Audit report:

‘Substantial evidence of additional missing cash’

Former town clerk indicted for theft

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

The legislative audit report has been completed following an extensive investigation into money missing from the Town of Homer’s coffers.

It states is that more than $1,500 was found missing during its investigation into records dating from June until August of this year.

“We concluded that cash received from utility customers was missing and the missing cash was concealed by using a check substitution scheme,” the report said.

Although the auditors investigated a specified period of time, they reviewed town records outside the specified time period. Those records exposed “substantial evidence of additional missing cash and that the check substitution scheme may have begun in May 2004 (inception of the present utility system).”

Details and “supporting documents” were turned over to the Claiborne Parish District Attorney’s Office as required by law. As a result, a true bill of indictment for theft over $500 was returned against former town clerk Rita Mitchell by a grand jury. An indictment means there is sufficient evidence to bring Mitchell to trial.

The report also states that the district attorney’s office has hired an independent investigator to determine the amount of cash missing from 2004 until now.

“[Someone] was asked to review that period of time not looked at by the auditor,” said District Attorney Walter May.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Hatch confirmed the investigation and said it would come to a close soon.

“That investigation has not yet been completed but we should wrap it up before the first (of January 2008),” said Hatch, the assistant DA handling the case. “There are possibly other areas that are being considered for presentation to the grand jury.”

No arraignment date has been set, and Mitchell’s arrest is pending the completion of the DA’s investigation.

Mitchell was suspended without pay after a customer complaint regarding a water bill that had been paid twice. Upon initial investigation, funds were found missing and billing stubs that indicated cash payments were altered to checks received to balance transaction reports.

She was terminated September 17, following the investigation.

In October, Mitchell’s attorney, Chris Bowman, filed a lawsuit against the town for violation of open meetings laws, stating the town was in violation when it met in executive session after being asked to hold the meeting open to the public. She is also suing for damages.

In response, the Town of Homer has countersued for damages, return of money stolen, return of overtime pay fraudulently taken, return of wages paid while the clerk prepared tax returns for personal clients at work and other matters to be decided at trial.

The report made recommendations on how the town can improve its control over financial operations.

It also specifically makes “recommendations resulting from out assessment of the financial procedures and practices of the town’s various departments, including recommendations to improve controls over utility system billings, receipts, and customer accounts receivable.”

In the meantime, Homer Mayor David Newell said at the recommendation of the legislative auditors, they are working towards making changes in the clerk’s office, including setting up separate cash drawers so that each person is accountable for their money.

            “We’re using the audit report as a checklist to make sure the town’s operations are brought up to speed,” he said, “which includes security, competence and professional work.”

Stallion Heavy Haulers stay in Claiborne Parish

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Stallion Heavy Haulers are staying in Claiborne Parish.

According to Donna Smith, director of communications at Stallion’s Houston headquarters, the company is expected to sign the dotted line on the purchase of a piece of property just outside the corporate limits of Homer this week.

“We will get out of there as soon as we can,” she said. “We’re looking at three and a half months to get the new facility built – another 30 days to get all the inspections and codes done.”

She said the new facility is expected to be up and running by April 2008.

The issue of Stallion’s future in Claiborne Parish was raised in December’s town council meeting when the council voted on an engineering firm to attach to an FAA grant that will repair the airport’s lighting and allow the airport to resume nighttime flights.

The concern was that if Stallion were still housed at the airport, the town could lose the grant.

Homer Mayor David Newell said that even though Stallion would not be within the corporate limits of the town, just the fact that the company is staying in Claiborne Parish is a big step.

“What impacts Claiborne Parish impacts Homer,” Newell said. “Homer will benefit from this either way. My intent is to do everything possible to keep Stallion in Claiborne Parish.”

As of press time, a spokesperson from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development could not be reached.

Christmas in Homer

Christmas Parade

The Grand Marshal of Saturday’s Christmas parade was Mr. and Mrs. Pete Pearson. Rickey Bearden drives them in the parade in this 1953 Chevy Bel Air. The Warden and employees of David Wade Correctional Center spent a great deal of time on this flat, who won first place with their chocolate factory float.

The Guardian-Journal

Although rainy weather threatened to wash out the Christmas Parade once again, Mother Nature saw fit to fulfill the day’s activity.

With several floats in the parade, several received trophies for their efforts. David Wade Correctional Center came away with first place with their Willie Wonka Chocolate Factory float, by DWCC employees and warden. Second place went to Homer Memorial Hospital and the Boy Scout Troop 187. Calvary Baptist Church took third place, while McKenzie Brothers took fourth place with their Radio Flyer Wagon Train. Fifth place went to Officer Ollie and 4-H.

The grand marshal was Pete and Elaine Pearson riding in Rickey Bearden’s car, a 1953 Chevy Bel Air.

Others who participated in the parade include the Boy Scout Troop 72’s Color Guard; the Homer Police Department; the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Department; Rick Gallot; the National Guard; Kevin Miller in a 1955 Chevy Bel Air; Emerson Oil; Emmett Atkins and his granddaughter in a 1934 Plymouth street rod; the Homer Fire Department; King David Lodge; Chris Bowman; and Amanda Stiles and Mickey and Mindy Pugh on horseback.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The Claiborne Christmas Tour of Homes went off without a hitch as people toured several homes and the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. All proceeds from the tour of homes will go to the Christmas Festival Committee for next year’s activities.

Tour of Homes

Christmas Memory Tree

In Memory Of—Given By

Sally Efferson - Efferson Family

Jock Efferson - Efferson Family

Abigail Efferson - Efferson Family

Joie Teague  - Stephen, Kayla Faulk & Boys

Ronnie Richard - Stephen, Kayla Faulk & Boys

 Felix Faulk - Stephen, Kayla Faulk & Boys

Tim Smith - Stephen, Kayla Faulk & Boys

Mark Bailey - Stephen, Kayla Faulk & Boys

Michael & Melissa Robertson - Marlene Sanders

 Michael & Melissa Robertson - Michaela, Steven, & Eva Robertson

P.A. Hammontree - Marlene Sanders & Eva Robertson

Marion White - Marlene Sanders

Walter Earl Brown - Lance, Alisha, & Gracie Middleton

Logan Kristopher Middleton - Lance, Alisha, & Gracie Middleton

Austin Randall Brown - Lance, Alisha, & Gracie Middleton

Odise Hazel O’Rear - Sally & Dale Gryder

Robert & Venie O’Rear - Joe & Robbie Pousigo

Tina Goodman Hammons - Sallie H. Reeves & Family

Aaron Kyle Hammons - Sallie H. Reeves & Family

Carolyn Price Hammons - Sallie H. Reeves & Family

Kay Copeland Odom - The Higgenbotham Girls

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 forms may be picked up at  Fred Smith & Sons, Emerson Oil Co., or The Raven Book Store.

