Lavon Tandy Warren, Sr.
March 18, 1928 to April 16, 2022
View full obituary here:
https://redriverparishjournal.com/2022/04/19/40539/
Sally Joline Lowring
March 30, 1984 to April 15, 2022
Funeral service 1:00 pm Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Rockett-Nettles Chapel.
The Red River Sheriff’s Office is reporting the K-9 team of Sgt. Petersen and K-9 Aron recently assisted NPSO and others in the apprehension of a Natchitoches Parish man following a six hour standoff in Goldonna.
Charles Chase Nobles, 42, of Goldonna was wanted by all three parishes on charges ranging from narcotics, theft, cruelty to animals, traffic, illegal possession of stolen things and other charges, but when law enforcement would come in contact with him in the past couple of months, he would elude them by running in the woods on foot or on an all-terrain vehicle.
The suspect was notified that the K-9 would be released into the house where he was holed-up. He refused to surrender and the K-9 was released, leading to taking Nobles into custody.
A funeral service celebrating the life of Lavon Tandy Warren, Sr., 94, will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at Castor Assembly of God Church with Bro. Donald Nailes, Bro. James Nailes, and Bro. Jeff Scott officiating. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Monday, April 18, 2022, at the church. The services were under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home.
Mr. Warren was born on March 18, 1928, in Ashland, LA to Tandy Cade and Rosie Lee Sullivan Warren and passed away April 16, 2022, in Castor, LA.
Mr. Warren was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kathryn Warren; grandchild, Brian Glen Warren; sisters, Sybil Evans and Shirley Norred; and brothers, Alburn, Winfred, Wesley, D.C., and Wiley Nailes.
Left to cherish his memory are wife of 73 years, Lola Mae Nailes Warren; sons, Clayton Warren (Leilia Kay), Jerry Warren (Stacey), and Tandy Warren, Jr. (Ying); daughters, Deliah Warren, Anita Cantrell (Jerry), and Teresa Harper (Charles); and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Honoring Mr. Warren as pallbearers will be Randy Christian, Nick Christian, Scotty Warren, Daniel Warren, Jeremy Warren, Josh Cook, Barry Warren and Brian Mullen. Serving as honorary pallbearers are A.J. Cook, Parker Christian, Bickham Warren, Zach Williams and Levi Cook.
Report from the Red River Sheriff’s Office for the week ending Saturday, April 16, 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.
Mackynzie Smith attends Red River Elementary School. She was nominated by her teacher, Mrs. Arnold to be the April Quality Kid. Here is her nomination statement:
Mackynzie Smith is, in my opinion, an excellent example of a quality student. She arrived in my class with some ground to make up because of Covid. In the beginning, she was overwhelmed by how much she needed to do, but over the next few weeks, she began to pick up steam. By November, her reading was much improved.
Mackynzie’s work ethic has been inspiring and has been a positive role model to her classmates. She never gives up, even when the work is hard. She always gives me 100% when it’s time to get down to work.
She has a perpetual can-do attitude that drives her forward. Her DIBELS scores have shown incredible improvement, her reading level is greatly improved, and she is working hard toward mastery.
Mackynzie Smith is truly an example of a quality student.
By Christy Suggs
Week 6 RR faced off with some tough teams and finished the week with 3 wins 1 loss.
3/28 St. Mary’s 1 Vs. RR 2
Both teams were strong on the hill but RR came out on top defeating St. Mary’s 2-1. Tyler Hughes allowed just four hits. Things got moving in the first inning when Ryder Hogan singled on a 3-2 count scoring two runs. Hughes took the win for RR pitching 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 10 and walking 0. Hughes, Hogan and Luke Williamson each collected one hit to lead the Bulldogs.
3/31 Double Header against Mansfield means double win.
19-3 Red River managed a win even through a big push by Mansfield in the fourth inning. The Bulldogs fired up the offense in the first inning, when Chris Carper singled on a 1-1 count, scoring 2 runs. RR tallied 8 runs in the fourth inning. The rally was led by singles from Trenton Grigg and Kenneth Lazarus, by John Dickey and Luke Williamson, a walk by Tyler Hughes and a triple by Eli Harper. Ryder Hogan pitched, allowing only 2 hits and 0 runs over 3 innings, striking out 5 and walking 0. Lazarus threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Lazarus recorded the last 3 outs to earn the save. Red River Bulldogs Varsity had nine hits in the game. Grigg and Carper each managed multiple hits. Carper and Grigg each collected two hits to lead the Red River Bulldogs. Bulldogs Varsity tore up the base paths, as five players stole at least two bases. Hughes led the way with four.
Game 2 RR 14- Mansfield 5
Red River Bulldogs Varsity weathered a scare by Mansfield in the fourth inning where the Bulldogs coughed up three runs, but still won 14-5. The big inning for Mansfield came thanks to a groundout by Jeremy Youngblood and an error on a ball put in play by Jalon Ebard .
The Bulldogs got things moving in the first inning, when Terrell Gary singled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs. They tallied six runs in the third inning. Kenneth Thomas, Pierce Kellogg, Jacob Kellogg, and Jayden Stewart each drove in runs during the inning. John Dickey earned the win. The ace lasted two and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and two runs while striking out seven. Ethan Williamson threw two and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen. Williamson recorded the last seven outs to earn the save for Red River Bulldogs Varsity.
RR collected 11 hits Kellogg, Hunter Tingle, and Gary each managed multiple hits. Kellogg went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Red River Bulldogs Varsity stole 11 bases during the game as three players stole more than one. Tingle led the way with three.
4/2 RR 0 vs. Minden 10 The Bulldogs had trouble keeping up with Minden. One error led to many and they just couldn’t get going. One bright spot was a double by Pierce Kellogg in the first inning. Jackson took the win for Minden. The hurler lasted five innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out seven and walking zero. Tyler Hughes took the loss for the Red River Bulldogs.. He allowed two hits and six runs over three innings, striking out two and walking one. Kellogg led Red River Bulldogs Varsity with one hit in two at bats.
Coach Reed had this to say about the games against St. Mary’s, Mansfield and Minden.” St. Mary’s win was a state championship caliber win. A Huge victory for this young team. The Minden game isn’t something you want to happen but needs to happen, a little reality check before this last stretch of the season. The game showed where we are weak and I think the adjustments we made Sunday will help prevent a breakdown like we had (against Minden).
This year marks the 48th year for the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival! Vendors will display their wares beneath the gorgeous live oak trees of Melrose. Artists and crafters will show and sell their original paintings, gourmet foods, jewelry, clothing, plants, toys, woodworking products, and more! The festival is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) and all proceeds go directly to the upkeep and preservation of Melrose Plantation.
Festival Hours are Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 4.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 6 – 12.
Tickets sold at the gate.
Pre-purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com…search Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival.
Also available:
– guided tours of our historic buildings for $5
– food and drinks
Hand sanitizer stations will be available. Our festival will abide by LA health guidelines applicable at the time of the festival.
By Autumn McCoy
The Lady Bulldogs hosted Green Oaks Friday, April 8, for their Senior Game. Seniors include Gracie Baker # 9, catcher, Gracie Lindsey # 12, first baseman, and Tess Zegel # 17, center fielder. They were honored and presented with their families before the game during a short ceremony.
After holding the opposition to zero runs in the first inning, Red River dominated the bottom half of the first inning with an astounding 12 runs! Shelby Pickett # 5, third baseman, started things off for the home team with a double that became a in the park homerun with an error by Green Oaks. Lindsey had a beautiful bunt, as well, that turned into and RBI when Destiny Davis # 15, short stop, scored from third. The Lady Bulldogs got over half way through the line up for a second time before Green Oaks would finally end the inning.
Red River had two pitchers for the game, Bryn Danzy # 4 who pitched the first two innings and Baker pitched the last inning. Danzy went to catcher for the final inning. Green Oaks would not score at all until the final inning, and Red River would add six more runs in the second inning and two more in the third and final inning.
