Surveillance plays key role in
apprehension of thieves
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Surveillance cameras played a key role in the
apprehension of three suspects who burglarized Homer Elementary School last
week.
Before midnight on December 5, three burglars broke out
two windows at the back of the school, one of which was to gain entry the
computer lab from the outside. Once inside, they broke out door windows in
several classrooms.
Three computers, including the towers, monitors,
keyboards, mice and cables, were taken from the school premises. One suspect
was viewed on the security camera carrying a computer monitor on his shoulders.
At that time, the DWCC Wade Chase Team was called in to
assist in the investigation. Dogs were brought in to find the trail of the
suspects from beginning to end. The K-9s started at their exit point and picked
up the trail.
The trail led to a house adjacent to the school property
and that’s where the trail was lost. Police believe the items stolen was
stashed there and later retrieved.
Officer Ken Wood was able to view the video from the
security cameras and identified one suspect as Freddie Champ. Champ was then
brought in for questioning, and once he was interviewed, he gave a statement of
the incident. He was arrested and gave information which led to the arrest of
his other two accomplices, Russell Harris and Russell Mosley.
According to Police Chief Russell Mills, Mosley was
completely uncooperative, but the other two suspects gave police information on
where the computers could be found.
According to statements gathered by police, two of the
three suspects returned to the crime scene and picked up the computers from
behind the location and transported them to another location to be dispersed.
Police also learned that location, and Officers Wood, Van
McDaniel and Chief Mills went to the location and was given permission to
enter. Once inside, all the items were discovered boxed and stored in a small
area of a bedroom.
The location of the stolen items was a vacant residence.
The owner lives in Dallas, Texas, and had no knowledge of the theft.
Claiborne Parish Deputy Randy Smith went to that location
and helped Homer Police photograph and document a layout of the residence in
which the items were recovered.
“The surveillance in play helped lead police to the
suspects,” Mills said. “We were very fortunate that we were able to recover the
computer equipment and return it to the school. Without that surveillance, we
may not have been able to apprehend them.”
All the items were recovered undamaged and released back
to the school.
Officers John Bailey, Roger Smith and Keith Ferguson
assisted in the investigation and apprehension of all three suspects.
Champ, Harris and Mosley, all of Homer, were charged with
simple burglary, simple damage to property and criminal conspiracy. Champ had
an additional charge of simple escape, while Mosley had additional charges of
failure to pay child support and failure to appear. All three have previous
charges in other cases.
Bond for Champ was set at various amounts for each
charge. Bond was set at $20,000 for the simple burglary charge; $5,000 for the
simple escape; $5,000 for simple criminal damage to property and $10,000 for
the criminal conspiracy charge.
Bond for Mosley was set at $504 for the failure to pay
child support charge; no bond for the failure to appear; $20,000 for the simple
burglary; $5,000 for the simple criminal damage to property; and $10,000 for
the criminal conspiracy charge.
Bond for Harris was set at $10,000 for the simple
burglary charge; $2,000 for the simple criminal damage to property and $5,000
for the criminal conspiracy charge.
While conducting an investigation into another crime,
Mills learned that a stolen air conditioning unit was pawned at Minden Pawn and
Gun.
Homer Police contacted the pawn shop, and they advised
that Kent Kimbell pawned the AC unit. The owner of the unit, Perry Dean, was
contacted, and he said the unit had been stolen from one of his properties
across from the Jaycee Park.
Once the proof of ownership was cross-referenced, Homer
Police picked up the AC unit at the pawn shop. Kimbell was then contacted, and
he admitted his involvement.
Other arrests are pending on this case.
“In our effort to deter crime and solve cases,
occasionally something else comes out of it,” Mills said. “If you are a victim
of a crime, do not hesitate to call us. Let us know because chances are,
through other investigations, we may come across it. Never feel like it’s a
waste of your time to report a crime, because it’s not a waste of time for us
to work it.”