Santa Letters!

Santa’s Christmas List From Claiborne...

Below are a number of letters to Santa Claus from Claiborne Parish second graders expressing their wishes to be left under the Christmas tree.

Athens

Dear Santa, I want a Baby Alive and pampers. I want a laptop and an mp3 player and a CD player and some fingernails with glue. Love Staneshia

 Dear Santa, I want a baby doll for Christmas and a baby lion. I want a pair of Jordans. I want some clothes. I want a play phone. I want a bike. I want a four-wheeler and a motorcycle. I want a pet snake.  Love, Tiaunna

Dear Santa, I want an X-Box and an Atlantis Squarepatis game. Twant a PSP and some tapes to go with it. I want some clothes with shoes too. I want a motorcycle. I want to go to the North Pole. By Derek Abner

Dear Santa, I want a Baby Alive doll. And I want a binder with lots of paper in it. I wnt some shoes for Christmas and some clothes too. I want some pencils and markers for Christmas and a coloring book. And I want a Trampoline. Love, Quintavia Thompson

Dear Santa, I want a Playstation and a truck for Christmas. Juan Hernandez

Dear Santa, I would like a horse and a bike and a toy car and a computer. I would like an X-Box and  atoy horse and a Baby Alive with baby food baby clothes and a baby cradle. I would like a ooking set and toy dishes and toy cups and spoons and forks and toy money. Love, Katelyn

Dear Santa, I want a bike and I want a bed and a phone. I want a Baby Alive and I want a puppy. I want a new room and I want a new TV. Love T’erricka

Dear Santa, I would like a trampoline for Christmas and a Baby Alive too. And some  new clothes and aplay house, a big one too. And I can get a new TV and a DVD player. And get a keyboard too. And a big Barbie doll house. And I can get clothes with and Barbie doll to go with it. And I can get new shoes and can I have some DVDs to go with my DVD player. And can I get a Bratz Icecream maker too. And I want a PlayStation 3 and can i get Bratz games to go with it. Love Destiny

 Dear Santa, I want a bigtrampoline. I want some clothes. I want Wii game. I want a CD player. I want a thousand dollars. I want a bike. I want a disco light. Fom Fletcher

 Dear Santa, I want a skateboard and I want a Wii game. I wnat a game called Mario and Sonic. I want a Ben 10 game and i want a X-Box and a game Spiderman: Friend or Foe. Winston

Dear Santa, I wish I had a Bratz and Bratz clothes and Barbie and a Bratz car. I want some star earrings from Wal-Mart. I want all the earrings. I want some make-up. I want a new bracelet and ponytails. I want a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Happy Holiday Santa From Brianna

 Dear Santa, I will like a bike for Christmas. I will like a ping-pong table and hockey table. I will like a police set. I will like a basketball goal. I will like a basketball goal. I will like a basketball. I will like a Road Ripper. I will like a Rock and Roll guitar. I will like a new video game. I will like a new bed and a swing. I will like a trampoline. I will like a baseball set. I will like a big truck. Love J’Wan

Dear Santa, I love you Santa Claus. You and me will have fun. I want a remote controlled car. I want a four-wheeler. I want a X-Box 360. I want a skateboard. Love Deshone

Dear Santa, I want a pink  jeep.  I want a Barbie Doll and I want a fake stove, And I want a High School Musical 2. And I want a Barbie Doll X-Box. From Mariah to Santa

Dear Santa, I want a X-Box for Christmas and a bike. I want two dogs. I want a remote control truck. Love Reynaldo

Dear Santa, I want a Barbie laptop and moon and mario Party DS. Love Maria

Dear Santa, I want shoes and clothes. I want a CD player. I want an Ipod and a X-Box 360. Denzell Carey

Dear Santa, I want a Barbie Doll laptop. I want a Secret Diary Password journal. I want a bike. Love Sandra

Claiborne Academy

Dear Santa, I want some burkenstocks, And I want a ninten DODs, And a lime green skooter, Also I want a lime green and hot pink bed spread, And Shrek the DVD. Love, Kylie Bass

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I would like Eye Clops, a lot of books, a Manger kit, a Power Ranger video game. Your friend Reid Goodwin

Dear Santa, I have been a good boy. So would you please bring me these things for Christmas. Army set, a new bike, 3 new video games, Xbox 360, and lastly the DVD Shredk the third.  Koby Suggs

Dear Santa, For Christmas I won’t a DS, game boy, rabbit, High School Muise 2 CD. I help my mother when my brother and I have been good. From Maegan Parham

Dear Santa, What I wnat for Christmas is a pspj, and a snowball shooter, and a sled, and I have sone chores and I am on the good list. From Aidan

Dear Santa, I have been doing stuff with my mom and dad I have been good. I need a pool table. I want Jazz and bumblebee. Can I have a toy army truck. Can I have a BB gun with a scope. I need Otimus Prime. From Bhrett Winstin Farrar

two Webkinzs, fish, Barbe. I am good to my Mom and Dad and Memom. Katlyn Mathews

Dear Santa, may I have a Twirl Girls and a My drem castle. Thank you very much. And Mom and Dad say that I have been very good and that I have done good chorse for them. Thank you Santa. From Montse Montes and Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa, I have been good. I want a horse webkinz. I want a cat webkinz. I want a monkey webkinz. Jordan Elmore

Dear Santa, I am a good boy. I do some chores. I make good grades in school. I am very good at math. I want some raindeer food, A speed stacks set, and a magic set. Your friend, Jacob Michael Lonon

Dear Santa, Am I on the good list or the naught  Chtristmas list. I want a toy Gold fish, fish tank. Hayden Lewis Fanning

Dear Santa, I want bulseye2, $500.60, alectrick guiter, wii, psp, playstation 2, and a game boy. From Garrett Wise

Dear Santa, Am I on the good list or bad list? For Christmas I want a Easy-bake, guiter, a bell, and a new bike From Alex Furlow

Dear Santa, I want Dart tag, Smcack Down vs Raw 2008, ipod, tommy 20, snowboard, and a iDog. from Justin Ryan Acklin

Dear Santa,What I want for Christmas is a calender that shows sports, I want a turtle webkinz, I want a webkinz charm, I wnat a mike that plugs into a radio, I wnat what ever you give me. Love, William Haynes