On Thursday, April 12th the Lady Bulldogs hosted the Southwood Lady Cowboys for their final home game of the regular season. It was a tough game for the home team.
The Ladies got down in the first inning and were unable to ever gain footing. Harley Sepulvado # 11 led things off on the mound for the Lady Bulldogs, and Shelby Pickett would come in for relief during the final inning for her first time on the mound this season. Danzy was in at catcher as Baker and Davis were both on the injured list. Danzy and Sarah Cormier # 18 each had one hit for the Lady Bulldogs.
The final score was Southwood 17 and Red River 1. As disappointing as the loss was, the Lady Bulldogs are still headed to the playoffs. They look forward to a trip to the playoffs to hopefully get Coach Zachary Thrasher his first playoff before his steps down as head coach after this season.
Red River High said the Lady Bulldogs earn the #18 seed in the LHSAA Class 2A Softball state playoffs. They travel to take on #15 Loreauville on Saturday April 16th at 12:00pm.
By Royal Alexander
New York Times and Washington Post finally admit the story was true.
Many of us already knew the truth regarding the damaging and scandalous details of the Hunter Biden laptop story. We knew it during the 2020 presidential election. We knew it when the New York Post, one of the oldest and largest newspapers in the world, first broke the story, which was immediately suppressed by the Deep State and Big Tech, including Twitter and Facebook. Why? Because it not only contained sordid details of the corrupt dealings of Hunter Biden personally—leveraging his family connections with other nations in exchange for enormous sums of money—but also it directly implicated then-presidential candidate, Joe Biden, himself.
Remember, the 2020 New York Post story contained news of the discovery of emails revealing that Hunter Biden, clearly traded upon his dad’s then-position as Vice President by gaining favors solely by virtue of his last name that benefited the Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, and his family to the tune of millions from Ukraine, Russia, and China. In fact, one 2015 email indicates that Vadym Pozharskyi, a Burma adviser, thanked Hunter Biden for “giving an opportunity” to meet former VP Joe Biden. Numerous other emails refer to Joe Biden as “the Big Guy.”
This revelation of influence-peddling by Hunter Biden just prior to the election was obviously newsworthy given that the former VP had repeatedly said he had “never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.” The new emails strongly suggest that Joe Biden was not only aware of his son’s business dealings but actually participated in meetings to benefit him. Thus, it is clear that Joe Biden lied directly to the American people throughout the 2020 campaign and in the Presidential Debates.
The Wall Street Journal recently noted that “Hunter Biden spent years entwining the family in questionable ventures in Ukraine, Russia, and China, even as his father’s biggest foreign-policy concerns are Ukraine, Russia, and China. This history raises legitimate questions about counterintelligence and extortion, even as it puts a spotlight on how honest President Biden has been in claiming no knowledge of his son’s doings.”
But, again, the media and tech giants blocked access to this damaging news about Joe Biden and, only now, a year and a half after the presidential election, are the allegations confirmed as true. What exacerbates this media dishonesty and complicity is the fact that polling reflects a full 16% of Biden voters would have changed their minds and not voted for Joe Biden for president had they known of the laptop scandal at the time.
But they didn’t know because much of the national media—and social media—today are not objective gatherers of facts and truth. Rather, Big Media is the mouthpiece of the Democrat Party and the national Left, and that is why they are not trusted.
According to Gallup, for example, TV news is the second least trusted institution in America, at 18 percent, barely edging Congress.
This media dishonesty matters because tight races in three key swing states had a big electoral impact as “just 44,000 votes in Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin separated Biden and Trump from a tie in the Electoral College.”
If Biden and Trump had tied 269 to 269 in the Electoral College, the Constitution provides that the President be chosen in the House of Representatives with each state having one vote for president, with a candidate needing 26 states to win and the winner decided very likely by which party had a majority in each state’s delegation. At the time, the Republicans had majorities in 26 state delegations with the Democrats in control of 23 and Pennsylvania with a delegation split between Rs and Ds.
