This past week the students at Gracepoint Christian Academy (GCA) participated in Operation Christmas Child. Coordinated by Mrs. Anita Williams, the young children at GCA packed shoeboxes with a wide variety of toys and fun items. After the boxes were filled and labeled the young ambassadors and faculty members who assisted with the program prayed over the packages to be shipped overseas.
Operation Christmas Child is a program of evangelism and discipleship that through multiplication benefits children from all over the world. From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world. Parents often use the project to teach their kids about giving and year-round volunteers support these efforts across the country.

The administration and staff of GCA would like to thank all parents, families, and friends who donated to make this a success!

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With the Pilgrims held up as our example, we learned early to “be grateful.”

As they dragged us to various in-laws’ in assorted neighborhoods for turkey and pumpkin pie and secondhand smoke, our parents reminded us that at the first Thanksgiving in 1621 (give or take), the settlers of the New World had it much tougher than we do. They had to eat outside. They didn’t have potatoes over here yet. The yeast rolls didn’t rise. William Bradford forgot to pick up a Marie Callender’s Apple Crumb Cobbler at the store, and the cable went out halfway through the Detroit Lions-Chicago Cardinals football game.

“And they didn’t even complain,” our parents said.

“Bet they got drunk then,” I said.

“No, they most certainly did not!”

The Pilgrims really WERE tough; I would have complained if there’d been no potatoes. Loud and clear. They could have heard me back over in England.

But to hear our parents testify, no one 40 years ago ever complained about anything, especially on Thanksgiving. When you are spoiled like I am, that is setting the bar sort of high. But hey, I’m old school too and really not much of a complainer – as long as everything goes right. That’s just me.

This week, complaining is a given. This week is about the pre-Thanksgiving misgivings about “where we’re going for Thanksgiving.” Do you know where you’re going yet? Or what you’re bringing? Or the order in which you’re going to whomever’s house when? Are we all on the same page?

It can be dicey.

“Are we going to grandmama’s?”

“Not this year. But we’re not sure. We might.”

“When will we know?”

“I don’t know. Who are you, Dan Rather? We’ll know when we hear from everybody and decide.”

“It’s Tuesday.”

“Then good! Since Thanksgiving is on Thursday, as it usually is, that means we don’t have to know yet.”

“We’re cutting it close.”

“I’ll show you what cutting it close is, mister!”

“I was just asking…”

“Well just quit just asking, mister man. Your grandmother might meet us at Big Aunty’s. We might go there.”

“Not to Big Aunty’s! Big Aunty can’t cook, momma. Big Aunty won’t have nothing even done until supper. We’ll starve.”

“She most certainly will have and you most certainly will not starve. I’ll make you a pimento cheese to hold you over. We might just all bring different things.”

“What do you mean, ‘we all?’ Who all is coming?”

“Aunt Jean will bring the macaroni and cheese and we’ll bring the bean casserole and…”

“Momma that means Uncle Lester is coming. He’s a professional smoker. We’ll all smell like something burnt. They’ll be ashes in the macaroni.”

“No there will not!”

“There was last year.”

“You’ll think last year if you don’t shut up! Now I mean it!”

“Can we just stay home and make hamburgers?”

“NO! We can be thankful and not complain about gummy rice and ashes in the food and Jello with nuts in it and getting your picture taken. And if I hear one word, ONE MORE WORD….”

Precious memories. And Happy Thanksgiving; I hope you get where you’re going.

(Originally ran Nov. 20, 2009)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Jay Mallard Ford, located at 601 Hudson Avenue in Jonesboro is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the area. From the moment you walk into the showroom, you know our commitment to Customer Service is second to none. Jay and staff strive to make your experience  Whether you need to purchase a new or used vehicle, vehicle information from our on-site specialist, or service your vehicle, Jay and staff strive to make your experience a pleasant one. 

Anyone who has tried to purchase a new car this year knows that inventories have been at an all-time low. Currently, Jay Mallard Ford has a great stock of new models on-site, but it is assured that they won’t last long. Want to provide the ultimate Christmas gift? Come today to take advantage of the great deals that Jay is offering, 

Below are just a few of the models that are currently in stock.

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The Jackson Parish 4-H Club held its 2022 Holiday Treats Cookery Contest at the Charles H. Garrett Community Center on Monday. Fourteen winners were selected in six separate divisions by special guest judges Bettye Pate, Thurston Allen, Amy Magee, and Katelyn Duck. Door prizes were also awarded that were sponsored by Johnny’s Pizza House, Traina’s Bakery, and Sonic Drive-In. Special thanks also go to parent volunteers Kari Potts and Kristy Jordan. 

 2022 Holiday Treats Cookery Contest Winners

Cake Division
1st – Evie Carpenter – QHS – Pumpkin Roll
2nd – Jayna Woods – QHS – Hershey Bar Cake
Candy Division
1st – Alley Hines – WHS – Snowman Chocolate Bark
2nd – John Turner – JHES – Pecan Pralines
Decorated Cookie Division
1st – Brooke Harvey – JHES – Christmas Tree Brownies
Fudge Division
1st – Alley Hines – WHS – Sugar Cookie Christmas Fudge
2nd – Evie Carpenter – QHS – Egg Nog Fudge
Homemade Cookie Division
1st – Tailen Bearden – WHS – Snickerdoodle
2nd – Jayna Woods – QHS – Peanut Butter
3rd – Jana Potts – QHS – Cookie Monsters
Pie Division
1st – Jana Potts – QHS – Lemon Ice Box Pie
2nd – Brogan Carpenter – QHS – Pecan Pie
3rd – Tailen Bearden – WHS – Turtle Pumpkin Pie
3rd – Rachel Bandy – WHS – Cherry Kool-Aid Pie

Louisiana Pecans offered for sale

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The Jonesboro-Hodge High School Drama Club attended Grambling State University’s Visual and Performing Arts Department’s annual presentation of their fall production, “Knock Me A Kiss” by Charles Smith. The drama club is under the direction of Mr. Jon Sorenson and Mrs. Amiee Larche. Drama Club members would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Vickie Joe (chaperone) and Coach Justin Durbin (driver)!

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Youth from all over Jackson Parish and the surrounding area are invited to attend the One Way Youth Rally on Wednesday, November 30th. The always inspiring event will be held at 6:00pm at Sweetwater Baptist Church, located at 5638 Beech Springs Road in Quitman. The rally will feature a dynamic, special guest speaker, Luke Hockenjos of “Give ’em Jesus” ministries. Enrique Magana and Crew, from Calhoun Baptist Church, will provide the music worship. Following the program, a Pizza Party will be held. 

