Wednesday, January 2, 2019
We couldn’t believe it when we learned Ellen Abington is no longer on the Sabine Humane Society Board of Directors. You’ll recall she is one of, or maybe the only, main founder of the Animal Shelter. She was there before the beginning.
I have never met a person who was more of an advocate for dogs than Ellen. Her efforts in adoption of dogs have been highly regarded and recognized not only in Sabine Parish, but throughout the state.
I know for a fact she has worked long hours and driven many miles to transport the shelter dogs of Sabine Parish to good homes and reputable rescues. Many, many times this was done at her own expense.
She has expressed she will never stop being a voice for the animals.
Ms. Abington needs to be back on the Board of the Sabine Humane Society.
Shanna Dees Gaspard has been named the newest member of the Board of Directors of the Sabine Hall of Fame. She also serves as Executive Director of the Sabine Chamber of Commerce.
Gaspard is a hardworking citizen of our community. She is an artist, often teaching painting at Northwestern State University and throughout the area. She is very involved with the Town of Many on the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee as they work tirelessly to bring cultural and business-boosting events to Many and Sabine Parish. Gaspard has also served as president of the Sabine Art Guild, whose members display and sell their unique art in the east end of Many’s historic Depot on Hwy. 171 Bypass.
Shanna is married to Austin Gaspard, and their children are Laney, Logan and Victoria.
The annual Sabine Hall of Fame Induction Banquet has tentatively been set for Tuesday, March 26. This year it will be held at Siloam Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 35432 Hwy. 191 South of the Toledo Town Junction, west of Many.
When I was in the eighth grade with Claudine Jenkins at Marthaville School, I never thought she would someday become such an accomplished artist. And the story of how she got there is the thing of which movies are made.
After being graduated from high school, she went to trade school. Claudine met the love of her life and in 1959 married Freddy Funderburk.
They settled down in Florien and had three children: sons Tony and Richie and daughter Linda, who now owns and operates Linda Brooks Real Estate in Many.
Then tragedy struck. Richie was killed in a car wreck in 1986. He was only 21. That was bad, but there was more bad news to come. Tony also passed at too young an age three years ago this past March.
After Richie’s death, the family was devastated, of course, and Dean had a hard time just keeping on.
A few years after that tragedy their friend, former Sheriff Alfice Brumley, suggested Dean and Freddy move into a house he had found on Toledo Bend. He suggested maybe the change would be good for them. They did and the move did help bring relief from some of the pain they had suffered.
As a side note, Dean watched from her yard as Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entering the earth’s atmosphere on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members.
Continuing with the story, two years ago, only a year or so after Tony’s passing, something happened that changed Dean’s life.
She explains, “Some ladies wanted me to go and see some art work. I was not interested, but went anyway. They put an easel in front of us and wanted us to draw on it. I didn’t think I could, but surprised myself when I did.”
She then took lessons from local artist JoAnn Cason for about a year.
Dean continued her story, “Painting has been such a blessing. We moved to the lake in 1988 when we bought a house and three acres because I was having such a hard time getting over the death of our son.”
In addition to painting, Dean said she loves to do yard work and also loves her quiet time.
Dean is willing to sell her paintings, and she also does commission work. She has enjoyed selling some of her paintings on Facebook.
Last year, Freddy and Dean moved back near Florien. “I have a studio in my house and would like to invite anyone interested to come look at my work,” she stated. If you are interested, her address is 1515 Dess Rd. in Florien. She may be reached at (318) 256-0261 or (318) 729-5047.
Picture of the Past
This is a picture of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Depot at Marthaville and was provided to us by Steve and Phyllis Birdwell of Marthaville. As best we can determine, the photo was taken sometime between 1907 and 1915. It is what is called a “Real Photo Postcard,” and its size is 5 ½” x 3 3/8”. Real Photo Postcards were made by developing a photographic negative onto photo paper with a pre-printed postcard backing. This postcard has not been used.
We thank Steve and Phyllis, some wonderful friends, for passing it along to us.
Recently Pete Abington had World War II Veteran Ed Lee Vines at a gathering of the Vultures Club. Pete wanted to honor Mr. Vines for his military service. Mr. Vines lives in Many and is 94 years old.
When the Willie Stewart Family and Friends Christmas Concert took place on Dec. 15, Maurice Procell who lives out around Fort Jesup was called to come on stage. His being asked to come forward was a surprise to him.
The group was in the process of doing a salute to veterans at the time.
A lot of people don’t know it, but Maurice writes poetry. He came by my office several months ago and from memory recited some of the work he has written. I was greatly impressed.
That night at the Sabine Theater, he recited a poem that is a tribute to the soldiers who died in service to their country. The poem says that calling those wonderful men and women a “Hero” is not enough.
There were tears sliding down folks’ cheeks as he recited the poem. When he finished, the crowded theater gave him a standing ovation.
The election is still almost a year away, but the political pot in Sabine Parish has already started to boil.
Most people received a nice Christmas Card from the Rodney Schamerhorn Family. He ran for State Representative last go around. Word is he’s gonna run again and in view of those Christmas cards, I’d say he is.
Also mentioned as possible candidates are Many Mayor Ken Freeman, Dr. Gary Lord of Leesville, Mayor Keith Lewing of Anacoco and Carroll Daniels of Robeline, Natchitoches Parish School Board Member.
And the Sheriff’s race in Sabine Parish – well, that started a long time ago.
Sheriff Ronny Richardson is up for re-election. Rep. Frankie Howard threw his hat in the ring some months back, as did Chris Abraham, a lawman from down around Sulphur. And it is said that Buddy Brandon will make a third run for the office.
Movies in Many starts its 2019 schedule with the free movie “Jurassic World, the Fallen Kingdom,” showing this Saturday, Jan. 5 at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 7. It is rated PG-13.
Sponsored by Many Mayor Ken Freeman and the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, the movie was released in the summer of 2018 and is the third in the “Jurassic World” series.
The plot goes as follows: it’s been three years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles. When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (played by Chris Pratt) and Claire (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. Owen is driven to find Blue, his lead raptor who’s still missing in the wild, and Claire has grown a respect for these creatures that she makes her mission. Arriving on the unstable island as lava begins raining down, their expedition uncovers a conspiracy that could return the entire planet to a perilous order not seen since prehistoric times.
“We think this action/adventure movie is a great way to begin 2019, and we hope our folks will all come out and enjoy going to Movies in Many,” said Mayor Freeman.
Movies in Many is now starting its fifth year of offering free movies to Sabineland residents. Popcorn and soft drinks are available for only $1 each.
Freeman said it’s one way to make family movie night affordable for everyone. He pointed out a family of two adults and three children can enjoy the movie, have popcorn and soft drinks for everyone in the family and spend only $10. That’s a hard deal to beat, and so close to home.
“It’s a bargain anyway you look at it,” said Freeman.
Free Movies in Many are shown on the first and third Saturday of every month.
That’s a wrap for this first column of 2019. We wish you and yours a prosperous, happy and healthy new year. Please call or write me with your suggestions for future articles. I always appreciate hearing from you. Call (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. Older Observations columns are archived on our Facebook page under Photos and listed by date. Newer ones are archived below. To print this week’s Observations, simply right-click anywhere on the content and select Print.
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