HEADLINES - January 30, 2003

Humor, Optimism—Necessary In These Troubled Times

Chamber Banquet Theme: Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

"Life is fun!" was the message humorist Charles Ray Webber, Jr. delivered to those who attended the Homer-Claiborne Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Monday, January 27. He said, "We are living in troubled times, but we are living in the greatest nation in the world. We can overcome anything...but we've got to keep our sense of humor." We need to be flexible but optimistic. He said politicians and farmers are the most optimistic people. He never met a politician that did not expect to win and farmers always believe their crop will be better next year.

Haynesville Talent Sings Her Way To Touring Contract

- Angie Mills Gets Start “Singing Karaoke”

BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal

Angie Mills of Haynesville never sang publicly in her life until about five years ago, when several college friends from LSU signed her up to sing karaoke as a practical joke then had to haul her onto the stage clinging to her bar stool. It was a big step and she was scared to death. The song was “No Place That Far,” originally recorded by Sara Evans. When she finished, she was a little surprised to find no one threw things at her. By this time, she was hooked. Karaoke became her favorite pastime, which continued in 2000 when she transferred to Bossier Parish Community College.

Saturday Shooting Believed To Be An Accident

Demetric Combs, 19, of Homer died sometime Sunday, January 19 after he received a single gunshot wound to the head around 10 PM Saturday night, Jan. 18. Combs was headed to a local club with friends, when they stopped to pick up the .25-caliber automatic pistol presumed to be the weapon he was shot with. The male driver of the car and the female passenger told Homer police officers the shooting was an accident. Combs was seated in the rear right side of the vehicle when the gun went off, apparently striking Combs on the left side of the head. The two young adults immediately took Combs to Homer Memorial Hospital, where he was stabilized then airlifted to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport. Police chief Rodney Hollenshead said they were continuing to interview anyone who might could shed some light on the situation. He said,

“Right now, we feel like it was an accident. We don’t feel he committed suicide. We have to give credit to the eyewitnesses unless evidence proves otherwise.”

Junction City School Board Accepts Superintendent Kelly’s Resignation

The Junction City School District #75 met in regular session January 15 and voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Alvin Kelly. Following executive session to discuss personnel matters, President Randy Lyons read Kelly’s letter of resignation, then made a motion to accept it, reserving the right to hire him back as a consultant. The motion passed unanimously. Under other business, the Board approved a request by Beverly Adkins to transfer her son from the Junction City School District to the El Dorado School District. The Board approved Kelly’s recommendation to advertise for bids on a 65 passenger school bus. To make up the day missed December 13 due to the flu, the Board voted to use February 18, the staff development day and move the staff development day to February 14, on President’s Day/Daisy Bates Day. Kelly informed the Board at the December 10 meeting that 145 students, or 20 percent of the total school’s enrollment, were out with the flu.

JANUARY 30, 2003 NEWS BRIEFS

Claiborne One Is Presently Soliciting New Sponsors

The Claiborne One website at www.claiborneone.org features news from Homer, Haynesville, Junction City, and all of Claiborne Parish. They are presently soliciting new and added sponsors. To contribute news or purchase advertising banner, call Joel Ponder at 927-9787 or Al Lynn at 927-9674.

Haynesville Study Club To Meet At Home Of Rose Newell

The Haynesville Study Club will meet Wednesday, February 5 in the home of Rose Newell with Laura Tinsley serving as co-hostess.Beverly Hooks will review the book Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark. The short topic will be presented by Lucille Walker. Members are encouraged to attend.

Claiborne Bass Busters To Meet Thursday, January 30, 7 PM

The Claiborne Bass Busters will meet Thursday, January 30 at 7 PM at the Homer Fire Station. New members are welcome. For more info, call Daryl Cheney at 927-4943.

Claiborne Parish Jubilee Committee To Meet Feb. 6

The Claiborne Parish Jubilee Committee will meet Thursday, Februray 6 at 5 PM at Homer City Hall. All interested persons are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Martha Peters at 927-9793 or Susan Herring at 927-3541.

CCC Project Gold Club To Meet Saturday, February 8

Community Coordinating Council—Project Gold Golden Raiders Club will meet Saturday, February 8 at 1 PM in the Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church Fellowship Hall in Homer. All Project Gold members and any person 62 years or older interested in becoming a member are encouraged to be present. Contact Marie Gray at 927-6705 or Joe Etta Williams at 927-9444 for any additional information.

Homer-Mayfield Reunion To Meet Tuesday, February 4

Homer-Mayfield Alumni School Reunion will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 4 at 6 PM at 906 South 4th Street in Homer.

