The Duck Commander will be in Coushatta next Tuesday. Phil Robertson will be the guest speaker at First Baptist Church. The event is sponsored by the church’s men’s’ group.

According to Wikipedia:

“Duck Commander is both the brand of a duck call and the name of the company in West Monroe, Louisiana, United States. The company manufactures these calls and other duck-hunting merchandise, as well as deer-hunting merchandise under the Buck Commander brand.

“Phil Robertson, a football quarterback at Louisiana Tech University, founded the company. He began his business in a dilapidated boat, where he spent 25 years making duck calls from Louisiana cedar trees.

“Robertson’s third son, Willie Robertson, currently serves as the company’s chief executive officer and has expanded it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.

“The Robertson family and business are the subjects of Duck Dynasty, a reality television series on A&E. Before that, they were featured in the Duck Commander television show on the Outdoor Channel.”

For people in this area, the Tuesday evening appearance by Robertson will be truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear from a Louisiana Legend.

August is World Breastfeeding and National Breastfeeding Month. The Red River Parish Health Unit is holding a reception next week for mothers of infants and mothers to be.

You can get valuable information on breastfeeding and on preparing yourself to feed your baby. The health unit will provide information on nutrition, recipes, stats and other information. Everyone will enjoy snacks and a chance to win prizes.

Come to the Breastfeeding Reception at the Red River Parish Health Unit at 2015 Red Oak Road in the parish Administration building on August 17th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Officials of the Operation Christmas Child in this area are pictured above. From left to right are Patsy Kitchings, Drop Off Coordinator at Martin Baptist for Red River Parish, Beth Martin area coordinator, Tonia Cates, Drop Off Coordinator in Sabine parish at Mitchell Baptist and Susan Longino church relation team member in Red River parish.

Brenda Ingram reports, “West Central La Operation Christmas Child Countdown was a tremendous success. All five drop off centers were represented.” The drop off center for Red River Parish is Martin Baptist Church. Other centers are Natchitoches parish at Westside Baptist Church, Sabine Parish are at Calvary Baptist and our new Drop Off Mitchell Baptist in Converse, and Winn Parish is at First Baptist.

Shoeboxes will be collected the third week in November at each of these drop off centers. More information about Operation Christmas Child can be found at http://www.samaritanspurse.org or by calling Susan Longino at 318-663-3990.

The MLK Health Center and Pharmacy has partnered with Open Door Fellowship to offer the Red River Community important health screenings. The event will be held at Open Door on Esperanza Road August 11th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Included in the health fair will be on site mammograms, prostate screening, blood pressure screening, body mass index, diabetes screening, cholesterol screening and nutritional information. The event announcement said there is absolutely no out of pocket expense for anyone attending the health fair.

Those wishing to pre-register for the event may go to the Open Door Facebook page and look for the event invitation. Completing the simple questionnaire will give the event planners advance notice of what tests to prepare for.

Again the event is open and free for everyone whether you have health insurance or not. It will be conducted by MLK Health Center and Pharmacy and Open Door Fellowship at the church at 285 Esperanza Road in Coushatta. The hours are 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. These important screenings could give valuable information on the status of your health.

Hunting season is only a short time away. Would you like a new deer rifle. You could win one. Get raffle tickets at Red River Industries on Highway 71 South of Coushatta. Tickets are a $5.00 donation. The drawing will be October 12th.

The Pentecostals of Martin will be in revival August 10th through 12th at the church on Kellogg Road. The Evangelist is Roger Herrington.

Over at Liberty Baptist Church they hold a summer revival August 12th through 16th. Popular Evangelist Bro. Sam Moore will bring the message of salvation Sunday through Thursday. The Liberty Praise Team will supply the music. Harry Bamburg is the Pastor and he invites you to their revival.

Tuesday is Freebies day at Pine Belt in the Fair Grounds. Coordinator Ellen Clark told The Journal the crowd arrives at 1:00 pm.

The monthly dance at the Council on Aging is scheduled for Saturday August 18th beginning at 7:00 pm. Mark your calendars.

Mary Jones is retiring as Registrar of Voters for Red River Parish. She gave notice Monday night to the Police Jury and added, “I’m gonna sit down now before I tear up.”

