The Louisiana Department of Health Office of Public Health and the Shreveport Police Department are hosting the 2nd Annual Northwest Louisiana Youth Summit on Saturday, November 4. The summit is for youth ages 10 to 18 and their parents. The event is FREE to attend.

Registration and a breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and the program will start at 9 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m. with a motivational luncheon to follow. The summit will take place at the Southern Hills Park and Community Center at 1002 W. Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.

If you are interested in participating as a vendor or have more questions, please contact Yolanda Duckworth, the Region 7 Opioid Prevention Outreach Coordinator, at Yolanda.Duckworth@la.gov.

Ana Deloach VanEaton
Communications Coordinator for Regions 7 & 8
Office of Public Health

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The Homesteader’s Conference is slated for Saturday, October 7 from 8am until 4pm. It is a one-day event for attendees to gain knowledge about homesteading/food production in backyard small acreages and food preservation.

The goal of this event is to educate the participants on the various topics that will aid them in the care of their land and natural resources.

It is FREE to attend.

Vendors should contact Donna Haynes about reserving booth spots for the event at 318.408.0971 or dhaynes@agcenter.lsu.edu.

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By Doug De Graffenried

Are you a person of influence? Let me answer that for you. You are certainly a person of
influence.

I believe that you have the power to change lives. It is a dangerous power because of the
direction you might lead a life. You have the power to influence people for the cause of Christ, or you
have the power to run people off from any connection to faith matters. It is up to you. People are
watching you and listening to you. In our digital world they are likely recording your actions for play back
on TikTok or You Tube. Live your life well. People are watching, so is Jesus. That is another article for
another day.

I was thinking about the power of influence one morning at breakfast. I was at breakfast with a
group of Baptist preachers. In truth, I was attending a Baptist preacher’s meeting. Now you might find it
strange that a Methodist minister was attending a Baptist preacher’s meeting. It was like the time my
son wanted a subscription to Cosmopolitan magazine. I wanted to know if my son was having “issues.” I
asked, “Andrew why do you want a girl’s magazine subscription?”  He said, “It is the other team’s play
book!” So maybe I was at the preacher’s meeting, learning what the “other team” was doing.
The truth of the matter is that I was at a Baptist preacher’s meeting along with two of Methodist
church members. Now what force of the universe could get a Methodist preacher and two Methodist
laypersons to attend a Baptist preacher’s meeting? Was it a great breakfast? The food was good, but
that was not it. Does anyone on the face of this planet like a meeting?

The force that attracted us there was a fellow named Woody Cox. Woody was a deacon in the
Baptist church, but he was also a world-famous electrician. I’m not sure about world-famous, but lots of
folks in Natchitoches knew him. Jesus is the Light of the World, but at First United Methodist Church,
Woody kept all of Jesus’ lights on for the Sunday crowd. He had climbed in every attic of the church. He
was familiar with every line, circuit, and ballast in that building. He knew bulbs in the Baptist churches as
well.

Here’s the thing, while Woody was working, he was working you. You were drawn into his web
and he was eventually going to invite you to something or just end up telling you a Jesus story. He never
made anyone uncomfortable and always fixed the electrical problem.

Woody Cox has gone on to glory. He knows the light of the world.

He was a great electrician who could get Methodists to go to Baptist preacher’s meetings. How
are you using your Christian influence. Do you help others “see the light?”

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HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
September 18, 2023

Baton Rouge- Following multiple citizen complaints from around the state, Troopers wish to make the public aware of a current phone scam. Scammers are fraudulently using the authority of Louisiana State Police in an effort to obtain information and money from victims.

These impersonators are reportedly contacting the phones of potential victims by using a call that gives the appearance of originating from a phone number belonging to Louisiana State Police. The complainants have stated that the caller is pretending to be law enforcement and attempts to gain personal information and (or) money from the victim over the phone.

Troopers stress that citizens should never give unsolicited callers any personal information, and the Louisiana State Police would never ask for any type of personal identifying information, payment or monetary donation over the phone.

Citizens wishing to report suspected fraudulent calls can contact the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Center (LA-SAFE) at 225-925-4192. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is also available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting the LA-SAFE website here and report the activity.

Contact Information:
Lt Melissa Matey
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs – HQ
Office: (225) 925-6202
Melissa.Matey@la.gov

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31st Annual Marthaville Good Ole Days Festival and Paradeis Friday September 29 and Saturday, September 30. Friday night festivities begin at 6:00 PM with our Gospel night featuring various local artists and area churches!

Saturday line up includes:
8:00 AM Barbecue Contest Begins
9:00 AM- Parade Lineup at the school and Judging of Antique Cars
10:00 AM- 31st Annual “Good Ole Days” Parade
12:00 PM-Presentation of Queens, Spirit Group Performances, and Music Entertainment
6:00 PM- Saturday Night Music Entertainment!

Don’t miss out on some great entertainment, good fellowship, delicious food, and a great time at the Marthaville Good Ole Days!

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Have you ever heard of an Electric Flowerpot? Akiba Horowitz was born in Minsk, Russia in 1856. At the young age of fifteen, Akiba moved to Berlin, Germany where he studied liquor distillation. In 1891, Akiba immigrated to the United States. Upon entering the country, Akiba changed his name to something more American. He called himself Conrad Hubert. Conrad, now 35 years old, needed to find work immediately. In New York, Conrad operated a cigar store, a boarding house, a restaurant, and a jewelry store. Conrad was not satisfied until he began operating a novelty shop.

All things dealing with electrical power following the invention of the light bulb were in fashion. Conrad was a tinkerer. During his lifetime, Conrad’s patented inventions included “the first automatic electric self-starter for automobiles, …the first exact amount check protector, the autoped,” and an electric gas lighter.

Joshua Lionel Cowen was an inventor as well. Joshua had invented the electric doorbell and the electric fan, both of which initially failed to find a market. People complained about the protracted ring of the doorbell, and the fan produced only the slightest breeze. His most successful product, which was the most popular item Conrad sold in his novelty shop, was his battery-powered light up tie tacks.

Joshua and Conrad had numerous discussions about their ideas for inventions. During one such conversation, Joshua told Conrad about one of his most recent inventions, the electric flowerpot. The contraption was made up of a battery within a paper tube with a light bulb at one end. The tube was mounted in the center of a flowerpot. Once the battery was switched on, the light illuminated the plants in the flowerpot. Joshua had patented his electric flowerpot, but he was unsure of its marketability. Conrad had faith in the invention and convinced Joshua to sell him the patent.

Conrad manufactured a large number of electric flowerpots, added them to his inventory, and began advertising. In the summer of 1894, citizens in Buffalo, New York held a Fourth of July fireworks competition. Among the prizes were American flags, balloons, packages of fireworks, toy cap pistols, small battery-powered lights, and Conrad’s electric flowerpots. Despite his best efforts, the electric flowerpot was a failure.

Conrad had a surplus of electric flowerpots which were in no danger of being sold. David Misell, an employee of Conrad’s novelty shop, tinkered with the electric flowerpot to see if he could help Conrad create something marketable from its parts. David had previously invented a wooden-cased signal light and a bicycle light. David and Conrad separated the tube and bulb from the flowerpot. They lengthened the tube so they could fit three “D” batteries inside it, and added a brass reflector under the light bulb. Finally, they had a product that Conrad thought he could sell. They filed a patent application for the “Electric Device” in March of 1898. The paperwork listed David as the device’s inventor and Conrad as a witness. The patent was awarded in January of 1899. Because David was an employee of Conrad’s, he assigned the patent rights to the device to Conrad’s novelty company. Conrad added the device to the inventory of his novelty shop. The device sold very well, but the public had just one complaint. The “D” batteries would only illuminate the light bulb for a short time before the customer had to replace the batteries. Due to the device’s short battery life, customers said the device could only produce a flash of light. In many English-speaking countries, the device is generally referred to as a torch. In the United States, Conrad’s customers gave the device a nickname that stuck. They called it the Flashlight.

Sources:

1.      Buffalo Courier Express, June 24, 1894, p.15.

2.     The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 17, 1928, p.2.

3.     The Standard Union (Brooklyn, New York), March 18, 1928, p.8.

4.     “Conrad Hubert.” www.nndb.com. Accessed September 17, 2023. https://www.nndb.com/people/439/000169929/.

