Jennie Jeane
Arrangements TBA

John Fitzgerald “Fritz” Lowe
He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Jeffery Ed Graham
Services held on Nov. 15

Remonia Ann Palos
Services held on Nov. 15

Edward Eugene Welch
Services held on Nov. 14

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

November 11, 2025

Thomas Lewis Jennings, age 46, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Cyberstalking. Bond was set at $10,000. Jennings remains in the VPSO jail.

November 12, 2025

Brandon Cody Bennett, age 39, of Anacoco, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond was set at $ 2,500. Bennett remains in the VPSO jail.

James Gregory Danzy, age 61, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond was set at $5,000. Danzy remains in the VPSO jail.

November 13, 2025

Dean Adam Hebert, age 57, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and one count of Illegal Discharge of a Weapon. Bond has not been set and Hebert remains in the VPSO jail.

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

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At the 871st meeting of the Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association, an awards presentation was made to Fire Chief Emeritus Michael L. Kuk, PhD. The event was held on Nov. 12 in Westlake during the monthly meeting of the organization.

Kuk was awarded the 2025 Emergency Responder of the Year Award. The award’s certificate states “Devotion to Duty, for over 60 years, has remained a constant in his life and calling as a dedicated public servant and Firefighter.”

The Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid Association was formed in 1952, and is comprised of emergency responders across all disciplines of private industry and public service agencies.

Chief Kuk served as its president during 1981-1983 while he was Moss Bluff’s fire chief. Of special note is that he became the first president to be elected for more than one term, due to the many accomplishments that were made during his tenure.

The presentation was made by the current Mutual Aid President, Chief Robby Trahan of the Ward One Fire District, and Acadian Ambulance Supervisor Billy Vincent.

Although Kuk is the retired Fort Polk Fire Chief and a Vietnam Veteran, but he continues to serve as a Vernon Parish firefighter and chaplain, assigned to the Hornbeck Volunteer Fire Department.

He remains a published author, and his book “An Army Firefighter in Vietnam 1970-1971”, became the recipient of the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Writers’ Award.

Chief Kuk has been serving as the president of the Vernon Parish Library Executive Board for several years, and is a well-known professional musician.

He is also a US Senatorial nominee for the position of the United States Fire Administrator.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that LA 10 in Vernon Parish will be temporarily closed to allow CPKC Railroad to conduct routine maintenance on the rail crossing.

According to DOTD, the closure will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and the roadway is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. The maintenance work requires a full closure of the crossing to ensure the safety of both motorists and work crews.

Drivers traveling through the area are encouraged to plan ahead and utilize alternate routes during the two-day closure. DOTD asks the public for patience and cooperation while the necessary work is completed.

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LEESVILLE – And then there was one in Vernon Parish.

Leesville is the lone team to make the playoffs, where the No. 14 Wampus Cats will host No. 19 Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy (4-6) on Friday in the first round of the Division II Select playoffs.

KDHSA made its mark early in the season with a 3-0 start against Fisher (40-0 win), Jefferson Rise Charter (49-34) and L.W. Higgins (27-20) – none of which made the playoffs.

But the Swamp Owls – yes, the Swamp Owls – are just 1-6 in their last seven contests.

Their other win against Class 5A Ben Franklin also came against a team not in the playoffs.

Kenner was no match for the royalty of District 9-4A, falling to Archbishop Shaw (49-0), St. Charles (50-7) and Belle Chasse (55-0).

But that royalty, along with some Class 5A competition and a lack of depth in Division II Select, has the Swamp Owls sitting at No. 19.

Kenner Discovery is a public charter school that opened in 2013 at the forefront of the New Orleans-area charter school movement.

Leesville, who earned a first-round bye en route to its semifinals appearance in 2024, won’t be taking any opponent lightly.

The Wampus Cats still remember falling to No. 26 St. Martinville in 2023.

Leesville is aiming for its third quarterfinals appearance (2022, 2024) in the last four years.

