In preparation for Sunshine Festival that will be held on Aprils 16th in Jonesboro, the windows of the businesses on Main Street that still had Christmas designs were cleaned by civic minded volunteers.

Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce Director, Wilda Smith, who organized the event, offers big thanks to:
John and Julie – Klassy Kleen Car Wash
Tyler and Ali – Jonesboro Glass and Mirror
Sandra Plunkett – Jackson Parish School Board
Dean Rushing – Shady Acres RV park
Johnny Horton – JPCC board member

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Members of the Jackson Parish 4-H Chapter archery and shotgun shooting team ventured to Grand Cane, LA to participate in the Northern Regional Shooting Sports Event this past Friday. 

Archery Team Representatives

Nathan Shell, Shane Rowe, Lori Shell (instructor), Zack Robinson, Corey Rowe (instructor), Rae Lynn Shell, Bryan Lay, Easton Hall, Tyler Lay and Gavin Shows. 

Individual Results:

Luke Rowe: juniors 9-11 open compound -2nd place modified FITA, 2nd place 3D
Eli Rowe: juniors 9-11 open compound – 3rd place modified FITA, 3rd place 3D
Tucker Goss: juniors 9-11 open compound – 6th place 3D
Beaux Oliver: Juniors 12-13 open compound – 6th place 3D
Roman Strickland: junior genesis – 8th place 3D
Camden Flynn: senior Recurve Sighted – 1st place Modified FITA, 1st place 3D
Garrett Dietrich: senior compound open – 9th place 3D
Easton Hall: nationals Compound – 2nd place Modified FITA, 5th place Field, 5th place 3D, 3rd place Overall. 1st place team
Zachary Robinson: Nationals Compound – 5th place Modified FITA, 4th place Field, 2nd place 3D, 4th place Overall. 1st place team
Nathan Shell: Nationals Compound – 3rd place Field, 6th place Overall. 1st place team
Tyler Lay: Nationals Compound – 8th place Overall. 1st place team
Shane Rowe: Nationals Compound -3rd place team

All of the above qualified for state!

Also competing: Raelynn Shell, Bryan Lay, Gavin Shows: Nationals Compound -3rd place team

Shotgun Shooting Representatives

RaeLynn Shell, Luke Dietrich, Skylar Strickland, Bryan McMillan, Jacob Smith, Tyler Lay, Sebastian Guin, John Hasley, Shane Rowe, Kace West, Bryan Lay, Brody Toms, Eliza Guin, Barrett Howard, Landon McDonald, Avery Dark, Hayden Seymore, Jace Warren, Josh Dietrich, Jaxon Harvey, Joseph Rachel, Eli Rowe, Luke Rowe, Spencer Strickland, Joshua Beinder and Jake Vail. Not Shown is Dominic Strickland.

Individual results: 

Smallbore CMP Jrs: Jana Potts – qualified for state
Smallbore CMP Srs: Shane Rowe – qualified for state
Smallbore CMP Sr Team placed 3rd: Shane Rowe, Bryan Lay, Tyler Lay and Skyler Strickland
Smallbore Rifle Silhouettes: Jake Potts qualified for state
Shotgun Modified Trap Jrs going to State: Kace West, Eli Rowe, Hayden Seymore, Luke Rowe and Brody Toms.
Shotgun Modified Trap Srs going to State: John Hasley (placed 5th overall), Barrett Howard, Landon McDonald, Sebastian Guin, and Skyler Strickland. These 5 shooters also placed 2nd in Sr. Team.

Four qualify for state in Pistol competition

At the recently held regional Air Pistol shooting competition, Remington, Gregory, Rainey Gregory and Lane Diffey all qualified for state with Remington Gregory placing first in the 2 handed standing and Advanced Sitting divisions. Jake Potts also qualified for state in the .22 Pistol division.

Deadline to register for Marsh Maneuvers is March 23rd

The deadline to register for Marsh Maneuvers is Wednesday, March 23rd. The annual event is an immersive education program focused on increasing the knowledge, skills, and motivations of grades 9-12 youth toward coastal ecology and biology. This program takes place over four weeks during the summer, with a new group of 4-H students participating in each four-day session. Since 1989, over 1700 students have participated in the program.

Marsh Maneuvers is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter in cooperation with the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and McIlhenny Co.

To register click here or contact the local LSU Ag Center, located at 182 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro by calling (318) 259-5690.

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Thirteen members of the Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduating class of 1960 enjoyed their friendship and fish from the Catfish Inn in Jonesboro this past Thursday. Getting back together to reminisce about their high school days and make plans for a summer reunion were Gary Jones, Jerry Robinson, Keith Colvin, Ronnie Marrus, Willie Crow Rasbury, Wilda Shows Smith, Margaret Crozier, Brenda Conville Chamberlain, Barbara Pitre Johnson. Seated: Ted Rhymes, Sybil Cox McDonald, Peggy Dark Lambert and Suzanne Terry Walpole.