It was an emotional farewell by the lady who served as Registrar of Voters since 2000. Jones’ 18-year career comes to an official end at the end of the month although she will tell you “I’m retired already. I just have to clear out my stuff.”

Her letter of resignation read, “I have enjoyed serving the people of Red River Parish as their Registrar. I will forever be thankful for the trust and faith in me by this Police Jury when I was appointed to this position.

Jones told The Journal, “I will miss all the people I helped every election when they would come in to vote. It will take some time for the next Registrar to get to know them and their special way of doing things.”

Jones closed her letter, “Again, I have been blessed to have served the people of Red River Parish.

The following summary of the recent Back to School BASH was prepared by United Way of Northwest Louisiana:

More than a thousand Red River Parish residents showed up for United Way NWLA’s second annual Red River Parish Back to School Bash. This event is the only in the parish to distribute school supplies. According to the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) Study of Financial Hardship, 48 percent of Red River Parish residents are struggling to afford basic needs. The annual Back to School Bash is helping to fight and reverse this statistic.

This year, United Way NWLA and Red River Parish Schools secured enough sponsorships and donations to provide each enrolled student with a set of supplies and K-8 students with brand new backpacks. Registration numbers from Mondays event show 740 of the 1,350 students enrolled with the school district attended. An improved layout was used this year in order to better accommodate everyone in attendance. It took the space from both Red River High School and the junior high school campus to pull off the bash.

“Last year we set up to serve about 400 people and more than 1,000 showed up. This year we utilized all the space and resources we had available to best serve the families,” said Jennifer Horton, community engagement coordinator for United Way NWLA. “It’s a great feeling to know we can provide a desperately needed service here.”

The arrangement included registration in the cafeteria, uniform pickup in the library, food and community vendors in the junior high school gym and the supply giveaway plus free haircuts in the high school gym.

“We understand the need for resources in Red River Parish and United Way of Northwest Louisiana is committed to supporting the educational development through the Back to School Bash and Imagination Library,” said Bruce Willson, CEO of United Way NWLA.

This event marks the first year since United Way NWLA and BHP made the Imagination Library program available to all children under five years of age in Red River Parish. Imagination Library sends free, high quality, age appropriate books to children each month they’re enrolled. A report shows 54 percent of enrolled Red River Parish kindergartners are not prepared for school. The program addresses early childhood literacy and help children become kindergarten ready. More than 110 Red River Parish children have signed up during the past year.

United Way NWLA and Red River Parish Schools thanks the following visionary and champion sponsors: Bank of Coushatta, Bierden Co., G & B Works, LLC and Louisiana Healthcare Connections.

Recently the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a College Campus Safety & Ladies Basic Self Defense class. A small but enthusiastic group of seven ladies learned a variety of personal safety tips as well as a handful of basic self defense techniques.

The participants were challenged to use the information presented in class to develop a personal safety plan for college and home.

While no one ever wants to be in a life threatening or dangerous situation, unexpected things happen. Preparation in advance of an incident is critical.

If your local organization would like to schedule a Ladies Basic Safety and Self Defense class, please contact Sgt. Suzanne Gallier at 318-932-6701 and she will be glad to discuss it with you.

Funeral services for Milton Ray Forrest of Coushatta, LA were held at 2 P.M. Sunday, August 5, 2018 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Paul “Curtis” Carroll, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Holley Springs Cemetery, Martin, LA. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 P.M. until service time Sunday at First United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.

Milton Ray Forrest was born to Becky and George Forrest on July 12, 1929 at his family home in Coushatta, Louisiana, the town in which he was proud to call home for most of his life. By choice, he rarely left Red River Parish. Milton passed away on August 3, 2018 at the age of 89.

Milton graduated from Coushatta High School where he was a talented and successful basketball player assisting in winning state team titles for his school. He married his childhood sweetheart, Tommie Sue Jowers Forrest in 1949; they recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last September. Milton proudly served in the U. S. Navy. He worked in the oilfield industry for a brief time, and then he began a local banking career that spanned the next sixty-six years. Milton ultimately worked at all three local banks in Coushatta where he truly enjoyed serving his many loyal customers. In his younger years, he was an active leader and member of the Coushatta Jaycees. Locally, he served on the Red River Parish Levee Board and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coushatta, LA. He was a charter member of the Coushatta Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf with his weekly group of buddies for as long as his health allowed. Milton worked diligently as a charter member of the Riverdale Academy Board. He worked hard at keeping up with all of the careers, sports, and activities, of his children, grandchildren, and especially his great grandchildren.

