Friday, September 18, 2020

Chris Tidwell has taken the reins as Sabine Parish Tax Assessor, following his election last fall. Outgoing Assessor Cindy Manasco decided to retire early on June 30 and Chris took over July 1. Ms. Manasco stayed on until July 3 because Chris was in Baton Rouge taking classes that week.

Chris was born in Sabine and has lived here his entire life. His mother was Aloyesse Dew Tidwell who worked for the telephone company and retired after about 44 ½ years. His father was B. J. Tidwell Jr. who was a contractor and owned Many Lumber Co. for many years until his death in December 1982.

He was only 15 when his father died, but Chris stepped up and started taking on responsibilities at the family-run business. “I learned everything from sweeping the floor and how to drive the trucks, to stocking the shelves and ordering products,” he stated.

Chris was graduated from Many High School in 1985 and continued his education at Northwestern State University where he secured a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Marketing Management in 1989. Following graduation, he began managing Many Lumber, with the watchful eye of his mother and the late Floyd Edmonson, who was a fixture at Many Lumber for many years. In 2014, the Tidwells sold Many Lumber.

“I had always worked with the public and loved doing so,” Chris explained. “After the sale of the family business, I began helping Ritter & Sons lay floors and in January 2016, I began working for Chico and Carolyn Benoit running their Many location of Diamond Electric.”

He continued, “As the election of 2019 was drawing near, I was told that Ms. Manasco would not seek re-election. After much prayer and consideration, I decided to run for office. I have never been a politician and do not ever plan to be one. My goal is to be a public servant to the best of my ability, to help every individual I can and to be able to give an explanation to any problems or questions.”

Chris stated he was very humbled at winning the election. He started 2020 as a new employee of the Assessor’s Office, thanks to Ms. Manasco. He started learning the daily duties of the office and began taking classes to become certified.

He is the father to three wonderful kids – Tristen, Haylee and Hayden. Tristen and Hayden currently attend SLCC in Lafayette and Jaylee attends LSU-A in Alexandria.  He is very happily married to Laura Davis Tidwell and she is the mother of four children – Jacob, Kimberly, Kaitlin and Emma. Together they are blessed with one precious grandson, Benjamin.

“I have a great staff and they had my back during the transition period,” Chris said.  In closing, he stated, “I would like to say thanks to the people of Sabine for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as your assessor.”

I said awhile back that it wouldn’t be long before we would have a precious dog running for President. And we now have one and by golly, it is from Sabine Parish. It is none other than Teddy Bear Brocato, who is running as an Independent.

In a statement prepared by long-time political and public relations guru Mary Beth Brocato, Teddy Bear stated, “I am not an old man like the Democratic and Republican candidates. I bring youth, energy and a fresh approach. I would bring equal rights to all animals and I would impose a life sentence for cruelty to animals.”

Continuing, “I would also ban kill shelters for animals. I’m for affordable health care for animals and humans. I‘m also for free education for everyone. I hope you will vote for me because the two human candidates both suck!”

Teddy Bear Brocato’s motto is:  “It’s past time for Louisiana to have a dog in the race.” Just wondering aloud if maybe Teddy was named after our own Teddy Dumas.

Northwestern State University has reported a record enrollment this fall of 11,447, an increase of 547 students, or 5 percent, over last year’s total of 10,900.

Dr. Chris Maggio, who has served as president of Northwestern since 2017 during a period when the university reached the four highest enrollments in its 136-year history, said the current record registration “is remarkable and especially gratifying in the midst of the global pandemic.”

Maggio said this year’s enrollment increase “reflects both the extraordinary effectiveness of the faculty and staff in continuing to provide quality instruction and services during the health crisis and the resilience and perseverance of our students in overcoming monumental challenges.”

Northwestern’s all-time high student registration goes against numerous projections of substantial enrollment losses at colleges and universities nationwide. Higher education research and marketing firm Simpson Scarborough has predicted enrollment losses of up to 20 percent because of coronavirus-related issues.

Fitch Ratings, one of the nation’s three major statistical rating organizations along with Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, projected enrollment declines of 5 percent to 20 percent.

