Friday, April 10, 2020

Due to an abundance of material at this time, Observations will be published on both Tuesday and Friday of each week for a while.

Back in the late 1940s through 1960, Shreveport had one of the top Country music shows in America – the Louisiana Hayride. Stars of great magnitude got their start on the Hayride, artists like Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, George Jones, Webb Pierce, Slim Whitman, Kitty Wells, Johnny Horton and dozens of others.

There’s a fabulous new book out on the matter entitled “Cradle of the Stars:  KWKH & the Louisiana Hayride.” It is written by Joey Kent who knows as much about the Hayride as anyone living. In addition, through the years he has collected pictures, newspaper articles and many others items about the Hayride. The late Frank Page, an announcer on KWKH for 58 years, once said of Joey, “He is the most talented writer, researcher, partner, finagler, computer guru and bird dog on the planet.”

Joey inherited over 400 recordings and 60 images related to the Hayride from his father, the late David Kent. Joey continued the tradition and built the collection to over 3,000 images, 2,200 recordings and dozens of video interviews, which he donated to the Library of Congress. He writes a history column for Inside New Orleans magazine in addition to his work as a screenwriter with over 60 awards to his credit, including Best Screenplay from the L.A. Cinema Festival of Hollywood. He lives in the musical city of New Orleans with his wife and daughter.

The book is large, with a whopping 192 full-color pages and 29 chapters. It is a hard cover coffee table book that tells the complete 1907-2003 history of KWKH and the Louisiana Hayride as only Joey can tell it. The book is packed with photographs, newspaper ads, photos of records, news stories, images of songbooks and much, much more. It even contains a profile list of over 840 artists who appeared on the Hayride through the years.

In addition to the artists already mentioned here, there is information about the history of KWKH and its founder W. K. Henderson, Jimmie Davis, the announcers on KWKH, the Bailes Brothers, the Wilburn Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Billy Walker and the list just goes on and on.

If you are a fan of the Hayride or classic Country music, you must get a copy of this book. And during this time of being quarantined, what better way to spend your time than reading about this amazing musical history? So many events, from the start of KWKH to its Hayride heyday and more, profoundly shaped U.S. culture, helped write broadcast law, and molded musical history. To order a copy of this most worthwhile read, visit Amazon, shophity.com or google search the book title. It’s also available through Walmart and directly from author Joey Kent, who may be messaged on Facebook.

And the coronavirus continues to rule our lives here. District Attorney Don Burkett, has taken the lead in fighting this battle in Sabine Parish and in keeping the people informed, and so many people appreciate his efforts. He said one new case was reported in Sabine on Thursday, bringing the total cases to eight, with no deaths reported. He said the latest model, at the time, predicted Louisiana deaths of 70 persons reported both April 7 and 8 would be the high water mark. It is predicted deaths will decline rapidly until almost none before the end of April. 

He remarked, “Of course this is based on people continuing to practice social separation. If this prediction holds true, we could be back to normal in Sabine by May 1. This model will be updated every few days and I will report that. I am proud of the job our people are doing in Sabine and our numbers reflect it. Our positive case numbers will continue to trickle up some, but hopefully nothing drastic. Everyone stay safe and please continue to practice social separation over the Easter weekend.”

According to a report on KTBS-TV, Burkett said Wednesday that the Police Jury issued an order requiring mandatory isolation for anyone who has tested positive for the virus and anyone who has been in contact with an infected person. The order requires the person or persons to remain isolated for 14 days or until negative test results are returned.

Burkett said no one in violation of the order will be arrested and taken to jail. However, he said those who ignore mandatory isolation could be cited and prosecuted for being in violation of the parish proclamation, which was put in place in response to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ stay-at-home order. The order outlines measures deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of Louisiana citizens. It cites a state law addressing a state of emergency and empowering parish or municipal officials to protect life and property and to bring an emergency situation under control.

In an earlier order, the Sabine Police Jury ordered six-foot spacing between customers and employees in stores, required stockers to wear a protective facial mask while stocking aisles and to sanitize self-checkout equipment between customer use. It also stated business licenses would be revoked for violations and subjected violators to a $500 fine and/or six months in the can.

After Observations appeared Tuesday, Burkett pointed out that the actions were a team effort and not his alone. But it was Don who took the lead and he should not be modest about it, because many people look up to and appreciate him for doing it.

The Rev. Jay Begbie, pastor of Bethsadia Baptist Church in Many, was among several who complimented Burkett for his efforts. “I think Don Burkett is doing an amazing job during this crisis. So thankful he’s leading the charge. I wish more public officials in other parishes would follow his example,” Begbie shared.

CLOSING SCHOOLS – Louisiana public school superintendents Wednesday asked Gov. John Bel Edwards to extend his schools closure order through the end of the academic year because of COVID-19. The request significantly boosts the chance that classrooms will remain locked for nearly 720,000 public school students.

MEALS BY MAIL – The Sabine Parish School System will offer free meals to qualifying students by mail. Approval for Emergency “Meals to You,” a partnership between the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State Dept. of Education as an option for meal distribution during the extended COVID-19 school closures and the stay-at-home orders.

Registration for the meals is open until tonight. So, interested persons should act immediately. For more information about the program, contact Dana Hippler, School Board Child Nutrition Supervisor, at hipplerd@spsb.la. For more information, visit the Sabine Parish Schools full web site at sabine.school.

DISTRICT COURT – All Eleventh Judicial District Court cases fixed for April have been re-fixed for June.

ZWOLLE STORE HOURS – Special hours have been set for various stores in Zwolle to help provide safe shopping for patrons during this pandemic. There are different hours at different stores:  Spring Market, Roundup Grocery and Kwik Trip will all open at 6 a.m. with Spring Market closing at 6 p.m. and the other two closing at 10 p.m.  Family Dollar will open at 9 a.m. and Dollar General at 8 a.m. Both dollar stores will close at 6 p.m.

Chief of Police Daniel Thomas said only 10 will be allowed in each store at one time, and persons must keep a distance of six feet apart. He said, “We are under a stay home order. If you are not doing essential things like getting groceries, gas, going to the doctor or the pharmacy, or going to and from work, STAY HOME.”

MORE BAD NEWS FROM THE SABINE PARISH DETENTION CENTER – Jesse D. Parrie, 30, of Zwolle, a Sheriff’s Deputy, was booked into the Detention Center Monday charged with introduction of contraband into a penal institution and malfeasance. He posted a $10,000 bond and was released. Parrie was arrested after an internal investigation revealed he allegedly accepted cash payments for bringing illegal items into the jail for inmates. He was fired.

Several incidents at the jail in past months bring questions concerning its operation. Recently a prisoner hanged himself in one of the cells. Another prisoner escaped allegedly by squeezing himself between a gate and the fence. Must have been a skinny guy. Another prisoner stole a patrol car and was not noticed missing until he was arrested in Humble, TX. And another prisoner was beaten by a deputy.

Our Sheriff Ronny Richardson recently posted a fine song on social media, which received lots of positive feedback and compliments from those who listened. We listened and enjoyed very much Sheriff Richardson’s rendition of “In Times Like These.”

“I’ve been humming this song the last couple of days, so I thought maybe somebody else must need to hear it, too,” the Sheriff said just before singing the song as he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. Music is certainly a help in this trying time.

Sheriff Richardson later shared his thoughts about the current situation: “I’m a firm believer that something good can come out of any situation. Some good things are coming from following the stay at home orders. There’s less crime, pollution, littering, etc. People are taking advantage of the opportunity to slow down and enjoy life like they maybe haven’t done in years. We have had time to really enjoy what is most dear to us, our families. People have been drawn closer to God. The realization that it’s entirely possible to catch a virus that could kill you, although unlikely, is nevertheless thought provoking. (There is an old saying from World War II, ‘There’s never been an atheist in a foxhole.’) Reports show that the ‘social distancing’ is working! With Easter weekend approaching, I urge everyone to stay vigilant and as much as we would all like to congregate with family [we should] continue to do what has been asked and ordered. It won’t be much longer now!”

Some days ago I received the most thoughtful gift. It came from a late friend, Roy Bush Bridges, who planned the surprise back when he and wife Judy learned I was to be inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in mid-February.

It is a beautifully framed piece about my induction with handsome, custom-cut textured matting. Before he passed away, Roy wanted this made, and I must say publicly it means the world to me.

A couple of weeks into the quarantine, Roy’s wife, Judy, was kind enough to leave it at our front step, and she let us know it was from Roy.

When Roy Bush passed away in late January, there was such an outpouring of support and love to Judy and the family. It spoke volumes about how dear he was to so many. At his visitation in Shreveport on Jan. 27, we waited among hundreds some two hours in line to express our sympathies to the family. As we waited, we could hear people all around us – from everyday farm hands to the well-heeled and connected – tell “Roy Bush” stories. He was greatly loved, respected and admired by all.

And now his kindness continues, even after he has made his eternal journey. His and Judy’s recent gift is another example of how he touched lives and why he was a blessing to so many.

Thank you so much, Roy Bush. We’ll see you on the other side.

The big pipeline is currently being laid through Sabine Parish.  It will run from DeSoto Parish to Gillis near the Gulf. It is a 36 inch line to carry gas. This photo was taken this week near the DTE Midstream Sabine Gathering plant just off Hwy. 171 north of Many.