The Wampus Cats also have at least one playoff win in every season (except 2023) dating back to 2016.
Leesville enters the playoffs as winners of their last four games after a 1-5 start with victories against district foes DeRidder (39-14), Washington-Marion (46-28), Eunice (36-34) and LaGrange (56-24).

The Wampus Cats offense has revved up in recent weeks by scoring at least 36 points in all four games with two 45-plus point performances.

Leesville has relied on its mix of run and pass with Grant Braxton on the ground and Trel Broom through the air, who likes to find his two favorite targets Michael Davis Jr. and Julius Brown.

Broom has thrown for 2,044 yards with 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions while Braxton crossed the 1,000-yard mark (1,334 yards) on the ground with 16 touchdowns.

Davis Jr (911 yards 12 touchdowns) could do the same in receiving while Brown (611 yards and eight touchdowns) is a formidable No. 2 pass catcher.

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Hicks High School announced that two of its educators have been recognized with top honors in Vernon Parish. Mrs. Nolen was selected as the Vernon Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Miss Wilbanks was named Vernon Parish New Teacher of the Year.

School officials said both teachers have made significant contributions to the campus, noting their dedication to student success and the positive impact they bring to the school community.

Administrators praised their commitment to education, describing the recognition as well-deserved.

The awards highlight educators across the parish who demonstrate exceptional skill, leadership, and devotion to their students. Hicks High School expressed its gratitude for the outstanding work of both honorees and celebrated their achievements as a proud moment for the school.

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Anacoco High School announced that Mrs. Amanda King has been selected as the Vernon Parish Junior High Teacher of the Year.

School administrators recognized King for her dedication to student learning and her commitment to creating a positive and engaging classroom environment. The award honors educators in Vernon Parish who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, leadership, and impact within their schools.

Anacoco High School extended its congratulations to King, calling the recognition a proud moment for the campus and community.

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The 37th Annual Christmas in the Pines Rosepine Christmas Parade is scheduled to take place on Friday, Dec. 5. Community members, organizations, and local groups are invited to participate, with organizers emphasizing that the event is open to anyone interested in entering.

This year’s parade features no entry fee and will award cash prizes to the top three floats or entries. The first-place winner will receive $100, second place will receive $75, and third place will receive $50.

Entry forms may be picked up at Rosepine Elementary School or Rosepine High School. Participants will begin lining up at 12:30 p.m., and the parade is set to roll at 1:30 p.m.

For additional information, residents may contact Ryan Sonnier-Rivera at 337-401-9283 or send a fax to 337-463-4246.

The annual parade continues to be a longstanding holiday tradition in Rosepine, bringing together families, students, and local organizations to celebrate the Christmas season.

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Norris Glen Anderson
Service: Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Jeane Funeral Service

Duffie G.C. Moore Jr.
Service: Friday, November 14, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville

Kenneth R. Bailey
Service: Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of DeRidder

Edward Eugene Welch
Arrangements TBA

Toni Leighe Pritchard
Service: Friday November 14, 2025, at 1:30 at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery at 3348 University Park Way Leesville

DonPatton Matthew “Matt” Pierce
Service: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Fort Polk Main Post Chapel

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

November 4, 2025

Maggie Lynn Hernandez, age 28, of Conroe, Texas, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Battery. Bond was set at $ 1,281. Hernandez posted bond and was released.

November 5, 2025

Thomas Lewing, age 43, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic and one count of Possession of a Schedule III Narcotic. Bond was set at $10,000. Lewing remains in the VPSO jail.

November 6, 2025

Melissa Ayesha Mitchell, age 46, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Driving on a Roadway Laned for Traffic and one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic. Bond was set at $2,196. Mitchell remains in the VPSO jail.

Carolyn Ann Talbott, age 57, of Hornbeck, was arrested and charged with one count of Identity Theft. Bond has not been set and Talbott remains in the VPSO jail.

