all of it involves lies and hypocrisy.

First, President Biden lied, yet again, when asked if he would pardon Hunter for his crimes.  He flatly said “no” and that he would “abide by the jury’s decision.”  However, millions of us believe he said that only to keep the prospect of a family pardon from becoming an election issue.  However, it’s not the pardoning of his son, in and of itself, that offends. 

It’s the fact that in his pardon message Biden states he sought to correct a “miscarriage of justice” and blamed his so-called “political opponents” in Congress for Hunter’s problems.  That is just laughable!  We may forgive a father for protecting a son—particularly one who has struggled with addiction and other personal problems as his son has—but Hunter’s problems were caused by Hunter!  He is a criminal. 

Further, in his pardon message Biden also stated that “no reasonable person who looks at the facts could reach any other conclusion.”  That’s an astounding statement.  Many Americans have drawn very different conclusions about Hunter’s conduct and the legitimacy of this pardon. 

For context, let’s look at some other Biden whoppers.

He denied meeting Hunter’s business associates or having knowledge of his overseas business dealings. (In fact, it’s never really been determined whether Biden, “the big guy,” actually received money himself from his son’s business dealings).  False, he did meet them as revealed on a number of calls and emails with Hunter’s business associates.  Biden also endorsed and repeated the total fabrication by the 51 dishonorable former intelligence officials that the damning information on the Hunter Biden laptop was “Russian disinformation.”  Biden fully knew that the claim was false at the time.  

That lie likely changed the course of American history because a full 17% of those who voted for Biden in 2020 said they would not have done so had they known of the contents of the laptop.  Given the very narrow margin Biden won by, Trump would likely have won the electoral college and the presidency.  However, voters did not know of the laptop’s contents just before the 2020 election because national media and major social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter were complicit in completely suppressing that information.

What’s really difficult to swallow about the pardon doesn’t really have anything to do with Hunter himself.  It has to do with other Americans like the J6ers, most of whom have been treated terribly by their government and their president.  They would never be offered a pardon.  This is also reminiscent of the fact that the “Summer of Love” 2020 rioters and looters were never arrested or brought to justice for the billions of dollars of damage and great harm they caused.  This is what is called a “two-tiered” system of justice.

Again, with Biden attempting to justify his pardon due to his “political opponents” the hypocrisy is rich and deep.  In the persecution by lawfare—and near assassination, twice, of Trump, Biden demonstrated the very worst actions of a so-called “political opponent.”   He also allowed the ugly and unprecedented raid of Trump’s Mar-A-Lago home over some documents that Trump alone had the power to declassify in the first place. 

As Miranda Devine points out in the New York Post, “What’s surprising is that anyone is surprised that Joe Biden is a liar. He has lied his way into office. He is renowned in his life as a plagiarist; … he was even caught plagiarizing when he was at university back in 1965.  And one of his presidential bids failed due to his plagiarism,” Devine said. “And so, it’s fitting that he’s lying on his way out of office about whether or not he was going to give Hunter a pardon.”

We really shouldn’t be surprised if the next Biden pardons go to Jim Biden and other corrupt family members.

All of this contributed to President Trump receiving the overwhelming victory and mandate that he received in the election.  The Bidens may not have a bottom regarding the depths to which they will sink for personal or political gain, but the American people certainly have a limit to their tolerance of it. 

Thank God for Trump and let us all pray that the Secret Service is not so corrupted that his life is again placed in mortal danger.

H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is again causing mortalities in wild birds in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. This year’s fall migrations have created a resurgence of HPAI-induced waterfowl disease in Louisiana.

Many different species of wild birds can be infected with HPAI. Geese and other waterfowl are particularly susceptible to HPAI. Many wild birds recover from infection and develop immunity to a particular strain of AI, but others may exhibit neurological symptoms, which ultimately lead to the death of the bird. Scavenging raptors, including vultures, are also susceptible to the disease.

Although public health officials consider this strain of HPAI to be of minimal threat to humans, sick birds should not be handled. Additionally, as this disease is highly contagious to other wild birds and domestic poultry, sick birds should not be comingled with other birds.

Mammals are, for the most part, resistant to H5N1 HPAI but rare fatal infections have been documented in dogs, cats, foxes, black bears and even dolphins. It should be noted that while many waterfowl hunting dogs contact birds with HPAI, no dog infections have been reported in Louisiana. Contact between pets and birds showing neurologic signs should be avoided.

Wildlife rehabilitators should be careful not to bring potentially HPAI-infected birds into their rehabilitation facilities to prevent introduction and spread of the disease within the facility. Clothing and other objects, or even seemingly healthy waterfowl, which may have come in contact with the disease should be washed thoroughly and kept away from other birds, especially domestic poultry.

Once again, sick birds should not be handled and no bird exhibiting signs of disease or found dead should be utilized for human consumption.

