Wednesday, May 15, 2019

This map shows the 300 miles of gathering pipelines presently under construction in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes and a portion of East Texas.

Momentum Midstream of Houston, TX currently has workers in this area laying 300 miles of pipeline. 

The Lean Gas Gathering System they are constructing includes the pipelines, 15,000 horsepower of compression, gas dehydration and CO2 removal capability, multiple interconnect options and centralized facilities located near Longstreet.

The contractor for the pipelines is CAPCO Contractors Inc. of Henderson, TX.  They have been working in the parish for several months now, with a yard next to Byles Welding and Tractor Co. on Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many.

The pipeline project and the gas plant a couple of miles north of Many have brought in a lot of workers and a lot of money to our economy. Let’s make those folks feel welcome in the area and let’s make their lives as easy as possible.

We will have a detailed story about CAPCO Contractors in the near future. It is a family-owned and operated construction company specializing in the gas and oil industry. Billy Torrence is Owner/President and Steve Torrence is Operations Manager/Estimator.

Louie Bernard brought his campaign for State Senator from Dist. 31 to Sabine Parish last week when he spoke to the Vultures luncheon group. He served for 24 years as Natchitoches Parish Clerk or Court. Bernard has a sterling reputation, is well-liked and highly respected by all who know him. During his run for the Senate, he has come to Sabine Parish often.

The six-parish district includes all or parts of Sabine, Natchitoches, Red River, Winn, Grant and Rapides Parishes.

In his remarks, Bernard called for fiscal responsibility in state government. “We should be better stewards of the tax dollars we are sending to Baton Rouge,” he stated.

Continuing, he said, “We need to develop a process to plan and approve a state budget without starting every year over what has come to be called the ‘fiscal cliff.’ It is irresponsible to continue with temporary fixes to a permanent and systemic problem.”

He called for using common sense and addressing issues. Lord knows we need that in Baton Rouge and also in Washington.

LOOKING BACK

I ran across this photo the other day and thought it worthy of sharing. I took it when Johnny Cash performed on the Louisiana Hayride at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport on Sept. 7, 1968. His career really took off when he joined the Hayride in the mid-1950s. He later left the Hayride and joined the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. His music enjoyed great popularity until his death on Sept. 12, 2003. Cash fans remain fiercely loyal and his unique style certainly impacted musical artists and enthusiasts around the world. 

Conrad Cathey spoke to members of the Vultures Club last week about his candidacy for Sabine Parish Tax Assessor. He served in that position previously. Cathey answered questions about the current re-assessment in Sabine Parish ordered by the State Tax Commission. He said that to his knowledge re-assessment in the parish has not occurred, as required by law, for the last 20 years.

Speaking of the Assessor’s race, we hear Carrol Ellzey, who formerly held the post, is looking at tossing his hat into the ring. Present Assessor Cindy Manasco is sitting on the fence at present trying to decide whether or not to seek re-election.

Qualifying to run for elected office will be held Aug. 6-8. The first primary will be held Oct. 12 and the run-off on Nov. 16. It’ll be here before you know it.

Rep. Frankie Howard, who is running for sheriff, said he will not “litter the highway” with signs. I see a lot of them going up in support of Aaron Mitchell and Sheriff Ronny Richardson and a few for Chris Abrahams. So far, Buddy Brandon, who has run twice in the past, is twiddling his thumbs. He will probably announce soon.

Speaking of, Sheriff Ronny Richardson has just announced a big campaign fundraiser to be held on Thursday, June 6, at the Tamale Fiesta building in Zwolle. Randy’s Cookin’ Shack of Many is providing jambalaya, and it is reported that U.S. Congressman and candidate for Louisiana Governor Dr. Ralph Abraham is making every effort to attend. Admission is completely free, but campaign contributions will be gratefully accepted. Sheriff Richardson said he hopes to see everyone there.

The Sabine Parish Library will host its annual Summer Reading Program for toddlers to 12-year-olds from June 4 to July 17. A free book will be given to every child who completes the program. The kickoff performance promises to be both entertaining and educational with the appearance of Didgeridoo Down Under (DDU). DDU exposes children to the music of the ancient Australian didgeridoo as well as to the culture of Australia. All are welcome to attend this free performance on Tuesday, June 4 at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] at 10 a.m. A second performance will occur at 2 p.m. at the Toledo Branch of the library. All are invited to join in for the fun!

