Lifestyle

The REAL ID enforcement date is approaching and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is encouraging residents to prepare now. Beginning on May 7, 2025, the only state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards federal agencies will accept for official purposes are those that meet REAL ID standards. OMV is urging all residents to consider a REAL ID compliant credential when renewing their license or identification card. Residents who are not eligible for renewal can upgrade by applying for a duplicate license or identification card that is REAL ID compliant.

“All Louisiana residents should review the REAL ID requirements and plan accordingly. Do not wait until the last minute. Now is the time to prepare for the May 2025 enforcement date,” stated OMV Commissioner Karen St. Germain. A Louisiana REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card will display a gold circle with a star cutout in the top right corner.

The Pearl Anniversary Celebration of the Louisiana Political Museum & Hall of Fame will be held on August 26. Thirty years ago, the grand opening of the museum was held on Huey P Long’s 100th birthday, August 30. During the years in between the museum has created a space to showcase the political culture of our great state within a historic building, the old L&A Railroad Depot (circa 1908).

The mission of the museum has always been to provide resources and memorabilia regarding the rich political history and affairs of our legendary State of Louisiana. The museum houses over 300,000 pieces of memorabilia and has inducted over 200 individuals into the Hall of Fame. There has also been special recognition of over 50 individuals, families and groups receiving awards such as the Friends of Earl K Long Award, the Family of Officeholders Award, the Jimmy Davis Award, and the Louisiana Distinguished Leadership Award.

Caring and Sharing in Unity along with Winn Healthy Initiatives Coalition sponsored a “Back to School Party” on Friday, July 14 at the Winnfield Civic Center. Families were given free toiletry items, back packs, school supplies and lots of education and social services information.

Addison Jacobsen and Chloe Whisonant, recent graduates of Winnfield Senior High School, were the special guests of the Winnfield Rotary Club at its meeting on July 12, 2023. Addison was the recipient of the Rotary Club’s Lawrence White Memorial Scholarship, and Chloe the recipient of Rotary’s Tommy H. Harrel Memorial Scholarship.

Rotary’s Lawrence White Memorial Scholarship is available to any senior graduating from Winnfield Senior High School, and the Tommy H. Harrel Memorial Scholarship is available to any senior graduating from any high school in Winn Parish. Winnfield’s Rotary Club also awards the Don Purser Memorial Scholarship to any senior graduating from any high school in Winn Parish and enrolling in Central Louisiana Technical Community College. That scholarship has not yet been awarded this year and the application process is still open at this time.

Residents and staff of Autumn Leaves Nursing and Rehab celebrated Father’s Day with a lots of food, beautiful decoration, and gifts for the residents.

Nurse Kacie has been busy this summer doing different activities with students at Winnfield Primary School. These students are part of the summer school program. This particular day, the students learned how to make pickles.

Mrs Nikki Triplett and Mr Kenny Higgs were recently given the “We Can, We Will” award. These two teachers love their school and have given so much to the student body and all of their extracurriculers. Congratulations to you both.

Chet Atkins introduced Robert Gentry to the Kiwanis club, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Mr. Gentry came to tell the story of his experiences with Governor Earl Long. Gentry grew up in Marthaville and was poor but decided he wanted to make something of his life so after high school graduation he attended Northwestern State College and graduated with a degree in journalism. He worked for several area newspapers and now has an office at the radio station in Many and is on the Open Line program with Ted Dumas.

In the summer of 1960 Gentry was a 20 year old student at Northwestern in journalism. He had no car.

It was a day of celebration for All Hours Fitness, Winnfield location. Members of Winn Chamber of Commerce were present for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Also on hand were the owners of AHF who own 16 or 17 locations throughout Texas and Louisiana. The Winnfield location itself has been in business for 25 years. This is the second location. AHF was originally opened down town and then moved to the current location at 6252, US-167. It began with just the original co ed area. In 2019, the ladies area was added. In December, 2022 the new expansion began and was completed in March, 2023.

Eight Winfield Middle School students participated in the Cenla Beginners Honor Band at Buckeye High School recently. Those who participated were: Raishun Harris, Natalie Cormier, Alyesha Green, Deacon Sonnier, Cyrus Mockosher, Judson Jordan, Roy Schnieder, Samuel James.