Wednesday, May 17, 2023

It was a dream come true Saturday night for Sheriff Aaron Mitchell as the Zwolle Festival Grounds building filled to overflowing for his Campaign Rally official re-election kickoff event.

Soon after 5:30 p.m. a crowd quickly filled the large hall and extra chairs had to be brought in and placed around the walls for the 6 p.m. celebration. Despite the extra seating, many still could not find a place to sit and milled around outside. Guesstimators placed the attendance at 400 to 500.

Chief Deputy Brad Walker entertained the crowd at various times throughout the evening, performing some great Country standards to warm up the crowd. When he wasn’t performing, a DJ kept the crowd entertained and later, the Next of Kin Band played a fine set of Country, Rock and Cajun, to which several folks cut a rug on the dance floor.

In his remarks to the crowd, Sheriff Mitchell noted his office has produced 38 federal indictments with 20 more pending. “I tell them it’s not personal, but you’re not going to set up here and sell drugs in this parish,” Sheriff Mitchell said. People responded with loud, enthusiastic cheers.

He said in the three years since he has been Sheriff, his office has seized $110,000 in cash and 10 vehicles in drug arrests and said Sheriff’s Detectives have also recovered over $200,000 in stolen property.

Other improvements mentioned were increased patrols, number of thefts down, number of thefts solved up, the establishment of a Special Operations Group, sufficient law enforcement tools and body armor, a drone program, and new security at the Sabine Parish Detention Center.

“When I took office there was a big fence across the back of the Detention Center, and a hole so big you could ride a Shetland pony through the fence. That’s a true story. I couldn’t believe it. We’ve got pictures. We fixed that and added an extra fence, plus placed new cameras in the jail so we can see every angle now. …We had doors inside the jail that wouldn’t lock. We replaced all those locks,” the Sheriff said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”

His speech drew admiring whoops and hollers throughout, and a rousing standing ovation at its end.

Sheriff Mitchell thanked supporters and all of his Sheriff’s Office staff, inviting everyone from the SPSO up front to be recognized by the crowd.

A number of elected officials and candidates for office were in attendance, including Rep. Alan Seabaugh, who is running for State Senate, Dist. 31, and Pat Scarborough, candidate for Sabine Police Juror, Dist. 5.

District Attorney Don Burkett was there as was Police Juror Stephen Steinke, and Police Juror William Ruffin, who made brief remarks before Sheriff Mitchell took the stage. Pleasant Hill Chief of Police Ray Williams spoke with a spiritual air as he talked about Sheriff Mitchell’s work of the last three years, praising him and announcing to the crowd the endorsement of Sheriff Mitchell by Pleasant Hill Mayor Gloria Stewart, who was seated nearby.

Noted in the crowd was former, highly respected Sheriff Guffey Lynn Pattison and wife Carol, and former Deputy Travis Bennett and wife Darlene. Apologies to any elected officials or candidates who attended but are not listed here. The place was so packed, it was impossible to see and cross paths with everyone.

Before the evening ended Sheriff Mitchell joined the Next of Kin Band onstage to sing “Proud Mary,” much to the crowd’s delight.

(Thanks to my wife Laurie for her assistance with the above report.)

Unique Jerry Lee Lewis tribute coming to Sabine

  “Three Days in Ferriday,” the Jerry Lee Lewis Funeral Legacy will be presented by Michael Kuk at the Sabine Theater Saturday, May 27, at 7 p.m.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime event of Louisiana’s music history and admission is by donation.

The King of Swamp Pop, Michael Kuk, will share a unique story that tells of his “Three Days in Ferriday,” surrounding the funeral of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis at the Sabine Theater in Many on Saturday, May 27.  The program starts at 7 p.m. and the doors open at 6.  It will be a first-hand presentation of the historical weekend that encompassed the visitation and final solemn honors rendered to the musical legend in his hometown.

The overall program will contain a slide show, with dialogue detailing each scene and the events surrounding the moment.  Special music of rare and unknown songs of “The Killer” will also be presented live by the Chief of the Keyboards at the end of the program.

