Airport grant could be in jeopardy

Stallion working towards relocation

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Could the Town of Homer be looking at financial ruin?

That was the question at the regular town council meeting Monday night when the council voted 3-2 against appointing an engineering firm other than the one recommended. The council had formed a committee to look into the issue of appointing an engineering firm to handle the continuing project of safety and security at the Homer Municipal Airport.

The grant, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, would be used to begin work on getting the proper lighting at the airport to allow nighttime flights to resume.

Based on the recommendations of the committee, the motion to appoint Alliance Engineering for the grant was put before the council, but failed. Right behind that motion, another motion was made to appoint Balar, the town’s current engineering firm, for the job, and it passed.

The concern is that if the town does not use the engineering firm recommended by the committee, then the town will lose the grant. Another concern is that if another complaint is filed by the FAA about Stallion Heavy Haulers being housed at the airport, then the town could lose the grant anyway.

“If we don’t do that (elect Alliance), they’re (FAA) going to file another complaint and we’re going to lose this grant,” Johnson said. “If we don’t do the right thing here, we’re going to be in big trouble.”

Under the terms of the grant, Johnson said, the council was legally obligated to take the recommendation of the council and elect the highest scoring company (Alliance) as the engineers for the grant.

Johnson said the reason Alliance was chosen was not only because they scored higher, but this engineering firm has the certifications and expertise in airports, where Balar does not. This is the key issue of the FAA, he said.

What was not said in the meeting Monday is that Balar put in a bid, but they did so with Denmon and Associates in Monroe listed with them. According to Mayor David Newell, Denmon has the certifications and expertise needed to do the job. This means that the stipulations of the grant application would be met.

If the airport is not brought into compliance with FAA rules and regulations, the town would lose the grant anyway and could be forced to pay back grant money already received for improvements.

“I’m going to review the issue,” Newell said, “and move forward. I think if we don’t follow the stipulations then we’re not going to get additional money, so we have to follow the stipulations. The question is, what are those?”

Newell recommended giving this information to Town Attorney Jim Colvin for a written opinion and whether the issue needs to be revisited. If it needs to be revisited, the town will discuss the issue in a special meeting set to be scheduled later this month. The special meeting will be called to elect officers for Homer Hospital’s board of directors before the end of the year, but will include this issue if the need arises.

Wade Holloway with Stallion Heavy Haulers did say that although they are not sure about the time frame, negotiations are in the works to get the company out of the airport. A piece of property in Homer has been earmarked, he said, and the negotiations have been turned over to the corporate office in Houston, Texas, where their properties and facilities manager Austin Adami will work out the details.

Two juveniles caught in back of Coke truck

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Two juveniles from Hope Youth Ranch thought they could get away.

Two 15-year-old males were being transported from Hope Youth Ranch in Webster Parish to a doctor’s appointment in Homer. They escaped and made their way to the Valero convenience store where a Coca-Cola truck was located. The two boys crawled into the back of the truck

“When the driver of the Coca-Cola truck went back out there to unload some more of his delivery, he noticed some feet sticking out from behind the crate,” said Homer Police Chief Russell Mills. “He shut the door and called the police.”

Homer Police Officer Mike Rayburn and CPSO Lt. Jimmy Brown responded to the call and took the boys into custody. They released them back into the custody of Hope Youth Ranch.

Homer Police Officers Norah Banks and J.D. Faulkner as well as Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Booth assisted in the boys’ apprehension.

No charges were filed.

In other news, several people were arrested on Sunday, December 2, for resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.

Two women were arrested for resisting an officer and disturbing the peace. Constance Emerson, of Homer, was arrested after interfering with the arrest of Damian Burns. Burns was arrested for resisting an officer, simple escape, cruelty to juveniles and disturbing the peace.

Emerson tried to keep Officers Van McDaniel and John Bailey from restraining Burns. After Burns was placed in the back seat of the patrol car, Sonja Burns, also of Homer, went to the car and open the door to let Burns out of the car.