Sick or dead birds should be reported to regional LDWF offices. The contact information for these offices is as follows: Hammond Office, 985-543-4777; Lake Charles Office, 337-491-2575; Lafayette Office, 337-262-2080; Minden Office, 318-371-3050; Monroe Office, 318-343-4044; Pineville Office, 318-487-5885.

More information about HPAI may be found on the following websites:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-birds.htm

https://www.fws.gov/avian-influenza

How are your Christmas preparations progressing?

I have reached the age and station of life, where Christmas decorations should be guided by minimalist philosophy. There should be a small tree on the mantle and maybe one elf on one shelf. At this stage, Christmas should fit into one oversized shoe box. I have been told that I have a Grinch-like view of Christmas decorations.

Speaking of the Grinch, I have been type-cast. I will be in two Christmas parades this year. If you are at the Gibsland parade, I’ll be on the Gibsland Bank float as the Grinch. In Ruston, I’ll be on the Trinity Methodist Church as the Grinch. I will be the happy Grinch with the heart enlarged three times!

Did I tell you that I danced eighteen shows with the Lake Charles Ballet as Santa Claus. I have played that role at least three times. I’m picking up on a theme, people keep putting me in costumes that require extensive make up.

Back to our subject of Christmas decorations.

Do you have items that are always present in your Christmas decorations? Do these items have stories attached to them? In some households Christmas decorating takes a while because the decorator narrates the story of each ornament or decoration. I think I appreciate those stories more now than I once did.

One of the items in our household are the baby gates. For years we have used those gates in the doorway of the room that holds the tree. We have no babies in our family. Our grandchildren are older now. We use the baby gates because we have curious and helpful dogs. The dogs have often seen the Christmas tree and the presents under it as a source of entertainment. The two now living in the house are
proficient at Christmas curiosity and have a history of undecorating and unwrapping presents.

The baby gates minimize the canine caused chaos.

Those gates remind me of an important truth. Christmas is not about order and perfection, it is about mess and chaos. Think about the story.

The orderly life of the engage couple was thrown into chaos. The emperor issued travel mandates. The child was born in a most rustic place. Mom and baby were disturbed by shepherds and their nocturnal visit. Trust me, the sheep were in tow! Herod got involved in the story in a horrible way. Joseph and Mary became immigrants and for a time outcasts.

Christmas is for people who are not perfect, who do not have it together, who are stymied in their planning.

Christmas is a time that reminds us that God can bring order out of chaos. He can bring life and love in surprising ways. He can see a path for you when you can’t claim it for yourself. He meets sin and failure with his love and grace.

That love and grace is often his way of throwing a baby gate around your heart.

The LSU AgCenter is seeking the public’s assistance to enhance the LSU AgCenter Webster and Claiborne Parishes Nutrition & Community Health programs. Responses to a Nutrition and Community Health Online Survey will help the AgCenter understand the public’s needs and preferences, enabling it to better facilitate programs and community outreach. The survey is designed to be brief and should take only a few minutes.

Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/myqa5w9j5V

In 1917, the world was in the midst of World War I.  Corporal J. Robert Conroy was among the soldiers of the 102nd infantry, 26^th division, known as the “Yankee Division,” camped at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut.  While enjoying his rations one day, he noticed that a homeless boy had wandered into camp.  Other soldiers turned to look then returned to their duty.  Corporal Conroy shared his meager rations and their friendship began.  Even though one was a soldier and the other was not, they were almost inseparable.  Pretty soon, most of the soldiers of the 102^nd infantry had befriended him.  Then, Corporal Conroy learned that his division would be shipping out soon to France.  Corporal Conroy was concerned about the wellbeing of his new friend and led a small conspiracy which was so secretive that most of the details of it remain a mystery.  What we know for certain is that when the USS Minnesota left for France, Corporal Conroy’s friend was a stowaway.

For some time, the conspirators kept the stowaway a secret.  Each saved small portions from their meals to give the stowaway, but the top brass learned about the scheme. The conspirators and the stowaway could have been sent to the brig to await punishment, but the United States needed all the soldiers it could get.  They fitted the stowaway with a uniform and other necessary accoutrements, and the stowaway became a private.  As soon as they arrived in France, the 102^nd infantry left for the front.  No one knew what to expect from the private.  Unlike all of the other soldiers around him, the private had no training.  Would he fight or run?  The soldiers of the 102^nd infantry taught him what little they could along the way.  By the time they got to the trenches, the private had befriended just about every soldier in the whole division.  Remember, just a few weeks earlier, he was homeless and had to beg for food. 

