Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Former Sen. Donald G. Kelly of Natchitoches was recently honored when the Northwestern State University’s athletic fieldhouse and surrounding facilities were named the Donald G. Kelly Athletic Complex.  Don and his family were recognized at the Sept. 30 football game for his contributions to NSU while serving in state government for more than two decades.

A native of Coushatta, Don was a prominent NSU alumnus and student-athlete and served as a delegate to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention in 1973.  While Senator, he was floor leader for Gov. Edwin Edwards and Gov. Buddy Roemer and served on the powerful Budget and Finance committees.

Don was a driving force behind obtaining funds for construction of the NSU Athletic Fieldhouse and the major expansion of Turpin Stadium.  A former football player, he is a member of the university’s NB Club Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the Long Purple Line.  He is also a member of the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.

Musician Dave Gore of West Monroe will be on “Open Line” with Tedd Dumas and me on Monday morning, Oct. 16, to talk about the 2^nd Annual “Keeping It Country Live” concert at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport to be held Saturday, Nov. 4.  The huge and historic event will also be a tribute to our veterans and military.  The concert is presented in a special partnership with ASM Global.

Pre-concert events featuring some historical photos, music and other activities will begin at 3 p.m. with the official opening ceremony at 4 p.m.

Featured on the program will be a top array of leading Classic Country artists, including the Bellamy Brothers, Ronnie McDowell, Leona Williams, Ron Williams and Tony Booth.

Also appearing will be Tugboat Jerry, David Church, Tim Atwood, 2Country4Nashville, Joe and Diane, Richard Lynch, Missy Dunaway, Rebecca and Jamey, Sara Beth, Tommy Lee Crosslin, Anna Marie and Lenny, Cheridy Adams, Mike Hughes, David Gore, Brenda Lynn Allen and Don Caldwell.

Tickets for the event are now on sale at keepingitcountrylive.com, ticketmaster.com and direct at the Municipal Auditorium Box Office at (318) 841-4196.

Be sure and listen for all the details from David on Monday morning.

Early voting in Sabine Parish ended Saturday and Registrar of Voters Zach Faircloth said a total of 1,592 voted.  As Observations was prepared Monday afternoon, 333 persons had mailed in ballots.  The Registrar’s office will continue receiving mail-in ballots.

Judy Collins Nichols of Lafayette is a good friend from school days and is a faithful reader of Observations.  And we appreciate that very much.  We were happy to see her at the recent Marthaville Good Ole Days, and she had with her son Gary.

Judy graduated from Marthaville High School.  She left town, but her heart has always been in Marthville, and through the years she has returned many times.  She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Foster Collins.  In addition, she is an aunt of my excellent son-in-law Jim Collins who lives in Tega Cay, SC.

Thanks, Judy, for being such a good friend for so many years and for reading Observations each week.

George L. Celles IV, a native of Natchitoches, has joined the law office of Christopher M. Sylvia of Many.  “For the past several years, I have received an overwhelming response for legal services from the business and people of Sabine and Natchitoches Parish and the surrounding region,” Chris stated.  “With the addition of George, I believe we will be able to provide a greater variety of services to more clients in a more efficient manner.”

George has been in both private and public practice for 38 years. For the past six years, he has served as the Judicial Hearing Officer for the 11the Judicial District Court in Sabine Parish.

Moon Griffon, known as “The Voice of Louisiana,” and Rep. Alan Seabaugh, candidate for Senate, Dist. 31, will be in Many this evening, Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. for a Get Out the Vote Rally at the Sabine Medical Center Conference Center on Highland Ave.

Griffon is known for delivering truthful commentary with humor, wit and entertainment on his well-known morning radio talk show. Rep. Seabaugh is a Republican candidate for Senate, Dist. 31.

Seabaugh has been endorsed by Attorney General Jeff Landry and Congressman Mike Johnson. District 31, which he seeks to serve, includes much of Many.

Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the evening visiting with Griffon and Seabaugh. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.                            

We are happy to see a wonderful response to the news that Nancy Jones is coming to Many next month to promote her new book and visit homefolks.

“Playin’ Possum,” which shares an intimate look at her life with Country legend George Jones is now out and will be for sale at an Autograph Party to be held on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Many City Hall from 10 a.m. until noon.