Once Burns was out of the car, he and Sonja Burns went to her residence. Once inside, Sonja Burns closed the door and tried to keep officers from taking Burns into custody. Once the officers gained entry into her home, Damian Burns was taken back into custody. Sonja Burns was then read her rights. She resisted arrest and McDaniel and Bailey had to physically restrain her. She was taken into custody and charged with disturbing the peace, resisting an officer and assisting escape. Bond for disturbing the peace and resisting an officer were both set at $500 each, while the assisting escape charge was set at $2,000.

Bond for Emerson was set at $500 each on both charges and bond on Damian Burns was set at $500 each for resisting an officer, cruelty to juveniles and disturbing the peace. Bond for the simple escape charge was set at $2,000.

In an unrelated case on that same date, two men were arrested for disturbing the peace after Homer Police received a call regarding a domestic dispute.

Tony Mitchell and Kevin Ford, both of Homer, were involved in an altercation regarding an ongoing situation between the two. According to police reports, the two have been arrested before regarding the same situation.

Bond was set at $500 each for both men.

Claiborne Christmas Tour of Homes

Tour of Homes set for December 15, 16

The Claiborne Christmas Tour of Homes, December 15-16, will include five homes and the historic Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The Friday evening tour will offer the opportunity to see the Christmas lights after dark and will be from 6-9 p.m. Those preferring to travel in the daylight may choose the Sunday afternoon tour from 1-4 p.m. the following day.

Anderson Home

Michael, Mary Ellen and Mary Claire Anderson will welcome guests to their home at 706 North Main Street, across from First United Methodist Church in Homer. The Andersons are the first family not related to the original home’s builders to live there. The original house, with its seven gables, was built in the mid-1800’s as the Town of Homer was being established. The sills were hand hewn from logs more than 24 feet in length and were mortised and tenoned into sills and top plates and fastened with wooden pegs. The lumber was dressed only on the exposed side. Tees, cross tees and corners were hewn from logs. The only nails used were square nails. It was built by the White Family and lived in by five generations.

Many of those who will tour the home will remember White’s Dry Goods Store on West Main on the Square. The space is now encompassed by the center of the Police Jury Complex. Mrs. Anderson will display a cabinet made of wood and glass used for many years in the store to display jewelry and ties.

Although the Serpell White family made numerous changes to the home in the mid 1900’s, such as removing the transoms over the doorways, the home retains its original hardwood floors. Visitors will be treated to a varied display of Christmas trees throughout the home and are sure of a warm welcome by the Anderson family.

Willis Home

Across the street to the west of the Methodist Church, the home of Terry and Judy Willis will also welcome visitors, but only for the Friday evening tour. Garlands of lights, bows and greenery mark the front walkway to the home, which displays a large “Happy Birthday, Jesus” lighted sign in the front yard. Bells and bows continue the decorations as guests can enjoy the matching swings on the front porch before entering the home’s public areas. A beautifully decorated tree to the left as one enters the home is only the largest of the numerous holiday treats. Be sure to note the unusual nativity to the right of the living room before entering the dining room to enjoy light refreshments.

This home was built in the mid 1930’s by George and Mattie White. The builder was Shelton Gill who also built the home across the street now occupied by the Newell Law Firm. The White’s best friends were Clyde and Penny Kitchens with whom they cooperated in the ice and dairy businesses, starting the Homer Creamery, best known for its Hom-R-Maid ice cream. Mr. White continued for many years to influence the dairy business throughout Louisiana. Mrs. White was known for her beautiful gardens and excellent baking skills. Fortunate was the family who received a Mattie White Pound Cake, delicately flavored with almond extract.

Claiborne Parish Courthouse

Only a block from the Anderson and Willis homes is the Claiborne Parish Courthouse which dates from 1861, one of the oldest public buildings still in use in Louisiana today. Of the four antebellum courthouses remaining in the state, this is the only one still serving in its original capacity. Its original cost was $12,304.36. The hand made bricks used were red and fired in a local kiln. The lumber was from Middlefork bottom. Originally, the building featured open hallways crossing in the downstairs which provided good circulation and with the substantial overhang of the roof, made for maximum cooling in the long summer months. Often, dances were held in the wide hallways during the first years of the structure.

