James Reed Madden

April 30, 1960 to March 19, 2022

View the full obituary here:

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2022/03/24/james-reed-madden/

---

Saturday there is a crawfish boil at Abundant Life.  Come and enjoy crawfish boil and bro-ship at the bro-boil.  It starts at 3:00 pm tomorrow at Abundant Life on the Ashland Road.

Northwestern State University’s Student Government Association passed a resolution to require the closure of all campus gates except for the Caspari Street entrance between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.  The measure was introduced to “promote and enhance the safety and protection of Northwestern State University students by changing the hours that the gates to campus are opened and closed,” according to the resolution.  The SGA will work with university administration to ensure that University Police have a presence in the guard shack at the Caspari Street entrance to monitor vehicular activity on campus.

Springhill Baptist Church has resumed Wednesday night suppers.  Youth and children eat free.  Adults pay $5.  Youth class and Kids SHINE class begin at 6:00 pm.  Prayer Meeting begins at 6:15 pm.  We hope to see you there next Wednesday.

There is a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday at Red River Cowboy Church.  Come hungry, the breakfast starts at 9:45 am.  The Youth Team will be preparing a donation pancake breakfast. All funds will go towards Cowboy Camps.

---

James Reed Madden of Ringgold, Louisiana passed away after a long battle of mental health illnesses and colon cancer on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 61.

James was born April 30, 1960, to the late Pat and Reed Madden of Crossroads, La.  

James was survived by his children James Madden of Pineville, La, Alice Madden of Coushatta, La and Charity Woodall of Oil City, La.  He was blessed with seven grandchildren and one great grand on the way. He had 1 sister, 2 half-sisters, 1 half-brother and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and the mother of his children, Rhonda Wilson Madden.

His Memorial Service will be held on March 26, 2022, at the Fishing Pier at Grand Bayou in Coushatta, La at 2:00 pm. The pier is available from 7 am to 11 pm to celebrate the life we are blessed with and to enjoy each other company.

We want to thank everyone who took care of James and we pray that the compassion you have shown will always be the blessing that makes you smile. Special Thank You to Becky Allen and her family for taken care of James when I couldn’t and no one else would.

His lifelong illnesses prevented him from being who we needed him to be.

If anyone you know or love suffers from a mental illness please seek help immediately. May God bless you.

---

By Autumn McCoy

Red River travelled to Jonesboro-Hodge Monday evening to take on the Lady Tigers for the second time this season. At the end of the game, Coach Zachary Thrasher had racked up his 100^th career victory.

The Lady Bulldogs kicked things off early today with Gracie Baker #9 and Bryn Danzy #4 scoring in the

first inning. Danzy struck out the first two Jonesboro-Hodge hitters, and Gracie Baker #9 caught a foul ball from the third batter to keep it three up, and three down.

Jonesboro-Hodge would score their only two runs in the second inning. From there, the Lady Bulldogs were able to add 8 more to their runs before the game was called after the bottom of the 4th inning.

The Lady Bulldogs did not simply win on Monday night, they added the 100th win to Coach Zachary Thrasher’s coaching record. Since he began coaching in 2013, Thrasher has coached 9 seasons. The team and other coaches presented him with a banner and the game ball, signed by all players and coaches.

---

Results of the 2022 Northwest Louisiana District Literary Rally hosted by Northwestern State University have been released.  Students from Red River High and Riverdale Academy along with high schools in central and northwest Louisiana participated in the Rally.  It is held each year to qualify academically talented students for the state competition at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge on April 9.

Here are how our local students fared.

Medal winners from Division III are:

Red River – Erik Hanson – Business English and Introduction to Business Computer Applications.

Medal winners from Division V are:

Riverdale Academy – Molly Seales and Lilly Guillot – English I; Tyler Jones – Physics; Caleb Dabbs – Spanish II; and Collin Hesson – Spelling.

State qualifiers in Division III are as follows.

Red River High — Tess Zegel – Advanced Math-Functions and Statistics; Addison Bounds – English I; Michah Davis – Financial Literacy; Erik Hanson – Introduction to Business Computer Applications; and Korie Williamson – Physical Science.

State qualifiers in Division V are as follows.

