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Karlee Ann Russell Johnson, age 19, of Pitkin was arrested and charged with one count Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment and one count of Criminal Damage to Property.  Bond has not been set.  Johnson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Crystal Leann Carter, age 40, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond was set at $6000.  Carter remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Christopoher Jerome Nix, age 47, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond was set at $3500.  Nix posted bond and was released.

Briana Rae Creed, age 29, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Criminal Damage to Property.  Bond was set at $1281.  Creed posted bond and was released.

Kevin Joseph Carman II, age 32, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Improper Telephone Communication and one count of Criminal Trespass.  Bond has not been set.  Carman remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Odel Lavile Jackson, age 42, of DeRidder was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Jackson was charged with one count Possession of Schedule II narcotic, one count Possession of Schedule III narcotic and one count Possession of Schedule I narcotic.  Bond has not been set.  Jackson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

David Brown, age 30, of Rosepine was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Brown was charged with one count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bond was set at $1561.  Brown remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Brian Anthony Bradley, age 42, of Rosepine was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Bradley was charged with one count of Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Possession of Schedule II narcotics.  Bond had not been set.  Bradley remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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Vernon Parish District Attorney, Terry Lambright reports the recent Grand Jury Indictments of two Vernon Parish residents. Ozell Craft was arrested by the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office on December 22, 2023, after an arrest and extradition from the State of Arkansas. Craft was charged by Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office with one count of second degree murder after the body of Tamika Cannon was discovered near her home near the intersection of Louisiana Highway 28 and Louisiana Highway 469.

The matter was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant District Attorney Wayne Bush.  After hearing testimony from witnesses, the Grand Jury returned an indictment for second degree murder against Craft.  He now faces formal arraignment in court on the charge of second degree murder and will be scheduled for trial. The defendant faces a mandatory life sentence for second degree murder if convicted.

Assistant District Attorney Ronald Seastrunk presented to the Grand Jury a case involving James Karlson. On August 2, 2023, Karlson was arrested by Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office for molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, second degree rape and oral sexual battery. The Grand Jury, after hearing all of the testimony, returned an indictment against Karlson for first degree rape. Karlson will also soon be arraigned and set for trial as well.

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The #7 ranked Anacoco Lady Indians had an odd start to the softball season.  Just days before it began, the newly constructed clubhouse and batting complex burned in an accidental fire.  Coach Richard Partridge had health concerns and family issues and was unable to continue.  The basketball girls went deep into the state tournament and got a late transition to softball.

Anacoco lost five of their first six games, then won ten of the next twelve.  They finished the season winning eight of nine.  The Lady Indians averaged nearly 13 runs a game on their season ending run.  They won the district 4-B title (8-0) and had a 19-10 overall record.

#6 Stanley features a 19-13 overall record and a district 3-B title(3-1).  They ended the season going 4-6 over the last ten games.  The Lady Panthers got a BYE in the first round of the playoffs before beating #11 Holden, 10-3 and #3 Choudrant,10-1.  Stanley bats nearly .350 as a team.  They are led by sophomore Jade Jones with 21 HR’s and 63 RBI’s to go along with her .545 batting average.

Anacoco interim coach Angie Davis likes the way her team is swinging the bats lately.  They had three HR’s in the 14-2 win over Zwolle.  The Lady Indians beat #26 Simpson in the first round 18-3 and shut out Hicks in round two, 4-0.  Anacoco is led by McNeese commitment Bailey Davis and Hannah Jackson, who will play for LSU-A.

Anacoco meets Stanley at noon Friday April 26 on Field #18 of Frasch Park in Sulphur.  The winner will advance to the state title game Saturday April 27 at noon on Field #13 where they will face the winner from the semi with #1 Quitman/#5 Converse.

Local radio stations KVVP/105.7 and KJAE/93.5 will air the semi-finals and finals for local residents that don’t make the drive to SWLA.

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In Division III non-select schools, the #8 ranked Rosepine Eagles will host #9 Loreauville in a best-of-three series beginning Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. with Game One.  Game Two is Saturday at 11 a.m.  Game Three, if necessary, will be played after a short break from Game Two on Saturday.  The winner of that series will face either #1 South Beauregard or #17 Kinder in the quarterfinals next week. 