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Residents at Forest Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, located at 175 Thrasher Avenue in Jonesboro, have been busy preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Activities this past week include hand painting exercises to create paper turkeys and making holiday wreaths through the help provided by the staff of the Jonesboro Branch of the Jackson Parish Library. The administration and staff of Forest Haven wish each and all a very Happy Thanksgiving and encourage you to come to visit and share the holiday with your loved ones that they have the honor to care for.

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The morning of September 16, 1976, was chilly in Yerevan, Armenia. The streets were busy with commuters heading to work and other various destinations. The city used trolleybuses powered by electric lines above the highway to transport the masses of people to their destinations. Windows wrapped around the entirety of the upper half of the trolleybuses to allow for better visibility. As it was a chilly morning, all the windows were closed to keep the cold air out. One such trolleybus was loaded with 91 people and its driver. As the trolleybus neared Yerevan Lake, something happened. Some people claimed the passengers and the driver got into a physical altercation, while others argued that the driver had a medical emergency, probably a heart attack. Regardless of the cause, the trolleybus veered off the roadway. The arms connecting the trolleybus to the electric wires snapped. Although the trolleybus had lost its power source, it rolled on its wheels down an embankment and straight into the frigid waters of Yerevan Lake. One witness said the sound was “so loud, as if a bomb went off.” Within seconds, the trolleybus was completely submerged.

Sometimes it seems like the right people are in the right place at the right time. 23-year-old Shavarash Karapetyan and his brother Kamo were nearby, heard the crash, and rushed to the water’s edge. Both Shavarash and Kamo were finswimming champions, a sport in which the swimmers wear fins to increase their speed in the water. At the time, Shavarash had won 37 gold medals and held nine world records for finswimming. He had earned nicknames such as “Goldfish” and “Amphibian.” On this day, however, neither Shavarash nor Kamo had their fins. Without hesitation, Shavarash sprang into action. As they ran, Shavarash told Kamo to help him from the shore.

Shavarash dove into the frigid water and swam to the spot where the trolleybus sank. He swam down 33 feet where the trolleybus rested on the lake floor. Shavarash tried to look into the windows of the trolleybus but, at that depth, all he saw was darkness. Shavarash knocked out one of the trolleybus’s windows. Air rushed out of the trolleybus. The change in air pressure by the broken glass forced shards of glass into Shavarash’s skin. Nine of the passengers exited through the window and swam to the surface.

Shavarash swam in through the trolleybus’s broken window and used his hands to feel around for passengers in the darkness. When his hands felt something, he clutched it, swam to the surface, and handed the person off to Kamo. Then, he dove down again and repeated the process. Each dive took Shavarash about 25 seconds. Although he was a champion swimmer, Shavarash was quickly losing strength. He would not give up. He could not give up. Shavarash dove down 38 times before his body could go no further. He almost drowned several times but somehow barely made it to the surface in time, gasping for air. On his last dive, Shavarash felt around inside the trolleybus for a passenger, clutched something, and swam up. On the surface, Shavarash was horrified to learn that, rather than a victim, he was grasping one of the trolleybus’s seat cushions.

Shavarash could swim no more. His body was exhausted. His lungs were injured and he could hardly breath. Shavarash wanted to go back down but Kamo pulled him from the water. He could do no more. In all, Shavarash helped get 46 people to the surface—nine escaped when Shavarash broke the trolleybus’s window, and he pulled 37 people to the surface.
Within minutes of the crash, doctors from a nearby hospital rushed to the scene to render what aid they could right there on the shore. Once Shavarash’s strength gave out and Kamo pulled him from the water, the doctors struggled to save his life as well. Ambulances loaded with survivors raced to the hospital and returned to the shore to transport more survivors, one of them being Shavarash. Of the passengers Shavarash pulled to the surface, 20 survived. Shavarash spent over a month in the hospital. He was diagnosed with septic fever, double-sided pneumonia, and nervous prostration.

Shavarash survived the trolleybus accident, but it haunts him to this day. Shavarash nearly drowned several times. He said later, “I could imagine the agony of those 92 people and I knew how they would die. I had nightmares about that cushion for a long time. I could have saved someone else’s life. In difficult moments like this, your love for fellow humans grows even stronger.”

Shavarash returned to swimming upon his release from the hospital, but he would never be the same. Swimming underwater was physically and mentally painful. True to form, however, Shavarash would not give up. Just a few months after the trolleybus accident, Shavarash competed in a finswimming championship. Knowing how he was struggling, Kamo ran alongside the pool just in case Shavarash lost consciousness. But Shavarash did not lose consciousness. He came in first place and set another world record. Following this win, Shavarash retired from the sport he so dearly loved. He could no longer bear to be underwater.

Shavarash was awarded the Medal “For the Salvation of the Drowning” and the Order of the Badge of Honor. What was Shavarash doing just before the trolleybus accident you wonder? What was he doing just before he dove down to a depth of 33 feet 38 times and helped 47 people from the sunken trolleybus? You see, Shavarash was already exhausted when he entered the water. Shavarash had just completed the final portion of that morning’s rigorous training event, a 12-mile run.

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To have your job opportunities, business services, items or any Legal/Public Notices, Advertisements for Bid, Requests for Proposals, and/or Quotes listed – send an email to: jpjjacksonla@gmail.com

BUSINESS SERVICES

Stump Removal and Grinding: Call James Stewart at (318) 243-1009 or (318) 768-2554 for your stump removal and grinding needs. Free Estimates! 

 

 

JOB OPENINGS

Lakeview High School: New Head Football Coach

JOB VACANCIES: Head Football Coach
SCHOOL: Lakeview High School
QUALIFICATIONS: Louisiana Teaching Certificate
SALARY: According to the parish school salary schedule
DEADLINE: Tuesday, December 20, 2022; 4:00 p.m.

WHERE TO APPLY: Linda G. Page, Personnel Director
Natchitoches Parish School Board
P. O. Box 16
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0016
Phone: (318) 352-2358
Fax: (318) 352-8138

APPLICATION WEBSITE: www.npsb.la

EOE

FOR SALE

Book – “100-year history of JHHS football”  Comprehensive year-by-year description of the first 100 years (1919-2019) of JHHS football. Includes categorial individual and team top ten rankings. Perfect Christmas gift for that family member or friend who would enjoy remembering their “glory days”. The cost is $25.00 per book plus $3.00 for shipping and handling. To order call (318) 480-1206. 

