Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Don’t Miss “Game of the Season;” Friday Night Many Tiger Football

Folks from far and wide will head to John W. Curtis Tiger Stadium for the Friday night football game between the Many Tigers and Isidore Newman, a small private school from New Orleans. The game will see Many great Tackett Curtis and Newman head man Arch Manning face off along with their talented teammates.  Game time is 7 p.m.

There has been much excitement about the game since Many Coach Jess Curtis announced it on Twitter back in February.  Some folks expect a standing room crowd only, but officials are certain they can get all viewers in the stadium, as people really love to watch and play sports like football or pickleball which you can do with the best pickleball equipment found here.

It was announced on July 18 that Tackett, who has been recruited by many universities across the nation will attend the University of Southern California.  Manning is committed to play for Texas, according to a June 23 announcement.

There are few names more synonymous with football in Louisiana than Manning.  First, there was Archie Manning, the star Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints quarterback.  Then there were his sons, Peyton and Eli, both who attended Newman and went on to be two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.  And now there is Arch, the Class of 2023 No. 1 recruit in the nation, who, like his father Cooper and uncles before him, attends Newman.

It’ll be a game folks will be talking about for years to come.  So, make your plans now to be present for this outstanding event.

The highly anticipated matchup between the Isidore Newman Greenies out of New Orleans and our Mighty Many Tigers takes place this Friday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. at John W. Curtis Tiger Stadium.

The Greenies are led by the nation’s #1 overall recruit quarterback, Arch Manning, who has committed to the University of Texas to play college football. Many is led by USC commit Tackett Curtis, who is rated the nation’s #1 inside linebacker by ESPN.

Curtis is the grandson of John and Pam Curtis, and Warren and Ann Founds, all of Many. His parents are Moses and Leslie Curtis. Dad Moses is Many High School Principal, and mom Leslie is Pharmacist at Curtis Family Pharmacy.

Many Tigers Head Coach Jess Curtis and his coaching staff have all worked hard to train and equip the Tigers to be a respected, top football team. Under the leadership of Curtis, the team brought home the State Championship in 2014 and 2020, and were Runners Up in 2013, 2019 and 2021. They enjoyed Semi wins in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Both teams come into Friday night’s game undefeated and highly ranked in the state.

A capacity crowd is expected, and you can purchase tickets in advance at Many High School any day this week during regular school hours. Tickets are $10 each and will also be sold at the ticket booth in front of the stadium before the game.

Fans are also advised that they can bring their lawn chairs and sit on the track around the field as bleacher seats are expected to be completely filled inside the stadium. MHS is doing everything it can to accommodate all the fans who will want to see the game.

Fans are also encouraged to arrive early and enjoy tailgating, a fabulous pregame fireworks show and all of the atmosphere of what should be an epic football game.

The stadium ticket booth will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, and the gates also open at 5 p.m.

The Town of Many encourages all businesses and residents to “Paint Our Town Red, Black & White” with signs, flags, balloons and banners for Friday’s game. We’ve got a great team, and they deserve our utmost support!

His roots run deep here. And he continues the legacy of his forefathers with a passion handed down through the years.

John J. “J.J.” Blake III is a third-generation banker, whose ancestors helped shape Many and Sabine Parish into what it is today, a thriving rural area that still echoes the hardy spirit of its ancestors.

Most recently, in his position as Senior Vice President at Community Bank of Louisiana, J.J. has worked hand in hand with the bank to bring immeasurable added value and notable beauty to downtown Many through Community Bank’s new location at 540 San Antonio Ave. The building is becoming a Many landmark with its graceful, wrought-iron, wraparound balcony, corner entrance, historic Sabine images inside and lighted cupola, which can be set to illuminate in different custom colors, including Community’s trademark gold.

“It’s been a blessing,” J.J. told Observations in an exclusive interview last week. “I don’t know how else to describe it.”

A Grand Opening celebration will be held at Community Bank of Louisiana this Sunday, Sept. 25, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live music, free catered food by Savoies, and a lucky winner will take home a 50-inch Samsung Smart TV. Guests may also tour the bank, greet J.J., all his staff, and meet the Community Bank of Louisiana Board of Directors, as well as Pres. and CEO Jayce Simpson III, and Pres. Emeritus William Dorroh.