In Division IV, the #18 Pickering Red Devils traveled last night to face #2 Mangham.   The Dragons rang up an 11-0 victory in six innings.  Pickering won their first playoff game in the last 25 years in the first round.  Mangham advances to the quarterfinals to meet either #7 Welsh or #10 Centerville next week.

Three teams are still alive in the Division V playoffs.

#3 Hicks hosted #14 Converse last night and scored an 8-0 win.  Pitcher Hayden Doyle threw a gem on the mound with eight strikeouts and only four hits allowed.  Micah Merchant went three out of four at the plate while Brody Perkins drove in three runs with a bases clearing double in the third inning.

The #11 ranked Hornbeck Hornets closed out their season with a 3-0 loss at #6 Elizabeth last night.

Tonight  #1 Pitkin hosts #17 Simsboro at 6 p.m., and #9 Anacoco visits #8 Maurepas at 5:15 p.m.

The state baseball tournament is May 7-11 at McMurray Park in Sulphur, Louisiana.

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By VPJ Staff

People in Louisiana live to pass a good time.  That can mean lots of different ways to have some fun and maybe try something new.  There were multiple local events in the last few days, and the whole month of May is just one big party!

Mayfest in downtown Leesville, May 3-4, features two days of free music, food, arts/crafts and fun.  Herb lovers could visit the Herb and Garden Festival in Sunset that same weekend or go to Thibodeaux for the Fireman’s Fair.  It’s also the last weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

May 10-11: The riverbank on the Cane in Natchitoches is the site of the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Fest, or you could head south to Rayne and check out the Frog Festival.

May 17-18: Visit Golden Meadow for the Louisiana Boulette and Hot Air Balloon Show, or head to New Orleans for the Bayou Boogaloo.

Great foods are celebrated May 24-26 with the Jambalaya Festival in Gonzales and Mudbug Madness in Shreveport.  Do not miss the dessert table at the Greek Festival in New Orleans that same weekend.

Before the month of May is over, Lafayette will host a Zydeco Extravaganza; Franklinton invites you to the Washington Parish Balloon Festival, and June 1^st brings us to the Peach Festival in Ruston.

It doesn’t stop there.  First time visitors to our state think that’s all we do in Louisiana —  throw a festival!  Immerse yourself in the varied cultures and heritages that have uniquely shaped our state.  Visitors love Louisiana!   Homies, get involved in what is happening all around you and rediscover the passion for your home state!

Laissez les bon temps roulez!  See you at the Mayfest next weekend in downtown Leesville.

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Southwest Jazz presents a free “Radio Night Concert” tonight at 7 p.m. in the Wooten Theatre in downtown DeRidder.

Southwest Jazz is a full-blown horn orchestra with a rhythm section.  The band is comprised of music teachers, band directors, and retired educators from the field of music from five to six local parishes in Southwest and West Central Louisiana.

This show is one of the band’s favorites.  Guests for the show will have a chance to register to hear a song.  When their name is selected, they will choose a favorite song from the band’s set list.  Vocalists will be featured for this show for the first time.

The concert is free and open to all music lovers.  Come and take a little trip down Memory Lane with Southwest Jazz.  Concessions will be available, with all proceeds benefiting the Impromptu Players Acting Troupe of DeRidder.  

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By James Turner

As the American Civil War wound down (1865) many former slaves in the south searched for their way forward.  In Vernon Parish there were freed slaves stepping into the unknown.  Many former slaves began a migration to northern cities like Chicago and Baltimore.  Others barely survived as field hands, farmers, cowboys and paid domestic help.  While thousands went west, a mixed group, beat down a famous trail to Mexico, where the Mexicans welcomed them.  Still others made a go from where they stood, in the countryside or town of their birth.  Many of their stories are heart wrenching.