 

Commemorative Plates – Beautifully etched china plates commemorating Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Jackson Parish. To order contact Wilda Smith at (318) 426-6511 or Barbara Johnson at (318) 450-5561.

 

PUBLIC/LEGAL NOTICES

*****Important Information About Your Drinking Water****
Magnolia Water UOC – Spring Creek Water System, PWS# LA1049028
Notice of Violation of Non-Compliance for Disinfectants/Disinfection By-Products Rule

Spring Creek Water System is in violation of exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. The violation requires notification to the public. Even though this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have the right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.

What Happened?

The Spring Creek Subdivision Water System is currently in violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids as set forth by the State [Part XII of the Louisiana State Sanitary Code (LAC 51:XIl) and the Federal Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141).
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) set drinking water standard and requires the disinfection of drinking water. Where disinfection is used in the treatment of drinking water, disinfectants combine with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter present in water to form chemicals called disinfection byproducts (DBPs). EPA and LDH set standards for controlling the levels of disinfectants and DBPs in drinking water, including trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acid (HAA5). Some people who drink water containing TTHMs in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and may have an increased risk of
getting cancer. Some people who drink water containing HAA5 in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

In December 1998, EPA set enforceable drinking water standards for TTHMs at 80 parts per billion (ppb) and for HAA5 at 60 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce the risk of cancer or other adverse health effects. Compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards is determined by calculating a locational running annual average (LRAA) of quarterly TTHMs and HAA5 sample results.
Compliance calculations performed for the third quarter of 2022 show that the system’s current HAA5 LRAA is 67 ppb DBP02- POC#4 255 SANDY POINT DR thus, the system is currently in

What is being done?

Central States Water Resources Louisiana (CSWR-LA) purchased the facility in July 2022 and personnel are working to correct the problem. CSWR-LA will continue to work with LDH to ensure compliance with the TTHMs and HAA5 standards in accordance with State and Federal requirements.

This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified immediately. EPA and LDH do not consider this violation to have any serious adverse health effects on human health as a result of short-term exposure; however, continued long-term exposure to TTHMs and HAAS levels above the standard (e.g., 20 years of exposure) has the potential to have serious adverse
effects on human health.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Magnolia Water UOC is committed to bringing our customers safe, reliable water services and will continue to work with the LDH to carry out this commitment.

For more information, please contact Magnolia Water at 1-855-643-8152.
This notice is being sent to you by Spring Creek Water system. PWS ID# LA1049028
Date distributed: November 21, 2022

 

 

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Robert Clarence Martin
November 4, 1939 – November 21, 2022

Robert Clarence Martin, known to everyone as R.C., was born on November 4, 1939, to Levon Hershel and Hazel Grace Martin. He was delivered at home in a sharecropper’s house near Douglas, Louisiana in Lincoln Parish. He married the love of his life, Hazel Ann Crawley on December 18, 1960, and had their son, Scott on December 11, 1961. Hazel passed away on August 6, 2018, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s. R.C. kept her at home and took care of her until her death.

The funeral service will be at 10 AM at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, with Reverend Brian McAllister officiating. Interment will follow at Gayla Traina Memorial Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

R.C. is survived by his son, Scott, and wife, Jeanna; four grandsons, Daniel, Jonathan and wife, Miya, Andrew, and wife Fernanda, Stephen, and wife JoJo; four great-grandchildren, Joy, Marisol, Justus, and Hazel Mae due in February; and sister, Liz Robinson. He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brother, Bo.

R.C. graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in 1957 and soon after went to work at Continental Can Company. He retired in 2000 after 42 years. He was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He never said “no” when asked to help somebody. He spent several years as head of buildings and grounds at First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. He made numerous mission trips with a group from First Baptist to help churches all over the United States.

R.C. loved to fish, but his main passion was hunting. He used most of his vacation time to deer hunt, during his graveyard weeks if possible. He had four main hunting partners in his life; his dad, his brother, Bo, Bill Phillips, and his son, Scott. His and Scott’s hunting adventures lasted over 50 years. Some of their favorite times were spent in Kansas.

A special thanks to Laura Ables, Dr. Ray Germany, and the four angels that took care of him 24 hours a day in his final weeks; Sadie Ayres, Gloria Relaford, Juanita Brown, and Patty Keys.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Martin, Jonathan Martin, Andrew Martin, Stephen Martin, Eric Hall, Russ Robinson, and Keith Duck.

Douglas Pepper
March 2, 1936 – November 20, 2022

Mr. Douglas J. Pepper passed away Sunday, November 20, 2022, at Forest Haven Nursing Home in Jonesboro. Douglas worked for decades as a forester for Ewing Timber Company and he loved being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and hunting he could always be found in his vegetable garden during the spring and summer months. Douglas often attended auctions and was especially fond of dirt track racing.

Douglas leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Bonnie (Rape) Pepper; children, Steve Pepper and wife, Gloria, David Pepper and wife, Becky; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; sister, Mary Lou Pepper; brothers, Gerald Pepper and Noah Pepper, Jr.

Douglas was preceded in death by his parents, Noah, Sr. and Louise (Mayes) Pepper; and sister, Ann Litton.

Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM. The funeral procession will travel to Sikes Baptist Church Cemetery in Sikes, Louisiana where a graveside service will begin at 2:15 PM officiated by Bro. John L. Mixon. Interment will follow under the direction of Southern-Edmonds Funeral Home.

Serving the family as pallbearers will be Lawson McCarty, Landon McCarty, Jeff Pepper, Zach Pepper, Brandon Williamson, and Zeb Pepper.

John Paul Davis
December 12, 1954 – November 20, 2022

John Paul Davis, age 67, gained his heavenly wings on Sunday, November 20th. “Mr. Paul,” as he was affectionately known by all those who he befriended, was a very loved and respected, long-time employee at Weston High School. A graveside service will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 23rd at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Jonesboro under the direction of Paradise Funeral Home.  

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(Troop F News Release) On Saturday, November 19, 2022, shortly after 11:00 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to a one-vehicle crash that occurred on LA Hwy 151 north of Clark Springs Road. This crash claimed the life of 17-year-old Landon Garsee of Eros. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Ford Ranger, driven by Garsee, was traveling south on LA Hwy 151. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford exited the roadway and struck a guardrail which caused it to overturn.