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t is almost getting to be as normal as the sun coming up in the morning. Another week. Another offer for Jonesboro-Hodge High linebacker, Xavier Atkins, to play football at a university. This week it was Louisiana Tech University that has asked the services of the state tackle leading, junior-to-be when he attended Junior Day. Atkins has also received an invite to visit TCU, Oklahoma State and the University of Arkansas. Jonesboro-Hodge had another prospect attend the LA Tech junior day in versatile WR / DB Chase Leonard.  

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(Reprint from Shreveport Bossier Journal)

It hadn’t even been a full week since Sam Burns was feeling a bit lost on the golf course. His game wasn’t that far off, but after leading the richest event in PGA Tour history — The Players – after 36 holes, the subsequent 26th place finish, including a final-round 76, got the former Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport) and LSU star on the phone in a hurry.

“I called (longtime swing coach Brad Pullin) on Monday and I was like, ‘Man, I’m struggling, I’m not really sure.’ And he was like, ‘I can be there tomorrow,’” Burns said.

Pullin, who is a native of Jackson Parish and the son of Ross and now deceased Ginger Pullin, is based just east of Ruston at Choudrant’s Squire Creek Country Club (where Burns now lives), hopped in his car and headed toward his star pupil.

“He drove 12 hours on Tuesday or Monday … I don’t even know, and we just got to work,” Burns said. “He is passionate about what he does and he would do anything for me.”

Sunday, Burns used a final-round rally to successfully defend the Valspar Championship – site of his first PGA Tour victory – in Palm Harbor, Florida. Burns, 25, has now won three times in less than 11 months and vaulted to No. 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking. He’s the first Shreveporter in 16 years to have a place in the Top 10 (David Toms, June of 2006).

“I just try to put in hard work, just try to improve my game every year, every week, look at stats and see what areas I can get better at and then my team and I try to attack those areas,” Burns said. “And that’s all I can control and so I mean, it’s nice to see that those things are paying off. It gives us motivation that we’re working on the right things.”

Burns has quickly become a nice fit among the prior generation of local stars. He’s on pace with Hal Sutton, who won 14 times, including a PGA Championship.

Like Burns, Sutton won for the first time at 24 years old. His third victory – the PGA Championship – also came at 25 years old, His fourth came at age 27. The Centenary product’s longest reign in the Top 10 was 54 weeks (2000-01) and he peaked at No. 4 (2000).

Toms amassed 13 PGA Tour wins (he also won a PGA Championship), but didn’t find the winner’s circle for the first time until he was 30 years old. However, Toms once spent 131 straight weeks in the Top 10 (2001-04) and peaked at No. 5 in 2002.

Burns has a long way to go to catch his mentors, but the expectations for that and more are warranted. He has established himself as a guy who could win on any given week – no one has won more on the PGA Tour in the past 11 months.

Burns has five top-10 finishes (tied for most on the PGA Tour) in 11 events this season. He’s second in the FedExCup and a lock to play on this year’s United States President’s Cup team.

Even though the flood gates have opened for Burns on the PGA Tour, he’s well aware of how precious success can be.

“You just don’t win a lot out here. I mean the percentages are just not in your favor,” he said. “A lot of times somebody else just beats you, somebody else plays better or somebody else gets a break here or there that you didn’t. And that’s just kind of part of the game.

“You don’t want to be frustrated after you finish third or fourth or second or whatever it is, because you did something really well that week and you have to kind of hang your hat on a lot of the good things you did, because once you start going down that path of the negative stuff, it can be tricky.”

Or, you know when to make a call for help.

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Samuel Wilson was born in 1766 in Arlington, Massachusetts, then one of the North American colonies of the British Empire. Tension between the mother country and the American colonies was a topic of discussion in the Wilson home even before Samuel was born. In 1765, the year before Samuel Wilson was born, the Parliament of Great Britain imposed a direct tax on the American colonies. The Stamp Act required almost all printed materials including legal documents, newspapers, magazines, and even playing cards, to have an embossed revenue stamp. Printed materials not containing the revenue stamp were contraband and deemed illegal. More taxes and other forms of control followed including the Townshend acts, the Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, and the Quebec Act. The situation had reached a boiling point, and in February of 1775, nine-year-old Samuel’s home state was declared to be in a state of rebellion. Two months later, large-scale fighting erupted at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Samuel wanted to do his part, but he was too young. The fighting continued for six long years when, in March of 1781, fourteen-year-old Samuel joined the Continental Army. As a young soldier, most of Samuel’s responsibilities were focused on the Army’s cattle, their main supply of fresh meat. He mended fences, made sure the cattle were healthy and properly fed, and slaughtered and packed the meat for transportation. One of his most important duties was to guard the cattle against enemy saboteurs. It was common for enemies to steal or poison an enemy’s cattle as well as their supply of meat.

The War for Independence ended in October of 1781 when Cornwallis surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown. Following the war, Samuel and his brother moved to Troy, New York where they operated several successful businesses. In 1793, drawing on his experience in meat packing, Samuel and his brother, Ebenezer, opened what became a profitable meat packing business under the name of E & S Wilson on the Hudson River. Company profits increased when Samuel and his brother built a loading dock for ships on the river.