So, with 16% of Biden voters changing their mind had they known about the laptop scandal, and only 44 thousand votes in three states being the difference between a tie in the Electoral College, and the majority of U.S. House (Republican) state delegations voting for Trump to break the tie, in quashing the laptop story the media may have changed the election result and, therefore, American and world history.
Whatever anyone thinks of Trump and his mean tweets, outlandish statements and over-the-top personality, he left the country in far better shape than the countless economic, foreign policy, and cultural disasters that Joe Biden has caused in barely over a year.
This, again, is why millions of Americans don’t trust these institutions.
Four students, one from each public school were honored at the School Board meeting on Monday. Each received a certificate and gift card to Dairy Queen.
Red River Elementary’s student of the month is Kaiden Humphery.
Kaiden, a 3rd grader at RRES, is an amazing, hard-working young man. He always gives 100%; he has set high expectations for himself and works extremely hard to conquer any and every obstacle. When tasks are difficult, he does not quit or give up. Kaiden does not hesitate to ask questions. He is a leader in the classroom, whose behavior serves as a model of excellence for his classmates. This young man is eager and excited to learn on a daily basis. Kaiden was nominated by Mrs. Arnold.
Daniel Grigg was selected from Red River Academic Academy.
Daniel is one of the most humble students i know. He is respectful to both teachers and students. He is always willing to help the teacher and other students. He gives 100% effort on all academic assignments, even when it is very challenging for him. It is his effort level and commitment that impress me the most. Even though he struggles at times, he never gives up trying. He tries to figure out where he went wrong himself before asking for help. He has a strong support system, and that helps a lot in the classroom. Daniel is just a great kid. He was nominated by Mrs. Johnson.
The Student of the Month at Red River Junior High is Daylyn James.
It is our honor and privilege to have this sweet young lady in our class. She is a diligent worker who strives to excel in her classwork. She is well-liked by her peers and is a joy to teach. She is always quick to lend a helping hand when needed. Congratulations to Daylyn – a true Red River superstar! The nomination was submitted by Mrs. Murray.
Niasia Latson is Red River High’s Student of the Month.
Niasia is a student that is being recognized for her great attitude and hard work. She is always respectful of herself, of me and of her peers. She is always kind and mindful of how she treats people. She completes assignments in a timely manner and never needs to be reminded of school or classroom rules. She is a very quiet person, so when called upon, she may not be eager to answer, but she never shows an attitude. I am glad I had the opportunity to teach her. She was nominated by Mrs. Keith.
Teams from 11 schools in Natchitoches and Red River parishes participated in the 2022 Red River Games – Special Olympics Louisiana and Art Festival earlier this month. The event included track and field competitions and recreation time for the athletes.
“Our participants were so empowered when we would cheer them on across the finish line and their smiles made it all worth it,” said Linzi Lampert, event chair. “We all agreed that we would do it over and over again. All of the volunteers learned to work as a team and to step up in an area where they were needed.”
The motto of Special Olympics, which inspires thousands of communities to support the organization, is “Let me win. But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.”
Over 60 athletes from NSU Elementary Lab, Provencal, L.P. Vaughn, Lakeview, Fairview-Alpha, East Natchitoches, Natchitoches Jr. High School, Red River, Natchitoches Central, Weaver and Marthaville participated, according to Lampert. Athletes and supporters from the Natchitoches Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC) also participated. Each athlete received a t-shirt and goody bag, as well as a snack and lunch.
The Red River Games were hosted by Northwestern State University’s Presidential Leadership Program with volunteers from the Student Government Association, University Programming Council, College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and individual volunteers, including student-athletes and coaches. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, City of Natchitoches Police Department and BOM Bank supported the event.
The Red River Parish Schools are seeking teachers in all areas.
Clara Springs Camp is in search of 40 old hymnals to use as table decorations for our 2022 Adult Day. If you have any that you can donate or lend to the camp please text/call Mrs. Mandi 318-453-6881.