Work has started once again on a bridge replacement on Hwy. 120 just a couple of miles out of Robeline headed toward Marthaville. Seems this project has been underway for going on three years now. The contractor will work awhile and then leave awhile. A temporary road and bridge was built around where the permanent bridge will be, and the temporary road is now tearing up. Did you ever wonder why our state highways are so bad in this area? Could it be that projects like this keep money from our roads? Who’s watching the store?

Happy Good Friday to you all and a Happy Easter this Sunday. We are hunkered down, not unlike the disciples did following the crucifixion those many years ago.  They were frightened then, uncertain what their futures held. Many people feel the same way today.

This year we are experiencing a tiny taste of what that first Easter must have been like for God’s chosen. We, like the early faithful, want to believe love will prevail and life will return to normalcy. And it will. We just have to hold on and do the most loving thing possible:  keep others and ourselves safe by continuing to follow the good health guidelines we have been given.

Happy Easter to you and yours. Because Christ is risen, we can have great joy, peace and love.

Sweet little Bree Martinez of Zwolle helped her mom and big brother stuff eggs with candy and encouraging scriptures to leave for a few friends this weekend. She and brother Carson planned to hide the disinfected eggs at each location and leave a note of encouragement for each family, with no personal contact. Mom Amber Gentry put the project together as a fun family effort.

“You are EGGstra special!” Bree and Carson’s note read. The message also included a scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage each other and build one another up!”

Perhaps you, like us, have looked to humor during this time for some lightness among all the serious news of the coronavirus. Here are a few good ones:

“2020 is a unique Leap Year. It has 29 days in February, 300 days in March and 5 years in April.”

“So on delivery orders from Mexican restaurants, how does the endless chips and salsa work? Do y’all come back in 20 minutes or do we have to call?”

“Gonna ask my momma if that offer to slap me into next year is still on the table.”

“Anyone else’s car getting three weeks to the gallon?”

“The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and their kids at yelling at them to stay home!”

“Nobody should be shocked that the coronavirus is in Louisiana. We have potholes that go straight through to China.”

“September morning 2050:  John opened the last package of toilet paper bought by his parents in 2020.”

“Never compliment a woman on her mustache, no matter how epic it is.”

“It’s like being 16 again. Gas is cheap and I’m grounded.”

“This is the longest something made in China has ever lasted.”

“It turns out my top three hobbies are:  1. Eating at restaurants 2. Going to non-essential businesses 3. Touching my face.”

“Ran out of toilet paper and now using lettuce leaves. Today was the tip of the iceberg. Tomorrow romaines to be seen.”

“Returned from the grocery store with the hubby. Took masks off. It turned out to be the wrong hubby! Be attentive!”

“When I told my 3-year-old we couldn’t go outside, she asked if it was because of the Corona Pirates. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘Yes, it is.’”

“Having some states locked down and some not is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.”

“And just like that… spankings and prayer are back in school. #homeschool2020”

“Commercials in 2030:  Were you or someone you know overly exposed to hand sanitizer, Lysol or bleach during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic? You may be eligible for compensation!”

“Me:  Alexa, What’s the weather like this weekend? Alexa:  Don’t worry about it. You ain’t going anywhere!”

“Never thought ‘I wouldn’t touch him with a 6-foot pole’ would become a national policy, but here we are.”

“People keep asking me, ‘Is COVID-19 really that serious?’ Listen, y’all, the churches and casinos are both closed. When Heaven and Hell agree on the same thing, it’s serious!”

Did you see the gorgeous “Full Pink Moon” Tuesday night? It was a beautiful sight over Many, and this photo was the best we found of it. The full moon was considered a “supermoon,” the biggest and brightest of 2020. It’s name is not taken from the moon’s appearance, but after ground phlox, a pink flower common in North America this time of year.

And in Shreveport today, the sun took on an unusual appearance with a full ring appearing around it at about noon. This photo, courtesy of Verity Gentry and taken outside her law office at 223 Fannin St., appears to show a jet trail or glare centered over the ring. It reminds us of a “sun dog” (parhelion), but we can’t remember ever seeing a full-ring sun dog before. A sun dog is usually only partly visible, sort of like parentheses on each side of the sun. The parhelion circle-glow around the sun is formed by the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals high in the earth’s atmosphere.

As it is Good Friday and Easter weekend, people of faith cannot help but think of scripture that speaks of “strange signs in the sun and moon” during the last days before “…everyone will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

That will do it for this 10^th day of April. Thanks for reading and stay safe. Please call or write with your ideas and suggestions for future Observations. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To see columns of the last few years, follow the pages below. To see older, archived ones, visit our Facebook page. To print, send or save today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

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