Haynesville

I want a pair of Heelys for Christmas and a Play Station 2 Darryl Glass

I want Heelys and some cloths for Christmas Arondz Henderson

I want cloths and shoes. SeQuinn Hardwell

I want a hair styler for Christmas  Alexis Kennedy

I want Heelys for Christmas Gabriel Greeson

I want clothes shoes wach cell phone Heelys Kevoncca Kimble

 I want a farm house for Christmas. Matthew Washington

 I want Heelys and a Nintendo ds because I did all my chores. Cameron Wallace

I want Heelys for Christmas Darius Brown

 I want a amazing macala doll for Christmas  Brea Williams

 I want a sell phone for Christmas   Saterika Crow

 I want a wii for Christmas. Jayden Wallace

For Christmas I would like to have a game for the computer Lex Fields

For Christmas I would really liketo have a stuffed animal, a giraffe. Storlund Darnell

For Christmas I would like a computer because I lke to learn. Iyaunna Kingsby

Christmas List For Christmas I would like to have some heelys.  Daijah Glover

 For Christmas I would really like to have a dirt bike  Michael Hice

  For Christmas I would really like to have a doll A’kenya Lewis

  For Christmas I would really like to have a game on playstation 2.   Jarvis Robionson

 For Christmas I would like to have a C.D. player. Ajah Lewis

 For Christmas I would like to have a dune buggy. Braden Cook

 For Christmas I would like to have a John Cenea action figure.   Michael Turner

 For Christmas I would like a computer. Hunter Price

 What I want for Christmas  is a real cell phone, and a skateboard, and a Ford truck. Travis Shiley

 What I want for Christmas  is a recordable DVD player. Trinity  LaPasion Modisette

 What I want for Christmas  is a four-wheeler and a remote control parrot that talks. Carson Heard

What I want for Christmas  is a Bratz toy with two speakers and with a Lap Top computer. Savannah Alford

What I want for Christmas is a phone. Jacey Corbitt

 What I want for Christmas is a Wii so I don’t have to play my Dad’s. Anfernce Waller

What I want for Christmas  is a sister and a brother and friends.  LaTreyus McDaniel

  What I want for Christmas  is a football and for Christmas I want my friends. Timothy Crittendon

What I want for Christmas  is my two front teeth. Kash LaPrarie

 What I want for Christmas  is a Bratzdoll. Kristi Wells

What I want for Christmas is a Lap Top Computer. Sabrina Sowell

 What I want for Christmas is a Im-me so I can text my friends.  Allyssa Dodds

 I want a football game and an Ipod. Chavez Trammell

I want a football game, a basketball game, a wrestling game, Babynates. Six 3.  No Name

I want a laptop, Mp3, easy bake oven, Ipod, an oreo jacket, and TV.  Keyundra Robinson

 I want a jumprope and an Ipod. Yakira Kingsby

 I want a football game, laptop, MP3 player, TV, a wrestling game, a rdio, a basketball game, some baby nates, and an Ipod. Kavacion Webster

I want a football game, a MP3 player, a wrestling game, shoes, Ipod, M & M jacket, and an Oreo jacket. TyJuan Thomas

 I want a baby doll, a Bratz toy and a TV.  Ashanta Beene

 I want a baby doll and a jumprope. Takesia Mosby

 I want alaptop, a MP3 player, a Bratz toy, an easy bake oven, shoes, and an Ipod. Nasjah Turner

Homer

  Dear Santa, I want a mp3 player, play station 2, and a TV. Your little friend Brushawn Parry

Dear Santa, I wnat a plastashan 3 and a xbox 360 and  a new bike,hilles, and moon shoos Love Isaac Zeagler

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. I want a treasure chest. I want a spongbob game. I want a box of books. I want a box of chalk. I want a new book bag. I want a box of markers. Jaylan Jone

 Dear Santa, How are youdoing Santa. I hope you say I can tell you what I want. I want red and white jordans, white, purple, yellow nikes, NCAA 08, Madden 08, thats all I wanted to tell you. Your friend, John L. Buggs

 Dear Santa, For Christmas I want a barbie doll and a barbie house and a basketball and a basketball goal and a scooter and a new jumprope and books lots and lots of books and leather boots and anew dog and a drum and a cat and a globe and to be on the soccer team and a playstation 3 and a kite and a fish and a rooster and to go to Disneyland and a movie called Pochantas and markers and a watch. Mariah Wes

 Dear Santa, I have been relley good all year, and how is the snow up there. how are you and the raindees doing. how is your elf doing. are they doing a lot of woke (work). how are they doing abota the toys. is readof the raindeer doing fine. do you know when I am awake. Tamia Watson

 Dear santa, How are you doing. how are my manners I want a WWE Wrasuling game and a Wii and a John Cena belp. from your friend Raymond Johnson

 Dear Santa, I want a baby alive doll. And I want a pink gutar too. I want more dolls. And I want a bratz doll head. Love Cassidy Webb

 Dear Santa, for crismas I want a toy police set and a train set. I wood like a forwheeler and a toy huntingun and a toy dumtruck well Santa Clals that is all I wnat biye. Your Friend Logan Smith

 Dear Santa, I love you what I want for Christmas is a bike, a Baby alive doll, and a ipod, and a shaker, and some clothes and shoes. Yasiavonne Daniels

Dear Santa,what I want for Christmas is a baby alive and a dog and a pink dog. and a puppy. Your friend Whitney Aubrey

. Merry Christmas Santa, I ben good this year. Plees give me a Xbox 360, and games boy, wii, and a trainset for Christmas. Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas From LaCorionne Brown

Dear Santa Claus I want a X-box. I want the sticks with the games. I wnat Prowr games. I want some toys to. and I want a truck with a car. and I want treasure chect. and I wnat some prowr please. Taz-Tavarivus Williams

Dear Santa Claus I wish you wont forget my house I wont to be a good girl this year. Me and my brother work so hard i wish you have a merry Christmas. Can you tall me waer is radore the red nose rander. Ayanna Phillips

Dear Santa Claus I want some makeup and a baby doll Jeep and a boskball and a beskball goal and a play stach 2 and a 2 game and 3 play stachn and some earrings. Wellessiea Presley

Dear Santa Claus, I wont a glob. Jack Page

Dear Santa Claus, nell pollesh pink, red, green, yellow, blue. a horse black whiet brown. Tamya E. White

Dear Santa Claus, I want a  IPhone and play stasion three and a wheel gun and a bike of my own and a furwheller. I have not ben bad. Jalen Ivory

  Dear Santa Claus, How is your raindear and Mrs. Claus I am doing good in school. Colton David Fountain

Dear Santa Claus, Igwonu goat car (go-cart?) Christopher blake Urbanczyk

Dear Santa Claus, I wont a big nora baby doll and a Bratz baby doll, and a Jepae. and I wont some puzzle. and some makeup and a fomea. I love Santa Claus I love Mrs. Whitehead and Homer Elaeamrache (Elementary).