Leesville had several such mild, or in some cases, rather notorious characters of the hang-around type: Ms. Eliza Spencer, known as Liza, was notable.  Liza was a tough, hardworking gal, formerly owned, before the war, by Dr. & Mrs. Smart of the old Smart Plantation.  Eliza was outgoing and kept her own council, or so it seems.  “Aunt Eliza” was a well-known midwife.  Her and Mr. Sam Foreman were some of the first people to live their lives here in Leesville.  There is a telling photograph of Liza in the Museum of West Louisiana.  She smoked a corn cob pipe every day and most of the time.  Dr. Smart, owner of the Smart Plantation House, had a soft place in his heart for her.  When emancipation reached Leesville, Liza promptly announced that she would no longer clean anyone’s house.  From then on, she would clean only offices, stores and shops downtown and so on.  That went along fine for several years after emancipation when it is reported that she showed up at the Smart Plantation house with a two-year-old girl.  This was around 1870, and Liza had named her Margane.  Liza announced to Dr. and Mrs. Smart, “Here, you take her to raise, she’s yours!”

Thus, Liza’s little girl, Margane, grew up in the house at 301 S. First Street here in Leesville along with Dr. and Mrs. Smart’s two girls, Lula and Maggie.  Another report has it that Liza and her daughter loved to talk loud and endlessly.  That likely drove Ms. Hattie (Harriet Neal Smart) bananas.  Hattie’s photos tell of a seriously composed matron who did not put up with any foolishness.  Margane Foreman Smith (married name) became a well-known, sometimes to be avoided, citizen of Leesville.  Margane was reported to be a poor but loved and cherished housekeeper.  She remained with the Smarts until their deaths. (Dr. Smart, 1902 and Mrs. Smart 1914).  Margane was born to people who had been slaves and who lived through the transition to freedom here in Vernon Parish and the little town of Leesville, Louisiana.  Margane lived to marry and have children and grandchildren.  She was one of the oldest members of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and is resting in the Hawthorne cemetery. 

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Nichole Williams of Rosepine High School was recognized as an Exemplary Educator by the Louisiana Department of Education Tuesday morning.

The Louisiana Exemplary Educator Recognition Program was created to acknowledge, honor and spotlight exceptional early-to mid-career teachers, teacher specialists, assistant principals, and principals who exemplify Louisiana’s education profession.

Nichole teaches math at RHS.

Pictured are Curriculum Supervisor Leigh Lansdale, Curriculum Director Anne Smith, Curriculum Director Lisa Lohman, Rosepine Principal Joseph Bartz, Williams, Superintendent of Vernon Parish Schools James Williams, District Seven School Board Member John Blakenbaker, Curriculum Supervisor Karen Robertson, and Curriculum Supervisor Jerome Henson.

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By Chuck Cannon, Fort Johnson Public Affairs

The motto of Fort Johnson is “Forging the Warrior Spirit.” The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, has taken that motto a step further by forging resilient warriors.

Chaplain (Capt.) Jacob Brooks, 710 Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn Div, said spiritual readiness initiatives — part of the Army’s Spiritual Fitness Training — are chaplain led, but command sponsored. The iteration used by 3rd BCT is a blend of spiritual resiliency training and the popular History Channel television show “Forged in Fire.”

Chaplain (Capt.) Greg Ledbetter, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 3/10, started the 3/10 program more than 18 months ago. He reached out to Powel and Sons, a company in nearby Anacoco who own a forge. Thus, was born the Forged in Resiliency initiative.

“We’ve seen good results and great feedback from both Soldiers and units,” Brooks said. “Commanders wanted to see it used brigade wide. We have learned that it is good for both new Soldiers and career Soldiers.”

The three-day program begins with Soldiers asked, “Who am I?” Each Soldier is given a small plate of steel, each unique in shape and size. The Soldiers are then asked, “Where do you come from?”

“We want to know their background, what drives them,” Brooks said. “Then we talk about purpose. Next the Soldiers draw a template of the knife they want to build, giving them and their steel purpose.”

On day two, the Soldiers are asked to think about how they respond to challenges and adversity in life. That is tied to knife-making by using grinders and adjustments to improve their steel. The process shows the Soldiers how they can turn adversity into something that could turn out beautiful or appreciated.

The third day Soldiers and mentors discuss how everything comes together to make a knife, and how the Soldiers can go back to their units and become part of a trusted team, working together. The day ends with a discussion on how to care for their knife, keep it sharp, and take those principals to their unit and life.

