By James Turner, FAAR, FASLA

The rest of us ought to be thankful, and I suspect many are.  The Vernon Parish Journal is truly a fresh arm of America’s ever-evolving Freedom of the Press.  When I think of the battles fought to publish the news for all to regard as being closer to the truth than gossip, I am mostly heartened by our little journal.   Goodbye, Leesville Leader.  Think about it, folks; this is our means to understand the local scene, which is then added to the regional compilation of facts that informs the state’s news and ultimately the news of the country.  The Free Press is not rocket science; it is the record of the best we can contribute to the whirlwind of life.  Our duty is to be informed, to be educated. as Jefferson hoped we would.  It is our best bet for maintaining our freedom.  The Free Press is the barricade that holds tyranny and ignorance in check.  Obviously, I am extremely proud of the Journal.

For what it’s worth, my history with the Free Press goes back to high school as editor of the Meade County Gazette, in hard scrabbled Brandenburg, Kentucky.  We typed up the news on waxed sheets of paper and ran them off on mimeograph machines.  Everything and everybody were fair game for the news, within unwritten standards of consideration, of course.  We drew pictures in the wax and celebrated events of consequence.  It was grand.  That was 70 years ago.

Personally, my life was a mess at the time.  My dear old dad, late of Leesville and WWII, was a complete wreck.  I left home, quit school, and moved in with a cousin in Baton Rouge.   Meanwhile a former teacher, charged with the Gazette’s publication, wrote my salutations.  She found me in North Baton Rouge and told me not to be stupid and to go back to school. I did and became the editor of the BRHS Buzzer.  We even had a sports department with reporters who knew what was happening.  My routine was to write editorials and complain about things that concerned us kids.  How lucky can you be?  I still do that.

What generated these comments was the recent obituary of what was one of Leesville’s unsung heroes, Mr. Robert Lozano.  His remembrance is beautifully written, even lovingly so, and honors a “quiet and introspective man devoted to his family and his country…”  Goodness, what more can one ask for?  With the loss of the Leesville Leader and the subsequent birth of the Vernon Parish Journal, we enjoy a hopeful phase of Freedom, freedom to remember, freedom to forgive, freedom to interpret as we see fit, the lives and deeds of our fellow Americans.

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will host its 82^nd Annual Installation Banquet on Tuesday, January 28, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Center at 604 South Third Street in Leesville.  The event will celebrate 2024 achievements, say thanks to retiring board members and welcome incoming board members. The evening will begin with a networking social time at 5:45 p.m.  The banquet is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m.

Tickets are currently available for $25 each. Visit www.greatervernon.org to purchase them.  The meal will be catered by The Hickory Smokehouse.

Ms. Cindy Wann Jeane, with Phoenix Home Medical, will accept the gavel as President of the Board of Directors during the evening ceremonies. She will welcome new members to the Board: Karra Aymond with Aymond Medical Spa, Kevin Quinn of Byrd Regional Hospital, and Greg Lord, Jr. of Lord Management Service LLC.

The Keynote Address will be delivered by the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Richard Nelson.  Nelson will address the benefits of the recently passed tax reform from the November Special Session of the Louisiana legislature.

You can now make lunch plans for Wednesday, February 5.   The Pride of Pickering Band Boosters will host their annual Catfish Fry lunch on that day from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Plates are $15 and come with all the trimmings.   Profits will benefit the Pickering High School Band.  Delivery is available for an order of 10 or more plates.  Contact Band Director, Roland Smith for more information at 318-663-3350.

The catfish lunch will be served at the front of the school, making it easy to drive up and grab your order.

By Billy Crawford

If you have spent time recently searching for your car keys, having to program your car’s GPS to safely arrive on time at your doctor’s appointment, working WordSearch or the daily NEA Crossword Puzzle to keep your “brain sharp”, arriving at the grocery store without the grocery list, reading your Daily Devotional Guide for that much needed Positive Start, then you and I have a lot in common.

Following a recent successful carotid artery surgery, I have spent time reading and studying the Six Memory Boosters article by Charan Ranganath, director of the Memory Lab at University of California. I found the article so encouraging I thought I would share excerpts with you.

The next time you lose your keys or blank out on the name of your next-door neighbor, resist the urge to Google “signs of early dementia.”

“We expect our memory to function as an archive of the past, the good doctor explains. “In reality, our brain selectively whittles and prunes what gets stored so it can perform its main jobs, which includes planning for the future, building self-awareness, decision making, imaging and communication.”

Misplacing our credit card or a friend’s name doesn’t foreshadow our imminent cognitive decline, though they do become increasingly common when we get older. Our knowledge of the world and our lived experiences, on the other hand, “remain relatively intact in healthy aging.”

So, please consider including these six turbocharge tips below in your daily routines:

Turbocharge Tip #1: Reverse the “doorway effect.”

When you enter a room with a sense of purpose, only to freeze, ask why did I come in here?
Whether we are leaving a store, church, walking from one room to another–any time our perception of our environment changes–our brain creates mental bookmarks called event boundaries that divide our day into distinct before-and-after sections for easier recall later on.
If you are in the living room when you realize you left eyeglasses in the kitchen, an event boundary is created when you enter the kitchen. Unless we are actively mentally repeating get glasses from the kitchen island as you enter the kitchen, our brain is easily distracted by the fresh sites, smells (Are those cookies?!) and poof, there goes our memory. If we lose the thread, try to recall what we are thinking about back in the living room or physically return to it.

Turbocharge Tip #2: Use the Post-it trick.

People often lose track of our most-used items because our novelty brains tend to gloss over routine activities like plunking down our glasses. It’s not that we don’t have any memory of where we put our glasses, the good doc says, “It’s that we put our glasses in many, many places,” so searching for them is like scanning hundreds of sticky notes and expecting one to jump out.

Paying attention to details about where we place things will help us find them!

Turbocharge Tip #3: Become a monotasker.

Thanks to modern technology, we can chat on the phone, work a crossword puzzle, dismiss a news alert, ” Every time we shift back and forth between tasks, there is a lag as our brain reorients” says Constance Schmidt, professor emeritus of psychology at Middle Tennessee University, who studies multi-tasking. “Even micro interruptions we think we are ignoring are disruptions–your attention is captured and interruptions have cognitive costs. Even if you don’t answer a text message, we’ve already lost the battle.”

Turbocharge #4: Read a novel.

When evaluating new patients, one of the first questions a particular Washington D.C. neurologist and neuropsychiatrist asks is, “Are you a reader?” If the patient response includes, “I used to read lots of fiction but not anymore,” that’s a red flag for potential cognitive decline, says a clinical professor of neurology at George Washington University School of Medicine. “Reading fiction is a challenge to our working memory, which has to follow a plot and keep track of characters.
Our memory isn’t nearly as challenged by nonfiction, which lets us skip around and skim.”

Turbocharge #5: Create a giant strawberry and make it ride a cow.

When five-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis needs to memorize as many decks of cards as he can in an hour–his personal best is 20–he turns to mnemonics, a category of memory tools that includes creating outlandish visual images like that cowboy berry.

Turbocharge #6: Take more pictures with our minds.

The next time you’re treated to a gorgeous sunset, resist the urge to whip out your smartphone. “Filtering life through a camera lens takes us out of the moment,” Ranganath says, “stealing our attention away from the parts of the experience we really want to remember later on.”

I hope you found this information helpful– please join me in following these tips and please consider passing them on to your friends.

Funeral services for Anita Rose Craft Perry will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Cold Springs Baptist Church with Reverend Ricky Robertson officiating. The burial will follow in Cold Springs Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Sam Craft, Rickey Craft, John Craft, J.D. Haymon, Keith Hillman, and Jay Delouch. A visitation will be held Friday, January 17^th, at Jeane’s Funeral Service from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and again Saturday at Cold Springs Baptist Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time service.

Anita was born January 18, 1946, in Vernon Parish and passed away in her home in Leesville, Louisiana at the age of 78. She enjoyed being outdoors tending her flowers and cross stitching when she could. Everyone could feel the love that she had for them, and Anita was beautiful inside and out. Spending time with her family was important to her and Cold Springs Baptist Church and Cemetery held a special place in her heart because her father established the cemetery.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, Norris and Velma Craft; brothers, Delmon Craft (Lois), and Mike Craft (Dewana); and nephew, Paul Hillman.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kay Smith; brothers, Glenn Craft (June) and Billy Craft (Gerry); sister, Joyce Hillman (J.T.); nieces and nephews, Dedra, John, Keith, Marilyn, Tim, Carla, Charisse, Jared, and Cerise; and extended family members and friends.

