Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Cindy Ezernack of Zwolle took these beautiful pictures of the blue super moon on Wednesday evening, Aug. 30. The moon was at its closest position to the earth and brighter than normal. The blue moon was the second of two full moons in August. The first was on Aug. 1. Each month usually has only one full moon, but blue moons sometime arise because the lunar cycle is 19.5 days long, just short of the length of an average calendar month.
Terrell Makes His Mark Toward Baseball Dreams
Converse Mayor Troy H. Terrell is a man who is very proud of his son and his two grandsons.
His son, Troy Neal Terrell, is a 1990 graduate of Converse High School and he now lives with his wife Tiffany and two sons in Stonewall. He recalled he played basketball at the same time Bert West was at Zwolle.
Troy was the top player at Converse at the time and made the All- District, the All State and the Louisiana All Star Team which played in Baton Rouge that year. He received a scholarship from Coach Mike McConathy, who was coach at Bossier Parish Community College at the time. He later transferred to East Texas Baptist University for Bert West.
For 27 years he conducted camps around the country called “Dynamite Basketball.” He explained, “They were free, and we went to some of the worst neighborhoods in America. We reached 60,000 kids. We helped over 2,000 go to college and helped 3,300 get their GED. We gave these boys hope and encouragement.”
He said his group had to raise a quarter million dollars per year to put on the free camps. “At the end of the sessions, we gave all the boys about $200 worth of items,” he related. Headquarters for the organization was Shreveport.
Today he is Regional Sales Consultant for the American Linen Service. Co. His territory in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.
His father, the Mayor, recalled, “He would come to Converse and get the parents to bring their kids and for a week he would teach them the basics of basketball.”
Now, along comes Lelex Terrell, who goes by the nick-name “Big Rig.” He was a twin, but lost his brother. He is a guy to watch out for in the world of baseball. He is 10 years old, stands 5’3” and weighs 140 lbs.
He has been recognized already by Perfect Game, the largest recruiting organization in the world. They are very successful, having had over 10 first round draft picks out of high school this year.
Lelex was among only 40 players his age who were invited out of thousands to come to the Perfect Game All State tryout. Out of the 40, they then chose 15 to represent Louisiana in the National Championship in Baton Rouge. He was one of the 15 and the only 10-year-old from North Louisiana.
A great all-around player, Lelex plays first base, third base and pitching, with a fast ball at 57 m.p.h. His favorite position is first base. And he can hit. He has hit 10 home runs at 300 ft. or better. His team is called “The Stickmen Shock.”
Things just keep getting better. Lelex was chosen for the Perfect Game Nations to be played in Houston in November. He will represent Louisiana for 10-year-olds.
Lelex’s goal is to play Major League Baseball. He wants to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His brother is Kingston Terrell, who is 11, just a year older than Lelex. He loves baseball, too, and also fishing. He plays for the Louisiana Prospects out of Bossier City. His nickname is “Coach,” as he tries to tell his brother how to play.
It was a great Friends of the NRA Banquet in Many last Thursday evening, and it was wonderful to see a full house at the large Life Church hall in Many. Excitement was in the air as folks placed silent bids on dozens of items around the room, listened for their ticket numbers to be called in prize drawings throughout the evening, and enjoyed bidding on live auction items.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and several from his office were there. We saw Chief Deputy Brad Walker and his family, Laura, Allen and Ellie. District Attorney Don Burkett and wife Virginia attended as did Assistant DA Anna Garcie Cash and her family, and Attorney J. R. Stevens and wife Taylor. Making the rounds visiting with everyone was Rep. Alan Seabaugh, candidate for Senate, Dist. 31, and Tim Pruitt, candidate for Dist. 7 Representative. Attorney Micah Arbuckle was in the crowd and we enjoyed visiting with him during the evening as well.
A doff of the hat to event organizers, who did a super job putting everything together, providing a delicious dinner and holding a great fundraiser. Those who could not attend the banquet but wish to make a donation to support Shooting Sports in Sabine Parish may do so by contacting Chris Pearce at (318) 508-3440.
Sunday, Aug. 27 was Pastor Scott Adam’s last service with Pleasant Hill Methodist, and his final sermon was a great one. After church, a big farewell dinner was provided, and it was a wonderful time of fellowship.
At the dinner, the church’s new pastor and his wife were also welcomed. Coming to serve at Pleasant Hill are the Rev. Greg Patten and his wife Alice. We visited with Pastor Patten briefly after Worship, and it is easy to see he has a passion for God’s work and is super enthused to start in ministry at the church.
We wish Pastor Adams the best as he moves forward to other endeavors, and we wish Pastor Patten the best as he steps into the pulpit at Pleasant Hill Methodist.
