By Brad Dison

On May 23, 2016, residents of the Deupree House retirement home in Cincinnati, Ohio, were having dinner.  87-year-old Patty Ris, a new resident at the retirement home, randomly selected an open seat at a table with several other people.  The residents at Patty’s table were fully engaged in conversation in between bites of food when 96-year-old Henry turned to speak to Patty.  Henry immediately realized that something was wrong.  Patty’s skin color was no longer pink.  “Her mouth was puffed up and her lips were out,” Henry explained later.  Patty’s eyes were wide.  She was beginning to panic because she was choking.

No one else at the table had realized that Patty was in distress.  Henry had never performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a choking victim, but there was no time to wait for anyone else.  In an instant, Henry turned Patty in her chair so that he could perform the Heimlich Maneuver.

The Heimlich Maneuver was introduced in 1974 and quickly spread throughout the world.  According to one estimate, the technique has “saved the lives of more than 100,000 in the United States alone.”  It is mandatory training for most emergency medical personnel, policemen, firemen, etc.  Some people you may have heard of whose lives were saved by the Heimlich Maneuver include Marlene Dietrich, Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Carrie Fisher, Cher, Simon Cowell, former New York mayor Edward Koch, and former President of the United States Ronald Reagan.  In 2014, Clint Eastwood reportedly used the Heimlich Maneuver to save the life of a golf tournament director.

Staff from the retirement home rushed to the table, but saw that Henry, a retired doctor, seemed to have the situation under control.  Henry was far from the feeble old man that you might expect a 96-year-old person to be.  His routine included swimming and other exercises.  Henry was fit.

“I did it three times,” Henry said, “and a piece of meat with a bone in it came flying out of her mouth and she was alright.”  Patty’s color quickly returned to normal.  Henry became something of a celebrity following his use of the Heimlich maneuver.  “I sort of felt wonderful about it,” Henry said, “just having saved that girl.  I knew it was working all over the world.  I just felt satisfaction.”

In a thank you note to Henry, Patty wrote, “God put me in that seat next to you… I was gone, I couldn’t breathe at all.”  Henry told reporters, “I didn’t know I really could do it until the other day”, the day he saved Patty’s life.  You see, Henry, who had never used the technique to save a life, created the Heimlich Maneuver.  His name was Dr. Henry Heimlich.

Here are the steps to perform the Heimlich Maneuver:

1. Get behind the choking person.
2. Wrap your arms around the choking person’s waist.Bend him/her slightly forward at the waist.
3. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the naval, thumb side in.
4. Grab the fist with your other hand and push it inward and upward at the same time.
5. Repeat the quick thrusts until the object becomes dislodged.

Sources:

1. “Dr Heimlich Saves Choking Woman with Manoeuvre He Invented,” BBC News, May 27, 2016, bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36400365.
2. “Performing the Heimlich Maneuver,” Drugs.com, accessed May 30, 2021, drugs.com/cg/performing-the-heimlich-maneuver.html.

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On May 23, 2021, the First Baptist Church of Coushatta honored its four graduating high school seniors in the morning service. They are Timothy Thomas, Red River High; and Parker Almond, Paul Messenger, and Witt Almond, all from Riverdale Academy. Presenting the four with new study Bibles and some words of wisdom was Dr. Nathan Davis, pastor. The congregation enjoyed seeing a slide show of the boys as they were growing up. After the service, the boys were honored with a church wide dinner in the family life center.

Timothy’s parents are Adaire and Randy Thomas, Jr. and Parker’s parents are Heather and Will Almond. Paul’s parents are Ashlie and Clay Messenger and Witt’s parents are Dawn and Winn Almond. All four young men plan to attend Northwestern State University in Natchitoches this fall.

Submitted by Faerie Sledge.

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Next year’s Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are looking to increase your ACT Score or take it for the first time this is a great opportunity for you.   Red River High will be hosting Saturday sessions put on by TRIO and Southern Shreveport at RRHS.

Trio will provide a free ACT wavier to be able to take the test at no cost for students who attend each session.  Don’t miss out on this great chance to improve your score.

Training session times and other information is on the flyer below.

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The Louisiana Legislature has recently undertaken efforts to prohibit the teaching of what is called “Critical Race Theory.”  HB 564 by State Rep. Ray Garofalo would prohibit the use of “divisive concepts” such as those contained in Critical Race Theory in student education or staff training in education from kindergarten through graduate school, for any institution that receives state dollars.  (Numerous other states are also taking similar action to make certain this “theory” is not taught given their belief its “educational” intent is to divide, not unite us as a nation).