Lots of good music upcoming on the “Music in Many” schedule:

On Saturday, May 25, Willie Stewart Family & Friends will present a first-ever patriotic concert on Memorial Day weekend, “God Bless America,” to be held at Many Community Center [historic Sabine Theater.] The show starts at 7 p.m., admission is free, and a variety of Country, Gospel, Old-Time Folk and Bluegrass songs will be featured – all in the patriotic vein.

Family patriarch Willie Stewart of Florien will be joined onstage by son Bo, grandson Kelly, Kelly’s wife Clancey, Willie’s fiancée Debbie Hillman, Steve and Mark Birdwell of Marthaville and Laurie Gentry of Many.

The group will present a full concert of toe-tappers, hand-clappers and ballads with fiddle, mandolin, guitar, upright bass, cajon drum box, spoons and more. Someone may even prevail on Clancey to do a little clogging with her fiddle.

Clancey is the reigning Louisiana State Fiddle Champion, and when you hear her play, you will understand why. She also works with Sabine Parish Schools to teach music to parish students, including instrumental and vocal instruction.

Willie Stewart, Debbie, and all the Stewarts are known far and wide for their musical talent and heartfelt vocals – all of which will be on display to the fullest for this special patriotic concert to honor America and remember the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend her. 

The Birdwells come from a longtime musical background – including the famous Birdwell Quartet, who performed on live radio years ago. Several Birdwell entertainment troupes have since followed, and Steve and son Mark hold up the beloved Birdwell musical tradition in fine style.

Laurie performed for over 20 years with her family playing Folk and Gospel music from coast to coast, including headline performances with her dad at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the State Fair of Texas, Six Flags Over Texas, Silver Dollar City in Branson, as well as at numerous colleges, universities, radio and TV broadcasts and various other venues.

Don’t miss the “God Bless America” special Memorial Day weekend concert. It’s sure to be a good one!

A short four weeks later on Saturday, June 22, “Music in Many” welcomes the Tennessee Mafia Jug Band from Nashville, TN to the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater.] Two big concerts are slated for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Seating is general admission; any overflow crowd will be seated at the 8 p.m. show.

This nationally-known Old-Time string band featuring TV star and banjo comedian LeRoy Troy, is presented as a special No Man’s Land Bicentennial event. Other Platinum Sponsors are Cypress Bend Resort and CAPCO Contractors.

The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band is known around the world for authentic Old-Time Folk and early Country music. The group is based out of Nashville, where they often appear on “The Marty Stuart Show” on RFD-TV, America’s only TV network devoted to rural living,

The band has played the Grand Ole Opry dozens of times, they have headlined at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and have also performed at hundreds of top tier music festivals across the U.S. Along the way, the talented group also provided entertainment for the society wedding of actress Angelina Jolie.

The ensemble plays a wide variety of traditional acoustic instruments always found in the string bands of America’s frontier such as fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, guitar, slide guitar [Dobro], upright string bass, washboard, bones, spoons and jug.

Their repertoire consists of spirited “play party” style songs of the 1800s American South and ballads that tell the stories and experiences of early American life. The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band is a highly entertaining, yet historic romp through the nation’s past.

Gold Sponsors for this special concert are BOM, Judge Elizabeth Pickett and Foy Motors.

Silver Sponsors include Judge Stephen Beasley, Sheriff Ronny Richardson, State Senate Candidate Louie Bernard, Attorney Jimmy D. Long Jr., Ark-La-Tex Financial Consultants, Attorney Ronald D. Brandon, Sabine Insurance Agency and Conrad Cathey.

Participating Bronze Sponsors are Sabine Parish District Attorney Don Burkett, Pete Abington, Bill and Hall Adams of Edward Jones, Buddy Wood State Farm Insurance Agency, Byles Welding & Tractor Co., Cook’s Crawfish Hole, Crittenden’s Garage, Country Boy Restaurant, Hancock’s Furniture and Appliances, K & W Clothing, McBryde & Associates Realty, Sabine Monument Co., Clerk of Court Candidate Shelly Salter and Vandegaer Insurance.