5.     “Stories of Inventors and Their Inventions: Conrad Hubert.” www.linkedin.com. Accessed September 17, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stories-inventors-inventions-conrad-hubert-elena-louis.

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FREE Child Safety Seat Installation event happening this Saturday, September 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Safety Town, 8910 Jewella, Shreveport. In addition to Saturday’s event, the applications for FREE child safety seats are available. Please click on this link: https://lcmchealth-drshh.formstack.com/forms/child_safety_seat_application to apply.

Remember: The child receiving the safety seat needs to be present at the Seat Check event.

If you have any questions about child passenger safety in vehicles, please tune in to hear Bridget Gardner speak tomorrow, Wednesday (September 20th) from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Register at https://www.facebook.com/BuckleUpLouisiana

For more information on the below or any further questions, please contact:
Kevin H. Rigsby, Supervisor/Paramedic for Bossier Parish Emergency Medical Services and Region G Coordinator/ Instructor for the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force Firemedic191@bellsouth.net or krigsby@bossierparishems.org (318) 426-1131 cell or (318) 741-9201 office

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In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Mansfield State Historic Site will put on a one-hour presentation on Saturday, September 30 from 2 – 3pm discussing Hispanic descent that served during the American Civil War and later wars, such as David Farragut of the United States Navy and Santos Benavides of the Confederate Army. 

The DeSoto Parish Community Plant Swap is October 14 from 9am until noon at the DeSoto Extension Office, 10117 Hwy 171, Grand Cane. Join in to exchange seeds, cuttings, bulbs and other garden related items. Dwain Spillman will discuss Vermiculture and will have Worm Compost. To reserve a table and chairs for your items contact Joshua Salley at 318.872.0533.

DeSoto Parish Cattlemen’s Association 4th Quarter Meeting is Monday, October 16. Bubba Rutherford with Rutherford Land and Cattle will give an outlook on the cattle market for 2024. RSVP to jsalley@agcenter.lsu.edu by October 13 for the meal count. This will be the last meeting for 2023.

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Tom Billy Dodson
March 1, 1933 — September 17, 2023
Service: Thursday, September 21 at 2pm at First United Methodist Church, Logansport

Calvine Dean Jones
11/11/1963 – 09/14/2023
Graveside Service: Thursday, September 21 at 10:30am at Zion Hill No.2 Cemetery, Mansfield

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances of Loved Ones” with unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The Remembrance will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.

Former Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer Charged with Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Offenses Involving Excessive Force Incident

SHREVEPORT, La. – A federal grand jury in Shreveport, Louisiana, has returned a
three-count indictment charging former DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) Correctional
Officer Javarrea Pouncy with federal civil rights violations for willfully using unreasonable
force against a detainee, failing to obtain medical care for the detainee and obstructing justice.

According to the indictment, on September 27, 2019, Pouncy, acting in his official
capacity as a DPSO correctional officer, used unreasonable force against a detainee by
repeatedly striking him in the head and body without legal justification while the detainee
was being booked into the DeSoto Parish jail. The indictment further alleges that the assault
caused bodily injury to the detainee. In addition, the indictment alleges that Pouncy knew
that the detainee had serious medical needs and willfully failed to obtain necessary medical
care for him.

The indictment also charges Pouncy with obstruction of justice for knowingly
falsifying and making a false entry in a DPSO report with the intent to impede, obstruct and
influence an investigation into the assault. Count one of the indictment charges Pouncy for
his unreasonable use of force; count two charges Pouncy for his failure to obtain medical care;
and count three charges him with filing the false report.

If convicted, Pouncy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison each for counts
one and two, and 20 years in prison for count three.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights
Division, U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown for the Western District of Louisiana and Special
Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the
announcement. The FBI New Orleans Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S.
Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Erin Monju of
the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless
and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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News Release
September 07, 2023
Sheriff Jayson Richardson
DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office

Four years ago in 2019, it was brought to our attention that an incident had taken place inside our facility involving a former DeSoto Parish Sheriff Corrections Deputy and a person in custody of Louisiana State Police. The person in custody was injured during the incident.

This incident was investigated by the Louisiana State Police and more recently by the United States Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office presented the case to a federal grand jury for civil rights violations. Yesterday, the grand jury returned an indictment for the federal charge. Sheriff Richardson and his staff are grateful for the professionalism of the US Attorney’s Office in their handling of this matter, and any further information will be released by their office.