Like the other soldiers of the 102^nd infantry, the private was stunned by the explosions and endless gunfire, but he proved to be a brave soldier during each fight.  On April 20, 1918, the 102^nd infantry fought the Germans at the town of Seicheprey, France.  During the battle, the Germans captured the town, but the 102^nd infantry counter-attacked that night.  The Germans were forced to retreat, but at a terrible price.  During the counterattack, many soldiers were wounded or killed.  Among the wounded was the private who was struck in the chest by a piece of shrapnel from an enemy hand grenade.  Everyone, including the Army surgeons, thought the wound was fatal.  Morale in the 102^nd infantry hit rock bottom.  Six weeks later, their morale rebounded when the private returned to his outfit.  By the time the war ended, the private had served in 17 battles and had earned many medals for bravery including the Victory Medal with cross bars indicating his participation in major engagements and the Silver Victory Button for being wounded.  Back home, the private became a celebrity.  He was featured in parades across the country.  He met with Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding.  In July 1921, General John J. Pershing, commander-in-chief of the American forces in Europe during the war, awarded the private with a solid gold medal with his name engraved on it.  The once homeless boy who unintentionally became a private and the “Hero of the Yankee Division,” was a bull terrier, a dog named “Stubby.”

Sources:

1.     The Indianapolis News, July 9, 1921, p.5.

2.     The World News (Roanoke, Virginia), July 12, 1921, p.4.

3.     The Chattanooga News, October 20, 1923, p.14.

4.     The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee), March 28, 1926, p.8. 

As the holidays approach, Green Monday, observed on the second Monday of December, promotes sustainable shopping practices during the busiest retail season. Coined in 2007, Green Monday marks one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, and it’s an opportunity to rethink holiday gifting.

To embrace eco-friendly shopping, consider buying locally-made products to reduce your carbon footprint or opting for gifts crafted from recycled materials. Experiences, such as concert tickets or a cooking class, are thoughtful alternatives that don’t generate waste. Another tip is to wrap presents using reusable materials like fabric or biodegradable paper.

Green Monday reminds us that our purchasing choices can impact the planet. By prioritizing sustainable practices, we can celebrate the season while protecting the environment for future generations.

Dora Faye Lynch
May 22, 1936 – December 8, 2024
Service: Friday, December 13, 2024, 10am at Lane Memorial Cemetery, Sibley.

Jamesina “Jamie” Marie Willett Lee
March 23, 1948 – December 7, 2024
Service: Saturday, December 14, 2024, 2pm at New Ebenezer Baptist Church, Castor.

Melba Shows Thrift
October 29, 1938 – December 7, 2024
Service: Friday, December 13, 2024, 12pm at Victory Life Church, Ruston.

Leroy Robinson, III
October 21, 1976 – December 3, 2024
Service: Saturday, December 14, 2024, 2:30pm at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church, Springhill.

Walter Dale Hay
December 2, 1946 – November 25, 2024
Service: Sunday, December 22, 2024, 2pm at the 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 no charge.)

The following arrests were made by local law enforcement.

11/24/24

Isaiah Williams of Arcadia was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant-Misdemeanor.

11/25/24

Robert Whatley of Monroe was arrested for Maximum Speed Limit and Operating a Vehicle with Suspended License, No License Issued.

11/26/24

Freddarius Shyne of Minden was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant-Misdemeanor.
Kevin Shivers of Shreveport was arrested for Violation of Probation/Parole. 

Shannon Parker of Dubberly was arrested for Failure to Appear Warrant-Misdemeanor.

David Guillame of Atlanta, GA, was arrested for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Misdemeanor and Driving on Divided Highways.

Louis Rutan of Zwolle was arrested on three counts of Violation of Protective Orders-Misdemeanor. 

11/29/24

Jiewei Wang of Frisco, TX, was arrested for Flight from an Officer-Misdemeanor and Maximum Speed Limit.

11/30/24

Ray Williams, Jr. of Jonesboro was arrested for Theft-Misdemeanor. 

Dakota Corley of Calvin was arrested for Child Support Obligation-Misdemeanor.

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.

Ringgold Elementary School invites the public to its Christmas Concert on Dec. 17 at 9:30am in the Elementary Gym for student performances of the Christmas classics. 

The Christmas Store will be open following the concert. 

Thanksgiving was different this year. The usual hum of our family traditions felt even richer, the air filled with the unmistakable aroma of turkey, fresh herbs, and gratitude. My son and I spent four hours in the kitchen together, cooking side by side. We’ve cooked together many times before, but this time was different. This time, he wasn’t just helping—he was leading. He was teaching. 

He was the chef. I was the student.

There’s a moment every parent dreams of— seeing their child find that place where their passion and talent collide. Thanksgiving morning, I saw that moment unfold in real-time. He graduates from the Culinary Institute of America in New York in a few weeks, and though he’s always been talented in the kitchen, this year he’s grown into something extraordinary. Watching him work with confidence and precision reminded me of just how far he’s come.

He’s a professional. I am in awe.