There was a Cross Walk from The HUB in Hall Summit to Social Springs Baptist Church on April 14th. It was such a blessing! The church asked, “What does the cross mean to you?”
Here are some of the Easter Egg Hunts and other activities planned in the area.
New Life Church on First Street in Hall Summit will have blowups, food, music, free family photo with the Easter bunny, and 2,000 eggs. Everyone is invited. Their event will be Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 am until Noon.
First Methodist Church on Front Street will have an egg hunt for ages 0 to 11 years old. There will be divisions hunting the eggs. Following will be a hot dog lunch. There will be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and the Easter Donkey. The event is Friday, April 15th beginning at 10:30 am.
Springhill Baptist Church is planning an egg hunt and parade for Saturday. Hours are 10:00 am until 12 Noon. Bring your bike for the parade. There will also be an Easter Hat contest. And lunch will be served afterwards.
Red River Cowboy Church is holding an easter egg hunt for ages nursery through fourth grade at the church Sunday April 17th before service. Come with your basket about 9:30 am.
Bro. Thumper Miller issued an invitation to Open Door Fellowship’s Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16 from 11:00-1:00. There will be games, hot dogs, jump houses, and of course a huge Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Invite your friends and bring the whole family to this Easter celebration.
Abundant Life will hold their Easter Egg Hunt after church on Sunday. A special service and flag dance presentation begins at 10:30. The egg hunt will follow the services.
Chances for thunderstorms will remain across the area on Wednesday ahead of cold front. Some of these storms may be severe, with all modes of severe weather possible.
Heavy rainfall will also remain a possibility, which could lead to localized flooding.
Dry weather is expected on Thursday, but thunderstorm chances will return by Friday and through the upcoming weekend.
Wednesday’s forecast includes a 60% to 90% chance of severe thunderstorms for our area.
District 22 Louisiana House member Gabe Firment has endorsed the legislative plans laid out by the Louisiana Conservative Caucus. Firment said, “As a member of the Louisiana Conservative Caucus I am proud to endorse legislation this session to lower taxes, end abortion, and protect our Second Amendment rights. I will always fight for the conservative values held by the people of District 22!”
The Conservative Caucus, the largest voting bloc in the Louisiana Legislature, has endorsed several policies to responsibly lower the sales tax rate, completely end abortion in Louisiana, and ensure that 2nd Amendment Rights are not infringed.
Last year, members of the Louisiana Legislature joined together to form the Conservative Caucus, which immediately became the largest voting bloc in the legislature. Their unifying causes were simple reflections of why their constituents sent them to Baton Rouge: to promote Louisiana’s economic prosperity through the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility, protecting the unborn, and defending our 2nd Amendment rights. In their first regular session since being formed, all 40 members of the Conservative Caucus have pledged their support to the following legislation that will responsibly lower the state sales tax, completely end abortion in Louisiana, and ensure that our 2nd Amendment Rights are not infringed.
Since 2016 when the temporary sales tax was passed, the state has continuously operated with a surplus. However, when the tax is set to expire in 2025, the state is forecasting a budget deficit of over a half billion dollars when accounting for government growth and the loss of revenue. In order to begin weaning government off of that money, Representative Tony Bacala authored House Bill 438 to immediately lower the temporary sales tax by 22%. Bacala’s proposal is backed by years of tax collection data that shows that reducing the temporary sales tax rate by that amount will not cause any budget problems. By following the data and fighting government growth, this responsible approach can be taken every year to prepare for the future, lower taxes, and curb the growth of government.
To stop the unjust practice of murdering babies, the Conservative Caucus has endorsed the following two pieces of legislation to end abortion in Louisiana.
As states have begun defying federal laws on everything from immigration enforcement to marijuana, Representative Danny McCormick filed House Bill 344. Just like Louisiana has with federal marijuana laws, this legislation would have Louisiana stop complying with the effects of Roe v. Wade and begin enforcing a prohibition on abortions.