Dear Santa Claus, what I want for Christmas is a bake and a macerchocar. and a toy car and a xbox. Vontreaz

  Dear Santa Claus, I wan’t a stoder car and abike and some close and some shose. Ke”Essence Kirk

 Dear Santa Claus, I want a bike and a baby doll and a play____ and a new friend. Chazton

Dear Santa Claus, I want a dollhead and I wnat a bike and I want a gocar and a room set. Jamneshia Green

   Dear Santa Claus, shoes playstahn 2 bus motysic bike competr big truck. Wesley Manuel

 Dear Santa, i am good and I do not want cool (coal) in my stocen. and I want lots of presyns. Emmantavious

 Dear sant, I want ten toy kites and a ice cream maker a toy of the Bold (bald)Eagle, and a map of the United States of America. I love you Sant.   Shemy Mozeke

  Dear Santa Claus, I wont a toy oven and toy food and toys for Mr   ??? I wont toys and candy and food and a doll howse and I wont a Bird Dog that walks and I wont prasints for my Mom. Love Katlin

 Dear Santa, I want a Dretbike, toy ? for Christmas I don’t Believe you if you give me suthing that I don’t want. Thank you 2 Elijah Stinson

 Dear Sente, I want a into Ds. and map. I want a black Xbox 360. and I want a footbo?? and a Cheeios bed. Sente I love you. Devoron Brim

 Dear Santa Cloles, I want a Xbox 360 for Cresmes and Haleoi 3 and 2 cant and a rememer card for mi bothers and me that is all. Jordan Beckel

 Dear Santa Clause I want a puppy for Christmas. I want a bike too. I would like some lipgloss also. Jillian Simonelli

 Dear Santa Clause, I want a bike I want  a MP3 player I want a Playstation 3 I want a Dirt Bike I want a game with a Play Station 3  Courtney Williams

 Dear Santa Clas, My friends don’t baleva you are reel but they don’t know if you really are reel Iknoww you are reel can bring prufe please ps I am going to leave a bunch of cookies for you. No Name

Dear Sata, I want some shoes, amnd agame and a spiderman game and clothes and a bike and I want a ipod and a Xbox 360. Devionne

Dear Sana Chlose, I want some toys I want a brazes for Chrosemes. I went Daisy Doll. I love you. Love Orriyonna Willis

 Dear Santa Claws I wnat for Christmas is a skating puppy and Bratz Ice Cream maker and a DreamHouse and Bratz Car with a corterler and Doll  outfits and Gabille and Tory and Everyone in High School micual and a doll house. Love Arrianna Mitchell

 Dierr Santa Claus I want a chaperleg for Crismas and ten dollars for Crismus to and a football and a dasrit kott thase all I need. P.S. I love you Michigan

Dear Santa Claus I love.I want any thing mawmaw has that is a lian thing or a cat thing. I love you Santa Claus Love Kelly Rodgers

 Dear Santa, I want a Brats ATM  a Brats IPod and a Bratz ice cream maker and a Queen size bed with Brats cover and a brats game and a Brats boots. and a Brats around the world game. Love Titanna 

 Dear Santa I want psp. and I want a Xbox 360. and I want a remo cantroll truck. And I want a football and a basketball. and I want a wii. and I want some shoes. and I wont a grill that you put in your mouth. Lazeric Hayens

 Der Snata give mea toy car! Plecs Snata Love Caleb Peaden

 JDear Santa Claus What I wnat for Christmas is a Funky Fashion make over doll. R.E.C. ter comes with a cammer. Motorbike. Walker doll age 3+ Love Chya McGee

 Dear Santa I want a forwelr and ??? and ??? and a ??? of SOS and a radeiow and a geft for Mrs. Dean. Jordan

 Dear Santa, I wnat for Christmas a playstation, mrpplay, and game. Love Ja”Kerrion 

 Dear Santa, What I wnat for Christmas I want a razer phone and kenchen area, and a playhouse and a doll. Love Shundijah Anderson

 Dear Santa Claus, I love you I want a baby doll You can get me a play kitchen. Love Tiara Adams

 Dear Santa, I want a mp3 player and a bike for Christmas and I wnat some toys. Love La’Dasha Casey

 Dear Santa Claus, I wnat a drum and a guture and a game and a dog that is wite and little and a game that lights up. Love Kennelius Gulley

 Dear Santa I wnat dolls clothes books movie tv love Meshaunta Adams

 Dear Santa I want a tv and a ATV and a peacher of you and Mrs. Claus and I will be happy and te all the Elvs I want to thank tham for the toys. I love you Santa. Caleb Fountain

I want a bike and I want a eyeport. and I want a doll set. I want a cell phone. Love Landerrica Thomas

For Christmas I love a pley car. and I love fon and I love. you and love Mom and Dad. KelvinWalker

Dear Santa I want xbox spear-man TNit game tnit toy Love Tyrese Ambeau

 Dear Santa I want hot wells a bike a Scfodr I want the crase cars.  Love Taylor Keough

 Dear Santa I want a football and a football game. Love Vontavious

 Dear Santa, I want a game and a phone. and sum shoe and sum clots, and awrestling ring, and a dirt bike. and abike game. Kenzall McNeal

Summerfield

 Dear Santa Claus, My name is Jalon. Hollins and I go to school in Summerfield and I want a X-Box 360 for Christmas.

