Over a decade ago, I flew to Kansas City for a preacher’s meeting. I had to rent a car.

I had reserved the car months before the trip. I was expecting a mid-sized car. It is funny that rental agencies have categories one step above the actual size of a car. A mini-Cooper is described in their literature at a “mid-sized” car. By their logic, a go-cart would be an “economy car.” I had reserved a “mid-sized” car. I was not expecting much.

When I arrived at the counter, my rental counter expert was “Karen.” Karen was from Baton Rouge, and we at once began speaking Louisiana to each other. She could even spell, “Natchitoches” and knew the proper pronunciation. It is always good to find home folks when you are on the road. Karen pulled up my reservation and started giggling. I asked her what was so funny. She said that the car I was assigned was a Mercury Grand Marquis. Now if you drive one of those, that is your choice, and I mean no disrespect to your proper conservative car. I made an audible sigh at the rental counter. She said, “Yeah, you don’t look like that kind of guy.”

I guess since she was from Baton Rouge and we were speaking Louisiana to each other, she decided to do something nice. She said, “Let me fix this reservation.” A couple of keystrokes on her computer and she said, “You reservation is in space 31. Have a nice day.” She made sure I had a map to my destination and the name of the best BBQ in Kansas City. I was certainly going to take that recommendation!

I walked out of the rental terminal to the parking lot. I found space 31. Karen had change to Mercury Grand Marquis to a Ford Mustang! The Mustang was a convertible! There is nothing like pulling up to a preacher’s meeting in a black Mustang convertible. I enjoyed all three days of my workshop and driving that Mustang convertible.

When you are traveling, and you meet someone who understands” lagniappe” isn’t it a blessing?

I think of heaven in those terms. Our faith in Christ gives us an abundant joy-filled life here on earth and when we finally wear out these old bodies, God has lagniappe planned. Heaven is one serious “upgrade.” I think Jesus takes pride in showing each of us that place He has gone to prepare for us.

Think of the greatest experience you have had in life, and you have not even touched the joy that is ours in Heaven. It is way better than a convertible Mustang at a preacher’s meeting!

Doug de Graffenried is Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston.

You can contact Doug at dougsponderings@gmail.com

Dr. Elizabeth B. Clarke, Director of University Communications, Louisiana Christian University
 
While Louisiana Christian University welcomed many international students who traveled thousands of miles to attend college this semester, few traveled as far as new mathematics faculty member Dr. Ashar Ghulam.

Ghulam moved this summer from Lahore, Pakistan, his hometown of more than 13 million residents, of whom are more than 96% Muslim, to live in Pineville, a town of 15,000, and work at a Christian university. 

To say his life has changed seems to be more than just a bit of an understatement.

However, Louisiana itself was not new to him or his family. 

Ghulam, who was raised in a Christian family, studied at Forman Christian College University in Lahore when it was run by Government. Previously this university was run by Presbyterian missionaries. He earned his master’s from the University of the Punjab, also in Pakistan.

He spent a few years teaching mathematics in high schools. Then in 2003, martial law was declared, and the Army took over. The government had previously taken over control of the Forman Christian College University, Lahore and eliminated the role of the Christian missionaries. 

“The head of the Army, he was a former student, and he helped the missionaries regain control of the Institute, and it was returned to the Presbyterian missionaries,” Ghulam said. “At that time, they were looking for faculty, and I joined there.”

He worked there from 2003-2010, when he applied for and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at LSU. He earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. in mathematics while he was there. 

Ghulam, along with his wife and three children spent several years in Baton Rouge while he was studying. It was his first time in America, he said. 

“The first six months were very hard,” Ghulam said. “I was alone, but when my wife and kids arrived things got better.”

His oldest child, Isaac Ashar, was 5 then. He is now a freshman studying computer science at LCU. (It is common practice in Pakistan to give the son the most commonly used name of his father as his last name).

Ghulam said finding a church with a good fellowship was central to his happiness in his new home. It was there he met U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who was a U.S. representative at the time. Cassidy was his oldest son’s Sunday School teacher. 

However, he returned to Pakistan in 2016. A condition of the Fulbright Scholarship program is that recipients must return to their home country for at least as long as their scholarship lasted. 

In 2024, a position opened at LCU, and with the reference of Sen. Cassidy, and his exceptional credentials, his family made the move back to Central Louisiana.

“Dr. Ghulam was for over 20 years a professor at Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan near the border with India,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Henry O. Robertson. “As a Christian committed to Jesus Christ, he worked there faithfully and was a blessing to his students. His students are working and getting higher education in different parts of the world. He has worked for the Higher Commission of Pakistan(HEC), also. He is widely published, cited dozens of times, and has been a presenter at international conferences. We welcome Dr. Ghulam and his family to the LCU family and value the stature he brings to the mathematical field here on this campus.”

Ghulam said the biggest challenge is the increased use of technology in the classroom. Student behavior is also different, but having taught in graduate school at LSU, he was accustomed to American students.