Though significant changes have been made in the structure to keep pace with modern needs, the wide hallways will once again open for socializing this month when Judge Jenifer Clason will provide bountiful refreshments for all attending the tour. Catered by Judy Davis of Tall Timbers, the treats will continue with the opportunity to view the tree decorated by the Boys and Girls Club with a theme of “Memories of Our Past, Promise of Our Future.” A tour guide will share stories in the courtroom on the second floor.

Next week’s papers will feature details of the homes on Arlington Drive built in recent years. The Claiborne Jubilee and the Christmas Festival committees urge everyone to secure tickets for $10 each, available at The Raven Bookstore, the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce, Fred Smith and Sons in Homer, and at Killgore’s Pharmacy in Haynesville. For more information, contact or call 927-2566.

CPSO shuts down alleged meth lab

The Guardian-Journal

On Tuesday, November 27, several law enforcement agencies worked together to bring down what was believed to be a meth lab.

The Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department (CPSO), the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET), the Louisiana State Police and the Minden Police Department arrested three suspects for creation or operation of a clandestine lab for the purpose of manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance and conspiracy to manufacture Schedule II CDS (methamphetamine).

Those arrested were Tina Y. Cook, Robert M. Anaya, and William D. Petty, all of Hot Springs, Ark.

Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey stated that the investigation started when the CPSO/CNET agents received information that a white female and two white males were trying to purchase iodine at a local store in Homer. Agents were also advised that these individuals were traveling in a green Isuzu Trooper with Arkansas license #116MOF.

Agents responded immediately and started surveillance of these suspects. This surveillance led officers to several businesses in Minden and then back into Claiborne Parish. Surveillance and further investigation revealed that these subjects had purchased pseudophedrine and attempted to purchase iodine, which are necessary chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

While these subjects traveled north on U.S. Hwy. 79 towards Homer, narcotics agents directed CPSO Lt. Randy Pugh to make an investigative stop of the vehicle. During this stop, further investigation led to the seizure of cold medication containing pseudophedrine, 10,000 matches, which contain red phosphorous, and paint thinner, which is a solvent. These chemicals are all used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

These subjects were then transferred to the CPSO Criminal Investigations Division where two of the suspects confessed they had traveled from Hot Springs to Louisiana to purchase iodine to make methamphetamine.

Upon completion of this investigation, all three subjects were booked into jail with bond to be set. On November 28, 2nd Judicial District Judge Glen Fallin set bond at $100,000 on each suspect.

Bailey encourages the public to notify area law enforcement agencies of any suspicious or illegal activity that is going on in their neighborhoods. Concerned citizens can call CNET at 318-927-9800; the Louisiana State Police at 318-676-3200; the Homer Police Department at 318-927-4000; the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355; or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.

Any and all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.

Fire engulfs home in Homer

The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates

A fire broke out at the home of Kent Webster in Homer Tuesday morning, causing moderate to heavy damage. The Homer Fire Department as well as the Homer Police Department responded to the scene, quickly extinguishing the flames. When the fire department arrived on scene, they reported visible flames and heavy smoke. The home sustained damage to the back of the house, sustaining heavy smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. Luckily, no one was home at the time. The fire was believed to have started at the northwest corner of the Monroe Avenue home. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Council passes proposed budget

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The Homer Town Council adopted its 2008 proposed budget at its regular meeting and the numbers look good.

Finance Committee Chairman James Colvin Sr. said the proposed budget for 2008 projects approximately the same amount of revenue, if not a small decrease, as in 2007, but a few added expenditures would dip into those revenues. Overall, though, the numbers are holding steady, he said.

“We’re holding pretty steady,” Colvin said. “Now, one of the problems in comparing 2008 with 2007 is find the apples in both places, instead of apples and oranges, because of the old bookkeeping system. It was difficult to track 2007 expenditures, specifically as they are going to relate to 2008. Consequently, overall, we’re recognizing that we’re going to be about the same in revenues unless something catastrophic happens.”

In other words, the town is spending a little more in the 2008 budget, but it isn’t going to hurt.

Colvin wanted to recognize all the department heads for working hard to provide the numbers needed to help him with the budget. Colvin himself was commended for the hard work and numerous hours he’s put into handling the town’s finances.

