Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Many High School Coach Jess Curtis has done so much to bring positive news across the state about Sabine Parish and our school system. Take the Louisiana Geaux Preps web site for high school football. The site lists the Top Ten active coaches in Louisiana football and Jess ranks No. 8. Over the past decade, the Tigers have had the tenth most wins in the football program in the state.
Jess has been at Many High for 10 years, has a record of 105-30, has won one state championship and was state runner-up in two and ranks 17 in all-state selections.
They wrote of him: “Jess Curtis quickly gave the Many Tiger football team a unique identity when he became head coach over a decade ago. His well-coached squad is not mistaken for a program to overlook, but instead to fear as you enter into battle in his time with the Tigers. Curtis has wrapped up 105 victories along with a state championship in 2014. He had led the program to final appearances two other times as well all while also grouping 17 all-state selections. Curtis has made Many into one of the winningest programs in the last decade and does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.”
Jess demands the very best out of his players. He is concerned not only with helping them be outstanding football players, but also to get an education. He sees that players are disciplined, that they follow rules and are respectful and others, that they are taught honesty and integrity and many other things to live a good life and be productive citizens.
And Jess has brought so much good publicity to Many High School and Sabine Parish. Many times he has appeared on area television stations, in newspapers, in magazines and on the internet sharing the good news.
And it was wonderful that he had a group photo of the mighty Tigers taken for this season, even though they may not get to play. Someday many of them will look back at the pictures and remark, “That was the year that was!” Keep up the good work, Jess.
There are still a few openings in the Concealed Carry Class that will be taught in Many this 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 Carry 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 over 20 years. He is also a 28-year law enforcement veteran and an avid hunter and firearms enthusiast since his youth.
To register, a person must be 21 or older and a resident of Louisiana. For cost, location and remaining details, call Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873.
Write it down now. The legendary Country Music Great Bill Anderson will be on Tedd Dumas’ extremely popular Open Line radio program on Monday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 a.m.
Anderson recently celebrated his 59th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He has a new CD out, which he will talk about, and he will also discuss how the Coronavirus has changed his life. He is one of Nashville’s most prolific and most awarded songwriters and will probably tell a few stories of days gone by.
Be sure to listen. It will be a good program.
Many Professional Pharmacy closed its doors recently. It was owned by Edmond Ducote who also runs Mansfield Drug Co. He purchased the Many store a couple of years ago from Robby Lang, who moved to Walgreen’s Pharmacy. In the meantime, Curtis Family Pharmacy opened and took a big chunk of the business. They continue to provide super service and reel in new customers.
Our hearts were warmed when we heard the following account from Ms. Gail Thomas, our longtime friend and neighborhood pal.
“Last Thursday morning [Aug. 13], I had two unique experiences…
“My son and his family from Texarkana, TX were visiting me on their way to take their oldest daughter to Baton Rouge where she will be a freshman at LSU. I decided about 7:45 a.m. to drive to the local donut shop to get fresh donuts for them for breakfast. When I started my car, I got a warning message saying my left front tire was low on air, followed by a yellow exclamation point. As a widow, I have never aired up a tire before, and was a little alarmed.
“I drove on to the donut shop, however, and after making my purchase as I drove to the filling station beside McDonalds, I saw a man putting air in his truck tires. I pulled in behind him and explained my dilemma. He immediately offered to help me. He filled my tire to the proper degree and when I asked if there was a charge for the air, he laughed and said he had done it on his dime. I offered him a donut, but he declined that, too, and got into his truck and drove away.
“From the filling station, I next went to the old Brookshire’s grocery to pick up two items I needed. When I was in the checkout lane, there was a man in a bright yellow shirt and ball cap ahead of me. I saw him talking to the clerk and looking in my direction. He was buying two breakfast meals. When I got to the cashier, she told me that he had paid for MY two items while paying for his own meals. I told her if she saw him again before I did, to tell him he had made my day!
“How nice it is to know that in these troubled times, the spirit of kindness and generosity exists right here in our little town.”
We agree, Gail, and we thank you for sharing.
Ms. Thomas does not know the identity of either of these individuals, but would like very much for them to be recognized by name if someone knows the two men who performed these random acts of kindness.
Picture from the Past
Young and in love: two of our favorites are pictured here from days gone by, Fuzzy and Shirley Hennigan of Marthaville. They celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary last Friday, Aug. 14. And we wish them many, many more years of love and happiness.
Another big God and Country Toledo Bend Trump Board Parade is planned for Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5.
Interested folks are asked to meet at Pendleton Bridge at 11:30 a.m. and the group will leave at noon. More details will be released soon.
The organizers stated, “We hope this gives everyone time to get their plans together and their Trump gear ready. Hope to see flags flying and any Trump decorations, attire and all red, white and blue out on Toledo Bend. Be creative and let’s have a fun and safe time. We want to all go at the same speed and let other enjoy the parade and not speed through.”
Photograph by Dennis Thibodeaux Photography.
Much needed improvements continue at the Sabine Detention Center, according to Chief Deputy Brad Walker. “We are adding new cameras as many of them are fuzzy and dated,” he explained. Camera technology has advanced greatly since the jail was first constructed.
“We are going to add fencing and make fencing higher,” Walker shared.
The jail had been plagued with many problems under the last few months of the administration of Sheriff Ronny Richardson.
Walker said the control panel for the control board, which operates the intercom system for the facility’s doors, has not been in working order for two years.
Since Sheriff Aaron Mitchell took over July 1, four persons have been arrested for bringing contraband into the prison, the latest being Garrett Austin Phillips, white male, 27. Walker explained that contraband could be phones, batteries, drugs, marijuana, tobacco and any other prohibited items. He said all prisoners who now leave the jail on work details or for any other reasons, are searched when they come back.
In addition, deputies have found three packages of drugs that have been thrown in the fenced yard surrounding the jail. On Monday, deputies found a Dollar General shopping bag hanging on a fence. In the bag were three new phones, chargers, mojo (synthetic marijuana) and tobacco. In addition, pictures are now being taken of all people who enter the area of the detention center, and access to the area will be limited.
“We are doing our best to put a stop to it,” Walker concluded. Hats doffed to the Sheriff Mitchell team and their efforts.
Don’t forget! This Friday, Aug. 21, is the next Social Distance Social in downtown Many and there’ll be lots of fun stuff for folks to do. Wear your mask, social distance and plan to enjoy a great time! It all starts at 6:30 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of the Sabine Theater.
?? Live Music by The Turn-Ups & Special Guests outside Sabine Theater
?? Food & Drink from Bayou Crawfish & local vendors Hard Kor Cafe and Brushy Creek BBQ
? Free Prize Giveaways donated by Nichols
?Grand Prize Giveaway: $300 Nichols Gift Card provided by Judge Elizabeth Pickett
? ? Cornhole Tournament – winning team takes the cash prize pot!
? Pink Sisters of Sabine local breast cancer support group official membership kickoff
?? Stroll San Antonio to visit Antique Malls and boutiques that will be open late
?? Free Masks, Hand sanitizers and Bottled Water across the street from Sabine Theater
To enter the cornhole tournament, contact Adam Lehr at RRF CrossFit on Hwy. 171 Bypass in Many.
The event series is sponsored by Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman, Attorney Verity Gentry, John and Betsy Godfrey, Vanguard Behavioral Health Consultants, Wagley Industries and Laurie Gentry Designs.
That is all for this 19th day of August. Thank you for faithfully reading. To print, save or send this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. To share your ideas for future articles, call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. I love to hear from you. To see Observations of recent years, follow the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page. See you this Friday.
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