The software that Americans universities use is considered quite costly in Pakistan, he said. But he is learning and willing to learn even more new things.

On the personal side, he said he finds the food in Louisiana to be milder than he is used to eating. Even though Cajuns are known for their heat, Pakistani and Indian food has much more kick. So he said they are learning to like ‘mild’ flavors. 

Isaac said the biggest difference for him is the lack of shopping here.  

“In Pakistan, there are corner shops everywhere,” he said. “Overall, I like living in Pineville, it’s just much smaller than I am used to.”

But that’s just fine with them.

“I’m comfortable here,” Ghulam said. “And my son is happy here. It is God’s plan that we are here, and it was not easy to come here from our country to be here for work. We are starting a new life here, with more opportunities for our children.”

Gray Media, in partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans, recently announced a transformative media rights deal to bring every non-national Pelicans NBA game to 4.1 million households through a new soon-to-be launched multi-state distribution venture called Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network anchored by Gray’s New Orleans television station WVUE (FOX 8 Local First).

The new network will broadcast free, over-the-air and be available on a variety of pay-TV platforms through Gray’s television stations in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria, Louisiana; Gray’s television stations in Biloxi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Meridian, Mississippi; and Gray’s Mobile, Alabama television station.

By moving the Pelicans games to Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, the team will be available to increase its reach by 16 times over the team’s reach through its previous distribution arrangement with a non-broadcast regional sports network.

“Gray Media is thrilled to be able to leverage our resources to connect our loyal viewers with the growing number of Pelicans fans across the Gulf South,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer, Gray Media. “The Pelicans are putting their fans first as now all fans will have the ability to watch the games free over-the-air or through any basic cable, satellite service, or streaming provider that carries the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.”

“This partnership with Gray Media represents our commitment to our fans, community, and partners across Louisiana and the Gulf South,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “Our focus has been to make Pelicans games accessible to as many fans as possible, and this deal means that Pelicans games will now be available to millions of more fans with this free, over the-air broadcast product.”

“Fans in New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast are ready for Pelicans basketball to be available to them subscription free,” said Mikel Schaefer, Vice President and General Manager, WVUE-TV. “We saw how much fans wanted this last season when the ten Pelicans games we broadcast had the highest ratings ever for the team.”

“Providing the best overall fan experience and accessibility to the team remains our number one
priority,” said Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha. “This new media deal delivers Pelicans coverage to a much larger audience throughout Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast. We are thrilled to partner with Gray Media to bring premier access and unique team content to our fans.” 

The network will be available free over-the-air with an antenna in all affiliate markets, ensuring broad access for all fans. Viewers can look forward to seeing broadcasts in Gray Media markets including:

Louisiana:

• Alexandria – KLGC Channel 25.2
• Baton Rouge – WAFB Channel 9.3
• Lake Charles – KGCH Channel 32.1
• Monroe – KCWL Channel 24.1
• New Orleans – WVUE Channel 7.1
• Shreveport – KSLA Channel 12.2

Source: graymedia.com

Professional football is the most popular sport in America and maybe in his hemisphere, so that probably puts me in the minority in thinking it borders on completely boring compared to the college game and compared to the way the pro game was played when I was a kid.

Weather. Outside. Ripped and dirty jerseys. People could tackle and were allowed to. Tape. Mud. Hockey-player teeth. Grass.

That sort of thing.

Long (but true) story.

So when I kind of/sort of want to watch, I recall a simpler time and watch it with the Mannings on “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” on ESPN2 while the “main” broadcast (as if!) airs on either ESPN or ABC.

As a lot of fans in Louisiana did, I spent Monday night watching defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City host New Orleans. Kept it tuned to ESPN2. Football is fun when the Manning brothers and their guests are in the house and on the couch. Somehow, with Peyton in a downtown Denver garage/den/TV studio, Eli somewhere in his house within the gravitational pull of New York or New Jersey, and with their guest from wherever they might be, it all works out.

All-Star Lineup Monday: Peyton’s old nemesis Bill Belichick in the first half, third quarter with actor and KC super fan Paul Rudd, and the best for last: the ManningCast debut of the father of the Super Bowl quarterbacks and TV hosts sons, Archie Manning, for the fourth quarter.

Best way to watch a game.

Kansas City remained perfect at 5-0 and covered the 5.5 spread easily, beating the Saints, now 2-3, 26-13. Not a compelling game, but with the Mannings and their guests, beautiful.

Teams practice of course, but the purest beauty comes when players improvise, which they must do more than you might think. Same with the ManningCast, an offspring of Peyton’s Omaha Productions company: some of the show is planned —film clips and questions, a bonafide “bit” now and then, like Eli throwing football into a picture of his big brother’s head taped to a net — but the best parts are improvised, when the guys or the guests are flushed from the pocket.

That happens on the ManningCast about as often as the ball is snapped.

The Chiefs led 16-7 at half, the Saints hanging in there when it looked early as if the game might get away from them. A start-and-stop second half. Who cares? The babble and brotherhood carried the day.

At various times, the trio of The Brothers Manning and Belichick talked about a safety blitz that helped the Chiefs beat the Chargers in September—although the safety wasn’t even supposed to blitz. But it worked. And about how that’s often the case in the NFL, and about how those “busts” often turn into planned plays.

After that game, Peyton told Eli he’d guessed that the blitz was a bust. Eli said it wasn’t, called Chiefs stud defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuola and asked him, Spag said it WAS a bust, “and you owe me $20,” Peyton reminded Eli as he drew the blitz on the telestrator. All while the game continued.

Belichick, who coached New England to six Super Bowl wins, told a story (the stories are the thing!) about when he was an assistant with the New York Giants and how Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor came off the field after a sack when he wasn’t supposed to blitz but did, and his coach Bill Parcells said “We don’t have that blitz in our playbook” and Taylor smiled and said “Maybe we oughta put it in.”

They talked about Andy Reid’s call sheet, the big laminated card that looks like a Waffle House menu he carries on the sidelines. They talked about how the card is divided, showed an enlarged picture of it on Peyton’s giant TV telestrator, explained how it’s divided into plays to get certain players the ball or defenses to run on certain downs or distances. Or how Reid might order the No. 2, extra bacon.

They talked about the Saints good-looking new black helmets, about Belichick’s “On to Cincinnati” quote after suffering a shellacking in 2014 (the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl that season), about how stiff-hipped defensive backs get put at safety and the hip-swivelers play corner.

Just stuff. But lots of stuff. Good stuff.

Rudd was People magazine’s  Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, and Eli asked him if he’d know beforehand if he’d been chosen or “will I just find out when everybody else does,” and of course there was a mock cover of People with a picture of Eli as the newest “Sexiest Man” looking half asleep in his jersey, and then the Saints nose guard intercepted a dropped pass in the end zone and ran it back to midfield, the ultimate indignity, to spoil a Chiefs score, and the quarter ended and Paul went from being The Sexiest Man in America to The Most Distressed Man in America.

“Thanks for joining us Paul,” Peyton said going to commercial. “I’m sure you’ll look back on this as one of the great decisions of your life to be on this show and create some negative plays for your Chiefs.”

And then the fourth quarter and dear ol’ dad, glory hallelujah, Archie, who assured the boys that their mom had said it was OK for him to be on, that she’d “signed off on it.”

They asked him about the highlights of his time with the Saints and Archie said that while those weren’t many, it was interesting that “during my 11 seasons I got to play for the Saints, I had a good relationship with all seven of my head coaches during that time.”

Ahem …

But of course he loved “the journey” and “the friendships” and the “long career,” sincerely, even though the team didn’t win.

Archie was Archie, which is all he can ever be. They showed clips of Peyton “dancing” in his school play, video that hinted at his future “lack of mobility,” his dad and brother noticed. Videos of Archie and a 12-step drop back in the day, Archie scrambling, Archie passing underhanded and sidearm, Archie stories of facing the Chiefs in old Tulane Stadium and facing the Chiefs in brand new Arrowhead.

The game in Tulane Stadium was Archie’s rookie year, in preseason, and he’s scrambling all over the place and the Chiefs’ feared linebacker, Willie Lanier, told him near the end of the first half on that hot night in New Orleans, “If you run one more time,” he said, after calmly putting his hands on Manning’s chest, “I’m gonna break your neck.”

“You kind of remember those type things,” Archie said.

The game in new Arrowhead was also in preseason. “I don’t remember much about preseason games — we played six back then — but I do remember in that game I had three tackles in the first half.

“Kind of tells you,” he said, “what kind of night that was.”

Archie said he and Joe Theisman were two of the final single-bar facemask guys “until (Minnesota Hall of Fame defensive end) Alan Page planted my nose right over here by my ear; after that, I decided I needed to get a little more protection there.”

Archie had to end a couple of verbal fights by telling each of his two youngest sons to go to their rooms, which Eli said they couldn’t do, being in the middle of a TV show and all. And dad being in a different time zone.

And Peyton asked his dad if they thought something was wrong with Eli when he was born, since he weighted “only” 10 pounds and both Peyton and oldest brother Cooper each weighed 12.

“I think we kept him in the hospital a few extra days,” Archie said, playing along, then added, “The word was around the hospital that the doctor said they weighed him after he was circumcised.”

Big smiles, some head shaking and laughs, and then Eli: “Dad, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me.”

The Saints, the team these three grew up with, didn’t make much noise in the quarter, so it left plenty of time for Archie to talk about some of the best players of his era.

Defensive linemen: Bob Lilly and Merlin Olsen.

Edge rushers: Deacon Jones and Jack Youngblood.

Most intimidating: Dick Butkus. “I didn’t play against Lawrence Taylor,” he added.

And the greatest player of his era, the best all-around? “Walter Payton. Just throw everything in there. Just a great football player.”