DEBORAH DARLENE BROWN
April 21, 1958 – January 7, 2025
Service: None announced

LEONARD RHODES
June 5, 1950 – January 12, 2025
Service: January 21, 2025, at First United Pentecostal Church in Leesville at 11 a.m.

SAMUEL MILLER
August 24, 1936 – January 12, 2025
Service: January 22, 2025, at Greater Bethel AME Church in Leesville at 10 a.m.

Brian Kinsinger, age 48 of Leesville, was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Agents charged Kinsinger with one count of Obstruction to the Drivers View or Driving Mechanism and one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic.  Bond was set at $2196.  Kinsinger posted bond and was released.

Carolyn M. Laurence, age 65 of Leesville, was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Agents charged Laurence with one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic.  Bond was set at $1561.  Laurence posted bond and was released.

Angela Shondell Paddy, age 50 of Anacoco, was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force on two outstanding Bench Warrants. Bond has not been set.  Paddy remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Curtis Peters, age 46 of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Peters remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Judith Kosan Smythe, age 52, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Smythe remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

William Shannon Maddox, age 49 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Disturbing the Peace/Intoxicated in Public. Bond was set at $881.  Maddox posted bond and was released.

Akeem Jackson, age 38 of Weirgate, Texas, was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force following a traffic stop near Evans.  Agents charged Jackson with one count of Resisting an Officer, one count of Possession of Methamphetamine in excess of 28 grams, one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic with the Intent to Distribute and one count of Flight from an Officer.  Bond has not been set.  Jackson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Bradley Keith Thomas, age 31 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic(methamphetamine) and one count of illegal Possession of a Firearm while in possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Bond has not been set.  Thomas remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Xavier Miller, age 27 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Felon, one count of Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities, one count of Aggravated Assault and one count of Disturbing the Peace.  Miller was also arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants.  Bond has not been set.  Miller remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Elijah Quayhagen, age 29 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass, one count of Resisting an Officer, one count of Criminal Mischief, and one count of Theft.  Bond has not been set.  Quayhagen remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Frank Adams III, age 22 of Warner-Robbins, Georgia, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Adams remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Tiffany Nicole McKee, age 36 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Damage to Property.  Bond was set at $1281.  McKee posted bond and was released.

Stanley Eugene Payton, age 64, of New Llano, was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Agents arrested Payton with one count of Possession of a Legend Drug, one count of No License Plate Light, one count of Possession of Crack Cocaine and one count of Possession of Marijuana.  Bond was set at $8696.  Payton remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Alexis Morine Martin, age 26 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Battery on a Police Officer.  Bond was set at $1281.  Martin posted bond and was released.

Neikisha L Womack, age 43 of Leesville, was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants.  Bond hs not been set.  Womack remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Jeffery Lynn Nolen, age 33 of Pitkin, was arrested and charged wityh one count of Theft of a Firearm, one count of Simple Battery and one count of Criminal Trespass.  Bond has not been set. Nolen remains in the Vernon Parish Jail. 

Daniel Parker, age 24 of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Parker remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

The Vernon Parish School Board met at 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 14, at the Central Office Boardroom.  The Board approved retirements and leave-without-pay requests.  They also approved changes to Head Start Policies/Procedures.

Last week, the Board introduced the Students of the Year from five parish schools.  Students from the other four schools were presented to the Board by Karen Robertson with the Curriculum Department.  Following is a list of those students:  Anacoco – Violet Simmons, 5^th grade; Randi Brooks, 8^th grade; Raylee Mitchell, 12^th grade; Vernon Middle – Elijah Taylor, 5^th grade; Leesville Junior High – Oakley Farris, 8^th grade; Leesville High – Avery Tanner, 12^th grade; Pitkin – Kynlee Bennett, 5^th grade; Dakota Pollard, 8^th grade; Amelia Lewis, 12^th grade; Rosepine – Blakli Brister, 5^th grade; Parker Williams, 8^th grade; Reagan Herford, 12^th grade.

