Friday, August 14, 2020

Time’s running out to register for the Concealed Carry Class in Many next Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is the official firearms safety and training course required to apply for a Concealed Handgun Permit, which allows a person to carry a concealed handgun.

The class will cover basic safety techniques, applicable state laws, proper firing techniques and live-fire exercises. It will be taught by Lt. Richard Jennings, who has been a P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor for over 20 years. He is also a 28-year law enforcement veteran and an avid hunter and firearms enthusiast since his youth.

Class is limited to 30, and it’s filling quickly. To register, a person must be 21 or older, a resident of Louisiana and pay in advance.

For cost, location and other class details, call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.

Anna L. Garcie, as the new Assistant District Attorneys Section President, has been elected as a member of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. She is an Assistant District Attorney in the 11th Judicial District, under DA Don Burkett.  She has held that position for many years.

Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington has also been elected as a Board Member of the LDAA. Our congratulations to DA Harrington for being returned to office without opposition.

The Sabine Parish Police Jury has narrowed the field of applicants for Registrar of Voters from 24 to five. They are Zachary Faircloth, Rebecca Heard, Lindy Strahan, Samantha Rivers and Nan Arthur.

Longtime Registrar Kristi McCormick will retire Aug. 29. We will carry a story about her in next weeks’ Observations. The Jury will probably make an appointment of the new Registrar on Aug. 31.

Picture of the Past

This ad for Noble State Bank appeared in the Dec. 13, 1917 edition of The Sabine Banner, which Community Bank’s J. J. Blake found in his father’s belongings. It is interesting to note that the bank had “branches offices at Bank of Floriense in Converse and Bank of Conver in Florien.”  Just shows they made proofreading errors back in the day, too.

We had a nice call from old friend Gerald Knippers this week. It was so good to hear from him. He said he is a regular reader of Observations and we appreciate it very much. He and brother Glenn operated Glenn’s Auto Parts in Many for many years.

“If you ain’t claiming her in public, don’t act like she’s yours in private. Period.”

We ran across this quote, well worth repeating, at El Paso Mexican Restaurant in Alexandria last week.

If you enjoy tongue in cheek, you’ll like the following. Laurie’s pencil was a little sharp when she wrote this one. Consider yourself warned.

The Magpie and the Cuckoo

This presidential election has come down to a choice between a magpie and a cuckoo. If nothing happens to upend it all, we’ll see in a little less than 12 weeks which one’s going to fly.

For his part, the magpie drones on and on, blathering usually, when most wish he would simply shut up, and the cuckoo, a little too cheerful for the occasion, pops out of the shrouded darkness at his appointed times on a delicate perch. He carefully chirps the latest with scared, uncertain eyes peering out above the requisite mask. He then darts back into his shuttered quarters almost before you realize he came out at all.

But first, did you ever hear the phrase “chatters like a magpie”? All Old Schoolers will know it. For those unfamiliar, it means to speak incessantly and constantly about things of little importance.

Magpies are notoriously social, and they use a variety of trills, cackles and whistles to vocalize, much of which is grating. They are also one of only a few non-mammal species able to recognize itself in a mirror. Seems a pretty apt description of one candidate.

The cuckoos of clockdom have no real power of their own, of course. They are only as handsome and precise as the clockmaker’s skill. Theirs is a proud history, no doubt about it. But their purpose in life requires real, live people to wind the clock and nudge the pendulum. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty apt description of the other candidate.

Ms. Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul,” and Vice Pres. Biden’s full of it. He keeps on singing without any words. I guess he thinks if the going gets any tougher, Pres. Obama or others will eventually spring to his defense. Better late than never I suppose.

It’s sad Biden has been in politics almost five decades and doesn’t have more of his own achievements to point voters toward. He’s trying to ride Obama’s coattails but just when he settles in, Obama keeps giving them a swift jerk. Sure doesn’t make for a smooth ride. 

Poor guy seems to have his hands full fighting the aging process. In no way at all does that give me any joy, for him or anyone suffering from whatever fog Biden is battling. It’s a tragedy. And it’s strange; back when he was mixing with people, he often offered to settle disputes “behind the barn” like we’re still living in the 1950s. I think he must have met Mother Nature and Father Time back there, and they gave him a good spanking. Bless his heart. It could happen to any of us if we live long enough or should suffer an injury, God forbid.

