Wednesday, March 2, 2022
THE SABINE RIFLES – THEN AND NOW
by RICKEY ROBERTSON
After Louisiana seceded from the Union in 1861 and Fort Sumpter had been fired on by Confederate troops commanded by General P.G.T. Beauregard, himself a native son of Louisiana, a call to arms was issued throughout the state for volunteers. Sabine Parish answered this call to arms and a company of men from this area was formed and entered service into the Confederate Army. This company formed to fight for the cause of the Confederacy and for state’s rights. This company was mustered into the 6th Louisiana Infantry Regiment as Company A. And the nickname for this company was the “Sabine Rifles.”
The Sabine Rifles, along with the rest of the 6th Louisiana, were assigned to General Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson’s Brigade. The men from Sabine Parish followed Stonewall on his famous battles and campaigns and they fought in some of the very bloodiest engagements of the war. These Sabine Parish men fought with courage and bravery on every field of battle that they fought on. And by the time General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House in 1865, Company A could only muster four officers and 48 enlisted men. The battle history of Company A and the 6th Louisiana is still remembered to this day by the ancestors of these brave men.
Today, the Sabine Rifles Camp 2057 Sons of Confederate Veterans continues to make a stand for their Confederate ancestors. The camp has a total of 78 Sons of Confederate Veterans members, with 20 of these members also in the Mechanized Cavalry. These 20 members are both mounted and dismounted, with the mounted members now riding motorcycles as their Confederate cavalry ancestors once rode horses. Also, the Sabine Rifles Camp 2057 has 30 Friends of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. All but one member of the Friends of the SCV are female. The Sabine Rifles also has a Cadet Program that has seven members. These Cadets are under the age of 12 years of age, and when they reach the age required for membership, they can become full members in the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Throughout North Louisiana you will see the Sabine Rifles in area parades, at festivals and historical events where they proudly uphold the history of their Confederate ancestors. If you have a Confederate ancestor and are interested in joining the Sons of Confederate Veterans, contact Camp Commander Sylvester Martinez for more information. Throughout the United States and in 26 countries around the world there are active Sons of Confederate Veterans Camps that may be joined. And there are over 35,000 members of this organization who proudly uphold the traditions, along with the courage and bravery of their Confederate ancestors, as they tell the true history of the South.
Editor’s note: The following is a Sons of Confederate Veterans tenant, “The Sons of Confederate Veterans, in furtherance of the Charge of Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee, shall be strictly patriotic, historical, educational, fraternal, benevolent, non-political, non-racial and non-sectarian. The Sons of Confederate Veterans neither embraces, nor espouses acts or ideologies of racial and religious bigotry, and further, condemns the misuse of its sacred symbols and flags in the conduct of same.”
(Thank you to local historian Rickey Robertson for sending the Sabine Rifles information above.)
The Sabine Parish Library and Bayou Crawfish Restaurant are set to proudly present Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy, this year’s Louisiana Poet Laureate, on Thursday, March 17 at 1 p.m. at Bayou Crawfish.
Dr. Saloy is an award-winning author and folklorist, educator and scholar of Creole culture in articles, documentaries and poems about Black New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina.
Currently, she is the Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professor of English at Dillard University. Dr. Saloy documents Creole culture in sidewalk songs, jump-rope rhymes, and clap-hand games to discuss the importance of play. She also writes on the significance of the Black Beat poets – especially Bob Kaufman, on the African American Toasting Tradition, Black talk, and on keeping Creole.
Her first book, “Red Beans and Ricely Yours,” won the T.S. Eliot Price and the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award.
Her collection of poems, “Second Line Home,” captures New Orleans speech, family dynamics, and celebrates New Orleans.
Dr. Saloy’s screenplay for the documentary Easter Rock premiered in Paris, the Ethnograph Film Festival and at the National Black Museum. She has lectured on Black Creole Culture at Poets House in New York City, the Smithsonian, Purdue University, the University of Washington, and Woodland Patterns Book Center.