 Santa Claus, I hope you have a good Crhismis ever. I want an ipod for Crisimis and a plasn 3 for Chrismis. Meagan Pritchard

 Dear Santa Claus, My name is Cody Andrews and I go to school at Summerfield. I have two friends in Bossier Keith and Madysen. Could you bring Keith a playstation with a game of Lego starwars and Madysen a ipod. I would like a Playstation 2 with Spiderman friend or foe and Lego Starwars. My dogs are Dixie and Dexter could you bring them some treats and bals. Me some new slothes and a tv for the playstation and a camra and a toy wond that the tip lights up. Thank you, Cody Andrews

 Dear Santa, I want a Barbie laptop Kiara and I go to school in Summerfield. All I want for Christmas is a mp3 player and a piano and some games. The kind of games I want are a Game Cube, a baby doll, a clock, some play money and some skates. I love Santta Claus. Kiara Gilbert

 Dear Santa Claus, I want a 3 doombuggis and a Xbox 360 and halo3. And a wii and a playstation 3 and spaderman 3 and powerragers the game and all of starwars toys. and harry potter. ps3 and I want a lot of toys and I want some Legos and want a watch that can help me and I want a pet snake and a pet dog. Skylar Thumon

 Dear Santa Claus, What I want for Christmas is a game cubesaver and controler. and game day advanced and a game to go with it and a skateboard and a skooter and also hat. and  game cube games and a xbox 360. and a kitten and legos. and a headband. Skyler Greeson

Dear Santa Claus, I want Harry Potter wand ps3 Wws Smackdown 2008 game bike. Jacob

 Dear Santa Claus, What I want from him is Lego alane tank and a Lego dord tank and a lego allaich. Zachary Biggs

Dear Santa Claus, I want a new bike for Christmas, new pellet gun, a batting cage. I want a Wii for Christmas. I want the people at St. Jude to fil better. I want the people that aint got food to get food. I want the people that are homeless to get a home. Will Foster

 I would want you to bring my mom to have a good day where her back would not hurt. Because I want her to fill at home. I would want you to bring the homeless people  some food to eat. Now I would want you to bring me a digital camera that shows pictures that you take. And a pet rabbit and ring like mackenzie’s it to be white. And a pack of earacers. And a pack pencils. And I hope that wish comes true. And a gingerbread house. Have a merry Christmas Thanks! Morgan carter

Dear Santa Claus, This is what I want for Christmas: trampoline, IPod, MP3 player, doll, basketball, forwiller, clothes, shoses, games, piano. Help the homeless pleas! Help the people that nee hel. Santa, I love Christmas. Help the aunts, the monms, the dads, the brothes, the Granpa. I love you Santa and everybody eals. Help Mrs. Homes. thanks for everybody thats in my class. Help the people at St. Jude. Jasmine Tate

Dear Santa Claus, My is Callie Ann Laird and I go to school at Summerfield. Please bring something fer Clay and my family and bring something nice for Mrs. Holmes. and I wnat a horse and a gingerbread house. Thank you Santa. Callie Laird

Dear Santa Claus, I want a guitar and will you breng somthing for mom and dad and my sister and Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle and my cousin and the people hoow have no home. Please give them a home. I love you Santa Claus. Christmas is cool to me.  I love you Santa Claus. I  love Grammy Mrs Allgood is doing good and I want some peps for my mom. Mom is sweat. I rat this poem to her Rouses are red vighlits are blue candy is swet. so are you. I love that pom I love Roses and vighlits and Dad is swet as pie. I have two best friends the childrenn are Maedlyn and Callie my sister is name Mackenzie. Daryn Scriber

Dear Santa, Will you give my daddy a LSU cup and Shell a dryer and me a LSU snowglobe. Will you give me a real bird.

Dear Santa Thank you for brining me and my family presents this year. We all love you and want you to stay warm. I want a guitar, for Christmas, a Hanna Montana one with Hanna Montana picks too. If you Santa also bring poor people some food and water so they don’t get sick in this cold weather. please bring Parker a Gora Sqush pelow. Thank you for your kindness and thanks Please bring Kaden a bebe gun for Christmas. Santa, thanks for all your goodness to others who are poor and homeless and cold and scared under bridges. So can you do me a faver ? Help the people in bad condition please. Madelyn Williams

Dear SantaClaus, What I want for Christmas is food for needy children with or without there family  And want my whole family there, faveret present too. And heres what they want: My dad Larry wants a knife setcat and skm fish. And my dad, Rob wants my mother Jaycee and his friend Eathen to stop stealing his stuff. And my cousin Kat and Mackenzie a horse. Mackenzie wants another one. Sallyna wants her own room. I all ready got Grandma’s present. Grandpa wants one million cases of Drug Frey beer. Mom wants for me to be quiet. Kevin wants his dog to stop getting his toys. And Kellie wants a young black stalieon. And James wants car bed. And last but not least me What I want for Christmas is a brats ice cream maker. Laura Ware

Dear SantaClaus, I want a doll fir my friend Jordan. I need a new skate board for my brother.  I know Christmas is aol about toys it is about Jesus. I want a doll for Lily. I want a skateboard too. I want a gameboy for Riley. I want a home for the homeless. I want some roller skates. I think I want my brother to get better. I want a pet bird. I want my Dad a pet cicken. I wnaat to see my cousins Josh and Emily. I need a diamond necklace for my Mom. And a baby doll. And a baby doll bed. And a LSU hat. And a LSU teddy bear. Thank you! Felicity Ruth Dark

Dear Santa Claus, I want a skateboard,Wii.  Justin Jones

Dear Santa Claus, blackhawks, magic one basketball, radio. motorcycle, fawn video game, drum, TV.  Tystazan

Driving safety at forefront this holiday

4-H learns dangers of underage drinking

Sgt. Johnny Sparks, center, asks this young 4-Her to walk a straight line after donning the fatal vision goggles used to simulate the effects of being drunk. Right, Sgt. Nicholas Gremillian looks on.

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

On Saturday, December 8, Claiborne Parish 4-Hers got a little taste of what it’s like to be drunk – without drinking alcoholic beverages, of course – and what happens when someone decides to drink and drive.

Two law enforcement officers from Point Coupee Parish gave the kids a chance to actually see what it’s like to be drunk. Wearing what’s called “fatal vision goggles,” or “drunk eyes,” youth were given actual field sobriety tests to see what law enforcement must do to determine whether a driver has had too much to drink.

Although the kids had fun and laughed a lot at their fellow club members, the message was very serious – drink, drive, go to jail.

Homer Police Officer Roger Smith spoke to the kids about underage drinking.

“The big issue is drinking and driving,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if the legal limit is .08. That’s for an adult. That’s not the issue. The issue is if you’re under 21, the legal limit is .02. That’s a couple of sips of beer.”

Another issue police deal with every day is open container. If anyone in a vehicle – driver or passenger – is caught with an alcoholic beverage container that is open, all will pay the consequences.

“We’re not going to decide who that beer can belongs to,” Smith said. “We’re not going to decide who was drinking that beer. We’re going to take everyone in that vehicle to jail over one beer can. Then the court system will have to decide who it belonged to.”

Sgt. Nicholas Gremillian, of the Point Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Department, talked to the kids about what parts of the body alcohol effects. There are three major areas affected – brain (thinking, poor judgment), central nervous system (muscles, reaction time), and spinal cord (balance).

