Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Cherry Williams, new Many District D Alderwoman, was just elected March 20 and has not taken office yet, but she has gone to work. Last Saturday she started picking up litter on Alieze St. and worked her way around to Gandy Ln. She said she will work to see her district cleaned up one street at a time.
Several persons called Observations to tell us this news and stated it was good to finally have a representative who would work.
Williams invited interested persons to join her any Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. during the ongoing Trash Bash to help pick up litter from District D’s streets. You may contact her on Facebook to see which streets of the District she will be working on each Saturday.
She also noted that over the next five weeks Sabine Parish is holding its Trash Bash and April 17 is the Town of Many’s clean-up day. So, get ready to do your part.
Kudos to Cherry for already going to work to make a difference.
As noted, the “Sabine Parish Trash Bash” is underway! It will run each Saturday until April 24 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Church groups, civic groups, sports teams, 4-H groups, families and friends are all invited to “join in to keep Sabine clean.”
Everyone is encouraged to put trash it is place, keep a litter bag in the car, secure trash by placing lids on cans and tying bags shut, and to set a good example for friends and family.
For more information, contact Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at (318) 256-5880 or Director Linda Curtis-Sparks at (318) 332-8240.
Mayor of Many Ken Freeman celebrated a milestone birthday on Monday, March 29, when he turned 70. His special day was honored early at a party Saturday evening with family and friends at the Freeman residence on West Alabama Ave.
“When I look around and see such wonderful friends, a beautiful wife I love dearly and a dear family who loves me, two fine sons and their wives, and these two precious granddaughters, I can truly say I have so much to celebrate over these 70 years,” Freeman said.
Family attending included sisters Linnie Freeman and Betsy Godfrey, brother Robert and members of their families. Town of Many and Street Crew staff came to celebrate as did many longtime friends.
Happy Birthday, Mayor. We wish you good health, happiness, love and continued success in all that you do in the years to come.
Get well wishes to our friend and Observations reader Ronald Byrd in South Boston, VA. He fell Sunday morning and broke his foot. He was to have been down here this week for a visit to his old stomping grounds, Marthaville and vicinity. Had to put the trip off until later, but he will be coming. Said he is looking forward to seeing Don Winn.
Last Friday the folks at Apollo Apartments in Many had a joyous occasion. Late last year, Lisa Scaife took over as manager at the complex, and she came in with the attitude of “making a difference.” Once a month she started having what she terms monthly “Birthday Parties.” She held the March Birthday Bash this past Friday and it turned into much more than that.
Led by Chief Sabine Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Walker, Detectives, Deputies and School Resource Officers all turned out to show their support. Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley and Assistant Chief Kyle Cook were also on hand.
Ms. Scaife provided the birthday cake, hotdogs and chips and the Sheriff’s Office provided donuts and drinks. Project Celebration provided candy and coloring books.
Central Sabine Fire Department brought out its big fire trucks which the kids loved. They especially loved the siren and red lights. Incoming Many Mayor Robert Hable also attended to support the effort. He pledged during his campaign to build positive relationships throughout the town. Looks like he is working to do that.
Chief Deputy Walker gave all the kids a Junior Deputy Badge. And Deputy Seegers gave Mr. Observations one, which made him feel young at heart again. When I got back to the radio station, Tedd Dumas was sort of jealous that he didn’t get one, too.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell was not there because of the recent death of his mother, but his heart was there. He thought it was a great event and thanked everyone who made it possible.
The Many High School Powerlifting team brought home the LHSAA State Champion Powerlifting Division IV title from competition held March 18–20 at Fant Ewing Coliseum at University of Louisiana Monroe.
“We said we wanted to move some weight for the community of Many and we did!” Coach Jesse Curtis shared on social media. “[We have] …AA State Powerlifting Champions!”
