Friday, September 25, 2020

True to his word, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell has replaced the old camera system, which was not in very good order, at the Sabine Parish Detention Center. The old camera system was installed when the jail was built in 1993 and was apparently never updated.

Chief Deputy Brad Walker said 31 new cameras have been added, which now give full coverage of the exterior around the Detention Center. He said additional cameras will be added inside the facility as funds become available. In addition, he said they are in the process of receiving bids for new fencing and replacing the Detention Center control board.

Hats doffed to Sheriff Mitchell for his continued work to gain control of the Detention Center. There were a lot of problems there under the previous administration, but the new Sheriff we believe will get it under control.

Wednesday in Observations we carried a story about the Natchitoches Parish President John Richmond approving the transfer of Jody Cantrell, a motor grader operator in the Marthaville area who does an outstanding job, to Kisatchie. And the grader operator from Kisatchie, who we understand does not do a good job, was transferred to the Marthaville area. Just does not make sense.

It has been reported to Observations that Johnny Salard, Road Maintenance Supervisor, was the one who made the decision to swap up the grader operators.

Now, John Salter represents District 5 on the Council. This District covers both the Marthaville and Kisatchie areas. After Observations was posted last Wednesday, Mr. Salter called to say he was not at all happy about the decision to switch the grader operators. He said it was first told that he was in favor of the move. He very strongly stated that he did not know about the move in advance and is strongly opposed to it.

We have asked Mr.  Richmond for information on this matter, but thus far have not heard from him. If you live around Marthaville and are concerned, you may express your dissatisfaction to Mr. Richmond at (318) 352-2714 or send an email to info@npgov.org.

The Sabine Parish Police Jury has several job openings, according to Bobby Hughes, Road Superintendent. The work includes patching pot holes, mowing, installing 911 signs and other such projects. There will be no operation of equipment and applicants will have to pass a drug test.

Four people will be hired and the jobs pay $10 per hour. The jobs are temporary.  Work hours are 6 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., five days a week.

Interested persons may apply at the Road Office which is located on Hwy. 171 just north of Many and across from Walmart.

It is always good to hear from our friend and Many native Bob Riser of El Dorado, AR. He sent us the Fall issue of El Dorado Insider magazine.  They put out a slick,  first-class magazine. This one celebrated the El Dorado Food Festival and had a lot of good recipes in it.

Bob works for the Southern Bancorp which had a full-page ad inside the front cover.  That guy third from left is Bob. 

There’s a new owner of The Original Zwolle Tamales at E.B. Tamale Company. John Psalmonds of Shreveport has acquired the “Zwolle tamale factory” at 1017 N Main Street in Zwolle, La.

The Town of Zwolle has long been known for its rich history and culture. A blend of Native American, Spanish and French settlers influenced many family recipes still seen and tasted today. It was one of these old family recipes that gave birth to The Original Zwolle Tamales.

Founded in 1981 by the late E.B. Malmay and his son, the late Larry Malmay, Zwolle Tamale Inc. created a signature taste that set itself apart from the Mexican tamale and boiled tamale of the Mississippi Delta. Reincorporated in 1987 as E.B.’s Tamale Company Inc., it continued to produce authentic tamales made out of ground corn, premium pork and a variety of spices hand-wrapped in a corn shuck.

With the passing of E.B. Malmay in 2000, his daughter, Mary “Ginger” Box and her husband, Bernie Box, took over the company in the original building on Main Street in Zwolle. Ready now to enjoy their retirement, they had been in search of a new buyer that would continue their family legacy and tradition.

Their search ended when they met John Psalmonds. “His vision for the factory aligns with what we fostered here for so many years, and we are excited to see the legacy continue,” stated former owner Ginger Box.

Psalmonds took ownership on September 1 and is no stranger to the food industry. He has also owned Rotolo’s Pizzeria in Shreveport for the past 8 years. He is a Louisiana Tech alumnus and served as a paratrooper in the Unites States Army. He and his wife, Jennifer, and two teenage sons are eager to continue the tamale making tradition which is so special to the Zwolle community. Having always been a fan of Zwolle hot tamales, he is interested in the potential of the factory.

“Loyal customers should be at ease,” Psalmonds said, “Because the recipe people have come to know and love will remain the same.”

Having maintained USDA certification for 33 years, the facility adheres to the utmost standards of cleanliness and food safety. This standard has allowed their distribution to reach grocery stores throughout Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and many foodservice establishments. Since taking over ownership, demand and production for the delicious tamales have tripled, and he has added eight employees.

E.B. Tamale Company is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cooked fresh daily, the tamales come in mild or hot, fresh or frozen, for $7 per dozen. You can also place an order by phone at (318) 645-9086, or on their website, www.TheOriginalZwolleTamales.com to have tamales arrive at your doorstep. All interested persons are invited to follow The Original Zwolle Tamales on Facebook.

A special thank you to Wanda Rivers at the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission for the above article.

Tonight’s the big Social Distance Social downtown and the weather should be perfect for it – not too hot, not too chilly. It all starts a little before 6:30 p.m. in front of Sabine Theater downtown. There will be lots of great music by the Turn-Ups, delicious food and fun activities. The Sabine Humane Society will be on hand to sell raffle tickets for tonight’s Grand Prize Giveaway – a resort suite stay for two with dinner and breakfast at Cypress Bend Resort, so don’t miss it!

Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26, is the big Prayer March in DC. You’re invited to participate from your home or church and simply join in prayer for our great country from noon until 2 p.m. God knows we need it.

Tomorrow evening Movies in Many holds its grand reopening with a free showing of “Little Women” (2019) at Many Community Center [Sabine Theater.] Wear your mask, plan to social distance and come on out and have a good time. We are so fortunate to have plenty of free, family activities put together by the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee and the Town of Many. Make plans to attend.

That is all for this Friday lagniappe edition. Thank you for reading. Please call or write with your ideas and suggestions for future articles. I love to hear from you. Call (318) 332-8653 or email robertrgentry@gmail.com. Thanks. To see more recent Observations, scroll through the pages below. To see older ones, visit our Facebook page. To print, send or save today’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

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