Representative Chuck Owen filed House Bill 146 after finding very loose language that opened the door to abortions and sterilization for those under a legal tutorship. After researching the law, Owen’s bill would require court authorization to perform an abortion or sterilization on a person under continuing tutorship.
The Conservative Caucus has endorsed two pieces of legislation to protect their constituents’ 2nd Amendment Rights. Just like last year, they are supporting Representative Danny McCormick’s House Bill 37 to institute Constitutional Carry in Louisiana. This law would mimic our current open carry law but also allow for concealment without the tax of a government permit.
Another pro-gun bill endorsed by the caucus is House Bill 43 by Representative Larry Frieman. Just like our non-enforcement of federal marijuana law, this keeps Louisiana from enforcing any federal laws that would unduly tax, register, confiscate, or prevent ownership of a firearm, accessory, or ammunition. Louisiana will be charged with enforcing Louisiana laws but protecting its citizens from federal policies that are meant to discourage or make it cost prohibitive to enjoy our 2nd Amendment Rights.
With this first round of policy endorsements, the Conservative Caucus and its members are sending a clear message that the voices of their constituents are being heard and that their campaign pledges were not hollow talking points. They look forward to joining their colleagues in the Louisiana House and Senate in voting to send these bills to Governor Edwards’ desk.
This year marks the 48th year for the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival! Vendors will display their wares beneath the gorgeous live oak trees of Melrose. Artists and crafters will show and sell their original paintings, gourmet foods, jewelry, clothing, plants, toys, woodworking products, and more! The festival is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches (APHN) and all proceeds go directly to the upkeep and preservation of Melrose Plantation.
Festival Hours are Saturday 9 – 5 and Sunday 10 – 4.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 6 – 12.
Tickets sold at the gate.
Pre-purchase tickets at Eventbrite.com…search Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival.
Also available:
– guided tours of our historic buildings for $5
– food and drinks
Hand sanitizer stations will be available. Our festival will abide by LA health guidelines applicable at the time of the festival.
By Teddy Allen
It’s a long way to October, baseball people like to say. What happened on Opening Day this week will seem like a long time ago come autumn.
But it will still matter. Such is life: You win some, you lose some and some get rained out, but you dress out for all of them. And all of them count.
To give you something to ponder either today or between games of a lazy summer doubleheader, here are some baseball questions and observations. (The answers are at the bottom. Don’t peak. That’s like stealing signals illegally. Bad form.)
A couple of the questions are taken from George Will’s annual Baseball Quiz in Newsweek, a column I was alerted to by Big C, a Fair Park All-State first sacker in the 1950s and former Shreveport Sports bat boy. Big C likes to remind me that baseball is a very humbling game, and that life is much the same way. It pays in both to keep your eye on the ball, lest you get caught leaning. Just when you get cocky, the ball has a funny way of finding you…
Questions
Answers
(Editor’s Note: Wrong on the World Series. San Francisco beat Texas in five; Edgar Renteria was the Series MVP. Not at all hard to believe I was wrong but it is hard to think that was 12 years ago.)
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
A Teddy Classic from 2010
The Red River Parish Schools are seeking teachers in all areas.
By Molly Seales
On March 31, 2022, MAIS Director of Athletics Chris Chance released the names of the athletes on the 2021-22 All-MAIS basketball teams. Each team has one outstanding player and seven other team members who are chosen by basketball committee members, all-star coaches, class and overall championship coaches, and at-large members (when needed.)
Senior Kenley Loftin was chosen to the Class 2A All-MAIS girls’ team. Kenley has been a vital part of the Riverdale Lady Rebels varsity basketball team since 8th grade. She has received numerous awards including all-district, South A All-Tournament Team, and Class A All-Tournament team. This year she was All-District Co-MVP and was a member of the class 2A/3A All-Star team. Kenley is the daughter of Shaun Loftin and Stacey Loftin.