Riverdale Academy – Sidney Free – Advanced Math-Functions and Statistics; Reagan Huddleston – Advanced Math-Precalculus; Mason Murray – Algebra II; Hayden Hillman – Biology I; Molly Seales – Biology II; Lilly Guillot – English I; Will Jones – English II; Rylee Hodge – Fine Arts Survey; Sky McMullan – Geometry; Aston Hester – Health; Tyler Jones – Physics; Caleb Dabbs – Spanish II; and Ryder Huddleston – World Geography.

Sweepstakes winners in Division V were Dodson High School, first place; St. Mary’s, second place, and Riverdale Academy, third place.

---

By Autumn McCoy

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the competition Thursday night at their tournament. And they kept it up all through Friday in the Lady Bulldog Invitational Softball Tournament.

Ringgold was unable to score against the home team in the first inning. After the Bulldogs got three outs on defense after only 4 batters. Gracie Baker # 9 and Sarah Cormier #18 started offense off with back-to-back in the park homeruns, and both slid across home plate to score for Red River in the first two bats of the bottom of the first inning. Gracie Lindsey #12 at 1st had all three outs at the top of the second keeping Ringgold from scoring again. The Lady Bulldogs continued on to  dominate their first game in the Red River Tournament in only three innings with a score of 15-0.

The Lakeview Gators came ready to beat the home team Friday night, scoring 5 runs pretty quick in the top of the first inning. When the Lady Bulldogs took the field, they would not be stopped before they scored 15 runs. The Gators were able to add 3 more to the scoreboard in the 2nd and keep the Bulldogs from scoring at all. Red River returned the favor when they took the field in the 3rd, sending the Gators to the dugout with no runs. Not to be outdone, the Gators kept up the defensive battle, sending the Bulldogs to the dugout scoreless, for a second inning straight. After striking 2 Gators out, pitcher Bryn Danzy #4 stops a line drive and throws to Shelby Pickett #5 at 3rd base for the 3rd out, keeping the Gators to three up, three down again. The Red River Lady Bulldogs beat Lakeview Lady Gators 15-8.

Saturday morning, the Lady Bulldogs stepped on the field to battle the Pleasant Hill Lady Eagles. After both teams scoring three in the first inning, the stage was set for a close game, and that’s just what it was. Danzy took the mound for the sixth time this week. The Bulldogs were plagued by errors throughout the game. Red River trailed 12-14 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Danzy hit a double on a 2-2 count allowing three Bulldogs to score. Her walk off was the deciding factor of the game. Red River won 15-14 in a nail biter of a game.

In their afternoon game against Mansfield, the Lady Bulldogs started off with an early 4 run lead. They only allowed one run in the second inning. Harlie Pickett #21 was able to catch her second out in right field for the weekend. Mansfield was able to score two runs in the top of the third, but they would never catch the lead. The Lady Bulldogs finished the weekend with an 11-6 victory over Mansfield. Red River Lady Bulldogs finished the weekend undefeated in their tournament!

The Lady Bulldogs taking part in the tournament were Gracie Lindsey #12, Bryn Danzy #4, Gracie Baker #9, Paris Pennington #8, Shelby Pickett #5, Tess Zegel #17, Niasia Latson #13, Destiney Davis #15, Sarah Cormier #18, Harlie Pickett #21, Harley Sepulvado #11, and Addison Bounds #6.  The Lady Bulldogs are coached by Head Coach Zachary Thrasher, Coach Ginger Craig, Cymantha Smelser and ShaKiyah Davis.

---

Longtime Coushatta residents Lem and Margaret Jones had a special visitor over the past weekend.  It was their first chance to see great-great grandson Clayton Michael Schober.  Clayton is 8 months old and lives with mother and father in Kileen, Texas.

Clayton is a healthy and happy baby, loves to play and just got his first tooth last week. His loving parents Shane Schober and Taylor Baxter wanted to introduce Clayton to his great- great grandparents Lem and Margaret Jones along with cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and great grandparents.  They celebrated a wonderful weekend together.

Clayton Michael Schober is the son of Shane Shober and Taylor Baxter, grandson of Veronica and Lloyd Baxter, great grandson of Ron Jones, and great-great grandson of Lem and Margaret Jones.  There are five generations of love and happiness.