Affectionately known as Milt, he was devoted to his wife, and adored by his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He hand cleared the land where his home still stands, and ultimately became a fine wood craftsman who enjoyed building and refurbishing furniture for family and making candle sticks from zebrawood to share with friends and family. Milton could repair just about anything. He was always available to graciously assist his daughters and grandchildren with projects or repairs at their homes. Little known to many, he also had an avid hobby of completing jigsaw puzzles.

Milt was a patient, kind, soft-spoken man, always willing to help others. He spent his life putting others wants and needs ahead of his own. Family was everything to him. He had a special bond with each of his daughters, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren making each feel as if they were his favorite. Life will not be the same without him, but his legacy will proudly be continued through his beloved family.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Becky and George Forrest, sister, LaMae Bogus, brothers, Wilbur Forrest, Arthur Forrest, Edward Alton Forrest, Emmett Forrest, and son-in-law Philip Guidry. He is survived by his wife, Tommie Sue, daughters Debbie Guidry of Coushatta, Louisiana, Rhoda Bethard and son-in-law, Robert Bethard of Coushatta, Louisiana, granddaughters, Kassie Williams and husband Josh of Coushatta, Louisiana, Kara Bethard of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kallie Bethard of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Kambrie Bethard of Lafayette, Louisiana, grandsons, Caleb Guidry and his wife Christy of Frierson, Louisiana and Silas Guidry of Coushatta, Louisiana and his great grandchildren Kiptin Williams, Slayte Guidry, Milton Guidry, P.J. Guidry, and a very special niece, Karen Forrest Holladay of Bossier City, Louisiana along with two sister- in-laws, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Caleb Guidry, Silas Guidry, Kassie and Josh Williams, Kara Bethard, Kallie Bethard, and Kambrie Bethard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holley Springs Cemetery, 1019 Hwy 786, Coushatta, Louisiana, 71019, First United Methodist Church of Coushatta, 2018 Front Street, Coushatta, Louisiana, 71019, or the recipient of donor’s choice.

United Way of Northwest Louisiana will begin accepting applications for its 2019-2020 competitive grant cycle on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Any nonprofit organization serving the ten parish region of Northwest Louisiana with a focus on health, education, financial stability or essential needs is encouraged to apply.

Annually, the United Way of Northwest Louisiana partners with the Community Foundation of North Louisiana for the annual competitive grant process to further promote positive change in the community. By combining efforts into one competitive grant process, United Way strengthens the strategic investments into our region, while reducing administrative costs.

Interested organizations must have a 501(c)3 status prior to submitting the application and are required to attend at least one mandatory orientation session prior to submitting the application. Five orientation sessions are offered from July 25 – August 2. Reservations are required and sessions will be held at Community Central, 401 Edwards St. in Shreveport.

The application process has two phases. For the first phase, applicants will submit a proposed project, program budget, and organizational information. The deadline for submitting a Phase One application is 4pm on August 21, 2018. These applications will be reviewed by a committee of volunteers who will select organizations to proceed to the next phase. Phase Two applications will be due by 4pm on November 15, 2018.

For further information on the process, eligibility guidelines or to register for one of the required sessions, visitwww.unitedwaynwla.org/about-us/grant-opportunities/.

United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability and essential needs of everyone. For a list of 2018-2019 grantees please visit http://www.unitedwaynwla.org/our-focus/

Members of the New Mary Magdalene Baptist Church from Gahagan were at Rivertown Market last Saturday conducting a fundraiser. Church Secretary Vanessa Reddix said they were selling food items to earn money for the church. Charles Horton is the pastor.

The smoked sausage on a bun was great. So were the hot dogs and hot links. The ladies prepared chilidogs, nachos, chopped beef and other lunches to go on Saturday morning.

Reddix said, ”We are planning a large fall event. Details will be announced later. We will wait to hold it until the weather gets cooler.” She promised to let us know and we will pass the word along.