Senior Ty Jones was chosen to the 2A All-MAIS boys’ team. Ty has been an important part of the Riverdale Rebels basketball team for numerous years. He has also received numerous awards including all-district, South A All-Tournament, and Class A All-Tournament team. This year Ty was named All-District MVP and was a member of the class 2A/3A All-Star team, where he earned MVP for the blue team. Ty is the son of Tyler Jones and Julie Jones.
Riverdale Academy is proud of both of you and all of your accomplishments!
By Brad Dison
Mary Anne Kappelhoff was born on April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father, William, was a music teacher. Her mother was a homemaker. Perhaps it was because of her father’s musical influence, but Mary Anne wanted to be a professional dancer. In the early 1930s, Mary Anne formed a dance duo with Jerry Doherty. Together, they performed a variety of dancing and comedy skits in local hotels. In 1937, Mary Anne and Jerry’s performances got the attention of a Hollywood agency which supplied dancers to movie companies. They signed a contract and were due to leave on October 24 for what they hoped would be promising dancing careers on the silver screen. Fate decided that Hollywood was not ready for Mary Anne.
Just before midnight on October 14, 1937, fifteen-year-old Mary Anne was riding through Hamilton, Ohio, about 25 miles north of Cincinnati with friends 18-year-old Marion Bonekamp, 19-year-old Lawrence Doherty (older brother of Jerry, Mary Anne’s dancing partner), and 20-year-old Albert Schroeder, the driver of the car. The group chatted as Albert drove the car west down High Street. As they approached the railroad crossing at Fifth Street, Albert slammed on the brakes, but he had not seen the freight train until it was too late to stop. The car slammed into the train, whose force spun the car around. Mary Anne and the other occupants were tossed around inside the car. (It would be another twenty years before the invention of seat belts.) Albert and Marion were knocked unconscious. Marion received cuts to her face and one knee; Albert received cuts on his head and face; Lawrence, the luckiest of the bunch, received only a bruised knee; Mary Anne, who was due to leave for Hollywood in less than two weeks, cried “My leg is broken, my leg is broken. Get my mother.” Reporting on the car-train collision, one newspaper reported, “The shattered pieces of a Hollywood dream career lay around the bed of [Mary Anne] Kappelhoff, … at Mercy Hospital tonight, almost on the eve or realization.” The newspaper reported, “Although the situation may not be as serious as it appears, a broken leg is a tragedy to a dancer.” Mary Anne was depressed.
On the following day, Jerry arrived at the hospital to check on Mary Anne. He had not been told the exact nature of her injuries. Jerry asked Mary Anne how she was feeling. She replied, “My leg is broken, Jerry.” Mary Anne explained that hospital staff told her she would have to remain inactive for at least four months. Jerry listened intently. After a few seconds, when the consequences of Mary Anne’s injury sunk in, he broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. “Don’t worry, I’ll dance again, Jerry,” Mary Anne said in an attempt to console Jerry. Mary Anne’s mother tried to reassure Mary Anne and Jerry. “Now we will wait until spring, dear, for that trip to Hollywood.”
Mary Anne’s recovery was long and boring. She spent a lot of her time listening to the radio, the height of entertainment technology in the late 1930s. One day, while listening to the radio, she began to sing along. Mary Anne discovered a new talent. She especially liked to emulate Ella Fitzgerald. Determined to reignite Mary Anne’s dream of a career in show business, her mother hired a singing coach who commenting that Mary Anne had “tremendous potential.” By December, Mary Anne was performing again, this time as a solo singer.
By July of 1938, it became clear that the Mary Anne and Jerry duo were not destined for Hollywood. They had lost their dancing contract. Mary Anne and two of the other three people involved in the car-train crash sued the city of Hamilton and the Pennsylvania railroad. They argued that buildings obstructed the view of the train and a watchman failed to signal. Mary Anne sought the largest amount in damages, $20,000, and claimed that her injuries ruined her career as a dancer and entertainer. The outcome of the lawsuit remains a mystery.