Robertson also recognized the District winners, who will move forward in the state competition.  The Vernon Elementary Student of the Year is Blakli Brister of Rosepine Elementary.  The Middle School Student of the Year is Oakley Farris of Leesville Junior High.  The High School Student of the Year is Amelia Lewis of Pitkin High School.  They will represent the Vernon School District at the next level of state competition.

Jeff Taylor of Pelican Benefits presented the January Employee of the Month to Pitkin High School’s Lilian Becerra.  Ms. Becerra has taught Spanish for over 25 years and currently teaches the ACT Prep classes.  Pitkin Principal, Tiffany Holt, remarked that Pitkin has the best Spanish teacher in the state.  She said that her students’ success is what drives Becerra.

This week is Louisiana School Board Association School Board Member Appreciation week.  Vernon Parish Superintendent, James Williams, presented LSBA certifications to Board members Randy Martin, Deidra Shell, Jim Seaman, and Vernon Travis.  This signifies 30+ hours of study and training on being a Board member. Williams urged the other Board members to add this training to their resumes.

Deidra Shell gave the report from the Transportation Committee on plans being developed for a parish-wide bus facility.  The facility would be available for maintenance and safe storage of equipment.

The Board members heard from Bill Delp, the Rapides Foundation’s technical assistant for Vernon Parish. Delp is a former school superintendent from Illinois who has 20 years with the Foundation.  Delp had very high praise for the Vernon Parish system and the approach they take with the Foundation’s Effective School Grant money.  He remarked that when Vernon Parish identifies a problem, they fix it!  That’s why they have an A-rated district.

The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board is planned for Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m.

The Vernon Parish Police Jury held a special-called meeting, Monday, January 13, preceding its regular committee meeting at 5 p.m.  The Vernon Parish Police Jury plans to consider adopting a resolution, ordering and calling an election in the parish, to authorize the renewal of sales and use taxes.

Jurors also heard a motion to approve application for a permit received from MedExpress Ambulance Service for a 2025 operating permit.  They have submitted and met the requirements of the parish Code of Ordinances.  Administration recommends the Jury issue the permit.  The Jury adjourned and reconvened five minutes later to hear committee reports.

Marvin Hilton of the Personnel Committee reported on recent changes in the Vernon Parish District Attorney’s office.  Cynthia Lavespere is returning to employment, effective January 1, 2025.  Hayley Bowen replaced Karen Edwards, effective January 1, and DeEdria Mendoza replaced Tammy Standifer on January 1.  Hilton also updated Jurors on changes in District 5.  Foreman, David James, is retiring January 16.  Kevin Johnson is being promoted to foreman, effective January 20.  Robert Snell has been hired as a full-time Equipment Operator with a six-month probation period, effective February 3, 2025.  The Vernon Parish Health Unit approached the Personnel Committee with a request to increase the salaries of Sanitarian Clerk, Karen Gibson, and Clerk, Joyce Green, by 4% for this calendar year.

David Brister with the Road Maintenance and Construction Committee had requests from the Vernon Parish School Board to maintain bus turnarounds at the end of Vernon Park Road in District 12/Ward12 and 1960 Planner Mill Road in District 7/Ward 7.  Brister is waiting on receipt and approval of a new turnaround on Felix Self Road in District 2/Ward 2.  The Vernon Parish Fire District requested assistance with repairs to damages at 2461 Belview Road in District 12/Ward 1.  The damages were caused by a fire truck getting stuck at the property.  The Fire District will pay for the repairs.  The Police Jury will perform routine maintenance for the Town of Anacoco and the Village of Simpson.

In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the regular meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be held Tuesday, January 21, at 10 a.m. instead of Monday, January 20.  Due to a scheduling conflict, the regular meeting of the Jury will be Monday, February 10, at 5 p.m. instead of Tuesday, February 18.

The Leesville City Council met in regular session, Monday, January 13 in City Hall.  Monthly bills for the city totaled $100,510.46.  City Engineer, Mark McCarty, updated the Council on the work on the Entrance Road sewer project.  The project is waiting on an order of manhole covers and some good weather to continue the work.  McCarty said the list of streets for the 2025 city overlay project is almost complete and his office will be finishing that list shortly.

