Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Dr. Ralph Abraham, Republican candidate for Governor, will be honored at a fund-raising reception Friday, June 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend Lake.
Suggested contribution is $100 per person, silver sponsor is $500, gold sponsor is $1,000 and platinum is $2,500. Contributions may be personal or corporate, and checks should be made payable to Friends of Dr. Ralph Abraham.
District Attorney Don Burkett, one of the Friends, said to his knowledge this is the first fund raiser ever held in Sabine Parish for a candidate for Governor.
Congratulations to John and Pam Curtis of Many who celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary Tuesday. Boy, time sure flies when you’re having fun. They are two of the nicest folks you’d ever meet and we hope they had a great celebration.
And Curtis Pharmacy, to be operated by their daughter-in-law Leslie Founds Curtis, should be opening in August. The beautiful new building on the Hwy. 171 Bypass is near completion. Many folks await the opening of the pharmacy.
Qualifying for the fall elections is getting nearer. It is set for Aug. 6-8, which is only about two months away.
Sabine Tax Assessor Cindy Manasco still isn’t saying whether or not she will seek re-election. The word was out that she would not, and her deputy Carl Chance started campaigning for the slot. Then Cindy said she really hadn’t make up her mind, so that put Carl in holding mode, I suppose.
I saw former Tax Assessor Carroll Ellzey a few nights ago and he said he is thinking about running again. I asked if he would definitely say he was or wasn’t running, and he would only say that he is considering it.
Don’t think Cindy will announce her intentions until qualifying time. Could it be that she and Carl will both get behind Carroll? Keep your eye on them.
Former Tax Assessor Conrad Cathey has made it plain that he is running and running hard. No question about him.
Got word this week that Chris Loupe of Zwolle might get in the Assessor’s race. Also Police Jury President Ronny Bison is mentioned as looking at the race. Also Chris Tidwell, who once ran Many Lumber Co., is looking at throwing his hat in the race as well, we are told.
Carol Pattison who worked at the Assessor’s Office for years says she’s not interested in the race. Said she is too happy and content doing what she is doing.
Another name mentioned in the Assessor’s race is Patrick Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Johnson of Fisher.
As the Legislative session winds down, Rep. Frankie Howard will be cranking up his candidacy for Sabine Parish Sheriff. Sheriff Ronny Richardson has announced for re-election and former Deputy Aaron Mitchell is campaigning great guns. Also in the race is Chris Abrahams.
Buddy Brandon, who has run twice, has not announced what he intends to do. Word on the street is that he will not run, but will support Rep. Howard who will then appoint him Chief Deputy if he wins. So much for rumors.
The Sabine Parish School Board has appointed Carolyn Martin to take the place of her late husband Randy Martin to represent Ward 4, District 5 on the Sabine Parish School Board. Mrs. Martin in a long-time educator and we wish her well in this new position.
An election will be held this fall for the job. Mentioned as possible candidates at that time are John Curtis and Otis Faust.
Speaking of the School Board, we understand there was a pretty good little confrontation prior to the last meeting. It has been reported that Dale Skinner, who represents Wards 7 and 9, District 9, confronted Spencer Faust, who represents Ward 4, District 4.
The word is out that there was some cussing and a little pushing. Would be interesting to know the whole story.
The famous Tennessee Mafia Jug Band is headed this way. They will perform at the historic Sabine Theater in Many on Saturday, June 22, with shows at 6 and 8 p.m. This is a project of the Many Cultural District, headed by Mary Beth Brocato, and a special event for the No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration, headed by Linda Curtis-Sparks.
The Jug Band has appeared around the world and is highly regarded for their performances on the Grand Ole Opry, at the Kennedy Center and the Marty Stuart TV Show on RFD-TV.
Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Admission is $10 per person, but a few complimentary tickets may still be available from the show’s sponsors who are listed below, so be sure to check with them on it.
Major sponsors for the event are the No Man’s Land Bicentennial Celebration, CAPCO Contractors of Henderson, TX, the firm presently laying the pipelines in the area; Cypress Bend Resort, Natchitoches Attorneys Kelly & Townsend LLC, Many Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman, BOM [Bank of Montgomery], Foy Motors, Dr. Greg Lord and Judge Elizabeth Pickett.