The town has budgeted enough money next year to give all town employees a four percent raise. This does not mean that all town employees will get a raise, it just means the money is there if the decision is made to do so.

“All this was doing was kind of putting a wish list out there,” Homer Mayor David Newell said, “and making sure our numbers worked, and allowing us to do business, but no action was taken. All it means is that we are authorized through state law everything in the budget.”

He emphasized that he has no intention of spending money without going through the council first.

Money was also allotted in the proposed budget to accommodate the purchase of another building. If a building is not purchased, that means the money will stay there.

“We have the opportunity to buy the Beacon Plastics Building, but J.T. Taylor asked me to hold off on that,” Newell said.

While looking at the budget, Councilman Toney Johnson raised concerns about Homer’s aging water system. There is only so much money in the budget and he wants to look into obtaining grants to fund an entire new system.

But, because of a lien on a current grant by McInnis Brothers in Minden, the Town of Homer cannot close the grant until a settlement has been reached. This year alone, Homer has requested seven different grants and did not get one because of the lien. A settlement amount has been budgeted into the proposed budget.

“We’re probably one of the few towns in the state that didn’t get any money out of all the money the state had,” Newell said. “Because of the lien that’s been filed, and the issue with McInnis, they said we’re not eligible.”

Newell said he has been trying to meet with Balar and McInnis for the last 30 days to work towards a resolution.

Also, a nominal amount has been budgeted for the film industry. The mayor said it is in the works to get Films Northwest to film the “Bonnie and Clyde” movie in Homer, and it was said that Homer is in the top running, if not the top choice, to film.

The money used in last year’s budget was used in cooperation with the surrounding area for promotional material to attract the film industry to this area.

In the industrial development fund, $250,000 was allotted to cover what it will take to help bring industry in or keep industry. Colvin said that this money is not there to spend for any and every little thing. What it means, he said, is the industrial board will not have to back before the council to amend the budget. Now, if they want to spend a certain amount, they will have to go back before the council for approval, but it saves a step in that they will not have to amend the budget.

“The council will still be involved in the details of what’s being spent, but the $250,000 has now been earmarked for industrial inducement,” Colvin said.

The mayor emphasized that if there is no reason to spend the money, then it will not be spent.

To clarify, Colvin said this money belongs to the Town of Homer, not the industrial board. He said the industrial board does not have any funds, but the money earmarked is for industrial inducement – which is what the industrial board does.

“It has to come to the council in order to gain funds, and all the activity has to be in the name and benefit of the Town of Homer,” he said.

In other news, the council adopted the minutes from the November regular meeting as well as the two special meetings held on November 5, regarding the refinancing of the hospital bonds as well as setting the hearing for the 2008 budget.

Also in that meeting, Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher requested the purchase of a new fire truck and the Homer Police Chief requested new vehicles and equipment. That issue is still being studied.

The council also voted to have Town Attorney Jim Colvin proceed with a countersuit against former town clerk Rita Mitchell. Councilman J.C. Moore opposed the motion.

The council also approved the minutes from the November 9 special meeting regarding the purchase of the old Wal-Mart building.

A resolution was also passed to put Lyons Hill Bridge on the Federal Bridge Replacement Program.

Accounts payable for November 2007 was also approved in the council’s regular meeting Monday. The 2008 proposed budget was also approved. Beer licenses for 2008 were also renewed except for the discount store. Because the owner sold alcohol to an underage person, the store’s license will not be renewed and remains closed.

The council was expected to meet in executive session regarding personnel issues, misconduct of an officer. At Mills’ request, that issue has been continued.

Train derails in Homer causing extensive damage to track

Chlorine tankers threatened to leak

The Guardian-Journal

Three chlorine tankers derailed right behind Berry Plastics Corporation, better known to locals as Ludlow, in Homer Thursday morning just before lunch.

One tanker stood upright, while the other two lay on their sides, threatening to leak the dangerous chemical into the ground.

The train was heading north, when the two cars fell on their sides and the third derailed, staying upright.

They were detached from the wheels of the car, uprooting crossties, the steel rails and the track’s base.

Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher said that it looked worse than it actually was, because the shipping containers are not attached to the wheels. The containers just sit atop the wheels.