---

Table scraps …

From the “You Really Aren’t Having A Bad Day” Files: It’s been nearly two weeks since several news services reported that two men at a Tennessee farm were killed by a “rampaging camel.” The farm housed several kinds of animals and no reason was given for the camel’s rampage. The bottom line is that, if you get attacked by a camel, and in Tennessee of all places, it ain’t your day…

A baseball team I follow has some long bus trips so I suspected it would be thoughtful and different to get them some playing cards along with some silly things, games children play with like Etch-A-Sketches and a magnetic checker set and some Wooly Willy drawing games, the ones where you put the “magic wand” against the plastic and it pulls little slivers of iron where you want them to go so you decorate the face of Willy. And then I thought how that was the stupidest idea I’d ever had—and it’s a long line—because all these dudes do is play on their phones and listen to music. Would have been a great idea—in the mid-80s…

Can’t give you the link here ’cause we don’t want you jumping to another site BUT in honor of these first days of spring, take 30 seconds and find “Welcome, Sweet Springtime: The Andy Griffith Show” on YouTube or the site of your choice and listen to Barney, very flatly, usher in the new season. Good ol’ 14A in your songbook. Never gets old …

To paraphrase Kris Kristofferson, my NCAA Tournament Bracket woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold its head that it didn’t hurt. Over the span of 48 hours, from the Opening Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament through Saturday of the Second Round, my little black-and-blue bracket went from “tightness in the joints” to “full body cast.” …

BUT … to paraphrase singer-songwriter Travis Tritt, “Here’s a quarter, call someone who cares.” Because no one cares about your NCAA bracket. No one but you cares that you had Kentucky and flamed out on ascent or that you pulled a rabbit out of the hat and picked St. Peter’s. No one even cares if your bracket is leading in any of the groups you have joined, because everyone knew SOMEbody was going to win—somebody besides them. Nobody knows the trouble your bracket has seen—but no gives the slightest rat’s rip either. If it makes you feel any better, anything your bracket can do, mine can do worse. We might be enjoying the first days of spring, but it remains a cold, cold world. (Just ask anyone who’s been attacked by a camel, hard by the Tennessee River)…

Speaking of hoops, one good thing that’s come from the pandemic is that very few men’s basketball coaches wear coats and ties on the sidelines anymore. They dress down. They used to look like they were going to call time out, then take up offering. Most women’s coaches still dress up for games, but for them, dressing down is still dressing up when compared to guys. We like to think we’re dressed up if we have our shoes tied…

Country Music Hall of Famer and perpetual wonder woman Dolly Parton has teamed with bestselling author James Patterson to write a climbing-the-charts mystery, “Run, Rose, Run,” a novel about a young female singer with hopes to make it big, but a secret from her past might destroy her. I’m good as long as the secret isn’t that she killed Porter Wagoner…

For all you Bracket Folk, good luck this weekend in the Sweet 16 (and no, do NOT tell us who you’ve picked; it’ll save us both the embarrassment).

And, if at all possible, stay away from camels: any one of them might have picked Kentucky or Wisconsin to win it all and be in a surly mood.

Welcome, Sweet Springtime.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

---

The Spring Open House at Quality Outdoor in Coushatta is Thursday and Friday.  “It is a time to see all of the options in outdoor equipment,” said Thom Hoeflinger.

Tuesday, Hoeflinger took to the Red River Parish Journal’s social media page to explain the equipment Quality Outdoor offers to keep your lawn and home beautiful.  He noted that mowing season is at hand, and Hoeflinger showed the lines of riding mowers, blowers, weed trimmers and other items offered.

On Thursday afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 pm 94.9 The River will be broadcasting live.  Morning show host Trini Trigg will anchor the coverage on the radio station and the Journal Facebook livestream.  And Trini will be giving away two gift cards worth $50 each to York Chop in Coushatta.

The Spring Open House is all day Thursday and Friday at Quality Outdoor, next to Quality Ford in Coushatta.  Thom said, “Come see everything we have to offer.”

---

Red River has revised the football schedule to include spring games and pre-season games next August.  On May 13 will be the Blue vs Grey game at home.  Then on May 20 the Bulldogs travel to Cedar Creek for a spring game.

There are two pre-season games.  There will be a scrimmage at Bossier High on August 19 and a Jamboree with Cedar Creek at Strother Stadium.