He larded the turkey with a flavorful compound butter he infused with herbs and tucked it under the skin with the skill of a seasoned pro. He basted the turkey with a cane glaze he threw together which rendered it juicy and sweet-tangy in a way I’ve never managed. His brown butter mashed potatoes, with herb-infused cream was perfection. Even the gravy—something I’ve always prided myself on—was a masterclass. The cuts on his mirepoix were straight-edged and uniform and the deglazed fond rendered a gravy that was rich and savory with substantial depth in the flavor profile. Half the time, I just stood back, watching him, pride swelling as I realized how much he’d surpassed me in the kitchen.

It was a proud moment, indeed.

I offered a few suggestions here and there, as fathers tend to do. He nodded politely, listening without a hint of arrogance or impatience. Whether my advice made its way into his process didn’t matter; the result was flawless. Watching him, calm and composed, completely in his element, filled me with admiration. At his age, I wouldn’t have had the same grace. I probably would’ve snapped back with a defensive, “I’m doing it this way because…” But not him. He moved through the work with a steady, understated confidence, turning the kitchen into his stage.  The most impressive part wasn’t just the mastery he showed—it was the humility in his confidence, free of ego, true self-confidence, no cockiness, and tons of respect towards me.

Our relationship has often revolved around food. When he was very young, Saturday mornings were our time. I’d take him to the local donut shop so his mother and sister could sleep in. He could put away some donuts, no question. Later, we’d explore breakfast spots around town—just the two of us. Eventually he started cooking.

In 2011, when he was ten, our family took a six-month trip overseas. Those mornings became our tradition, a thread connecting our time in 17 countries and 72 cities. While his sister worked on school assignments or slept in, he and I ventured out into the world, searching for breakfast. We ate in the bustling market off Las Ramblas in Barcelona, on a rooftop in Athens overlooking the Parthenon, in bakeries in Tuscany, and in quiet cafés in Paris. Sometimes we’d wander aimlessly through a city until we found a place that looked promising, talking about superheroes along the way. His superhero always had something to do with electricity. I don’t remember mine anymore. I was told when both kids were were young to make sure and take notes. 

I should have taken notes.

It was during those mornings that we built the foundation of what we share today. Back then, we weren’t talking about the restaurant business. It was just a dad and his boy, exploring the world together one breakfast at a time. Those moments are etched in my heart, even if some of the details have faded.

By the time he was 14, he started mentioning an interest in the restaurant business. I didn’t take it seriously at first. The restaurant world isn’t for the faint of heart; it demands passion, resilience, and total commitment. But when he came to me at 16, determined and unwavering, I knew he meant it. I created a plan: I told him, “if you want to go into this business, and you want to come back and work with us, this is what you are going to need to do (it’s actually what I wish I would have done had the opportunity been available to me)— four years of college with a business major and accounting minor, followed by two years at the Culinary Institute of America, then two years working in other people’s restaurants. Then, and only then, can you come back and work with us. But it doesn’t matter what your education was, your title was, or what your experience was, you are going to start at the bottom and the degree to which you rise through the ranks, if you even do rise through the ranks, will be 100% dependent upon you and your commitment and effort, and will have nothing to do with me.” He agreed without hesitation.

He’s all in.

Since then, I’ve watched him grow into this industry, not just with skill but with a genuine love for the craft. He started cooking with me at 13, and by 15, he was remarkably self-sufficient in the kitchen. He took instruction well, had original ideas, and worked with a quiet determination. While he may not have been as obsessed with the restaurant business as I was at his age, his passion has deepened over time, and it’s become his own.

Thanksgiving morning brought it all full circle. I’ve always believed in letting my kids carve their own paths, resisting the temptation to push them into something they weren’t passionate about. Watching him in the kitchen that morning, I realized how grateful I am for that approach. He’s not just following a legacy—he’s building his own.

As I look back on the past year, filled with so many meaningful moments, I can say with certainty that those four hours in the kitchen were among my favorites. There’s something indescribably special about standing shoulder to shoulder with your grown child, seeing their talent, their passion, and their hard work come to life.

I’ve felt this pride before—when I watched my daughter find her calling in interior design, her creativity and talent shone through in ways I could have never imagined. I have written of her talents and traits often and look forward to watching her professional career continue to blossom. It’s a gift to see your children excel and to know they’ve found what makes their hearts sing.

This Thanksgiving, I was reminded of just how blessed I am. My wife and I are here to support our daughter and son in whatever they do, but they’re cutting their own paths. They’re discovering who they are, and we get to sit back and watch it unfold.

As for my son, I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds. He’ll be heading to Chicago in January to work in some of the best restaurants in the country. I have no doubt he’ll thrive there. And I’ll be here, cheering him on, remembering these mornings and these moments, and feeling grateful beyond measure.

Onward.