The council passed a resolution to declare the results of the special election held on December 7.  This renewal is 8.5 mills over 15 years and it passed by a margin of 68-45.  Council members authorized and accepted Change Order #1 to add Gladys Street to the Boone Street overlay project.

The city will enter into two agreements with LA DOTD for improvements at the municipal airport, to include hanger developments and taxi lanes.  Mayor Rick Allen is authorized to execute the agreement.

The City Planning and Zoning Commission submitted a Conditional Use permit for a new residential modular home.  The parcel is in District 2 of the city.

The city engaged with Meyer and Associates Inc. for professional engineering services for the Entrance Road fire substation.  Leesville Fire Chief, Bobby Hooks is slated to meet with the firm this week to view initial plans.

The city, entered into contract, with Fastwyre for internet services, authorizing the mayor to execute the contract. 

Council members approved a resolution for a Class A Liquor and Beer permit submitted by Luiza Demoraes, for “Popatop”, located at 1910 South 5^th Street Leesville.

The meeting ended with Mayor Rick Allen recognizing Wal-Mart Pharmacy Tech, Rosie Hackett, with a Samaritan Award from the city. Hackett found an unresponsive woman in a store bathroom on December 10.  She had 911 called, crawled under the bathroom stall and administered CPR for about 10 minutes before EMT’s arrived on scene.  The woman began breathing and regained a pulse.  Allen and Council member Chris Robertson both went to school with Ms. Hackett.

The next Leesville City Council meeting is set for Monday, January 27, at 3 p.m.

“The Soul of Havana,” a mural created in Havana, Cuba, in 2015, will be unveiled here at its new permanent home on January 18, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Kitchen House, 501 East Lula Street.

The 6’x4’ mural was painted by a contingent of American artists, two from Leesville, in collaboration with their Cuban hosts during an educational exchange trip to Cuba.

“The project is a priceless symbol of art bridging cultures, while documenting the historic collaboration,” said Florida artist James Richards, who led the trip. “It laid the groundwork for future collaboration between artists from the two groups.”

The United States’ embargo against Cuba has made it nearly impossible for most American artists to be included in Cuban events, exhibits and productions, which is what makes the collaboration so unique.
“Four travelers from Leesville and Vernon Parish were involved in the exchange,” said local artist James Turner, who, along with his wife, Meriget, is also an art collector.

The Turners will be hosting the unveiling at its new home in their collection, most of which is housed in the Smart House and its outbuildings, including the newly renovated Kitchen House. The buildings themselves are also both a historic and artistic part of the Leesville community.

The Cuban artists were led by renowned artist Jose Antonio Hechavarria Ricas.

The contingent of American artists involved in the project represented the states of Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Michigan, California, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, and Connecticut.

The current exhibit at GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN in the Leesville Main Street District has
challenged the participating artists to think literally, figuratively and actually “inside and
outside The Box”. The Box in this instance can be defined as what the artist needs as a
focal point, or a point of departure. The collective of artists in this exhibit have provided
a range of interpretations, emotions and media in their work, all dealing with boxes in
some way.

In “Sources of Our Good Fortune” Leesville artist James Turner provides an
arrangement of items that all reference what can make life in Vernon Parish special. His
arrangement of common, yet memory-invoking flotsam refer to good times, and good
things (some that come in boxes).

Michael Yankowski of Natchitoches takes a similar approach, but with a different
aesthetic. His carefully crafted boxes contain thought provoking items and effects, and
some of the pieces refer to shrines and altars. There are connections to the items in the
work, but it may take you two or three viewings to make the connections. Michael’s
piece “Sacred Treasures 2” is a tall cylinder of wood that is actually a finely crafted box
that hinges open to expose a unique and personal landscape containing bird skulls,
breastbones and a drawer full of bleached bird bones. Is the avian perched on the top a
prisoner of the box or a guardian? Michael’s work many times provides more questions
than answers.

In total contrast to these works are the whimsical creations of Leesville artist Brenda
Morrison. Brenda has created quite a following in the area with her small, air-dried clay
creature sculptures and her work in this exhibit takes that idea to another level. Her
boxes are created of foam, resemble large “typesetter” boxes and tend to be physical
illustrations of pleasant memories of the artist and her family.