The regular season has five non-district games to lead off beginning September 2.  The season concludes with the Bulldogs playing 5 district opponents.  The season winds up at home vs Mansfield on September 4.

Due to realigning the districts by LHSAA the Bulldogs picked up district opponents in Mansfield and Jonesboro Hodge. 

---

While retirement planning isn’t just about saving.  It isn’t just about tax planning.  Social Security effects almost everyone.

Statistics show approximately 90% of those currently receiving Social Security did not maximize their benefits.  Current regulations allow for close to 300 options for a married couple to draw these benefits.  What is the right answer for you?  Begin drawing early?  Wait, but to what point to gain the most dollars?  Can you still work and receive Social Security? Some of the answers to these common consumer questions may surprise you.

 If you are a Louisiana state employee or a public educator, you and your spouse both maybe adversely effected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO)?  Both WEP and GPO reduce the Social Security benefits you actually receive each month.  What you don’t know really can hurt you.

An informed decision is always a better decision.  Call for your own complementary Social Security retirement benefit analysis and personal consultation to select the best option for you and your family!

Contact Reinette Today!

rfoster@reinettefoster.com

318-481-6539

http://www.ReinetteFoster.com

---

By Brad Dison

Samuel Wilson was born in 1766 in Arlington, Massachusetts, then one of the North American colonies of the British Empire.  Tension between the mother country and the American colonies was a topic of discussion in the Wilson home even before Samuel was born.  In 1765, the year before Samuel Wilson was born, the Parliament of Great Britain imposed a direct tax on the American colonies.  The Stamp Act required almost all printed materials including legal documents, newspapers, magazines, and even playing cards, to have an embossed revenue stamp.  Printed materials not containing the revenue stamp were contraband and deemed illegal.  More taxes and other forms of control followed including the Townshend acts, the Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, and the Quebec Act.  The situation had reached a boiling point, and in February of 1775, nine-year-old Samuel’s home state was declared to be in a state of rebellion.  Two months later, large-scale fighting erupted at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. 

Samuel wanted to do his part, but he was too young.  The fighting continued for six long years when, in March of 1781, fourteen-year-old Samuel joined the Continental Army.  As a young soldier, most of Samuel’s responsibilities were focused on the Army’s cattle, their main supply of fresh meat.  He mended fences, made sure the cattle were healthy and properly fed, and slaughtered and packed the meat for transportation.  One of his most important duties was to guard the cattle against enemy saboteurs.  It was common for enemies to steal or poison an enemy’s cattle as well as their supply of meat.

The War for Independence ended in October of 1781 when Cornwallis surrendered at the Siege of Yorktown.  Following the war, Samuel and his brother moved to Troy, New York where they operated several successful businesses.  In 1793, drawing on his experience in meat packing, Samuel and his brother, Ebenezer, opened what became a profitable meat packing business under the name of E & S Wilson on the Hudson River.  Company profits increased when Samuel and his brother built a loading dock for ships on the river.

In June of 1812, America clashed with the British again in what is called the War of 1812.  The United States Army was again in need of fresh meats.  Samuel’s company received a one-year contract to supply 2,000 barrels of pork and 3,000 barrels of beef to the Army.  When the contract expired, the Army appointed Samuel as meat inspector to ensure the meats were fresh and properly packed.  He stamped each barrel of meat with a company insignia and the letters “U.S.” for United States.  Soldiers in New York, many of whom were from the Troy area, recognized the company’s insignia and knew the meat had been inspected by Samuel.  Local soldiers proudly nicknamed the U.S.-stamped barrels of meat after Samuel.  Word quickly spread throughout the ranks and the nickname evolved to include anything which displayed the U.S. stamp.  Samuel Wilson, a man who ensured that American soldiers received fresh, safe meat during two wars, was the origin of the image of a man which represents the United States itself.  Because Samuel stamped each barrel of meat with “U.S.”, and because of the nickname the soldiers called him, on September 15, 1961, the United States Congress adopted the following resolution: “Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes [Samuel] Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America’s National symbol of Uncle Sam.”

Sources:

1. “United States Nicknamed Uncle Sam.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 24, 2009. Last modified November 24, 2009. Accessed March 20, 2022. history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-nicknamed-uncle-sam.
2. “Uncle Sam.” Visit the Main Page. Accessed March 20, 2022. newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Uncle_Sam.