Mary Anne began a new career as a singer when she landed a job on the radio program Carlin’s Carnival. In 1939, orchestra leader Barney Rapp was looking for a new singer. He had heard Mary Anne sing on the radio program and invited her to audition. Out of approximately 200 singers who auditioned, Mary Anne got the job. Following her stint with Barney Rapp, Mary Anne performed all over the country with some of the most prominent bandleaders of the era including Bob Crosby and Les Brown.
Mary Anne’s popularity soared while working for the Les Brown Band. She performed as the vocalist with the Les Brown Band in three movies. It was while performing with Les Brown that she recorded seven top ten hit songs. Songwriters Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn heard Mary Anne sing a touching rendition of “Embraceable You” and suggested her for a role in a musical they were writing entitled “Romance on the High Seas.” She auditioned for the picture and, to her surprise, she got the role. Then she got another, and another. The roles kept coming. She starred as the leading lady alongside such actors as James Stewart, Rock Hudson, and James Cagney in a career which spanned some three decades. In addition to her movie career, Mary Anne had a successful recording career. As a vocalist, she recorded twenty top ten albums.
It is impossible to know what direction Mary Anne and Jerry’s careers could have taken had she not broken her leg in the accident in 1937. Unfortunately, Jerry Doherty never “made it” in Hollywood. At the suggestion of orchestra leader Barney Rapp, Mary Anne performed under a stage name which would be easier to fit on marquees. We know Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff as… Doris Day.
Sources:
By La Tech Marketing student Sophie Edwards.
This June, Journal Columnist and Louisiana Tech University writer and editor Teddy Allen will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame for his work as a sports journalist and broadcaster.
“It’s an unexpected honor to be included with so many people I’ve admired for a long time and many I’ve gotten to know and grown to love,” Allen said. “Extra special since in high school I was voted ‘Most Likely To Dangle A Participle.’”
Every Wednesday, Allen’s columns are featured in this Journal and the other parish journals across northwest Louisiana.
Allen graduated from Louisiana Tech with bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in English. Today, he is still connected to his alma mater as the University’s senior writer in the Office of University Communications and as a broadcaster for Tech football.
“Teddy is truly deserving of this honor,” said Tonya Oaks Smith, Executive Director of University Communications for Tech. “If you’re talking about Louisiana Tech and sports – no matter where you are in this state – people will inevitably ask about Teddy Allen.”
Aside from his work at Tech, Allen has also written three books, served on the committee for the Sports Hall of Fame for more than 20 years, and worked as a columnist for the Shreveport Journal, Shreveport Times, and Times-Picayune.
“Teddy’s selection was inevitable,” Doug Ireland, chairman of Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, said. “He is one of Louisiana’s greatest journalism talents of all time. He has informed, entertained, and captivated thousands of people through his writing and has been a great encouragement and friend to those of us who are lucky enough to know him.”
Throughout his career, Allen has received awards including the Associated Press Sports Editors National Feature Writing Award, Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Story of the Year, and the Ernie Pyle Award.
“I’m grateful for so many who trusted me and, without having a real good reason to, just gave me a chance to do this,” Allen said. “And there’s a deep appreciation for all the people I’ve worked with; this was always a team game.”
Teddy Allen is known in his field for being a “team player” who is always working to bring everyone together.
“Teddy’s a glue guy,” Ireland said. “He bonds together people of different backgrounds and makes everyone feel valued. He’s also a knucklehead; there’s not a pretentious bone in his body.”
While Teddy has served on the selection committee for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, he has also used his comedy skills for almost 15 years as the master of ceremonies for the induction.
“He has had Payton Manning and Shaquille O’Neal rolling,” Ireland said. “But his impact stretches far beyond those few hours on a Saturday Night in June. He helped refine the operations and mission for both the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.”
“I am honored and privileged to just get to do this work,” Allen said, “to be around the arena and with people who care about what they’re doing and how they do it.”
The 2022 Induction Celebration will be held in Natchitoches June 23-25.
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