Payton, from Mississippi like Manning, called Archie the day after Peyton’s birth to thank him for naming his second son after him. “I tried to tell him I spelled it different, that we’d named him after his uncle,” Archie said. “But he was convinced. After a while, I just let him keep believing it.”

If you ever saw Walter Payton play, you could see why they called him Sweetness.

Like watching a game with the Mannings.

Sweetness.

What a breath of football fresh air …  

The ManningCast isn’t every Monday night during the season, but it is — they are —on during each of the next four Mondays.

And you can always visit the entertaining cornucopia that is OmahaProductions.com; you must see the 10-minute ManningCast: The Musical, which you’ll probably want to watch only once — but you’ve got to see it that one time.

But especially, consider the ManningCast on Mondays. It’s entertainment. It’s a football lesson if you want it to be, but it’s also a relaxing way to watch a sometimes violent but beautiful sport, an athletic broadcast for the prince and the pauper, for the athlete and the fan, for the AFC or the NFC, for the circumcised or the uncircumcised.

It’s nuts. It’s (foot)ballsy.

It’s fun.

Sweetness.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Man Church will be held Thursday, October 10 at 6pm at Grand Bayou Event Center. Speaker for the evening is Scott Ivy, Interim Pastor at Social Springs Baptist Church. A catfish dinner will be provided.

The Louisiana Homesteader Conference will take place on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at the LSU AgCenter Red River Research Station in Bossier City, LA. Admission is free.
Oct 11: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Oct 12: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn about homesteading, food production and food preservation for backyards and small acreage. Topics include poultry production, backyard rabbits, rising meat and milk goats, small-scale beef production, meat processing, vegetable gardening, fruit trees and more.

Congratulations to these Red River Parish 4-H members for being selected as Northwest Ag Ambassadors! Katelynn Albright-Magnolia Bend; Shirley Boyd-Riverdale Academy; and Mack Russell-Red River High School.

Red River Parish Library hosts Children’s Story Time every Friday from 10-11am.

Join the Shreveport-Bossier Astronomical Society, Inc. for an evening observation session at the Shreveport Observatory on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The observing session involves looking through telescopes at numerous astronomical objects. The evening observing session at Shreveport Observatory will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Numerous telescopes will be available to observe the Moon, Venus, Saturn and it’s rings, as well as numerous galaxies, star clusters, double stars, nebula, and much more. The Shreveport Observatory is located eight miles south of the LSU-Shreveport campus. Go south on Hwy. LA. 1 and right on Hwy. 175 for about 1.7 miles and left on Astronomical Way. A free sky map and Moon map and other handouts are available. For additional information or a map go to ShreveportAstronomy.com or contact Dr. Cran Lucas at (318) 573-6929 or Email cranlucas@gmail.com.

The Village of Hall Summit will host their 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Thursday, October 26 from 5-7pm at the Hall Summit Community Center & Park. The fun includes a costume contest, games and lots of candy!

Herman Jackson
October 4, 2024
Arrangements TBA

On September 26, Diane Nettles Martin was honored as North Louisiana Funeral Home Director of the Year. The award goes to a funeral director regarded by others as a role model who goes above and beyond the call of their everyday work to make a difference.

Surrounded by her family, Martin accepted the plaque and accolades as part of the annual meeting of her peers.

Daughter Stephanie Chamberlin expressed her praise for the hard work that Martin puts in daily. “I don’t know anyone who works harder and more hours than she does and gives her heart and soul every time. She serves our community with utmost dignity every day. Being a funeral director takes a special person, and I can honestly say that after working side by side with Mom for the last 21 years, I have learned from the best! She has molded me into the person I am today individually and professionally. Our job as funeral directors is not always easy. It is not 8-5 Monday- Friday; it is hard and stressful, but it is very rewarding knowing you have guided each family through one of the hardest times of their lives. She always goes above and beyond to ensure every family we serve is treated like family”.

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

FRANKLIN – If Ashton Almond’s value wasn’t measured before Friday night, there was a clear demonstration of it in Riverdale Academy’s 34-14 victory at Franklin Academy.

Almond returned as a full participant, playing quarterback in the first half but not playing on defense as he worked his way back into game shape.

Franklin Academy led 14-12 at halftime, but Riverdale coach Nathan Edie decided to let Almond assume his linebacker spot on defense in the second half.

The result? The Rebels pitched a second-half shutout and outscored Franklin 22-0 after halftime.

“The defense tightened up in the second half, and we pitched a shutout,” Edie said. “We struggled in the first half, but in the second half, I decided to let Ashton play defense.

“We looked like a completely different unit. He’s just a ball hawk and always finds his way to the ball.”
Almond, who returned in limited action this past week against River Oaks, hadn’t played since the season opener in which he was the leading tackler and rusher.

Riverdale (2-5, 1-0 District 3-1A) didn’t play totally healthy as Shea Nettles, a center and linebacker, missed the Franklin (0-7) game with an injury.

But Almond’s return allowed players like Kaidyn Williams and Tanner Carlisle to use their athleticism to impact the game in different ways than without Almond.