“Art In and Outside The Box” opens this week at GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN in the
Leesville Main Street District. Featured artists are James Turner, Michael Yankowski,
Brenda Morrison, Joey Governale, “Triple P” (Noah Pollard, Jack Price, Warren
Prichard) Elle Pollard, Mary Maddock, Paul Nettles and Morgan Primeaux. The gallery
is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. Reception for the
Artists and this exhibit is open to the public on Saturday, January 25 at 6:00 p.m. More
details on GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN can be found on their Facebook Page Leesville
Art.

Powerlifting as a sport in high school is behind the curve in Louisiana. The sport has, however, taken off all over the state in the last five years.

Pickering High School hosted the Second Annual Red Devil Classic Powerlifting meet Saturday, January 11 at the PHS gym. Male and female lifters from Pickering, Anacoco, Leesville, and six out-of-parish squads competed in various weight categories. Grant won the girls overall, 63-4, with Pickering finishing in second. Pickering won the boys overall, nudging second place Leesville, 51-48. Following is a list of winners from each weight category:
GIRLS
97lbs. Ava Isgitt/Many
105lbs. Serena Quimbao/Pickering
114lbs. Saydie Wilson/Grant
123lbs. Mahogany Boyd/Grant
132lbs. Payton Seward/Grant
148lbs. London Delaney/Grant
165lbs. Alyssa Brewton/St.Mary’s
181lbs. Jayla Calloway/Anacoco
198lbs. Morgan Dewalt/Grant
220lbs. Ella Sanders/Grant
Super-heavyweight Maggie Pharis/Grant
MOST OUTSTANDING LIFTERS 97-148lbs. Payton Seward/Grant
165-SHW Alyssa Brewton/St. Mary’s

BOYS
114 lbs. Sam Hewitt/Leesville
125lbs. Seth Dukes/Leesville
132lbs. Grant Moffit/Anacoco
148lbs. Kendrick Lee/Leesville
165lbs. Jaikalon Remedies/Many
181lbs. Hunter Noel/Pickering
198lba. Jonathan Anderson/Many
220lbs. Tristian Manasco/Many
242lbs. Jarron Eakes/Leesville
275lbs. Ethan Brown/Pickering
Super heavyweight Jayden Parker/Sam Houston
MOST OUTSTANDING LIFTERS 114-165 lbs. Seth Dukes/Leesville
181-SHW Tristian Manasco/Many

Congratulations to all the lifters for their strength and dedication. The LHSAA State Championships are March 26-29 in conjunction with the LHSPLA.

The Pickering event was sanctioned by the Louisiana High School Powerlifting Association (LHSPLA). The regional meets are set for female Vernon lifters at Pineville on Saturday, February 22.  Local boys in the Central region will compete at Leesville High School on Saturday, March 1 in a regional. The LHSAA/LHSPLA state meet will be held at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana.

Vernon roundball teams are gearing up for district play this week. The regular season is over for girls’ ball February 15.  The boys’ regular season ends February 22.  The playoffs loom for several parish teams.

GIRLS

Simpson sports the top record in the area at 28-2.  The Lady Broncos lost to 4A Leesville at the Anacoco tournament 75-70 but defeated defending Division III-select state champs, Rosepine, 55-47.  Pickering’s Lady Red Devils are 13-6 after beating Evans, 54-45.  They hosted Sulphur last night.  Score unavailable at press time.  Leesville is 9-8 and has won three in a row.  They pinned only the second loss of the season on Simpson and topped Hicks 45-33.  Anacoco is 13-8 after beating Oberlin 64-58, Monday night.  Hicks checks in with an 11-15 mark after beating Zwolle 73-51 and losing to Leesville at the Anacoco tournament.  The Pitkin Lady Tigers beat 4A Livonia last week, 58-38 but had a game against Quitman postponed.  The Hornbeck girls have cancelled their last two games. Evans lost to Anacoco and Pickering at the Anacoco tourney.