---

By Christy Suggs

The Week of March 14-19 was a jam packed week of Baseball. It started out with 2 5A school matches and ended with the Earl Martin Invitational Tournament.   The Dawgs held strong and came up 4-2 for the week, bringing the season record up to 10-4.  Coach Chris Reed said, “We have 10 wins, but we are still searching for that signature win to really get us moving forward.”

Highlights from the games provided by Coach Reed:

3/15 Huntington Double Header  Game 1 9-0 Win over Huntington. John Dickey took the mound and didn’t allow a single run against Huntington, throwing a complete game shutout and leading Red River to a 9-0 victory on Tuesday. The Varsity secured the win thanks to 5 runs in the fourth inning. The rally was led by singles from Tyler Hughes and Pierce Kellogg, a triple by Chris Carper and Ryder Hogan and a double by Eli Harper.  The offensive firepower sent runners across the plate with RBIs in the fourth Inning. Dickey was credited with the victory for RR. The ace lasted five innings, allowing 2 hits and 0 runs while striking out 9 and walking only 1. The Bulldogs racked up 9 hits. Kellogg and Kenneth Lazarus both managed multiple hits. Kellogg went 3 for 3 at the plate and led the Bulldogs in hits.

Game 2 10-0 Win over Huntington Ryder Hogan Collected his 3rd win of the season. Tyler Hughes got the save.

3/16 RR Lost to Byrd 9-0 The loss of the lead early in the game caused the defeat. The RR Bulldogs fell behind early and couldn’t come back against Byrd.   Byrd scored on a walk, 2 sacrifice flies and a single in the first inning. The Dawgs struggled to contain the high-powered offense of Byrd, giving up nine runs. A single by Eli Harper in the seventh was a positive for the Dawgs. Senior Keegan King started as pitcher. He allowed 2 hits and 4 runs over one-third of an inning. King left the game due to an arm injury.  Ryder Hogan, Ethan Wiliamson, and Pierce Kellogg each contributed in relief for RR. Harper went 1-for-3 at the plate leading the in hits.

3/17 3-2 Loss to North Caddo    Thursday night was opening games for the Early Martin Invitational Tournament.  It was a close game. Both teams were strong on the hill, but North Caddo was just a little bit stronger at the plate.  Tyler Hughes started the game and recorded 21 outs.  RR opened the scoring in the first inning on an error. North Caddo knotted the game up at one in the top of the third inning, when Brady Wilson grounded out, scoring one run. North Caddo pulled away for good with one run in the fourth.  Hughes lasted seven innings, allowing 5 hits and 3 runs while striking out 7.  Pierce Kellogg, Hughes and Eli Harper each managed one hit to the varsity team.  RR Bulldogs stole 10 bases during the game as three players stole more than one. Harper led the way with three.

3/18 22-1 Win over Ringgold High School. Friday night and game 2 of the tournament saw Ethan Williamson score his first career high school win. He is 1-0 on the season. Ringgold could never get anything going. RR dominated the game.

3/19 Saturday afternoon was the local rivalry game of RR vs. Castor Tigers. Pierce Kellogg had all the right stuff as he faced the Tigers.  He allowed 0 runs and beat Castor by a score of 18-0. Chris Carper led the Bulldogs to victory by driving in 4 runs. Carper went 3-for-3 at the plate, driving in runs on a single in the first, a triple in the second, and a triple in the fourth. RR started things off with a run scored on an error in the first inning. They scored 12 runs in the fourth inning.  Big bats were led by Eli Harper, Carper, Ryder Hogan, Terrell Gary, Tyler Hughes and Kellogg.  The Bulldogs were led on the mound by Pierce  Kellogg. He allowed only 2 hits and had 0 runs over 5 innings, striking out 7 and walking 1.  The Bulldogs collected 12 hits. Carper, Hughes, and Kellogg each managed multiple hits. Carper led with 3 hits.  Bulldogs tore up the base paths, as 2 players stole at least 2 bases each, with freshmen Jacob Kellogg leading the way with 2.  The Bulldogs were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Carper made the most plays with seven.

---

A total of 171 Red River voters participated in the week of early voting that concluded Saturday.  Of that number 73 voted in person and 98 cast ballots by voting absentee.

The demographic breakdown shows 73 Democrats voted, 88 Republicans and 10 registered as other.  38 black voters and 130 white voters cast ballots.  There were 100 female and 71 male voters.

This coming Saturday is election day in Red River Parish.  There is the Court of Appeal race on the ballot, however there are no local races in the parish.

---

By Molly Seales

The Riverdale Academy first-year 4^th-6^th grade baseball team travelled to Rayville this weekend to play in their final games of the season. Call them the underdogs. Call them the come-back-kids. Call them what you want, but this little team went charging into the tournament ready to make a name for themselves, and they did. After dropping game one in extra innings 7-6 to PVA, the boys came back Saturday and began charging their way through the elimination bracket before falling in their 3^rd game of the day.

In Friday’s game vs. PVA, 5^th grader Carter Breedlove was on the mound most of the game for the Rebels. He struck out six batters and only walked one. Karson Milner-Dortlon led the way at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s. Kane Milner-Dortlon was 1 for 2 at the plate, with an RBI and a run scored. Hayden Cason and Morgan Moseley added hits for the Rebels, with Moseley also scoring a run. Jax Hearold had an RBI and scored a run. Other Riverdale runs came from Kaden McNeely, Sam Murray, and Drew Curry. The Rebels were quick on the base paths, stealing a total of 10 bases. Jackson Hillman, Kane Milner-Dorton, and Moseley had 2 each, with Hearold, Curry, McNeely, and Karson Milner-Dorton each had one. Catcher Kaden McNeely had the most plays with 7, and Riverdale didn’t commit a single error in the game.

At 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, RA was back in action against Riverfield Blue and came out on top with an 8-5 win. Jackson Hillman started on the mound and struck out one batter before Jax Hearold came in out of the bull pen and got the win on the mound for the Rebels, allowing only 2 hits, 2 earned runs, and striking out 6 batters. The Riverdale bats were hot on a chilly morning. Kaden McNeely, Jackson Hillman, Carter Breedlove, Easton Cason, and Jax Hearold were all 1 for 1 at the plate, with Breedlove, McNeely, and Hearold doubling on their hits. McNeely, Hillman, Hearold, Breedlove, Hayden Cason, and Easton Cason all had an RBI. Other Riverdale runs came from Ayden Moseley, Morgan Moseley, and Drew Curry. Jackson Hillman stole 2 bases with Curry, Morgan Moseley, Easton Cason, and Kane Milner-Dortlon stealing one each.

At 12:30 the Rebels took on the JGS Red Rams and defeated them by a score of 7-6. Carter Breedlove and Jax Hearold pitched for the Rebels and managed to hold JGS to only 6 runs. Kane Milner-Dortlon was on fire at the plate, going 3 for 3, including 2 doubles, with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Jackson Hillman was 1 for 3 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Kaden McNeely was 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Karson Milner-Dortlon was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored. Other Riverdale runs were courtesy of Breedlove, Hearold, and Sam Murray. The Rebels stole an outstanding 13 bases. Hearold led the way with 3, followed by Kane, Karson, McNeely, and Breedlove with 2 each. Murray and Hillman each stole a base.

The Rebels fell short in their last game 11-1 to a very tough and disciplined JGS Black Rams team. Riverdale didn’t manage to get any hits. Kaden McNeely drew a walk and stole 3 bases to score Riverdale’s only run. Despite this tough loss, the Rebels had a great season and weekend. The future of Riverdale baseball looks very bright!

---

Tinker Gahagan

September 30, 1934 to March 18, 2022

View full obituary here:

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2022/03/21/tinker-gahagan/

---

Friday will be the fourth Friday in the month and that means it is time for a fish fry at Clara Springs Camp.  The camp said to please note the price increase to $15 for all the fish, fries, trimmings and great desert.  This is due to increases in the cost of supplies.  Come for the

Fellowship and fish cooked and served by Westside Baptist Church of Natchitoches.

Dr. Kristine Coreil, professor of horn at Northwestern State University, will give a solo recital on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

From Ginny Hines at the school board office:  Just a few reminders for the week.

We are having a few problems with our students’ clothing. We do not like to limit what a child wears. We value individuality. But SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS THE FIRST PRIORITY. 