“The wheels always separate when they turn over because they are held on by gravity,” Butcher said.

The Louisiana State Police HAZMAT unit was called to the scene when the Homer Fire Department determined the cargo the train was pulling. Homer Police responded to the scene as well.

Luckily, Berry Plastics Corporation, merely an estimated 100 yards from where the cars derailed, did not have to evacuate, and no injuries were reported.

Even though the liquid containers were full, there were no leaks. It took derailment crews until about 10 p.m. to upright the cars and reset the track.

The tracks were moved to Magnolia, Ark.

The cause of the derailment is believed to be track separation.

The recent heavy rains could have also been a factor in the track separation, due to the soft track bed, Butcher said.

Inmate group sponsors World AIDS Day program at DWCC

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

Wade Correction Center’s H.E.L.P.E.R. Group and the Philadelphia Center from Shreveport joined the AIDS Action Council and other organizations across the country and around the world in observing the 20th annual World AIDS Day, December 1, 2007.

The H.E.L.P.E.R. (which stands for Health Education Lowers Potential Exposure Risk) Group, which has been active for about 15 years, held their program Friday afternoon, November 30, in the chapel at Wade. The agenda included a welcome by president of the H.E.L.P.E.R. Group, inmate Keith Dees followed by opening remarks given by Warden Jerry Goodwin.

Executive Director of the Philadelphia Center Kenneth Beatty gave the keynote address in which he commended the H.E.L.P.E.R. Group for their positive contributions to inmate education regarding AIDS.

The program also included recitals by inmates Aron Tolliver and Wilbert Bates as well as songs by inmates Kerry Lee, Joe Good, and others. Refreshments and socializing concluded the activities.

With around 30 members, inmate Rodney Gay, vice-president of the group, says “Joining is not simply, ‘Show me where to sign.’” Gay describes the procedure: “Prospective members go through a screening. Their record must be free of writeups (DWCC rules infractions), and each membership candidate must explain in writing why they should be allowed to join the H.E.L.P.E.R. Group.”

He adds that an inmate approved for membership must complete a 3-day training, then pass a Red Cross certification test. Only then is the inmate approved for admittance to the Group and can attend meetings, participate in peer counseling and support, and other activities.

Over 170 organizations are asking all presidential candidates to commit to developing and implementing a national AIDS strategy, according to www.nationalaidsstrategy.org. Among other things, their goal is to bring down HIV infection rates and increase access to treatment .

The purpose of both the H.E.L.P.E.R. Group and World AIDS Day is to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to reinvigorate local and global efforts to stop AIDS.

The theme for 2008 is leadership. Almost 27 years after it was first identified, HIV/AIDS in the United States is still marked by needless deaths, inadequate access to care and treatment, and high levels of rates of new infection.

Special guest brings new ideas to tourism table

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Claiborne Parish citizens met on Monday, November 26, to continue its discussion on ways to reinvigorate marketing the parish as a tourist attraction.

The group had a special guest, Katherine Spears, Restorative Justice coordinator for Louisiana, out of Shreveport. She attended the meeting to help the group with ideas on how to market the parish, and one way to do that, she said, is to “play up” what’s unique about Claiborne.

“The entire state is of equal importance to me,” Spears said. “Louisiana is very important to me to market. We’re seen as ‘Lousy-ana,’ and around other states, that’s what I hear.” The idea is to focus on what the parish has to offer and then get its people to “buy into it,” she said. The uniqueness of the parish is what will sell Claiborne Parish without getting into competition with surrounding parishes. That way, when Claiborne is not seen as a threat, they, also, will play up the parish.

“That’s what my job is for this state, is the restoration of Louisiana,” Spears said, “to become what we know we are – that many of us have forgotten.”

The next step in the process is collecting more history on Claiborne Parish, history from local citizens.

Linda Volentine, committee member, and others, brought some information they had gathered from several communities on different marketable aspects of Claiborne Parish, including restaurants, historic places on the National Historic Registry and other areas of interest.

Volentine had an extensive list that also listed many cemeteries in the parish.