Everyone is invited to see the bank’s extensive collection of “Historic Sabine on Canvas,” images of the parish celebrating its unique culture through the years. Some three dozen large canvases are on permanent display in the lobby, offices and upstairs. The bank also has small, printed guides which share information about each picture. The canvas collection includes well-known, beloved Sabine Parish photos as well as more obscure, rarely seen images.

Visitors at the Grand Opening should not miss the lovely Community Room, located upstairs, which opens onto the wraparound balcony. It holds canvas images of several parish festivals’ poster artwork as well as an amazing Sabine Banner Christmas tabloid image, circa 1917, from J.J.’s family collection.

Of other particular interest is an antique bookcase now located in J.J.’s office, which can be seen in an early bank photo. Standing in front of the bookcase in the photo is J.J.’s grandfather, John J. Blake Sr.

Looking back on his banking career of 40 years-plus, J.J. said, “It’s always been about the people. I love where I live. I would not want to live anywhere else. Sabine Parish is just wonderful and [it was great] to have grown up in the bank. When I first started at the bank, there were still a lot of customers who remembered my dad and granddad. A lot of them have passed on now, but for them to tell me a lot of the stories about how my dad or granddad helped them in different ways, to get to meet and know these individuals and their families – they are more than customers. They are neighbors and friends.”

“It’s such an honor to be a third-generation banker, a member of a banking family who has continuously served Sabine Parish since 1914. That’s unique here, and I guess that makes me a pretty old guy!” J.J. said with a laugh.

J.J.’s financial teeth were cut at Peoples State Bank, which had already spawned a 100-year-old legacy by the time he completed his span as bank president in 2012. The historic Many bank was founded back in 1913 by E. C. Dillon, Many’s oldest native at the time, and successful attorney John H. Boone.

Dillon’s maternal grandfather was John Baldwin, proprietor of Baldwin’s Store, who was known as “The Father of Many.” Baldwin is said to have felled the first tree in the area in building his home, and he contributed much to the early development of the town.

J.J. Blake’s grandfather, John J. Blake Sr., was elected cashier of Peoples State Bank in October 1914 and served in that capacity for 20 years until 1934, when he was named president, following the death of Mr. Dillon. He served as bank president for 32 years until 1966.

J.J.’s dad, John Blake Jr., joined the bank in January 1949. After working his way up, he was elected vice-president of the bank in April 1966, and in March 1967, president. He retired in 1984, but lived long enough to see his son, J.J. Blake III, assume the bank presidency in 1986. Mr. Blake Jr. died in February 1992 at the age of 64.

When asked how he chose a banking career, J.J. shared that in a way he simply “fell into” the family business, so to speak. “My dad was a banker for many years, and my granddad before him was a banker. When I graduated High School, I thought ‘I’d like to try my hand at banking, too,’” he said.

John J. Blake III joined the bank in 1975 as a part-time employee after high school graduation. His initial goal after college was to work at a larger bank in Shreveport to get experience elsewhere before coming back home.

Despite his early enthusiasm, he almost quit banking after his sophomore year at Louisiana Tech. He had come home to Many to work that summer at the bank. “I didn’t know how to do anything, and I had the most menial jobs. When I say I started at the bottom, I mean it was the bottom. I thought ‘Oh my gosh, I’m about to start my junior year of college and this is what banking’s all about.’ But I had some great mentors and a lot of great people who helped me along the way.”

Of special note was Jack Jordan. “Jack was like a second dad to me,” J.J. explained. “When I talked to him about it, he said, ‘Look, just be patient. Give it some time. It’ll all be okay,’ in a very calm manner as he always did. So, I did, and thank goodness I did, because it has been a wonderful journey.”

J.J. became a full-time Assistant Cashier in 1979, the same year he earned a Finance degree at Louisiana Tech.

After graduation from Tech, he was offered a job with Shreveport’s Pioneer Bank & Trust for $700 a month before taxes and other withholdings. When J.J. shared with his dad that he didn’t think he could cover his apartment rent and other living expenses with that salary, his father made an offer of $200 a month more to come to work for him at Peoples in Many. The die was cast.