“Ashton was our primary quarterback against Franklin, and having both he and Kaidyn available let’s us make spread the field and use their athleticism to make plays,” Edie said. “It also forces the defense to keep more players in the box, which opens the passing game up for Tanner.”

The win snapped a three-game losing streak in which Riverdale lost to Porter’s Chapel Academy, Claiborne Academy and River Oaks.

By starting district play off with a win, Riverdale will now be in line for a shot at a district when Wilkinson County Christian Academy visits next week.

WCCA (6-1, 2-0) already has wins over other district members Franklin and Tensas academies, both of which are winless this season.

A WCCA victory next week secures the district title while Riverdale would need to beat WCCA and Tensas Academy in the finale.

By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

PINEVILLE – Red River has been prone to slow starts this season, digging itself large holes against the likes of White Castle, Oak Grove and Catholic-Pointe Coupee.

The Bulldogs didn’t allow that to happen at Class 5A Pineville as Red River traded blows with the Rebels early, but a faster start wasn’t enough in a 32-20 Pineville victory.

Pineville (3-2) started fast when quarterback Carter Smith hit Landon Grimes for a 20-yard touchdown in the opening minutes.

But Red River’s (1-4) Warren Bowman had an answer, returning the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown to cut Pineville’s edge to 7-6.

The Smith-Grimes connection struck again on the next drive, this time for a 66-yard scoring hookup as the Rebels sprinted out of the gate to a 14-6 lead just five minutes in.

The Bulldogs responded again late in the first quarter as quarterback Malique Smith tossed a 10-yard touchdown to Bowman, getting to 14-12.

The turnover bug bit Red River for a second straight week as the Bulldogs had a scoring chance after Pineville muffed the kickoff.

But Pineville intercepted Smith, returned it to the 25-yard line and scored on an Ayden Tate 2-yard run.
While both teams combined to score 32 points in just more than a quarter, the defenses reigned supreme from there.

Pineville took its 20-12 lead into halftime, adding another score when Jacob Miranda returned a Red River fumble for a touchdown midway through the third quarter for a 26-12 edge.

Red River lost another fumble, which led to a Tate 17-yard touchdown run and a 32-12 advantage.

The Bulldogs got within two scores when Bowman plunged in on a short touchdown run to cut Pineville’s advantage to 32-20, but Red River could come no closer.

Bowman accounted for all three scores in different manners – kickoff return, receiving and rushing.
Red River kicks off District 3-2A play at Mansfield (2-3) in its fourth straight road game and fifth in its first six contests.

On October 1, 2024, Captain James Moseley and K-9 Sergeant Lee Petersen of the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office had the opportunity to visit with Pre-K3 through 4th grade students at Riverdale Academy.
Captain Moseley brought along one of our department’s drones and put it in flight for all to see. To the delight of the students, Sergeant Petersen was joined by K-9 partner Max as he discussed how they work together to enforce laws in our community.

The deputies were joined by firefighters from the Red River Parish Fire Protection District who brought along a fire engine, firefighting equipment and fire suits, which some of the students attempted to wear! Medics from Red River EMS also allowed the kids to come on board their medic unit where some were amazed to hear the sound of a heartbeat through a stethoscope!

According to Kindergarten teacher and event organizer, Mrs. Mary Ann Longino, the students enjoyed everything so much.

Sheriff Edwards shared on social media how much the RRPSO appreciates the opportunity to interact with students on our school campuses. “Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Longino. Our deputies had a blast.”

The 2024 Louisiana 4-H/FFA Bash on the Bayou will be held Saturday, November 23 in the 4-H Mini Farm on LSU’s campus. Doors will open at 10am. Game time has not been set yet therefore tailgating time has not been determined. 

Cost
The cost to attend the event is $5 per person which includes a meal, ice cream and networking with 4-H and FFA members from across the state. Tailgate shirts and football game tickets must be purchased separately.

Registration
Registration closes November 15, 2024, with payment due by November 20.
Register here: hhttps://fs8.formsite.com/laffa/oj9srzjojj/index

Parking
Available on a first come, first served basis near the 4-H Mini Farm and Parker Coliseum parking lot. There will be no reserved parking for cars and trucks. 

Food and Drink
Free food and drinks will be available for the first 500 people. Doors to the 4-H Mini Farm will open at 10am and food will be served beginning at 11am.

Shirts and Game Tickets
Tshirts cost $12 for youth sizes, $14 adult (S-XL), $16 adults (2X-3X). There are limited sizes. 
Game tickets are available starting at $25 per ticket. Tickets must be purchased through the 4-H/FFA Bash on the Bayou ticket order link through the LSU Athletic Office at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/LSU4H

Activities
Football games will be played on the screens in the Mini Farm and fun activities will be available outside under the pavilion.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has notified Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients classified as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) of upcoming changes to the program’s work requirement and time limit waivers.

Starting October 1, the age limit for ABAWDs will increase from 52 to 54 and time-limit waivers in 33 parishes will expire. Notices were mailed to affected SNAP recipients on August 30.

SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 54 are classified as ABAWDs if they are physically or mentally fit for work and do not live with a child under the age of 18.

In addition to SNAP general work requirements, ABAWDs must work, volunteer, or participate in an employment and training program for at least 80 hours a month. ABAWDS who fail to meet this requirement and do not qualify for an exemption are limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month period.

Key Changes Effective October 1, 2024:

• Increase in ABAWD Age Limit: As mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the age limit for ABAWDs subject to federal work requirements will increase from 52 to 54 years old.
• Expiration of Time-Limit Waivers: Last federal fiscal year, more than half of Louisiana’s 64 parishes were granted waivers from the ABAWD time-limit rules due to high local unemployment. Those waivers expire October 1, 2024. Under Act 308 of the 2024 regular legislative session, DCFS cannot seek or renew waivers or offer state-provided exemptions to these work requirements unless required by federal law. This means all SNAP recipients aged 18 to 54 who do not qualify for an exemption will be limited to three months of SNAP benefits during the SNAP time-limit period running through March 2026 unless they meet the federal work requirement.

Impact on Louisiana:

For the first time in years, no time-limit waivers will be in effect in any of Louisiana’s 64 parishes. Starting October 1, ABAWDs across the state must comply with federal work requirements to maintain their SNAP benefits. The changes are expected to affect approximately 20,449 individuals as of August 31, or 2.4% of Louisiana’s 848,389 SNAP recipients as of July 30.

How to Meet ABAWD Work Requirements:

ABAWD-classified SNAP recipients may satisfy the work requirement in any of the following ways:

• Work in a job (for pay or as a volunteer) for at least 80 hours per month;
• Participate in the SNAP E&T program, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), any program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974, or any employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
• Work or participate in any combination of the above activities for 80 or more hours per month.

Resources and Assistance:

To help meet these work requirements, DCFS encourages ABAWDs to visit dcfs.la/snapet for information on our free SNAP Employment and Training program. All SNAP recipients are invited to visit the SET for Success website to get started on the path to financial stability and fulfilling work through one of three DCFS workforce development programs.

Exemptions from Work Requirements:

Recipients may be exempt from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Physically or mentally unable to work
• Pregnant
• Caring for dependents
• Veteran status
• Experiencing homelessness
• Aged 24 or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday
• Working at least 30 hours per week or earning $217.50 or more per week
• Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits
• Attending school, college, or a training program at least half-time
• Meeting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) work rules
• Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program

SNAP recipients who believe they qualify for an exemption must contact DCFS to verify their status by emailing LAHelpU.DCFS@la.gov or calling 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578).

Red River Parish Schools are holding Intersession October 7-10 and begin Fall Break October 11. Classes resume Monday, October 21.

Join Union Hall Baptist Church for Fall Bible School, “The Great Jungle Journey,” October 14-16. A meal will be provided at 5:30pm for the children. Activities begin at 6pm.  

Red River Parish 4-H will host Outdoor Skills Daycamp Tuesday, October 15 from 9am-2pm at Grand Bayou Resort. The camp is open to students in grades 1-7. Students must register by Oct 11. It is free for paid members. Call the office to sign up (932.4342). 

First Methodist Church Coushatta will host a Fall Festival with Trunk or Treat, crafts, games and food on Sunday, October 20 at 5pm. Kids make sure to wear your costumes!

Magnolia Bend Academy Beta Club is holding a gift card fundraiser. Tickets  are $1 each and will be available for purchase in the office as well Beta Club members. The winner will also take home the beautiful fall wreath the gift cards are attached to. The drawing will be held on November 19, need not be present to win. Gift cards include Bass Pro Shops, Bath & Body Works, Mastercard, DQ, Nichols, Marshall’s, Starbucks, Visa, Home Sense, Texas Roadhouse, McDonald’s, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Golden Corral, IHOP, Ulta, Fandango, Tractor Supply, Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panda Express, Southern Classic, and Barnes & Noble. All proceeds will help Beta members attend convention and help with Beta Pro. 

NONE

To enter this week’s contest, CLICK HERE!  https://tinyurl.com/RRPJPickem
(Games played on October 4, 2024)

Are you ready for some football?!?

Bigger question. Are you ready to win $100.00 in cash and prizes each week?

The Red River Parish Journal and American Bank are proud to bring you the 2024 High School Football Pick’em Contest presented by American Bank.

Anyone is eligible to participate for FREE and each week’s winner will go home with a $100.00 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).

The American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency High School Football Pick’em Contest will be conducted over the 10 regular season weeks of the High School season starting with Week 1 games (Sept. 6) and running through the end of November.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to subscribe to the Red River Parish Journal.

All contest decisions by Red River Parish Journal (RRPJ) management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run that week in the RRPJ.

Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the RRPJ, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. Monday-Wednesday-Friday e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $100.00 each week!