Baked Asparagus

1 Tbl           Olive oil, light

2 Tbl           Onion, minced

1 Tbl           Shallot, minced

2 Tbl           Celery, minced

1/2 tsp        Salt

1/2 tsp        Garlic, granulated

1/8 tsp        Thyme, dry

2 cups         Mushrooms, cleaned, sliced 

1 1/2 cups  Chicken broth

1/4 cup       Butter

1/3 cup        Flour

1/2 cup        Whipping cream

1 tsp            Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp            Hot Sauce

2 bunches    Fresh asparagus, cut on a bias into 2 1/2” long pieces

1/2 cup        Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated (not the powdery stuff in the green can)

1/2 cup        White Cheddar Cheese, shredded

2 Tbl             Fresh Parsley

3 Tbl             Unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 cups    Ritz Crackers, crushed into crumbs (about 35 crackers)

Preheat oven to 350.

Heat oil in a two-quart saucepot over low heat. Add onions, shallots, celery, and salt. Cook vegetables until tender. Add mushrooms and increase heat to medium. Cook 10 minutes, stirring often. Add chicken broth, garlic and thyme. Bring back to a simmer and cook 10 more minutes. 

In a separate skillet, make a light-blonde roux by melting butter and stirring in flour. Add to simmering broth mixture. Cook three to four minutes and add cream. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Hot sauce.

While the sauce is cooking, bring 2 quarts of water with 1 Tbl salt to a boil. Cook the asparagus for one minute, drain and run it under cold water for 5 minutes. Using paper towels, dry the asparagus completely.

In a mixing bowl, combine the asparagus with the sauce, cheeses and parsley. Place the mixture in a 2.2 quart baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Combine the melted butter and cracker crumbs. Spread the buttered cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake for 10 more minutes.

Allow casserole to set for 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 8 servings

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

If you read “Bob, a DJ and a clown” on a guest list, are three people coming to the party, or only one? That depends on whether you are for or against the Oxford comma — perhaps the most hotly contested punctuation mark of all time. The “Oxford comma” is an optional comma before the word “and” at the end of a list. The following is an example of the use of an Oxford comma.

We sing songs, hymns, and choruses.

The question for those of us who write is whether to use the Oxford comma. Sometimes I use an Oxford comma and other times I ignore the convention depending on my mood. The comma does have the grammatical ability to add clarity to communication.

You may need that extra comma for clarification.

This is an apocryphal book dedication, but it shows what happens when the Oxford comma is omitted.

This book is dedicated to my parents, Amy Rand and God.

The omitted comma has given theological import to the sentence. Your eyes might fix it, and your brain knows that Amy Rand and God are not the parents of the author. From a grammatical point of view the sentence is correct, but the meaning is muddy or heretical depending on your perspective.

Today remember the comma.

Small acts of kindness, hospitality, and patience will make a positive impression on the guests God sends to our lives at Christmas. Perhaps after you show kindness you will have the opportunity to talk to someone about why Christmas has a special meaning to you. You might hear a God story coming from a stranger. Something small could open the way to a bigger event.

God is always trying to sneak that Oxford comma into the grammar of our souls. He sends little blessings and reminders of His love for us. He moves in small ways that allow our hearts to experience His grace. We want God to speak big and boldly. We want fireworks! We want certainty. The essence of faith is to believe where we can’t clearly see. Believe that in those small commas that drop into your soul God is working His plan in your life.

Finally, the comma makes you pause. Read the earlier comma examples aloud and hear your brain and voice pause for each comma. We need those pauses in our lives. We need time to just sit and be. I had a friend who sent me what became an annual Christmas tie. Ned lived into her mid-nineties. She loved her beloved pastor friend, such that I received a dozen Christmas ties from her.

The last line of her last Christmas note encouraged me to “linger in His presence long enough to let God’s blessings, happen.”

What a gracious and wise comma.

STAFF WRITER

Voters all over the state will be voting for local elections and statewide propositions. In Bienville Parish, here’s what’s on your ballot.

CA No. 1 (ACT No. 405, 2024 – SB 177) – Provides relative to the investigative authority and membership of the judiciary commission.

Do you support an amendment to allow the supreme court to sanction a judge upon an investigation by the judiciary commission, and provide that the recommended sanction shall be instituted by the judiciary commission or by a majority of the supreme court, and to provide for the appointment of five members of the judiciary commission? (Amends Article V, Section 25(C); adds Article V, Section 25(A)(4))

A VOTE FOR WOULD: Increase the number of members of the state Judiciary Commission and give the Louisiana Supreme Court authority to direct the commission to investigate judicial misconduct allegations.

A VOTE AGAINST WOULD: Maintain the current nine-member Judiciary Commission and keep the Louisiana Supreme Court’s authority over judicial ethics and discipline limited to action based on recommendations from the commission.

CA No. 2 (ACT No. 406, 2024 – HB 48) – Provides relative to the timing of consideration and required information of appropriations bill.

Do you support an amendment to require that the legislature wait for at least forty-eight hours prior to concurring in a conference committee report or amendments to a bill appropriating money? (Adds Article III, Section 16(F))

A VOTE FOR WOULD: Require lawmakers to wait at least 48 hours to review proposed amendments to bills appropriating money before they can take a final vote.