But what is Critical Race Theory (CRT)?  Simply, CRT is an identity-based theory—founded on a Marxist ideology of class conflict—that its proponents seek to have taught in schools (and state and federal agencies) that promotes and advances the idea that Louisiana and America are systemically, hopelessly, and irreversibly racist.  [We should note that LSU’s new president, William F. Tate, is a heavily published proponent of Critical Race Theory.

It would be counterintuitive and naive to assume his views of, and belief in, CRT won’t inform his decision-making as president].

Recall in one of the presidential debates last year, President Trump was asked why he had “directed federal agencies to end racial-sensitivity training that addresses white privilege or critical race theory.”  He replied, “I ended it because it’s racist”; participants “were asked to do things that were absolutely insane; they were teaching people to hate our country.”

Christopher F. Rufo, an expert on CRT who was instrumental in bringing about Pres. Trump’s CRT Executive Order, states: “… these training sessions have nothing to do with developing ‘racial sensitivity.’”  Rather, Rufo continues, “critical race theory training sessions in public agencies have pushed a deeply ideological agenda that includes reducing people to a racial essence, segregating them, and judging them by their group identity rather than individual character, behavior and merit.”  These are clearly not “racial sensitivity trainings” he concluded but, rather, are “political indoctrination sessions.”

Rufo notes that CRT “trainers” taught Homeland Security employees, for example, that the “myth of meritocracy” and “color blindness” is a foundation of racist microaggressions and “microinequities.”  These “trainers” insist that statements such as “America is the land of opportunity,” “Everybody can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough,” and “I believe the most qualified person should get the job” are racist and harmful—merely code for “people of color are lazy and/or incompetent and need to work harder.”  Repeatedly emphasized is the premise that America was “built on the backs of people who were enslaved” and that “all white Americans are complicit in a system of white supremacy by automatic response to the ways we’re taught.” 

In fact, in the name of “equity,” UCLA law professor and CRT proponent, Cheryl Harris, has proposed suspending private property rights, seizing land and wealth, and redistributing them along racial lines.  Another academic proponent seeks the creation of a federal Department of Antiracism that would be independent of—and unaccountable to—our elected branches of government with broad power to abolish laws or suppress speech or action it deemed racist.

This is poison.  So cynical.  While we should—and do—acknowledge America’s racial flaws and racial history we also acknowledge that America has made enormous gains in racial equality over the last decades.  This CRT agenda is not only repulsive from a standpoint of intrinsic human worth and human dignity, but also a complete degradation of perhaps America’s most sacred principle—that with God’s blessing we are limited only by our own effort, initiative, hard work, desire and passion.

When people latch on to an ideology as a means to explain things, they’re often required to disregard common sense and constantly twist reality to make the ideology true, i.e., to make it sound correct in the face of contradictory evidence.  People who believe in socialism must ignore the reality of every failed socialist state, and people who believe in CRT must ignore the reality that the people coming over our Southern border, desperate to enter our “systemically racist society,” are not white Europeans and will presumably gain nothing but persecution by coming here.   Yet they still come daily in droves.

A rational person can’t tolerate the mental gymnastics and inconsistencies required to accept CRT or any other ideology.  Even if one believes CRT is true, it offers no solutions, other than to hire more CRT trainers and give tenure to more CRT professor-believers at our universities, which does absolutely nothing for those nonwhite people who may be struggling with lack of employment opportunity, crime, or poor schools where they live.

[This is not a free speech issue.  What many of us oppose is the use by government of our taxpayer dollars favoring this CRT speech.  CRT can still be advanced at any time, in any medium in the private sector].

We must send a strong message to our state Legislature that harmful and corrosive “education” of this kind doesn’t belong in any aspect of Louisiana or American life but certainly should not be allowed to pollute the minds of young people as they are taught our nation’s extraordinary history and of our American exceptionalism—which doesn’t mean we are perfect only that the foundational ideals of liberty and equality to which we aspire, certainly are.  It would also be a shame if the racism embedded in Critical Race Theory was used to destroy Dr. Martin Luther King’s “dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

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LifeShare is asking Red River residents to help overcome low levels of blood reserves.  A drive will be held at Rivertown Market on Thursday.

LifeShare’s Philip Maxfield said, “Summer is approaching and the need for blood is huge right now. Please join with us and help support this community blood drive! You probably know someone that’s needing blood right now. Let’s honor those who are needing our help and donate the #GiftofLife.”

Maxfield said other drives are scheduled at Woman Church next Tuesday night and at Man Church next Thursday night. Times are 6:00 to 9:00 pm both nights.  The location is The Shop on Highway 507.