Garsee, who was unrestrained, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office. An additional, unrestrained juvenile passenger, sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

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This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On Wednesday, November 16th, Eros Mayor Kelly Gryder and town employee Brian Costin were arrested by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on two counts of felony theft. Gryder was also charged with Malfeasance in Office. The charges stemmed from an investigation that was held earlier this year in June by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office.

According to what was reported by the News-Star in Monroe on June 28th, Gryder and Costin improperly received unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic while still working for the town. During the period between April and September 2020, the town paid Gryder her salary of $456 per week and paid Costin’s regular salary, which was $460 per week, then increased to $500 per week. These records also confirmed that payroll checks issued to Gryder and Costin were not processed through the computerized accounting system but were handwritten and appear to have been issued by Gryder.

Auditors held that state law may have been violated as the town paid $8K more than it should have.

“This amount included improper leave payouts totaling $7,080 and Christmas bonuses totaling $850,” the audit read. “During this period, these employees/officials did not complete timesheets and may not have been entitled to leave benefits. Further, the payment of Christmas bonuses may have violated the Louisiana Constitution, which prohibits the donation of public funds. The payment of excess compensation to Town employees/officials may have violated the Louisiana Constitution and state law.”

Auditors also found town records indicated utility payment transactions totaling $28,088.00 were received and/or recorded in the utility system but were not deposited into the town’s bank accounts between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021.

“During this period, Mayor Gryder and four different Town clerks were responsible for handling utility collections,” the audit read. “Records show that the Town did not issue receipts for all payments collected and failed to deposit collections daily into the Town’s bank account. By failing to ensure that all monies were properly documented and deposited on a daily basis, Mayor Gryder may have violated state law.”

Arrest Report (November 7 – 19)

Ivory J Betts (Jackson, MS) Monetary Instrument Abuse, Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Lisa M Lindsay (Eros, LA) Fugitive from Justice (Caldwell Parish), Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Assault with Firearm
Dakota D Scallion (Goldonna, LA) Non-Support Warrant
Mary J Calloway (Hodge, LA) Winn Parish Warrant on Felony Theft charge
David L Harrell Jr (Jonesboro, LA) Domestic Abuse, Aggravated Assault
Kelly A Gryder (Eros, LA) – Felony Theft x 2, Malfeasance in Office
Brian Costen (Eros, LA) – Felony Theft x2
Cornelius Graves (Eros, LA) – Criminal Trespass
Jason L Jordan (Eros, LA) – Driving under Suspension, No Proof of Insurance, Improper Display of Plates
Jeremy K Robinson (Forest Hill, LA) – Second-Degree Battery
Rodney Lowery (Shreveport, LA) – Non-Support
Matthew Pixley (Jonesboro, LA) – Non-Support
Cecil E. Masters (Eros, LA) – Possession of Schedule II
Lionel Cantu (Eros, LA) – Angling without a License
Bobby E Barnes (Jonesboro, LA) – Simple Battery

 

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With a lineup of top Class 5A schools, Ruston and Haughton, Class 2A stalwarts Lakeview and Winnfield and one of the top girls programs in the state in Ouachita Christian, you might think the three day tournament that was just played was held at one of the larger places in north Louisiana.

That is unless you are familiar with what takes place at Saline High School every year. Continuing a long tradition that was first started by iconic head coach William Britt and continued by current head coach Klint Robinson, the Saline Tournament once again was the sight of several of the top girls and boys teams in north Louisiana.

Ruston and Lakeview proved why they are ranked in the top six of Division 1 and IV on the boys side as did the Winnfield, the 3rd ranked team in Division III on the boys side but the team of the tourney was the Quitman girls. The Lady Wolverines beat not one, but two teams ranked in the top 20 in higher classifications in Class 2A Winnfield and defending “non-select” Division IV state semifinalist Ouachita Christian.

Saline head coach Klint Robinson was very appreciative of the schools that participated.

“I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate the support that was given to us by so many great programs and their coaches,” said Robinson. “It was really fun to have all these quality teams at our place and the fans got to see some of the best basketball you can find in north Louisiana.”

Thursday

Quitman 49 Winnfield 46 (Girls) A furious second half rally fueled by pristine foul shooting down the stretch erased an eight-point deficit as Quitman shot their way past Winnfield in the scintillating opener of the Saline Tournament played on Thursday afternoon. The impressive victory over the opponent from two divisions higher improved the Lady Wolverines record to 6-2, while Winnfield fell to 1-1 on the year.

Down 29-21 midway through the third quarter the Lady Wolverines went on an 11-3 run to knot the score at 32 heading into the final frame and then outscored Winnfield 17-14 in the fourth with all but four of the points coming from Bethany Leach and Brayli Stewart.

Even more impressive was how the tallies came. With the crowd roaring at a fever pitch, fourteen times combined, Leach and Stewart stepped to the free throw line. Eleven times the pair connected. Five of the charity shots re-established the lead for Quitman after Winnfield had tied the score. The final six freebies with time winding down kept the Lady Tigers at bay. 

Leach, who led Quitman in scoring with 14 after returning to the lineup from an ankle injury, did most of the damage by sinking 8 of 10 free throws in the critical frame. Stewart, who canned a pair of three pointers in the contest and chipped in with 11 points on the night, calmly sank three of four freebies down the stretch.

AJ Gray played a pivotal role as well with 8 points and 8 rebounds, including four points that helped fuel the third quarter rally and four critical rebounds in the fourth period. The great “8 and 8” are both new season highs and marks the second straight game the recent sparkplug has established new scoring and rebounding bests. Cali Deal chipped in with 6 points and 7 boards, despite being hampered by foul trouble and Anna Leach added five, including a first quarter trey. Emma Carter scored four and Summer Grillette made a free throw to round out the scoring. As a team, Quitman made a season best 18 of 24 free throws (75%) compared to Winnfield making 12 of 23 charity shots.
Quitman (6-2)   12 9 11 17 – 49
Winnfield (1-1) 14 10 8 14 – 46
QHS Scoring: B. Leach 14, Stewart 11, Gray 8, Deal 6, A. Leach 5, Carter 4, Grillette 1

