Wednesday, February 13, 2019

 

 

Sabine Parish now has under construction a very large natural gas facility. The site is located just off Hwy. 171 about three miles north of Many. Its size is about 15-20 acres. The land has been cleared and a large portion of it has been soil-cemented with an overlay of rock. A fence has also been constructed around the property.

At present, cement has been poured for the foundation of buildings and for equipment pads. It is a big project and a lot of money is being spent in Sabine Parish.

It is expected that the facility will offer natural gas gathering, compression, gas conditioning and treating and processing services.

The present Sabine Gas Plant, Toledo Bend Midstream is located just across the road from the new construction. That facility consists of high-pressure gathering pipeline to gather, transport and treat natural gas for area producers located in the Haynesville-Bossier Shale of western Louisiana.

In addition, Tellurian Inc. of Houston has proposed the Haynesville Global Access Pipeline to come through Sabine Parish. The cost is estimated at $1.4 billion with 200 miles of 42-inch pipe. The proposed pipeline will be capable of transporting upwards of 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from supply sources originating in the Haynesville-Bossier Shale area.

The pipeline will consist of one compressor station (approximately 23,000 HP) and 18 meter stations. It is estimated the pipeline will be in service in 2022.

In another development, out in the woods just north of Many is a five-acre-plus site that Shell Oil Co. has cleared. This site has also been covered with rock. A road has been constructed to the site. It is speculated that as many as six gas wells could be drilled there.

 

 

Sunday afternoon Laurie and I attended a celebration for an elaborate CD Box Set entitled “At The Louisiana Hayride Tonight” being nominated for a Grammy. It was held at the historic Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport. “The Louisiana Hayride” was a live Country music show, which originated there from 1948-60.

The 20-CD set contains a whopping 559 songs performed on the Hayride by its stars including Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Slim Whitman, Johnny Horton, Kitty Wells and so many other performers – many who got their start on the Hayride.

The CD set also contains a wonderful 224-page hardback book, which delves deeply into Hayride history, along with many pictures. Some years back, I issued a two-book volume on the Hayride, and am pleased to say that some of my material was used in the “At The Louisiana Hayride Tonight” boxed set’s book.

Alton and Maggie Warwick, owners of the Hayride, provided the old recordings, which were cleaned up digitally for use in the set. She was mistress of ceremonies for the Sunday program.

On Sunday, Gov. John Bel Edwards and his wife Donna were present. He pleased the nice attendance by singing the great George Jones hit, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Also present were new Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and Bossier Mayor Lo Walker.

Former State Rep. Billy Ray Montgomery, a native of Provencal, was recognized for the part he played in obtaining state funds for restoration of the Municipal Auditorium while he was serving in the house.

We were glad to see old friend Johnny Wessler of Shreveport. He has been an advocate for Country music and tourism for many years and at one time was director of the museum at the Municipal Auditorium.

Also at the event were Tommy Tomlinson and his wife Kelly of Uncertain, TX. A wonderful friend, Tom’s father was the legendary Tommy Tomlinson who played guitar for Johnny Horton. The elder Tommy was in the wreck in Milano, TX that claimed Horton’s life.

Among others on the program were Kent Gill of Shreveport, Robin Vosbury of Shreveport and Ted Jones of Baton Rouge.

I am glad to report that my wife Laurie came through surgery for breast cancer well and is on a great road to recovery. She is so thankful for all the folks who have supported her on this difficult journey.

We have both very much seen the power of prayer and positive thinking. I’ve never met a person who faced such a difficult task with such great strength.

We thank all the many folks who have lifted her up in thought and prayer. There have been so many and we have seen God’s grace at work. Thanks to those who have brought food, who have sent cards and letters, who have sent words of encouragement on social media, those who have called her on the phone, and those who have asked about her and sent good wishes.

We can never tell you how much this means to both of us. We honestly and from the heart say, “Thank you.