More sponsors are being added daily, but remaining spots are limited for participation. To secure a sponsorship, call (318) 332-8653 or 332-7873 immediately. Print deadlines only allow another week to ten days of opportunity.

Some show sponsors may have a few complimentary tickets available to the public while quantities last, so be sure to ask about availability when you visit different participating locations. Tickets are also available in advance by calling (318) 332-7873 to reserve and pay; tickets will be on sale as well at the theater box office the night of the concerts. All advance and box office tickets are $10 per person.

“Music in Many” is presented throughout the year by the Town of Many, Mayor Ken Freeman and the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee as an ongoing effort to provide high-quality family entertainment for Sabine Parish and surrounding areas.

The renovation and restoration of the historic Many Depot is nearing completion after more than ten months of work on the brick building, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Painting contractor Kevin Gosey of Many began putting the finishing touches on the painting of all exterior and interior surfaces last week. People who drive by the depot can now see the freshly-painted hunter green doors with white trim. The concrete benches in the portico section are painted a spring green. Painting on the interior included walls, ceilings, ceiling beams, and all wood surfaces.

Rotted wood on both the interior and exterior of the building, broken windows, exterior and interior doors, ceilings and walls were all repaired, rebuilt, or newly constructed by Kowonno Green Handyman Services.        

The old depot now has central air conditioning and heating for the first time. Lane Isgitt of East Gate Electrical installed the ac/heating system.

The building also has been completely rewired with new light fixtures and ceiling fans. Fred Hurd Electrical did the extensive required work.

Plumbing and exterior light installations were handled by Daniel Jones Electrical/Plumbing and also Byles Electric.

Clevenger Roofing and Homer Miller Contractors both repaired leaks in the roof and walls.

The City of Many bid all of the work out, and jobs were assigned to low bidders on the various projects involved in repairing and restoring the old depot building.

Financing for the extensive renovation came from donations, grants and the Town of Many.

Many Mayor Ken Freeman remarked, “It really did take a village to do all the work need to save this beautiful old building, and we are so very proud of this restoration within the Town of Many. We are especially grateful to our citizens and businesses who stepped up with donations to help us save this historic old building in the heart of Many.”

Freeman said work has already begun to plan for the installation of exhibits in the old depot which will be known as the Many Sabine Parish Museum. The museum, when opened, will feature a permanent exhibit on “No Man’s Land.” However, the museum exhibits will not be limited to the Neutral Strip or No Man’s Land. Other exhibits may include the timber industry in Sabine, Native American culture in Sabine Parish, railway transportation in Sabine Parish, or the oil industry in Sabine Parish. These exhibits are expected to change every few months.

“We met last week with Rebecca Blankenbaker, executive director of Cane River Heritage Center, Linda Curtis-Sparks and Anne Boyens from our Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, and Scott DeBose and Mary Brocato from the Town of Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, to discuss possible exhibits, informational panels, and other materials that will help make up the No Man’s Land exhibits,” Freeman said. 

“No Man’s Land or the Neutral Strip is an important part of the history of Sabine Parish, and we are pleased to be able to offer an exhibit on No Man’s Land at our museum whenever it opens, and we are pleased also that we will offer other exhibits that tell us about the history and culture of our area,” Freeman said.

Progress is being made and work to complete the renovation and then “build the museum” is continuing to complete this massive project which will result in a one-of-a-kind museum in Many. 

Generous supporters braved the threat of rain to attend the 17th Annual Toledo Bend Lake Association’s (TBLA) Bass Unlimited “Back a Great Fighter” Banquet and Auction on Friday, May 10, at Cypress Bend Park Pavilion. The evening was the high point of TBLA’s 2019 fundraising which supports projects that serve and benefit Toledo Bend Lake and the surrounding communities.

The evening began with guests browsing items available in the live auction, raffle drop boxes, silent auction, and TBLA merchandise. The stage area of the pavilion was decorated by Lauren Moore and the staff of Nichols. Emcee Ricky Yeldell welcomed the crowd, followed by 11-year-old Abby Shanley of Negreet, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Dinner was catered by the Brisket House of Jena.