The way Biden’s people handle him reminds me of great musical stars of the past, whose agents (and often their dependent family) keep trotting them out on stage as long as they can stand by a mic and hold an instrument, pushing them well beyond their seasons of creative genius and physical stamina. If that’s not elder abuse, I don’t know what is.

When it comes to voting, traditionally one would simply advise, “Compare their records.” One candidate has just short of a four-year record in office. He has and will continue to screech all aspects of it from the treetops in true magpie fashion. The other has a 47-year record, some parts of which are forgotten or ignored. Due to the sad circumstances already shared here, voters will do better to compare the record of Pres. Trump to the records of Biden’s new vice presidential pick Sen. Kamala Harris, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer. They will be the true leaders if the Democrats can pull it off.

Sen. Harris is a strong liberal, even farther left than folk hero Bernie Sanders. Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal advocacy group that rates politicians on their voting records, has given Harris perfect scores since she’s been in Congress, about three years now.

And while Pelosi and Schumer seem presently powerful, they are both running scared. They’re old* and don’t have nearly the drive and energy of the johnnies-come-lately like AOC and her pals, who in all their naïve stridency, are truly oblivious to how profoundly they have benefitted from this nation’s former conservatism and patriotism.

AOC and associates seem to constantly rail against all things American. In fact, right now they’re busily trying to redefine and rebrand “American.” I wonder if they even like apple pie. However that may be, this crew will soon be in power if their houses of cards don’t fall before Biden, Pelosi and Schumer do.

On another note, if I were the waging type my money would be on having no presidential debates this time around. I’d love to be wrong, especially if Vice Pres. Biden were the man we knew eight or ten years ago. That’d be such an enjoyable popcorn cruncher! But, if he couldn’t muster any more acuity than we’ve seen lately, I’d probably skip. Too sad for my tastes. Being a lover of history and election season, watching the rough and tumble of national debates has always been a real pleasure.

A fabulous clip making the rounds recently shows Biden back in 1988, the first year he tried to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. He’d told a big whopper – a few, in fact. Sam Donaldson and other leading journalists of the day tried to pin him down on it, and it is a hoot to watch!

After Biden lied about graduating at the top of his Syracuse law class and getting three degrees, then plagiarized Robert Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey and British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock, all the talking heads of the late ‘80s pronounced him “done.” How wrong can you be?! If you want a good laugh, search “Sam Donaldson exposes Biden lies” on YouTube. Whether you’re for or against the “wind-up doll” as Biden is described by one pundit on the clips, it is a most entertaining four or five minutes.

Both birds offer up unique advantages and disadvantages to their supporters.

It’s fitting that one is in the crow family. He’s had to eat his share of it for sure. Like all magpies, he can reason abstractly, solve complex problems, use tools and make decisions with a group. Though most might say this one can make decisions with or without a group. A magpie to the core, he tweets nonstop.  

Since taking leave from normal life at the start of the pandemic, the cuckoo has become a brightly painted mystery. Those signing on for the cuckoo conundrum don’t really know for whom they are voting. It may be Kamala Harris, if Pelosi and Schumer let her lead – doubtful. It may be AOC and associates or it may be future opinion leaders yet to be determined. But unlike the lovely Conundrum wine, known for its smooth, lingering finish, those who imbibe in the cuckoo conundrum may end up with a mouthful of colorful sawdust.   

Laurie’s full disclosure:  “I’m a registered Independent. Before a national election, I try my best to examine candidates’ records. My method is to ignore what they say and what they’ve promised, and to try to find the truth of the matter before voting. There are usually a few kernels of it in there somewhere.“

*Yes, I do realize “old” is a politically incorrect, ugly, three-letter word.

It is interesting to note that August this year will have five Saturdays and five Sundays. That only happens once ever 823 years, so says the popular myth making its way through chain mail again this month. According to the tale, the Chinese call it “Bag Full of Money.” On the internet, folks will send you a message saying:  “Send this message to all your friends and within four days the money will surprise you. Based on Chinese Feng Shui, the one who does not transmit this message can lose this great opportunity. I do my part, you never know.”  Thanks to Bussy Mims for sending. The message doesn’t say how the money will surprise a person. Could go either way. My personal Feng Shui has always instructed me to work hard and save for a “Bag Full of Money.”