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The Red River Parish Journal wants to thank American Bank & Tyler Insurance Agency for their title and presenting sponsorships of this year’s High School pick’em contest.

We also want to thank Better Finance and C&K BBQ for their Pick’em Partnerships within the contest.

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – In recent seasons, Red River had tested itself against larger schools from the area in preparation for a tough District 3-2A slate.

The Bulldogs scheduled differently this season, opting to play schools of similar size but often with longer road trips involved to better prepare for the playoffs.

But this week, Red River reverts back to its old scheduling methods as the Bulldogs (1-3) head to Class 5A Pineville in its last game before district play begins.

While Red River may have scheduled schools of the same size, that certainly hasn’t meant the quality of opponent has dipped.

Red River’s losses include Catholic-Pointe Coupee (26-6), Oak Grove (55-8) and most recently White Castle (48-30).

Even Red River’s win against St. Mary’s (26-13 decision) looks even better this week after the Tigers drummed usual District 3-2A power Many in a 64-40 contest.

Red River established itself on both lines of scrimmage in that win against St. Mary’s, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The Bulldogs hope its defense can return closer to that form after allowing a combined 104 points the past two weeks, but Pineville won’t be an easy task. Red River’s defense did improve in the second half against White Castle, allowing just 10 points after White Castle compiled 38 first-half points.

The Rebels have scored at least 25 points in its first three games, which include wins against Avoyelles (35-20) and Tioga (39-36).

Pineville is coming off a 41-13 loss to a surging Leesville bunch this past week.

Part of Red River’s defensive success has been the ability to force turnovers. The Bulldogs forced at least two turnovers in each of its first three games, but it was Red River’s own turnovers that loomed large in the loss to White Castle.

Red River lost two fumbles and didn’t force any turnovers as White Castle built an 18-0 lead and fended off the Bulldogs’ comeback attempts.

Red River did score a season-high 30 points at White Castle led by Warren Bowman’s three touchdowns. Bowman has produced in the running and passing games, where he teams up with Montreveun Smith in the backfield and then Jomello McDonald in passing routes.

While every team aims to win every game, Pineville could have an increase of urgency with a daunting upcoming schedule – Neville, Alexandria Senior High, West Monroe and Ruston.

After Many (0-4) has dominated District 3-2A for nearly a decade, the apparent fall of the Sabine Parish Tigers means the door is wide open for the entire district field with Red River angling to insert itself at the top.

A win at Pineville (or even a competitive loss) could send a signal to the rest of the district that the Bulldogs should be considered serious contenders.

Riverdale Academy will host the 2024 Homecoming game on Friday, October 11.

Students and staff will get the celebration started with spirit dress-up days October 7-11.
Monday–Sleeping Beauty (PJ Day)
Tuesday–Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (Twin Day)
Wednesday–A Tale as Old as Time (Senior Citizen Day)
Thursday–Monsters Inc (College Day)
Friday–Mickey & Minnie (School Spirit Day)

Friday, October 11 has an array of activities. The night begins with an Alumni reception, with light refreshments, at 5:30pm. Classes honored include 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014. The school will be open for tours also. 

The reception is followed by the 2024 Homecoming Court presentation beginning at 6pm.

Court royalty includes:
Queen: Jadyn King
Crown Bearer: Kyndall Giddings
Ring Bearer: Drake Harper”
Senior Maid: Shirley Boyd
Junior Maid: Alaina Boyd
Sophomore Maid: Krista Mancil
Freshman Maid: Adyson Barrett
Football Sweetheart: Chloe Jordan

The homecoming game against Wilkinson County Christian Academy kicks off at 7pm. The honored Alumni classes will be recognized before kickoff.

Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Riverdale fans will be encouraged by two things they see when the Rebels get back on the football field Friday.

The first is a relatively healthy team with the return of Ashton Almond, who played for the first time this past week in limited capacity in a loss to River Oaks.

The second is Friday’s opponent – Franklin Academy – which is still scrapping for its first win of the season.

Riverdale travels to Franklin (0-6) for a 7 p.m. kickoff as both teams start district play and attempt to end losing streaks.

While Franklin Academy certainly remains dangerous, it’s not the same as the most recent run of Riverdale (1-5) opponents, which included Porter’s Chapel (4-2), Claiborne Academy (5-1), and River Oaks (6-0).

And Riverdale aims to return to what this team was intended to look like with Almond, who was the leading rusher, passer and tackler in the Rebels season-opener.

Kaidyn Williams, who split time with Almond at quarterback and who missed the River Oaks game entirely, is expected to play Friday – giving the Rebels their two most dangerous offensive weapons on the field at the same time.

“I was overly pleased with Ashton’s effort this past week,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “It’ll be great to have both of these players back for district play.

“We should have our entire team active this week, so I am excited to see what we look like.”

A long Almond run set up a short Kaidyn Williams touchdown plunge to score on the first drive of the season against Prairie View. And while the Spartans did take command of the game in the subsequent quarters, the execution of that drive before the August heat (and the Spartans) took their toll could be what Riverdale aspires to look like for longer stretches now that temperatures have dipped.

