Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Bruce Taylor announced for Dist. 3 Sabine Police Juror last week, and it didn’t take long for things to get stirred up.

In a popular radio spot that played last week, Bruce said if elected he will offer three motions in the first meeting.  First will be to do away with the time clock that gives interested citizens just a few minutes to address the Jury.  He said he is very much in favor of transparency and encourages citizens to attend and become involved.  Second will be a motion to do away with the Jury paying for Jurors’ health insurance.  And lastly will be a motion to do away with mileage being paid to Jurors to attend meetings.  He said monies should be spent on improving roads and being a member of the Jury is a public service and not a job.

And this week, Bruce gave them another whop in his radio advertisement.  He said the “politicians have started calling and begging someone to run against him.” 

Tuesday morning, Bruce told Observations he has heard of five people “the courthouse gang” have asked to run.  They are David Mains, Paul Morris, Warren Founds, Mary Beth Tarver and Randy Skidmore.  We understand that present Dist. 3 Juror Stephen Steinke will not seek re-election.

Bruce commented, “You see, they know they can’t control me, and they know I will not be a rubber stamp for the courthouse gang.”  He questioned, “Do you want someone representing you or the courthouse gang?”

Tuesday was the first day to qualify to run in the Oct. 14 primary.  It will continue through Thursday at the Sabine Clerk’s Office.  Hours are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily.

As Observations was posted Tuesday evening, here are the Sabine candidates who had qualified:

Senate, Dist. 31:  Mike McConathy and Alan Seabaugh

Representative, Dist. 24:  Clarence Beebe and Rodney Schamerhorn

Sheriff:  Coby Lang and Jeff Evans

Clerk of Court:  Shelly Salter

Tax Assessor:  Christopher “Chris” Tidwell

Coroner:  Dr. Mark Holder

Police Jury Dist. 2:  Barry Stevens

Police Jury Dist. 3: Bruce Taylor

Police Jury Dist. 5:  Ronald L. “Ronny” Bison and Pat Scarborough

Police Jury Dist. 6:  Eric Garcie

Police Jury Dist. 7:  Ricky “K-Wall” Sepulvado.

Police Jury Dist. 8:  Daniel “Pat” Procell and Kenny John Remedies

Police Jury Dist. 9:  Randy Bird

Mayor, Village of Pleasant Hill:  Gloria Stewart

Also on the Oct. 14 ballot will be all statewide elected officials.

The July Sabine Parish Sales Tax report has been issued by Wanda Rivers, Sales/Use Tax Administrator.  The report showed $159,333.49 more collected this July over the same month last year.  All tax entities except Pleasant Hill and Converse received more money.

Word is a group met Monday night at Big John’s Country Kitchen in Hornbeck to pray for rain and our country.  I’m almost as old as time and I can’t remember it ever being this hot for this long, with no rain in sight.  And I never thought I would ever see our country in the terrible shape it’s in today.

Big John’s posted on Facebook:  “I love our country so much, but it honestly hurts my heart and soul to see what its’s becoming.  People, including myself at times, say, ‘What can I do but stand by and watch?’  Well, here’s our answer:  ‘We can pray and we can pray together.’”

It was cloudy here early Tuesday morning and we had high hopes for rain.

WE GET LETTERS:  Always enjoy hearing from our longtime friend and faithful Observations reader Ronald Byrd of South Boston, VA. His latest letter follows.

“Robert, it seems a no-brainer to vote for Bruce Taylor for Police Jurist in the coming election.  I’ve read horror stories about Sabine Parish roads ever since I started reading your columns.  Surely, it just makes good sense to have a person with his professional expertise to call on for advice when solutions are sought to solving the Parish’s road problems. To me, that choice is almost as clear as who is the best candidate for sheriff… I’m surprised that Sheriff Mitchell has any competition. I was taught early in life that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I wish you and all of Sabine Parish well in the coming election. Ronny”

Tuesday morning marked the exciting Grand Opening of Ya Ya’s Children’s Boutique in their brand new location at 785 San Antonia Ave. in Many. And so began what everyone hopes is a long, successful run for both the store owners and Sabine shoppers.

“We’re just so happy to be in Many,” Owner Laura Strahan shared with Observations. “It just feels right. We have such loyal Sabine Parish customers, and my Natchitoches customers are following us here. But Sabine is where we live,” she said.

The 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting drew a crowd of about 50 who came to celebrate and enjoy the new shopping haven, which carries mostly finer brands from infants to tweens. Strahan noted, “In my boy’s sizes, we go up to young adult, and we do offer monogramming on anything we sell in store.” An added new feature is a large “candy corner” filled with vintage and modern favorites – from Bit O Honey and candy cigarettes to freeze-dried gummie bears. “My husband and grandbabies love the candy!” Strahan laughed. “We have something for everyone.”

Chamber of Commerce Director Shanna Gaspard led the proceedings with a contagious enthusiasm that resonated with everyone present as she welcomed Laura Mae and Steven Strahan into the Many business community.

Mayor Robert Hable also extended a warm welcome from the town, the Town Council, himself and wife Crystal, saying, “Four or five months ago we learned from Observations that a new business downtown was in the works. At the time, we didn’t know who it was, we didn’t care, we were just excited! And now we are excited to welcome you with open arms. Our small businesses are what run Many, and we’re here to support you. I know me and my three-year-old are going to be shopping here often.”

The Strahans have poured their hearts and souls into the Boutique’s move to Many from Natchitoches. Family, friends and even grandchildren helped with the move and setting up the new store, and now their efforts can be admired and enjoyed in the charming, well-stocked boutique. With over twice as much floor space as their previous location, Ya Ya’s is ready to serve the local community, their loyal Natchitoches customers and in the near future, online shoppers.