In June of 1812, America clashed with the British again in what is called the War of 1812. The United States Army was again in need of fresh meats. Samuel’s company received a one-year contract to supply 2,000 barrels of pork and 3,000 barrels of beef to the Army. When the contract expired, the Army appointed Samuel as meat inspector to ensure the meats were fresh and properly packed. He stamped each barrel of meat with a company insignia and the letters “U.S.” for United States.

Soldiers in New York, many of whom were from the Troy area, recognized the company’s insignia and knew the meat had been inspected by Samuel. Local soldiers proudly nicknamed the U.S.-stamped barrels of meat after Samuel. Word quickly spread throughout the ranks and the nickname evolved to include anything which displayed the U.S. stamp. Samuel Wilson, a man who ensured that American soldiers received fresh, safe meat during two wars, was the origin of the image of a man which represents the United States itself.

Because Samuel stamped each barrel of meat with “U.S.”, and because of the nickname the soldiers called him, on September 15, 1961, the United States Congress adopted the following resolution: “Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes [Samuel] Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America’s National symbol of Uncle Sam.”

 

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While retirement planning isn’t just about saving. It isn’t just about tax planning. Social Security effects almost everyone.

Statistics show approximately 90% of those currently receiving Social Security did not maximize their benefits. Current regulations allow for close to 300 options for a married couple to draw these benefits. What is the right answer for you? Begin drawing early? Wait, but to what point to gain the most dollars? Can you still work and receive Social Security? Some of the answers to these common consumer questions may surprise you.

If you are a Louisiana state employee or a public educator, you and your spouse both maybe adversely effected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO)? Both WEP and GPO reduce the Social Security benefits you actually receive each month. What you don’t know really can hurt you.

An informed decision is always a better decision. Call for your own complementary Social Security retirement benefit analysis and personal consultation to select the best option for you and your family!

Contact Reinette Today!

rfoster@reinettefoster.com
318-481-6539
www.ReinetteFoster.com

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Caney Lake hosted a Louisiana Youth Bass Nation (LYBN) Two Person Team Tournament this past Saturday with high school students from all over the state of Louisiana participating. It was teams from South Louisiana that took top honors in the junior and senior high divisions as well as dominating the qualifying for the state championship tourney to be held in Monroe in late April. 

Tyler Covington and Brantley Pate from Walker High School won the Senior High division with a five fish stringer that weighed 26.55 pounds. Bennett Fontenot and Sophie Lormand from Port Barre Junior High won the junior tourney with 5 fish weighing 12.44 pounds. No teams from Jackson Parish were entered. The Big Bass Award went to Ross Kliebert and Zane Zeringue who landed a “Caney Lake Special” 12.43 pounder. 

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Juanita Kennedy
July 28, 1920 – March 19, 2022

In the early morning hours of March 19, 2022 our beloved Mom, Juanita Kennedy, entered into her final destination, Heaven’s Pearly Gates. Visitation will be held at Beech Springs Baptist Church Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. with services beginning at 10:30 a.m. Presiding will be her grandson, Jason Walsworth, of Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, LA assisted by Rev. Brian McAllister, First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, LA.

She was born July 28, 1920 in Quitman, LA to the union of Elmer Levi Harvey and Lena Nix Harvey. When her four children were young, the phrase “stay-at-home mom” didn’t exist because it was usual for women to stay home while their husbands worked to provide for family needs. Even by the standards of that era, Mom was an exceptional wife and mother, and who cared for her neighbors as well by cooking a dish or making a pie for those who were in need. That was who she was. She was a Christian and member of Beech Springs Baptist Church, Quitman, LA and was active in various aspects of church life.

Mom began her school years at Beech Springs School, Quitman, LA, and transferred her last year of high school, 1936, to Quitman High School to play basketball which she loved. She was a big fan of the Lady Techsters Basketball team and in later years was able to see them play. The last game she attended was in 2019 at the age of 99. She was, also, a fan of listening to basketball games via radio.

December 6, 1936 Mom married Robert Odis Walsworth, Sr. Of this union 4 children were born, Odis, Jr., Brenda, Linda and Donald. In years gone by, several relatives were the owners of dairy farms and together Mom and Dad worked their own dairy. They provided milk and butter to several families. Mom became widowed in June 1963 at age 42, and with her children grown, she began working outside the home taking over Dad’s bus route and working for Old South Life Insurance Co. In 1970 she married a longtime acquaintance, Nathan Kennedy, who was serving in the military. Shortly after he retired, they began traveling in and out of the country and going on mission trips in the states. The highlight of their travels was when they went to China on a mission trip, and later Mom traveled to the Holy Land with her sister-in-law. She lived a full and rewarding life.

Mrs. Kennedy is survived by her children, Odis Walsworth, Jr., Brenda W. Blake (husband John) all of Quitman, LA and Linda W. Hartsfield (husband Kendrick) of Ruston, LA. Grandchildren: Robert Odis Walsworth, III, Quitman, LA; Kevin Koonce, Quitman, LA; Keith Koonce, Ruston LA; Jason Walsworth, Ruston, LA and Lauren Hull, Ruston, LA. Fifteen Great grandchildren: Tiffany Patton, Logan Hartsfield, Adam Hartsfield, Seth Hartsfield, Chase Garrett, Railey Garrett, Ty Garrett, Bradley Koonce, Brittany Koonce, Klay Koonce, Chelsea Alexander, Jalyn Walsworth, Jase Walsworth, Sydney Hull and Myles Hull; Thirteen Great-great grandchildren; Sisters, Lurline Kennedy, Elaine Blalock Turner; Daughter-in-Law, Carole Walsworth Carson (husband, Francis).