Reddix and her crew are pictured with this article. The Journal would like to welcome Reddix and several other members as new subscribers to the Journal’s twice-weekly emails.

Barbara McCoy is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the National Certification Corporation. Her primary interests include High-Risk Obstetrics and Adolescent Gynecology. Her primary goal is to provide quality healthcare to women of all ages.

Prior to joining Summit, Barbara worked for the Office of Public Health, providing Family Planning services in Region 7, a nine parish area. Prior to this, she worked as a Certified Nurse-Midwife on faculty with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) in Monroe, Louisiana. Among other past job appointments, Barbara was an Assistant Professor at Grambling State University School of Nursing and served as Nursing Supervisor of Labor and Delivery at LSUHSC-Shreveport.

Barbara obtained her Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She then obtained a Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in Hyden, Kentucky, along with a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Barbara and her husband David have four children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys college football, music, exercising, and horseback riding.

The Grand Opening for the Coushatta facility will be August 14, 2018 at 1633 Marvel Street Suite A,  Coushatta La, 71019.  The public is invited.

Catfish Bend Academy is beginning its forth year. Crystal Cummins operates the Academy she describes as “a home school service that helps families homeschool their children.”

Cummins told The Journal that they have a dozen students who began classes this week. She said they are full for now, but will be able to accept more students after Christmas.

Catfish Bend Academy offers the Bible-based ABEKA Curriculum, which Cummins stresses “is not common core. They will receive an accredited high school diploma or if they wish to go back to public school we will provide a certified transcript.”

This is the forth year Cummins has offered Catfish Bend Academy. Also during the spring, Cummins applied to establish a charter school in Red River Parish. The school board voted to accept the recommendation of the independent evaluator of the application and not accept the charter school application. Cummins said the charter school idea is still something the organizers would like to do. However she is taking a year off due to her expecting a child in the near future.

A two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Hwy 71 south of Coushatta sent 2 two people to the hospital. The driver of the pickup was transported to Christus Coushatta with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the SUV was air lifted to LSU in Shreveport. There is no information on her condition at this time. The identities of those involved in the accident were not available.

Red River Parish has no animal control services and no animal shelter. Natchitoches Hope for Paws is working in our parish to care for “strays.”

Recently the Sheriff’s Office posted, “The dog pictured in the attached photo was found by a local resident near the Country Market convenience store just south of Coushatta on Hwy 71.

“Anyone with information concerning the owner of the dog is asked to contact the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-932-4221 so the dog can be safely reunited with its owner.”

Riverdale Academy’s annual Ice Cream Social will be Thursday evening at 6:00 pm at the school. They posted, “Hope to see you there!” Also Coach Jared Barber posted, “There will be a football parent meeting at 6:30 Thursday, August 9 in Coach Barber’s office. All football parents and those interested are encouraged to attend.”

Also at Riverdale this week… There will be a state championship ring ceremony next Friday, August 10 at Riverdale. The team will be fed at 6:00. Family, friends, and fans are invited at 6:30 for the ceremony in the gym. Please make plans to attend as we celebrate the 2018 state champions!

Some areas of the parish received some welcome rain as thunderstorms moved through Monday afternoon late. However we are still under a Burn Ban due to overall dry conditions. Pray for more rain to relieve the dry conditions.

CORRECTION: The Journal apologizes to Ramel Fields for incorrectly stating her position with the Louisiana VFW Auxiliary. Fields is the current state Chaplin. She will work her way up the chairs to become state President in a couple of years.

A man who sexually abused a Platte County girl beginning when she was five years old has been sentenced to 260 years in prison. Robert E. McDonald, 49, of Coushatta, Louisiana, received the sentence on July 26 after being found guilty by a jury of ten felony sex crimes in May. McDonald’s sentence is longer than disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar’s prison sentence.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “This defendant will die where he should—in prison. The girl he raped must live with what he did to her for the rest of her life, but at least she can take solace that he will never hurt her or any other child ever again.”

On the day after Christmas 2012, the victim disclosed that, when she was between the ages of five- and seven-years-old, McDonald repeatedly sexually abused and raped her.

A medical examination of the victim revealed physical indications consistent with sexual abuse. The victim’s sister testified that the defendant had also touched her in a sexual way.

