The Circle, a program of the Northern Louisiana Medical Center, is hosting a Mardi Gras Anniversary Party on Sept. 5 at the Ruston Civic Center.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and entry fee is $5.
The Circle is our program for individuals age 50 or better who are interested in pursuing an active lifestyle, learning about health and wellness, and meeting others.
Their events and activities are designed to help you stay healthy, vibrant and active. They encourage participants to pursue the things you love, try new hobbies and interests, and meet new friends.
The Mardi Gras Anniversary Party will include activity booths, door prizes, entertainment provided by “Home Grown”, and lunch provided by L&L’s Catering.
Individuals can reserve their spot by calling 318-254-7515.
In April 2024, Louisiana State Police Special Victim’s Unit (LSP SVU) was requested by the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office (ECPSO) to investigate a complaint against one of their Deputies involving inappropriate contact with a juvenile.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that 31-year-old Andrew Tibbs made sexual comments to a juvenile via electronic messaging.
As the investigation progressed and with the information obtained, LSP SVU secured an arrest warrant from the 6th Judicial District Court for one (1) count of indecent behavior with juveniles.
Earlier today, Tibbs was arrested and booked into the East Carroll Parish Detention Center without incident.
At the time of his arrest, Tibbs was employed by ECPSO and on administrative leave. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges are possible. No further information is available at this time.
LSP SVU works to rescue and seek justice for the victims of crimes involving the exploitation of children and the trafficking of humans for sex or labor. The public plays an important role in identifying suspects accused of these crimes and is urged to report criminal or suspicious activity. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through an anonymous reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be found by visiting http://la-safe.org/ and clicking on the “Suspicious Activity” link.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Late Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Tatum was known for his love of Grambling.
He was also known for his love of Grambling Laboratory School and Grambling State University.
And he was known for his love of the game of basketball, with his skills honed at Grambling Lab High School playing for legendary Kittens hoops coach Michael Lyons.
Grambling Lab no longer exists, with the Lincoln Preparatory School rising like a phoenix from the proverbial ashes of the old school to the new one featuring a bigger and better gym and basketball court than ever before.
The head coach of the Panthers’ boys’ team, Antonio Hudson, was a high school teammate of Tatum’s before Hudson moved on to enjoy a standout hoops career at LSU.
But their shared love of the game, and more importantly, for each other, never waned, not even following Tatum’s death in 2013 as the result of a car accident caused by a pair of intoxicated drivers in Maryland.
The relationship between Hudson and the Tatum family was shown in a shining show of support and love last week inside the Lincoln Prep gym as Tatum’s family donated a state-of-the art shooting machine for the Panthers’ boys’ and girls’ teams in use practice to improve their shot-making abilities.
It all happened after one of Tatum’s brothers talked to Hudson and asked him what he needed to make Lincoln Prep basketball players better.
“They were some of my closest friends — Michael and his brother Nick Tatum,” Hudson said. “But it was a military family, so they moved after my sophomore year and his freshman year. But after I played overseas and came back to Grambling and Nick’s family was back in Grambling, it was like we had never been apart.
“Growing up, I called him my brother. I would sleep on his couch, and we would wear each other’s clothes, things like that. Their family is a staple in the community. The father, Col. Don Tatum, was once on the Board for Lincoln Prep. And I was talking to his sons and telling them I needed a shooting machine, and they made it happen, all in remembrance of their son.”
A shooting machine allows players to focus on their shot form through constant repetition, rather than having their training being broken up by having to chase down rebounds.
Hudson said the reason for Tatum’s donation was two-fold.
“I think it’s because they wanted to help me out and the school out,” Hudson said. “As for me, I call Col. Tatum ‘Pops’ and his wife (Homer) ‘Mom. But I also know they did it for the community as well — for the betterment of our program.”
Imprinted on the new shooting machine is Michael’s mantra learned from Lyons, words the late Grambling Lab coach reminded his high school players of time and time again.
“Coach Lyons always told the players to ‘do what you’re told, stay focused, and have fun,’ Lt. Col. Tatum said. “Those words are now written on the machine for players to be reminded of Michael’s legacy. Basketball was my love, and it was my kids’ first love, too. They played a lot of sports, but they loved basketball — the strategy and speed of the game.”
Michael Tatum graduated with honors in accounting and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force in 1997 from Grambling State University.
His obituary said his motto as a cadet at GSU was “stay focused and have fun.”