TBLA dedicated the event to the memory of Mr. Glynn Carver, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in the development of Toledo Bend over its first fifty years. Linda Curtis-Sparks performed the dedication and presented the plaque commemorating the establishment of the Glynn Carver Memorial Scholarship Fund. The plaque was unveiled by his children Cathy Grigg and Curt Carver. This scholarship seeks to honor a true Toledo Bend giant and inspire future students to carry on his legacy to the Toledo Bend community and beyond.

Grand Prize Raffle Coordinator Bruce Rogers conducted the live drawing for the first two guns awarded in the 2019-2020 52-Gun Grand Raffle. Curtis Conkle of Conroe, TX won the Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor in Go-Wild Camo, and Joe Cicardo of Zwolle won the American Tactical 12 gauge over/under shotgun.

Auctioneer Kevin McDonald took the stage and kicked off the evening’s main event with the live auction.  A highlight of the evening came when Harold Allen of Living the Dream Guide Service donated two guided bass fishing trips that sold for $3000 each. He received a standing ovation.

TBLA wishes to thank the 2019 event sponsors, supporters, and volunteers who graciously donated time, merchandise, money, and talents toward making their event a success. TBLA is a 501(c)3  non-profit organization, and funds raised through this event will be put to work to support community projects around the Lake.

TBLA is also grateful to everyone for making the banquet an event to remember, and they ask all to please mark Friday, April 17, 2020, on their calendars for next year’s banquet. At next year’s event, TBLA will celebrate 50 years of dedication to Toledo Bend.

A special thanks to Ms. Ramona Moore for supplying the above report.

Warren Meadows Funeral Home at 355 S. Capitol St. in Many is having a “Flag Pole Dedication and Flag-Raising Ceremony” along with an unveiling of a permanent bronze plaque next Thursday, May 23 at 3 p.m.

The plaque is being placed to pay tribute to the late Mr. Floyd Giblin, who directed the funeral home until his death, and to honor all area veterans.

The dedication service will be conducted by local ministers and afterward, the first flag will be raised. All family, friends and active or retired service members are invited to attend the dedication and ceremony.

For more information, call (318) 256-3471.

“Pearl Harbor” will play at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] this Saturday, May 18, in recognition of both Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, two patriotic holidays that occur in May.

The three-hour long movie, which begins at 7 p.m. with free admission for everyone, is sponsored by the Town of Many, Many Mayor Ken Freeman, and the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee.

“Pearl Harbor” is an American romantic period war drama film starring Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Colm Feore and Alec Baldwin. The film presents a heavily fictionalized version of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and focuses on a love story set amidst the lead up to the attack and its aftermath, including the DooLittle Raid.

The film was a box office success, earning $59 million in its opening weekend and in the end, earning nearly $450 million worldwide. It was nominated for four Academy Awards.

The sweeping drama of “Pearl Harbor” is based on real historical events. It follows American boyhood friends Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett) as they enter World War II as pilots. Rafe is so eager to take part in the war that he departs to fight in Europe alongside England’s Royal Air Force. While Rafe is supposedly dead, Danny and Evelyn comfort each other and fall in love. Then Rafe arrives back to find his former sweetheart now committed to his best friend. After the resulting turmoil, the three reunite in Hawaii just before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and Evelyn learns she is pregnant with Danny’s child. Tokyo is bombed and Danny dies saving Rafe’s life. Afterward, Rafe and Evelyn’s romance revives and they marry. They name her baby boy Danny.

Many Mayor Ken Freeman encourages everyone interested in U.S. historical events, especially military events, to see this movie.

“It combines history and an important time in our country’s history with a beautiful and touching love story”, said Mary Brocato, chairperson of the Cultural District Advisory Committee. She said the movie is one of her all-time favorites because it is a historical film.  

For military history lovers and those folks who like a romantic love story, “Pearl Harbor” is a must-see at the Many Community Center this Saturday, May 18.

I love to hear your ideas and suggestions for future articles. Please call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. Recently archived columns are accessible here; scroll through the following pages to read those. Older ones are archived on our Facebook page, where they are listed under Photos and Albums by date. To print, send or save this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. Thanks for reading!

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