Winnfield 80 Quitman 36 (boys) Winnfield scored only 9 points in the fourth quarter but by then it didn’t matter as the game had been long decided as the aggressive Tiger defense forced almost as many turnovers (31) as the amount points (36) they allowed. The worst loss to date this season at the hands of the higher classified opponent dropped Quitman to 4-4 on the year, while Winnfield claims a season opening victory.
It was over early as Winnfield raced to a 21-10 first quarter lead that was expanded to 48-26 at the half and 71-34 by the end of three. Blake Carter scored nine points and grabbed ten rebounds to lead Quitman while Logan Ponder scored five and both Nicholas Kleibert and Grant Williams added four each. Noah Leach scored three and Riley Duck chipped in with 6 boards and 3 steals.
Quitman (4-4) 10 16 8 2 – 36
Winnfield (1-0) 21 27 23 9 – 80
QHS Scoring: Carter 9, Ponder 5, Williams 4, Kliebert 4, Leach 3

Haughton 66 Saline 48 (boys): No one can accuse Saline head coach Klint Robinson of padding the tournament schedule as the nightcap of the opening round of the Saline Tourney pitted his one win, Division V (Class C) Bobcats, against the 13th rated team in Division 1 (Class 5A). As expected, the host didn’t have the most as Saline fell to Haughton 66 – 48. The Bobcats hung tough in the first quarter thanks to five points each by Will Dyson and Kenton Lee Crawford to offset the four three pointers made by Haughton but the bigger Buccaneers took control by doubling up Saline 20-10 in both the second and third quarters. Dyson led Saline with 19, Shawn Staggs scored 10 and Crawford added 9. Jacob Jones chipped in with six, and both D.J. Rager-Ridley and Gavon Dailey tallied two. McClinden scored 17 to top four players that reached double figures in points for Haughton, who won their first of the season after opening with a pair of losses.
Saline (1-6) 10 10 10 18 – 48
Haughton (1-2) 12 20 20 14 – 66
SHS Scoring: Dyson 19, Staggs 10, Crawford 9, Jones 6 Rager-Ridley 2 Dailey 2
HHS Scoring: McClinden 17, Ross 12, Delaney 12, Antoine 10, Antoine 6, Carey 4, Turner 3, Howell 2, Youngblood 2

Haughton 57 Saline 34 (girls): Alaya Gray hit a pair of three pointers and scored 8 points to help Saline stay even with Haughton in the first quarter but Haughton used a 21-6 second quarter advantage to pull away. The fifth straight loss dropped the Lady Bobcats to 1-6 on the year while Haughton improved to 2-0. Gray ended the night with four trey’s to her credit and 18 points. Kasidy Sims scored five and both Alana Gray and Tyla Malone added three each. X. Lard had two.
Saline (1-7) 10 6 9 9 – 34
Haughton (2-0) 10 21 13 13 – 57
SHS Scoring: Alaya Gray 18, Sims 5, Alana Gray 3, Malone 3, Lard 2
HHS Scoring: Washington 19, Browder 10, Armstrong 8, Marshall 7, Frazier 5, Poydras 4

Friday:

OCS 58 Saline 43 (Girls): Saline gave defending Division IV state semifinalist Ouachita Christian out of Monroe a run for their money but by winning each quarter by small margins the Lady Eagles managed to win their second straight to open their season. The Lady Bobcats held OCS to just six field goals in the first half but by making 13 of 18 free throws OCS held a 27-18 lead at the break before methodically pulling away in the second half. Alana Gray scored a season high 22 points to lead Saline followed by twin sister Alaya and X Lard with seven. Tyla Maline and Kassie Hood added three each.
Saline (1-7) 10 8 11 14 – 43
OCS (2-0) 12 15 15 16 – 58

Ruston 38 Lakeview 31 (boys) Two of north Louisiana’s top defensive teams slugged it out with Class 5A Ruston slipping past Class 2A Lakeview. The win was the third straight to open the year for the Bearcats, coached by Weston native, Ryan Bond. Lakeview fell to 1-1 on the year despite allowing only an average of 31.5 points per game.

Ruston 51 Haughton 44 (girls) The 2nd ranked Ruston girls made it three straight with the victory over previously undefeated Haughton, who now sits at 2-1 on the year. The Lady Buccaneers were making a second trip in two days to Saline having played the tourney host night before.

Saturday

Quitman 49 Ouachita Christian 44 (Girls) Down 44-42 with time winding down in the opener of four games played Saturday, Quitman went on a 7-0 run to blow past the defending “non-select” Division IV state semifinalist. With their second straight victory over teams from higher classifications, the Lady Wolverines ran their record to 7-2 while OCS fell to 2-1, suffering only their 8th loss in the last 96 games played over three plus years.
After the lead see-sawed back and forth in the early stages of the final frame as it had done all game, Brayli Stewart found Bethany Leach for a three pointer to put Quitman up 45-44. Leach then made the back end of two free throws after OCS missed two charity shots. Desperately, OCS tried to get back in the game by fouling only to see Summer Grillette make her only two points of the game with two clutch free throws to put Quitman up 48-44. After another foul, Cali Deal, who led Quitman with 20 points on the night on the strength of making 10 of 13 free throws, made the front end of a pair to close out the game. Brayli Stewart and Leach also finished in double figures with 12 and 10. Anna Leach added three and AJ Gray scored two.
QHS (7-2) 11 11 10 17 – 49
OCS (2-1) 10 9 15 10 – 44
QHS Scoring: Deal 20, Stewart 12, B. Leach 10, A. Leach 3, Grillette 2, Gray 2

Quitman 47 Saline 43 (boys): Quitman made only one field goal in the fourth quarter and three the entire second half but by making 13 of 20 free throws kept scrappy Saline at bay in the finale of the three day tourney. The victory improved the Wolverines to 5-3 on the year while Saline fell to 1-8 after a fourth straight loss. It was Saline that made only one basket in the first quarter as Quitman stormed to a 14-6 lead which proved to be to much of a hill for the Bobcats to climb despite outscoring the Wolverines in each of the last three quarters. Brayden Smith came up big for the Wolverines, especially down the stretch where he made five of six clutch free throws in the final period, to give him a team high 13 in the contest. He was assisted by Eli Walker who made three trey’s in the first half en route to 11 points on the night. Blake Carter ended with 10 points and 15 boards for his third “double-double” of the year and both Gavin Caskey and Logan Ponder chipped in with six each. Kenton Lee Crawford scored 13 to lead Saline, who also got a season high 9 points by Gavin Dailey and 8 from D.J. Rager-Ridley. Will Dyson, Shawn Staggs and Maddox Williams added four each.
Quitman (5-3) 14 12 10 11 – 47
Saline (1-8) 6 13 12 12 – 43
QHS Scoring: Smith 13, Walker 11, Carter 10, Caskey 6, Ponder 6, Williams 1
SHS Scoring: Crawford 13, Dailey 9, Rager-Ridley 8, Dyson 4, Staggs 4, Williams 4, Ledbetter 1

Ruston 71 Winnfield 52 (boys): Ruston High, ranked 6th in Division I, made easy work of the 3rd ranked team in Division III, by scoring a season high to run their record to 4-0 in the second game played on Saturday. Winnfield fell to 1-1 on the year. 