Kimbell was arrested on November 29 and charged with
theft under $300 and simple criminal damage to property under $500. He was also
arrested on other warrants in Minden on December 4. Mills picked him up at
which time he was rearrested in Minden for possession of stolen things and
theft by fraud.
Food drive still seeking donations
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. 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.
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.
Both forms for the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive (the
application and the release of information form) should be taken to the
Claiborne Parish Office of Family Services at 622 East 2nd Street in Homer,
next to Piggly Wiggly. If you have already faxed or mailed your form, or
if you have questions about the forms, please call Pam at the Claiborne Parish
OFS at 927-3518, ext. 28.
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 a.m. and 5 p.m. 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 who will be receiving boxes will need to be at home during
this time.
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.
Claiborne Christmas Tour of Homes
Tour of Homes set for this weekend
The Claiborne Christmas Tour of Homes will be held from 6-9 pm on Saturday, December 15 and from 1-4 pm on Sunday, December 16.
Five homes and the courthouse will be open to view
special holiday decorations in sites old and new. Tickets are available for $10
at The Raven Bookstore and the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce on the Square as
well as at Emerson Oil Company and Fred Smith & Sons in Homer and at
Killgore’s Pharmacy in Haynesville. For more information call 927-2566 or visit the parish website
claiborneone.org. Tickets will also be available at the south entrance of the
courthouse during tour hours.
Although Arlington Drive is one of the area’s newest
neighborhoods, it is situated in an area laden with history as it lies just beyond
the Arlington Cemetery off the Hwy. 146, better known as White Lightning Road.
The drive borders the Gladney Farm land and Arlington Farm, the neighboring
cattle and timber farm which was originally developed by the late Fomby Coleman
and later owned by the late Senator Harold Montgomery.
The Bates Home
The very first home visitors will see on the drive was
built by John Crumpler for Patricia and Jimmy Bates who moved in just over 2
years ago. This will be their third Christmas in the home and its decorations
reflect treasures from previous homes gathered on international trips as well
as family traditions. The nativity scene in the center of the circular drive
will greet guests who are asked to park on the road sides rather than on the
lawn.
Columns of lights mark the wide front door where guests
will be greeted by Bates family and friends and have the opportunity to see a
large nativity made of olive wood from Bethlehem, a gift of Dr. Bates’ mother.
Throughout the home, the rich colors of the earth and the
family’s love of Asian art can be seen at every turn. The dining room to the
right of the entry features a trio of trees and glows with shades of copper and
gold. The open flow of the home reflects the gracious hospitality of the family
as guests are invited to move from one welcoming space to another, all
decorated for the season.
At the rear of the home, a tree sprouts everything from
peacock feathers to fish and cotton bolls, and there is even a Christmas
bathroom which can be seen year round. End your visit with a cup of sparkling
punch and a taste of fine chocolate before you move on to your next tour site.
The Watts Home
A little further down Arlington Drive is the home of Chad and Melissa Watts where the family’s love of traditional Christmas themes can be
admired from the entrance bordered with garlands of fresh pine and magnolia
through to the kitchen filled with nutcrackers. More fresh garlands border the
stairway and mantel, and trees are featured in every room.
The largest tree is covered with red berries, pheasant
feathers and special gold crosses, but the family’s favorites have been saved
for a tree in the home’s office where each ornament has great sentimental
value.
Perhaps visitors can persuade the hosts to share some of
their treasures’ history while enjoying light refreshments during the tour.
The Weaver Home
Although it was the first house built on Arlington Drive, the plan of Cathey and Loy Weaver’s home is based on Loy’s memories of his
birthplace, his grandmother’s home in Lincoln Parish built in 1881. It is a
typical two story dog trot style residence common to that period. The Weaver
home includes two wings which were designed as guest houses. The center
of the home has a large open living area appointed to welcome guests in a warm
and relaxed atmosphere.