Please be aware that in the Student Handbook under dress code, crocs are not allowed. Many of our 3 year olds have begun wearing crocs daily. There are several reasons we do not allow them to be worn. They are bad for developing feet and walking habits. Children continuously take them off and play with them during class.  They allow the child’s feet and socks to get wet when playing on the playground.  These same rules apply to flip flops. They are not allowed.

Another area we are having concern with is hair. Although beads make our hair colorful and cute, they are a danger for our kids. Beads are coming loose and causing a choking hazard. Many of the children are chewing on them during centers and nap time. This is VERY DANGEROUS! Also, hair with beads hanging in the front of the face is a distraction and can cause eye damage. Children tend to watch and tract the beads as they swing, leading to focusing problems. We are not forbidding beads but ask that you take these points into consideration.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Christy Suggs to discuss it.

---

Red River Parish is included in a Tornado Watch issued by the National Weather Service Office in Shreveport until 8:00 am.  There is also a Flash Flood Watch in effect.  Here is the statement from the weather service:

Tornado Watch 59 is in effect until 8 AM CDT. A Flood Watch is in
effect until 4 PM CDT Tuesday.

A line of thunderstorms is expected to become somewhat stationary
across the area tonight. Some of the storms could be severe.
Tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds will be possible. As the
storms stall and train over the same areas, widespread rainfall
totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible with locally higher amounts
of 6 inches or more. Therefore, a Flood Watch is in effect until 4
PM CDT this afternoon.

---

Martha Jane Gardner Gahagan “Tinker” of Coushatta, LA passed away on March 18, 2022 at the age of 87.  The hearts of our family are broken, however we find peace in knowing she has been reunited with the love of her life, Bob.  Tinker is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby R. Gahagan, her parents, Garland and Katie V. Gardner of Hall Summit, her son, Joe Gahagan of Bossier City, her brother, Billie Gardner of Haughton, her sister, JoAnne Davis of Ringgold, and step-grandson, Michael Shaw of Shreveport.  

Tinker was born in Hall Summit, LA on September 30, 1934.  She married her childhood sweetheart, Bob, after completing his wartime service in Korea.  She attended Northwestern State University earning Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees.  Tinker and Bob made their home in Coushatta, LA and raised their three children there.  An educator by profession, she worked for Riverdale Academy, Red River Parish Schools, and Caddo Parish Schools, among others. 

Tinker spent much of her life enjoying crafts and hobbies, such as sewing, cooking, and gardening.   Additionally, upon her retirement, she and Bob traveled throughout North America with several of their regular RV buddies, seeing the sights and experiencing life across the United States and Canada.   Tinker’s greatest pride was most evident when she entertained her friends with stories about her numerous grandchildren.  Tinker’s family will always remember her amazing “feasts” at Christmas.

She is survived by her children, Wally Gahagan and wife Cindy of Monroe, LA, and daughter, Mandie Crotwell and husband Lars of Tulsa, OK, grandchildren (Kelli, Jodi, Jordan, Tyler, Champy, Trevor, Katie, Andrew, and Jennifer), great-grandchildren (Dylan, Micah, Josie, Lillian, Lance, and Landon), sister-in-law, Doris Finnigan of Carlyss, daughter-in-law, Lisa Gahagan of Bossier City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA.  Service will be at 11:00 AM, immediately following visitation.  Burial will be at Social Springs Cemetery after the service. 

Pallbearers will be Tyler Gahagan, Champy Gahagan, Trevor Gahagan, Jordan Gahagan, Andrew Crotwell, and Pat Murray.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Lacy Hedge and the staff at Rosemont Assisted Living and Elara Caring Hospice in West Monroe for the love and care they have shown Tinker over the past few years.

---

Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending Sunday, March 20, 2022.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

---

A graveside service celebrating the life of Kathryn Ray Beason, 66, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, March 21, 2022, at Old Castor Cemetery in Castor, LA with Reverend Danny Slack officiating and assisted by Reverend Sandra Sanford. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Coushatta Chapel.  

Kathy was proceeded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, her dad, William Beason, her mother, Emily Beason, and her brother, Billy Beason.  Left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Mark Beason and Charles Beason; nephews and nieces, Joe Beason and wife, Barbara of Jamestown, LA, Sarah Hobson and husband, Jamie of Saline, LA, John Beason and wife, Jennifer of Saline, LA, Keith Beason and wife, Addison of Texarkana, TX, and Kirsten Beason of Shreveport, LA; and a host of extended family and friends.