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by Jan Adams

The North DeSoto Griffins hosted a full stadium of fans, Friday night, September 9th. The Griffins welcomed the Center, TX Roughriders to, “the boot!” The game featured a shootout between two high powered offenses.

The ND Griffins and the Roughriders went back and forth scoring. After halftime the Griffins made some adjustments, that ultimately was the ND defense stepping up to stop the Roughrider offense.

Highlights, of the game, for the Griffins:
Running back Trysten Hopper rolled up 178 yards and five touchdowns as the Griffins rallied from a 38-29 deficit entering the fourth-quarter to collect the first victory of the Griffins’ season.

Hopper’s mate in the backfield, Kenny Thomas, gathered a total of 206 yards and a touchdown.
“The team showed amazing character and resilience,” Griffins head coach Dennis Dunn said. “It was a season-making kind of tenacity. They never doubted for four quarters — unbelievable.”

North DeSoto (1-1) travels to Messmer Stadium to play Loyola in Week 3.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES 2023 EXEMPLARY EDUCATORS

Educators honored from Bienville, DeSoto, Iberville, Lincoln, Rapides, St. Bernard, and St. Tammany Parishes

(BATON ROUGE, LA) – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is recognizing eight educators from across the state for their impact on student success. The LDOE today announced its 2023 Exemplary Educators. This annual program honors teachers, teacher specialists, and school leaders who represent excellence in the education profession.

Louisiana’s 2023 Exemplary Educators are:

Bienville Parish: Timothy Williams
DeSoto Parish: Jasmine Taylor
Iberville Parish: Anthony Hollins
Lincoln Parish: Marissa Boyd
Rapides Parish: Amy Holley
Rapides Parish: Amanda King
St. Bernard Parish: Joseph Cipollone
St. Tammany Parish: Courtney Milam

Louisiana Exemplary Educators receive a certificate of recognition and may be invited to participate in Department advisory boards and task forces. Exemplary Educators are also eligible for consideration in other recognition programs.

School systems from across the state submitted recommendations for the program through a confidential process. Honorees were chosen based on the following criteria:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective and innovative instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments and leadership beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;
• Early- to mid-career educators (minimum of five years) who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

To learn more about the Louisiana Exemplary Educator Recognition Program, visit the award programs page online.

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DeSoto 4-H Livestock Club members showed up and showed out at the 2023 DeBossier Showdown Livestock Show which was held September 8th and 9th at the David Means Memorial 4-H Barn. 4-H’ers from all over the parish exhibited their poultry, rabbit, swine, sheep, goat, dairy, and beef projects at the two-day event. The following exhibitors won championships at the show.

Clay Usrey- Champion Rabbit Showman

Joslyn Peterson- Champion Overall Standard

Clay Usrey- Reserve Overall Standard

Clay Usrey- Champion Overall Bantam

Lauralye Jeter- Champion Market Swine

Lauralye Jeter- Reserve Champion Market Swine

Lauralye Jeter- Champion Swine Showman

Joslyn Peterson- Champion Sheep Showman

Hayden Hardy- Champion Breeding Ewe

Landon Cubley- Champion Market Lamb

Addison Salley- Reserve Champion Heifer

Clay Usrey- Champion Dairy Showman

Clay Usrey- Supreme Dairy Heifer

Clay Usrey- Reserve Dairy Heifer

A big thank you to all of our sponsors for this year’s event. Your generous donations allowed these exhibitors to earn ribbons, banners, and checks for their accomplishments. Thanks also to Mr. Mike Norton and the DeSoto Parish Police Jury for your continued support of the David Means Memorial 4-H Barn and to Sheriff Jayson Richardson and the entire DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Department for your continued assistance in helping us setup and take down the show ring for our livestock shows.

Joshua L. Salley

Assistant Extension Agent (Agriculture)

Parish Chair

DeSoto Parish Extension Office

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Congratulations to Richard Wilkinson, winner of the Marketplace Chevrolet College Football Pickers
Contest week two. Richard did the best job of selecting the winners.