Prededing Mrs. Kennedy in death were her parents, Elmer and Lena Harvey; first husband, Robert Odis Walsworth, Sr; her son, Donald Lee Walsworth; second husband, Nathan Kennedy; daughter-in-law, Shelba Walsworth; infant brother, E. L. Harvey, Jr.; sister, Margaret Conn.

Serving as pallbearers for Mrs. Walsworth will be Kevin Koonce, Keith Koonce, Robert Odis Walsworth, III, TYrae Hartsfield, Logan Hartsfield, Klay Koonce.

The grand reopening of the Jonesboro Town Hall, located at 128 Allen Avenue will take place on Wednesday, March 23rd from 12:00-1:00pm. Mayor Leslie C. Thompson and the Jonesboro Town Council invite you for light hors d’oeuvres and to see what improvements have been made.

 

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Jonesboro-Hodge beginning district play in baseball and Quitman playing their final district contest in softball highlights the prep baseball / softball schedule for the upcoming week of March 21-26. In district 1-2A baseball play,

Jonesboro-Hodge will play a three-game series with D’Arbonne Woods with one game being at home on Thursday and two more at D’Arbonne Woods on Friday, while Quitman will host Simsboro on Thursday.

For the rest of the Jackson Parish Journal coverage area teams see below for the games to be played this week and for current standings and rankings for districts 1-2A (Jonesboro-Hodge), District 1B (Saline, Dodson) and District 2B (Quitman, Weston)

District 1-2A Baseball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
North Caddo	#25	7-5	0-0
Lakeside	#28	7-5	0-0
D’Arbonne Woods	#35	3-11	0-0
Jonesboro-Hodge	#38	2-5	0-0

3/21 Lakeside at Doyline, North Caddo vs St. Mary’s
3/22 D’Arbonne Woods at Loyola Prep
3/24 JHHS vs D’Arbonne Woods, Lakeside at North Caddo
3/25 JHHS at D’Arbonne Woods (DH), Lakeside vs North Caddo (DH)

District 2B Baseball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
Weston	#1	9-3	0-0
Choudrant	#2	12-3	0-0
Quitman	#8	7-5	0-0
Simsboro	#13	7-6	0-0

3/21 Choudrant at Claiborne Christian
3/22 Quitman at Many, Weston vs Union Parish
3/24 Choudrant at Family Community, Weston at River Oaks
3/25 Simsboro at Haynesville, Choudrant vs Union Parish

District 1B Baseball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
Doyline	#16	4-5	1-0
Dodson	#21	3-4	0-0
Saline	#22	3-3	0-1
Castor	#24	0-7	0-0

3/21 Saline vs Montgomery, Dodson vs Ringgold, Doyline vs Lakeside
3/22 Castor vs Calvin, Dodson at Doyline
3/24 Dodson at Georgetown
3/25 Saline vs Red River (DH), Castor at Doyline

District 1-2A Softball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
D’Arbonne Woods	#17	5-7	0-0
North Caddo	#31	1-10	0-0
Lakeside	#32	2-10	0-0
Jonesboro-Hodge	#39	0-7	0-0

3/21 JHHS vs Red River
3/22 JHHS vs Simsboro, N. Caddo at Converse, Lakeside vs Weston, DWC vs Franklin Parish
3/23 JHHS at Northwood – Lena, Lakeside vs Bossier (DH)
3/24 North Caddo at Minden
3/25 D’Arbonne Woods vs Choudrant

District 2B Softball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
Quitman	#5	12-5	2-0
Choudrant	#12	10-3	0-1
Simsboro	#19	7-8	0-0
Weston	#22	3-3	0-1

3/21 Weston vs Captain Shreve, Simsboro at Choudrant
3/22 Weston at Lakeside, Simsboro at JHHS, Choudrant vs Downsville (DH), Quitman vs Evangel
3/24 Weston vs Choudrant, Simsboro vs Quitman
3/25 Choudrant at Saline

District 1B Softball

TEAM	RANK	OVERALL	DISTRICT
Doyline	#14	6-4	1-0
Saline	#18	6-8	1-0
Castor	#24	3-7	0-0
Dodson	#27	0-3	0-2

3/21 Dodson at Lakeview, Doyline at Ringgold
3/22 Castor vs Saline, Doyline at Mansfield
3/24 Dodson vs River Oaks, Saline vs Northwood – Shreve, Doyline at Richwood
3/25 Saline vs Choudrant

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It was a tough week on the diamond for Jackson Parish prep baseball and softball teams. In conglomerate the five teams that played had a combined 5-11 record. Local baseball teams had the worst of it as Weston, Quitman and JHHS had a 2-8 record while Quitman and JHHS went a combined 3-3 in softball.