Kathy loved to travel, and, in her lifetime, she had the good fortune to be able to travel and see many places all over the world. She served her country in the United States Air Force. She graduated valedictorian of her class from nursing school. Kathy worked for many years as a nurse. She never looked at being a nurse as just a job, it was something that she took very seriously. She loved to be able to take care of and help other people whenever she could. You could ask anyone who ever had the pleasure of having her for their nurse and they would all tell you that she was one of the best there ever was. Being a nurse was truly her passion. Kathy was loved by so many people and will be greatly missed.

Honoring Kathy as pallbearers will be her nephews and cousins.

By Christy Suggs

RR 1 Choudrant 11

It was a tough game.  Bulldogs opened with scoring off of a fly by Chris Carper in the first inning, but Choudrant came up hard in the seventh inning scoring 7 runs.  Keegan King was on the mound for RR and went three innings, allowing  runs on one hit and striking out one. John Dickey and Pierce Kellogg entered the game as relief, throwing 2 and a third innings and on and two-thirds innings respectively. Eli Harper went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead in hits.

RR 0 vs. West Ouachita 4

West Ouachita took the lead on a signal in the first inning and RR could never recover.  One bright spot in the game was a double play by Tyler Hughes in the first inning.  Hughes took the loss for Red River as the pitcher of the night. The Bulldogs surrendered zero runs on three hits over seven innings striking out 14 and walking zero.  Hughes led the bulldogs with 2 hits in three at bats.

Saturday the Bulldogs pulled a double header against Simsboro coming up with 2 wins to finish out the week. RR jumped out to an early lead over Simsboro and took home a 14-1 victory. Bulldogs scored on a single by Peirce Kellogg and a triple by Chris Carper in the first inning. RR tallied 7 runs in the fourth inning. The offensive onslaught came from singles by John Dickey and Jacob Kellogg, an error put in play by Carper and a double by Keegan King.  Ryder Hogan pitched the Dawgs to victory.  The fireballer lasted 4 innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out five and walking 0.  Dickey threw one inning in relief and record the last three outs to earn the save.  Kenneth Lazarus, Kellogg, and Carper each racked up multiple hits for the Dawgs. They all had two hits each. RR stole 11 bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Lazarus led the way with three.

In the second game, Pierce Kellogg was an RBI machine, driving in four on three hits to lead RR past Simsboro 13-6. RR opened the scoring in the 2nd inning. The Varsity pulled away for good with 3 runs in the fourth. Kellogg singled on a 2-0 count scoring one run, Chris Carper grounded out but scored one run and Ryder Hogan singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.  RR came around and put up 5 runs in the sixth inning.  Contributing batters in the big inning were Trenton Grigg, Keegan King, Kenneth Lazuras, and Kellogg. King led the Dawgs to victory on the mound.  He went one and two thirds innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out three. Hogan threw one and one third innings in relief. Hogan recorded the last four outs to earn the save for the Bulldogs.

The Earl Martin Invitational Baseball Tournament is being played at Red River through Saturday.  Games Friday are:

4:00 pm Arcadia vs Calvin on natural grass and Ringgold vs Saline on the turf field.

6:30 pm Pleasant Hill vs Saline on the turf field.

Saturday games (all played on the turf field):

10:00 am Pleasant Hill vs Downsville

12:30 pm Arcadia vs. Ringgold

3:00 pm North Caddo vs Downsville

5:30 pm Castor vs Red River

---

Kyleigh Antilley is definitely the definition of a Quality Kid.  Quality Ford presented the award to Antilley for the month of March.

Last month RRHS received a new student from Mexico who did not speak any English.  Kyleigh has taken it upon herself to befriend this young lady. She walks her to class and makes sure she saves a seat for her every day in the cafeteria.  She even asked the administration if it was okay to keep her phone out when at lunch and when they have class together to use Google translate to make sure the student feels safe and welcome to the high school.  Since the student arrived, Kyleigh makes sure to include her in school activities and in everyday conversations with her other friends.

While RRHS is a welcoming place, it can be very scary for a new student from a different country; but with a Quality Kid like K3, it is an even better place. 

---