At the prosecution’s urging, the jury found the defendant to be a predatory sexual offender based on both girls’ testimony.

McDonald was convicted of three counts of first degree statutory rape, two counts of first degree statutory sodomy, and five additional sex crimes. Four of McDonald’s sentences are life sentences with no eligibility for parole until he serves 50 years in prison. Judge Thomas Fincham ordered McDonald’s sentences to run consecutively, resulting in a total prison sentence of 260 years.

McDonald’s sentence eclipses the sentence of former Olympic gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of sexually abusing as many as 265 girls. If Nassar served his maximum sentence, he would serve 235 years.

Zahnd said, “Many child sex offenses are so abhorrent that they should result in the predator never walking out of prison. Judge Fincham’s sentence sends the clear message that, in Platte County, we will not tolerate these hideous crimes.”

The case was investigated by the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Children’s Division, and the Kansas City Police Department. It was tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Chris Seufert and Blake Sherer.

As the beginning of the school year quickly approaches, Red River Parish Sheriff Glen Edwards wants to remind parents and drivers of ways to help keep our children safe.

Tips for Drivers
Watch for children loading and exiting school buses before and after school.
When meeting a school bus with its stop signs displayed, always stop even if the roadway is divided by a turn lane.
Never pass a school bus that is slowing or has stopped to unload children.
Reduce any distractions inside your car. Never text and drive!
While driving on school campuses, proceed slowly and always be on the lookout for children.
Obey the speed limit and discontinue the use of your cell phone while in an active school zone.
Tips for Parents
If walking to school, make sure your child walks with a companion, follows a route you have planned, and doesn’t talk to or accept rides from strangers.
When preparing to get on the bus, instruct your child to stay out of the street, watch for vehicles, and only approach the bus after it has stopped.
While on the bus, remind your child to stay seated at all times, to keep his or her hands and head inside the bus, and to obey the instructions of the bus driver.
When exiting the bus, children should first make sure the bus comes to a complete stop, use the handrail to avoid falls, and cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
Instruct your child to never bend down in front of the bus for any reason such as to tie his or her shoestrings.

Verify that your child knows who to contact and how to contact them in the case of an emergency.

Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science will hold an activation ceremony for the 69th Demon Battalion beginning at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6 on the Kyser Hall Brickway. The annual program ushers in the new academic year and establishes the new battalion and its leadership.

A reception will follow the program. The Demon Regiment and the Louisiana Army National Guard Recruiters will provide a gaming truck as well as vehicles and equipment on display. The public is invited.

For information on ROTC at Northwestern State visit rotc.nsula.edu.

The countdown event for this area’s Operation Christmas Child campaign will be held Sunday at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches. Organizers of the program tell The Journal that Red River and three other parishes are included in the West Central Louisiana Countdown team.

Bro. Mark Brunbelow and his wife Cherry will be there Sunday to take part in the kickoff event. Bro Mark is the pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Wild Peach, Texas. He and Cherry will share their Operation Christmas Child story and tell why Grace Baptist is called the “small church with a Texas-sized heart.”

Organizers of Operation Christmas Child say there are many churches in Red River parish that are participating in the event to fill Christmas shoeboxes for children.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary National Convention was held in Kansas City last week. Angelia McCoy and Ramel Fields represented the Auxiliary and Post 7287. Here is the convention report from McCoy.

It was the 119th annual convention for the VFW and the 105th convention for the Auxiliary. Thousands of VFW and Auxiliary members were in attendants from across the USA. Two members of the VFW Post Auxiliary 7287 were among the attendants. Both Ramel Fields and I represented the Louisiana state organization as well as the local Post and Auxiliary.

We met with 50 Department Auxiliaries and their staff of the coming year. We had workshops on how to do our duties, and on working with our auxiliary members to fix any problem they may have. The Department of Louisiana came home with three 2th place awards and one 3rd place for programs.

There was a concert with Trace Adkins on Monday night and on Tuesday President Trump addressed the attendants. But the highlight of our trip was the Parade of State Presidents where Ramel Fields and Kolleen Henredon escorted me down the center aisle with the American Flags.