From the front gallery decorated with sparkling
snowflakes, through the home’s office and public rooms, nature’s bounty can be
enjoyed by all who tour. Be sure to note the open beams entwined with grapevine
and berries before you are dazzled by the fresh 12-foot tree topped with a
mounted wild turkey. Throughout the open floor plan, the rich colors found year
round in the home are complimented by traditional and unconventional shades
including tomato red and celadon green with amber accents, reflecting the
Weaver’s eclectic style. Don’t miss the spurs on the red pepper tree!
Each of the eight trees will provide unique gifts for the
eye, but it will be your trip through the kitchen that will tempt all your
senses. Decorated as an old fashioned confectionery shop, the room gleams with
copper, and the aroma of gingerbread will entice guests to enjoy a Christmas
cookie made by the Weaver’s grandchildren.
Just don’t succumb to the temptation of the gingerbread
house they also created! Top off your visit with a cup of spiced tea, cocoa, or
coffee and be on your way to your next stop back in town where more treats
await on the Square and on North Main Street.
Christmas Parade
The Christmas Parade has been
rescheduled to Saturday, December 15, at 3 p.m. This is also the same day as
the Christmas Tour of Homes. For more information on the parade, please call
Melissa Smith at 927-9359.
Safe and secure
Burglar-proof your home
The Guardian-Journal
Are you one of the millions of Americans who will make
holiday travel part of your Christmas plans?
If you are, you should remember that securing your home
for holiday travel should be part of your overall plans.
Have you considered how safe and secure your home is
while you travel? Well, not as safe as it could be, warned Claiborne Parish
Sheriff Ken Bailey, especially if you do not tend to some simple precautions
prior to leaving home.
“Property crimes are the most reported crimes in the
country,” Bailey said. “And Christmas is a time when house burglars go into
overtime looking for easy opportunities and unwitting victims. So it is all the
more important that everyone pays particular attention to securing their homes
while they travel during the holiday season.”
How can you reduce your risk of becoming a victim of
burglary or theft during the holidays and throughout the year? Bailey has some
practical suggestions for you to help secure your home:
-Advise your local law enforcement agency to place your
home on its patrol list;
-Do not advertise your departure;
-Keep a parked car in your driveway;
-Set your lights and television on a timer;
-Have your newspaper stopped or ask a trusted neighbor or
friend to pick up your paper and other leaflets while you are away;
-Do not state, on your answering machine, that you are
away. If you do not have a machine, take your phone off the hook or turn the
ringer on low so people do not hear your phone endlessly ringing;
-Try to be discreet when packing your luggage;
-Keep your blinds in their normal position – a sudden
change is an announcement that your home is unoccupied;
-Scatter a few items around your yard to create the
illusion that someone is home;
-Make arrangements to have your yard maintained if you
are going to be away for a while; and
-Avoid putting your name on anything that can be viewed
from the street. A visible name could aid a burglar in casing your home, as
they can use your last name and address to look up your phone number. They can
then call your home to see if anybody is at home;
-Activate your home alarm, if you have one.
“Don’t forget,” Bailey concluded, “crime is not something
that always happens to ‘the other guy.’ It can happen to any of us. So, it is
up to all of us to do everything we can to safeguard ourselves as much as
possible, not just during the holidays, but all year long. From all of us at
the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, have a happy and safe holiday.”
Live Nativity
Presbyterian Church to display live
Nativity Scene
The First Presbyterian Church in Homer (behind Capitol
One Bank) are making plans to display a Live Nativity Scene on Wednesday
and Thursday, December 19 and 20, from 5:30-7 p.m. each evening. Everyone from the community is invited to drive by and see the real “Reason for
the Season”— the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Memory Tree
In
Memory Of—Given By
James
Zappa - Amy, Donna, & Sandra
Floyd
Volentine - Avis Volentine & Joe & Beverly Copeland
J.T.