Don’t forget to make this an easy donation experience and sign up for your appointment. Check the LifeShare social media pages to make your appointment.  Make this time work for you.

Please CLICK on the “Find Tickets” button to schedule your donation. If you don’t know what time you want to donate choose “Plan on coming”. Walk-ins are welcome but it sure does help them to know how many are wanting to donate so they don’t run out of supplies. Please eat a solid meal, drink plenty of water (little/no caffeine), and don’t forget to bring your picture ID.

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Northwestern State University’s School of Biological and Physical Sciences will host Destination Science Camp June 21-25. The camp is intended to be an immersive experience that will provide workshops in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, physics, veterinary technology, drone technology and natural science.  The camp is for fifth-eighth grade students ages 10-14 and 9-year-olds heading to fifth grade. 

“The camp will have some formal instruction, laboratory time and structured activities, but at the end of the day attendees will unwind by competing in quiz bowls, playing board games, eating snacks, and watching movies,” said Dr. Chris Lyles, department head.

The cost is $125 per attendee.  Registration includes lab coat and safety googles. Campers must bring their own lunch, but the camp will provide an afternoon snack.  Attendees can be dropped off starting at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of Bienvenu Hall and picked up in Room 211 between 5 – 5:30 p.m. in Bienvenu Hall.

For more information or to request a camp registration packet email Lyles at lylesc@nsula.edu or Whitney Golden at goldenw@nsula.edu.  The camp is hosted by the NSU chapter of the American Society of Microbiology and sponsored by the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation and the Natchitoches Area Jaycees.

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The Red River Parishwide Fire Protection District is seeking applicants for the position of part-time Fire Chief. Applicants must meet the required qualifications. For an application, complete job description, and required qualifications, please visit redriverfire.com. Please mail your résumé, application, and copies of certificates to the Red River Parishwide Fire Protection District, P. O. Box 454, Coushatta, LA 71019. All applications must be submitted on or before June 30th, 2021. Only qualified applicants need to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, (DOTD), advises the public that on Thursday, June 3, 2021, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, weather permitting, Bridge# 034-06-0402-1 on LA 6 over Red River will be reduced to one lane for routine bridge inspections. The bridge is on LA 6 and is located 2.3 miles north of the LA 6/LA 3175 intersection near Natchitoches.

Permit/Detour section:  No detour will be needed as one lane will be open at all times.

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The River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position:

Red River Elementary Head Start Teacher.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education or advanced degree in early childhood from an accredited university.

Deadline to submit applications is June 1, 2021, at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at http://www.rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department

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Grady Delane Wren

October 10, 1943 to May 23, 2021

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2021/06/01/grady-delane-wren/

Kenneth Ray Tilley

April 14, 1974 to May 28, 2021

https://redriverparishjournal.com/2021/06/01/kenneth-ray-tilley/

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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Red River High notified students that prom pictures are in and uploaded to the website below.  All the pictures are free high resolution photos, please look over the ones you want and download as many as you want.  You can then repost or get them printed at any photo store.  Enjoy the pictures and thank you Jesseca Korn for taking and editing them for us. 

sites.google.com/rrbulldogs.com/rrhs-prom/home

Cowboy Church Arena News announced a benefit roping will be held at the Arena on June 11^th & 12^th.  The event will benefit Lanelwyn, who suffers from a rare kidney disease.

A reminder for Red River Juniors, the Ring ceremony is this Friday.  Juniors make sure you are here for practice on Thursday.  We will give you your tickets then.

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Funeral services for Kenneth Ray Tilley, 47, of Martin, LA will be held 2 P.M. Thursday, June 3, 2021 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Confederate Rev officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 12 P.M. until service time on Thursday at the funeral home.

Kenneth Ray was born April 14, 1974 in Shreveport, LA and passed away May 28, 2021.

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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Memorial services for Grady Delane Wren, 77, of Shreveport, LA will be held 1 P.M. Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Troy Keith officiating.  Interment will follow in Thomas-Wren Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 11:30 A.M. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Wren was born October 10, 1943 in Bossier City, LA and passed away May 23, 2021.

Publication of the complete obituary with photo is available by contacting The Journal at 318-564-3609.

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Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending Sunday, May 30, 2021.

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As of Thursday mid-morning water service had been restored to residences and businesses that were affected by several breaks in water pipes.  Mayor Johnny Cox said the work was completed overnight and there will be no boil advisory issued.

The Journal noticed that Old Folks Café was closed Thursday.  One of the breaks had occurred in front of that location.