Sgt. Johnny Sparks, also of Point Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Department, told of his own experiences with drinking. As a police officer, he said he didn’t set a very good example one night. In fact, he got behind the wheel of a car and drove under the influence.

“I’m a police officer,” he said, “and I was on the road drunk. I couldn’t figure out if I was on pavement or on grass, so I more or less fell out of the car and saw that I was on grass. I said, ‘Good, I’m off the road. I’m safe and everybody else is safe.’ We stayed there until almost daylight.”

Luckily, he did not get pulled over that night. All involved made it home safely, but that night could have been worse.

“I was so sick when I got home,” he said. “I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror that morning. I learned the hard way.”

Sparks said the only way to sober up is time. Coffee or cold showers don’t help either.

The Claiborne Parish 4-H has joined up with a program called U Drink, U Drive, U Walk, a youth prevention program under the Louisiana State Attorney General’s Office.

Stacy Jefferson, a program specialist for Youth Prevention Programs, came to the meeting to talk to the kids about the program.

Through this program, youth are educated about the dangers of underage drinking and driving. Rene Burch of Claiborne Parish 4-H said this is a good time for youth to learn about drunk driving and how it affects everyone.

“A lot of you are at the age where you are learning to drive or just got your driver’s license,” Burch said to the group.

Jefferson, who has four children of her own, explained the program, how it got started and what the Office of the Attorney General is responsible for. She also told the youth about how they could get involved, how to get the word out and the benefits of such an initiative.

The most important lesson she taught is that if a person under 21 years of age is caught drinking and driving, they will lose their license for six months. She also talked about some of the laws that are associated with drinking and driving.

The youth also learned about how to use this program to their benefit as well, while educating the general public about the dangers of underage drinking. With this program, youth are able to put together a portfolio and show their community service work to perspective colleges and universities after high school graduation.

This program is implemented in other ways as well, not just through organizations like 4-H. Jefferson said this program has been done through cooperative endeavor agreements with faith-based organizations, community organizations, school programs and others.

For more information on how to get involved, talk to your local 4-H leader or call 318-226-0066 in Shreveport for more information.

‘Smokey the Bear’ brings awareness to fire danger

Smokey the Bear helps make public aware of fire danger every day. Claiborne Parish has received fire danger signs to make the public aware of the fire danger for that day, whether it be high or low. The grant for these signs was obtained through Trailblazer RC&D.

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

Smokey the Bear has now come to Claiborne Parish to help its citizens prevent fires.

Through a grant obtained through Trailblazer Resources, Conservation and Development (RC&D), and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, fire danger signs will now be erected throughout the parish to make citizens aware of the fire danger level for that day.

The purpose of these signs is to “notify the public of conditions and potential for wildfires to occur in land areas or communities which need to be monitored for public safety and preservation.”

“The hope is that by public awareness, we can prevent a number of these fires from happening,” said Homer Fire Chief Dennis Butcher. “We respond to more wildfires than anything else, and hopefully through public education, we can prevent a number of these fires.”

These signs have a dial on them that allows the designated person to show the danger level for that day. The levels range from low to extreme. A designated person will change the sign everyday as needed.

The first one was erected at the Homer Fire Station across from First Baptist Church in Homer, but several signs will be posted throughout the parish, including areas like Lisbon, Athens and Summerfield.

“The key to all of this is education and awareness,” Butcher said. If people have questions, please call us first. We’d rather you call first before you light a fire.”

In other words, if someone wants to burn outside and they have any inkling of a doubt, call the local fire department first to find out what the fire danger level is before burning. Not only does it prevent a fire from ever spreading, but it could save lives.

According to Trailblazer RC&D, it is a locally sponsored and directed organization that provides assistance to the citizens of an eight-parish region in north-central Louisiana.

Trailblazer is a nonprofit organization participating in the USDA’s RC&D program. The purpose of the program is “to improve the quality of life in local communities,” according to the organization.

It was first organized in 1966 as the Bossier-Webster RC&D, but expanded to six other parishes, including Claiborne, by 1989.

DWCC Lifers’ Association brightens Christmas for local senior citizens

MSgt. Starr at David Wade Correction Center recently presented almost $700 dollars worth of food donated by prison inmates to the Council on Aging for local senior citizens.

The Guardian-Journal

The Lifers’ Association of David Wade Correctional Center (DWCC) recently hosted a program for the Claiborne Parish Council on Aging and  donated food to the organization.

In addition to the local Council on Aging, other special guests included Homer Mayor Pro Tem J.C. Moore and various DWCC staff members. Five DWCC inmate bands performed a number of musical selections ranging from rhythm and blues numbers to Christmas songs. 

Each of the seven inmate self-help organizations at DWCC briefly described their groups, their various missions, and their charitable contributions during the calendar year.  Each stressed the importance of giving back to the community.

The highlight of the program was MSgt Starr’s presentation of donations from DWCC’s inmate population to Ms. Cindy Anstead, who accepted on behalf of the Council on Aging. The donation, valued at almost $700, resulted in sixteen boxes of food. Ms. Anstead thanked the inmates for their generosity and assured them that the Council will distribute the food to deserving senior citizens.

“Pssst...go to the Grapevine...pass it on...”

The Grapevine on the Square held its ribbon-cutting December 17. Present were (left to right) John Wesley Cooper, J.T. Taylor, John David Watson, Jim Norscross, Cynthia Steele, Darlene Norcross, Homer Mayor David Newell, Tom Robinson, and Wesley Emerson.

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

Where on the Square can you get a fox skin coat and carnival glass? A “Hoosier cabinet” or a cozy for your Cutty Sark? Well, I heard through the grapevine that these and other treasures are at the Grapevine on the Square.

The Grapevine, operated by Jim and Darlene Norcross, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Monday, December 17 at 10 a.m. Offering an eclectic collection of collectibles, the Grapevine may have just what you need for that natty nook.

Seriously, it’s hard to describe what’s in the Grapevine because what you find may be nowhere else in Claiborne Parish. And although it’s there today, it may never be there again once it’s sold.

Jim and Darlene with the help of their son Rodney have created a big treasure chest that some will say is stuffed with gewgaws, doodads, baubles, and whatnots, but others will say tastefully displays hard-to-find treasures.

Exactly what gewgaws and treasures? Entering the store today, one sees a bust on a pedestal, and back there is a full-length fox coat. Over there is a black velvet party dress with a hot pink flounce. And looky-there: Big and pink, it’s a “Sunday-Go-to-Meeting” hat. 