McCoy is the current President of the Louisiana VFW Auxiliary. Fields served in that role two years ago.

The Grateful Dead sang, “Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been!” That could be said about a beautiful young lady from Coushatta who hit the road 50 years ago this week. Wednesday she returned to the home she left so long ago.

That lady is Mathilda, a beautiful restomod 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback. The lady was purchased new in July, 1968 from Strange Motor Company in Coushatta. She is owned by Cindy and Jerry Ezernack of Zwolle. The Ezernacks brought the car back for a 50th reunion. Quality Ford owner Jerry Hester joined Cindy and Jerry for a photo session. Then they drove Mathilda over next to Hester’s pride and joy, a brand new Mustang Shelby 350 GT. They looked great and sounded great together.

Cindy Ezernack said she did not know who the original purchaser of her vehicle was. She also doesn’t know where the car went between 1968 and 1977. So our story picks up in 1977.

Cindy said the car was how Jerry won her hand, and heart, back in 1977 while she was still in high school. Jerry worked at a body shop and found the car but thought the asking price was too high. Some wheeling and dealing later the car was bought and given to Cindy. Yep, Cindy married her high school sweetheart Jerry and they’ve been motoring happily along ever since.

Jerry Ezernack told the Journal when he found the ’68 Fastback it was owned by David Davis. That’s a familiar name to many in Red River Parish. Ezernack said that was prior to Davis buying the Coushatta Ford store. Jerry Hester later purchased Quality Ford from Davis.

The Ezernacks drove Mathilda for about 6 years. There is a picture in their album of the car covered in shaving cream and whatever as they departed from their wedding ceremony. Cindy said they garaged it in 1983 when their children came along. It sat in a barn on their property near Zwolle for about 23 years. By 2006 Mathilda was looking a great deal worse from wear and neglect.

Jerry showed the Journal their photo album that documented the long and difficult task of replacing rusted out panels, rebuilding the suspension, replacing the interior and all that goes into a project like that. Jerry did most of the work himself. The work started in 2006 and the car was completed in 2013.

Mathilda is gorgeous! It is a lot more than a restoration. The term is restomod meaning that while undergoing a thorough restoration the vehicle was modified to include much work on the engine, suspension, wheels and paint job. The ghost flames on the hood are spectacular.

If you are wondering about the name Mathilda and how it is spelled, think back to the late 50s Louisiana rock and roll. Mathilda by Cookie and His Cupcakes was on top of the national top 100 charts in 1959. The song was the rage in west Louisiana and the town of Zwolle adopted it as their “national anthem.” So Cindy Ezernack said it was only logical that their Mustang be named Mathilda (spelled the way it is on the record label).

The circle was completed on Wednesday afternoon when Cindy and Jerry Ezernack drove Mathilda to Quality Ford. They told their story and showed off their beautiful GT Fastback to people who could not resist the urge to stop by. Fifty years ago, this Mustang drove away from Strange Motor Company. Wednesday it drove back to Quality Ford to celebrate the anniversary.

High School Football is in the air. The first area jamboree is just over a week away. Teams are practicing daily to get ready for their first game.

Last year Riverdale Academy was undefeated in district play. They went two rounds deep in the playoffs before being defeated. New head coach Jared Barber says despite the graduation of some starters the team should be good this year.

The Journal caught up to Coach Barber on the Riverdale football field during practice Thursday morning. There were 18 players dressed out and a couple of others making preparations to practice. Barber said, “They have completed their morning exercise program. Now they are here on the field to work on tackling today.”

Barber is high on the caliber of Rebel players this year. “These kids are working,” he said, “They are working real hard. We started with stretches, moved on to tackling drills. There will be conditioning drills mixed in with skills practice.”

You can see for yourself on Saturday August 11th. Riverdale plays two matches in the 2nd annual “Jam at the Grove” to be held at the University of Louisiana Monroe. Riverdale plays Tallulah at 12:00 Noon followed by a contest with Claiborne at 12:20. Other teams Riverdale will face this season will play later in the afternoon.

Tickets for a full day of high school football are $10. ALL proceeds of advance ticket sales go to support the football program at Riverdale. If you are interested in purchasing tickets you can find a football player or contact Coach Barber at coach.barber91@gmail.com or 318-560-4231.