BOYS

The hottest boys’ team in Vernon Parish is Rosepine.  The Eagles have won 13 in row.  They are 16-3 on the year after beating Pleasant Hill, 72-66.  They hosted Vinton last night.  The score was unavailable at press time.  Hicks and Pitkin are playing well.  The Pirates are 22-5 with a win over Zwolle at the Anacoco tourney, 64-45.  They hosted Fairview last night.  The score was unavailable at press time.  The Pitkin Tigers are 15-8, losing to 4A DeRidder in their last game, 60-45.  Pickering is 8-9 on the year after beating Simpson 77-43.  The Red Devils have won three of their last four and open district play Friday night at East Beauregard.  Leesville has also won three of four and defeated Many in their last game, 60-45.  The Wampus Cats hosted St. Louis last night.  The score was unavailable at press time.  The Anacoco Indians are 13-14 with recent tournament wins over Singer, 56-33, Evans, 64-25 and Many, 49-35.  Anacoco defeated Oberlin Monday night, 67-36  but cancelled games this week with 5A Parkway and parish rival, Hornbeck.  Hornbeck cancelled their game with Logansport and opens district play at home Friday against Pleasant Hill.

Local fans can expect to see several teams make a playoff run in the coming weeks.

The Martin Luther King Coalition in Leesville has announced the full slate of activities in celebration of the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.  Rev. Joseph Garner, with Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, is chairman of this year’s coalition committee.

Activities on Saturday, January 18, begin with a 10 a.m. community blood drive with LifeShare Blood Center at the MLK Center.  The Annual Scholarship Banquet will be held at the center at 6 p.m.  Tickets for the evening are $20 per person and available by calling Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 337-238-1779.  Guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Regionald Seastrunk, longtime Leesville businessman and community leader.

Sunday, January 19, a King Day Community Worship Service will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church beginning at 7 p.m.  A community choir will perform, and the keynote address will be given by Rev. Cedric High of the New Birth Baptist Church in Leesville.

The weekend wraps up on the Federal holiday, Monday, January 20, with the annual MLK Day Parade.  The lineup will be at 9 a.m. on the corner of Highway 171 and MLK Drive in Leesville.  The parade will roll at 10 a.m., ending at the MLK Center on Gladys Street.  Following the parade there will be free refreshments, food and celebration speakers at the Center.

For information on all events call Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 337-238-1779.

VFW Post 3106 in Leesville, the DAV & DAV Auxiliary/Jack Redell Memorial Chapter-Unit 20 will sponsor an Informational seminar for veterans and active duty military.  The seminar is Saturday, February 1, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Post 3106 home on Harriet Street in Leesville.

Veterans and active duty military are welcome to learn about benefits, services, and opportunities available. Information will be on hand relating to changes in veteran’s benefits, mental health and wellness.

Breakfast will be provided by Whataburger of Leesville.  Guest speaker for the event is Ms. Beverly James, DAV National Service Officer.

This event is free to attend and open to all veterans, active duty military and their families.

Happy New Year from Vernon Parish, where adventure, history, and Southern charm come together in Louisiana’s Legend Country! Whether you’re exploring scenic trails, diving into local culture, or discovering hidden gems, 2025 is your year to experience it all.

Kick off January by celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join us on Monday, January 20th, for the annual MLK Parade and rally at the Martin Luther King Community Center. The event begins at 10 a.m.

https://vernonparish.org/event/martin-luther-king-jr-celebration/

Looking for local treasures? Third Street Market in Leesville takes place every Saturday from 8am-1pm. Start the year fresh on Saturday, January 4th, with farm-fresh produce, homemade goods, and unique handmade crafts. There’s always something special to discover.

https://vernonparish.org/events/third-street-market/

Nature lovers, winter is the perfect time to enjoy Vernon Parish! From birdwatching in Kisatchie National Forest to spotting nesting bald eagles, there’s no shortage of wildlife wonders. 

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/birding/

Prefer a greener adventure? Explore plants and nature at Allen Acres with unique winter classes, tours, and even overnight stays. 

https://vernonparish.org/?outdoors=allen-acres-native-ventures

Explore other outdoor activities like horseback riding, golf, or winter fishing. Plan your outdoor getaway in Vernon Parish.