Thought for the day:

Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, live today.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will be coming to Ft. Jesup State Historic Site this Friday, Feb. 15, in a program to celebrate the Bicentennial of Louisiana’s Final Frontier, No Man’s Land, 1819-21. The program will start at 10 a.m. with the lieutenant governor speaking at 10:30 a.m.

Entertainment and lunch will follow the ceremony.

The Neutral Strip region, known as “No Man’s Land,” draws its name from the area’s brief stint as an official buffer zone between Spain and the United States following the Louisiana Purchase. When the U.S. purchased the territory from France, Spain and the U.S. were in conflict over the boundary west of Natchitoches. The region’s use as the buffer between Louisiana and Spanish Texas lasted roughly from 1806 until the 1819 Adams-Onis Treaty that established the Sabine River as the territory’s western boundary.

Sometimes described as a place filled with an outlaw culture or as a region with a reputation for a tough and isolated place, the region is better understood as a bastion of those cultural groups who wished to find a home where they could preserve a way of life they cherished in Louisiana’s No Man’s Land.

The No Man’s Land Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration is a collaborative effort between seven parishes, including Sabine, that are historically tied to Louisiana’s final frontier.

Lessons Learned Along Life’s Highway

This one is from Bo Stewart of Florien: “A half-truth is also a half-lie.”

Those Annoying, Unwanted Phones Calls and Such

It never fails: I am busy doing something I have been putting off for weeks. My mind is on what I am doing and both hands are full. Then it happens: the phone rings!

Usually I am aggravated and annoyed as I quickly put everything down and rush to the phone. As things would sometimes have it, I am home alone and expecting an important phone call.

I look at the caller ID and it reads “New Iberia.” “Must be an old college chum,” I think. As I say hello, a voice I can hardly understand calls my name. After I try to understand the gentleman, I finally tell him, “Look, if you are going to have a conversation with me, you need to speak English.” “Click.” as his receiver goes down.

Then there are the calls that come up on caller ID that show you are calling yourself. Not only that, but our landline often gets calls which are masked under family and friends’ names we have programmed into our phone. That sort of masking should be illegal, by the way.

When I have time, I like to have fun with those folks.

“I see you are calling from Many, LA. Do you live there?” I ask. This always rattles their cage as they strive to come up with a suitable answer.

Sometime they say “Yes,” and if so, I continue. “Say, the Mayor there is an old cousin of mine. Do you know him?” Again the caller strives for an answer. If he answers, “Yes, I know him,” I then ask, “What is his name? I just can’t remember it!” Another “click” as the receiver goes down.

One time there was a florescent light bulb salesman who called me. He spoke English well and I could understand what he was saying. After several calls from him, I had him believing I was going to buy a box car load of bulbs. He really gave me a good price, too. After we got up to that amount, it was I who hung up when he called again.

Almost as bothersome are unwanted e-mails. There is nothing more annoying than something you didn’t ask for and don’t want.

There is a place on the unsolicited e-mails you can click to supposedly be removed from their list. Every time I click on one, not only do I continue to receive e-mails from that organization, but at least 10 additional groups start sending unwanted e-mails, too.

Sabine Sheriff’s Patrol Sgt. Richard Patrick was selected Deputy of the Quarter, according to Sheriff Ronny Richardson, who said, “He goes above and beyond in helping keep Sabine a safe place to live and work.” Left to right are Chief Criminal Deputy John Adair, Sgt. Patrick and Sheriff Richardson.

Sabine’s Joe R. Salter, a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, was among those who joined Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education for Louisiana, in visiting Northwestern recently. The trip was for a briefing with administrators, tour of the facilities and to meet with students. Also present were Marty Chabert, a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents and Lola Dunahoe, also on the Board of Supervisors. Left to right are Chabert, Dr. Reed, Northwestern President Chris Maggio, Ms. Donahoe and Salter.