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

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While schools were closed in observance of Veterans Day, members of the Leesville High School LEO Club spent the day giving back to honor those who served.

Students gathered to volunteer at the Louisiana Lions Camp, where they helped clean the grounds and prepare the facility for upcoming activities. The group also placed flags on veterans’ graves as a gesture of gratitude and remembrance for their service and sacrifice.

LEO Club sponsors Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Cecil, along with several community volunteers, helped coordinate the service project. Club members said the experience was a meaningful way to show appreciation to veterans while demonstrating the club’s ongoing commitment to leadership and community service.

The Leesville High LEO Club continues to partner with local organizations throughout the year, encouraging students to take an active role in improving their community.

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The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) requested on Nov. 5, the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division – Alexandria Field Office (LSP-CID-AFO) to investigate the unauthorized use of the Louisiana Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (LLETS) and the dissemination of law enforcement information on social media.

Based on the investigation and information obtained, Detectives determined that former Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) Deputy Winston Lambright collected and disseminated LLETS information to a private citizen, who later disseminated the information on a social media platform.

On November 7, 2025, Lambright was charged with unlawful search and dissemination of criminal history information, trespass against state computers, and malfeasance in office. Lambright was arrested and processed at the VPSO.

The Louisiana State Police will serve as the lead investigative agency. The investigation will be submitted to the Vernon Parish District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution. No further information is available at this time.

Anyone with additional information about this case is encouraged to contact LSP-CID-AFO at (318) 487-5245. Also, you may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

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The Kiwanis Club of Leesville will host its fall 2025 “Reality Check” program on Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering local teens a hands-on learning experience designed to prepare them for real-world challenges as they transition into adulthood.

The one-day event will give students practical knowledge and resources to help them navigate everyday situations such as handling finances, changing a flat tire, or responding appropriately if stopped by police or involved in a vehicle accident. Each session will be led by professionals and community experts in their respective fields.

Organizers say the goal of “Reality Check” is to equip youth with the confidence and life skills necessary to make informed decisions and adapt to unexpected situations. The program emphasizes problem-solving, financial literacy, and personal responsibility—skills many young adults find essential once they enter the workforce or attend college.

The event is free to attend, and participants are encouraged to register in advance. For more information or to sign up, contact the Kiwanis Club of Leesville at 337-424-9613.

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Behind-the-scenes stories recounting the filming of the 1989 box office hit movie “Steel Magnolias,” shot on location in Natchitoches, will be shared Thursday evening at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Louisiana’s oldest city.

“Steel Magnolias Memories with Tom Whitehead and Friends” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Natchitoches museum includes a reception and panel discussion with audience participation, recounting memories of the beloved classic film with a star-studded cast.

Whitehead, a now-retired journalism professor at Northwestern State University, was the second local person hired by the production company, assisting in logistics and hosting the stars in the cast throughout their stays in Natchitoches.

He will be joined on the panel by other locals who were involved in the production – Bill Brent, Sandra Dickens, Ed Ward – and Shreveport entertainment writer Maggie Martin.

Tickets at the door are $20 for the public, $10 for NSU students, and free for FLASH members. Enjoy complimentary refreshments during the event.

The event is a fundraiser for FLASH, Friends of Louisiana Sports and History, the local support group for the museum, which is part of the Louisiana State Museum system.

Written by Natchitoches native Robert Harling Jr. and immediately a smash hit on Broadway, “Steel Magnolias”  was adapted for the screen just two years later and featured the breakout performance by future Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts, alongside Oscar winners Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, superstar entertainer and actress Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah, with acclaimed actors Tom Skerritt and Dylan McDermott in key supporting roles.

The comedy/drama continues to resonate four decades later, inspiring thousands of stage adaptations around the world and a 2012 Lifetime Network movie remake, and is treasured for its themes of friendship and reliance and its portrayal of Southern small-town charm.

Harling wrote about the life and 1985 passing of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, a young mother who died from complications with diabetes.