Among the highlights of NSU’s record enrollment were increases in the number of graduate students and freshmen retention. Graduate School registration this fall is 1,150, an increase of 83 students or 7.8 percent over last year. The retention rate for full-time first-year students increased from 70 percent to 74 percent. For the fourth consecutive year, entering freshmen enrollment has been over 1,500 students.

“I want to thank Director of Enrollment Services Jana Lucky and the enrollment management team for their work over the past several months,” said Maggio. “They did an excellent job of maintaining contact with prospective students despite the lack of in person visits and on campus recruiting events and showed them why Northwestern was the right choice for them.”

Northwestern transitioned quickly and smoothly to offering all classes online last March as the pandemic grew and conducted virtual commencement programs for students who completed academic requirements for graduation under that new format.

Beginning this fall, the university is providing in-person instruction, online classes and hybrid classes offering both in-person and virtual learning. Extensive procedures and protocols have also been established to help protect the health and safety of NSU students, faculty and staff and the community.

Maggio said, “These exceptional efforts to provide opportunities for students to continue progressing toward degrees in various modes of learning and in a safe and healthy environment have certainly been a major factor in the record enrollment this fall.”

The NSU president also noted that the university has worked diligently to assist students who have faced financial difficulties because of job losses, business closures and other economic issues that have negatively affected them and their families during the pandemic.

He stated, “Our Office of Financial Aid has provided assistance to numerous students to help them find ways to continue their education in these difficult times. Also, alumni and friends of the university have generously contributed to a COVID-19 relief fund at the NSU Foundation that has helped a number of our students. This financial support made the difference in many students being able to continue their education at the university.

Academic programs showing strong year-over-year growth included radiologic sciences, biology, veterinary technology, business administration, criminal justice, child development and family relations, elementary education, nursing, RN to BSN, psychology and social work.

Remembering Mrs. Leona Golden Peacock

Mrs. Leona Golden Peacock lived on the dirt road that ran between Pleasant Hill and Bethany. Her home was where the Scrouge-Out Road intersects with Thyra Johnson Road.

Each year on her birthday – June 25, for many years, Mrs. Peacock would dress up in her finest, put on one of her 24 hats and come to the Sabine Index office. She was small, less than five feet tall, and she weighed less than 100 lbs. She always wanted her picture taken and placed in the Index for her birthday, and we always did.

She was known around Pleasant Hill as “The Hat Lady.” And she enjoyed the name. She said little children would follow her down the street, point at her and yell, “There’s the Hat Lady.”

In the latter years of her life, Mrs. Peacock became a minister and built a little church of her own on the corner of her property near her residence. The little building was about 12 ft. wide and 25 ft. long. I don’t know if she ever held the first service, but just to do so was a dream she held. That was sometime in the early 1970s.

Today, the little chapel is still standing, although suffering from many years of deterioration. She is gone, but er little chapel remains as evidence of the dream she had, which lives on.

Mrs. Peacock was born June 25, 1888 in Texarkana. She died March 9, 1980 at the age of 91. She was laid to rest in Spring Ridge Cemetery.

MOVIES IN MANY FINALLY RETURNS

Movies in Many is finally returning to the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater]. “Little Women,” the updated 2019 version, will show on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.  As in the past, the movie is completely free.

The movie features four young women and is a coming-of-age story. The four sisters’ coming-of-age takes place amid the opportunities of their time, place, class and gender.

Jo sells her book to a publisher who tells her that women in fiction must wind up either married or dead. Meg, the prettiest of the four, falls for a tutor which means that her wedding vow is also a vow of poverty. 

The more practical minded Amy, counseled by Aunt March, grasps the economic implications of marriage. Jo might prefer not to marry at all. The question of freedom, in particular of a woman’s independence in a society that is bound by tradition, is threaded through almost every scene in the movie.

 “I’ve been angry every day of my life,” Mrs. March says matter-of-factly and while “Little Women” is full of silliness and sorrow, sweetness and warmth, it doesn’t minimize or apologize for that anger. Nor does it mock or marginalize the March family’s commitment to social justice, civic responsibility and artistic excellence.

“Little Women” is the kind of movie that is sincere, full of intelligence, self-awareness and grounded in the particulars of life – even in this century.  

 “We are excited to resume free Movies in Many once again at the Many Community Center,” said Many Cultural District Advisory Committee chairperson Mary Brocato. “We’ve selected movies that are timeless, fun, and suitable for the entire family. We plan to show two free movies every month.”