And finally, at the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will hear the solemn and very beautiful arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” as performed by Chief Kuk on his Zydeco accordion.  He began playing the piece as the casket of Jerry Lee Lewis crossed the threshold of the funeral home’s chapel and was then loaded into the snow-white hearse for the last leg of the journey for burial.

It should be noted that Michael Kuk’s participation was the only live music performed during the funeral, by special request of the Lewis family, and it is notable that one of West Louisiana’s residents was accorded this honor.  Admission to the program is by donation, and everyone is invited to attend.

Converse Mayor Troy Terrell and the Village of Converse will sponsor a program honoring the Converse High School Lady Wildcats, who captured the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division V State Title.  The event will be held Friday, May 19, in the CHS Gym.

Guest speaker for the event will be retired Northwestern State University Basketball Coach Mike McConathy.

The Lady Cats had a 25-7 record.  In the last 20 years, Converse had advanced as far as the semifinals in 2017 just once prior.  The girls defeated Quitman High School 2-1 in the championship game.  The team received a stellar pitching performance from Avery Prine, who pitched all nine innings.  She allowed just three hits and one run and struck out 17 batters.  On the offensive end, Abby Friday and Maci Morgan contributed one RBI each.

The Louisiana House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution honoring the Converse Lady Wildcats on this accomplishment.

After graduating Kindergarten at Many Elementary on Monday morning, May 15, Miss Loria Waltz stopped by to visit Judge Verity Gentry at the Sabine Parish Courthouse.

At the graduation ceremony kindergarteners dressed for their intended careers, and Loria dressed as a judge. Judge Gentry was delighted to meet the young future justice, show her the courtroom and let her try out the judge’s chair. Miss Waltz also enjoyed banging the gavel she had brought along.

Attending graduation and accompanying her afterward to visit Judge Gentry were Loria’s dad, Jess Waltz, and grandmother Melinda Heard.

An expansion project is currently underway at Eagle Railcar Services in Zwolle.  Dirt work is now being completed.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death of Carolyn Gewin of Pleasant Hill on May 14. She married Clarence Gewin in August 1971, and they were married for almost 52 years at the time of her death. Mrs. Gewin had been ill for some time, living her last few years at Forest Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Covington, near their daughter’s home.

She was born the baby daughter of Claudie Lee and Cleo Grantham Wood on Jan. 27, 1943, in Natchitoches. 

She is remembered for her loving spirit and creating joyous celebrations at the Gewin Farm in the Big Woods beyond Pleasant Hill, at the beach and elsewhere to make cherished memories with family and friends. Mrs. Gewin was beloved at her church, Progress Cumberland Presbyterian, and as 5th Grade teacher at Pleasant Hill School for 33 years. All the students knew and loved “Mrs. Gewin.”

She leaves behind husband Clarence N. Gewin, their children Nathan (and Elsie) Gewin of Houston, TX, Scott (and Candy) Gewin of New Iberia, and daughter Amy (and Jay) St. Romain of Mandeville, as well grandchildren Caroline and Joseph St. Romain, Ben and Matthew Gewin, and Mariah, Scott and Aiden Gewin. She also leaves behind one great grandchild, Cooper Gewin, a sister, Marcia Mitchell, and her husband Roy of Shreveport.

Visitation will be held at Progress Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill this Friday, May 19 at 10 a.m.  Services will be held at 2 p.m. with Bro. Jerry Lawson and Bro. Drake Barnhill officiating.  A graveside service will follow at the Progress Cumberland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ben Gewin, Matthew Gewin, Aiden Gewin, Charles “Buddy” Wood, Jay St. Romain, Marc Gewin, Tom Reavis and Mark Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Gewin, Dale Skinner and Hugh H. Hardee.

Our deepest condolences to Clarence and all of the family.

Zachory Lane Rice, 21, of Zwolle drowned in Cane River in Natchitoches Sunday, May 14.  The call came in to Police at 1:31 a.m.

Witnesses said that Rice was attempting to swim across the river, and they lost sight of him in the water.  After a thorough search, officers found the body.