“For me, the real value is it gives Soldiers firsthand opportunities to reflect and learn,” Brooks said. “Every part of the process of building a knife translates back to the idea of being forged as individuals, and across Fort Johnson, forged for war.”

While many people might think of spirituality as religious, Brooks said that’s not always the case.
According to the Army, a Soldier’s spirituality can be about following a chosen religion, but it can also mean just being spiritual in their own way. He said Army spirituality considers a Soldier’s core values to be what drives the them and gives their life meaning.

“We help them see why that is important and how it helps them to be trusted professionals in the Army,” Brooks said. “United States citizens entrust us with a lot of responsibility with tanks and weapons, and we have to be people of purpose, and have morals and ethics that drive our decision making.”

Spc. David Frazier and his spouse, Pfc. Madison Frazier, both with 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3/10, attended the most recent resiliency training together. For Madison, it was her second time through the course.

“This is amazing,” she said. “The chaplains walk you through each step of the process and lets you know how it relates to the challenges you will face. I was able to translate each step of the knife-making process into my life.”

David agreed, and added he learned a new aspect of spirituality. He said he knew the Army had many field manuals, but never knew spirituality had its own: FM 7-22.

“I always thought that if you were in the Army you had to be a Soldier first, but I’ve learned that Family is just as important,” he said. “This program has brought my wife and I closer.”

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The Mayfest, May 3-4, takes up the whole downtown area of the Leesville Historic District.  Music is right in the middle of it all — the stage is in front of the old Courthouse. The area to the right of the stage on the lower end of Third Street, past the post office and nearly to the museum, will be packed with local, area, regional, and national vendors showing off their arts, crafts, and consumables, as well as sharing information with visitors.  To the left of the stage on the upper end of Third Street, you’ll find Mayfest Mac’s favorite place, THE FOOD ALLEY! . . . up and down the street, on both sides!  More on the food in next Wednesday’s edition of the Vernon Parish Journal.

Mayfest Mac is not an artsy-craftsy kind of guy.  It’s not his skill set.  Rumor has it, he made his mom a pair of orange plexiglass salad tongs in shop class once — not a work of art except to a mom!  His eye is keen, however, on pretty baubles, decorative items, and practical gifts.  Mayfest Mac says come early!  Vendors should be ready by 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday.  Many vendors will stay ALL DAY!  Here is what you can expect (and this is just the tip of the old iceberg): soaps, body lotions, scrubs, essential oils, air brushed t-shirts, wind chimes, suncatchers, handmade quilts, even canvas art.  Come see hair accessories, lamps, woodworking, signs, and jewelry from across the globe.  Over 50 vendors are committed to attend with many more expected to sign up before the deadline for entering.  Did we mention live plants, jellies, kettle corn, sourdough breads, and original works of art?  There will also be informational vendors with legal aid, LifeShare Blood Center, and local businesses set up to visit with the thousands of visitors to downtown.  Mayfest Mac promises you will go home with something from this end of the street!

Those strange scribblings on the parking lot of the Vernon Parish Police Jury building are just the Rotary  Club’s annual Chalk-A-Block art project.  Kids and adults can draw with chalk ’til their hearts are content.

MAYFEST MAC’S TIP OF THE DAY:   At the other end of the street, hidden in the food area, you can step into Galley One ElllEVEN and visit ClayFest.  The gallery space will showcase clay artists from all over.  You might even get some hands-on time with the clay.  Make sure the kids see ClayFest!

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CHARLOTTE “BECKY” MARTIN-TILLEY
May 16, 1964 – April 24, 2024
Service: April 27, 2024, at Anacoco First Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m.

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Rachelle Lynn Watkins, age 35, of Leesville was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Watkins posted bond and was released.

Jacob Austin Davis, age 30, of Anacoco was arrested and charged with one count Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic (methamphetamine), one count Driving on a Roadway Laned for Traffic, and one count Operation of a Vehicle while License was Suspended.  Bond was set at $6970.  Davis remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Joshua Betz, age 35, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Molestation of a Juvenile, one count Sexual Battery, and one count Aggravated Crimes Against Nature.  Bond was set at $500,000.  Betz remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Kevin Arndt, age 42, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Flight from an Officer, one count Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, one count Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic (methamphetamine), one count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one count of Littering.  Bond has not been set, and Arndt remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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The Leesville City Council met at 3 p.m. Monday, April 22, in the Leesville City Hall meeting room.   Routine business included the payment of monthly bills totaling $50,623.30. 