A VOTE AGAINST WOULD: Continue to allow state lawmakers to take a final vote on bills appropriating money and send them to the governor at any time in a legislative session.

CA No. 3 (ACT No. 407, 2024 – HB 49) – Allows the legislature to extend a regular session for a limited time period for a specific purpose.

Do you support an amendment to allow the legislature to extend a regular session in increments of two days up to a maximum of six days if necessary to pass a bill appropriating money? (Amends Article III, Sections 2(A)(3)(a) and (4)(a); Adds Article III, Section 2(A)(5))

A VOTE FOR WOULD: Allow lawmakers, with a two-thirds vote, to extend a regular legislative session up to six days if they need more time to pass a bill appropriating money.

A VOTE AGAINST WOULD: Maintain the current legislative session calendar, in which the House and Senate meet during a period of 85 calendar days in even-numbered years and during a period of 60 calendar days in odd-numbered years

CA No. 4 (ACT 409, 2024 – SB 119) – Provides relative to the administration of tax sales of immovable property.

Do you support an amendment to eliminate mandatory tax sales for nonpayment of property taxes and require the legislature to provide for such procedures by law; to limit the amount of penalty and interest on delinquent property taxes; and to provide for the postponement of property tax payments under certain circumstances? (Amends Article VII, Section 25)

A VOTE FOR WOULD: Shift Louisiana from a tax sale process to a tax lien auction process when a property owner hasn’t paid property taxes and the local government wants to satisfy the tax debt.

A VOTE AGAINST WOULD: Keep Louisiana’s tax sale process in place for local governments seeking to satisfy a tax debt when a property owner hasn’t paid property taxes.

Parishwide Proposition – 1.02 Mills Continuation – Bienville Parish Police Jury – 10 Years.

Shall the Parish of Bienville, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), continue to levy a special tax of 1.02 mills on all the property subject to taxation within the Parish (an estimated $434,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2027 and ending with the year 2036, to acquire, improve, maintain and operate Parish Senior Citizens’ Centers and to provide funding for Parish Senior Citizens’ Programs operated by the Bienville Parish Council on Aging, said millage to represent a .02 mills increase (due to reappraisal) over the 1 mill tax authorized to be levied through the year 2026 pursuant to an election held on April 9, 2016?

Just a few reminders before Election Day:  

• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones, or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com and logging into the Voter Portal.
• Voters are encouraged to sign up for electronic notifications via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

What I’ve always found interesting is the long-held belief that “America’s enemies always test a new president to see how far they can go.” Well, I’m highly doubtful that will occur now.  They won’t be testing this one. 

Our enemies no doubt already know that the “appeasement” policy of the Obama-Biden Administrations is resoundingly over. 

Rather, our enemies know exactly what they will be getting from Trump II and America—a decisive Commander-in-Chief and a military structure with the capacity to bring overwhelming force against America’s enemies. The result of this, ironically, will be to preserve peace. This was President Reagan’s philosophy of “peace through strength.”

New security measures will undoubtedly include Pres. Trump’s vision of possessing the technology to knock down and destroy incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles. “We will replenish our military and build an Iron Dome missile defense system to ensure that no enemy can strike our homeland,” Trump stated on the campaign.

Such a defense system will no doubt build upon the great Strategic Defense Initiative technology of Pres. Reagan in the 1980s, much as that technology has been deployed for several decades by Israel to defend itself against endless bombing attacks.

Iran, who tried and will continue to try to have Pres. Trump assassinated, is back on its heels. The sanctions Pres. Trump imposed in his first term crushed the economy of that nation, so it was not in a position to continue funding terror campaigns—whether directly or through its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah—throughout the world.  Those sanctions will be reimposed.

Israel, no doubt, has breathed an enormous sigh of relief.  The Obama-Biden Administrations often only tenuously supported that country and then, often only due to extraordinary pressure by the American people to do so.  Trump will no doubt stand behind Israel and allow it to defend itself by any and all means necessary.

China will no doubt continue to engage in cyberespionage and intellectual theft but will think twice about further dominating weaker nations or commandeering new territories.  This is not only due to robust U.S. military strength but also because China cannot afford to be cut off from trade with America, even with Trump-imposed tariffs.

President Trump will also do what he said he would during the campaign and end the Russia-Ukraine war. This will probably require Ukraine to cede some portion of its territory that Russia has seized but in so doing Ukraine will remain under the protection of the U.S.; to say nothing of the hundreds of billions of dollars it has received from us already.  Russia, in turn, will be looking for a face-saving way to end the conflict.  Despite his statements about the use of nuclear weapons, Vladimir Putin does not want to test Pres. Trump.

Kim Jong Un in North Korea is, as always, engaged in bellicose rhetoric and saber rattling but he also doesn’t want to cross Trump.