Many areas of Coushatta lost their water on Wednesday.  The mayor said  “People boring for fiber optic installation hit water lines.  One of those was in front of the Old Folks Cafe.”  In all Cox said they have water lines broken in five separate places. 

Mayor Johnny Cox said the repair work went on all night.  Cox said the water interruptions were in the Springville area, along US 71 east of town, and the Bogen Lane area.  These are areas serviced by the Coushatta water system including some areas outside the town limits.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that, effective immediately, US 84 (East Carroll Street) between US 371 and LA 480 in Coushatta, Red River Parish is closed.  This closure is necessary to allow the Town of Coushatta to repair a sewer line that has failed.

DOTD will issue an update when the Town has completed their work, and the roadway has been reopened.

Alternate route: LA 480, US 71, and US 371

Restrictions/Permits: Total road closure at this location. All vehicles must use an alternate route.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

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Red River High is operating on the “Balanced Calendar” so the school year extends to the end of June.  This has opened up summer sports programs.  Both basketball teams, the baseball team and the softball team are all playing.

New Lady Bulldog Basketball Coach Kim Burton has wasted no time getting her team together.  She has scheduled two big play dates and she said more are possible.  The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Centenary College June 7^th for three games.  Red River plays Airline at 9:00 am in the Gold Dome, then they play Northwood in the Fitness Center at Noon, and wrap up the day at 2:00 pm back in the Gold Dome for a game with Mansfield.

Burton has the Lady Bulldogs in the Southwood Camp on June 17^th.  They will play two evening games at Parkway High’s Main Gym.  Red River vs Simsboro is at 7:00 pm and Red River plays Calvary at 8:00 pm.

The Lady Bulldogs Softball team will play two games next Thursday, June 3^rd at Doyline.  Red River plays Doyline at 4:00 pm and they play Lakeside at 5:30 pm.  The following week the softball team will be at Southwood on Wednesday and at Mansfield on Thursday.

The Bulldog Basketball team begins play on Tuesday, June 1st.  Coach Dadrian Harris said they begin at home with a game against Homer at 4:45 pm and vs Lakeview at 6:15 pm.  Also next week they will play Airline and Benton on Thursday.  The games will be played at Bossier High with the Airline game at 4:00 pm and Benton at 5:20.

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By Molly Seales

On the afternoon of Friday, May 14, the Riverdale Academy Class of 2022 held its ring ceremony and they officially became seniors at Riverdale Academy.  There is a tradition that the junior class has its ring ceremony the day after the seniors graduate.  At 1:30 p.m. family and friends gathered in the gym for the ring presentations.

Class of 2022 seniors and their ring presenters were Kaden Cason, who was presented his ring by his grandmother, Lisa Eddy; Sarah Dabbs, who was presented her ring by her parents, Bill and Kym Dabbs; Sidney Free, who was presented her ring by her grandmother Sandra Eddy; Rylee Hodge, who was presented her ring by her sister, Emily Hodge; Tyler Hodgin, who was presented his ring by his mom Lisa and Dwayne Baker; Reagan Huddleston, who was presented his ring by his parents, Matt and Celeste Huddleston; Ty Jones, who was presented his watch by his parents, Julie Jones and Tyler Jones; Kenley Loftin, who was presented her ring by her sister, Ansley Loftin; Caden Long, who was presented his ring by his brother, Braden Long; Jake Messenger, who was presented his necklace by his brother,, Paul Messenger; Chandler Nettles, who was presented his ring by his mom, Heather Nettles; Renee Prosperie, who was presented her ring by her parents, Carey and Donna Prosperie; Levi Shaver, who was presented his ring by his grandmother, Charlotte Shaver; Denver Williams, who was presented his ring by his parents, Rodney and Brandi Williams; and Rylee Kate Woodard, who was presented her ring by her family, Bo, Marie, and Alyssa Woodard.

These 15 seniors are excited about their upcoming year, and the most common answer to, “What do you most look forward to about being a senior?” was getting to leave school early! Congratulations to the RA Class of 2022.  We hope you have an amazing senior year in 2021-2022!

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Jason Anderson made it official on Thursday.  His produce stand is open for the summer.  Anderson said, “Between rain, snow, and ice and a little bit of sunshine, we are finally getting it together!!!  

Anderson introduced his staff.  Emily Hodge and Chloe Nash will be at the produce stand every day.  Trey Scarbrough and Asa Nash are the field crew that will keep the stand stocked with fresh picked fruit and veggies.

Anderson has something new this summer.  He said, “We have a line of beef this year!!   Steaks, roasts, ground beef, and many more cuts. Grown locally from Dan Cason at Cason Plantation Meats.”

