News

The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta organizing committe is pleased to announce that Dorothy Faye Ezaernack has been chosen to represent the fiesta as this year’s first lady.

She is the daughter of the late Joseph William Procell and Sylvia Rivers Procell. She was born and raised in the small village of Ebarb, where she later graduated as a proud Rebel from Ebarb High School in 1963.

The Tamale Fiesta Poster Committee unveiled their 2021 Commemorative Poster on Thursday September 16, 2021at the festival grounds events building. Attendees included 2021 Fiesta Royalty, Queen- Canada Sepulvado, King Donald Remedies, Baby Miss-Nevach DeLoach, Tiny Miss- Hudsyn Ellis,Toddler Miss- Amelia Speede, Petite Miss- Bree Martinez, Little Miss- Ansley Byles, Deb Miss-Blakli Brister. Junior Miss- Carsyn Garcie, Teen Miss- Chloe Carter, Royal Pages- Brentley Ezernack, Wesley Remedies

We were also joined by Visiting Queens, local dignitaries, and friends of the Fiesta. Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies was Amy Petriello, who was introduced by her father, Chris Loupe, President of the Fiesta Association.

Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Many held its 150 ^th Anniversary Fishing Tournament fundraiser event on September 4 ^th with Big Bass serving as the host marina.

First Place winners were Steven Delia and Roger Dougherty; Second Place Winners and also winners of the Big Bass Division were Charlie Westmoreland and James Primeaux. In the Youth Division, First Place went to Beau Nichols, Second Place was awarded to Roslyn Nichols and Third Place went to Lacie Pitre. Don Lemaire was the winner of the Kayak Division.

The winner of the raffle for the custom 7 foot heavy action MHX rod valued at $298.00 and donated by Ricks Custom Rods was Bo Rains. The online auction winners included Gerald Gibson, Orca cooler; Rosalind Andries, upholstery steam cleaner; and Thomas Andries, fish replica.

Special thanks to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a success.

(The Center Square) – Hurricane Ida has already caused oil supply losses of 30 million barrels, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports, resulting in the first decline in global oil supply in five months.

Hurricane Ida shut in 1.7 million barrels per day of oil production in the Gulf at the end of August, “with potential supply losses from the storm approaching 30 mb. An uptrend in supply should resume in October as OPEC+ continues to unwind cuts, outages are resolved and as other producers increase,” the agency stated in its September Oil Market report.

“Unexpected outages during August forced a decline in supply for the first time in five months and extended the sharp drawdown in global oil stocks,” it added.

Donald H. Remedies is the 10th of 11 children born to the late Robert and Gladys Remedies. Donald’s father, Robert Remedies, served as the Tamale Fiesta King in 1985, the 10th anniversary of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta. Now, Donald is following in his footsteps.

Mr Remedies is a 1977 graduate of Zwolle High School where he played on the baseball and basketball teams. Growing up he worked in whatever capacity was needed for his father’s logging business. After graduation he worked full time sawing logs for his father and also his brothers logging jobs. In 1984 he went to work as a Logging Administrator for Walsh Timber Co., LLC where he is still employed. He and his wife of 42 years, Ann Walsh Remedies are the parents of 3 children, Valerie Martinez, Christopher Remedies and Donald Hugh Remedies, Jr., deceased. They also have 6 grandchildren and one great grandson.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution urges Americans to reflect on the United States Constitution during this month’s annual observance in honor this foundational document of national governance.

“There are two documents of paramount importance to American history: the Declaration of Independence, which forged our national identity, and the United States Constitution, which set forth the framework for the federal government that functions to this day,” said DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren. “While Independence Day is a well-recognized and beloved national holiday, fewer people know about Constitution Week, an annual commemoration of the living document that upholds and protects the freedoms central to our American way of life.”

(The Center Square) – Louisiana’s October statewide election has been postponed because of Hurricane Ida.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin made the announcement after meeting with Gov. John Bel Edwards, who has prioritized recovery from the Category 4 hurricane. Edwards issued a corresponding executive order Thursday afternoon.

Hurricane Ida caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and communities throughout southeast Louisiana. Hundreds of thousands of residents have been without power, and securing basic necessities remains a challenge for Louisianans.

The previously scheduled Oct. 9 election now will be held Nov. 13, and the previously scheduled Nov. 13 election now will occur Dec. 11.

“This will allow our staff and local partners more time to properly prepare for a statewide election while ensuring the integrity of our election processes and that our voters’ traditional voting habits are as undisturbed as possible,” Ardoin said.

The 2021 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta poster will be unveiled on Thursday, September 16 at 7 p.m. at the Festival Grounds activity building.

In addition to the unveiling of Kathryn Woodruff’s poster, there will be the infamous 52-card raffle of a George Rodrigue “Blue Dog” print at $50 per card and door prizes. There will also be an auction of the framed, original poster artwork, the framed No. 1 poster, and Framed 35th anniversary poster. Light refreshments will also be served.

The Artist

Kathryn Woodruff is a Louisiana native artist who got her start drawing at a young age. She was inspired by stained glass windows and replicated what she saw in church on Sundays. Soon, she started featuring people in her works of art. She always had an interest and the ability to capture accurate likenesses.

The Many Police Department and Many Healthcare North made headlines in TIME Magazine recently after helping with the evacuation and returning of 80 residents of Marrero Healthcare Center, who were in the path of Hurricane Ida, the Category 4 storm that ravaged large swaths of Louisiana two weeks ago.

Administrators at the LaForche Parish facility took two days to pack their residents for an almost fivehour trip inland to Many Healthcare north.

“It’s so hard on the elderly folks, many of them, just to travel for an hour or two in a car,” said Elizabeth Dowden, nursing home director for Many Healthcare. “But to travel on a stretcher for six hours? That’s a strong generation. Very little complaints, and they did well.”

The trip took much longer, as thousands of others were evacuating from the storm path. Once the group made it to Many, the local police department and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were on hand to help the new, temporary residents.

BULLETIN: As online Observations was being posted last week, we learned the Tourist Commission at its Tuesday noon meeting on Sept. 7 voted that Director Chip Davis did not have the authority to fire Assistant Director Linda Curtis-Sparks. Her contract runs through December.

According to one of several who called Observations about the firing, Davis thought he had the authority to do so. It was reported that District Attorney Don Burkett, who serves as Tourist Commission counsel, believed Davis did not have the authority to fire Curtis-Sparks.

Commission President Lauren Moore did not attend the meeting; Vice-President Martha Henderson presided.

Curtis-Sparks was represented at the meeting by Baton Rouge attorney Alicia Corwin.

According to a post on the web site of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, a special called meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7.