Riverdale knew they’d have to learn on the fly after replacing eight seniors from a nine-win team this past season.

But now the Rebels have a chance to piece it together in the remaining three games of the regular season and a shot at a district title.

That stretch starts Friday at Franklin Academy.

“While Franklin Academy has struggled this year, they have some athletes, and I know they will play hard,” Edie said. “Our focus this week will be on tackling in space and being more aggressive up front.

“With our size on the line, we need to be able to move people out of the way.”

Outside of Franklin Academy scoring 28 points against a good Tallulah Academy bunch, Franklin has managed just 18 points in its five other games, which includes two shutouts (Briarfield and River Oaks).
They’ll face a Riverdale defense that’s allowed at least 42 points in four of its six games, although a healthy Almond and Williams should bolster that side of the ball as well.

MAIS District 3-1A is a four-team league (Riverdale, Franklin, Wilkinson Country Christian, and Tensas Academy).

Riverdale’s final three regular-season games will be against these foes.

Franklin (0-6) and Tensas (0-7) are still looking for its first wins while Wilkinson County (5-1) has had the most successful regular season so far, including a 48-6 win against Franklin this past week.

Northwestern State University’s School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) hosted more than 450 high school students from around the state for Fall STEM Day Friday, Sept. 27. Students toured labs, participated in hands-on games and experiments and spoke with NSU students and faculty about degree programs, career paths, scholarships and college life.

Information on NSU’s School of STEM is available at https://www.nsula.edu/stem/.

Red River High School students who attended: 
Zykeria Babers
Tayla Weathers
Weston Davis
Jazmin Thomas
Mackenzie Lewis
Mykhail Cox
Cayden Johnson
Fadasia Demery
Jadarylria Smith
Adrianna Bradford
Emily Morgan
Journey Lin
Markendria Winn
Jayda Woods
Samuel Brunson
Porter Williamson
Emmanuel Scott
Sarah Cornier
Gracie Stephens
Darcey Bohannon
Destiney Bohannon

There is absolutely no better feeling for an angler than when he puts a plan together and it becomes reality. Tournament bass fishermen spend countless hours fishing and scouting in order to try and formulate a game plan that he hopes comes to fruition. Hopefully this plan will either put him in the winner’s circle or in position to cash a check. Today we’ll wrap up and put a bow on the 2024 Texas ABA Pro League Series.

This time of year (September & October) is when so many bass tournament organizations schedule their championships. ABA (American Bass Anglers) held their two-day championship on Lake Sam Rayburn on September 14th & 15th. This is a tournament where only anglers that qualified could fish this event.

Let’s first start with how practice went and took place on Thursday and Friday before the tournament began on Saturday. Thursday and Friday’s practice was not too bad but was pretty much hit and miss as it was difficult to put any kind of pattern together. But one thing I felt I could count on was where I was catching most of my fish, which was on main lake points.

The lake level was pretty much pool level or about 3 inches low while the bass were very shallow and could be caught with a couple of techniques….flipping a soft plastic trickworm or casting a spinnerbait. Turns out, every fish I weighed for both days actually came on one particular spinnerbait. Now this played right into my hands as I would consider myself a shallow water angler.

I was able to catch a lot of bass on the trickworm, but catching quality was an issue. I just wasn’t able to get a big bite when flipping cypress trees or anything else. They were good solid keeper fish (2 pounders), but not fish that would get me a check. Then on day 2 of practice I spent most of the day with one specific spinnerbait in my hand.

My blade of choice (as some anglers call a spinnerbait) was one that I have had great success with especially on the Red River and Sam Rayburn. This is a quarter ounce white Hummdinger with a small gold willow leaf blade and a small silver Colorado blade. But I think the real magnet for this spinnerbait was the 3-inch paddle tail trailer I used in a ghost shad color. Turns out, it matched the baitfish the bass were feeding on perfectly.

Not only did it catch fish, but every bass I brought to the scales both days came on this one spinnerbait. So many fish were caught on it, that I had to put on a new one for day 2. Twice I had to replace the back blade on this spinnerbait because they were breaking off as the wire just got so weak from all the fish I caught on it.

I finished 7th overall with over 28 pounds of bass during the two-day event, with 16 lbs. on day one and 13 lbs. on day two. Of course, there’s always the one that got away as I broke off a bass over 5 pounds on day one on of all things, a topwater bait called a Zara Spook.

Turns out, it was my own fault as the line on this reel was over a year old. This is why fresh line is so important on tournament day! This one mistake cost me leading the tournament on day one and left me with a day two deficit of just over 2 pounds.

But in the end, it was all good as I wrapped up the 2024 ABA Pro League as runner-up for Angler of the Year. Just the fact that at the age of 63, I proved that even without being a forward-facing sonar expert, you can still compete with those that are. Chalk one up for the older guys!

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and take the time to enjoy some of the best fishing of the year as bass start their fall migration feeding period.

Steve Graf