The City received invoices of $62,484 from Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering for the Leesville Airport Taxiway and Drainage Project.  Meyer and Associates submitted several invoices; a pair totaling $19,053.06 were for the Street Rehabilitation Project.  Two others totaling $40,430.63 were for the Entrance Road Sewer Project.

The Council passed a resolution authorizing the City to enter into a service contract with Card/Connect for debit/credit card processing services.  A new 3% convenience fee will be added to all payments to the City made in this fashion.  Council members also passed resolutions for the purchase of new playground equipment for the City and also voted to advertise for bids on a new seven-unit hanger at the municipal airport.

The introduction of Ordinance 4 of 2024 was put on hold until the May meeting.  This new ordinance would limit development of property zoned A-7, A-8, A-9 for manufactured homes, mobile homes, trailers, modular homes, tiny homes, and portable buildings and repeal all other ordinances related.  Existing ordinances were put in place following 2020 and COVID. 

The Mayor and Council members heard from Ms. Joanne Howard in public comments, detailing how her situation has developed and that she needed help in the matter.  Howard owns a property that is unlivable at the present time.  She has a newer model mobile home ready to install and live in with her two grandchildren but cannot get through the process with the City.  She provided extensive documentation, and City Planner Grant Bush said he had spoken to the Planning and Zoning Commission about the situation. The City did agree to give Ms. Howard a variance on the ordinance and will support her efforts at the Council meeting in May.  The ordinance will come up again at the May 13 Council meeting.

Leesville Mayor Rick Allen presented an award for Volunteers of the Year to Command Sgt. Major (Ret) Chris Ausbun and his wife, Jennifer, for their manual labor in painting the new Leesville Event Center.  Ausbun was also a transitional worker on the City of Leesville’s Vegetation Control contract with Ft. Johnson.  Allen remarked that Ausbun’s organizational skills helped to shape that early department for the City.  He lauded the couple for staying in the area upon retirement from the Army and using their time and skills to better their new hometown.

Allen urged all Leesville and Vernon Parish residents to participate in the state and city-wide cleanup campaign going on all week long.

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The softball season continues for the #7 ranked Anacoco Lady Indians.  They advanced to the state semifinals in Division V later this week by blasting #2 Zwolle 14-2 last Friday.   Anacoco scored four in the first inning and never looked back.  They rang up three home runs in the game.  McNeese softball  commitment Bailey Davis went deep.  LSU-A signee Hannah Jackson left the yard and youngster Anna Clare Vinson got hold of one!  Anacoco will face off against #6 Stanley in the semis Friday, April 26, at noon on Field #18 at Frasch Park in Sulphur, Louisiana.  Stanley defeated #3 Choudrant last Friday, 10-1 (7innings).  The Lady Panthers are 21-13 on the year and led by prodigious home run hitter, sophomore Jade Jones.  The catcher/shortstop has 21 dingers and 63 RBI’s on the season and she has a .545 batting average.  The Division V finals are set for Saturday, April 27, at noon on Field #13.

The 14^th ranked Rosepine Lady Eagles fell to #11 Many last Friday 8-2 in the Division III quarterfinal round.  Many will play #2 Doyle in the semifinals Friday at 2:30 p.m.

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Vernon Parish boys’ baseball teams swept into the first round of the playoffs with all six local entries winning first round games last week.

In Division III non-select teams, #8 Rosepine got a BYE in the first round and now faces #9 Loreauville in a best-of-three regional series.  The Eagles are 14-11 overall.  Game One in the series is Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. on the Eagles’ diamond.  Game two is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.  If a game three is necessary, it will be held following a break on Saturday at approximately 2 p.m.  The winner of this series will meet either #1 South Beauregard or #17 Kinder in the state semifinals at McMurray Park in Sulphur next week.