Day - Ronald Day
Doris
D. Volentine - Cecil Volentine
Drew S.
Volentine -Cecil Volentine
Merrell
C. Volentine - Cecil Volentine
Dorothy
V. White - Cecil Volentine
Jean V.
Lochner - Cecil Volentine
Mr.
& Mrs. R. L. Dalrymple - Cecil Volentine
Mr.
& Mrs. Dave Volentine - Cecil Volentine
James
Ware - Mother
James
Owens - Connie
Joie
Teague - Forrest & Karen Richard
Ronnie
Richard - Forrest & Karen Richard
In
Honor Of—Given By
Peggy
Day - Ronald Day
To purchase lights for Memory Tree, send $5 for each name
(“memory” or “honor”) to Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival. P. O. Box 367,
Homer, LA 71040 or take to Fred Smith & Sons, Emerson Oil Co., or The Raven
Book Store.
School board holds last meeting of 2007
Claiborne Parish School Board President
William Maddox shakes hands with Randall Brown, the son of Byron Brown, who was
honored with a resolution for his many years of service with the school board.
Randall Brown accepted a proclamation in his father’s honor.
Claiborne Parish Schools
will close at noon on Friday, Dec. 21 to begin Christmas break. The school bus
schedule will run as any other day. If you have any questions, please call the
school board office at 927-3502. Merry Christmas!
The Guardian-Journal
The Claiborne Parish School Board held its last meeting
of the year Thursday, December 6.
A very special person to the school board was honored by
resolution. Byron Brown was honored for his many years of service to the school
board. His son, who is a teacher in Haynesville, received the proclamation in
his father’s honor. Byron Brown served the Claiborne Parish School Board for 26
years, and recently passed away.
In other news, a change order for Homer High School was tabled.
Brian McGuire, architect, said the students are able to
use the buildings now and all the classrooms are up and running. There are some
boiler, electrical and control issues in the auditorium, however. It was pushed
to January’s meeting to give McGuire more time to resolve the issue.
Personnel actions were also approved. Louise Pickens
(Option III) was hired on November 12 to work until Brenda Bradford returns
from sick leave.
Lisa Ledbetter, a secretary at central office resigned
for other employment, effective Wednesday, Dec. 12. Miriam Prestidge, a teacher
at Haynesville Junior High and Earnestine Tate, a cafeteria technician at Homer High School, both will retire, effective January 1, 2008. Essie Winzer, at bus driver at Athens High School will retire as well, effective Dec. 21.
Charlotte Moring, a teacher at Summerfield, will return
to work Monday, January 7, 2008, per her doctor’s release.
After approval of personnel actions, the school board
took a roll call vote to meet in executive session to discuss a worker’s
compensation settlement. Upon returning to regular session, the board approved
a motion to allow their attorneys to handle the case within the realms of the
executive session discussion.
Because the issue concerned personnel, the discussion was
not made public.
Once they returned to regular session, the board elected
to return to executive session to discuss the pending desegregation litigation
suit. No action was taken.
Superintendent Wayne King then gave his report. He said
that plans were in the making to begin a palm pilot program for the sixth
graders at Homer Junior High School, much like the laptop program at
Haynesville Junior High.
He also reminded everyone that schools will close at noon on Friday, December 21, and will be the official beginning of the Christmas break.
Buses will run as scheduled on that day.
Keeping drugs off the streets
A good samaritan brought this baggie of a
white rock substance to the Homer Police Department last week. Although it
cannot be seen in this picture, the rock substance tested positive for
crack-cocaine, as indicated by its blue color. The person that brought it in
said she found it laying in the street on the south end of Washington Street in
Homer. Anyone with any information regarding who this baggie might belong to or
any information regarding controlled dangerous substances should call the Homer
Police Deparment at 927-4001.
Flu season is near, many consider
getting vaccinated
JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer
In 1796, Edward Jenner, an English doctor, showed that
inoculating people with material from cowpox lesions protected from frequently
fatal smallpox, and the modern vaccine was born.