A check for $100 is on the way to Richard Wilkinson. And the week three Pickers Contest entry is
now available. Just CLICK HERE to enter.

The Marketplace Chevrolet College Football Pickers Contest is awarding $100 a week during
the college football season to the person in DeSoto Parish who can pick the most
winners. Enter today with your best guesses of the winners of the games this week. Entry
deadline is 4:00 pm Friday, September 15. There is no cost or obligation to enter and win
and everyone who enters gets a complimentary subscription to the Journal.
Good Luck!

Got some handy information for you, as I was wrong about something but have seen the light, and it was cool and it was refreshing. 

Knew I wouldn’t get in bed until after midnight Saturday because of working a football game so when I was asked at the first of the week about going to the Texas Rangers game in Arlington the next day—this past Sunday—it didn’t sound so hot, simply because I am not 20 years old and not totally insane anymore.  

But when a trio of friends of 40 years ask and they have good tickets and they use the magic word — “Free” — you go to bed as quickly as you can, even if that’s not until 2 Sunday morning, get up at 6 and drive to Chief’s so the Senator and Hearing Aids can pick you up, get your butt and your water bottle in the backseat of the Senator’s Jeep Cherokee and head toward Texas, tired but up for whatever. 

Good times. 

This was my first trip to Globe Life Field, home of the Rangers, that opened during the virus-throttled 2020 season. When the Rangers announced in 2016 they were building a new ballpark, my first thought was, “They just BUILT a new ballpark?!” 

And, in terms of a ballpark’s normal lifetime, they had. The Ballpark in Arlington opened in 1994. I had socks and shoes that old. The park was just getting broken in. And what a glorious ballpark it was.  

It’s still gorgeous. It stands a home run from the new stadium, which looks from the outside like an airplane hanger. No contest. The old ballpark wins swimsuit and evening gown and it’s not close. 

Except … you know what they say about judging a book. That’s Globe Life Field. The beauty is on the inside.  

And by “beauty” I mean “air conditioning.” The retractable roof on the $1.1 billion new stadium keeps the 68-degree air inside and the 90-degree air and sun outside. No sweat. We’d have melted Sunday in the old ballpark, especially at this stage of our development.  

Globe Life Field is a five-tool player. It’s all about “fans first.” Actual baseball things would be No. 6, tops, on my list of things that are awesome about this new yard.  

You start with the roof. Arlington had three 110-degree days this summer and dozens over 95. Mercy! 

All kinds of food along what has to be the widest, most open concourses in big-league baseball. People love food and people love not being crowded. Double play. 

There are helpers/ushers in baby blue shirts by the dozens, maybe by the hundreds. One was by an escalator and while we explored an hour before first pitch we asked the man if we could go down to that level and he said we needed a ticket for down there and we said we were just ignorant people from Louisiana and he said OK and down we went, then self-reported when we got back and he said that was good because he was a few seconds from calling a SWAT team. 

Good-natured folk. 

Since Chief had a bum leg and handicapped parking, those same support people drove us in a golf cart from the Jeep to the front door. Took us back after the game. No charge, tipping not allowed. One of our lady drivers was packing heat, too. 

Texas. 

The park is a multi-purpose palace for concerts and rodeos and even basketball and who knows what else they might use it for. 

The immediate area outside is called Texas Live!, an entertainment district around AT&T Stadium (where the Dallas Cowboys play) and the new park and the “old” ballpark, now used for football and soccer and whatnot. Also in the mix are a couple of half-billion-dollar hotels, eating places, a concert venue, convention center, partridge in a pear tree, and on like that. Really pretty.  

And then there’s baseball. In the past three-ish weeks, the Rangers have nose-dived from a 3-and-a-half game lead in the American League West to a neck-and-neck race with Seattle for the AL’s third and final wild-card spot. Me and the boys did our part Sunday in rooting the Rangers to a 9-4 victory over hapless Oakland, a team that sports classic uniforms but just does not have any major league players to wear them. 

Now it’s your turn. The Rangers have only six regular-season home games left: Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 18-20, vs. Boston, and Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-24, vs. those pesky Mariners from Seattle. The Rangers need you. Keep in mind that for that Sunday game against Seattle, Blue Bell ice cream sandwiches are just — wait for it — $1. I kid you not. All you’ve got to do is get your posterior to Globe Life Field. 