 

Very sad to note that two priests who served in Sabine Parish were listed among 17 from north Louisiana accused of sexually abusing children prior to 1986.

Msgr. Robert Friend served at St. Joseph in Zwolle. An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1954 was brought before the Catholic Permanent Review Board in 2004. The allegation was deemed credible and a settlement was made with the victim in 2005. Msgr. Friend died in 1977.

Father Moise R. Gremillion served at St. John the Baptist in Many, Holy Trinity in Shreveport, St. Matthew in Monroe, Sacred Heart in Rayville and St. Clement in Vivian.

A review of his file in 2019 revealed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating from the 1960s. The evidence was presented to the Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible. Father Gremillion retired from active ministry in 1969 and died in 1973.

On another sad note, Scott Smith last week resigned as Superintendent of Bossier Parish Schools. He is married to the former Jane Holland, a native of Many.

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office said the Department of Homeland Security is conducting an investigation into Smith’s ordering a large quantity of prescription-only, anti-anxiety drugs online from overseas.

As Observations went to press, no charges had been filed.

Laurie and I were going to New Orleans a few weeks back and stopped in Gonzales to visit with former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards. Glad to report that he and family are doing well.

As we drove up, he was standing in the driveway. Laurie got out of the car and asked, “Governor, how is it that you keep getting younger while the rest of us get older?”

Without missing a beat, he responded, “I’ve cut back on sex to four times a week.”

We brought him and Trina a couple of dozen hot tamales from L&W Tamale House in Zwolle. Back in the day, when he was campaigning, EWE always said Zwolle had the prettiest women and best hot tamales around. Note, he always put the women first.

Recently, he asked young son Eli, “Do you have a girlfriend at school?” Eli replied, “No, I have two.”
Wife Trina responded, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Although a little late, we want to share this picture of the Super Blood Wolf Moon from the night of Jan. 20. The photo was taken by our friend Tonia Bridges. The next total eclipse will not be until 2021.

Hats doffed to Linda Curtis-Sparks on being named the 22nd member of the Sabine Hall of Fame. She will be inducted in banquet ceremonies on Tuesday, March 26, at Siloam Baptist Church.

Known as a community leader, she is a 1966 graduate of Many High School where she was a member of the band, was a majorette and was Miss MHS. In addition, she was crowned Miss Sabine Parish.

Ms. Curtis-Sparks was raised in Many First Baptist and is one of four children born to Geraldine and Douglas W. Curtis Sr. She earned a degree in Speech/Hearing Pathology and Public Speaking at Northwestern State University, plus 30 hours credit. She taught school at Florien before opening Merle Norman Cosmetics and House of Gifts.

She served on the Many City Council from 1989-2002. She also served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Sabine River Authority. Now Director of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, she is devoted to Toledo Bend Lake and is coordinating a three-year celebration of “No Man’s Land.”

Upon induction, she will join her brother, John W. Curtis, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, thus becoming the first brother and sister to be honored in the Hall.

Watch out for the State Police. We understand the State Police are no longer funded by the Highway Trust Fund, so they are out writing tickets to bring in additional monies.

They have been in the Town of Many. It is said that traffic is usually slow in town, so you may be a ticketed for an out-of-date inspection or for not wearing a seatbelt. Drivers, beware.

And there are quite a few troopers writing tickets on I-49 as well. So, drive with care.

 

Last, but certainly not least, we wish our readers a very Happy St. Valentine’s Day tomorrow. Love is a wonderful gift of God, and we wish you and yours a very special day. Singer Lana Del Ray said, “When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love,” and the disciple John wrote, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We agree with both and especially the latter.

That’s all for now. Please call or write me with your thoughts and ideas for future articles. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an e-mail to robertrgentry@gmail.com. Older Observations are archived on our Facebook page, where they are listed under Photo Albums by date. More recent columns may be found below. To print this week’s column, right-click anywhere on the content and select “Print.”

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