All Y’All Podcast out of Shreveport returned Aug. 10 with a six-episode series exploring the Louisiana Hayride. The series is produced by Chris Jay and Sara Hebert in partnership with Louisiana Public Broadcasting. It is a live storytelling event exploring the lasting cultural impact of the Hayride. Dr. Tracey Laird was on the Aug. 10 episode, and Mr. Observations will be featured Monday night, Aug. 17.

My interview was about my memories of the Hayride when I was a young college student at Northwestern. Joey Kent will be featured Aug. 24, Kix Brooks on Aug. 31, Alton Warwick on Sept. 7 and A. J. Haynes on Sept. 14.

The release of this podcast series coincides with Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s re-airing of Ken Burns’ critically acclaimed docuseries “Country Music.”

Episodes of the podcast will be released via all popular podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify.  They may also be streamed via the All Y’All website at www.allyallblog.com.

“We set out to have a different kind of conversation about the Hayride and to consider not only what it meant to Shreveport in its heyday, but also how it was a very distinct product of American culture at the time,” Ms. Hebert said. “In the mini-series, we look at the radio show and live performances through the lens of personal narratives in a way that’s contemporary, fun and intimate.”

All Y’all has published more than 70 episodes and hosted 17 live storytelling events since being founded in 2013. Hebert and Jay also produce “Stuffed and Busted,” a podcast, website and email newsletter dedicated to exploring and celebrating the food and drink of North Louisiana. They publish two new articles each month which may be viewed at www.stuffedandbusted.com.

For more information, Sara Hebert may be reached at (318) 272-7949 or Chris Jay at (318) 272-1696.

Speaking of something to do:  we’ve got it. It all happens next Friday night, Aug. 21, in downtown Many at the Social Distance Social. The Turn-Ups and special guests will play live from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.

This growing street event is headquartered by music on the sidewalk in front of the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater]. Plenty of fun, safe activities are planned for the community to enjoy. Everyone should wear their masks, stay social distanced, bring lawn chairs if they wish and come enjoy a good time.

Food and drink can be had from Bayou Crawfish Restaurant (American and Cajun/Creole), local vendors Hard Kor Café (healthy options, loaded teas, etc.) and Brushy Creek BBQ.

Free prize giveaways are planned every half-hour, provided by Nichols, and a Grand Prize Giveaway will be held at 8:30 p.m. The grand prize, a $300 Nichols Gift Card, is being sponsored by Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Pickett. Attendees must be present to win giveaways.

A winners-take-all Cornhole Tournament will take place, and the two-person winning team will take the entire cash pot. To play in the tournament, register beforehand with Adam Lehr at Rigs & Racks Fitness on Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many.

Pink Sisters of Sabine have also planned their first official membership kickoff in conjunction with the Social. All breast cancer patients, breast cancer survivors and anyone interested in helping this non-profit serve local breast cancer patients may join in membership. Their table will be at the corner of Capitol and San Antonio, at 690 San Antonio Ave. Those attending to take part with the Pink Sisters are asked to wear pink.

Antique malls and some boutiques will remain open late on Friday for those who wish to stroll San Antonio Ave.

As before, free washable, cloth face masks and individual hand sanitizers will be provided by Laurie Gentry Designs. Her table will be directly across the street from the theater. Attorney Verity Gentry will have free bottled water available for all outside her office door, in the same location.

In addition to the Gentrys, other core sponsors for the Social Distance Social series are Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman, Vanguard Behavioral Health Consultants, John and Betsy Godfrey and Wagley Industries.

For more information, call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873. To register for cornhole, contact Adam Lehr at RRF or (318) 508-1514.

That’ll do it for this Friday lagniappe edition of Observations. Thank you for reading, as always. Call or write me with your ideas for future columns. I love to hear from you. Call (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To save, send or print today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. To read Observations of the last few years, follow the pages below. To see older ones, please visit our Facebook page.

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