The past week really wasn’t all that bad for the JHHS baseball team. The Tigers equaled their victory total for the year by scoring a season high in runs while having their best pitching performance in the 20-0 pasting of Dodson and then almost beat the Panthers in the second game before falling 10-9.

Even though Quitman won one out of four games the week and Weston went 0-3 the end result was much worse for Quitman. The Wolverines beat Florien by a 12-5 margin but lost to Class A Calvary Baptist10-0 and St. Mary’s 8-4. Quitman almost saved the week but ended up falling to Class 4A Northwood 8-7 which resulted in a drop of five spots to #8 in the Class B ranking.

At first glance it would look like the Weston baseball team had the worst week of all. The Wolves lost all three games played at the Live Oak tournament, 4-3 to Teurlings Catholic, 16-0 to St. Charles and 12-2 to the tourney host. But although the losses ended the Wolves season opening winning streak at nine straight, being that Teurlings Catholic is #1 in Class 4A, St. Charles is #3 in Class 2A and Live Oak is #7 in Class 5A in the COMBINED power rankings of select and non-select schools, the losses didn’t affect Weston’s top ranking in Class B.

There were six softball games played by Jackson Parish schools this past week with Quitman going 3-2 and JHHS dropping their only game. In the crazy world of power point rankings despite the 15-0 loss to Class B Choudrant the Lady Tigers actually improved a spot in the rankings. Go figure.

Ending on a positive note the Quitman’s softball team actually had the best week of all six, area teams. The Lady Wolverines went was the only team to have a winning record for the week and what a busy one it was too. 

Five games in five days ended up with Quitman posting a 3-2 record. Included was the 9-0 victory over Choudrant for their second district 1B win against no losses where Cali Deal struck out an incredible 17 batters including the entire batting order before Choudrant got the first of only three singles in the game.

This was followed by a come from behind 10-4 victory over Class 4A Northwood where 8th grader Maggie Guyotte got the win on the mound and powered the seven-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning with a three-run jack to reverse a 4-1 deficit. 

Losses to the top ranked team in Class 5A followed with West Monroe no-hitting and ten run ruling Quitman for a 10-0 victory. Then came another loss which hurt worse as it was at the hands of who the Lady Wolverines most likely will meet if they play for the Class B state championship. Quitman held a 5-1 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning, but top ranked Holden scored rallied for five runs in their half of the fifth and then held on for the win despite the Lady Wolverines having a would be game tying runner on base at the end. Forest turned out to be no match as Guyotte struck out nine over six innings for the 10-0 shutout.

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In case you haven’t noticed the Jackson Parish Tourism Board (JPTB) has been very busy over the past year. If you live in Jackson Parish or visit it regularly it would be hard not to though. The promotion of Jackson Parish has never been more pronounced thanks to the work of board members DeNeise Barlow, Tammy Gunter, Kelly Spangler, Yumekia Washington, Christie Weeks and Catherine Bowden.

Highlighting the sponsored activities was the recent Major League Fishing Pro Bass Tour tournament knockout round held on Caney Lake on February 9th. The event brought worldwide publicity and an incredible number of favorable comments that virtually ensured that the “Jewel of the Piney Woods” would be a regular on the MLF tour for years to come.

Some additional Tourism Board activity and events included:

(1) Ad placed in Louisiana Sportsman magazine regarding Caney Lake and MLF.
(2) Successful development of a rack card which will be placed in tourism outlets throughout the state and will be included on Louisiana Travel Association’s digital brochure.
(3) Development of a logo that features our fishing, hunting, and forests. (See banner above)
(4) Purchased promotional items that highlight our logo and visitation to Jackson Parish.
(5) Managed the Visit Jackson Parish Facebook page that promotes events in Jackson Parish.
(6) Hosted a music event in October that featured local talent, Hank Staples and his group.

Upcoming events that will be taking place in the next few months

(1) Tour bus coming in April to visit the Jackson Parish Museum and Jimmie Davis Tabernacle.
(2) Working with Northeast Louisiana Music Trail to include recognizing Jimmie Davis.
(3) State gathering in Jackson Parish of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society in May.
(4) Third annual Jackson Parish Student art contest

Jonesboro-Hodge will take part in two track meets before attempting to defend their 2021 district championships and the best part for local fans is that both will be held in Jackson Parish. The Tigers season will begin on March 31st at the Quitman Relays followed by the Llewellyn Starks Invitational at Caldwell Stadium on the campus of Jonesboro-Hodge. Following the district 1-2A meet that will be held in Quitman, the Class 2A, Region 1 meet will take place in Many on April 26th with qualifiers participating in the LHSAA Class 2A state meet on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge on May 6th.

2022 JHHS Track Schedule

DATE	LOCATION	TIME
March 31	Quitman Relays (Quitman, LA)	3:00pm
April 8	LLewellyn Starks Invitational (JHHS)	3:00pm
April 21	District 1-2A Meet (Quitman, LA)	TBA
April 26	Class AA – Region 1 Meet (Many, LA)	TBA
May 6	Class AA State Track Meet (Baton Rouge, LA)	1:30 pm

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Eli Wlaker of Quitman High School shot an even par 36 over nine holes at the Morehouse Parish Country Club in Bastrop to win medalist honors at the Northeast Louisiana High School golf tourney held this past Thursday, March 17th. 