Flowers and ferns are available also.  “Everything is coming on,” said Anderson, “just a bit slow this year.”

Anderson’s Produce and plant farm is located between LA 1 and I-49 on LA 174.  Operating hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday.  Call 319-932-1432 for information.

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RRPPS Athletics said, “Congratulations to RRHS Baseball players who made the LBCA All Region Team. Sr. Jaylon Grigg and Jr. Pierce Kellogg.

Grigg is a senior and he was named an All-Region Outfielder.  Kellogg was named a utility player.

The Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association All Region selection is shown below.  Eleven parishes comprise Region 2.  In addition to Red River they are Bienville, Claiborne, Grant, LaSalle, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Union, and Winn.

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By Steve Graf

With more anglers on the water today than in the previous 20 years, one thing has become very apparent. A lot of anglers cannot find their own fish! Now let’s address the main problem…overcrowded lakes. It is insane,  the number of boats on our area lakes and waterways compared to twenty years ago. The recent pandemic is also a major contributor to this issue as well. Boat’s sales soared in 2020 with many people not working and schools being shut down. A big majority of Americans all across the country took to the lakes and outdoors which is a great thing! Nothing bad can come of getting folks, old and young alike, out in the great outdoors. I mean what’s the worst thing that can happen?

Well, let me give you an idea and a few examples. First, overcrowded boat ramps! It amazes me at how seven days a week, you have to wait in line just to launch your boat. Just two short years ago, you could go to any boat ramp Monday thru Thursday and NEVER have to wait to launch or worry how far you’ll have to park your truck and trailer after you launch your boat. Many of today’s lakes, especially Sam Rayburn or sometimes at Toledo Bend, it might be necessary to request an Uber just to get back to the ramp after parking your truck and trailer. Several times this past year I’ve seen people parked almost a mile from the ramp they launched at. It’s insane!

Now that we’re on the water and ready to go fishing, now let’s crank our motor and head to our favorite spot. Oh wow… guess what, after you run 5 miles up the lake dodging jet skiers and pleasure boaters who have not had a boater safety course, you arrive at your favorite spot, and someone is already there.  It’s the same person who saw you yesterday catching fish there. Shocker…but that’s exactly how it is today. There are more people scouting and spying on other anglers like detectives trying to solve a murder mystery. I mean I’ve seen guys using binoculars and watching other anglers at a distance only to wait until they move and then swoop in and mark that location with their electronics so they can return on another day. Tournament anglers are especially targeted and it’s even worse if you have an advertising wrap on your boat. But one thing I’ve done several times just to throw off would be scouts and detectives, is to fake hook sets and I’ve gone as far as to pretend I just caught a fish by leaning over the side of the boat and acting like I’m releasing a fish. It’s quite amusing to watch who moves into the area I just left. I think anyone who has a pair of binoculars in their boat is pathetic.

Next, are what I call “GPS robbers.” These guys are the worst and most unethical anglers on the water. If they see a well-known angler, guide or pro, they will ride up and down the lake looking for these good anglers and will shut down and idle towards the area they are in and hit their GPS button on their electronic units to mark the spot so they can come back later after the angler leaves. While I have never shot anyone before, this is the one thing that I might consider as a consequence for anglers who practice this technique.

Bass fishing is hard enough today with so many anglers competing for a limited number of fishing spots. It just makes an angler mad when you have people on the lake spying on other fishermen and looking to raid their best spots, especially the guides who work very hard to build a reputation for catching fish. This is how they make a living, and it affects their pocketbook when other anglers pull up on their best spots and catch fish. If you are one of those who needs help finding fish, hire a guide and let him show you how to read your electronics so you can find your own fish. It’ll be the best money you ever spent and well worth your time. Till next time, find your own fish and don’t forget to set the hook!

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A new weight room is nearing completion at Riverdale Academy.  Football Coach Jared Smelser said, “The floor is down for the new weight room. Getting closer to getting done. Just waiting for the New racks, weights, and machines to be put in.”

Smelser thanked to the workers and the donors for making the project a reality.  Smelser said, “This will be a huge addition once it is completed.”

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The River Parish School Board is accepting applications for the following position:

Red River Elementary Head Start Teacher.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education or advanced degree in early childhood from an accredited university.

Deadline to submit applications is June 1, 2021, at 12:00 pm. All interested applicants should apply online at http://www.rrbulldogs.com.

For more information, you may contact Nicole Eason at 318-271-2150.

Nicole M. Eason

Red River Parish School Board

Human Resources Department

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