The Grand Opening of Ya Ya’s Children’s Boutique was marked by celebration, camaraderie and commerce. The new downtown Many shopping destination promises quality, variety and a touch of personalization. With the option to have anything in the store custom monogrammed, patrons can make their purchases truly unique and special.

“Steve and I both have other jobs – two or three! – and we have invested about 10 years into this business, and it became very successful in Natchitoches. We just felt this move was right and after a lot of prayer, we made the decision to come to Many. It was a massive undertaking, and we so appreciate everyone who pitched in to help us get settled here,” Laura shared in her remarks after the ribbon cutting.

The event continued until close of business on Tuesday, but ongoing is a huge annual summer clearance sale with fine brands marked down up to 75% off. Call Ya Ya’s Children’s Boutique at (318) 238-3366 for more information.

(Thank you to my wife Laurie for the above article.)

The Sabine Parish School Board Office shared the following press release on Friday, Aug. 4:

“Sabine Parish Schools is excited to announce the achievements of its students in this year’s State LEAP test scores. Our students have demonstrated academic success, securing improvements and achieving notable results across almost all subject areas.

“The LEAP results for Sabine Parish Schools reflect the dedication and hard work of our educators, staff, students, and parents, who continuously strive for excellence in education. We are proud to report an overall increase in test scores, showcasing our district’s commitment to providing a high-quality learning environment that fosters academic growth and achievement.

“LEAP 2025 includes ELA, math, science, and social studies assessments for grades 3-12. The tests measure the knowledge and skills defined by the state’s content standards for each grade. Student scores are reported on five levels: Unsatisfactory, Approaching Basic, Basic, Mastery, or Advanced. Louisiana measures a student’s proficiency by earning a score of Mastery or above on the LEAP assessment. As a district, Sabine saw an increase in the proficiency of its students in all subject areas except social studies. The decline in social studies was echoed throughout the state and is one of the reasons we as a state are implementing a more rigorous social studies curriculum beginning this school year.

“We recognize that these achievements would not have been possible without our community’s unwavering support and collaboration. Parents, guardians, community leaders, and all stakeholders have been instrumental in empowering our students to reach their full potential. ‘We are proud of the accomplishments of our schools and students and look forward to continued academic growth in the upcoming school year,’ said Superintendent Shane Wright.

“For further information, please get in touch with your school or the Sabine Parish Central Office at (318) 256-9228.”

Laurie and I were passing through Jonesboro recently and stopped at the Circle K there.  While inside, a young lady caught my eye.  There was what appeared to be a destitute young white man in the store buying a few groceries, and the lady was watching over him like a young mother watching over her son.

I paid for my item and went to sit in the vehicle while I waited on Laurie.  In a few minutes the lady and young man came out, and I watched as she talked with him about his circumstances and his spiritual salvation.  I could not hear their conversation, but I could sense the gist of it.

After she finished talking to him and began walking away, I got out of the vehicle and told her that I had been observing them.  I complimented her on the work she was doing, visited with her a few minutes and wished her well.

I gave her one of my business cards, and she called me a few days later just to see if I was real or not.  She told me she was Diane Gibson and lived in Winnfield.

She said, “I love helping people.  I don’t have much, but whatever I have, I don’t mind being a blessing to someone in need.  Wherever I go, I ask God to let his Holy Spirit lead and guide me to someone in need or put them in my path.  It feels wonderful to be able to help someone in need.  I thank God for leading me to that young man I saw.  I pray that God will open doors for him.”

In another unusual happening some months ago, we were having lunch one Sunday afternoon at Grayson’s Barbecue in Clarence.  A tall, well-dressed young man came in with his company and sat at the table next to us.  I could tell by his demeanor that he was a preacher.  As we were leaving, I went by his table, extended my hand and said, “Good afternoon, Reverend.”  He looked surprised, but got up, and we introduced ourselves and talked briefly.  Before we left, he asked, “Do you mind if I pray with you?”  I responded, “I would like that because I don’t believe a fellow can have too much prayer.”  It turned out the gentleman was pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Winnfield.  Turns out, Ms. Gibson attends the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Winnfield, and the church’s pastor, Brother Wright, is her brother-in-law.

We need more Diane Gibsons and Brother Wrights in this world.

A traditional crafts person and five musicians were inducted into the Louisiana Folklife Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists on July 22 as a part of the 43rd Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival.

Rhonda Gauthier, who grew up near Zwolle, was inducted as the crafts persons and she also served as Honorary Festival Chair.  She is an Adeasonos and member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb and president of the Ho Minti Society, Inc.  As a young girl, she began learning from the women in her immediate and extended family traditional arts such as crochet, embroidery, hand sewing, quilting, cooking, baking and animal tending.  Her grandmother taught her midwifery, the use of natural herbs to treat common ailments and herb gardening.  Everything she learned as a young girl followed her through to adulthood.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and History from Northwestern, she worked in the fields of research, genealogy and history, first part-time as a cultural interpreter at Fort St. Jean Baptiste, and later as a full-time interpretive ranger at Nuestra Senora de Pilar de Los Adaes and Fort Jesup State Historic Site.  In 2005 she produced the film “Maize to Masa,” which documents the Choctaw-Apache process of nixtamalization.  Since 1994 she has worked closely with the Choctaw-Apache Tribe consulting, researching genealogy, grant writing, working with the Rising Sun Youth and serving on pow-wow and tribal recognition committees.

Musicians recognized were the Broussard Family Juré group and Country musician Hugh Harris.

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