Silver Sponsors are Ark-La-Tex Financial Consultants, Judge Stephen Beasley, Senate Candidate Louie Bernard, Attorney Ronald Brandon, Candidate for Assessor Conrad Cathey, Rep. Frankie Howard, Attorney Jimmy D. Long Jr., Nichols, Sheriff Ronny Richardson, Sabine Insurance Agency and the Sabine River Authority.
Bronze Sponsors are Pete Abington, Bill and Hall Adams of Edward Jones, District Attorney Don Burkett, Byles Welding and Tractor Co., Cook’s Crawfish Hole, Crittenden’s Garage, Country Boy Restaurant, Clerk of Court Tammy Foster, Hancock Furniture, K & W Clothing, McBryde & Associates Realty, Sabine Monument Co., Sabine Tire, Candidate for Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, Swepco, Vandegaer Insurance and Buddy Wood State Farm Insurance.
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN KICKOFF
DON’T FORGET! Tomorrow night, Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. is Sheriff Ronny Richardson’s big Re-election Campaign Kickoff at the Zwolle Festival Grounds Building in Zwolle. Jambalaya will be provided by Randy’s Cookin’ Shack and great music will be presented by The Lisemby Family of Kingsland, AR. The Sheriff says there will be lots of live music, fun, fellowship and good food. Admission is free, but of course, campaign contributions are much appreciated.
Signs Along Life’s Highway
We recently saw this outside a souvenir shop in Progreso, Mexico.
Brandy Roberts, one of the most popular musicians to play at “Music in Many” returns this Saturday, June 8, to the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
Saturday’s talent was the first musician to ever pack the 204-seat Community Center when he played there for the first time three years ago. There’ll be a “whole lotta shakin’ going on” when nationally-known entertainer Brandy Roberts performs his tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis.
In addition to Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry classics, Roberts is also well-known for the other musical genres. A talented singer, songwriter, and piano player, Roberts has lots of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country/Western and even Gospel music in his repertoire.
“We are thrilled to have a performer of Brandy’s caliber agree to return and do a show in our town,” Many Mayor Ken Freeman said. “Frankly I was shocked when he accepted our 2019 invitation because he is booked up to a year in advance. One of the reasons we can attract musicians like Roberts is because they enjoy performing in the historic old theater that is now the Many Community Center.”
Roberts recently told Many Cultural District Advisory Committee’s chairperson Mary Brocato that he especially enjoys playing at the vintage theater that’s been converted into a Community Center. He has also said the Many audience is one of his favorites because they seem to enjoy his music so much.
The Saturday night concert will feature this high-energy performer offering an energetic show. Roberts has opened shows for Jerry Lee Lewis and performed at Jerry Lee’s private birthday celebrations from 1995 to 2000. At the gathering celebrating Jerry Lee Lewis’ 40th year in the music business, Brandy performed on stage with Jerry Lee.
Brandy Roberts was also a member of the Louisiana Hayride in Bossier City, LA from 1985 until it closed in 1987. He performed at the world famous Reo Palm Isle in Longview, TX from 1997 to 1999. There he opened shows for performers such as Gary Stewart, Johnny Rodriquez, and Eddie Raven.
When recording his first CD in Memphis, TN, Roberts used Jerry Lee Lewis’ all-star road band. Now many recordings later, he has sold numerous CDs across the United States and around the world in Europe, France, Germany, Australia, and Sweden to name a few.
Roberts has been awarded “The Entertainer of the Year” Award for Best Rockabilly CD.
Jerry Lee Lewis had this to say about Roberts, who performs every year at Lewis’s birthday party, “Brandy Roberts has been a personal friend of mine for many, many years. He is extremely talented in his field and I highly recommend Brandy for any upcoming performances he may encounter.”