As an aside, Elon Musk has commented that the F-35 fighter jet tries to do too many things and does nothing particularly well. Musk thinks the “F-35 fighter is an obsolete and poorly functioning weapon system whose mission is best overtaken by uncrewed aircraft.” (Air @ Space Forces Magazine, J. Tirpak, 11-27-24).   In fact, Musk believes we should move to entirely unmanned fighter aircraft.  If we ever do so we would no longer need to be concerned about many things, including human fighter pilots being killed or pilots losing consciousness and passing out when G forces overwhelm them. 

To that end, I am greatly interested in seeing what reductions Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy conclude can be smartly and strategically made to address the enormous but corroded U.S. military-industrial complex.

This is an exciting time on multiple fronts. The difference is America is again led by a decisive, fearless man who has been tried and has emerged victorious, not only overcoming eight years of relentless bombs and legal attacks from the corrupt Deep State and their media coven, but also surviving two assassination attempts, including one in Butler, PA where he was actually struck by an assassin’s bullet.  In short, America’s domestic political and foreign enemies see a battle-tested man of combat-level courage.

At this time of year when we give thanks for living in America, we must follow Trump’s example and, as did he, we too must thank God for sparing his life and blessing the life of our nation.  Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

The recreational and commercial seasons for Lane Snapper in Louisiana waters are closed as of 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 2 and will reopen on Jan. 1, 2025. 

The decision was made by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan, following notification by NOAA Fisheries that the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico closed for the recreational and commercial harvest of Lane Snapper on Nov. 26 and will reopen on January 1, 2025.

Data indicate that the 2024 annual catch limit of 1,088,873 pounds was met by Nov. 26.  Compatible season regulations in state waters are preferable to provide effective rules and efficient enforcement for the fisheries, and to prevent overfishing of the species in the long term.  

Effective with this closure, no person shall recreationally harvest or possess Lane Snapper in Louisiana or Federal waters.  Additionally, no person shall commercially harvest, possess, purchase, barter, trade, sell, or attempt to barter, trade, or sell Lane Snapper in Louisiana or Federal waters.  The prohibition on sale/purchase of Lane Snapper during the closure does not apply to those that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor, provided appropriate records in accordance with R.S. 56:306.5 and 56:306.6 are properly maintained.

Castor High School would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Vernon Hough.

To say that Mr. Hough is a legend at Castor High is an understatement. For 40 years, Mr. Hough was the high school science department at CHS until his retirement. He taught physics, chemistry, physical science, and biology, as well as serving as an assistant principal for many years. Beyond the lab lessons that involved goggles, beakers, and Bunsen burners, Mr. Hough taught hundreds of Tigers how to be better people, mainly by how he lived his own life with his unwavering faith, his devotion to his family, and his service to his community and country. His love for science lives on today on the CHS campus through Hough House, a greenhouse project started by one of his former students who now teaches science at CHS. If you were a Tiger who got to join Mr. Hough on a Briarwood field trip, you know the greenhouse name is especially fitting.

At CHS, he was also passionate about being the yearbook advisor for The Tiger, a role in which he was able to share his love of photography. Tigers will also fondly remember Mr. Hough competing fiercely in the faculty vs. student volleyball game each year, bringing his world-famous peanut butter fudge, and telling unexpected corny jokes in class, and giving them Mrs. Cheryl when he married her. As deeply loved as Mr. Hough was by Castor High, they know he was even more beloved at home by his wife, children, and grandchildren. The Tigers are in prayer for his family. Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.

Over my many years of traveling the country and fishing tournaments, most places and the people that live there are usually friendly. Texas has always held a special place in my heart since I’m from there and there’s nothing like Texan hospitality.  Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Arkansas also have some fine folks, but there’s one place you need to proceed with caution; that would be south Louisiana down on the Bayou. 

Now let me clarify the last statement. South Louisiana folks, or Cajuns as they like to be called, are some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Most have never met a stranger and most have a big heart willing to share their dinner table with anyone. 

But when you get into the swamps and bayous of south Louisiana, the demographics change over to a different kind of soul. These people who live on the swamp see the outside world as infringing on their way of life and do not welcome outsiders with open arms. 

I learned this firsthand during a bass tournament just outside of Morgan City. There’s an area down there where Bob’s Bayou Black Marina is located and was the host for this tournament. The minute you pull up to this marina, it’s like going back in time. It has an earie feel to it and reminds you of the movie, “Deliverance.”

It has a feel that makes you very uncomfortable just getting out of the truck and going inside to pay the boat ramp fee. Locals at the ramp give you a look that simply asks, “Are you lost?” But as I entered the store, I noticed a photo on the wall that was signed by Bassmaster Classic Champion Kevin Van Dam (greatest bass angler of all time) which did make me feel a little more at ease. 

Now being new to this area, I was looking for information; not about what the bass were biting, but where I could and could not run my 20-foot Ranger bass boat. I had heard stories about anglers getting in trouble in the swamp by fishing areas they were not welcome in.  