He later earned two master’s degrees, one in business management from the University of Alaska, and the other in military studies from Air University in Montgomery, Alabama.
Michael Tatum served as an Air Force comptroller officer, commander of three different squadrons, and in key staff officer positions at major command levels. At that time of his death in 2013, Tatum and his family had just completed a tour of duty in Korea, and he had recently been assigned to the Pentagon staff as the budget officer to work the Air Force’s military budget sequestration issues.
As he honored Michael the entire Tatum family during the donation ceremony, Hudson impressed on the athletes in the gym to remember the fact that it was a Black family in Grambling that purchased and donated a $15,000 shooting machine to better the current Panthers’ basketball teams.
“In today’s game, you have to be able to shoot 3-pointers,” Hudson said. “And that is something we have struggled with in recent years even while going to state. This is going to be our second year that we have been in this gym. Most schools have had this machine for years.
“And now we have one, too, because the Tatums made it happen for us. They nailed that winning shot for us. They nailed that winning shot for Michael. “I will never be able to thank them enough. But we are going to keep on trying, starting with working hard and trying to show they helped make us a better team — a championship team.
“That would be the best way of all to remember Michael and honor the whole family.”
“Athletics provide one of the best preparations for the darkness a human life can throw at you.” Southern writer Pat Conroy in “My Losing Season.”
I agree with Conroy: losing teaches you how to deal with pain. (Hurts me to say that.)
We’re not talking exclusively about losing on the scoreboard. That hurts, and those types of hurts, a peculiar kind of Southern hurt, begin again this weekend with football. Those are as real as real gets, and sometimes they hurt bad, and they hurt for a long time.
But we’re talking beyond that. We’re talking everyday losses.
Like … a hang nail, the finger’s silent assassin.
Hot coffee spilled in the car on the inside of your thigh. Sweet.
Cutting your head on the corner of an open kitchen cabinet door. The dreaded kamikaze cabinet.
Or the kingpin of them all: hitting your little toe on the steel leg of a bunk bed at church camp.
There’s always cussing at church camp because somebody always hits their toe.
But you learn, and limp on.
Tough break that we live and limp forward, but we learn backward.
There are all “kinds” of losing. Losing your keys. Losing a tooth. Losing your mind.
But you usually get another chance in those cases. Not always so in the competitive arena. Nothing hurts worse than losing The Big Game. You don’t get another chance, not at that one, not on that day.
Super Bowl Sunday’s a decent illustration. A big winner is celebrated and a big loser does what most all big losers do. They get really small and really forgotten really fast.
Ask pros who really care or competitive amateurs and they’ll tell you that the pain of losing is always greater, more motivating, than the thrill of winning. Winning teaches you how to uncork champagne and smile. Losing teaches you where to shore up your defenses, how to plan better, who you really are when things fall apart.
I’ve always found the more compelling stories are in the losing locker room, not the winning one. Losers are more real, emotion more acute.
In the academic world of leaky manifolds and underground sewerage systems and computer programming, I’m on the outside looking in. But when the subject is losing, well, that’s right in my wheelhouse. I have certificates, even official framed documents. Everything but a tattoo.
You probably do too. You know about losing like a plow knows about dirt. Like a wing knows wind. We know about losing the way a bug knows about a windshield.
Some, like me, are slow learners. I’m coachable, just not very quick. But a bit of experience in losing will teach you that you can handle more than you thought, that the sun will come up if you can hang in there, and that whatever price you have to pay to win, it will be worth it to avoid the feeling of losing again.
Fumbling won’t win you any trophies, but it can toughen you up. Good thing, because in everyday life, you face third-and-long a lot more often than third-and-short. Athletic disaster truly can help prepare you for losing someone close, for a pink slip, for foreclosure.
Regardless, you want to be in the arena, don’t you? Stay in the game. It’s small consolation and a wide chasm, but the next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing.
Sara is a little over a year old and has been at 4Paws for most of her life. She was found at a dumpster with her sister as puppies. Sara is so sweet and gets along with other dogs including puppies. Sara would do well with kids too.
She is up-to-date on vaccines, spayed, and heart worm negative/on prevention. Sara loves going to the dog park and giving the volunteers lots of kisses!
Come meet this sweet angel today.
Please email 4pawsruston@gmail.com if interested in adopting.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
We’ve all heard the expression he or she has God-given talent. There are singers like George Strait and Celine Dion, golfers like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicholas, along with baseball players like Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds. So, what does it really mean and what exactly is talent?