In 1980, J.J. graduated from the National Installment Credit School at the University of Oklahoma. The next year, he completed the Essentials of Banking School (UO) and graduated from the School of Banking of the South held on LSU Campus in Baton Rouge. Blake III also holds a master’s degree in Business from Centenary College in Shreveport.

In December 1982, J. J. Blake III was promoted to Assistant Vice-President, then was named Executive Vice-President under his father in 1985. He continued in that capacity until his appointment as president of Peoples State Bank in 1986. He served as President for 26 years, until 2012.

That year brought a lot of change. Peoples State Bank merged with a new, larger corporation, and when he decided a few years later to leave the bank, J.J. was bound for 18 months by a non-compete agreement that prevented him for working with any other bank. The extra time allowed him time to think, reflect and study his future options.  He wasn’t ready for retirement and thought he still had something to offer to the right organization. Community Bank of Louisiana agreed.

“I knew, without question, I wanted to stay in Many,” J.J. said. “My mother is elderly now, so I wanted to stay close to her. [Those 18 months] were humbling in many ways. I felt I could get a job at one of the local banks, but Community Bank of Louisiana, Mr. [William, ‘B.D.’] Dorroh called me. We had a very good visit, and I mean, look at where we are today. It just absolutely worked out. I really feel like God’s hand was involved in it, no question about it.”

The commonalities between Blake and Dorroh, who also came up in a banking family, revealed a similar approach to the industry and taking care of customers. Community Bank of Louisiana also has an historic background with a banking emphasis on friendly, local service since 1901 when they were chartered as the Bank of Logansport. Now headquartered in Mansfield, they currently serve Northwest Louisiana, in primarily four parishes:  DeSoto, Caddo, Bossier and Sabine.  When the opportunity came to work together in this region, J.J. recognized the principles and values of Community Bank’s foundation were the same his dad and granddad had long held in Sabine. It was a perfect match.

“I don’t know if I realized when I came to work for Community Bank of Louisiana just how much we had in common. I can tell you in working with all the people, they’re just a great group. We are truly a family here at Community Bank of Louisiana. We all work together as one. Some days, we have a challenge, but we face it together. They’ve been very supportive of me, and I will be ever indebted to them for that,” J.J. shared. “We know how to best serve our customers and to not overly complicate things. My staff and I are empowered to take care of whatever it is you need as a customer. That just makes the whole banking experience what it really should be. It’s a very different business model than the larger institutions,” he said.

When asked to reflect on what his granddad might have to say about his career and the new, beautiful bank on San Antonio only a few short blocks from where the elder Blake began banking over a century ago, J.J. said, “I almost get a little emotional thinking about it. He passed away when I was 10. I think he would be very happy, and it would bring a smile. In some way we all hope that whenever our time comes to leave, that in some small way we made a little difference in the community we serve. So, I think he would be very happy about it, as would my dad and all the people who have helped me along the way. Some folks describe themselves as, ‘I’m a self-made individual.’ That’s a myth. We all rely on each other at the end of the day, and I’ve had so many folks that have helped me along the journey,” he reflected. “I look at these canvases we have collaborated on, this building, and think of the people we have served through banking. When I am here no longer, I can say ‘I left a little mark on the landscape,’ and there’s something very satisfying about that.”

J.J. has been married to the former Sharon Peterson for 32 years, and they live in Many. They are the parents of four children, and the proud grandparents of eight.

Community Bank of Louisiana is located at 540 San Antonio Ave. and may be reached at (318) 256-6161. Their regular Lobby business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Drive-thru is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information and online banking are available at www.communitybankofla.bank.

J.J. Blake III is Senior Vice Pres., and Pam Meshell is Assistant Branch Manager in Many. Other staff includes Shelli Dockens, Jasmine Graves, Angela Nell, Tracy Garcie, Destiny Sepulvado, Alexis Ross and Haiden Honaker.

Now over 1,200 persons are reading and posting on the Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads page on Facebook.  And they have gotten a lot of comments in the 14 weeks or so they have been in existence.