“That is something that is always something people want, especially people wanting to trace genealogy,” she said. “We don’t have any addresses or maps of these. If we could get a map with the addresses, showing the location of some of these cemeteries – that would be a great help.”

Anyone with any information on a cemetery that might not be on the list already compiled should call Americorps Vista volunteer Lauren Tichenor at 927-7129 or the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at 927-3271.

Shops and other interests in areas outside Homer and Haynesville also need to be included. For example, shops, people, and other areas of interest need to be submitted from the communities of Lisbon and Summerfield.

After the group went through areas of interest, the meeting shifted to finding ways to collect some of the history of the parish. Several ideas were put on the table, and Tichenor suggested getting some high school students to collect oral history from local citizens. She also suggested compiling a list of people in the parish who have an intimate knowledge of the parish’s history.

At Spears’ suggestion, the group decided to use students planning to attend college.

“If you were to work with your school counselors and ask what juniors and seniors were going to college, they would need community service work hours for their scholarships to college,” Spears said. “They would be giving back to their community on a ‘Vision for a Better Tomorrow.’ They get credit for this, and they would be the ones interested to do this for you.”

The students would be paired up to one or two people on the list, which gives the tourism committee some semblance of control, and it takes the burden off the teachers. Spears said to ask the students to do the report over their spring break, which takes it out of the classroom, but the tourism committee still has control of when it gets done. This way, the reports and interviews can be documented and submitted with their college applications later.

Tichenor was expected to be in the schools approaching faculty and staff about the idea this last week.

The people on the list will be approached by the tourism committee to get permission to allow the students to contact them and interview them. The history assignment would be done in the spring.

Stuart Clason, a native of Claiborne Parish, said the reason the committee is gathering all this information is to create external interest in things local citizens see every day. And one way to do that is through a website.

Claiborne Parish has a website, www.claiborneone.org, but it needs to be updated, he said. A suggestion he made was to come up with a common theme for the parish, an umbrella under which a parish logo and a color scheme could bring all the great things about the parish together.

“The benefit of doing all this, I think, is to build up the self-image of the people who live in the parish – especially the kids,” said Cynthia Steele, committee member. “If you build up the self-image of the kids, then the adults are going to take notice, too.”

With that being said, committee members agreed that before Claiborne Parish could be marketed to the outside world, it had to start with unity inside.

“What excites me about this program is that we’re figuring out a way to incorporate young kids, we’re figuring out a way to make them interact with the elders of our community,” Clason said. “It’s all about the internal solidity. Before we can do anything outside, we have to stand together internally.”

The next meeting is set for December 10 at 2 p.m. at the police jury complex events room.

Museum seeks old photos to use in pictoral history book

The Guardian-Journal

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a book coming out about Claiborne Parish should be priceless. With a little help from generous townspeople, the book surely will be.

The H.S. Ford Memorial Museum is looking for old photographs that might be used in “Images of America: Claiborne Parish,” a pictorial history to be published by Arcadia Publishing.

The importance of family collections cannot be overemphasized. Vintage photographs become increasingly fragile and by scanning and reproducing them in a book, they become available for all to see.

We are seeking vintage photographs in the following areas:

·        Claiborne Parish Courthouse

·        The L&NW

·        The Oil Boom

·        Business districts in all of Claiborne Parish

·        Old homes and churches

·        Schools

Anyone having photographs to be considered for “Images of America: Claiborne Parish,” may contact Linda Volentine at or 318-927-9190.

“Spirit of Christmas” Food Drive Underway

The 26th Annual “Spirit of Christmas” Food Drive sponsored by Brookshire's Grocery Company and the Homer Lions Club is now underway and will continue through Friday, December 21, 2007. This local food drive provides food for needy families in the Claiborne Parish area at Christmas. Area residents may make donations by placing non-perishable food items in designated bins at Brookshire's in Homer.

The Spirit of Christmas Food Drive began in 1982, when 92 families in Tyler, Texas, received assistance. All food collected in the Homer area will be distributed in Claiborne Parish. Families assisted by the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive are selected by local relief organizations or government agencies according to need. Last year, approximately 160 boxes were delivered to families in Claiborne Parish.