Team members lifted and placed as follows:
Chase Higginbotham – 123 lb. weight class, 2nd Place, 795 lbs. total;
Evan Williams – 148 lb. weight class, 2nd Place, 920 lbs. total;
Ethan Williams – 148 lb. weight class, 3rd Place, 895 lbs. total;
London Williams – 165 lb. weight class, 1st Place, 1,370 lbs. total, Outstanding Lifter on the Light Platform, and he also set the state meet Deadlift Record for Division IV with a 570 lb. deadlift;
Sardavion Darwin – 165 lb. weight class, 4th Place, 1,100 lbs. total;
Dutch Kor – 181 lb. weight class, 6th Place, 1,020 lbs. total;
Cole Pickett – 181 lb. weight class, 7th Place, 990 lbs. total;
Colton Boswell – 220 lb. weight class, 6th Place, 1,035 lbs. total;
Terrence Williams – 242 lb. weight class, 2nd Place, 1,340 lbs. total;
Nic Tatum – 242 lb. weight class, 3rd Place, 1,225 lbs. total;
Adam Miller – 275 lb. weight class, 1,195 lbs. total.
Powerlifting is a relatively new sport at Many High, and the team has only participated in the last two competitive seasons. Last season was cut short due to COVID. This year was the first year the team has been able to participate for a full season.
It is a testament to good coaching and committed work by the team that they were able to come away with the state championship for Division IV (AA) this season after only a partial season last year.
Powerlifting consists of three main lifts – a squat, bench press and deadlift. Each competitor is allowed three attempts to successfully lift a prescribed weight in each of the main lifts. Lifters lift on a platform determined by their weight class and are judged by three judges.
In order to have obtain a successful lift, a lifter must get at least two satisfactory judgments out of three on a given lift. A lifter must complete a successful lift in all three of the lifts in order to get an overall total. The total determines where a lifter will place in the meet, as points are awarded much like a track meet descending from 1st to 6th.
A team can have no more than two lifters per weight class, and a maximum of 11 lifters spread throughout the various weight classes.
Congratulations to Coaches Jesse Curtis and Tommy Hall and all the Many High Powerlifting team for a job well done! You make us proud.
Rickey Robertson and his wife Patsy really know how to put together a tour. Their big Annual Spring Heritage Tour of Peason Ridge was last Saturday and we were fortunate to be in the 50 or so who attended. It was an auto tour this year because of the COVID. It was an opportunity for descendants of the pioneers of Peason and visitors to go out on the range, as the Army uses the property now and it is not always accessible.
And this year David S. Doyle, Commanding General at Ft. Polk, attended. It was good to see him there. Lt. Col. Steven L. Keil also participated for the duration of the tour and told visitors about training practices on several areas within the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) located at Peason Ridge.
The Rev. Robertson is a guy who has a head filled with history of the area. There were several stops on the tour and at each stop visitors were told about the area. In fact, there were about 40 historical and/or interesting sites along the way. Visitors were given a printed guide filled with information.
The tour only covered a portion of Peason Ridge. It is a land filled with history beginning with the Native Americans and the first settlers of other origins who came to the area in 1818. History was made there during the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers. Heartbreak followed as the settlers, homesteaders and sharecroppers were forced to leave their beloved homes and farms in 1942 as the Army took over the ridge. History is still being made by the military units training on these old farms and home sites. The best trained units in the Army are trained on Peason Ridge.
Rev. Robertson commented, “As a Heritage Family Member, I have close ties with the land and with the Army who now uses these lands. We must never forget the sacrifice made by these Heritage Families as they gave up a way of life for our freedom.”
Tedd Dumas is happy to announce that a Political Forum featuring the two candidates in the runoff for Sabine Dist. 3 Police Juror will be broadcast on KWLV and KTEZ Radio on Wednesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. The broadcast will also be livestreamed on the BDC Radio Facebook page. The candidates are Joseph H. Hendon and Stephen Steinke. Be sure to listen!
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and his Tactical Narcotics Team continue their war on drugs. Joevoskie L. Mitchell, 30, of Zwolle was arrested on the evening of March 24 and charged with Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of CDS in the presence of persons under age 17. Mitchell lives with his wife and four minor children. His bond was set at $7,500, and he bonded.