Rebekah Stiegemeyer reports she had an interesting conversation with Police Juror Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson of Dist. 5:  “He told me that everyone has been calling him thanking him for what a great job he has been doing with our roads and as a Police Juror.  I said, ‘You really expect me to believe that, Jeff?’”  She added, “Have you ever tried talking to him, or should I say listening to him talk?  You can barely get a word in edgewise.”

Pat Scarborough added:  “I liked the part where he was urging you to ‘drain the swamp,’ but then when you told him he’d be the first frog out of the swamp, he hung up.”

Joy Scarborough is in hopes that radio personality Tedd Dumas will invite members of the group to be back on his show.  She wrote, “He’s a real personable guy, gracious host, and he really cares about Sabine Parish.”  Tedd said he got a lot of positive comments from their appearance.

And they, as a group, have taken members of the Police Jury to task.

Joy Scarborough:  “[They are] public servants!  Do your job or resign.”

Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell recently announced the Sheriff’s Dept. felony drug and gun arrests for the month of August.

Over one pound of suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, various drug paraphernalia and four firearms were seized during these arrests and undercover operations last month.

Arrested were:

Kevin Dewayne Conley, age 45, of Many – Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Second or subsequent offenses, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Aggravated flight from an officer, Resisting an officer with force or violence, Obstruction of justice, Intentional littering, No passing zone and Illegal window tint (2%). His bond was set at $46,000, and he remains in jail.

Mitchell Patton Middleton, age 33, of Pleasant Hill – Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Obstructing public passages, No motor vehicle inspection and Driving while license suspended. His bond was set at $5,454, and he bonded.

Jermaine Epps, age 37, of Zwolle – Warrant for two counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth). His bond was set at $30,000, and he remains in jail.

Raymond Dean Goodman, age 44, of Many – Possession of schedule I (Marijuana), Possession of schedule II (Meth), Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of firearm in the presence of CDS, Improper equipment (no rear lights) and No driver’s license. His bond was set at $9,634, and he bonded.

Jeremiah Jamal Maxie, age 37, of Many – Warrant for three counts of Criminal conspiracy to distribute schedule II (Meth). His bond was set at $45,000, and he remains in jail.

Roy Lee Brumfield, age 40, of Many – Warrant for three counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine. His bond was set at $45,000, and he remains in jail.

Schaquielle Darnell Epps, age 29, of Zwolle – Warrant for two counts of Distribution of schedule I (Synthetic Cannabinoids) and Warrant for two counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth). His bond was set at $50,000, and he remains in jail.

Jennifer Christine Ebarb, age 39, of Zwolle – Possession of schedule II (Meth), Second or subsequent offenses and Switched license plate. Her bond was set at $2,733.50, and she bonded.

Rickey Lamont Booth, age 37, of Many – Warrant for Distribution of schedule II (Meth), Possession of firearm (concealed) by convicted felon and Resisting by giving false information. His bond was set at $21,042, and he remains in jail.

Ardis Dennis Hickman, age 45, of Many – Possession of firearm by person convicted of domestic abuse battery, Possession of firearm (concealed) by convicted felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Warrant for Failure to appear for status conference for possession of schedule I, possession of drug paraphernalia, expired vehicle license. His bond was set at $8,000, and he bonded.

Wife Laurie and I had the privilege of visiting with the Rev. Wilton Anthony, long-time highly respected pastor of Siloam Baptist Church, Monday at WK Pierremont Hospital in Shreveport.  We found him wide awake and in good spirits.

Pastor Tony has been hospitalized for a month now and has been through a lot.  He said there were a few times he didn’t think he was going to make it but, by God’s grace, he has.

Bro. Anthony will be leaving the hospital soon for another facility to undergo physical rehabilitation for a while to regain his strength.  He asked Laurie to pray before we left, and she did. Then he prayed for us as we were leaving.  It was a beautiful experience.  We wish him well and hope he will be back in the pulpit at Siloam before much longer.

On Monday afternoon, Sept. 19, Observations was deeply saddened to arrive moments after a wreck, which happened at about 1:20 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Hwy. 171 near Noble. We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of 68-year-old Edwin G. Procell, whose life was claimed in the crash.