Pickering, the #18 seed among Division IV non-select schools, had a wild 18-14 (8 innings) win on the road over #14 Kentwood last Friday in the first round of the playoffs.  Pickering’s A.J.Berry tallied five hits and 4 RBI’s in the game.  Pickering had a whopping 19 hits and drew 14 walks in the slug-fest.  Jace Donaldson got it started with an inside the park home run with a runner on in the first for a 2-0 lead.  The Red Devils scored five runs on three  hits in the top of the fourth inning and came back with seven runs on five hits in the top of the fifth.  Logan Sneed had a bases loaded double that drove in three runs.  This was the first time since 1998 Pickering advanced out of the first round.  The Red Devils next tangle with #2 Mangham Thursday at 5 p.m. 

Vernon Parish’s Division V teams all got through the first round.  #1 Pitkin (21-3 overall) got a BYE and will now host #17 Simsboro Friday at 6 p.m.  The winner gets either #8 Maurepas or #9 Anacoco in the quarterfinals May 1.  #3 Hicks also got a first round BYE and will host #14 Converse Thursday at 5:30 p.m.  The winner gets #11 Hornbeck or #6 Elizabeth in the quarterfinals.  #9 Anacoco blasted #24 Singer in the first round, 10-0 in five innings.  They face #8 Maurepas on the road in the regional round Friday, April 25, at 5:15pm. #1 Hornbeck sports a 16-4 record after beating #22 Reeves in the first round 11-1 (five innings).  The Hornets draw the winner of Hicks/Converse in the quarterfinals.

Semifinals will be played beginning May 4 with the finals on Saturday at McMurray  Park in Sulphur.

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Southwest Jazz presents a free “Radio Night Concert” Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Wooten Theatre in downtown DeRidder.

Southwest Jazz is a full-blown horn orchestra with a rhythm section.  The band is comprised of music teachers, band directors, and retired educators from the field of music from five to six local parishes in Southwest and West Central Louisiana.

This show is one of the band’s favorites.  Guests for the show will have a chance to register to hear a song.  When their name is selected, they will choose a favorite song from the band’s set list.  Vocalists will be featured for this show for the first time.

The concert is free and open to all music lovers.  Come and take a little trip down Memory Lane with Southwest Jazz.  Concessions will be available, with all proceeds benefiting the Impromptu Players Acting Troupe of DeRidder.  

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The Mayfest, May 3-4, takes up the whole downtown area of the Leesville Historic District.  Music is right in the middle of it all — the stage is in front of the old Courthouse. The area to the right of the stage on the lower end of Third Street, past the post office and nearly to the museum, will be packed with local, area, regional, and national vendors showing off their arts, crafts, and consumables, as well as sharing information with visitors.  To the left of the stage on the upper end of Third Street, you’ll find Mayfest Mac’s favorite place, THE FOOD ALLEY! . . . up and down the street, on both sides!  More on the food in next Wednesday’s edition of the Vernon Parish Journal.

Mayfest Mac is not an artsy-craftsy kind of guy.  It’s not his skill set.  Rumor has it, he made his mom a pair of orange plexiglass salad tongs in shop class once — not a work of art except to a mom!  His eye is keen, however, on pretty baubles, decorative items, and practical gifts.  Mayfest Mac says come early!  Vendors should be ready by 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday.  Many vendors will stay ALL DAY!  Here is what you can expect (and this is just the tip of the old iceberg): soaps, body lotions, scrubs, essential oils, air brushed t-shirts, wind chimes, suncatchers, handmade quilts, even canvas art.  Come see hair accessories, lamps, woodworking, signs, and jewelry from across the globe.  Over 50 vendors are committed to attend with many more expected to sign up before the deadline for entering.  Did we mention live plants, jellies, kettle corn, sourdough breads, and original works of art?  There will also be informational vendors with legal aid, LifeShare Blood Center, and local businesses set up to visit with the thousands of visitors to downtown.  Mayfest Mac promises you will go home with something from this end of the street!

Those strange scribblings on the parking lot of the Vernon Parish Police Jury building are just the Kiwanis Club of Vernon’s annual Chalk-A-Block art project.  Kids and adults can draw with chalk ’til their hearts are content.

MAYFEST MAC’S TIP OF THE DAY:   At the other end of the street, hidden in the food area, you can step into Galley One ELLLEVEN and visit ClayFest.  The gallery space will showcase clay artists from all over.  You might even get some hands-on time with the clay.  Make sure the kids see ClayFest!