William O. Fisher, a direct descendant of O. W. Fisher is involved in writing a book and will devote a full chapter to the little village of Fisher. He is being assisted by a professional researcher, Cleo Nevakivi-Callanan.
They are seeking pictures, letters, diaries and anything recounting work at the sawmill or life in the town or anything else about Fisher prior to 1967.
If you have anything of interest, please contact them at companytowns.wofenc@gmail.com.
Our District 24 State Representative Rodney Schamerhorn last week issued the following statement concerning his move to collect a fee on timberland to go to rural road improvements.
“The purpose of this notification is to inform my constituents of a ‘proposed bill’ and to inform my constituents of my continued efforts on improving parish and state roads.
“From the first day of my campaign and continuing even today, the poor condition of our parish and state roads is the greatest complaint I hear from the people living in District 24. As a public servant, I truly wake up each day to support District 24. I have extensively researched and worked toward finding a solution which would start the work of road improvements. In my research, I found that timber land was being assessed at an extremely low rate compared to home owners owning one or two acres. In District 24, according to the assessors’ offices, less than 50 cents per acre is collected from the owners of timber land for road improvements. The total property tax collected from timber land owners ranges from $1.77 per acre in Sabine Parish and $3.77 per acre in Vernon Parish. I have constituents owning residential property paying $500-$600 per year per acre. How does this compare to your property tax bill?
“Therefore, I have been in the process of constructing a bill which would have charged a fee to the owners of timber land at a rate of one dollar per acre exempting the first 40 acres. The 40 acre exemption would have excluded many constituents from paying the fee. For example, an individual with 60 acres of timber land would have experienced an increase of $20.00 annually. All proceeds from the timber land fees would have been solely dedicated to the improvement of parish roads in the taxing district in which the land was assessed. The bill would have required the police jury to match dollar for dollar from the timber land severance tax, already being collected, for the improvements of those same roads.
“Unfortunately, since I have begun introducing this bill, I have been met with much negative feedback. The timber company representatives I have spoken with are not open to negotiations. Although my initial number per acre was $5.00, no one would budge to even $1.00 per acre. As hunting leases continue to increase yearly, many fear that timber companies would have simply passed this fee onto those with hunting leases.
“I will continue to serve District 24 every day and I will continue to search for ways to improve the roads which our families and loved ones travel. However, I will park the ‘Timber Land Bill.’ I truly do not mind supporting unpopular ideas for the right reason, but I am serving the desires expressed to me from the people in District 24. As always, please feel free to give me your feedback. You can reach me on my cell: 337-208-5234, at my office: 318-565-4959, or by email: hse024@legis.gov.”
A big Easter party and children’s movie will kick off the Movies in Many 2021 season.
The Easter Bunny will make a special visit to the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on April 3 between 6 and 7 p.m. to have his picture made with children and to give them a small gift that’s good to eat. Then at 7 p.m., the delightful Disney movie “Winnie the Pooh, Springtime with Roo” will play. It’s sure to be a great evening for area children and their families.
“Winnie the Pooh, Springtime with Roo” is free as always. Concessions will be free for children and only $1 each for their grown up families. Children will also receive an Easter bag of goodies as they leave the theater – a special gift from the Cultural District folks and the Town of Many.
In this delightful animated comedy, an overexcited Roo, along with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore, pay Rabbit a visit to celebrate Easter. But instead of finding an Easter party they find a Spring-Cleaning Day celebration led by Rabbit who makes up the holiday to replace Easter. While the gang cleans Rabbit’s house, Pooh sneezes and trashes the house. Then Roo finds all their Easter eggs and decorations stored away in Rabbit’s closet, and throws a surprise Easter party for Rabbit. Unfortunately, he is enraged at them for not doing his “Spring Cleaning Day”, and angrily sends them out to clean. Roo is crying that Rabbit is unhappy, and Tigger wants Roo to have a happy Easter, so Tigger tries to talk to Rabbit while Roo and the others try to make an Easter celebration of their own in their hopes of cheering up Rabbit.
