Spirit Of Christmas Brings Joy To
Holiday
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Thanks to the
generosity and coordinated effort of Brookshire's, the Homer Lions Club,
Claiborne Parish 4-H, Boy Scouts, citizens in Claiborne Parish who donated food
items, and a host of volunteers, the "Spirit of Christmas" was truly
shared with those in need in Claiborne Parish. The Spirit of Christmas Food
Drive was able to put a little more joy into the Christmas season for over 100
area families. More than 140 boxes of food items and 115 roasting hens were
delivered last Friday.
Dedicated
Claiborne Parish 4-H Junior Leaders worked several hours Friday morning,
sorting and boxing over 3,200 pounds of food items in the Fellowship Hall of
First Presbyterian Church in Homer. The filled boxes and roasting hens were
then delivered by members of the Homer Lions Club with assistance by Claiborne
Parish Sheriff's Office, Homer Police Department, and Rev. John McClelland,
pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Homer.
Junior 4-H
Leaders who participated were Jeremy Smith, Jake Anderson, Christopher Burch,
Courtney Standard, Sarah Clements, Starr Goss, and Zach Taylor. Adult leaders Renea Burch, Daphne Clements, and Jerry Clements lent
helping hands, as well as Shaquaila Jones and Sheret Kelley, 4-H Jr. Leaders who graduated last year.
They were served a
hearty breakfast courtesy of the Homer Lion's Club, prepared by
Lions Pat Gladney and Dick Dorrell.
Others aiding
in the collection of the nonperishable food items were the Shelby Point Hunting
Club of Baileytown, area schools through the
Claiborne Parish 4-H Club, and Boy Scouts.
THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS could be seen last Friday as 4-H Junior Leaders worked to sort and box
over 3,200 pounds of food items collected throughout the month. More than 100
area families received over 140 boxes of food and at least one roasting hen for
their Christmas holiday, thanks to the generosity and volunteer work of the
Claiborne Parish community.
IN THE "SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS", Shelia
West and daughter "Little Sheila" were among
more than 100 area families who received boxes of food and roasting hens for
the upcoming holiday, thanks to the generosity of folks in Claiborne Parish who
contributed to the Brookshire's food drive.
What Christmas Means To Me....
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Several years
ago the catch phrase at Christmas was "Jesus is the Reason for the
Season." Christmas has different meanings to different people and
different religions, but when you ask a second grader what Christmas means to
them, you are likely to get an answer that includes Jesus. Most agree it is a
special time of year, a time when families gather to exchange gifts, and a time
to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes it is
through the simple eyes of a child that the true meaning of Christmas is
revealed. Most second grade students in Claiborne Parish believe it is about
Jesus, love, giving, sharing, being kind, and spending time with family, than
about getting gifts from jolly old St. Nicholas.
Below you will
find what Christmas means to them, in their own words.
SANTA CLAUS made an early
stop in Homer this week to visit with some of the area children and help Homer
Police officers and Town of Homer business staff distribute bicycles, wagons,
and other gifts.
Haynesville Man Arrested For Drugs
A
joint effort between the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office and the Union County
Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division in Arkansas, resulted in the arrest of Jesse Todd
Barker of Haynesville according to Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey. Barker,
26, was
arrested on 4 counts of delivery of a controlled dangerous substance
(Methamphetamine) and 2 counts of delivery of a controlled substance (Schedule
II narcotics).
Sheriff deputies Randy Pugh and Randy Smith apprehended Barker at
his residence at 1725 Hwy. 161 in Haynesville. Bond was set at $100,000.
Lake Drawdown Extension Requested
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
Commissioners
of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District voted to submit a request to the
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to extend the
drawdown of Lake Claiborne about two weeks, through the end of January, 2005.
Harvey Christian with DOTD and regional biologist James Seales
with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were on hand to address concerns
about the drawdown at the quarterly meeting of the Watershed Commission held
last Thursday.
Significant
rainfall since the beginning of the drawdown on September 7, 2004 has hindered
property owners around the lake making repairs to their shoreline. Jim Anderson, chairman of the Lake Claiborne
Advisory Committee, asked the Commission to consider requesting an extension of
the drawdown, prompting opposition from at least two business owners on the
lake.
Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
Society International met Saturday, December 4 at Linder
Motor Lodge for breakfast brunch. One of their projects was to collect
Christmas gifts for children. This year members voted to donate gifts to
Claiborne Parish D.A.R.T. for their special Christmas project for
children. Mary Ellen Gamble was presented
some of the gifts by Beta Alpha Chapter president, Pam Suggs. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a
professional honorary society of women educators.
Policy Approved For New Police Officers
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal
The Haynesville
Town Council voted to approve a new policy for newly hired police officers at
their regular meeting on Thursday, December 16. With a split 2-2 vote,
Haynesville Mayor Mickey Mayfield broke the tie by voting to in favor of
requiring uncertified police officers hired by the Town to commit to working
for two years once they successfully complete police academy training. After
some discussion about the performance of police officers, the Council voted to
go into executive session. Upon returning to open session, councilmen Otto
Black and Joyce Major voted to approve the policy, while H. U. "Mutt"
Slaid and Alvin Kendrick voted against the motion.
Mayfield said
it was becoming increasingly difficult to get and keep good certified officers
in small towns. The Town pays to have an officer trained and many times they
will accept a better paying position elsewhere once they have their
certification, leaving the Town looking to fill the vacant position. This will
at least give the Town an opportunity to recover some of their money. In the future,
new officers will be required to enter a signed contract when hired.
Housing Authority Elects Officers,
Changes Meeting Time
The Homer
Housing Authority Board of Commissioners held its last monthly meeting for the
2004 year on Tuesday, December 14, 2004. Chairman James Ridley presided over
the meeting, which consisted of a slightly shorter agenda than the board had
experienced in a while. Officers elected for 2005 were as follows: Chairman
Mary Sawyers, Vice Chairman James Ridley, Finance Reviewer Rev. Ray Jiles, Operations/Maintenance Willie Curry, and Resident
Commissioner Terry Willis.
The Board of
Commissioners voted to changed the monthly meeting
date from Tuesday to the third Monday each month. Meetings will be held at 5 PM
at the Housing Authority office located at 329 Oil Mill Street.
December 31 Is Deadline For Reservations
To Annual Chamber Banquet
John David
Watson, Executive Director for the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, would like to
remind everyone that December 31, 2004 is the deadline to make reservations for
the 40th Annual Chamber Banquet to be held Monday, January 10 at Homer City
Hall. This year's guest speaker will be Congressman Jim McCrery. The Banquet theme is "Field of Dreams:
Build It & They Will Come". Banquet reservations are available for $25
per person. Tables can be reserved for an additional $25 or $30 depending on
table size. All reservations must be paid in advance to confirm seating before
the December 31 deadline and seating is limited to 300 people. No tickets will
be necessary and reservations will not be available at the door. To make your reservation, call the Chamber
office at (318) 927-3271.
The Guardian-Journal Will Not Publish
Newspaper December 30
We would like
to notify our readers, as in the past several years, we will not publish a
newspaper on Thursday, December 30, 2004. Our next newspaper will be published
on Thursday, January 6, 2005. All of us at The Guardian-Journal would like to wish all our readers a
safe and joyous holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Kathy, Bill, Gerry, Cathy, Vernon, Susan
Christmas Memory Tree
In Memory Of—Given By
Paulanna Ruth H. Gladney - Dr. Pat, Paula, &
Patsy
Vallee & Duck Pixley
- Gwen Pixley Eades
Kyle Hammons - Drew & Devin Durham
Kyle Hammons - Whitney, Hillary, Sydney, Morrigan
Kay Odom-Whitney, Hillary & Sydney Higginbotham
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Brooks - Louise Ross
Mr. & Mrs. John Richard Brooks - Louise Ross
Henry Brooks - Louise Ross
Lucille Brooks - Louise Ross
Andrew L. Brooks - Louise Ross
Richard Brooks - Louise Ross
Mardeste Brooks - Louise Ross
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Kendrick -Charles & Lillian Kendrick
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Nation - Charles & Lillian Kendrick
Alton Edmonds - Joey, Racheal &
Hall Edmonds
Luther Benard Allgood
- Billie B. Allgood
In Honor Of—Given
By
David & Carolyn Moore - Mack & Maybelle
Ramsey
Ray Herring - Jeanie Herring and children
Harold Belcher - Amy, David, Leslie, Layton Bays