This upcoming program is funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and is sanctioned by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, call the Sabine Parish Library at (318) 256-4150. Watch for program updates on the library’s Facebook page or at Bayou Crawfish on Facebook.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see and listen to Louisiana’s Poet Laureate right here in Many.
Other Sabine Parish Library activities ongoing this month are:
Book Buddies – 10 a.m. on March 4, 11 and 25;
Step Into Storytime – 10 a.m. on March 7, 21 and 28;
Book to Art – 5 p.m. on March 8;
Beginner Quilting – 6 p.m. on March 15, 22 and 29;
Eat for the Health of It – Noon and 6 p.m. on March 17; and
Creative Kids – 3:30 p.m. on March 17.
The Sabine Parish Library is located at 705 Main St. in Many. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday with extended hours for special events as noted above. They are open on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. Call the library at (318) 256-4150 for more information about their events and services.
Campbell Says Utilities Should Share Cost of Storm Recovery with Customers
For-profit electric utilities serving Louisiana should expect demands to share in the cost of recovering from damaging hurricanes and storms in the future, said Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell of North Louisiana.
“I’m sick of the free ride you get,” Campbell told Entergy executives Wednesday, shortly before the LPSC voted 4-1 to charge Entergy’s one million customers $3.2 billion for five storms in 2020 and 2021.
The bill for hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida and winter storm Uri will be $10 a month for the average Entergy residential customer and last for 15 years.
While casting the ‘no’ vote on Wednesday’s Entergy case, Campbell issued an order to LPSC staff calling for an investigation of how the Commission handles storm recovery. He questioned the fairness of applying damage costs to areas not affected by storms, and whether investor-owned utilities like Entergy, CLECO and SWEPCO should share in the payment of damages.
“Your stockholders are not putting up a dime,” Campbell said, directing his comments to Entergy, CLECO and SWEPCO representatives at the PSC meeting held in Metairie.
“You say you have never done it that way? There is no rule against it,” Campbell said. “You can do it. You just don’t want to.”
Since 2008 the LPSC has added multi-year line-item surcharges to Entergy bills to repay the utility for damages from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Isaac. Entergy’s request for storm recovery on the LPSC agenda at Metairie Wednesday was its largest to date, covering five named storms.
The company will return to the LPSC later this year to request repayment for an additional $1.4 billion in damages from Ida. CLECO and SWEPCO have also filed requests with the Commission for repayment of damages from 2020 and 2021 storms.
At the Metairie meeting Campbell said Entergy recently raised its compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Leo Denault from $10 million a year to $16 million and issued $1.5 billion in dividends to investors.
“Of all the people on your power lines, most do not receive stock dividends,” Campbell said. “We have some of the poorest people in America, and they don’t worry about dividends; they worry about paying their electric bill.”
Entergy’s territory goes from the Arkansas line to the Gulf of Mexico and includes Monroe, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Average residential customers using 1,250 kilowatt-hours a month can expect the Laura-Delta-Zeta-Uri-Ida storm surcharge to be $10 per month and run for 15 years.
Campbell said paying for storm recovery is a critical issue in Louisiana with climate change causing more frequent and damaging storms.
It was a great evening Saturday night as the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame inducted their newest members. The Class of 2022 Inductees were Elliot D. Coleman, Jim Donelon, Walter B. “Bert” Hatten, W.L. “Jack” Howard, Verne R. Kennedy, Robert W. “Bob” Kostelka, Roy O. Martin III and Dr. I.C. Turnley Jr.
I was especially happy to see my longtime friend Bert Hatten honored at this year’s ceremony. Bert is quite a guy. He served in World War II, then after getting a degree in journalism, he began as a reporter for the News-Star World of Monroe, leaving the paper 16 years later as managing editor. He was elected to office and served 12 years as Mayor of West Monroe. After his public service, he returned to his newspaper roots, purchasing the Ouachita Citizen, which he ran for 20 years before selling to friend Sam Hanna. It was nice to see another journalist honored, and I’m awfully glad the Hall of Fame recognizes folks who have impacted Louisiana politics as well as elected officials.
Among the many dignitaries and elected officials on hand for the event were Joe Salter, Florien native and Sec. of State Kyle Ardoin’s Chief of Staff, and State Sen. Louie Bernard of Natchitoches. Always nice to catch up with those gentlemen.
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is quite a spot. Currently it’s housed in the historic Winnfield depot. Winnfield was home to three Louisiana Governors – Huey Long, Earl Long and O.K. Allen – four if you want to count Gov. Jimmie Davis, who was born only 30 miles away. Display cases line the walls, paying tribute to the Hall’s 200-plus inductees who have each found a spot there in the last 30 years since the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame began. A figure of Earl Long stands next to his 1951 campaign car, topped with four giant loudspeakers.
Museum Director Carolyn Phillips originally wanted to broadcast “Uncle Earl” campaign speeches through the car’s speakers for visitors to enjoy, but the owner of the car put the kibosh on it. “I was told, ‘If you do that, you’re gonna be blown out of your office,’ Phillips recalled. “‘Those speakers were built to be heard three miles away.'”
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame was created by a 1987 act of the State Legislature. Local volunteers spent six years renovating the old railroad depot to house the museum, and it opened in 1993 on what would have been Huey Long’s 100th birthday. The Museum Director is Carolyn Phillips and the Administrative Coordinator is Brandi Whisonant. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday by appointment. It is located at 499 E. Main St. in Winnfield and may be reached at (318) 628-5928, Admission is free.
Friends of the Louisiana Political Musuem and Hall of Fame Foundation Board Members are Elinor Craven, Greggory Davies, Kyle France, John Georges, Randy K. Haynie, Jack McFarland, Jack McGuire, June Melton, Russell Mosely and Deano Thornton.
HELP WANTED
The Sabine Sales and Use Tax Commission is seeking applications for a Deputy Administrator, according to Wanda Rivers who heads the Commission. Applicants must have three years’ experience in a business-related field, proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel and QuickBooks, familiarity and knowledge with data processing and bookkeeping. A college degree in a business-related field is preferred. Resumés with references may be mailed to P. O. Box 249, Many, LA 71449. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 11, at 4:30 p.m.
The First United Methodist Church of Many is also accepting applications for a part-time position in housekeeping. The job offers 20 hours per week with some flexibility at $10 per hour. Please call (318) 256-3632 for an application. The church is located at 1000 Main St. in Many.
Belated 98th Birthday wishes to Ms. Rita E. McComic. She was born Rita Ethel Ebarb on Dec. 28, 1923. She celebrated her special birthday recently at Fisherman’s Galley with five of her eight children. One of her children, a daughter, is now deceased. She had eight children – seven girls and a son. Five of her children’s families now have grown to represent five generations; she has 25 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 34 great-great grandchildren.
It is interesting to note Ms. McComic still lives alone but has a special chore for each of her children. One checks on her in the morning and gets her mail. Another takes care of her medicine. Another spends time with her in the evening and they enjoy watching Wheel of Fortune together. Another takes her to get her hair done on Thursdays. Yet another takes her out to eat and shop. Another comes from out of town to spend a few days with her from time to time. They all make sure she has food, as she still cooks for herself.
Currently, one of Ms. McComic’s daughters and the daughter’s husband are building a small house for her at the old homeplace. She is really excited and happy about this, as she will be near two of her children. The others are not far away.
Ms. McComic is well-known for her chicken and dumplings and tea cakes, especially at church bingos of the past. She only uses water from a certain well, and one of her daughters makes sure she has a good supply.
She survived COVID, along with other members of her family. One of her daughters said, “And prayers are her specialty. Need prayers? Call Mom.”
Thanks to daughter Jackie Downs for supplying this information about her mother.
The Apollo Plaza Apartments Staff hosted their monthly birthdays celebration on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 24, at the complex.
Central Sabine Fire District, Project Celebration, Inc. (PCI), JCC Black Ministries, and Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputies and Detectives were in attendance.
It was a cold, drizzly day, but that did not stop the community from coming together for the kids. Apartment Staff provided cupcakes, candy, juices, balloons, bubbles, a dart game and basketball goals. PCI brought chips, candy, juices, and coloring books. The Central Sabine Fire District brought the fire truck, and kids got to take a tour of the truck.
JCC Black Ministries had a table set up with Bibles, literature and kids’ activities. This was their first time to attend, and they were so happy to be there. They plan to attend each month.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell thanked everyone for participating and said he believes this is a great event for Apollo Apartments and the community.
The birthday celebrations are held the last Thursday of each month regardless of sun, rain, snow, heat or cold!
(Thank you to Det. D.W. Seegers for providing the article above.)
WE GET LETTERS: The letter to follow came from longtime friend Ronald Byrd of South Boston, VA. It is always a pleasure to hear from Ronny.
“Robert, I think that both you and the Mayor came out of that anonymous-letter mess smelling like roses. I had to laugh at that one comment you got about needing to say something positive about the Mayor, etc. Your positive reporting on governance and law makes Many seem like a really good place to live. There is no Utopia anywhere and you cannot put that many people together without some disagreement, but your column paints a positive picture overall. Any chamber of commerce would love to get the kind of free publicity that you provide on a weekly basis.”
Thanks to the generosity of two ladies – one local and one formerly of Florien – Many Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at 120 Natchitoches Hwy. now has five beautiful, large floral paintings to display on their walls for residents to enjoy.
Shanna Gaspard, a local artist and director of the Sabine Chamber of Commerce, last week presented the facility with two paintings in memory of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Shirley Gaspard, and her grandmother, Ms. Hattie Mae Rains Dees. Gaspard described the ladies as “two of the most amazing women I’ve ever known.”
Lisa Soderberg, formerly of Florien, also commissioned Shanna to make three additional paintings in memory of her mother, Mrs. Pattie Killingsworth, who also resided at Many Healthcare previously.
Kudos to Shanna Gaspard and Lisa Soderberg for enriching the lives of others with their selfless giving. Their good deeds epitomize all that is great about Sabineland folks.
Jonathon J. Winfield, age 33, of Zwolle and Samuel Cortez Holbert Brumfield, age 35, of Many were sentenced by the United Stated District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport in February.
Winfield was sentenced to 60 months (five years), and Brumfield was sentenced to 70 months (five years, 10 months), in federal prison for one count each of Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine.
Winfield and Brumfield were indicted in federal court in Shreveport last year for drug charges after investigations by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT.)
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and his TNT continue to investigate and arrest illegal drug dealers in Sabine Parish and use federal resources to indict and see that these dealers serve time in federal prison.
(Thanks for Det. D.W. Seegers for the information above.)
The February Sabine Parish sales tax report has been issued by Wanda Rivers, Sales/Use Tax Administrator. It showed that $469,026.48 more was collected this February over the same month last year. The amount collected last year was 1,813,789.62, compared to $2,282,816.10 collected this year. Ms. Rivers’ complete report follows:
We are excited to learn a full-service ice cream and candy shop will soon open at 210 Pico St. in Many between Gorgeous Nails and United Credit in Wright’s Shopping Center.
Sugar Babies Ice Cream & Candy will offer 44 different flavors of ice cream with all the toppings, and promises to soon add shakes, sundaes and more.
Owner Shelly Haigh also recently announced the store will have a “Hero Discount” available to all military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, medical personnel, and teachers.
“Not all Superheroes wear capes,” Haigh said recently about the upcoming discount. “[It’s] just a small appreciation for all the big things y’all do!”
Once the new store is officially open, Observations will announce all the details. Get your sweet tooth ready.
Overheard:
“Never laugh at your wife’s choices. You’re one of them.”
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