After he persuaded TriStar Pictures executives to shoot the movie in Natchitoches, the production was a seminal event for the community, with many locals working behind the scenes and appearing as extras or even with small speaking parts in the film. Its release and reception sparked a stream of visitors to Natchitoches to see the film’s location and soak in the ambiance of the city, a phenomenon that continues today.

For more information or to join FLASH, call the museum at 318-357-2492. It is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with modest admission prices topping out at $6.

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The Vernon Parish Homeschool 4-H Club welcomed a special guest speaker at its recent meeting — Pickering High School agriculture teacher and rodeo clown, Preston Broxson.

A proud graduate of Merryville High School, where he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed,” Broxson shared with members how his involvement in 4-H played a key role in shaping his character and career.

He spoke about the lifelong skills he developed through the organization, including determination, leadership, and perseverance, emphasizing that those lessons have continued to guide him throughout his life.

Broxson encouraged the students to stay committed to their goals even when challenges arise and reminded them that success may not always look exactly as they imagine it now. He told members that by staying true to their passions and values, they will find their own version of success along the way.

The Vernon Parish Homeschool 4-H Club expressed appreciation for Broxson’s time and message, noting the impact of hearing from someone whose journey began with the same 4-H experiences many of the students share today.

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For the first time since the finale week of the 2024 season, all three Vernon Parish football schools were victorious in the same week.

Leesville (5-5, 4-1 District 3-4A) clinched its home playoff spot with a 56-24 win against LaGrange (1-9).
Rosepine (1-9, 1-2) captured its first win of the season with its second-half surge against East Beauregard in a 40-34 victory.

Pickering (5-5) completes its first non-losing season since 2020 with a 31-6 decision at Plain Dealing (0-9).

LEESVILLE
The Wampus Cats built an early lead against LaGrange and were never seriously threatened.

Leesville scored the first three touchdowns and led 35-8 in the fourth quarter before both teams ended the game with a flurry of points.

The win solidified Leesville’s first-round home playoff spot as the No. 14 Wampus Cats will host No. 19 Kenner Discovery Health Science this coming week.

While the Wampus Cats didn’t necessarily pile up the yards (less than 400 total) given the number of points they scored, Leesville was efficient and took advantage of positive field position throughout.

Quarterback Trel Broom threw for 192 yards on 9-of-13 passing and three touchdowns, two to Michael Davis Jr (four catches for 96 yards).

Leesville leaned on a varied ground game as four different running backs scored touchdowns.

Grant Braxton led the way with 60 yards and a score, but Jacob Pajinag, Javon Edwards and Ayden Graham all scored touchdowns and contributed to Leesville’s 187 rushing yards.

LaGrange kicked their offense into gear late and scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter while nearly matching Leesville’s total yards (381-361).

Quarterback De’kelyn Jefferson threw for 175 yards on just 6-of-14 passing while running back Patrick Bertrand supplied another 127 rushing yards.

ROSEPINE
The Eagles put together a huge second-half surge to take control in the second half of their win against East Beauregard.

Rosepine trailed 14-7 at the half but scored 27 of the next 34 points to snatch a 34-20 lead.

The Eagles gradually transitioned into more of a passing offense as freshman quarterback Sley Gardner became more comfortable throughout the season.

Gardner’s arm and receivers’ play-making abilities loomed large in the second-half explosion.

Two of his early touchdowns found receiver Austin Lounsberry on catches of 16 and 31 yards, both of which Lounsberry outjumped a defender with inside position.

Lounsberry’s second touchdown put Rosepine up 21-14 in the third quarter, a lead that would not relinquish.

Brynnum Chaney similarly outjumped his defender on a 49-yard touchdown catch.

Chaney later caught a 2-yard shovel pass for a score to give Rosepine a 40-28 advantage.

The win is the seventh straight against East Beauregard in the series and the second straight season in which the Eagles have avoided a winless campaign with a win over the Trojans (2-7, 0-3).