According to a statement released by the Louisiana State Police, “The initial investigation revealed that a Kubota tractor, driven by Procell, was northbound on Hwy. 171. For reasons still under investigation, Procell maneuvered from the outside travel lane into the inside travel lane, as a 2021 Peterbilt was attempting to pass the tractor in the northbound inside travel lane. This action placed the tractor in the direct travel path of the Peterbilt, which resulted in a collision.

“As a result of the crash, Procell sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. The Peterbilt driver, who was restrained, sustained no injuries. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis,” the announcement shared. The Louisiana State Police Dept. reports that the crash still remains under investigation at this time.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NO COVER CHARGE for this great concert! Donations/Event tips appreciated. Let’s show these hardworking bands the love, and give them our full support.

The Town of Many has a great musical show on tap for this Saturday night, Sept. 24. Justin Merritt, Derrick McLendon and Dillion Etheridge & Southern Savage will star in a lineup titled “Sabine Musical Showcase.” The big three-hour show starts at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Many Community Center [historic Sabine Theater] at 675 San Antonio Ave. The original cover charge of $15 has been lifted, and all are invited to come out, support great local, live music and have a wonderful Louisiana Saturday night with these fun, talented artists.

An opportunity to donate / tip the bands will be offered. Please support them generously.

Observations received multiple reports of shots fired on a Many street last Wednesday night, Sept. 14.

“There were numerous shots fired into a vehicle on Esso Dr.,” Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooley relayed. “One of the shots went into the bedroom window of a sleeping child. Shell casings were retrieved, and an investigation is underway with multiple suspects,” she said.

More than one family member and friend concerned about the welfare of the sleeping child shared information with Observations that a bullet passed through the air directly above the child. Those family members and friends could have easily attended the child’s funeral this week had the bullet path been slightly lower.

“The Many Police Dept. is diligently working to solve this case that could have ended tragically,” Chief Wooley shared. “A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Information will be handled confidentially,” she noted.

Many PD may be reached at (318) 256-5617. Please, anyone with information contact the Police Dept. This type of violence is way too dangerous to be allowed to continue.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upcoming in October and Pink Sisters of Sabine, along with the Town of Many, is offering an opportunity for everyone to honor breast cancer patients and survivors, and to memorialize lives ended too soon.

Pink Ribbon signs will be placed in Many’s downtown planters the week of Oct. 2-8, and they are available from Pink Sisters of Sabine for a donation of any amount. The project coordinates with the Town’s “Paint Many Pink” breast cancer awareness drive taking place that week.

Those who participate may write the name of someone they wish to honor or remember on the back of their sign, then display it downtown Oct. 2-8 or in their yard or on their property the entire month of October.

All profits will go toward Pink Sisters of Sabine’s breast cancer patient help needs tote, which is supplied to any Sabine breast cancer patient upon request. The bag is filled with all sorts of useful recovery supplies, items of encouragement and support. Pink Sisters is a non-profit 501 3(c) and will happily supply a receipt for tax purposes to all contributors who wish one.

Please contact one of the numbers on the flyer below to donate to Pink Sisters and acquire a Pink Ribbon sign. Visit the group’s Facebook page at Pink Sisters of Sabine.

All this WOKE talk is crazy.  These liberals are going to keep on until our kids can’t figure out whether they are male or female.  It’s a crying shame what they are doing to our young people. 

For starters, how about no more gender change therapy or surgeries until someone is at least 25 years of age?  After all, that is the age that science tells us the human brain is finally fully developed.

We heard a story this week, and it was told as the truth, that there is a boy at Anacoco school that “identifies” as a cat.  Said they put a litter box at the school for him.  If we can verify that, we’ll let you know.

Apparently on TikTok, there are young people, claiming to be serious, who “identify” as frogs, trees, whales and just about every other thing a person can imagine. They invent all kinds of crazy “pronouns” they wish to be called that relate to their chosen identity.

If adults would parent rather than staying glued to social media and doing other stuff that causes them to neglect their kids, maybe young people wouldn’t grow up so starved for attention, and they would be more comfortable and confident exactly as they are.

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