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The recent Vernon Parish Journal edition contained a story that featured the upcoming large city-wide cleanup campaign in which the Junior League of Leesville and the Mayor’s Women’s Commission are helping coordinate activities with Mayor Rick Allen’s office.

This article reminded me of a story (below) that I wrote several years back, detailing the formation of the Leesville Mayor’s Women’s Commission.

Leesville was poised in 1992 for some big changes that would require preparation, and those changes would begin at the local military installation, Fort Polk, where Major General William Crouch had predicted a bright future, calling it “the best light infantry training post in the United States.”

The General explained. “Changes called for in the recent ‘Base Closure and Realignment Plan’ added much more permanence to Fort Polk. The personnel coming to Fort Polk with the Joint Readiness Training Center consists of senior officers and non-commissioned officers.

In the wake of the exciting realignment news, Mayor Jim Shapkoff, Jr., who had been elected in 1990, called a meeting to discuss preparations to welcome newcomers and VIP guests. Discussion centered on the need to clean up the city, expand local businesses, and welcome new troops to Fort Polk. T.L.”Sonny” Berry, in support of Mayor Shapkoff, noted, “Leesville will be a glass bowl with a lot of visibility as people come to this area.”

As part of the city’s effort to improve its overall image and appearance, a city-wide effort to promote pride and improvement throughout Leesville began. Jim wisely established the Mayor’s Women’s Commission, stating “the right women, at the right time, and in the right place, who will work wonders to help transform the City of Leesville.”

Crouch, who later became a Four-Star General, was correct. By 2018 Fort Polk had 14,000 jobs, a payroll of over $760 million, and an estimated total spending was 1.09 billion in FY 2016.

Update: JOINT READINESS TRAINING CENTER AND FORT JOHNSON

FYI 23 Economic Impact

1,794,132.102

Now named Fort Johnson, the base has not closed since it was reactivated in 1961.

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A Going Home service was held to honor the life and memory of Freddie Boswell, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Anacoco United Pentecostal Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, with the Reverends Rod Buller and Mark Christian officiating. Burial followed in Stephens Cemetery in Leesville, Louisiana, under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.  The New Llano Fire Department served as pallbearers.

 

Freddie Boswell was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on September 9, 1940, to Burton and Vergie (Moore) Boswell.

 

Freddie had a full and successful professional career. He proudly served the Town of New Llano as mayor for 20 years, councilman for 16 years, and building inspector for 4 years. During his time as mayor, he was instrumental in establishing the New Llano Fire Department as a full-time paid fire department, as well as overseeing the completion of the Ida Stephens Road Fire Station and the beginning construction of the (now completed) Stanton Street Fire Station.

 

He was honored when the “Freddie Boswell Community Park” (New Llano Park) was dedicated in his honor following his retirement as mayor of New Llano. Freddie was extremely proud of the many accomplishments in his professional career. He took great pride in serving the people of the Town of New Llano, a town he loved. Freddie was a 32nd Degree Mason Blue Masonic Lodge #419 F. & A.M.

Freddie also worked in the construction electrical business for approximately 20 years.  Freddie retired from the Vernon Parish School Board as a school bus driver with 22 years of service.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Vergie (Moore) Boswell; his sister, Virginia Seal; his first wife, Sharlene Boswell; and his second wife, Sue Boswell.

 

Freddie is survived by his wife of 10 years, Willie Weaver Boswell, as well as his children: son, Roger Boswell (Vickie); son, Anthony Boswell (Pam); daughter, Mellisa Liliedahl (Patrick); plus bonus daughters: Barbara Mann (Clark “Corky”) and Brenda Morgan (C.D.). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Matthew Boswell, Allison Boswell, Adam Liliedahl (Savannah), Katie Wilson (Matt), Mark Boswell and Makayla Liliedahl. He is also survived by his bonus grandsons: Anthony Mann (Shelly) and Chris Mann; bonus great-grandchildren: R. J. Prince (Miranda), Tyler Mann, Case Mann, and Cooper Mann; and by his siblings: sister, Barbara Haymon (Melvin), and brother, Roscoe Boswell (Sharla).

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