The offense scored a season-high 40 points, completing a five-game stretch in which they scored 100 points after totaling just 28 points in the first five games.

Rosepine climbed one spot to No. 26 in the final Division III Select power rankings, two spots shy of the 24-team field and short of the postseason.

PICKERING
The Red Devils rode off into the sunset with the 25-point win against Plain Dealing, finishing its season with a 5-5 record.

Pickering led 15-6 before scoring the final two touchdowns in the second half of the 31-6 victory, its second straight against Plain Dealing, the owner of the current longest losing streak in the state at 44 games.

For the second straight season, Pickering won their final three regular-season games (Pine Prairie, Ringgold, Plain Dealing).

Except this year, all three of those games came on the road compared to three home games in 2024.

Since Pickering endured a 23-game losing streak, which was the state’s longest at the time it ended in the opening game of 2024, Pickering is 9-11in the past two seasons under third-year coach John Daugherty.

The Red Devils opted not to play a full district slate in the past two-year cycle, which meant no playoff eligibility as it allowed them to rebuild their program against more similar competition.

Pickering will almost surely take the next step with a full district slate and playoff eligibility as football schedules are being compiled now for the next two seasons.

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JOURNAL STAFF

Gene Presley was the FINAL winner of $100 in the Sawgie Bottom Outdoor Power Sports High School Football Pick ‘Em Contest.

There’s another $100 prize on the line.  You have until Friday afternoon at 4 to enter this week’s contest. Anyone has the chance to win the $100 prize as the week’s top predictor of High School football games.

Participation is very simple. Just click on this link:

CLICK HERE TO PICK YOUR WINNERS!

Win $100 weekly just by picking the winners in ten high school football games.  You must also pick the total number of points scored in two tie-breaker games.  You can win $100 with some knowledge and a little good luck.  MUST BE 18 TO PARTICIPATE.  All you need is an e-mail address.  The contest will continue through the high school playoffs and the State Championship games in the Superdome. 

The list of games to pick will come out in the Wednesday edition each week during the season, and you will have until Friday at 4 p.m. to make and submit your selections.  The weekly winner will be announced in the following Wednesday’s edition of the Vernon Parish Journal.

Our thanks to our Title and Anchor Sponsor – Sawgie Bottom Outdoor Power Sports for joining us on the 2025 Vernon Parish Journal Pick Em Contest. 

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL PICKIN’?

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No matter what lake you’re on, it’s almost impossible to get away from other anglers even during hunting season. No longer can you go to your favorite lake in the middle of the week without waiting in line to launch your boat. So how can you as a bass fisherman avoid frustration and maintain your focus while fishing behind other anglers?

First, does anybody work any more? It seems that no matter what day of the week it is, boat ramps are full — every single day! One thing you need to do is to be aware of what events are being held on your lake of choice.

This time of year, most tournament trails have their end-of-season two-day championships, therefore increasing fishing pressure on certain lakes in September and early October. Facebook is a place that can be a good source of information in terms of what’s happening on area lakes.

Overcrowding issues can be a little lighter later in the fall as many anglers are in the woods hunting or just taking a break from fishing. The problem today versus 10 years ago is that there are more tournament trails, not just for the weekend warriors, but also with high school and college organizations.

Another issue anglers must deal with on certain lakes is drawdowns. This has been an issue in Northwest Louisiana for several years as state wildlife officials attempt to eradicate salvinia, an invasive species of vegetation that has taken over certain waterways in our region.

These drawdowns help to shrink the size of the lake which allows officials to reduce the amount of acreage they must spray. Some lakes will be pulled down four feet or more depending on the lake and the severity of the salvinia.

Lakes that go through this drawdown period allow anglers to catch more fish as the process reduces the size of the lake and makes fish more accessible. Some anglers hate this and feel that it hurts the lake in terms of the quality of the fishery, as some anglers take advantage by catching and taking out huge limits of fish.

