News

The 42nd annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held on Saturday July 23 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, 220 South Jefferson Street on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. The family-oriented Festival, which is wheelchair accessible, will take place from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

The 2022 Festival theme is “Stronger Together: The Power of Traditional Culture.”

“We are so grateful to once again be able to hold a face-to-face event,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. “This year’s theme will celebrate the ways in which folk traditions bring people together in positive ways, providing solace, hope, cheer and inspiration. We are truly stronger together than apart.”

Fiddler extraordinaire Amanda Shaw will be honorary chair and headline performer with her band, Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys. Shaw will be also inducted in the Louisiana Folklife Center Hall of Master Folk Artists.

The Ark-La-Tex Music Show is returning to Many at the Sabine Theater (Many Community Center) on Friday, June 24th at 7 pm. Featuring a variety of music and local talent, you will be sure to enjoy a variety of Country, Mellow Rock, and Easy Listening from the 50’s, 60’, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s!! The “House Band”, featuring our favorite Musical Emcee, Buster Jordan, along with Sarah Erwin and The Burton Brothers will be sure to entertain everyone.

This month’s Special Guests include Gospel Songwriter, Terry Le Master, and Cole Stephens, the Grandson of the late Rod Hopkins, the founder of the Ark-La-Tex Music Show. A special tribute to Rod Hopkins will be sure to bring a smile to your face. You will also have a chance to win a FREE guitar!

Fort Jesup celebrated its 200th birthday on May 13-14. Future President, Zachary Taylor Garrison Commander, officially recognized the completion of the Fort on May 13, 1822. Fort Jesup was established to bring law and order to No Man’s Land—that strip of land between Louisiana and Texas where the boundary had not been officially designated when the Louisiana Purchase took place.

The “party” began on Friday evening with educational talks by Ricky Robertson on the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941 and other military “happenings” in the Fort Jesup area. Carrie McCormic, Park Manager, discussed women involved in the Fort Activities. On Saturday morning, Scott Debose, President of the Friends of Fort Jesup and author of the History of Fort Jesup, talked about the history of the area and the Fort.

At the monthly town council meeting on Tuesday, May 17th, Mayor Robert Hable presented two proclamations.

One was to proclaim June as Shriners Month in “celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Shriners Children’s Hospital and to offer hope and healing to children and families around the world”. A copy of the proclamation is attached.

The other was to proclaim “May 15-22, 2022 as National Police Week in commemorating police officers, past and present, who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and, in doing so, have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens”. Mayor Hable is shown in the picture presenting the proclamation to Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley. “The Many Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the citizens of our community”.

On May 14th, the Corey Ledet Zydeco Band played at Many Community Center thanks to a grant supported by the La Division of the Arts in cooperation with the La State Arts Council. Special thanks to Grant Writer Suzanne Williams. The wonderful music show was presented by Mayor Robert Hable, the Town of Many Cultural District and Events in Many.

Sending a reminder to all Registered youth fishermen fishing will begin early Saturday morning, June 4th on the banks of Cypress Bend Park at the 13th annual Toledo Bend Lake Association/Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District Fish Fest. Fishing begins at 7:30 a.m. Weigh in time will be no later than 11:00 a.m. The event was opened to youth fishermen who attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in 2021/2022 in Louisiana and Texas. Registration has ended and eligible fishermen have been contacted.

The Sabine Parish School Board along with local banks, Bank of Montgomery, Hancock-Whitney Bank and Sabine State Bank & Trust honored Sabine Parish Schools District Teachers of the Year for their dedication and commitment to the students, school, and community. Each educator was rewarded with an iPad donated by a local bank. Congratulations to each deserving recipient and special thanks to our local banks for all of their community support.

(More photos are published on the back cover)

The Louisiana Loggers Self-Insured Fund hosted an appreciation dinner Friday, May 6 with invited guests of the Logger of the Year and the Louisiana Loggers Association board. Guests shared a meal prepared by Jamey Maxwell, as well as a specialty cake by Sweets by Nonnie.

During the occasion, the 2022 Logger of the Year, Cathy and Wade Rivers of C & W Logging, Inc., was honored. Wade was born into a logging family. His father, Sam A. Rivers Sr., had his own logging job beginning in 1951. In 1974, he started Sam A. Rivers and Sons, Inc., where he employed five of his seven sons. Wade went to work for his dad in 1976. He later went to work for his brother, Vernon, and eventually started up a job with his brother, Lindsey, and was contracted to Walsh Timber.

In 1997, Wade formed his own company, C & W Logging, Inc. The company has been a member of the Louisiana Loggers Self-Insured Fund for almost 25 years.

Mr. Nicholas Tarver and Miss Haley Flynn of the Fort Jesup Society, C.A.R. attended the National Convention of the Children of the American Revolution which was held at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, Virginia, (near Washington, DC) April 22–24, 2022. The National President, Jacob Shadinger, of Illinois presided at the convention. The Senior National President was Lori Walters of Texas.

The convention events began with a Memorial Service at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the memorial, a wreath laying ceremony took place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War. The ceremony was conducted by Nicholas Tarver, National Chairman of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War. The wreath, presented by the Louisiana Society, was placed by State President Michael Dunlap of the Ann Fairfax Society in Baton Rouge.

The Black Heritage Festival, will be held Saturday, June 18th at the community center located at 850 Highland Ave in Many La.

The festival begins at 11:00 a.m. with a welcome address by Mayor Robert Hable, followed by the presentation of awards to honorees for their years of community service. The guest speaker will be Georgia Craven, Executive Director of Sabine Parish Tourist Commission.

Fun activities are planned throughout the day. There will be music, water slides and games for the kids, bingo, door prizes, vendors, and food available all day.

The Black Heritage Festival is held during the celebration of Juneteenth, a pride-filled day for the entire community. It is free to the public and all are invited to join in the celebration.

For more information, visit www.toledobendlakecountry or call Mary Perry at (318) 508-2911.