Roberts is Jerry Lee Lewis through and through. Roberts was smitten with Lewis’s style of music at an early age and from then on that’s how he wanted to play. However, Roberts’ fans all know that Rock ‘n’ Roll and Boogie-woogie are not his only talent. He is a fine Country singer as well. For his Saturday show in Many, he has chosen a mix of upfront Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jerry Lee Lewis songs, Blues and ballads. There will be something to please every member of the audience.
“Many people think I perform only Jerry Lee Lewis songs,” Roberts said. “But that’s only a small portion of the music that I perform in The Brandy Roberts Show.”
He will play much of the Killer’s material along with the hits of Carl Perkins, Mickey Gilley, Chuck Berry, Charley Rich, and others. His repertoire consists of rockers, Blues, and ballads.
Critics say that of all the Jerry Lee Lewis imitators, Brandy Roberts is the closest thing to Jerry Lee on the planet. His stage act is like the Jerry Lee Lewis of the 50s-60s. This piano rockabilly is considered to be the clone of Jerry Lee Lewis.
Some of the songs he will perform include “I’m On Fire,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Nadine” and his own composition of “Boogie Child.” His ballads will include “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Blues songs include “Good Night Irene” and “Mexicali Rose.”
The Brandy Roberts Show is sponsored by Many Mayor Ken Freeman, the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee, who books almost all of the “Music in Many” talent, and the Town of Many.
Tickets for the two-hour long show are only $10 for adults and $5 for children. Veterans are admitted free.
“You’d pay at least $50 or $60 to see a show like this anywhere else. But it’s only $10 and $5 at the Many Community Center,” said Brocato.
Concessions will be available for only $1 each, and Brandy Roberts CDs will also be for sale.
A U.S. Senate report issued on Monday says the federal government failed to release the names of almost 400 nursing homes across the country which had a “persistent record of poor care.” These were not included on a shorter list released back in April titled Special Focus Facilities (SFF), which were added to the SFF Program. The program provides increased federal scrutiny and applies “warning labels” on facilities for consumer awareness of SFF locations.
You can compare ratings of up to three different nursing homes at medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare and out of curiosity, we looked at ratings for some local facilities. Here’s what we found:
Many Healthcare North – Overall rating, “Average;” Health inspections, “Above Average;” Staffing, “Much Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Below Average.”
Sabine Retirement and Rehab Center [Many] – Overall rating, “Average;” Health inspections, “Above Average;” Staffing, “Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Much Below Average.”
Toledo Retirement and Rehabilitation Center [Zwolle] – Overall rating, “Above Average;” Health inspections, “Much Above Average;” Staffing, “Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Much Below Average.”
Courtyard of Natchitoches – Overall rating, “Above Average;” Health inspections, “Above Average;” Staffing, “Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Average.”
Natchitoches Community Care Center – Overall rating, “Much Below Average;” Health inspections, “Much Below Average;” Staffing, “Average;” and Quality measures, “Average.”
Natchitoches Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – Overall rating, “Much Below Average;” Health inspections, “Much Below Average;” Staffing, “Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Much Below Average.”
The Woodlands Healthcare Center [Leesville] – Overall rating, “Much Below Average;” Health inspections, “Much Below Average;” Staffing, “Much Below Average;” and Quality measures, “Below Average.”
Louisiana nursing homes included in the Senate report were St. Helena Parish Nursing Home, Tioga Community Care Center, Lake Charles Care Center, South Lafourche Nursing & Rehab, and Belle Maison Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Belle Maison Nursing & Rehabilitation in Hammond was also included on the earlier SFF list, as were two in east Texas: Kennedy Health & Rehab in Lufkin and Inspire New Boston in New Boston.
The report, provided by Sen. Pat Toomey (Republican) and Sen. Bob Casey (Democrat), both of Pennsylvania, is titled “Families and Residents’ Right to Know: Uncovering Poor Care in America’s Nursing Homes.” You can read it in its entirety at aging.senate.gov online.
That is it for this first Wednesday in June. I love to hear your ideas and thoughts for future Observations. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or email robertrgentry@gmail.com. To save, print or send this week’s column, click on the icon below. To read recently archived Observations, follow the pages below. For older archives, visit our Facebook page where columns are listed under Photos and Albums by date.
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