What started as a joyous occasion turned into tragedy over the weekend at the Lewing-Faircloth wedding when the parents of the groom got stabbed. The celebration was held at Wildwood Resort in Zwolle on Saturday evening and, according to reports, a call came to the Sabine Sheriff’s Office at 12:37 a.m. on Sunday morning. Deputies responded to the emergency within 6 minutes.

They found the groom’s father, Jeffrey Faircloth, cut in both legs, and the groom’s mother, Stacy Faircloth, cut in one leg. Mr. Faircloth was transported to LSU Ochsner in Shreveport by helicopter, and Mrs. Faircloth was transported to the same hospital by ambulance.

“It started verbally and then turned physical,” Sabine Chief Deputy Brad Walker explained. Witnesses identified Tristan Collins, age 27, as the assailant. Deputies caught up with the man as he was leaving the scene and arrested him. Collins was charged with Aggravated second-degree battery and Aggravated battery.

No further information is available at this time as the case is still under investigation.

Demand Beauty hair and beauty supply in Wright’s Shopping Center is now open for business.

Owner Earl Thompson from Houston, TX, held a soft opening on Saturday, May 17, at 208 Pico St. with a wide selection of hair care products, Hot Tools and H+H Hot & Hotter Pro styling tools, wigs, hair pieces, braids, girls’ hair bows, jewelry, accessories and more.

“School uniforms and scrubs will be arriving soon,” Thompson shared. He is excited to be able to bring these to Many and Sabine for students and healthcare professionals.

If shoppers have special requests for items they would like to see stocked at the new store, now is the time to visit. Earl is actively getting a wish list inventory from every shopper who takes a moment to complete a Customer Comment Card. He is committed to offer whatever customers want and a number of things no one else in Many or Sabine Parish carries.

“I want to provide exactly what people need,” Thompson said, “So I’m asking for all the feedback I can get on what folks would like stocked here at their local Many hair and beauty supply.”

The new business owner said he was encouraged on Saturday when he started unloading wigs to put on display in the store. Customers quickly gathered around and bought up all the stock he was unloading. “There are more coming in soon,” Thompson assured.

Demand Beauty is open Tuesday thru Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Owner Earl Thompson may be reached at (346) 804-5004.

(Special thanks to my wife Laurie for the above report.)

We don’t know when Observations has received so many calls, texts and questions as after last week’s column, which shared about the plans in Many for a Taco Bell.

Sure hope Taco Bell is paying attention because the amazing response generated by their plans speaks to how well the fast-food restaurant can expect to do in Sabine. Apparently, it’s everybody’s favorite.

After we broke the news last week, Mayor of Many Robert Hable confirmed the report, sharing the property photo that we have marked and re-shared here.

Still looking forward to sharing upcoming plans for other downtown Many businesses as reports become available and firm.

Ed Dranguet of Natchitoches celebrated a birthday Monday with the Gerousia group that meets at Merci Beaucoup Restaurant weekly. The group of men sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and former Nachitoches Mayor Wayne McCullen bought the group a round of the restaurant’s famous bread pudding to celebrate.

Ed has been a mover and shaker in Natchitoches for years. In addition to being an astute businessman, he is an authority on the history of the area. At one time he was in the banking business and had a real estate appraisal service.

We wish Ed and his lovely wife, Mary, many more happy, healthy and successful years.

Also at the gathering Monday, Rick Hudson returned after a prolonged bout with health problems. It was great to see him again and we are so happy he is on the road to recovery.

Florien’s Joe R. Salter and his wife Bettye spent some time last week at home in Sabine. You’ll recall that his political career has taken him to Baton Rouge, and he currently serves as Chief of Staff for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.

Last Friday Tedd Dumas and I had the good fortune to have lunch with Joe and it was so good to see him again.

Joe has been battling health problems for some months now but is improving. He has felt the power of prayer from his friends in this area and asks that folks continue to remember him in their prayers. We will.

We also remember our friend Barry Guillet of Natchitoches who is also in a winning fight with cancer. We talked to him Monday. He is undergoing chemotherapy and has a positive attitude.

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