The biggest issue is that bass fishing is more popular today than ever before! The influx of young anglers today is due to the popularity of high school and college bass fishing. More anglers equate to more people on the water, plus more pressure on the fish.

Even during the fall season, a lot of anglers continue to fish. There was a time when you could go to a boat ramp in October and November and be the only boat and trailer in the parking lot. Not any more!

For me personally, it’s a great time to try new lures or learn a new technique. It’s also a great time to get better and more efficient with my electronics. One thing is certain; the fishing can be awesome this time of year as bass go through a feeding frenzy fattening up for the winter.

So don’t sit at home this fall. Hook up that boat and head to your favorite body of water and enjoy some of the best fishing of the year. But understand, you might have to wait in line to launch!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Peter wanted to be a writer.  His father, Nathaniel, was an author.  His grandfather Robert was a humorist and co-founder of the Algonquin Round Table, an informal group of writers, critics, and actors who met for daily lunches at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City.  Writing seemed to be in Peter’s genetic makeup.  

After earning a degree in English from Harvard in June 1961, Peter received a student grant which allowed him to spend the next year traveling the world and making notes about his experiences.  Upon his return, he served a six-month stint in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, but his passion was writing.  In 1963, Peter began working as a reporter for The Washington Post and soon thereafter began working as the radio and television editor for Newsweek magazine.  It was far from the writer’s dream that Peter had envisioned, but he was earning a living.  In the summer of 1963, 23-year-old Peter joined other tourists on a tour of the White House.  He purchased the $1 White House guidebook that first lady Jacqueline Kennedy had organized.  During the tour, Peter got the idea for a children’s book in which a little girl visits the White House on her birthday.  She smuggles her kitten onto the tour, but it escapes, causes all sorts of chaos, and she ends up face-to-face with President Kennedy.  During the writing process, Peter decided the mischief was more befitting a boy and his puppy than a girl and her kitten.  In the book, the boy, Jonathan, eludes guards and ignores the numerous roped off areas as he chases his puppy, Tiger, through the Blue Room, the Red Room, the State Dining Room, the Lincoln bedroom, through the garden on the White House lawn, and ends up in the Oval Office where he finds President Kennedy scratching Tiger’s ears.  “You’re—you’re the president,” Jonathan gasped.  “And you must be Jonathan,” President Kennedy replied.  “You—you know me?”  President Kennedy responded with a chuckle, “Everyone in the White House knows you now.” 

President Kennedy never saw Peter’s book.  He was assassinated on November 22, 1963, just two months before the book was published.  In her first public document as first lady, “Lady Bird” Johnson wrote the foreword for Peter’s book on White House stationary.  She ended the foreword with this invitation to young readers: “My husband and I hope one day soon you will come to visit the White House in person.”  The book went on sale in February 1964.  Six months later, Peter published his travel memoir entitled “Time and a Ticket.”  His books sold well but failed to provide Peter with the financial security necessary for him to focus solely on writing books.  

Peter worked for Newsweek until 1967 when he was hired as “a (very) junior” speechwriter for President Lyndon Johnson.  When President Johnson’s term ended in January 1967, Peter was determined to build a career as a freelance writer.  He wrote stories for newspapers and magazines such as National Geographic, LIFE, The New Yorker, and pitched book ideas to publishers.  In 1974, Peter published what was advertised as “a novel of relentless terror.”  The book was such a big hit that Peter was hired to co-author a screenplay based on the book.  Peter, who wrote the popular children’s book about the White House, who was a speech writer for President Lyndon Johnson, is Peter Benchley, mostly known for his “superthriller” shark tale “Jaws.”                

Sources:

1.     The Boston Globe, June 15, 1961, p.12.    

2.     The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), January 5, 1964, p.50.

3.     The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), June 27, 1964, p.9.

4.     Peter Benchley, “Jaws, (New York, Doubleday, 1974).

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We are entering the season of anticipatory waiting. There is lots of movement in this season. We travel.