People are asked to please “not” donate homemade goods or items in glass jars. Bulk items, such as flour, sugar, and corn meal, should be donated in smaller sizes to allow for more variety in the boxes given to the recipients.

In addition to the public food donations, each family will receive at least one roasting hen from Brookshire's Grocery Co. As in the past, 4-H Junior Leaders will sort and package the food boxes for shipping prior to delivery on Friday, December 21.

Homer Lions Club members will deliver boxes between 11 AM and 5 PM on December 21 with assistance from Sheriff Ken Bailey and the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Police Chief Russell Mills and the Homer Police Department, and Police Chief Anthony Smith and the Haynesville Police Department.

Persons may also drop food items at First Presbyterian Church in Homer, as long as they call Pastor John McClelland in advance at 927-4804 or 927-3887. Families with the most need and who have no transportation will be given first consideration. Applications forms and Information Release forms will be available at Homer City Hall, Haynesville City Hall, Athens Town Hall, and the Claiborne Parish Office of Family Services at 622 East 2nd Street in Homer.

For more information or if you know a family who needs to be added to this list, please call Susan Herring at 927-4352 or 268-0611.

Doll Makers donate 100s of dolls to Wade toy project

Shown above are some of the hundreds of dolls (and some bears, too) contributed by local doll makers to Wade Correction Center’s inmate toymaking project as well as for underprivileged and abused children.

The Guardian-Journal

The Doll Makers met with Major Corodney Specks from David Wade Correction Center at the Police Jury Complex in Homer on November 28 and presented him with over 400 dolls as well in addition to stuffed bears for the inmate toy-making project.

Freda Hinze described how the dolls are made, then shared background on how the doll makers got started.

Reading from an account prepared by Dora Hatch, Hinze said, “It began with a phone call from Jerry Thompson at Wade Correction Center back in the fall of 1998. Thompson was calling Dora Ann Hatch, LSU AgCenter Extension Agent: ‘Dora, do you know of anybody, a group, who would like to become involved in making dolls for wooden toys that the inmates out here are making?’

Hinze went on, “Thompson explained that the inmates were making toys for underprivileged children. He said the toys needed companions, maybe lovable, cuddly dolls.

“The AgCenter sponsors local meetings of the Family and Community Education Club (FCE), so Hatch  brought up the matter at the next meeting, explaining that Thompson had requested 100 dolls by the first of December.

“Voting to help, the FCE immediately selected a simple doll pattern, perfected face painting, learned how to stuff dolls, and devised an assembly line to meet the deadline.

Hinze continued, “The FCE invited Thompson to their September (1998) gathering to meet the aspiring dollmakers. After praising the women for their kindness, he thanked them for agreeing to make 400 dolls by Christmas.

“Startled to hear they were now making 400 dolls instead of 100, they turned to Hatch, who, likewise surprised, asked when had the number gone up. Thompson simply said, ‘Oh, if you can’t do it, that’s OK, but it sure would be nice.’

“That became a challenge, and the new doll makers rose to the occasion by making 456 dolls that first year. As a matter of fact, the doll makers have not made less than 400 dolls each year since nor have they had a break in service.

“So who are these doll makers? The backbone of the doll makers have been women associated with the LSU AgCenter’s Extension programs in adult education. They have cut, sewn, and stitched over the years in a number of places in Homer and presently meet in the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex.

“While the majority of doll makers are affiliated with the LSU AgCenter’s Extension Service programs, many other ladies in the community have joined in the fun through the years and contributed doll making materials. Earlier this year the doll makers asked for donations from Fairfield Processing Corporation of Connecticut and were given twenty-five pounds of stuffing.”

Hinze concluded, “Each doll is unique, unlike any other, as is each child who receives one.”

Major Specks presented the Doll Makers a plaque in appreciation for their support of inmates’ toy-making project by making over 4,000 dolls since Thompson first asked almost 10 years ago. (Dora Hatch contributed significantly to this report.)

NOTICE: Deadline For Advertisements

No Later Than 5 p.m. On Mondays

All display and legal advertisements for The Guardian-Journal must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Monday of the week in which it is to appear. Classified ads will be received until 12 p.m (noon) on Tuesday prior to the Thursday publication date. Thank you for your cooperation.