Also up high and to the left as you go in is an old ice cream freezer. From here it appears to be in good shape.

One area is devoted to the outdoorsman. There’s a toilet paper holder made from horns. Also a fish lying on its back holding a bottle to its mouth. There are also belt buckles and other outdoor-oriented stuff.

Jim and Darlene are developing the “Christmas Room” that will be available year-round with Christmas-related items.

Darlene has an extensive collection of vintage purses that she has collected over the years. In the back is furniture, some rare-looking. In the back,  too, one will find the “Oriental Lamp Table-Ming Style-Inspired by the Han Dynasty.” And up on the wall is a big wheel-hoop-looking thing, once used on a farm, but still in good shape.

At the Grapevine shoppers will find ceramic eggs, elegant shoulder wraps, dragonfly-theme decorations, a kitschy clown, carnival glass—far more than can be listed here. Go to the Grapevine and see for yourself. Jim and Darlene will pour you a cup of coffee and sit and visit.

The Grapevine is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until -5 p.m. and Saturday from 10’ish-2 p.m.

Police jury addresses handicap access on the Square

MICHELLE BATES, Editor

In continuation of last week’s article, another major issue was brought before the Claiborne Parish Police Jury regarding handicap access on the Square.

Alma Malone, a very gracious citizen who helps elderly and handicapped citizens get where they need to go on the Square, said access is a serious problem. She presented photographs to the jury to show them where the problem areas are around the Square.

“We had a lady that was trying to get in and she fell and broke her glasses,” Malone, an employee of the District Attorney’s office, said. “Then she really couldn’t see. Mr. (Jim) Hatch went out there and helped her find the pieces to her glasses, and then she had to go to the doctor because she fell trying to get up that curbing. It’s just really too high.”

According to Malone, each outside corner of the Square has regulation handicap ramps for getting around the Square, but the only ramp to the Courthouse is on the north side crosswalk. Even with that, it is just a piece of sheet metal propped onto the curb. She said this area cannot be accessed by a wheel chair, walker or cane. The most accessible point would be from the east and west crosswalks – if regulation ramps were provided.

She said she has spoken with several people about the issue and nothing has been done.

“It’s a wonder we haven’t been sued,” she said. “Something needs to be done.”

The jury intends to investigate the situation a little further, and will contact Brad Graff, the parish engineer. They will also contact Homer Mayor David Newell to present their findings and will contact the Department of Transportation as well.

The jury will present its findings at January’s regular meeting.

Another major issue brought before the jury is the problem with garbage collection. District 6 Police Juror Scott Davidson spoke to Roy Walker of Allied Waste Services because he’d received several complaints in his district over an extended period of time about garbage not being picked up.

“The same people call me every week that their garbage is not being picked up,” Davidson said to Walker. “Ya’ll are good about sending trucks out, but we need to get these people’s garbage picked up. It’s in the same spots – all at the end of roads where the trucks are turning around.”

The trucks are not going all the way to the end of the roads, because they don’t want to turn around, he said. Consequently, they are missing several collection points – and it’s not just once or twice that garbage collection is missing these addresses. It’s happening over and over, week after week.

“These people are nice and they are not fussing at me, but it’s getting old,” Davidson said.

Walker guaranteed the issue would be resolved immediately.

“We’re never going to be perfect,” Walker said. “I can’t say that we won’t make mistakes, but we won’t have that happen anymore.”

In other jury news, a resolution was passed to authorize Representative Rick Gallot to go back to the Louisiana Legislature asking them to raise the severance tax cap from $850,000 to more than $2 million.

The jury also passed a motion to close Three Creeks Bridge. According to Road Superintendent Tommy Durrett, the bridge is considered a hazard and is very dangerous. The entire structure needs to be replaced, he said, which is not an option at this point. He said the road on either side of the bridge will remain open, and no homes would be affected by its closure. Durrett said they intend to close the bridge and tear it out around the first week of January.

The only roads affected by the bridge are New Home Road and Holly Grove Road.

In other highway department news, the police jury passed a resolution to take responsibility for the drives and frontage roads constructed as part of the I-69 project.  These drives and frontage roads maintain access to private properties or “connectivity” within the parish road system.

A public hearing has been set to get public input on whether to close Edmonds Loop and take it out of the parish road system. The public hearing is set for Wednesday, January 9, at 9 a.m. in the police jury room at the police jury complex.

The police jury also approved and accepted Ordinance #753, an amended ordinance for the building and construction codes. This amended ordinance was amended to bring Claiborne Parish into compliance with the changes enacted by the Louisiana Legislature’s Act 12. This ordinance also now shows the parish operates under a third party provider system, which means an outside building code consultant company handles all the plan reviews, inspections and other business regarding the building codes.

Also, the jury received notification of a reimbursable grant from the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council for the purchase of equipment for use by the parish’s building code and flood plain management enforcement and the management of the parish’s adjudicated property.

District 3 Police Juror Bob McDaniel and Jimmy Marsalis were reappointed to the Trailblazer Resources, Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area Council for 2008. Trailblazer is a locally sponsored and directed organization that provides assistance to the citizens of an eight-parish area in north central Louisiana. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life in local communities.

Two board members were reappointed to the Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District #1 – Bob McDaniel and Gayle Taylor. H.U. “Mutt” Slaid’s term expires Dec. 31, and Don Tremble will take his place.

In other news, the budget for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory was approved by the police jury in accordance with state requirements. The state requires that the majority of the parish level governing bodies approve their budget, according to a letter received by the jury.

Claiborne Parish students participates in initiative to reduce childhood obesity

Last week hundreds of students at Haynesville Elementary entered this brain through the right ear as a part of the Smart Bodies walk-through exhibit at the school. Cassandra Tell stands outside the mouth and shows how much sugar is in soft drinks as a part of the Smart Bodies program at Haynesville Elementary. These students at Haynesville Elementary participate in a demonstration of how emphysema caused by smoking causes slow suffocation as a part of the Smart Bodies exhibit.

JIMMY DEAN, Feature Writer

It’s Tuesday, December 11 about 8:30 a.m. I’m at Haynesville Elementary gymnasium to see and participate in “Body Walk,” a part of the “Smart Bodies” three-part interactive program sponsored by LSU AgCenter in partnership with Blue Cross of Louisiana.

Today almost 300 students (and one old guy) here at Haynesville Elementary will experience the Body Walk, a 35’ by 45’ walk-through exhibit representing the human body. Designed as an at-school field trip with 10 learning stations, the intent is to reduce childhood obesity in Louisiana.