It’s a cool place. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu 

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The Northwestern State University Alumni Association invites nominations for three alumni awards, two that will recognize distinguished service and one for volunteerism toward the Alumni Association.  

The deadline to submit applications is midnight Oct. 9.  For more information and to access a nomination form visit https://www.northwesternstatealumni.com/awards/. 

The awards are Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award and NSU Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award. The awards are intended to recognize alumni whose accomplishments significantly benefit both society and the NSU campus, advancing the common good and inspiring others to address challenges with insight and creativity.  

Honorees will be recognized alongside Long Purple Line inductees, during a luncheon Friday, Nov. 3 that will take place in conjunction with Homecoming festivities.  

Criteria for nominations is as follows.  

Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award – The Outstanding Young Alumni Distinguished Service Award is given to a young alumnus/alumna who has exhibited their dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission.  The candidate must demonstrate: 

• An early record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and 
• Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. 
• The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU. 
• The recipient must have attained alumni status within ten years. 
• The recipient must be forty or younger at the time of the nomination. 

Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna Distinguished Service Award – The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is given to an NSU Alumni who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate: 

• A record of distinguished service to Northwestern; and 
• Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. 
• The recipient must be an alumnus/alumna of NSU. 
• The recipient must have attained alumni status greater than ten years. 
• The recipient must be forty or older at the time of the nomination. 

NSU Alumni Association Volunteer of the Year Award – The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to a person who has exhibited his or her dedication and loyalty to Northwestern’s programs and mission. The candidate must demonstrate: 

• Membership in the NSU Alumni Association 
• Continued interest in serving the university in his/her life as a volunteer, donor and /or advocate. 
• Exemplary record of volunteer time, talents, and service to the NSU Alumni Association 
• Active involvement with a chapter, alumni interest group, affiliate program, NSU Alumni Board, or other forms of volunteer service to Northwestern State University 

Nominations may be made by any alumnus or alumna, by any alumni chapter, or by any member of the faculty or staff of University.  The selection committee is composed of the two immediate past presidents of the Alumni Association, current president of the Alumni Association, one member of the Demons Unlimited Board of Directors, the Director of the Alumni Association and the SGA President. 

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In the early 1890s, Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Jane Hill worked at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School in Louisville, Kentucky. Mildred was a teacher, concert pianist, and played organ in their church. Patty was the principal of the school. With Patty at the helm, the school experimented with new ways to teach younger children and to better prepare them for elementary school. Just one of the many experiments the school performed was the use of songs as teaching tools. Mildred and Patty began working on an upbeat song to welcome the children to school and to get them in the mindset to learn. Within a short time, Mildred came up with a simple melody she was happy with. Patty composed simple, repetitive lyrics that the children could learn quickly. On October 16, 1893, Mildred and Patty copyrighted their composition entitled “Good Morning to All.” Later that year, Mildred and Patty’s song was included in a songbook Story Songs for Kindergarten with the permission of the Hill sisters. Each morning, kindergarten students at Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School began their day with “Good Morning to All.”

Within a short time, the simple song became popular with children as young as a year-and-a-half. People soon began singing their own lyrics to the popular medley. On March 4, 1924, Robert H. Coleman edited the lyrics to the song and published it in a song book without the permission of the Hill sisters. It remains unclear whether Robert Coleman realized the song had been copyrighted.

On September 30, 1933, the musical comedy called “As Thousands Cheer,” produced by Sam Harris, opened on Broadway. One of the musical numbers in the play was “Good Morning to All,” but with the altered lyrics. The play was a huge success, but Jessica Hill, sister of Mildred and Patty, was angered and claimed that her sisters’ song had been plagiarized. In August of 1934, Jessica filed a plagiarism suit on behalf of her sisters against producer Sam Harris. In the suit, Jessica claimed that her sister Patty and late sister Mildred copyrighted the song in 1893, that the copyright was extended in 1921, and that she owned the rights to the song. For the infringement, Jessica asked for $250 for each of the 403 performances of “As Thousands Cheer,” for a total of $100,750. Patty, who would share in the damages, had all but resigned herself to the fact that the song “had become common property of the nation.” The court decided that Jessica and Patty owned the copyright of the melody for “Good Morning to All,” along with all versions of the melody with altered lyrics. For Sam Harris to continue to use the song in “As Thousands Cheer,” he would have had to pay $250 per performance. Unsurprisingly, Sam dropped the song from the musical. The song was so popular that some companies agreed to pay to use the song. For example, Fox Film Corporation paid $250 and used the song in the 1934 Shirley Temple film, Baby, Take a Bow.