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors/

Of course, no trip is complete without legendary eats! Warm up with local favorites like Brenda’s Kitchen Puerto Rican Cuisine, Joe’s Italian Restaurant, or grab a quick bite along our Gas Station Eats trail as you explore. 

https://vernonparish.org/Dining/

Looking for a unique keepsake (and a little extra warmth)? Visit Louisiana Moonshine [https://vernonparish.org/things-do/louisiana-moonshine], the state’s first legal distillery, for a tour, tastings, and a toast to the new year! And book your trip for the Louisiana Moonshine Festival coming up March 7-8^th! [https://vernonparish.org/moonshinefest]

Book your perfect getaway: https://vernonparish.org/stay/

Share your Vernon Parish adventures with us by tagging #LALegendCountry on social media. Here’s to a legendary 2025 filled with memories, exploration, and Southern hospitality in Louisiana’s Legend Country!

The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will perform on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Tickets are $16.50 if purchased online at https://nnssla.org/ticket-sales or $15 at the door. The concert was originally scheduled for Jan. 16. 

Dr. Douglas Bakenhus is musical director of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra.  Syll-Young Olson is assistant director and Sofiko Tchetchelashvili is instructor. 

The program will be “Academic Festival Overture” by Johannes Brahms, “Symphony No. 1” by Beethoven, “Hungarian March” by Hector Berlioz directed by Olson and “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius. The orchestra will perform the same program on January 17 at the annual conference of the Louisiana Music Educators Association in New Orleans. 

Olson was born in Seoul, Korea. She earned her bachelor’s degree in composition from the Seoul National University and the final diploma from the “Hochschule der Kuenste” in Berlin (University of Arts in Berlin). Since 1992, she has been on the faculty of Natchitoches Central High School, teaching instrumental talented students and conducting the school’s orchestra. Throughout her teaching career, Olson remained active as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician of numerous honor orchestras and festivals. She was named 2002/2003 Teacher of the Year by the Natchitoches Parish School Board and the Louisiana, Mississippi, West Tennessee District Kiwanis International. Olson was a recipient of the Mayor’s Award in Natchitoches. She was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2022. 

Funeral services for Patricia “Trish” Ann Schwender will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville, Louisiana. A visitation will be held at Jeane’s on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The burial will follow in Canaan Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be John Fairman, Robert O’Banion, Jeff O’Banion, Brooke Higginbotham, Dawn Hale, and Robert Clary.

Trish was born October 20, 1960, in Frankfort, Germany and passed away January 12, 2025, at her home in Leesville, Louisiana at the age of 64. She was a devoted homemaker who loved spending time with her family and friends. One of her passions was making jewelry, and she also liked to fish. Trish was a good listener and loved her dog, Zeba.

Trish was preceded in death by her parents, Ira Curtis Everhart & Erma Earline White Everhart; brothers, Tim Allen and Bob Allen; sister Mary Martinez and her husband, James; nephew, Danny Martinez; great-niece, Alana Wilder; great-great-niece, Addalyn Rooney; mother and father-in-law, Paul and Rebecca Schwender; and sister-of-the-heart, Sherry O’Banion.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 34 years, Ronald William Schwender of Leesville; brothers, Ira Everhart and Dean; nieces and nephews, Charles Martinez (Stormie) of Anacoco, Louisiana, James Martinez (Angela) of Leesville, William Martinez (Annette) of Quitman, Arkansas, Tina Allen, Vickie Allen, Tommy Allen, and Carson and Warren Force both of Auburn, Indiana; great-nieces and nephews, Michael, Christina, Cynthia (Tyler), Sherry, Caleb, Jonathan, Jody, Jacob, Breezie, Jamie, Nicole, and Katherine; sister-in-law, Ruth Force (Dwight) of Auburn, Indiana; and extended family members and friends.

PATRICIA “TRISH” ANN SCHWENDER
October 20, 1960 – January 12, 2025
Service: January 15, 2025, at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville at 12 p.m.

ANITA ROSE CRAFT PERRY
January 18, 1946 – January 13, 2025
Service: January 18, 2025, at Cold Springs Baptist Church in Anacoco at 11:00 a.m.

HUXLEY RAYNE BILLEAUD
January 10, 2025 – January 10, 2025
Service: None announced