I am a firm believer that each of us has some form of talent but not everyone has established what that talent might be. It may take years before we realize we do possess a skill that we may deem as talent. Some people can dance and some can sing, and even though you might not physically see the talent, doesn’t mean you don’t have a talent.
For me personally, I figured out early in my life that God blessed me with athletic talent, especially in baseball. I was born with skills that not everyone possessed, and I took advantage of those skills. But it was through this talent that it gave me the confidence I needed to compete on a baseball diamond at a high level. It allowed me to play in high school, college and later in professional baseball. But it gave me something much greater than being good at a sport, it gave the confidence and the foundation I needed to be successful in life.
But let’s look at a bass fisherman and someone who is considered the greatest bass angler of all time….Kevin Van Dam (KVD). Now this is talent and is a great example of God given talent as there are legendary stories of Kevin’s abilities as a bass fisherman. KVD was born with instincts very few anglers have.
For years KVD made decisions that baffled other anglers including his own family. His brother Randy gave me an example of KVD’s talent as they often fished together growing up. He told the story of how Kevin, Randy and their dad were all fishing together one day and struggling to catch fish. Then after a lengthy time of no bites, out of the blue Kevin decided to pick up a jerkbait for no apparent reason and started whacking them.
When asked why he thought that was what they needed to be doing, KVD said, “It just felt right.” That’s instincts or God-given talent that very few anglers have. It’s knowing when to change baits or change locations, it’s a feel for doing the right thing at the right time. This talent is what separates the great anglers from the average anglers.
Now some talent can be enhanced and developed, whether it’s in a particular sport or a concept like singing. An athlete for example, can be made stronger, faster or quicker with proper training, but there needs to be some resemblance of talent from the Lord almighty to work with. You can’t turn a sloth into a tiger or if you take the stripes off a Zebra, that doesn’t make it a thoroughbred.
Once again, we all have some form of talent. It just might take a awhile before we realize or recognize what that talent might be. God has blessed each of us in different ways and wants you to take advantage of whatever that talent might be. Talent comes in many different forms and what someone may deem as unsubstantial, may truly be a gift from God. But with proper guidance or coaching, an individual can figure out the best way to utilize that talent.
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and if you want to become a better outdoorsman, tune into the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show every Wednesday live from 11 a.m. til 1 p.m. on AM 1130 The Tiger, our Facebook page or catch us on our YouTube channel.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
New for the 2024 football season is the Mickey Joseph Show, a weekly look inside the Grambling State University football program with exclusive interviews with Coach Joseph, staff and players.
The show will also include in-depth analysis and highlights from the previous weekend’s game.
The show will air every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. CST on HBCU+. If fans miss the live airing, the show will be posted on gsutigers.com.
In addition to tuning into the Mickey Joseph Show, fans are encouraged to purchase their 2024 season tickets today. Visit gsutigers.com to secure your seats today.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Cynthia Aillet Kavanaugh Murry August 28, 1931 – August 24, 2024 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, August 30, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am Cemetery: Forest Lawn Cemetery ~ Ruston, Saturday, August 31, 2024 Mass: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am
Leon F. Blankenship, Jr. Monday 11/28/1955 — Friday 08/09/2024 Funeral Service: Friday 08/30/2024 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Friday 08/30/2024 Following Service, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 2413 Highway 425, Rayville
Theresa McMurray Mason Thursday 05/03/1951 — Wednesday 08/21/2024 Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/31/2024 11:00am, Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ, 1405 South Farmerville Street, Ruston Interment: Saturday 08/31/2024 Following Service, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, 326 Par Rd 454, Ruston
(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
_________________________________________________
Name: Jennifer Mamon
Age: 38
Employer: Experience Ruston
Title: Sales and Services Manager
Hometown: Ruston, LA
Years Living in Ruston: Lifelong resident (proud “home girl”!)
Civic Volunteer Organizations: Lincoln Rotary Club
Professional Highlights: Over the past seven years, I’ve steadily grown within Experience Ruston, from administrative assistant to Director of Destination Sales with a proven track record of enhancing visitor satisfaction and streamlining several operations. This journey provided me with a deep understanding of the organization and allowed me to hone my customer service skills. My current role capitalizes on my strong community relationships and industry connections to promote Ruston and Lincoln Parish as a leading small-market destination.
Beyond my professional work, I actively contribute as Lincoln Rotary Club’s Public Image Chair and participate in several tourism-related organizations including Group Tour Committee Chair for the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights and a Committee Member for the Louisiana Travel Association DEI Task Force. This combination of experience, community involvement, and recognition as a Rising Lincoln Leader fuels my passion for promoting our thriving destination.
Tori Davis, Director of Marketing & Communications at Experience Ruston, on Jennifer Mamon:
“Jennifer is such an invaluable asset to the Ruston community. She has an incredible gift of building relationships, identifying needs and opportunities, and finding creative solutions to fill those gaps. She is endlessly caring and thoughtful, which can be seen in her personal and professional relationships, through her volunteer work in the community, and when interacting with visitors and tourism stakeholders. It’s been a joy to work alongside Jennifer and see her grow into the strong leader she is today.”
Q&A with Jennifer Mamon:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Lincoln Parish holds a special place in my heart. It’s a community that thrives on a genuine sense of connection. Here, you’ll find friendly faces, a strong work ethic, and a deep commitment to making our home a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
We have a vibrant cultural scene, with a rich history reflected in our museums and local festivals. We also have stunning natural beauty that offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. Most importantly, it’s the people who make Lincoln Parish special. Our neighbors are always willing to lend a helping hand, and there’s a strong sense of community spirit that makes everyone feel welcome.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
In my role at Experience Ruston, I have the privilege of showcasing Lincoln Parish’s charm to visitors from all over. It’s incredibly rewarding to attract new people to our community and help them discover the hidden gems we have to offer.
Beyond my work, I’m actively involved with the Lincoln Rotary Club. Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” perfectly captures my passion for giving back. Whether it’s volunteering in literacy programs or participating in service projects, I believe everyone has a role to play in strengthening our community.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
Several individuals have been instrumental in my professional growth. My husband, LaDarius Mamon, has been a constant source of encouragement and support. His entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering belief in my abilities have pushed me to strive for excellence.
Amanda Carrier, my incredible boss at Experience Ruston, has been an invaluable mentor. Her guidance in developing my sales and leadership skills has been instrumental in my career advancement. Tori Davis and Amy Stegall, both pillars of the Ruston community, have also played significant roles. Their expertise in marketing and community development has broadened my perspective and inspired me to make a positive impact on our city.
Each of these individuals has instilled in me the importance of staying true to myself, continuously learning, and giving back to the community. Their support and mentorship have been invaluable in shaping the professional I am today.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Photo provided by Stephanie Seal Morse; Loy Seal and his wife Debra are interviewed by LSU crews about his favorite Tiger Stadium memories.
By Judith Roberts
Seven is a lucky number.
While LSU boasts 70,000 season ticket holders, Ruston resident Loy Seal was one of seven individuals selected as part of the Tiger Stadium 100 Fan Memory Wall.
Tiger Stadium is celebrating 100 years this season, and during the Sept. 21 home game against UCLA, Seal will be recognized on the field, and an interview of some of his memories of Tiger Stadium will be featured on the videoboard.
“It is a deep honor,” Seal, a 1972 graduate of LSU, said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
Seal and his wife Deborah have been season ticket holders for 50 years, and Seal said he went to his first LSU game at 3 months old.
“My dad was in graduate school at LSU, and they took me to all the games,” Seal said. “The first game that I remember was a Mississippi State game in 1961, which was the 10th anniversary of my dad’s master’s degree.”
His favorite LSU memory, however, came just a decade later.
“(It was) the 1971 game against Notre Dame,” he said. “Notre Dame was favorite; Notre Dame was highly ranked. And LSU beat them 28 to 8. Bert Jones from Ruston threw three touchdown passes in that game to Andy Hamilton, also from Ruston. And (Hamilton) caught a pass in the game where he literally knocked the Notre Dame All American defender off his feet and then caught it all along and ran in the end zone.”
Seal and his family moved to Texas in 1985 so he could pursue a master’s degree in religious education from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary, and he let his sister have the tickets while he was out of state.
“I kept buying them because I didn’t think I’d ever get them again,” he said. “My sister, who was teaching in Baton Rouge, bought them from me. And so, she was there sitting in my seat, and there was a man sitting directly in front of her, and they met. And a year later they were married. So my sister met her husband in Tiger Stadium.”
Seal said he and his family – which now includes daughters- and sons-in law and grandchildren – are ready to make their way to Tiger Stadium again next month to cheer on their favorite team – and cheer on Seal as well.
“I have many cherished memories,” Seal said.
And in case anyone is wondering – seats 32 and 33 in Row 23, Section 421 – if anyone happens to sit there, those are the ones where so many Seal family memories have been made for 50 years.
Two men were arrested by Louisiana State Police after a traffic stop yielded marijuana and an illegal firearms.
At about 11 p.m., a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Toyota Corolla on Louisiana Highway 145. The driver, Gabriel Carter, 19, Grambling, denied the presence of any drugs or weapons in the vehicle after the trooper detected an overwhelming older of marijuana.
A search of the vehicle located a backpack in the rear floorboard containing three bags of marijuana and two loaded firearms, a Springfield .45 and a Glock .40.
The passenger, Jailin M. Jones 18, pulled two bags of marijuana from his pocket. Both men were arrested, but denied knowledge of the contents of the backpack. Multiple clear bags used to package marijuana and scales were found in the vehicle.
Carter was booked for possession of marijuana, possession of firearms in the presence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure wear a seatbelt, and improper lane usage. Jones was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of firearms in the presence of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bail was set at $7,500 for each man.
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.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Ruston Parks & Recreation (RPAR) is gearing up for Fall with a range of activities for all ages—youth, adults, and seniors. Whether you’re looking to make new friends, stay active, or try something new, RPAR has something for everyone. To explore and register for leagues and activities, visit RPAR’s website at http://www.ruston.org/registration. Here are the Fall offerings available:
Youth
Flag Football (Ages 5 -12)
Flag football is returning to the Sports Complex soccer fields on Monday evenings. Registration is open until September 3rd, and the season will run from September 22nd to October 22nd. Fees are $65 for residents and $75 for non-residents.
Soccer (Ages 4 -16)
Soccer games will be held on Saturday mornings at the Sports Complex soccer fields. Registration is open until September 3rd, with the season running from September 28th to October 26th. The fees are $65 for residents and $75 for non-residents.
Volleyball (Ages 8 -12)
RPAR is introducing a new volleyball league this Fall. This recreational league is for children aged 8 to 12 and focuses on teaching the fundamentals of the game. Registration is open until September 3rd, so be sure to sign up soon! The season begins on September 26th and runs through October 22nd, with games scheduled for Thursday evenings. The fees are $65 for residents and $75 for non-residents.
Legacy League (Ages 5 – UP)
Legacy League is designed for our special needs community in Ruston and Lincoln Parish, is set to kick off from November 2nd through November 23rd. This inclusive league will spotlight a different sport each week, offering participants a chance to explore and enjoy various activities. Games will be held on Saturday mornings, and the fee to participate is $10 per player. • 3×3 Basketball – Northern LA Power League (Ages 5 -12)
RPAR is excited to announce a new partnership with Ten-10 Training to offer the Northern LA Power League at the Sports Complex. Registration for this 5-week program is now open. Teams will enjoy multiple games per night, with matches scheduled on Saturdays and two Fridays throughout the season. At the end of the season, an All-Star Night will feature a variety of competitions, including a 3-point shootout, an 8-foot dunk contest, a vertical jump contest, and a laser 3/4 court sprint test. The cost to participate is $85 per player or $510 per team of six. Registration ends 9/23/24.
Volunteer Coaches are always needed to help with our youth sports. If you’re interested or want to learn more give RPAR a call today!
Adult
Adult Men’s and Co-Ed Softball
Following a successful summer Co-Ed season, our Fall Softball League is kicking off with both Men’s and Co-Ed divisions. Dust off your cleats, gather your team, and join us for some exciting games! Games will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting September 12th. The cost to participate is $300 per team.
Adult Pickleball League
Our Fall Pickleball League is back and better than ever! Games are held on Mondays at 6:00 PM, and the league welcomes players of all skill levels—Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The league runs until September 30th, with a fee of $8 per night. For more information or to sign up, please email marcnewman@rustonla.gov or call 318-255-5800.
Seniors
Fitness Classes
Join us indoors at the Ruston Sports Complex for Senior Adult Fitness Classes! Our self-paced classes are designed for all fitness levels and schedules. Classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays and will be available until December 12th. All classes are free! Sign up at
http://www.rustonsportscomplex.com under the senior adult fitness tab. For more info, contact Landry Burback at (318) 255-5800 or landryburback@rustonla.gov.
Class descriptions:
Cardio Mix: A dynamic and engaging class. Enjoy low-impact dance, rhythmic movements, and aerobic exercises that promote heart health, energy, and overall well-being in a group environment. Get ready to be up on your feet and put some pep in your step!
Chair/Strength: Combine chair exercises with functional strength training in this full body workout class. This class combines seated exercises and light to moderate resistance training to improve strength and endurance that transfers to lots of daily living activities!
Yoga: This class will work to increase flexibility, balance, and range of motion. A chair can also be used to meet a variety of fitness levels. This is a great addition to your Wednesday afternoon to enjoy some relaxation and fitness fun.
Tuesdays:
8AM – 9AM | Chair Strength
9:30AM – 10:30AM | Cardio Mix
Wednesdays:
9:30AM – 10:30AM | Cardio Mix
2PM – 2:30PM |Yoga
Thursdays:
8AM – 9 AM |Chair/Strength
All registrations for RPAR activities can be done online on the RPAR website.
To learn about RPAR and what’s offered visit http://www.ruston.org/registrationor call 318-255-5800 during working hours (M/T/W/TH | 7:30AM – 5:00PM) (F | 7:30AM – 11:30AM)
Just like everything else in life, the art world has seen some major evolution in recent years as our technology advances and access becomes more widespread. We’ve seen artists evolve from painting and drawing on paper to now applying the same skills and techniques to a digital medium.
Chlese Henderson is a young digital illustrator here in Ruston. She first arrived as a new student at Louisiana Tech in 2015 and has established strong roots here since. Chlese says that she loves creating imaginative characters and illustrating stories around them.
However, she doesn’t just work in digital art. She also sews and uses this skill to create new and unique clothing from upcycled materials. She particularly likes to work with vintage fabrics, buttons and trims to bring something nostalgic to her creations.
Like so many other local artists, Henderson says that she has been making art for as long as she can remember, since she could hold a pencil in her own hands. Chlese says that while her iPad and Apple Pencil are among her favorite tools to work with, she also enjoys a good mechanical pencil with a fresh eraser and nice smooth blank paper.’”
Chlese graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Digital Illustration from Louisiana Tech in 2019. Since then she was awarded the Argent Distinguished Fellow for The Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts & Sciences Residency in 2022. She has participated in various local art exhibits and was a featured artist in NCLAC’s 2023 Holiday Arts Tour with her sister Camellia.
Henderson claims her biggest inspiration for her work comes from people and nature. “I often see these distinct characteristics as I pass people out in the world, like their hair or fashion choices, and I love taking those little bits of them that I notice and honoring that person by including it in a character I draw,” explains Chlese, “I also love doing the same thing with nature; taking the specific little beauties I see in rocks, clouds, sunlight, or a leaf and putting that beauty into my work.”
Chlese’s passion for art comes from the freedom in expression she finds in her journey. She also says that she loves that art allows her to connect with others, making the world and our communities more beautiful, vibrant, and fun.
When asked about her creative process, Henderson says that she always have to be full of life’s good things before she can create. “I feel most ready to create art after I’ve gone on a walk, had a good conversation with a friend, read an amazing book, or seen other art that makes me happy,” states Chlese. Among famous artists that Chlese draws further inspiration from are Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack), Tiffany Ford (Craig of the Creek), Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall), Anna-Laura Sullivan, and Hiller Goodspeed.
Chlese says that she hopes to convey many different things through her art, but if she had to pick just one, it’s that she wants her art to convey that Black girls and women are fun and imaginative too. She has this piece of advice for other creatives, “When you create, try your hardest not to worry about what you think people want you to make. Rather, create what makes you smile and what captures your interest. Even if it doesn’t get the most likes, you’ll always be proud of it!”
You can follow Chlese Henderson on Instagram at chlarts as well as her website at chlesejiles.wixsite.com/mysite. She is also part of a collaborative pop-up art shop with her sister Camellia Bailey, aptly named Sister Shop. You can find them on Instagram at sistershop.jiles.
Bigger question. Are you ready to win $200 in cash … with the potential to make it $400 if you are perfect on the week (including predicting the No. 1 tiebreaker exactly right).
Starting this week, the Lincoln Parish Journal is proud to host the Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy.
If you live in the deep south, you know College Football is King!
Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $200 cash prize (maybe $400). Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 15 college football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests).
The Karl Malone Toyota College Football Pick’em Contest presented by Northern Louisiana Medical Center and Johnson Physical Therapy will be conducted for 14 regular season weeks of the college season starting with this week’s games.
There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Lincoln Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.
All contest decisions by LPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified Monday and will be requested to take a photo that will run in the following week’s LPJ.
Every participant will receive a FREE subscription to the Journal, if you’re not already signed up for the easily-navigated, convenient 6:55 a.m. daily e-mail. Enjoy it all, for FREE, and enter each week’s contest. You could collect $200 each week!
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
The Ruston Duplicate Bridge Club (RDBC) held a charity event on August 15 at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.
The event was to honor Betty Sheeler, one of the group’s beloved members, who with tremendous grace and courage, is living with pancreatic cancer.
The RDBC event raised $4,767 from this event for the Lustgarten Foundation, which funds pancreatic cancer research.
Bridge is like going to a gym for the brain, in as much as studies have shown that playing strategic games like bridge can help keep your brain healthy.
The RDBC invites all duplicate bridge players to join us on the first, third, and fifth Thursday of every month at the Presbyterian Church of Ruston. Check-in begins at 12:30 and play begins at 1:00 pm. Card fees are $5, and you must register to play no later than the day before the game.
The RDBC is an open game, so players from other towns are also welcome. If you would like to join, please leave a message for Judith Howard at (318) 243-5146, and she will get you signed up.
This is an ACBL sanctioned game, which means master points are awarded, but most people just play for fun and fellowship. All are welcome.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police/CID/Detectives – Monroe Field Office (LSP MFO) were requested by the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office (ECPSO) to investigate a homicide that occurred at the Riverbend Detention Center.
The preliminary investigation revealed that two inmates began fighting inside the dormitory, which resulted in one inmate’s death.
LSP MFO will serve as the lead investigating agency, with ECPSO assisting. The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
This morning, shortly after 1:00 a.m., a Trooper assigned to Troop A was on patrol and observed a vehicle cross the divider line while traveling south on Interstate 110 in East Baton Rouge Parish. A traffic stop was initiated, and the driver was identified as 28-year-old Isaiah Gilbert of Hammond.
At the time of the arrest, Gilbert was on leave following a separate incident on March 10, 2024, where he was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (1st Offense) and Careless Operation. Gilbert has been employed with the Louisiana State Police since 2021.
During the DWI investigation this morning, Gilbert was transported to Troop A, where he gave a breath sample, which registered above the legal limit. He was transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and booked on the following charges: Improper Lane Usage, Driving While Intoxicated (2nd Offense), Driving While Under Suspension for CertainOffenses, Simple Damage to Property, and Open Container.
Gilbert remains on leave with all law enforcement property previously recovered pending the conclusion of criminal and administrative investigations.
The Louisiana Tech Athletics department and Smoothie King announced Monday a partnership to make the Spirit of ’88 smoothie available ahead of the 2024 football season. Proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Bulldog Community Outreach NIL program to benefit student-athletes.
“We are excited about this partnership with Smoothie King and the creation of the Spirit of ’88 smoothie,” said Ryan Ivey, Vice President and Director of Athletics at LA Tech. “While the landscape of college athletics changes around us, the one constant that we have is great people who care about making a difference. Bradley and the team at Smoothie King have focused on their ability to make a difference, in which we are incredibly thankful.”
“We are excited to partner with La Tech Athletics on the Spirit of 88 smoothie,” said Bradley Walker, Smoothie King franchisee. “As a 2004 graduate, I am proud to be able to give back to the Bulldog Community Outreach NIL program. I want to thank Ryan Ivey and Wally Crittenden for their help in making this collaboration happen. This partnership is another way for Smoothie King to achieve our mission of inspiring everyone to live a healthy and active lifestyle.”
Fans wishing to enjoy the new Spirit of ’88 smoothie can expect a Power Slim Vanilla base with Blue Spirulina and multivitamin added. Ingredients are bananas, Califia Farms Almond Milk and Power Slim Protein.
“This collaboration is a creative and innovative way to have a direct impact on and in the lives of our student-athletes. Collaborations like these provide a great example of how we can “Bark Louder” together for our department and community. We look forward to more collaborations in the future.”
Fans wishing to support the Bulldog Community Outreach NIL program may contribute to the sport of your choice here: www.caringcent.com/latnil.
_________________________
SPIRIT OF ’88 For more than 25 years, a bronze Bulldog statue named the Spirit of ’88 stood at the south end of Joe Aillet stadium directly behind the goal posts, commemorating the 1988 Bulldog football team which blazed the path into Division I-A football for Louisiana Tech.
However, with the construction of the Davison Athletics Complex which opened in late August 2015, the Spirit of ’88 moved directly inside the doors of the hallway that lead from the Bulldog locker room onto the Joe Aillet Stadium playing surface in the southwest corner of the facility.
The statue, which every Bulldog football player touches as he walks onto the field prior to each home game, is symbolic of the challenges that the 1988 team endured, competing against one of the most difficult schedules in school history while playing with only 65 scholarships – the allotted amount for Division I-AA teams. In what was the nation’s 11th toughest schedule that year, the Bulldogs faced five I-A bowl teams including Houston, Florida State and Texas A&M.
Some wins have been more magical than others. The endings to three of the biggest wins in school history have taken place in the south end zone … almost as if the Spirit of ’88 willed the Bulldogs to victory.
Some may say the powers of that bronze Bulldog are a fluke. Tech fans won’t agree.
Louisiana Tech Athletics announced on Friday a new texting platform with VOZZI that will provide an additional way for the department to communicate with the Bulldog Nation fan base.
VOZZI will allow the Louisiana Tech Athletic ticket office, LTAC office and student engagement office to contact fans via text message with updates on game information, special offers, ticket wait lists, giving opportunities, student promotions and more. Beginning this fall, fans with ticket buying history, giving history or students in our database with cell phone numbers on their account will be able to receive text alerts about any weather delays, schedule updates, and more.
An approved vendor of major phone carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, VOZZI is being used by athletics departments, professional franchises, entertainers and music festivals across the country to drive engagement through one-on-one and mass texts.
Bulldog fans without ticketing or giving history wishing to sign up to receive information via VOZZI can use the below keywords to subscribe to information they wish to receive.
Opt In To sign up, text the appropriate keywords below to 833-314-2208. Texting the keyword subscribes fans to those notifications.
LTAC – meant for LTAC related information that may be related to giving opportunities, special events and pledge reminders.
Sports – for fans interested in receiving updates about Bulldog sports updates. Texts may be about scores, weather delay updates, general fan engagement, and more.
Tickets – for fans interested in receiving updates about Bulldog ticket offers. Texts may be about ticket offers, mini-plans, and more.
Students – for students interested in receiving updates about Bulldog athletics. Texts may be about student priority points, student promotions, events, and more.
Opt Out At any time, fans may reply or text STOP to be unsubscribed. Unsubscribing removes the phone number from all Louisiana Tech Athletics text alerts.
Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP at any time to opt out of the service. Please click for detailed information on the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Any information that we collect through SMS/MMS will not be shared with third parties or affiliates.
Fans may also opt in to generic text messages using this link.
Peggy Ann Kimbell, age 74 of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on August 19, 2024. She was born on January 16, 1950, in Bryan, Texas. She is preceded in death by her father, Charles Raymond Kimbell and mother, Minnie Jean Kocurek Kimbell.
Peggy is survived by one brother, Donald Kimbell and wife, Katie; two nephews: Bradley Kimbell and wife, Alicia and Daniel Kimbell and wife, Kendal; four great nephews: Gaige, Logan, Bryce and Forman and one great niece, Tylar.
Peggy was a 1968 graduate of Ruston High School. She received her LPN at Confederate Memorial School of Nursing in Shreveport and later her RN. She has resided and worked in Galveston, Texas, Honolulu, Hawaii and Seattle, Washington. At retirement she returned to Louisiana to take care of her mother.
The Kimbell family would like to thank all our friends, classmates and church families for your prayers and words of support.
Cynthia Aillet Kavanaugh Murry August 28, 1931 – August 24, 2024 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Friday, August 30, 2024, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am Cemetery: Forest Lawn Cemetery ~ Ruston, Saturday, August 31, 2024 Mass: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Saturday, August 31, 2024, 10:00 am
Leon F. Blankenship, Jr. Monday 11/28/1955 — Friday 08/09/2024 Funeral Service: Friday 08/30/2024 10:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Friday 08/30/2024 Following Service, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 2413 Highway 425, Rayville
Theresa McMurray Mason Thursday 05/03/1951 — Wednesday 08/21/2024 Celebration of Life: Saturday 08/31/2024 11:00am, Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ, 1405 South Farmerville Street, Ruston Interment: Saturday 08/31/2024 Following Service, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, 326 Par Rd 454, Ruston