Our own Anne Boyens, an artistic creative, among other talents, was featured on KTBS TV last week out of Shreveport. Roving reporter Rick Rowe met with Anne for four morning segments of “ArkLaTex Made” on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
The segments featured her recent window painting in Many, with stops at Southern Parts Warehouse, Nichols, the former Boyens Hardware and Los Primos Mexican Grill. Anne has beautified each location with her Art by Anne B.
The special visited with Anne as she put finishing touches on her pieces, and she had the opportunity to explain how she loves working with businesses and individuals to add art and beautify Many. Rowe was amazed that after working in Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas and other well-known spots that Anne would choose to come back home to Many. It is certainly our town’s gain, and we’re mighty proud to have her back.
“Art has the power to transform spaces and inspire, and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to bring this vision to life,” she shared of her work at Southern Parts Warehouse, which features a Many Tiger and Tiger bandmember.
Her Nichols mural celebrated Hunters Tax Free Weekend, and her Los Primos work beautified their plate glass front with colorful, fun signage. The Boyens Hardware display includes additional media and is simply something Anne created for her own and others’ pleasure as they drive down San Antonio Ave.
Contact Anne for your window art or mural needs at Art by Anne B on Facebook or Instagram.
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield recently celebrated their 30th year with a Pearl Anniversary event held Saturday, Aug. 26.
They enjoyed a great turnout for the beautiful outdoor banquet and Museum Open House featuring revamped display spaces and a stunning new interactive exhibit on the Long Family in Louisiana.
Winnfield is the hometown of three Louisiana governors – O. K. Allen, Huey Long and Earl K. Long. A fourth, Jimmie Davis, had roots nearby.
In her remarks Executive Director Shonna Moss welcomed those who helped establish the Museum back in 1993, including George Wyatt, who told of the museum’s beginnings.
Our longtime friend and Museum Board Member Gregg Davies presented a great condensed history of the last 30 years. Former Winnfield Mayor Deano Thornton spoke, as did past Director Carolyn Phillips. Rep. Jack McFarland was on hand to welcome the crowd, many of whom served as Museum volunteers at one time or another.
It was a very enjoyable, great event to remember the past, celebrate the future and honor the individuals who made it all happen.
Congratulations to Shonna Moss and her staff on a job well done.
There’s a big Country music show coming to Shreveport on Saturday, Nov. 4. It is a Veterans Tribute concert and will be held at the historic Municipal Auditorium, where so many stars of the past made their marks.
Keeping It Country Live is promoting the show featuring the Bellamy Brothers, Ronnie McDowell, Leona Williams, Tony Booth, Ron Williams, David Church, Tim Atwood, Tugboat Jerry, 2 Country 4 Nashville, Richard Lynch, Dave Gore, Sara Beth (formerly of Many, LA) and other special guests to be announced.
Proceeds will benefit the Sons of Amvets La Post 66. For more information and to get tickets, visit https://keepingitcountrylive.com/amvets-veterans-tribute-concert
Pre-concert activities will include some historical photographs, music and other activities starting at 3 p.m. that afternoon. The official Opening Ceremony starts are 4:30 p.m.
Don’t miss it! It all happens on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Municipal in Shreveport.
(Special thanks to my wife Laurie for the five articles above.)
Fire Chief Michael Kuk of Anacoco was a visitor with Observations on Thursday, Aug. 31. Now retired at the age of 74, he assists the Anacoco Fire Department in various ways.
He joined the Army in 1969 and served as Fire Chief as four different places around the world where he was sent, including Viet Nam. He retired on Jan. 1, 2013.
Michael said he was weary from fighting all the wildfires we have been having in the area. He suspects some of them may have been arson and, along the highway, some of the fires can be traced to cigarettes.
Now, he enjoys playing music and has performed on weekends at Bayou Crawfish and Martone’s in Many.
He was the only artist asked to perform at the funeral of Rock ‘n Roll Super Legend Jerry Lee Lewis in Ferriday earlier this year. In fact, he later performed a tribute to the star at Sabine Theater in Many. He is available for performances. Anyone interested may call Michael at (318) 379-8466.
Brock Strahan, 42, of Many was arrested around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center accused of shooting someone in Shreveport.
Back on Aug. 24 at about 9:40 a.m., officers were called to a shooting in the 1300 block of Glen Oak Place. When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from a non-threatening gunshot wound.
Police said the shooting stemmed from a verbal argument between the suspect and the victim. Witnesses told police that during the argument, Strahan pulled a gun and shot the victim.
A warrant was obtained charging Strahan with aggravated battery and aggravated assault.
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