Two days prior the Quitman golf team took third at Frenchmen’s Bend in Sterlington, just six strokes behind Neville High and Ouachita Christian who tied for first. Walker shot a one over par 37 to lead the Wolverines, who had four golfers finish in the top twenty. Noah Leach shot a 42 to come in 14th and both Cam Deal and Pete Simonelli shot 44’s to finish in 19th and 20 respectively. Additional competitors were John Davis (39th place), and Tyler Pardue of Weston High (40th place).

In junior varsity competition Ben Shows of Quitman finished in 7th place while Durbin Austin of Weston came in 13th. Close behind was Quitman’s Ethan Pilgreen and Blake Smith who came in 14th and 15th.

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Weston High team members Corey Tucker, Cejay Colvin, Abel McBride, and Collin Shows won first place in FFA Area I Floriculture competition t this past Wednesday, March 16th. Tucker also won honors as the high point individual of the Career Development Event (CDE). 

The Floriculture CDE requires students to identify plants, judge flower arrangements and solve problems. Participants also demonstrate skills in flower arranging, propagation and the preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.

The four-person team event is designed to create an interest in career preparation for all current and future aspects of the floriculture industry through leadership development and hands on technical skill development using industry standards that are delivered through the agricultural education curriculum.

Teams are judged on their ability to perform an assignment similar to one routinely performed in the floriculture industry. Additionally, individual members are called up to contribute to the team’s effort by completing events such as a general floriculture examination, an identification of plant materials and equipment, a problem-solving exercise, a practicum, a job interview and a floral arrangement.

This event builds skills that are important to careers in greenhouse and field production management, garden center and floral shop management and floral design management. Students who excel show a well-rounded knowledge of horticulture, the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants and the floral industry.

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The Jackson Parish Library Board will meet on Monday, March 21 at 4:30pm in the McBride Room of the Jonesboro Branch, located at 614 South Polk Avenue. Highlighting the agenda is the introduction of Resolution of Respect in loving memory of Mrs. Carolyn Crawley, who served on the Library Board up until the last month of her life. 

Additional agenda items other than the adoption of February financials and stats include:

Consider and approve change order for Chatham renovations
Consider and approve E-Rate technology proposal from Dempsey Business Systems
Review and adopt budget adjustments needed for change order and new technology
Review and approve final disposition of media box
Update on current projects
2021 Audit Fieldwork is scheduled for April 11th – 14th
Set date for next scheduled meeting as Monday, April 18, 2022 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Floyd Knox at (318) 259-5697.

Book Fair draws large number of local authors

The Jackson Parish Library sponsored Book Fair that was held on Friday had 11 local authors in attendance. See below to see who was there and had their works on display

 

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Every victory is enjoyed but for the Saline High School softball program the one on Friday night was special. The Lady Bobcats beat Pleasant Hill 20-6 to win for the 100th time in the history of the program that began in 2014. 

For head coach Colby Hough, who has been there for every practice and game since the team was formed eight years ago, the victory was especially sweet and caused him to reflect on growth of program. 

“It made me think of all the players 8 years ago (and the two years after that) that rode a bus 40 minutes one way to practice at the Rec Center in Jonesboro and play all away games for the first three years,” said Hough. “They laid the foundation for what this group gets to enjoy today.

Hough, who is a Saline High graduate, is also very appreciative of the opportunity that his girls have had, just to be able to represent the school on the field.

“I’m very thankful for the support of the SHS administration, current and the ones that pushed to start the softball and baseball programs,” continued Hough. “I’m also very thankful for the support from all the families over the years, the coaches Ryan Roberts, Michael Wise, Jermini Malone, and Haylee Terrell, and every player that’s had the opportunity to play softball for Saline High School. I remind the girls all the time that there are hundreds that came through (including myself) that only dreamed of putting on a uniform to play softball or baseball and they should be grateful they get to do it.”

The victory, which came in the Lady Bobcats second game of the Red Rivers Tournament, was the fifth in their last six games and improved the Lady Bobcats to 6-8 overall on the year after opening the season by losing seven of their first eight contests. The one loss during the streak came in their tourney opener when they dropped a tight 8-5 contest against Class 3A Mansfield. 

While the victory against Pleasant Hill was a milestone win the 20-5 victory against Dodson on Thursday was important as well as it moved Saline to 1-0 in district 1B play. The win was crucial to district title hopes because unlike many LHSAA district’s who play home and home series, in district 2B there is only one game played against each team. 

Bobcats lose district opener in baseball

Saline’s 6-4 victory over Castor on March 10th didn’t count in the district standing although both are 1B members. The 16-8 loss against Doyline four days later did. In between was a 13-0 victory over Arcadia for Bienville Parish bragging rights then on Wednesday a 6-4 loss to Calvin followed that left the Bobcats with a 2-3 overall record.