In order to convince Rabbit that he still misses Easter and to remind him how he used to like it (which Rabbit cannot believe), Tigger takes Rabbit back in time to experience their last year’s Easter celebration.
At first Rabbit remains stubborn, furious and unconvinced. Then Rabbit finally realizes he was wrong to try to control something that everyone shares and loves. He decides to adjust his attitude to match everyone else’s and finds out that he is too late.
Rabbit, feeling “giddy as a jackrabbit,” then brings out all the Easter decorations and starts happily preparing a big surprise for his friends. The movie ends with the annual Easter celebration proceeding as planned.
The first of many special free movies to come each month in 2021, Movies is Many “Winnie the Pooh, Springtime with Roo” is a gift from the Cultural District and the Town of Many to provide entertainment for families throughout Many and Sabine Parish at little or no cost; Admission is always free, and concessions are very affordable, permitting a family of five to watch a movie with each person enjoying popcorn and a soft drink for a total of only $10, as compared to almost $100 for admission and concessions at a commercial theater.
Masks are required at this time, as is social distancing.
First United Methodist Church of Many has planned a very unique program for this coming Maundy Thursday, April 1 at 6 p.m. They are offering the “Gospel of Luke as an Old-Time Radio Show.”
Those who are interested are invited to listen in person in the FUMC sanctuary, or to listen to it on KWLV 107.1 or the church’s Facebook page. They will all be broadcast simultaneously at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Maundy Thursday is the night when Jesus gathered with His closest followers before he was taken by the authorities to be crucified.
Several church members came together to create this narrated program which features voices for Luke, a medical doctor and man of science in the early church; Mary, the Mother of Jesus; her husband Joseph; young Jesus; adult Jesus; an Apostle; an Angel; God; the Devil; and more. Other talented participants created the sound effects you will hear. The show also has a number of songs performed by the choir and local soloists.
It was the Thursday evening before what we now celebrate as Easter when Jesus gave the “New Commandment” to “Love one another as I have loved you,” and began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper in a place known as the Upper Room before his crucifixion the next day.
That tradition will be continued with Communion in the FUMC-Many sanctuary following the audio experience. If you listen from home, you are invited to have ready your own elements of Communion to honor the Lord’s Commandment after the radio show concludes.
The church says, “This ‘Gospel of Luke as an Old-Time Radio Show’ is a wonderful way to step back in time without the distraction of sight! Please attend if you can, but if you cannot, please join us on radio, phone or computer!”
Congratulations are in order for Louisiana State Champion Milleigh Aton, who won All Around State Champ Level 1 Div. C at the Women’s Junior Olympic Gymnastic Competition held at the Alario Center in Westwego, LA on March 19-21.
Milleigh is a 6-year-old Level 1 gymnast from Elite Cheer-Nastics in Natchitoches. She is coached by Alyssa Palmer Price and Sonja M. Palmer.
The young gymnast began the sport at age five at ECN: Elite Sports Center in a Beginning Tumble Bears class. She found she loved the sport and put her super athleticism to work as she improved her skills.
Elite Cheer-Nastics coach Alyssa Price stated “I knew she had a chance to win State, and I am so happy for ‘Mills.’ She is such a hard worker and I love coaching her.”
Elite Cheer-Nastics had five female athletes qualify for state this year. Participation is determined by a qualifying score that must be met to attend competition. ECN’s standard for State is higher than the state’s requirement, since it is a higher level of competition.
Congratulations are also in order for Lilly Boyd, who placed 2nd at State on Beam. Lilly is a Level 4 gymnast that has been in the Elite Cheer-Nastics program since the age of five.
Congratulations also to Azylea Allen, Level 2; Gracelynn Leone, Level 2; and Norah McGrath, Level 2, for qualifying for State.
A very Happy Easter to you and yours this Sunday, April 4.
May your holiday be filled with lots of love, joy (and chocolate, if you wish!) May you and your family be blessed as you celebrate the true meaning of Easter, from the reflection of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday and the promise of eternal life. And may you find the renewal of hope, health, love and spirit.
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