The book is regularly $29.99 but will be available for only $25 in celebration of Ms. Jones’ visit, which is a homecoming of sorts. She is a native of Mansfield and has ties to Zwolle.

Sponsoring the upcoming Autograph Party are ArkLaTex Financial Consultants, Sen. Louie Bernard, BOM, Brandon Law Firm, Curtis Family Pharmacy, Foy Motors, Anna Garcie, Blake Byles, Dr. Leah Byles, Byles Welding & Tractor, James Cook/Crawfish Hole, Attorney Dan Dyess, Judge Verity Gentry, Good Gracious, Don Kelly, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Judge Elizabeth Pickett, Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, In Memory of Billy Wayne Sepeda by his Family, Thomas Law Firm, In Memory of Gerard F. Thomas,  Assessor Chris Tidwell, Sabine Chief Deputy Brad Walker, and Buddy Wood/State Farm. Pete Abington is an honorary sponsor.

We appreciate much these community-minded individuals and businesses who have supported this exciting, upcoming event!

Saturday is Election Day.  Do your American duty and exercise your rights by going out and casting your ballot.  Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Northwestern State Softball receives generous donation from Jill Morrison

Jill Cantrell Morrison, originally from Marthaville, loves NSU and loves sports. She has been on the Demons Unlimited Foundation board since 2010 and has an endowed scholarship that benefits student athletes.

The softball program at NSU has been planning a facilities upgrade for some time. Work has begun to expand and enclose the pitching/batting cages, and improve the sidewalks around the field, among other things.

“I’m thrilled my family can contribute to these improvements for Lady Demons Softball.” Jill said. “We know the importance of Athletics to the University and are honored to be part of the Demons’ long-standing traditions.”

NSU Softball Head Coach Lacy Prejean said, “We are so thankful for the Morrison family’s genuine support to the University and Northwestern State softball. Their generosity is truly remarkable, and we can’t thank Jill, Dave, Madelyn and Nick enough. It is greatly appreciated. The new indoor facility will help with recruiting and developing our student athletes to perform at the highest level.”

Jill also serves on the NSU Foundation board. She, along with her extended family, have another endowed scholarship that benefits students from Marthaville.

Jill currently lives in Dallas, TX with husband Dave and children Madelyn and Nicholas. Madelyn, 13, plays club softball and volleyball, in addition to school volleyball. Nick, 10, plays select baseball and wrestles for his school club team.

The Morrisons are proud of their ties to Northwestern, Natchitoches, and Marthaville, and come “home” as often as possible.

Sabine Parish Rally to Celebrate Life Held

Sabine Parish Citizens for Life, Louisiana Right to Life and The Abortion Survivors Network hosted a Sabine Parish Rally to Celebrate Life on Saturday morning, Sept. 23, in downtown Many across the street from City Hall.

The event was open to all who wished to stand in unity to celebrate the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, which held there is not a federal constitutional right to abortion. The High Court’s ruling returned the decision of abortion provision and its details to each state. Those gathered at the rally also celebrated Louisiana’s trigger law, which went into effect immediately after the Court’s ruling. The trigger law required no further action by state legislature and resulted in Louisiana becoming one of the most pro-life states in the nation.

“In light of those recent victories for the unborn, Sabine Parish Citizens for Life’s desire was to gather together to not only celebrate life in the womb, but to ignite a fire in Sabine Parish that would hopefully spread to other communities in Louisiana to continue to fight for the unborn and their mothers and fathers to ensure that Louisiana remains a safe place for babies inside the womb,” an event co-leader and abortion survivor Michele Smith explained.

“This battle for the life of each baby in Louisiana who is uniquely created in the image of God with their very own DNA has just begun, and it was the hope of Sabine Parish Citizens for Life that those in attendance would join their hearts, hands, and voices together to see that Louisiana remains pro-life in light of the fact that we are just one legislative session away from the possibility of losing that pro-life status,” Smith shared.

Sabine Parish Citizens for Life began in early 2023, springing from a deep desire to make a difference in local communities and help keep Louisiana pro-life. That same desire is what prompted the Sept. 23 rally.  

“During the rally, those in attendance heard from many of the heroes in our state and local communities who have stood for life in the midst of many challenges,” Smith reported.

September is recognized as “Babies Survive Abortions Month,” and October is “Respect Life Month.” The first Sunday of October is an annual church awareness day for the cause.