Summerfield High PTO To Meet February 3 At School

Summerfield High School PTO to meet February 3 at 6:30 PM at the school to begin making plans for their 3rd annual fundraiser and auction on May 3. Parents encouraged to attend.

St. Jude Radiothon Set For February 10-11 On KXKZ

The KRUS KXKZ-Zeta Rho 2003 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon will be February 10-11 from 7 AM to 9 PM daily. For more information on how to make pledges, listen to KXKZ at 107.5 fm. For more information, call Mary Poe at 255-5000.

Stewardess Lane Chapel CME To Sponsor Prayer Breakfast

The Stewardess of Lane Chapel C.M.E. is sponsoring a Prayer Breakfast on February 1 at 9 AM at the Childhood Learning Center. See any of the Stewardesses to purchase a ticket. Guest speaker will be State Representative Rick Gallot.

Christmas Festival To Host Wild Game Supper Feb. 1

Christmas Festival to host Wild Game Supper February 1st at Homer City Hall beginning at 5 PM. Donations will be accepted. Area hunters will be serving their specialtities.

Homer Memorial To Offer Free Childbirth Preparation Class

Homer Memorial Hospital will offer Childbirth Preparations Classes beginning Thursday, February 6. Classes are free and are open to anyone wishing to attend. To register, call the hospital at 927-2024 and ask for the OB nurse.

Immanuel Word Center To Present Teen Night February 5

Immanuel Word Center to present "Teen Night", a night of music, drama and dance featuring "Team Extreme" on Wednesday, February 5 at 7 PM. For more information, call 927-9080.

Mt. Olive Christian School To Hold Special Auction February 1

Mt. Olive Christian School will hold a special auction on Saturday, February 1 at 10 AM at the Middle School property (1-1/2 miles east of Athens on Hwy. 518). The owners of the Trading Post in Ruston have donated all merchandise to the school. All the merchandise must be sold before the annual auction in April. There is something for everyone. A free continental breakfast will be served from 8-9 AM with concessions available the rest of the day. For more info, contact Len Gantt at 258-5483 or 253-0674.

Account Set Up At Regions Bank For Cancer Patient Alicia Lewis

An account has been set up at Regions Bank in Homer to help defray expenses for Alicia Lewis, who is presently undergoing chemotherapy and will soon face radiation treatments for breast cancer. Her present condition making her unable to return to work at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.

Homer High Drama Club To Present “Yearbook” Thurs. February 13

The Homer High School Drama Club will present “Yearbook”, a two-act salute to young people on Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 PM on the Homer High auditorium stage. Tickets are $2 and $1 for preschool, and can be purchased from Drama Club members or from Director Denice Owens. If your school teachers, fellow students, and memories of yearbooks are important to you, you will not want to miss this event. Come and support the youth of your community. A portion of the proceeds of this play go to the Columbine High Memorial Fund.

Absentee Voting Set For Feb. 15 Senate Runoff Election

Absentee voting for the February 15 runoff election for State Senate District 36 will be Monday, February 3 through Saturday, February 8. The Claiborne Parish Registrar of Voters office will be open 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Friday and from 8:30 AM till noon on Saturday.

Stuffing Needed For Dolls And Teddy Bears—Can You Help?

Local ladies who meet the first Tuesday every month to make dolls and teddy bears as gifts for needy children and lap robes for the elderly, need more stuffing for the bears and dolls. The ladies meet at the Homer Church of Christ Annex building on West Main (Hwy. 79) between 9 AM and 2 PM. For more information, call Kay Lowery at 927-4705.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 75 Selling Gold Star Banners

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #75 is selling Gold Star Banners. They are available at The General Store for $7 each.

Christmas Festival Committee Needs Recipes For Cookbook

The Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival 2003 are collecting favorite recipes from people in the community to be published in a beautiful spiral bound cookbook. Each recipe that is selected will show the name of the contributor. Please send 3 or 4 of your favorite recipes as soon as possible to Miss Lizzie’s, 400 West 3rd St. Homer, LA 71040.

Reserve Your Homer Elementary School Yearbook Now For $15

Reserve you Homer Elementary Yearbook now. Until February 1, 2003, the price is $15. After February 1, 2003, yearbooks will be $20. Cash payments only are accepted.

First Baptist Church Arcadia To Host Wild Game Banquet Feb. 1

First Baptist Church in Arcadia will host their annual Wild Game Banquet at 6 PM on Saturday, February 1 in the church gym. The meal will be a catered fried fish dinner. Door prizes. Tickets are $5 per person and available at the church office at 318-263-8474.