Lakeview 76 Haughton 62 (boys): It was just the opposite in the third game as the smaller school blew past the bigger one as  Lakeview rebounded from their loss to Ruston by taking down the Class 5A Buccaneers. Lakeview, who opened their season at the Saline Tourney improved to 2-1 on the year while Haughton fell to 1-3. 

 

 

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Are you a fan of fishing from the bank? Maybe you like to stroll along the waterfront on a peaceful walk or just want a nice spot to sit and enjoy nature and a bit of solitude? If this is you then you need to make your way to Chatham Lake, nestled along Hwy 34, just outside of downtown Chatham.

Thanks to the collaborative effort of the Town of Chatham, the Jackson Parish Recreation Department, and the Jackson Parish Watershed Commission the banks along Chatham Lake are now accessible for all to enjoy! The continuing project that has been ongoing for several weeks has cleared all the trees, limbs, and high grass from the edge of the lake’s inaccessible areas so that the lake can safely be enjoyed even if you don’t own a watercraft.

“I would like to commend the Town of Chatham, the employees, and Mayor Harris, for doing an amazing job with the upkeep of the gateway to Caney Lake. It’s a work in progress as improvements are constantly being made around Chatham Lake so everyone can enjoy its beauty and recreational opportunities. Thanks to Jackson Parish Recreation Board for providing the funding for these projects through cooperative endeavor agreements to make this happen for our citizens.” – Gary Joyner, V\P & Treasure, Jackson parish Watershed District

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Parade! Lights! Carriage Rides! Christmas Music!
And, of course, SANTA!

Local citizens, restaurants, businesses, and Santa invite you to experience a bit of Christmas magic as the downtown area of Jonesboro is transformed into Christmas Wonderland in the Pines. The fun starts at 5:30pm this Wednesday, November 23rd with the lighting of the Christmas Tree on Courthouse Square. 

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 23rd:
5:30 pm – LIGHTING OF CHRISTMAS TREE ON COURTHOUSE SQUARE AND TURNING ON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.
Saturday, November 26th
10:00 am – COFFEE HONORING GRAND MARSHALL BART WAGGONER AT JONESBORO CITY HALL
10:00 am – VENDORS OPEN ON POLK AVENUE
11:00 am – CHRISTMAS CHOIR PERFORMANCES AT VETERAN’S PARK (sponsor – Jonesboro State Bank)
1:00 pm – B CAM AND THE ZYDECO YOUNG BUCKS BAND AT POCKET PARK (Sponsor – JP Museum)
4:30 pm – CHRISTMAS PARADE  (Sponsor – Jackson Parish Chamer of Commerce)
6:30pm – FIREWORKS SHOW (Sponsors – Jackson Parish Chamber of Commerce & Jackson Parish Tourism Board)

Beginning Saturday, November 26th, Santa will be in his house in the Christmas Park each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Horse drawn carriage rides every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 23rd

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As of November 15th, the most populated community in eastern Jackson Parish should  be referred to as the Village of Chatham. This is due to the councilmembers Toni Malone, Sue Proffer, Laverne Mixon and Mike Wilson introducing Ordinance 2022-04 which officially changes the description of the burg from Town to Village. Marvin Davis was absent. The move was made in accordance with the LA Revised Statute 33:341 which states a municipal corporation having less than five thousand but more than one thousand inhabitants are towns; and those having one thousand or fewer are villages.

In additional action the council set the dates for regular council meetings in 2023 and adopted the Sewer Rate Study as presented . The new sewer rates will become effective January 1, 2023. In a corresponding move a new Sewer Reserve Savings Account was agreed to be opened. Ordinance 2022-05 was also approved which allowed for the rezonin of properties located at 6713 Hwy 34 and 6427 Hwy 34 to be rezoned from residential to commercial. 

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All good things must come to an end and thus does the best start to a season by the Weston High School girl’s basketball team. Perennial Class B stalwart Stanley High School, located just west of Mansfield, won 48-45 on Monday to give Weston their first loss in ten games, but just barely. Weston had a shot to tie at the end but a last-second, three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced away. The victory dropped the Lady Wolves to 9-1 on the year while Stanley improved to 3-4 on the year.

What had been the “signature of success” in the early part of the season, a high-scoring average and good long-range bombing became a fickle partner for the first time all year. Weston came in averaging 63.9 points per game and shooting 25 % as a team from behind the three-point line. Against Stanley, the Lady Wolves scored 18 points below their average and made only 15% (4-27) from behind the arc.

In the beginning, it looked like another Weston win in the making. The Lady Wolves jumped out to a 16-8 lead after one period but suddenly fortunes turned and hard. At the half, Weston found themselves ahead by just one at 21-20 after producing a season-worst five points in the second quarter. The misfires continued in the second half, leading to Weston being outscored for three quarters for the first time all season.

“It is simple,” Weston head coach Stacy Tucker curtly said in explaining the loss to the team that had won just two of their previous six games. “Stanley outplayed us and we didn’t play well.”

Briley Peterson is one who did play well, leading Weston with 17 points and 14 boards. Lexie Millien scored six and Emma Kate McBride nine as both also set new season marks in rebounds with 12 and 8 respectively. Lainee Trosclair also made 8 points despite not making a three-pointer for the first time all season. Ashlee Aldy scored three and Jessica Newton two to round out the scoring for Weston.

Weston (9-1) 16 5 12 12 – 45
Stanley (3-4) 8 12 13 15 – 48
WHS Scoring: Peterson 17, McBride 9, Trosclair 8, Millien 6, Aldy 3, Newton 2

Weston 75 Doyline 46 (Girls) How do you break a shooting slump? Keep shooting! Weston took the theory to heart putting up an incredible 94 shots that led to the second-best scoring total of the season and four players reaching double figures in points for the first time all year. Adding to the enjoyable evening were three players smashing previous career game highs, including a pair who set two new marks each.
Turning in the game of their lives was Nadia Siadek with 12 points and 13 boards, Jessica Newton with 10 points and 7 blocks, and Anslee Aldy with 15 points, all new career bests. Emma Kate McBride chipped in with 14 points, Lainee Trosclair added 8, Lexie Millien and Briley Peterson with 6 each, and both Jakayla Fourd and Raelynn Shell scored two.

Weston (10-1) 20 17 28 10 – 75
Doyline (1-3) 9 17 7 13 – 46
WHS Scoring: Aldy 15, McBride 14, Siadek 12, Newton 10, Trosclair 8, Millien 6, Peterson 6, Fourd 2, Shell 2

Stanley 64 Weston 36 (boys) Scoring just 11 points in the second and third quarters combined proved to be the undoing as Weston dropped their fifth in six games. Six points each by Jude Otwell and Bryce Zehr, who made his on a pair of three-pointers, led to Weston scoring 15 in the first frame but Weston managed just seven baskets the remaining of the way. Zehr scored 11 and Otwell 8 to pace the Wolves but no one else managed more than four. The victory was a third straight for Stanley after dropping their first five of the year.

Weston (1-5) 15 7 4 10 – 36
Stanley (3-5) 21 18 20 5 – 64
WHS Scoring: Zehr 11, Otwell 8, Fourd 4, Henderson 4, Gonzalez 3, Mathews 2, Theriot 2, Watlington 2

Doyline 92 Weston 77 (boys) The Wolves scored their most points in a game this year. The problem was that so did fellow district 1B member, Doyline. The contest featured two incredible individual efforts as Weston’s, Mitchel Mathews, scored a career-high 32 points and Doyline’s, Jamara Clark pumped in 35. The game started with Doyline holding a slim 19-18 lead after the first period before exploding for 32 points in the second quarter to take a 51-34 lead at the half. The lead ballooned to 33 points with a minute left in the third period but to the Wolves credit, the Wolves cut the deficit to 11 with 2:30 left in the contest. Bryce Zehr finished with 18 on the night and Tait Henderson chipped in with 15. Braden Theriot scored eight and Jude Otwell four for the Wolves who fell to 1-6 with the loss. Doyline, ranked 9th in Division V, improved to 4-1 with their fourth straight victory after a season-opening loss.

Weston (1-6) 18 16 17 26 – 77
Doyline (4-1) 19 32 23 18 – 92
WHS Scoring: Mathews 32, Zehr 18, Henderson 15, Theriot 8, Otwell 4
DHS Scoring: J. Clark 35, Mingo 18, Swain 14, K. Clark 9, McClendon 8, Patterson 7, Spears 1

Weston 59 Dodson 45 (boys) Tait Henderson scored a game-high 21 points and doubled up the first-quarter point total of Dodson by himself as the Wolves raced to a 23-5 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The victory improved Weston’s record to 2-6 while Dodson fell to 1-5 on the year. While Henderson was the only Weston player to reach double figures in points, seven others chipped in with a balanced effort led by Braden Theriot with eight and both Mitchell Mathews and Bryce Zehr with seven each. Juan Gonzalez was next with a season-high six points followed by Jude Otwell and Ja’Michael Fourd with four apiece. Daniel Watlington rounded out the scoring with two.

Weston (2-6) 23 14 15 7 – 59
Dodson (1-5) 5 12 17 11- 45
WHS Scoring: Henderson 21, Theriot 8, Mathews 7, Zehr 7, Gonzalez 6, Otwell 4, Fourd 4, Watlington 2
DHS Scoring: Box 20, Duff 10, Glaze 8, Statham 7

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Former District Attorney and current District Judge Walter May visited the Quitman High School Civics classes and senior World History class on Thursday, November 17th, as part of the Judges in the Classroom initiative. He taught about the Constitution and various legal and judicial matters affecting our nation. May also told personal stories about his experiences in the court system.

“We all extremely enjoyed his visit and appreciate him coming and sharing with us,” said QHS principal Billy Carter.  “It was a great experience that we hope to continue every year!”

The Judges in the Classroom programs provide volunteer professionals from the legal community an opportunity to enhance civics and law-related education in Louisiana classrooms. Thousands of students statewide benefit from this program every year. The LCLCE partners with the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Louisiana District Judges Association to bring volunteer lawyers, judges, and educators together to deliver exciting, inter-active law-related presentations.

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The Jackson Parish Police Jury (JPPJ) Finance Committee met on Thursday, November 17th in the Nathanial Zeno Jr. Meeting Room of the Jackson Parish Administrative Building, located at 160 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro.
The meeting began with the Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance followed by anyone from the public being offered the opportunity to make comments. Committee members, John McCarty, Regina Rowe, and Chairman, Lynn Treadway, then reviewed the 2022 budget amendments and 2023 budget items and discussed salary increases for employees.
Note: While there may have been enough additional Police Jury members on hand to establish a quorum, no official action by the JPPJ was taken. Any recommendations considered by the Finance Committee will be presented to all Police Jury members for action at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting set for December 20th.

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Congratulations to Quitman High School 4-H member, Jake Potts, on being selected as the Northwest Region Ag Ambassador. The Louisiana 4-H Ambassador program provides an opportunity for 4-H youth in grades 9th to 12th to be empowered with knowledge of the 4-H program. This is done in order to help them serve as strong advocates for agriculture, mentors for younger 4-H members with projects, and consumer educators in the importance of agriculture across the state.

Local 4-H’ers fare well in Competitive Exhibits at State Fair

It was a “blue ribbon” day for local 4-H’ers Alley Hines, Avery Dark, and Elsie Flynn who all received awards for the Competitive Exhibits entries at the 2022 Louisiana State Fair. Special congratulations go to Alley Hines for bringing home both a Grand Champion and a Reserve Grand Champion ribbon!

Registration for Shooting Sports Camp ongoing

Shooting Sports Camp will be held December 16-18, 2022 in Pollock at Grant Walker Educational Facility. The camp is open to 4-H Youth ages 9-13 years old. Participants will choose one of the following: Archery, Shotgun, .22 Rifle or Air Rifle/Air Pistol/BB (Combined). Parents and coaches are welcome to attend but it is not mandatory. The cost will be $100 per youth/per parent/per coach which will cover registration, lodging, meals and t-shirt. All youth will be required to bring their own bow/firearm and arrows/ammo. Deadline to register is November 25.

Please follow the instructions below to register for the camp (Youth and Adults must be currently enrolled in 4-H Online to register for camp – Contact your 4-H Agent if you are not):

1. REGISTRATION
2. Log in
3. Click “Events”
4. Click on “Register for a New Event”
5. Click on “2022 Shooting Sports Camp”

Note: LSU AgCenter policy requires all adults attending an overnight event with youth have to complete our overnight chaperone training and screening process (instructions included in registration). Contact David Boldt or your local agent with any questions.
Mail check/money order (made out to “LSU AgCenter”) by November 25 to:
David Boldt
4-H Youth Development
169 Knapp Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

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It was roughly sixty years ago when the young men and women turned their tassles, gathered their diplomas and walked out of Jonesboro-Hodge High School for the last time as a student. For the 23 members of the graduating class of 1961 and 35 from the class of ‘62 and their spouses that gathered at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro this past week, after the long forgotten stories got retold and memories started to be relived, it seemed like just yesterday.

Those attending from the Class of 1961 were: Ann Price Caskey, Virginia Stewart, Theresa Mary Baragona Fortenberry, JoAnn Cummings Reeves, Carolyn Robison, Pat Arender Kent, Linda Freeman, Harriet Irving Halley, Ronnie Carson, Dude Turner, Butch Matthews, Ann Cox Hill, Minne Rasbury Hammons, Carol Ann Gibson Hodges, Marion Rasbury, George McCain, Gary Walsworth, Fred Newman, Mike Brown, Ruth Jordan Hall, Linda Foster, Patricia Heron and Rose Schmidt White

Representing the Class of 1962 was: Enid Barr Melton, Martha Sneed Goza, Charlotte Cooper Harvey, Barbara May Lodge, Karen Keith Compretta, Jolene Hogg Carson, Carole Cruell Fullerton, Carol Butler Massey, Betsy Spell Weatherford, Mary Jean Caraway Standifer, Dianne Odom Davison, J. W. Fain, Wynell Walker Walker, Gilbert Pickens, Chesley Rockett, James Earl Gibson, Chris Holly Newman, Ronnie Michaud, Sonny Hathaway, Dorinda Spurlock Hathaway, Bill Traina, Carla Etter Smith, Edward Caskey, Lynette Culpepper Sandidage, Joyce Arner Jones, Randy Ewing, Gary Black, Mark Kinman, Jim Phillips, Jim Mixon, Jerry Robinson, Prentice Norred, Bill Coorpender, Jimmy Greer and Donnie Womack.

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I have a file of pending articles. I keep the file for the weeks when the well is running dry or nothing notable has happened. The thing about this file is that these are small reminders of ideas for articles. They are never the fully formed articles. If I have not used the article ideas, I tend to forget the deep insight I was having. I simply have a post-it note with a few words on it. More than once I have looked at the words on the post-it note and wondered, “What was I thinking?”

The note then goes in file thirteen.

I thought that sharing the post-it note-file in a brief fashion might be fun. I want to share these before I forget what they mean.

Here we go.

The other day I was listening to the various conversations around the office. Some days there are lots of them happening simultaneously. One fellow said to his compatriot, “I went for a walk the other day and when I got back home, I saw that the leaves were stuck to the bottom of my shoe.”

I had to stop and ponder why that was such a bad thing. Then I had a moment of revelation. The only way that leaves would stick to the bottom of your shoe is if your shoe had passed through a substance that caused the bottom of the shoe to be sticky. The two prime offenders would be gum and another substance that falls from the back end of four-legged animals. It was this second substance that caused the leaves to stick to the bottom of the shoe. The New Testament word for this substance is skubala. The word is used once in the writings of Paul, and it means the stuff that sticks to the bottom of your shoe.

Spiritual insight number one, sometimes we step into stuff. There is no reason to be surprised by stuff, just make sure you don’t track it into your emotional house.

The other day I was out visiting. I asked the fellow, “Are you staying out of trouble?” It is my question. It is a glib question. I am not asking in judgment, nor do I seek confession because of the innocent inquiry. His response was grand. He said, “Mother Nature and Father Time are keeping me out of trouble.”

I instantly related to his deep insight.

Spiritual insight two, live fully in the time you are in. If you are young and Mother Nature and Father Time have not taken their toll, then be careful, but enjoy. If you are a victim of Father Time and Mother Nature, then enjoy and relish this time in your life too.

Today is great because it is a gift from God.

I was reading this week and the author of the article made an interesting statement. His line was this; “an eye for an eye” leaves everyone blind. He was writing about Lex Talionis. The law of retaliation is laid out in the Old Testament. The idea in the Old Testament is that retaliation and revenge have limits. Jesus told His disciples; don’t you dare get started in that direction.

Spiritual insight three; an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth aren’t satisfying ways of dealing with conflict. We will be left blind and hungry.

I think I will stop there. Because insight four was about hugging your tombstone. I will save tombstone hugging for another day. The quick lesson there is live each day fully because you ain’t going to live forever.

 

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FFA “Future Farmers of America” is a student organization for those that are interested in agriculture and leadership. FFA is one of the few parts of agriculture education. The official name of agriculture education is The National FFA Organization. Throughout the past years, Jonesboro-Hodge-High School hasn’t really had an FFA organization for the past few years, until now where
students can learn what leadership and having responsibilities actually is.

At Jonesboro-Hodge-High School students are led by the FFA advisor, Ms.Angela Shows. The current students/officers are: Kamerin Bradley and Skylar Strickland as Co Presidents, Gavin Gilmore as Vice President, Payge Christesen as
Secretary, Elijah Loyd as Treasurer, Jaidon Venzant as Reporter, and Klara Richmond and John Self as Sentinel’s. Other members of the FFA organization are Magnolia Ballio, John Barton, Jessica Broshears, Ciara Gray, Kaleb Howard, Haylea Hunter, Cage Smith, Lain Trosclair, Kaden Whiseant, Isaiah Williams, and Amilyah Wyatt.

FFA helps students learn the basics of leadership and responsibility. It’s also about students from all over the world learning about personal growth, career success, exclusive chances to travel the world and so much more, like healthy living, good sportsmanship, lifelong friendships, community services, and confidence. The students that signed up for FFA want to change the community to make it a better place. Current projects include learning the FFA creed, building Christmas items, bird houses. Soon FFA members will becoming involved with greenhouse planting.

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