On Nov. 11, Sabine Parish Citizens for Life will hold a “Life Chain.” Annual Life Chains are a nationwide awareness effort usually held between Oct. 1 and Nov. 12 where participants peacefully gather in a location where they can hold signs and bring awareness to the protection of the unborn. 

For more information on how to participate in the upcoming Many Life Chain in Many, email Michele Smith at michele.morethansisters@gmail.com or follow Sabine Parish Citizens for Life on Facebook. The event will be held on the public sidewalk in front of the former Boyens Hardware at 555 San Antonio Ave. from 11 a.m. until noon. Signs will be provided.

Co-leading the Sept. 23 rally were Michele Smith and Kathy Ellzey. Smith served as MC for the event, sharing her personal story of surviving a saline and chemical abortion attempt on her life in the womb. She is also a Louisiana Awareness Advocate for the Abortion Survivors Network.

The Survivors Network brings awareness to the fact that babies do survive abortions. Over 85,000 infants – enough to fill a football stadium – have survived abortion attempts since Roe v. Wade was passed in 1973. For more information on this group or to donate to help bring healing and hope to abortion survivors such as Michele Smith, visit abortionsurvivors.org.

Kathy Ellzey also spoke at the pro-life rally, sharing a heart-felt personal testimony of her daughter’s unplanned pregnancy, and the joy that followed when Kathy’s daughter decided to choose life which resulted in the birth of Kathy’s beautiful granddaughter.

Other speakers included:  Pastor Cyle Clayton of Calvary Baptist Church, Many Mayor Robert Hable, Rep. Alan Seabaugh, Louisiana Director of Black Advocates for Life Tara Wicker, Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, Lexie Darce, Co-founder of Natchitoches March for Life Jessica Spear, Pastor Paul Floyd of Living Word Church, Director of Education with Louisiana Right to Life Alex Seghers, David Bartholdi of Only Believe Ministries in Hemphill, TX, and musician Carolyn Ricks.

Afterward, resource tables provided free information, and everyone enjoyed birthday cake baked by Kathy Ellzey to bring awareness to the fact everybody deserves a birthday.

“Sabine Parish Citizens for Life would love to connect with your church and would be happy to share the ways they can connect with you through such things as providing various pro-life and unplanned pregnancy resources, by making a speaker available to you to help you share the pro-life message in your church, provide you with training on how you can defend your pro-life beliefs, and provide simple ways to help you stay connected so you can present a pro-life message to your church through a simple program called The Pro-Life Church Liaison Program,” organizer Michele Smith stated. 

For more information on what Sabine Parish Citizens for Life offers, visit them on Facebook or email michele.morethansisters@gmail.com.

Sabine Parish Citizens for Life thanks all of the speakers and everyone attending who took the time to be there in support of life. Special thanks are extended to town and state officials, including Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooley and Town of Many Grant Writer Suzanne Williams, First Baptist Church and all who provided resource tables including Louisiana Right to Life, The Life Church of Many, Leslie Evans of Nurse Family Partnership, New Life Crisis Pregnancy Center in Leesville, Lexie Darce of Fostering Community in Alexandria, and Suzanne Williams with Sabine Prevention Alliance.

WE GET LETTERS. The following came to us from Sandy Dumas: 

“It has been brought to the attention of Observations that a correction needs to be made about last week’s Observations.  A posting concerning an incident between Joy Scarborough and Linda McCormic at a recent Police Jury meeting.  The incident was called a cat fight, Joy Scarborough stated that it was a physical assault on her, for which Linda McCormic was charged.  In turn Linda McCormic said that she did not wish to press charges but she wanted her statement on record.  She also wanted an official record stating that she had not been drinking.  We wish both individuals well and apologize for any embarrassment to either party.”

NOTE:  In order to try to write finis to this matter, Observations contacted Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley to verify testing was performed and its results.  Chief Wooley said her department did indeed provide a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test on Ms. McCormic after the Police Jury meeting of Sept. 20.  According to information Chief Wooley provided, the test is commonly used for the field sobriety test performed by law officers to assess a person’s level of impairment due to alcohol or drugs, particularly when suspected of driving under the influence or driving while impaired.  It focuses on an involuntary jerking or bouncing movement of the eyes, known as nystagmus, which becomes more pronounced when a person is impaired. Chief Wooley said the test showed Ms. McCormic was not impaired.

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