The gentleman who owned the marina was more than willing to show me on a wall map the areas I should avoid at all costs. Due to horror stories of the past that were embedded in my brain, he had my full attention. 

So, now that I had a good idea as to where I could and could not fish, I dropped my boat in the water and, without fear, headed out for a day of fishing looking for the winning stringer of bass. 

Now if you want to get lost and test your navigational skills, venture into the swamp and bayous of south Louisiana! All I will say is this, “Thank the Lord for GPS!” Because I can now understand the stories I’ve heard of anglers getting lost. It truly is a maze of waterways and canals that seem to branch off in every direction like a state road map. 

While fishing a stretch of a canal, I noticed a house, on stilts of course, just about 50 yards in front of me. As I approached this house, a man walked out holding a 12-gauge shotgun and looking at me in a not so friendly way. He asked me, “Son, are you lost?” I responded with a very kind, “No sir.” 

He then informed me that I had two options, “Leave now or stay for dinner and never be heard from again!” I chose the first option and left that area never to return! It was nice of him to offer me dinner, but I did not want to stay for dessert.

 I’ve also learned through other’s mistakes when dealing with these so-called swamp people. One such unwritten rule is to never enter a canal that has a gate at the front of it. Another fact is that one place you do not want to be after dark would be the Louisiana swamp! Ask Elite Series Pro Gary Kline who found out firsthand just how spooky the swamp can be when the sun goes down.

Gary also found out first-hand how unwelcoming swamp people can be when he was shot at while practicing for the Bassmaster Classic. So, the next time you’re headed for the bayous of south Louisiana, make sure you know the lay of the land and what areas you might want to avoid. 

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and just because it’s December, does not mean the fish won’t bite. You just need to slow down with your presentation and be a little more patient. You might not get as many bites, but the ones you catch will be good ones.  

 Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Jimmy was born in Atlanta, Georgia in November 1900, the second child of Eugene and Maybelle Mitchell. Maybelle wanted Jimmy to have an education and to have the best possible chances in life, as most parents do. From the time Jimmy was born, Maybelle read to the child. Once old enough to write, Jimmy began writing original stories of adventures in faraway lands. From childhood, through adolescence, and into teenage years, Jimmy continued to create vivid characters in worlds which were sometimes real and other times imaginative.

In September 1922, Jimmy got married against the advice of Maybelle and Eugene. John Marsh, a friend of the couple, was the best man at the wedding. Jimmy’s spouse, nicknamed “Red,” worked in a bootlegging ring and often drank more product than was sold. When juiced up on bootlegged liquor, Red liked to party, carouse, and turned violent toward Jimmy. In December 1922, after less than three months of marriage, Jimmy gave up. The marriage was over, but not legally. At first, Red refused to give Jimmy a divorce. Finally, with a loan from John Marsh, the best man at their wedding, Jimmy was able to get a divorce. Six months later, Jimmy married for a second time.

Jimmy went to work as a reporter for a newspaper called the Atlanta Journal. It was a nice job that Jimmy thoroughly enjoyed. Then, Jimmy injured an ankle which failed to heal as quickly as anyone expected. Unable to walk without crutches, Jimmy had no choice but quit the reporting job. Jimmy’s spouse brought armloads of books into the house to keep Jimmy occupied. Finally, Jimmy’s spouse’s patience was exhausted. Tiring of the constant trips back and forth between their apartment and the public library, Jimmy’s spouse said something to the effect of, “For God’s sake, can’t you write a book instead of reading thousands of them?” With that challenge, Jimmy began writing. For three years, Jimmy wrote, edited, fact-checked, and rewrote. Finally, in 1936, Jimmy published a book that became a bestseller and won the Pulitzer Prize. Three years later, a film was released based on Jimmy’s novel which is now considered one of the greatest films ever made.

Let me back up just a moment. Remember Jimmy remarried six months after the divorce? Jimmy married John Marsh, the best man at her wedding and the man who paid for her divorce. Her wedding? Her divorce? You see, when Jimmy was only three years old, her dress brushed up against an iron grate and caught fire. Luckily, she was unharmed, but the experience was traumatic for her mother who feared that the child’s clothing would catch on fire again someday and she would not be so lucky. From that moment on, her mother dressed her in boys’ clothing. Her brother mockingly nicknamed her Jimmy and, much to her chagrin, the nickname stuck. Jimmy was the nickname of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.

Sources:

1. The Atlanta Constitution, December 6, 1936, p.12.

2. The Atlanta Journal, August 12, 1949, p.1.

3. The Atlanta Journal, August 16, 1943, p.1.

Jenaye Jones
Service: Sunday, December 8, 2024, 2:30pm at Shiloh Baptist Church, Bienville.

Maxine Watkins
January 7, 1929 – November 27, 2024
Service: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 10am at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel, Jonesboro.

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.)