Royalties from “Good Morning to All” and all of its variations now amount to an estimated $2-$4 million per year. You probably have never heard of Mildred, Patty, or Jessica Hill, but their song is regarded as the most frequently sung tune in the world. The song is always sung to honor someone else and not the singer. You and I know Mildred and Patty Hill’s song “Good Morning to All” as “Happy Birthday to You.”

 Sources:

1.      Daily News, August 15, 1934, p.391.

2.     The Belleville News-Democrat, August 27, 1934, p.4.

3.     Green Bay Press-Gazette, September 24, 2004, p.75.

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Northwestern State University’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics announces three upcoming events in which prospective students can explore career opportunities in STEM fields, meet faculty and fellow students and learn about degree programs.  The School of STEM includes the Department of Biology and Microbiology, the Department of Engineering Technology, the Division of Mathematics, the Department of Physical Science and the Department of Veterinary Technology.

STEM Day:

• September 29, 2023
• 8:00am – 12:00pm
• For high school students in grades 9-12, Northwestern State University’s School of STEM is offering an exceptional opportunity to dive deep into their fields of interest. Through engaging and interactive hands-on demonstrations, students can gain valuable insights into the exciting worlds of STEM. Participants will have the chance to choose from several specialized tracks, in biomedical/microbiology, natural science/ecology, veterinary science, chemistry and physics or mathematics/engineering.
• Registration is available at nsu.la/StemDay

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that the following nighttime lane closures have been scheduled for pre-construction activities related to the upcoming I-20 major rehabilitation project in Bossier City and parts of Shreveport.

• Thursday, September 14, 2023, 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.: Rolling lane closures on I-20 eastbound and westbound from Spring Street to Industrial Drive.

• Sunday, September 17, 2023 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.: Lane closures on I-20 eastbound and westbound from Spring Street Hamilton Road.

• ** Monday, September 18, 2023 at 12:00 a.m.**: Lane closures begin for Phase 1 of construction activities. The right lane of I-20 eastbound and westbound from Hamilton Road to Industrial Drive. Phase 1 lane closures will remain in place for approximately two months.

As a reminder, all through traffic is strongly urged to utilize I-220 to avoid the construction zone. Motorists should plan their commute accordingly once the long-term lane closures go into effect on September 18th.

Find project resources, alternate route maps, and other helpful information by visiting the I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project page.

Restrictions/Permits: Vehicles 11 feet wide or smaller will be allowed to pass through the construction zone. Larger vehicles will need to detour utilizing I-220.

Alternate Route: I-220

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

Safety reminder:

DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Area residents should exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking near an active construction zone.

Additional information:

Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and Twitter pages.

 

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The DeSoto Parish Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Tuesday, September 19th at 12:00pm. KTBS will be the guest speaker. Food will be catered by Bill Parker and includes jambalaya with French bread. Meal cost is $14 at the door. 

RSVP by 11:00 am Friday, September 15th. RSVP’s after Friday WILL NOT be provided lunch. Call (318) 872-1310 to reserve your spot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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By Steve Graf

Often, I’ve been asked why do I fish tournaments? After a poor finish, I too often ask myself that same question! After I stopped competing as an athlete in the late 1980’s, I needed something to fill the void that competition gave me, something that would fan the competitive fire that still burns in me today. I feel that most athletes never really retire; they find another avenue that satisfies that desire and urge to compete. For me, that has been tournament bass fishing.

Now the Lord blessed me with athletic ability that has led me on a path of great success. From winning a State Championship in high school to a college athletic scholarship to being drafted by Major League Baseball. Growing up, no matter the sport, the desire to be the best burned inside of me. I would do whatever was necessary to be successful. But understand, the day comes when you can no longer compete at a high level. You’re no longer the fastest player, the strongest or have the best arm. Father time has a way of letting us know that the playing days are over.