Saline got their inaugural victory of the season by scoring three in the fifth inning to rally from a run down twice over the first four frames. After Castor had scored two to open the game, the Bobcats cut the lead in half when Shawn Staggs singled in Jacob Jones who had singled and stolen second. Staggs tied it up in the third after getting hit by a pitch, stealing second, going to third on a passed ball and scoring on Landon Horsefallon’s single.

Castor once again went ahead with two runs in the top of the fourth only to see Saline rally again thanks to some wildness by Tiger pitching and Saline’s only extra base hit of the game. 
Ethan Roberts stroked a double to score Will Dyson and Jones, who had gotten on base per free passes, to give Saline a 5-4 lead. Dyson added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when he singled, stole second and came home on Drew Golden’s RBI single. Roberts not only knocked in the run that put Saline on top he also grabbed the win on the mound after throwing the final 2 2/3 innings in relief of Staggs. Caleb Shirley took the loss for Castor.

In the 2B opener for both teams a 5-3 Saline lead after four innings became a 9-5 deficit after five as Doyline scored six in the frame and then waltzed their way to victory with seven more in the top of the seventh innings. Six walks and four errors proved to be the downfall.
Saline took the lead three times over the first five innings when Jacob Jones and Will Dyson scored in the first only to see Doyline tie it up in their half of the inning. Again, Saline went on top in the second but again, Doyline tied it up in their at bat.

 

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Sitting down at my computer on this past Tuesday to begin this column, I am reminded that the day’s date, March 15, is a date when lots of folks use extra care. It’s the Ides of March.
History reveals that actually, Ides of March signifies the date of the first new moon of the
month and ancients celebrated the day with gaiety and rejoicing.

Somehow the term became a bad omen. It became associated with the Shakespeare play “Julius Caesar” where a warning was given to Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.” March 15 was the day he was assassinated.

Okay, so what do the Ides of March have to do with turkey hunting. Not a thing that I can
think of except instead of Caesar being assassinated, around this time of year around the country, lots of gobblers are meeting the same fate. I have never taken a gobbler on March 15 but of the gobblers I have to my credit, eleven were taken in the month of March, two incidentally, on March 29, my birthday.

I got my first buck in 1967, my biggest buck in 1998 with dozens scattered down through
the years. I have no record of the actual number or dates I got these deer. With turkeys, however, I have a record of every single one of the 41 gobblers I have downed, photos of each, date taken and location and stats on each. Does that tell you anything? It means that hunting wild turkeys has been my passion since that first one came in strutting to my gun on April 13, 1992.

I was hunting at the invitation of an outdoor writer friend, John E. Phillips who arranged
the trip for me. I had never hunted turkeys before and I didn’t want to go at first because April is when the bream are bedding and big bass were in the shallows. When he dangled a few juicy tidbits in front of me, like air fare, guide, gun and all the amenities, I decided maybe the bream
could wait a few weeks.

When my guide started calling that morning, I heard the first gobble I had ever heard and
watched as a big Alabama longbeard came strutting up, white head shining like a softball an
early morning sun highlighting his iridescent colors, I experienced something I had never felt
while hunting. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid the turkey could hear the beat.

When my shot was true and as I was standing on the neck of my first flopping gobbler, I made a vow right then and there that this was something I was going to learn even if I ran off every gobbler in the country while I was learning.

That was in 1992 and I killed my last gobbler in 2017, a span of 25 years. I have been
fortunate to get to travel around the country after gobblers and have been blessed by being able to take the four sub-species in the country, Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande and Merriams, laying claim to the Wild Turkey Grand Slam.

The Eastern sub-species, obviously, has predominated in my records because they are
located in not only Louisiana but in more states than the other birds. Of the 41 gobblers I have
taken, 25 of them were Easterns followed by 13 Rio Grande, two Merriams and one Osceola.

So what do the Ides of March have to do with turkey hunting? It means that my mid-
March, turkey hunters need to be in the woods listening for early morning gobbles from the
roost, scouting to look for not only turkeys but sign they are there, things like tracks, droppings, dislodged feathers, strut markings.

Season opens in Area A on April 2 so it’s high time for you to forget about any jinx or
bad omen and be in the woods locating birds you’ll be hunting in a few weeks. As far as I know
there is no such thing as the Ides of April.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – With cold windy weather this week, both bass and crappie have slowed down
a bit. However, now that temperatures are moderating, look for both to begin moving to shallow spawning areas. Bass should be best on jigs and creature baits while crappie will hit both shiners or jigs. No report on bream or catfish. For information contact Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – The bass are in transition with some moving shallow and some still deep
in the channels. Crank baits and soft plastics are best bets. Ditto for the crappie as they’re
beginning to move toward the shallows for the spring spawn while some are still holding back.
Some have also been caught below the spillway in the bayou. Shiners and jigs are both working. Bream have not started yet but catfish are still biting cold worms fished off the banks. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been good on shiners and jigs with some still hanging out in deep water out from the dam. Best fishing has been at night fishing shiners around
the lighted piers. Bass are starting to move more shallow with best catches made on spinners and plastic lizards in water around 5 feet deep. A few stripers have been caught in deep water on shad imitations. No report on catfish or bream. For latest information, call Misty at Kel’s Cove at 331-2730 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Some good bass and crappie are still being caught this week. Contact Honey Hole Tackle at 323-8707 for information.
BLACK BAYOU – Fishing is slow. No report this week. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-
8707 for latest information.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is high and rising. No fishing reports this week. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been good on cold worms with crappie fishing starting to improve in the coves in fairly shallow water on jigs or shiners. Ditto for bass are they are moving shallow as well. No report on bream. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at
318/878-0101.
LAKE ST. JOHN – The water is slowly rising again and boat launching is now possible.
Catfishing has been good while crappie and bass have been fair. No report on bream. For
information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is high and over the roads but should begin falling next week.
Look for good fishing once it gets down. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-
2259.