Since then, vaccinations have been developed for typhoid,
diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, some types of hepatitis, measles,
mumps, shingles, and much more.
According to www.cdc.gov, the website maintained by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The ‘flu shot’ is an
inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle,
usually in the arm. It is approved for those 6 months of age or older,
including healthy people as well as those with chronic medical conditions (such
as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).”
The website notes that 36,000 die each year from the flu,
and another 200,000 are hospitalized.
Flu is most active from late December through early March.
The CDC website points out, “You can still benefit from getting vaccinated
after December, even if flu is present in your community. Vaccine should
continue to be offered to unvaccinated people throughout the flu season as long
as vaccine is still available. Once you get vaccinated, your body makes
protective antibodies in about two weeks.”
Erin White, RN at Claiborne Parish Health Unit, says, “We
have enough flu vaccine for everyone wanting protection.” She mentions that
there is no out-of-pocket cost to those covered by Medicare while the cost is
$10 for others. Some vaccines are covered by Medicaid and private health
insurance.
Anyone unsure whether to get vaccinated should discuss
concerns with their healthcare professional.
-0-0-0-
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
(Benjamin Franklin)
Wash those hands!
According to Debra Baggett-Woodard, Nurse Practitioner at
Homer Memorial Hospital, the single most important preventive people can take
is to wash their hands.
“So many illnesses pass from person to person by touch,”
says Woodard. “December 2-8, 2007, is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and
flu, colds, and the like are spreading right now.”
She goes on, “Many of us were taught in elementary school
to wash our hands after going to the bathroom. While that is certainly
important, we need to develop the habit of washing our hands our hands several
times a day.”
When asked why, Woodard answers, “Because we are actually
picking up pathogens throughout the day. When we are at the store and touch the
produce, others ahead of us may have touched that produce after wiping their
nose. Children at school are touching doorknobs and leaving germs behind. It is
important for them to wash their hands several times a day. And, by the way,
although those alcohol tissues—antimicrobial hand wipes—are better than
nothing, they do not replace good, old-fashioned handwashing.”
The website www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/ describes
“The Right Way to Wash Hands” as follows:
• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all
surfaces.
• Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer?
Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend.
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If
possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
According to Woodard, if healthcare professionals could
get out the word on any single disease deterrent, it would be: “Wash Those
Hands!”
Police jury to help fund Russellville
marker replacement
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury met in regular session
Wednesday, December 5, and discussed several issues on its agenda, which
included partially footing the bill to replace the Russellville historical
marker.
The jury will pay up to $1,000 towards the replacement of
the marker.
“I discovered this one day several years ago after the
parish bush-hogged the roads, that the marker was missing,” said Beverly Volentine,
who has had the broken marker in her possession. “I found it on the ground, and
I found it in this condition.”
The broken marker has been sitting behind her home for
approximately 12 years, and through a series of events, it was decided to bring
the issue before the jury to see what could be done about it.
A piece was broken off the historical marker and cannot
be repaired. The measurement of the pelican at the top of the marker is 10
inches, and the marker itself is 43 inches wide by 29 inches in height. The
total cost of replacement is approximately $1,600, but the jury has earmarked
up to $1,000. The Daughters of the American Resolution (DAR) will also put
money towards the cost of the marker.
It was suggested putting a steel pipe guard around the
marker to keep it from getting knocked down again.
Russellville was established as the first parish seat in
1828, which consisted of several parishes, including Bossier, Bienville,
Webster, and parts of Lincoln, Red River, Winn and Jackson parishes.
According to a letter Volentine submitted to the police
jury, the marker was erected by the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation
and Tourism in 1979 near Athens at the apex of La. 9 and Liles Parish road.
“This is a very historical place. If we don’t do
something to indicate it, it will disappear physically,” Volentine said.
Jerry Adkins said the historical site also has a monument
and is in good shape.
In other news, the polling place in Haynesville has been
changed from Haynesville High School back to the Claiborne Parish Fair Barn. A
list of election dates for 2008 shows no conflicts with other activities to be
held at the fair barn complex next year. Although, any election dates shown for
2008 are subject to change by the legislature.
Other items on the agenda included paying the bills for
the month.
The police jury also passed a motion to enter into an
agreement with Hulsey, Harwood and Co., to allow this company to audit the
jury. A resolution was also adopted for Secretary/Treasurer Dwayne Woodard to
complete the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
This questionnaire, according to a letter from
Legislative Auditor Steve J. Theriot, CPA, is a required part of the financial
audit of the Louisiana governmental entities like the police jury. The letter
also states the police jury must adopt the questionnaire in the form of a
resolution.
In highway department, many things are happening,
including declaring several equipment items as surplus property. The list of
items now considered surplus include: a fuel tank, which holds approximately 75
gallons; a 1995 Ford F250 crew cab truck; a 2001 Dodge 1500 pickup; 2 6-foot
bush-hogs; 2 tractor tires and rims to fit a Ford tractor 8-hole rim 16.9 – 30
forestry special; Ramco Model RS-90P metal cutting band saw; 42” Murry riding
mower 14.5 HP (hydrostic autodrive); Motor 5.9 liter model B5.9-190 with
automatic transmission (came out of a Ford B-700 school bus); 1 5310 John Deere
tractor, 2000 year model, 64HP on engine; 3 bush wackers (bush-hogs), Model
7210 6-foot; various tires and rims to fit lowboys and dump trucks; and 1
Whirlpool commercial ice system, Model CECS3AE2 (repairs needed on ice
machine).
The jury also passed two resolutions concerning
engineering costs and pre-agreement and administrative costs for the jury’s
2008-09 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant application.
Please see next week’s edition for more on the actions
taken at the December police jury meeting.
Police Jury President Roy Mardis was absent, so Vice
President Jerry Adkins presided over the meeting.
December is a multi-cultural holiday
month for many
The Guardian-Journal
For those wanting to be socially-correct,
politically-correct, or “whatever-correct,” the question has arisen again this
year: What’s the appropriate seasonal greeting? Is it “Happy Holidays”? “Merry
Christmas”? “Happy Kwanzaa”? Or something else?
Website www.beliefnet. com attempts to answer the
question: “With so many faiths in our country these days, giving presents
during the holiday season seems more and more complicated. Can you advise what
to give friends and colleagues who celebrate [holidays other than] Christmas?
And when will they ‘officially’ open their presents?”
The website answers, “As you know, America's religious landscape is more pluralistic than ever. You'll want to mind your
‘religious Ps and Qs’ because you obviously respect other faiths and those who
practice them. You can also learn about your own faith by being exposed to
another denomination.”
The website explains that Hanukkah is celebrated for
eight days and began this year after sundown on the evening of December 12.
The traditional greeting is “Happy Hanukkah.” The website
notes that “most any gift is acceptable and appropriate: CDs, videos, books,
clothing, toys. A Hanukkah-related gift for children...might be a dreidel, a
small spinning top that young children play with during the holiday, or a
Hanukkah-related storybook.”
The website also reminds Hanukkah gift-givers that if the
gift is wrapped in the store where purchased, one should make sure it is not
wrapped in the Christmas paper so common in December.
As for when Hanukkah presents are opened, it varies from
family to family. Some open them only on the first night of the holiday while
others open a gift on each of all eight nights. If unsure what to do, the
website suggests offering gifts on the first night of Hanukkah, December 12.
Most people in this area celebrate Christmas on December
25; however, the website notes that “some Orthodox Christians celebrate it on
January 7.”
Although the traditional greeting is “Merry Christmas,”
the website points out, “More religious Christians might say, ‘Have a blessed
Christmas’ to one other.”