We welcome out-of-town guests. We hurry to the door when Amazon arrives. Soon the Liturgical churches talk about the waiting of Advent. Lowes, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby have gone all Christmas all the time. They have been anticipatory waiting since September! Before you dive head long into your ritual chaos, I wanted you to ponder Sue Monk Kidd’s When the Heart Waits. She wrote:

“One afternoon as the children watched television and I folded laundry; we heard a terrible thud against the patio door. I turned in time to see blue wings falling to the ground. A bird had flown into the glass.

None of us said a word. We looked at one another and crept to the door. The children followed me outside. I half-expected the bird to be dead, but she wasn’t. She was stunned and her right wing was a little lopsided, but it didn’t look broken—bruised, maybe.

The bird sat perfectly still, her eyes tiny and afraid. She looked so fragile and alone that I sat down beside her. I reached out my little finger and brushed her wing.

A voice came from behind me, “Why doesn’t it fly off, Mama?”

“She’s hurt,” I said. “She just needs to be still.”

 

We watched her. We watched her stillness. Finally, the children wandered back to the television, satisfied that nothing was going to “happen” for a while. But I couldn’t leave her.

I sat beside her, unable to resist the feeling that we shared something, the two of us. The wounds and the brokenness of life. Crumpled wings. A collision with something harsh and real. I felt like crying for her.

For myself. For every broken thing in the world.

That moment taught me that while the postures of stillness within the cocoon are frequently an individual experience, we also need to share our stillness. The bird taught me anew that we’re all in this together, what we need is to sit in one another’s stillness and take up corporate postures of prayer. How wonderful it is when we can be honest and free enough to say to one another, “I need you to wait with me,” or “Would you like to me to wait with you?”

I studied the bird, deeply impressed that she seemed to know instinctively that stillness is healing. I had been learning that too, learning that stillness can be the prayer that transforms us. How much more concentrated our stillness becomes, though, when it’s shared.

The door opened again, “Is she finished being still?”

“No, not yet,” I said, knowing that I was talking as much about myself as the bird. We went on waiting together. Twenty minutes. Thirty. Fifty.

Finally, she finished being still. She cocked her head to one side, lifted her wings and flew. The sight of her flying made me catch my breath. From the corner of my eye I saw her shadow move along the ground and cross over me. Grace is everywhere I thought. Then I picked myself up and went back to folding the laundry.”

Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email: DougDeGraffenried

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July 2, 1951 – November 9, 2025

A memorial service celebrating the life of Norris Glen Anderson will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Jeane Funeral Service. Burial will follow at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered.

Norris Glen Anderson was born on July 2, 1951, to Clinton and Mercy Dee Anderson in Ville Platte, Louisiana, and passed from this life on November 9, 2025.

After graduating from Ville Platte High School, Norris proudly joined the United States Army, where he served honorably for 20 years as a Field Medic. Throughout his distinguished military career, he received numerous awards and commendations, including the Army Achievement Medal (1st OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2D OLC), Army Service Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6th AWD), Kuwait Liberation Medal, NCO Professional Development Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2D AWD), Overseas Ribbon, Retirement Lapel Button, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, Driver and Mechanic Badge, and the Expert Field Medic Medal.

Norris was known for his great sense of humor and his love of laughter, which he shared generously with family and friends. He enjoyed cooking, celebrating special occasions, and was often the life of the party. His joyful spirit and warm heart brought happiness to everyone around him. Norris will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton and Mercy Dee Anderson; brothers Linton Anderson, Carlton Anderson, Felton Anderson, Hilton Anderson; and sister Regina Jack.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife and confidant, Mary Anderson; son Kylo Anderson; daughters Nicole Alston and Nor’Randa Smith; sister Mercy Ann Anderson; and his grandchildren Dashawn Alston, Alicia Alston, and Jaiden Smith.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and caregivers who assisted Mr. Anderson and his family during his time of need

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