“Recent studies done in Louisiana show that almost one in three Louisiana school-aged children is overweight or obese,” according to LaDonna Chreene, FNP Educator for Claiborne and Webster parishes.

Body Walk uses amusing characters, the OrganWise Guys, to help students understand physiology and healthy behaviors. The OrganWise Guys—such as Hardy Heart, Madame Muscle, Windy the Lungs, and others—are used throughout the Body Walk as well as in Smart Bodies’ classroom curriculum.

I join a group of first-graders entering “the brain,” a simulation to help the kids understand the role of the brain as the command center of the body. We enter through the right ear and sit on the floor. Sir Rebrum (Anissa Heckel) recommends a good breakfast as the fuel to start our day. 4-H Junior Youth Leader Brittany Bradberry shows us an example of a good breakfast: milk on cereal, orange juice, a banana, and a hard boiled egg.

A whistle sounds, the signal to move on in our tour. We go out the left ear to a table where Allyson Bailey assigns each child a ticket designating each as a type of food for the remainder of the program. Some are tomatoes, “rich in Vitamin C.” Others are meat, dairy, etc. They carry their cards with them for the remainder of the program. Instructors elsewhere in the body make reference to these food types as our tour continues.

Walking across the tongue, we next enter the mouth. Inside the mouth the children sit on “teeth” (child-sized stools, each of which resembles a tooth). Calci M. Bone (Jeri Ann Christian) describes what happens when food enters the mouth. Using a huge toothbrush and rope, Cassandra Tell, 4-H Junior Youth Leader, demonstrates how to brush and floss the teeth.

As Calci M. Bone explains the damage sugar does to teeth, Cassandra holds up a container showing how much sugar is in soft drinks. (It’s a LOT.)

The whistle sounds, and we move on to the esophagus where Pepto (Donna Buford) explains how food goes to the small intestine. 4-H Junior Youth Leader Dawson Beene points out the food pyramid as Pepto describes passage of food on to the small intestine, our next stop.

We pass under thousands of dangling things on our way to the small intestine. Peri Stolic (Carol Waller) shows us a 22-foot rope, the length of the average intestine. By the way, the dangling things overhead represent the villi lining the intestine, each villus absorbing nutrients from food as it moves through the small intestine.

We go now to the heart where we meet Hardy Heart (Diane Allen). Hardy is assisted by 4-H Junior Youth Leader Darneshia Sturges who holds up examples of arteries clogged with cholesterol. We also see an example of how much cholesterol is in doughnuts (it’s a LOT) and other unhealthy foods. Hardy Heart reminds us of the heart’s need for regular exercise.

We next meet Windy the Lungs (Cyndi Jackson), who shows a model of a healthy lung—robust pink, easily expanding and contracting with each breath. Windy then shows us a smoker’s lung—less flexible and dark and sooty as if burned, expanding and contracting with much difficulty.

Windy gives each child a straw to put in their mouth. They are instructed to clamp their nose shut, then breathe through the straw. Each gets very little air, thus demonstrating emphysema and how insufficient oxygen gets to the lungs. The kids understand better how those with emphysema are literally suffocating as they try to walk across a room. Asked whether they want to smoke or not, the children yell their choice to reject tobacco in favor of healthy lungs.

Following Denise Williams’ presentation about bones, we move on to a discussion about Madame Muscle by Chris Burch, 4-H Junior Youth Leader. After discussing the importance of good food choices and a healthy exercise routine, Chris passes around two models, one representing five pounds of healthy muscle, the other five pounds of dimpled fat. He asks which is healthier. The kids agree: firm, smooth muscle.

We proceed to a review of the importance of our skin where each child is given something to rub on their hands that will simulate germs. J.T. Allen and Ekambi Shelton discuss bacteria and the right way to wash hands. Then each child puts his hands under a special lamp. They see the hands glowing with simulated germs, illustrating the importance of washing hands several times a day.

We wind up our tour at the “Pathway of Life,” a summary of the Body Walk. Vicki Savoie reviews with our group what we learned. Each of us gets an activity book in which we can color pictures and complete puzzles based on the morning’s lessons.

A public-private partnership between Blue Cross and the LSU AgCenter, Smart Bodies is funded in large part by a five-year grant of $1.8 million from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. Smart Bodies includes “Take 10!” as a part of the program. “Take 10!” is a series of classroom-based, grade-specific educational tools that encourage short bouts of physical activity integrated with academic lessons.

Pilot tests with Smart Bodies found that children increased their physical activity as a result of being involved in Smart Bodies. Other results seen in the initial tests with the program showed that participating students increased their knowledge of nutrition and improved their attitudes toward eating fruits and vegetables.

Hospital foundation holds first board meeting

Submitted photo

Pictured from left to right are: Joey White, Ronald Day, Betsy Robinson, Dr. Edward Butler, Sally Ann Martin, Buddy Pixley, Gwendolyn Frazier, Melanie Perry and Doug Efferson. These nine make up the hospital foundation’s first board of directors. Call Homer Memorial Hospital at 927-2024 and find out how to get involved.

The Guardian-Journal

History was made on Friday, November 16, as the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Claiborne Healthcare Foundation was held at Homer Memorial Hospital.

Ronald Day was elected Chairman by the other voting members, Thomas “Buddy” Pixley, Betsy Robinson, Joey White, Gwendolyn Frazier, Dr. Edward Butler and Sally Ann Martin.

Advisory members attending were Doug Efferson, hospital administrator; Melanie Perry, hospital employee representative; Alice Gandy, foundation coordinator; Joni King, Pride Philanthropy consultant; and Jim Colvin, hospital attorney.

Dr. D.K. Haynes was unable to attend the meeting, but will serve as a voting board member representing the medical staff.

In reviewing the bylaws draft, the members noted Claiborne Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, exists to support specific capital projects identified by the foundation board that compliment the mission of Homer Memorial Hospital.

The foundation provides an avenue for community involvement, public education, and philanthropic giving for the purpose of enhancing the healthcare services of Homer Memorial Hospital and sustaining these services for future generations.

The bylaws will be voted on at the January meeting along with the election of a secretary and a treasurer.

After a presentation of potential projects by Efferson, the board of directors selected the complete renovation of the Intensive Care Unit as the first project at a cost of approximately $1 million.

Board members of the foundation serving as “chairs” are recruiting members to facilitate functions of the various committees, such as employee giving, in memory and in honor gifts, corporate gifts, estate planning gifts, special one-time gifts and “naming opportunity” gifts.

When all committees are fully staffed, more than 40 residents and friends of Claiborne Parish will be involved in this “first of its kind” fundraising effort.

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