As for gifts, most any gift is acceptable and
appropriate: CDs, videos, electronic gadgets, books, clothing, toys. If giving
a present to a child, though, one may want to check with the parents. The
website observes: “Some parents are concerned about the materialism surrounding
Christmas and are trying to limit both the number of presents their children
receive and the amount spent on them.”
As for when presents are opened, that is usually either a
Christmas Eve or Christmas morning event. The website notes, “Some families
open a few presents the night of December 24 and open the rest the next morning.”
It may not be commonly known in this area, but December 8
is Rohatsu, the date for “commemorat[ing] Buddha's enlightenment,” according to
the website. An eight-day observance, Rohatsu begins December 1 and continues
through December 8.
The website notes that although there is no holiday
greeting specifically for Rohatsu, Zen practitioners of Buddhism “greet each
other with the gassho gesture, placing their palms together in front of their
face in an acknowledgement of the other person's Buddha-nature.”
No gifts are exchanged on Rohatsu. “Instead, it is
observed by Zen practitioners, who sit on December 8 in meditation, often all
night long, in remembrance of Buddha seeing the morning star after meditating
for several days preceding his enlightenment,” states the website.
Moslems celebrate Eid ul Adha in December, 2007; however,
the Internet indicates some variances in the dates, such variances apparently
related to the Gregorian calendar (solar-based) and the Islamic calendar
(lunar-based).
The website notes that Eid ul Adha “comes at the end of
the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, which millions of Muslims embark on
each year.” It goes on to point out that Moslems gather with family and friends
during the holiday. When translated, their traditional greeting (Eid Mubarak)
means, “May God make it a blessed feast.”
Although exchanging gifts is not a hard-and-fast custom,
adults may give toys or money to children, and some adults choose to exchange
gifts. It is a time for Moslems “to dress up, cook special meals, and spend the
day meeting friends and family and reflecting on the special time they have
just spent.”
Kwanzaa is a “celebration of traditional African values
of family, community, and culture,” per the website and, “is celebrated from
December 26 through January 1.
In Swahili the word “Kwanzaa” means “first fruits of the
harvest,” and “Happy Kwanzaa” is the traditional greeting.
The website points out that gifts for children are much
encouraged and adds, “Usually given from parents to their children, [the gifts]
are not overly expensive. Traditional presents are books (emphasizing the value
of learning) and ‘heritage symbols’ (such as art objects, bookends, pictures,
etc.) that evoke African history and tradition. Gifts are usually given on the
last day of Kwanzaa, January 1.”
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“Different is not wrong. It’s just different.” (http://www.kinesis.multiply.com)
Scrap metal industry integral part of
economic community
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
How important is the scrap metal industry? Really, how
important is it?
After receiving several phone calls and complaints about
one business’s location, District 1 Councilman J.C. Moore brought the issue
before the Homer Town Council in November. Top Dollar Scraps co-owner Charlie
Weaver addressed the town council about the issue.
Because Moore is still receiving calls regarding the
business, The Guardian-Journal decided to investigate a little further. When
the issue came to light, the concerns voiced surrounded the beautification of
Homer, and the location of Top Dollar Scraps. The suggestion of the company
raising a fence to hide the scrap was also brought up.
The business is located on the side of U.S. Hwy. 79 on
the south side of Homer, where the old cars and scrap metal is very visible to
passersby.
“At that time, there were several cars lined up right
there at the highway to advertise,” Moore said, “and I got some calls about it,
and that’s how it came up at the meeting.”
Since its inception, the business has done much to help
alleviate some of those concerns. Top Dollar Scraps has removed the bus and the
cars put up front to advertise and erected a sign. The business has also
“landscaped” the area in order to hide much of what is stored there.
Weaver said that all the materials stored there are not
there for long periods of time.
“We’re not putting stuff down there that will stay
forever and be junky,” he said. “On the contrary, the idea is to get our point
across. It’s to get that stuff out of neighborhoods, out of the countryside and
out of people’s yards and give them a place and means to get rid of it.”
To emphasize that point, The Guardian-Journal was able to
obtain some statistics that show just how much “junk” is moving through. In one
month, the company will move approximately 1 million pounds of scrap.
Approximately $3,000 per day goes back into the community. In fact, just last
week, according to records, the company hauled out half a million pounds of
scrap metal.
After Weaver addressed the council, Moore said he was
made aware of the benefits of such a business. Not only does it give people a
place to dispose of scrap metal – and get paid for it – but the employees are
spending money in the community. For example, when the employees eat lunch, more
than likely they are spending their money at local restaurants, and when they
shop, they are shopping at local stores, not to mention the tax revenue that is
brought in.
And according to history, the scrap metal industry has
always been important for these same reasons.
In fact, Claiborne Parish played a vital role in
collecting scrap metal for the war effort during World War II. According to a
1942 article in The Shreveport Journal, Claiborne Parish dug deep to provide
scrap metal for the war effort. The article stated the parish intended to bring
in approximately 2,000 tons of scrap metal, but exceeded that goal. The police
jury, the Homer Town Council and many of the parish’s citizens came together to
clean up and donate its scrap metal.
That metal was melted down and recycled to be used for
bullets, weapons, military tanks and other essential metal items used during
World War II.
These efforts also boosted the local economy in that all
scrap metal received was selling for $9 per ton, which in those days was a lot
of money.
Even after the war, scrap metal businesses played large
roles in any local community, because, as it is today, it gives citizens a
place and a means to discard their scrap metal – and get paid for it.
Moore said he would continue
to monitor the situation, and recognized the importance of such a business.
“It doesn’t look as bad as it did in the beginning, but I
still think a fence would be significant,” Moore said. “[The benefits are]
shown by the amount of material that’s been brought in, in this short length of
time. It’s certainly beneficial.”
Summerfield Elementary 4-H Holds
December Meeting
Submitted photos
Far right, Jessica Ford gives a project
report on food and nutrition explaining the different kinds and amounts of
sugar in various foods. Above, Kaylee Harkins and Alexa Moss give presentation
of Steps of Getting a Newspaper Ready for Printing.
TYLER ANDERSON, Reporter
The Summerfield Elementary 4-H Club met on Tuesday,
December 4. The meeting was called to order by club president, Mackenzie
Scriber. Shelby Murphy led the American pledge and Phendray Jackson led the
4-H pledge. Secretary, Mallory Aycock read the minutes of the last meeting and
Tyler Anderson read last month’s newspaper article. Next, Seth Frick read the
treasurer’s report.
In old business, Mrs. Aycock showed the members the two
bicycles purchased for Claiborne Parish DART and reminded them to bring old
coats to donate to needy families for the winter. The members were informed of
the boxes that would be placed at the school for the 4-H Canned Food Drive and were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate.
The meeting was turned over to Vice-President Jacob
Harvey to introduce the presenters for the meeting. Jessica Ford did a project
report on how different foods contain different amounts of sugar. This is part
of her food and nutrition project.
Next, Kaylee Harkins and Alexa Moss showed the club the
steps of getting a newspaper ready for printing. The meeting was turned over
to Ms. Teresa Price who passed out the Claiborne Clover to the members. After
that, she presented premium checks to the members who entered items in the
Claiborne Parish Fair. Conner Chandler was congratulated for winning first place
at the Bicycle Rodeo and winning a new bicycle.
Ms. Price gave information on the upcoming Outdoor Skills
Club meeting and 4-H Penny Drive. Prizes were presented to the top candy
sellers, Matthew Hulsey, Caleb Bailey, Alexa Moss, and Allyson Cloinger.
The meeting was turned back over to the club president
and the meeting was adjourned.
This Film by Michael Haynes Productions was created in conjunction with 