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Saturday was a big day for Cub Scout Pack 523 of Jonesboro. Anyone whoever participated in Cub Scouts will understand why. It was Pinewood Derby Day. It was especially a great day for Conner Cannady as the son of Jeff & Candace Cannady of Quitman came home with the “Best of Show” trophy for his TANK car. 

For those who may not be familiar with the Pinewood Derby and its importance in a young man’s life in an overall summation it is about a parent and child working together to build lasting memories. How is that you ask? 

Often times it is the first time that a parent and a child work together to build something. What they the hope is the outcome is a 5 ounce or less car that goes fast, looks cool or both, constructed out of a kit that contains four plastic wheels, four nails and a block of wood. 

Once the “race car” is finished the youth competes with other Cub Scouts on a gravity powered track, wooden track with hopes that theirs is the fastest in competition. It is a tradition that goes back to 1953 when the first Pinewood Derby was held in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Cannady’s car finished in 9th place in the race among the 37 competitors from all over northeast Louisiana but winning the “Best of Show” award is just as important as having the fastest car among the scouting community. This means that his car was voted by the other 36 competitors as being the “coolest” car that was entered. 

What was the inspiration to his unique design?

“I saw a picture of my great grandfather (Jack Cannady) in his World War II army uniform and my other great grandfather (Harold Grayson) worked on tanks in World War II,” said Cannady. “That made me want to learn more about them, the Army, and the history about it.”

Canady then came up with the idea for his car to honor them. First, he drew what he wanted his TANK car to look like on a 7in piece of pinewood. Cub Scout Committee Chairman, Brian Hurt, cut the design out with a scroll saw, then Conner with help from his mother (Candace Cannady) sanded and painted his way to the finish line. 

Conner is in the third grade at Quitman High School and a member of Hodge Baptist Church. The master of Cub Scout Pack 523 is Mark Thomas of Jonesboro and the Bear Den mother is his mother, Candice. 

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Members of the Weston High School Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) have been working this school year on the Read, Imagine & Create project that is sponsored by the Jackson Parish Library. The school club members provide assistance to students of the elementary classes by reading books and helping with creative art projects.

See below for pictures of some of the fun and creativity that has been enjoyed. 

 

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Northwood High School announced this past week that they have hired Marvin Davis, to be their new boys basketball coach. The 1996 Quitman High graduate takes over for Patrick Lindsey, who was with the Falcons for one season before moving to Southwood as an assistant principal.

“We’re excited. Coach Davis brings a lot of experience to our school,” said Northwood Principal Shannon Wall. 

They should be too! The 18-year, veteran coach brings tons of experience. Yet that is only one of the advantages that hiring Davis brings to the long struggling Falcon program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2011.

“Marvin has proven over time that his knowledge of the game of basketball is second to none,” said Airline High boys basketball coach, Eddie Hamilton, when he hired Davis as an assistant two years ago. 

Yet that is only one of the advantages that hiring Davis brings to the long struggling Falcon program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2011.

Like father, like son! Just like his father, Jimmie Davis, who before passing away in 2018 was a  Jonesboro-Hodge coach and one of Jackson Parishes most beloved residents,  Marvin is widely recognized as being a tremendous inspirational and spiritual leader.

“He was my mentor and inspiration to get involved in coaching and working with all children regardless of the background,” Davis said.

A look back at his coaching career shows a similar pattern After graduating from Louisiana Tech, Davis he was hired as an assistant girls basketball and football coach at Lakeside High in Sibley. One year later he became the head coach of the girls program for five years while still maintaining his position with the football team.

In 2011 he moved to Mansfield as an assistant girls basketball, football and track coach for three years before once again becoming a head coach, leading the Wolverine boys basketball program for six seasons. Davis was on the move again in 2020, joining the Airline boys basketball program as an assistant and now for the third time follows with a head coaching position.  

 

 

 

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The full development of their track program paid dividends for Quitman Junior High as they the majority of events to take titles in both the boys and girls divisions. Quitman won 13 events in the boys meet and 12 in the girls to far outdistance second place Jonesboro-Hodge Middle School which took 5 firsts in the boys side and four in the girls. Lincoln Prep won one event. Weston had three seconds and three thirds to come in third as a team in both divisions. 

To see individual winners of all events for boys and girls divisions go to: https://la.milesplit.com/meets/460407-quitman-jr-high-relays-2022/results/791400/raw#.YjXy_xkfOw5.gmail

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