Since 1990, I have competed on all levels from local club events to fishing the boater/pro side of the ABA Tour, B.A.S.S. Opens, along with the MLF series of the BFL’s and Toyota Series. When it comes to knowledge gained, I learned the most fishing the co-angler side of the FLW Tour in 2004-05. Each one of these can be very competitive including at the club level.

Just because you’re fishing the club or lower level of tournament fishing does not mean the competition is any different. Some of the best anglers in the country fish the club level and are just as serious as the guys who fish the pro side of the MLF or the Bassmaster Series. But not everyone wants or can afford to travel the country following a pro tournament trail chasing little green fish we call largemouth bass.

But one thing you’ll gain from fishing the higher level of tournaments is knowledge. If you want to learn and increase your ability to catch fish, follow one of the higher-level circuits. Just being around and spending time with other anglers from across the country will expose you to new techniques that will make you a better angler.

Even on the Pro/Am trails where you’re paired up with a co-angler who fishes out of the back of the boat, you can learn so much! I’ve always said that there’s never been a co-angler get in my boat that I did not learn something from. It might not be anything major, but if you pay attention, you’ll pick up something that might help you down the road. It might be a particular bait or maybe an organizing tip, but the best teachers for anglers are anglers themselves.

A true athlete wants to win and be the best no matter what. Their desire to win and compete is on another level than the average Joe. This is what separates the average athlete from the great one…the desire to win! For me personally, ever since I fished my first tournament back in 1990, nothing has been more satisfying than to win or at least have a high finish and get a check. It’s not even about the money for me, it’s about competing. The desire to compete is something you’re born with, it’s not something you can develop. So, to answer the question of what drives a tournament angler? It’s simply one word…. competition!

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and wear your sunscreen and UV protective clothing. Melanoma kills and does not discriminate.

 

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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that the deadlines to register to vote in the Oct. 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election are fast approaching. The deadline to register in person, by mail or at the OMV Office is Wednesday, Sept. 13. The deadline to register through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Saturday, Sept. 23. This deadline is for citizens who have never registered to vote, as well as voters who would like to make changes to their registration.

Citizens may check their registration or register to vote online at www.GeauxVote.com. After registering, voters should download the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app. The app provides registration information as well as voting districts, sample ballots, polling place information and election results.

Early voting for the Oct. 14 election will take place Saturday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 7 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 1), from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about the Secretary of State’s Elections Division, visit www.GeauxVote.com or call the Elections Hotline at 800.883.2805.

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Each Wednesday, the DeSoto Parish Journal will post upcoming events happening in the parish/area. If you would like to add your not-for-profit event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at desotoparishjournal@gmail.com. 

Football Friday Night:
Logansport at home vs Peabody kickoff 7pm
Mansfield at Ouachita Christian kickoff 7pm
North DeSoto at Loyola kickoff 7pm

Don’t forget September is Library Card Sign-up Month! Visit your local branch to sign up today!

Superintendent Clay Corley will host community meetings to present information regarding the bond proposal for Logansport High School and North DeSoto Schools. Logansport High School’s meeting will be on Tuesday, October 17 at 6pm and North DeSoto will be on Thursday, October 19 at 6pm. 

50 Miles of Treasure is coming up quickly on Saturday, Oct 14th. Get your garage sale stuff, neighborhood sales, sports teams, churches, and vendors together and have a great sale.

Work is underway to create this year’s “A Small Town Christmas” in Logansport. Vendors, parade entries, floats, and marching groups and bands now is the time to begin planning. Volunteers welcome. Contact Cynthia Hendrickson at logansportchristmasfestical@gmail.com for more information.

BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES RETURNING TO TOLEDO BEND February 22-25, 2024!
For the first time since 2018, the Bassmaster Elite Series won’t be kicking off its season in Florida, opting instead to open its 2024 slate at the big-bass factory of Toledo Bend Reservoir.

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Edgar Sibley Gaddis
September 15, 1928 – September 4, 2023
Service: Saturday, September 16 at 2pm at Asbury Methodist Church, Bossier City

The DeSoto Parish Journal publishes “Remembrances of Loved Ones” with unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $70. The Remembrance will be included in the emails sent to subscribers.  Contact your funeral provider or DeSotoParishJournal@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication.