Lifestyle

Vice President Gina Banks presented a Thanksgiving Program to the Kiwanis club, Monday, November 21. She gave a short history of the Thanksgiving that we celebrate today. Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of Mary Had a Little Lamb” wrote many letters to different government leaders before Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed a National Thanksgiving each November. This was toward the end of the civil war and he wanted to bring the country together. It wasn’t until Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency that Thanksgiving was designated to be held on the 4th Thursday of November. Banks also read some Bible verses on Thanksgiving. We then went around the room and every member of the club said something that we were thankful for. Some of the things mentioned were family, health, freedom, our country, God, our town and parish. We are very blessed and we need to be a thankful people.

Frank and Melba Bandy will be celebrating their 60 years of marriage on December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Methodist Church (Hwy. 34) in Montgomery. Both are graduates of Atlanta High School and were married November 22, 1956. Come help celebrate this monumental event. No gifts, please, as your presence is gift enough.

Veteran’s Day was discussed and shown honor to at the First Baptist Church DayCare and Pre-K on November 11, 2016. The FBC Cuddlebugs honored E7 Master Sergent John Weatherford on this day with a special gift for his years of service to and for our country. The Cuddlebugs are very appreciative of the time that Mr. John spends with them on a day to day basis. His honors included 4 years of active duty Marines-Vietnam War; 4 years of reserve Marines; 2 years of Active Duty Airforce-Gulf War; 27 1/2 years of Air Force service; for a total of 37 1/2 years of service. The Cuddlebugs created their handprints to give a lifetime gift of remembrance to Mr. John. Linda Lestage and Nikita Etheridge are the Cuddlebugs teachers

Jennifer Martin, director of development for United Way of Northwest Louisiana, together with vice president of Resource Development Merrill Wautlet, spoke to the Rotary Club of Winnfield on Nov. 9 as the service organization strives to expand its positive impact over all of the 10 parishes within its service area. Martin asked Rotarians what services United Way might assist to improve the quality of life here in Winn Parish. Wautlet explained that while local financial support is vital to the ongoing success of United Way, it is not prerequisite for United Way’s active support here. One message they brought to Rotarians is that funds raised in Winn Parish would stay here. Jay Hinckley who had the week’s program stands with the presenters.

Shown above are American Legion Auxiliary Junior members Alyssa Taylor, Krissy Hoffpauir, Samantha Taylor, Caroline Whisonant, and Chloe Whisonanat placing a wreath at the Everette S. Fick memorial flag pole. Each year on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, a patriotic wreath stands at the monument at the Winn Parish Courthouse placed by members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 9, of Winn Parish. Also present at the ceremony were Gayle Gilcrease, Martha Jordan. Sharon Brian, Carolyn Lang, Kandace Hoffpauir, and Amanda Taylor. The newly formed junior club, under the leadership of Carolyn Lang. meets on the first Monday of each month at 4 pm at the Winn Parish Library. The group learns about different aspects of government and Veterans Affairs, and does service projects such as poppy sales and gifts for veterans at local nursing homes. Daughters, granddaughters, and other female descendants of military veterans are invited to attend and consider joining the young ladies group.

Winnfield Lions Club held their October 11, 2016 meeting at Lynda’s Restaurant. President Dianne Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Don Jones led the pledge, followed by Ronnie Brazzell leading in prayer. Announcements: KEEPING IT CLEAN for the City Clean up- lions participants were Lion Sammy Brian and Lion Don Jones. Cabinet Meeting Alexandria Logans Restaurant 22 October at l1AM thru lunch (dutch treat)

DART(Domestic Abuse Resistance Team) Advocate Stacey Rachal spoke to the Kiwanis club Monday, October 31, 2016. DART works with domestic abuse victims and their familie seven if they don’t leave the abusive situation. DART was founded in 1984 in Ruston, La. Louisiana is #2 in the nation in domestic abuse. DART provides a 24 hour crisis line, shelter, counseling and domestic abuse education. They help with safety planning and getting restraining orders. While many say that restraining orders are just a piece of paper and don’t work, Rachal says they do work. That piece of paper means that the abuser can be arrested if he comes near the abused. A law that was passed by the Legislature is called Gwen’s law (a domestic abuse victim who lost her life) and if an abuser is arrested he or she has to stay in jail for 5 days before bail can be set. These 5days in jail can help to defuse the situation.

Ready or not, it’s time to get into the holiday spirit. The Winn Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 20th annual Christmas Open House from 5 to 9 pm Thursday, November 10th.Every year the town looks forward to showcasing their beautiful city to the community and surrounding areas and believes this event is the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season.

Judge Jay Caraway spoke to the Kiwanis club Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. Judge Caraway has served on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals for 20 years and is up for re-election. He has connections to Winnfield in that his Grandfather was a former pastor of the Methodist Church and his father was born here. He is a member of the Lions Club in Bossier City. Judge Caraway said his bias is that the judiciary as a whole contributes greatly to the stability of our society. The cornerstone of society is the “rule of Law ”.

The Winn Parish Library had LOTS of fun with its first Pumpkin Character Contest. Students checked out a book from the Winn Parish Library and decorated a pumpkin based on a character from that book. Three age divisions were set up, and all of the library branches participated. Over 30 pumpkins were entered from all over the parish, but in the end there could only be one champion for each division. Three judges from the community scored the pumpkins and the winners were: