Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Last week Observations carried a story about Bernice and DeWayne DuBose and members of their family seeing Bigfoot at Fisher. The story got much attention. As we publish this edition, 4,142 persons have looked at last week’s story. In addition, the very popular Cenla Report re-ran the article and got a tremendous response. As of press time today, that post had garnered 442 comments, 326 likes and 271 shares.
There were a lot of persons who criticized the DuBose family, but even more people who supported them. It was surprising to see the number of people around who said they also have had a Bigfoot encounter.
Tedd Dumas and I took a ride late last week on Carter’s Ferry Road and what a mess it is. The Police Jury has milled (or torn up) sections of the hard-surfaced road and filled those places in with white rock. As traffic passes over the white rock, it turns into dust. And we can venture a guess that when it comes a good rain, a lot of the rock and dust will wash into the ditches – that is, if they have any ditches.
Our understanding is that these torn up places will be hard surfaced, but persons using the highway are asking, “When?” They are saying it is not very smart to tear up the road and then let it set for months waiting to be repaired.
Folks along the Pilcher Road are also certainly not happy. It was a blacktopped road. The Jury went in and milled the road on both sides, leaving the center of the highway with the blacktop remaining. Doing so left a “hump” of blacktop down the middle of the road. Talk about a mess.
Joy Scarborough is administrator of a Facebook page called “Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads” and Pat Scarborough is the resident expert. Their goal is to get the Police Jury to successfully repair the roads in the parish. Thus far, they haven’t met their goal, but users do post comments on the page and share information.
The Police Jury will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. to discuss reapportionment. Joy and Pat are urging all interested citizens to attend. They point out that all visitors have five minutes to speak, and they urge everyone to come speak about the desperate, urgent need to improve Sabine Parish roads.
District 1 Police Juror is a smart man. He said he told the Jury concerning what they are doing to the likes of the Pilcher Road and Carter’s Ferry Road, “Keep that mess out of my district.”
We laid Joe Amos McFerren to rest Monday afternoon. He was a close friend of mine for more than 60 years. If he didn’t have a great life, he didn’t know it. We made a lot of miles together along life’s highway and had a lot of great adventures. For years, he called me first thing every morning with a loud, enthusiastic mule bray. Joe will be missed. His obituary follows:
The earthly life of Joe Amos McFerren came to an end on Saturday, August 20, at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. He was born to the late Robert Lee and Dezzie Jennings McFerren in Natchitoches on February 22, 1942.
Joe was a fun-loving guy who had a world of friends and a world of wonderful experiences.
During his life, he lived in Marthaville, Natchitoches and, most recently, Provencal.
Joe served one term as Justice of the Peace in Natchitoches Parish, Ward 5, starting in 1964. He held many jobs throughout the years, including working at the Manufactured Home Plant in Natchitoches and at Rebel State Historic Site in Marthaville.
Joe was a strong patriot and was proud of his Southern heritage. He was equally proud of his six years of service with the Louisiana National Guard.
He was one of Rebel Park’s founding committee members and was present for Memorial and Music Festival programs for 50 years, doing whatever was needed to help produce a successful event. Joe met a lot of interesting people there, including many Country, Gospel and Bluegrass legends. Without exception, they all enjoyed spending time with Joe when they came to Louisiana or when he visited Nashville. His favorite star of all time was the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe.
Joe also met many Louisiana politicians at Rebel Park, including the late Gov. Edwin Edwards, who was his favorite. Many elected officials often asked of Joe and were faithful to send their warm regards to him over the years.
Joe was in a serious car wreck on June 7, 1980 that left him in critical condition. He almost died from his injuries but pulled through to survive, carrying the scars of it for the rest of his life. In addition, he survived nine other near-fatal experiences over his eight decades of life.
Among his many talents was the ability to bray like a mule. He could sound more like a mule than the animal itself, and he was always happy to deliver a special custom bray for any occasion.
Joe attended Jennings Chapel Congregational Church as a young person and various other churches throughout his life. In the last season of his life, he was faithful to attend services at St. Anne Church (Spanish Lake) and churches in Provencal until health and mobility issues prevented participation.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Walter and sister-in-law Gladys McFerren, and three half-brothers, James, William and Gerald McFerren.
Survivors include a beloved step-niece, Gloria Kerry, and husband Lucky of Natchitoches, and their family Glori Manshack, Kylie Padgett, Brandon Dobbs and Isabel Manshack; a special longtime friend Geraldine Niette of Provencal, her daughter Roxanne Brian and granddaughter Emma Brian, both of Provencal; and many other devoted friends.
A special Thank You is extended to Gloria Kerry, Geraldine Niette and other family and friends who faithfully assisted Joe however needed.
Everett Guidry is a candidate for District 5 School Board Member and this is the sign that went up at BJ’s Grocery where he operates.
WE GET LETTERS. And we always love to hear from our longtime friend Ronald Byrd of South Boston, VA. His note follows.
“Robert, my favorite piece in Observations this week was the one on The Flower Market. Those smiles on the young folks investing in this new business were an encouraging sign that we old folks will be leaving things in good hands. Too much of our news on the younger generations is on negative things…drugs, violence, transgender idiocy, the woke movement…while the majority of young people are doing the right thing, such as getting educations and jobs, opening businesses, attending church, instilling good value systems in their children. Those things aren’t covered in the media…too much sensational bad stuff gets the headlines. Also, I think things will be returning to normal after the next couple of elections; the pendulum has swung to its limit to the left and it’s about to reverse and swing the other way. On a final optimistic note, Many’s opposing coaches will have nightmares thinking up a way to defend Tackett Curtis as a quarterback. He’ll have good coaching that will take advantage of his athletic talent. I look forward to following those Tigers through the regular season and playoffs this year. Ronny”
Gabe Stewart, brother of John Stewart who is seeking the School Board Ward 5 District 6 seat, informed Observations on Monday that some of his brother’s campaign signs have been damaged and removed. John Stewart is running against incumbent Donald Garcie.
Chief Sabine Deputy Brad Walker said signs on both sides have been damaged, but he added there is no case because there is no proof. One of the cases involved a homeowner who had Garcie signs in his yard. Someone from the Stewart campaign asked if they could put up a sign. They were allowed to, and when the homeowners indicated they did not care what was done with the Garcie signs, the Stewart folks removed the Garcie signs and placed them against the house.
In addition, Chief Walker said someone painted “some bad stuff” on one of Stewart’s 4’x8′ signs. “They both told me they wanted to run a clean race,” Chief Walker stated. “They want their supporters to leave the signs alone and let the election returns determine a winner.”
Hard to believe, but Fall is just around the corner. Local artist Shanna Gaspard recently announced a Fall crafting class upcoming this Saturday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. at the historic Many Depot, located at 750 Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many.
For a $25 fee, participants will create a beautiful pumpkin like shown above, and all needed supplies will be included.
Various color paints, trims and décor will allow attendees to create a perfect Fall pumpkin to match their decorating style at home.
Snacks will be provided, and it sounds like a wonderful time to fellowship and welcome Fall with a great activity. Who knows, it might even help usher in some cooler temperatures. We can hope.
If you wish to attend, call Shanna Gaspard at (318) 602-1614 or respond to her post on Facebook [Shanna Dees Gaspard]. A good head count is needed so she can have ample class supplies.
The Town of Many is now accepting Fall Fest on Main Vendor Application forms. You can visit the “Events in Many” Facebook page to access the form electronically. There is a $25 fee payable to the Town of Many for each 10’x10’ space.
The Halloween season event will feature Trunk or Treating, Food trucks, a Jump house, Tailgating, Games and Music.
The First Annual Fall Fest on Main sponsored by the Town of Many will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, from 3 p.m until 9 p.m. on Main Street (parallel to and one block south of San Antonio Ave.) in downtown Many.
To learn more, call (318) 256-3651.
And last, but certainly not least, the big Ark-La-Tex Music Show happens this Friday night, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] in downtown Many.
The show is hosted by Musical Emcee Buster Jordan along with gifted vocalist Sarah Erwin, the Burton Bros. and Jacob Heard. The concert will feature Classic Country, Rock and Gospel music, and there’s a generous hard surface floor area in front of the stage for dancing. Attendees are welcome to kick up their heels.
August’s special guests include Country artist Rick Chapman, Singer-songwriter Justin Merritt, and Juliana Handy, a talented soprano. As always, there will be door prizes and a guitar giveaway, so you could leave with some really nice stuff.
Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Students in 7th-12th Grade. As always, Students 6th Grade and under, as well as all veterans are admitted free. Soft drinks, water and popcorn are available at $1 each, and new theater box candy is now stocked for only $2 each. The big box candy includes lots of favorites like Twizzlers, Good & Plenty, Boston Baked Beans and more.
Make plans to attend this Friday night and support live, local music presented by the Town of Many. For more information, call Buster Jordan at (318) 607-4484.
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