Masks will be required to enter the theater, and social distancing will also be practiced.

The movies are always free, and concessions are available in the lobby. 

The other day we had a visit from the cutest little girl you ever saw. Her name is Kylie Dauzat and she came in with her grandmother, Carolyn Dunbar. She is 10 years old and is a student at Many.

She came to see me because she had found some rocks near the Toledo Bend Dam that had something very shiny in them and she had great hopes it might be gold. She told me she was playing at the dam and looking for pretty rocks with her Grandmother and her two bothers.

She told her story:  “When I found this pretty sparkly rock, I said, ‘Look Grandma. Look what I found.’ Grandma told me to throw it, and I said, ‘No Grandma, look at it.’ She said, ‘Oh well, keep that one.’ I asked her if it was real gold. My brothers were laughing at me and said, ‘It’s not real gold.’”

It was at this point they came to see if I could tell them what it was. The rock she brought was black with a lot of gold colored items in it. I checked the rock with a magnet and it was not attracted to the material. A magnet will not pick up real gold.

Kylie continued her story, “I was so excited as I sat down in Mr. Gentry’s office I was sweating. I didn’t know what to say.” I could not tell Kylie that day if it was gold or not, but told her I would send it to the Geology Department at LSU in Baton Rouge for her. I had earlier made contact with Andrew K. Webb there and sent him some pictures.

Continuing her story, Kylie said, “All I could do was dream about what I could do if it was real gold. All I could think of was to buy two horses for me and my Grandma because we always wanted horses, and to get my Grandma and Poppaw Rick a house out in the country, and my brothers a four-wheeler, and my Poppaw would never have to work again.”

Unfortunately, as it turned out, the sample was iron pyrite or “fools gold.” Kylie stated, “I was real sad and disappointed when I found out it was not the real thing. But that’s alright. God has better things for me and my Grandma Carolyn and Poppaw Rick and brothers. I remember that day when I found the rock. I was so excited and said, ‘Thank you Jesus.’ But that’s okay. God is always with us, as Grandma says.”

Social Distance Social set for Friday, Sept. 25

The Social Distance Social in downtown Many is on for next Friday and it sounds bigger and better than ever. All are invited to mask up, social distance and make plans to be on San Antonio Ave. by 6 p.m. for a great time.

The Sabine Humane Society is the local organization for the featured fundraiser at this Friday’s Social. They will have all kinds of pet supplies and treats for sale and will also receive proceeds from the event’s Grand Prize giveaway – a stay for two in a gorgeous resort suite with complimentary dinner and breakfast, provided by Cypress Bend Resort.

Other prize giveaways include two stunning Fall home décor pieces created by Robbie Edwards at Southern Ladeez.

The Humane Society runs the local animal shelter in Many, and they are committed to “uniting pets with people for a lifetime of happiness.” They offer adoption services, spay and neuter help, and they all work hard to end animal suffering and find loving homes for unwanted pets.

The Social will feature The Turn-Ups and their musical guests playing in front of the Sabine Theater [Many Community Center]. The free music will be on tap from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. or slightly after.

Bayou Crawfish will be open as always, and food and drink on the street will be handled by Hard Kor Café.

Adam Lehr has announced the Sept. 25 Social will be the last Cornhole Tournament of the season, so interested two-person teams should register immediately with Adam at Rigs & Racks Fitness on Hwy. 171 Bypass or by calling (318) 508-1514. The winning team takes a cash pot.

Studio B Dance will perform on the street Friday evening before the music starts, and Sabine Prevention Alliance will have an education table with information about the hazards of underage drinking as well as the promotion of voter registration.

As always, Attorney Verity Gentry will have free bottled water across the street from the theater, and Laurie Gentry Designs will provide free cloth, washable masks and hand sanitizers.

Other sponsors of the monthly Social Distance Socials are Vanguard Behavioral Health, John and Betsy Godfrey, Wagley Industries and Mayor and Mrs. Ken Freeman.

It all happens this Friday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Many. You don’t want to miss it!

That is all for this lagniappe edition of Observations. I welcome your thoughts and ideas for future columns, so call me at (318) 256-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To save, send or print today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. To see Observations of the past few years, scroll through the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page. As always, thank you for faithfully reading.

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