Christmas Festival set for Saturday
2008 Christmas Festival
Schedule of Events
• Third annual Hills of Homer run at 8 a.m.
• Festival Activities begin at 9 a.m.
• Parade at 1 p.m.
• Street Dance at 3 p.m.
• Festival ends at 5 p.m.
To sign up for
Hills of Homer run go to
www.sportspectrumusa.com
***In the case of inclement weather, activities will be
held in Homer City Hall
The Guardian-Journal
This
year’s Christmas Festival is sure to be fun with an action-packed day -- even
if it does rain.
With a
full schedule, this year’s Christmas parade will be one to be remembered.
The
Claiborne Parish Christmas Festival Committee is honored to announce that
Thomas Eugene “Buddy” Pixley has accepted our invitation to become this year’s
Grand Marshal.
Buddy
Pixley was born in Homer, in 1940, to Ernest and Ruth Pixley and has been a
resident of the area since, except for a short period away in the military.
Buddy graduated from Homer High School in 1958 and was one of the famous “Homer Iron Men” football team. He
attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston before returning to Homer to work
at Ludlow Plastics and the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for 32 years
before retiring as postmaster with 16 years in that position. Of special
interest is that five of the employees he hired and trained have gone on to be
postmasters also.
Buddy
is married to Virginia Hinson and has two children: Waylon and wife Janice who
live in Haughton; and Stacy and husband David, who live in Fayetteville, Ark. He also has two step-children, three step-grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Buddy
is a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church on Lake Claiborne. He has taught the adult Sunday school class there for 38 years and is active in all
aspects of church life including choir and MCAT. He is Wesley’s delegate to
Annual Conference and is chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the
Administrative Board.
Some of
his contributions to the community have been through positions held such as
advisory committee to the Claiborne Parish School Board (1969), President of
the Homer PTO (1982-85), Chairman Claiborne Christmas Festival (1984-85, 1995),
President of the Homer Lions Club (1984), Zone Chairman Lions Clubs (1985),
Homer Industrial Board, Chairman, Claiborne Watershed Commission (1992),
Co-chair, building committee which constructed Homer Pelican field house
(1984).
Buddy
has always been active in the community and continues in his retirement. He
currently is chairman of the Homer Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and has
worked in several capacities with the hospital for the last 14 years. He was
instrumental in working with the hospital administration and boards which
culminated in the construction of a $2 million emergency room, visiting
physician clinic, and renovation of all patient rooms. He also serves as an
advisor to the 4-H Foundation of Claiborne Parish and is a Gideon speaker to
the churches of Claiborne Parish.
A fifth
generation resident of Claiborne Parish, his heart and soul are in this
community. God has been good to him, he says, and he could do no less than to
work to serve his fellow man as Jesus has told us to do.
The
Christmas Parade will be held at 1 p.m., and lineup will begin at Homer High School at noon. For those still interested in participating in the parade,
please call Vanessa Efferson at 927-9555.
All about Thanksgiving
Claiborne
Academy
Submitted photo
Claiborne Academy kindergarten students enjoy dressing as
Native Americans during their Thanksgiving celebration. Their teacher is Mrs.
Sandra Atwood.
Summerfield
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Summerfield Pre-Kindergarten students of
Karla Aycock dressed as Indians in preparation for their feast with the
Pilgrims of the Kindergarten class. Pictured is Chief of Little Bears Clint
Lee, a senior at Summerfield with all the little Indians. The 20 students of
Karla Aycock were Candy “LadyBug” Greeson, LaDasia “Fearless Fielding,
Jeremiah “Scoot” Williams, Parker “Yellow-haired Princess” Williams, Landon
“Misun” (Lil Bother) Verdin, Malasia “Saranto” Tate, Abbey “Lucky Bug” Helm,
Chris “Running Deer” Meadors, Tori “Karana” Boyett, Trinity “Red Hawk” Frick,
Chandler “Leaf” Smith, Abby “Chipawana” Green, Yalondria “Siva” Malone,
Zamarius “Little Running Jack” Smith, Danielle “Kamore” Locks, LaDaryn
“LaDaryn” Manning, Kalynn “Little Mad One” Hataway, LuLu (Alyssa) “Avahaya”
Thurmon, Zachary “Kane” Perkins, Dequez “Quez” Neal and teacher’s assistant
Chief Of Little Bears - Clint Lee.
Get kids involved in Thanksgiving
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Now
that the children are home for the week-long Thanksgiving holiday, plan a
family project around the holiday.
There
are many quick, easy decorative ideas that can be completed in just a short
time, without a lot of cost. Most items can be found around the home.
A few
pieces of fruit and pumpkins or gourds picked up from the local grocery store
and you’re in business.
Each of
these four ideas can be completed by children of any age and it’s an easy way
to keep them occupied while you cook the turkey.
Cornucopia
Centerpiece - what you need: miniature corn, gourds, leaves, or other autumn
finds, scrubber, newspapers, paint in metallic gold and other desired colors,
metallic acrylic paints in colors such as purple, red, green, and orange,
paintbrush and a wicker cornucopia.
Instructions:
1.
Gather items to be painted and clean the surface of gourds and other autumn
finds. Scrub gourds with scrubber and soapy water if necessary to remove dirt.
Let dry.
2.
Paint miniature corn. Lay cobs flat on newspapers, spread apart the shucks, and
spray lightly with gold spray paint, turning as you go so the entire shucks are
painted.
You may
spray-paint the kernels also or just the shucks, leaving the kernels to paint
in other colors. Finish painting the kernels, using metallic acrylic paints.
You can paint every kernel or row a different color, paint random kernels over
a gold-painted ear, or whatever you wish.
3.
Paint gourds. Use the same metallic acrylic paints as used on the corn. If
desired, add abstract stripes and dots for a more interesting look. You can add
small dots to gourds by dipping the handle end of a paintbrush into a
contrasting color of paint and then dotting the paint onto the surface.
4.
Spray-paint leaves. This is quick and easy. You can use gold spray paint or
another color as desired.
Let
the paint dry on one side, then spray the other side and let dry.
5.
Paint the wicker cornucopia. Use gold spray paint. Let dry. Arrange the painted
seasonal items in the cornucopia.
Don’t
have a cornucopia? Arrange the painted pieces in a wooden salad bowl, wire
basket, or clear glass pedestal dish.
Fall
Pear Centerpiece - create a simple centerpiece that also serves as a
Thanksgiving Day activity.
Fill a
shallow platter with pistachios, pears, and apples. Add a few branches of
bittersweet berries for texture.
Next,
cut out a dozen or more leaf shapes from yellow, orange, and red paper. Scatter
these through the arrangement.
Ask
your guests to choose a leaf, write what they're thankful for, and return it to
the bowl. Later you might ask each guest to select and read one of the
gratitude leaves.
Fall
Pumpkin Roses Center-piece - turn a pretty pumpkin into a high-style vase for
this seasonal floral arrangement that's formal enough for Thanksgiving dinner.
This
bouquet features apricot-colored roses, cockscomb, hypericum berries, seeded
eucalyptus, and bittersweet vines.
What
you need: medium-sized pumpkin, flowers, sprigs of bittersweet vines, leaf
stems, and twigs, metal soup can or similar container, sharp knife, and a large
spoon for scooping out seeds.
Instructions:
1. Use
knife and spoon to hollow out pumpkin and discard insides.
3.
Wedge the can (or container) into the pumpkin. Fill the container with water,
about 3/4 full.
4.
Arrange the flowers, leaf sprigs, and berries in your hand. Cut off all stems
to an even length and insert the stems into the water container.
5. Tip:
Keep water filled on a daily basis and remove and replace any wilted blooms.
Sparkling
Pumpkins - what you need: pumpkin with long stem, paintbrush, white glue,
glitter in purple, lime green, or other desired colors, silver curling ribbon,
and scissors.
Instructions:
1.
Choose a pumpkin with a long stem. Wash and dry the pumpkin.
2. Use
a paintbrush to apply glue to the stem. While the glue is wet, sprinkle with
glitter. Let dry.
3. Cut
2-foot lengths of ribbon. To curl pieces of ribbon, hold scissors at an angle
against ribbon, pulling ribbon taut against blade. Place one or two ribbons
around the stem.
Each of
these projects are simple and quick enough to do on the day before Thanksgiving
or even Thanksgiving morning before hitting the road.
Let the
kids get creative and they’ll appreciate the holiday even more. Allow them to
choose one of the projects and present it to a grandparent. It’s a memory
they’ll never forget.
Battery case leads to drug charges
The Guardian-Journal
Four
people were arrested for possession of marijuana after Homer Police were
dispatched to a residence in reference to a battery.
On
Saturday, November 22, Raphael D. Fielding, Justin E. Harper, Jennifer D.
Harper and Deandre T. Nicholson, all of Homer, were charged with one count of
possession of marijuana. Bond on Jennifer Harper and Nicholson was set at
$1,000 each, and bond for Fielding and Justin Harper is to be set.
Homer
Police were dispatched to a residence on Hudd Drive in Homer in reference to
the battery. When Officers Van McDaniel and Mike Rayburn arrived, the victim
appeared to be bleeding. When the two officers interviewed the victim, he gave
a description of the suspect and the vehicle the suspect was driving.
According
to reports, McDaniel located the vehicle matching the victim’s description and
initiated a traffic stop for “investigative detention.” When the officer
approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, later identified as
Fielding, a strong odor of suspected marijuana emanated from the vehicle.
Reports
say McDaniel asked Fielding to exit the vehicle and an interview was conducted.
When backup arrived, the three other occupants of the vehicle were asked to
exit. Fielding and the other occupants denied any knowledge of the battery.
Upon consent, McDaniel searched the vehicle and found a small baggie of what
appeared to be marijuana and a suspected blunt of smoked marijuana was found.
All occupants denied ownership of the suspected drugs, which lead to their
arrests and charges.
In an
unrelated case on the same day, Tony Mitchell, 33, of Homer, was arrested and
charged with domestic abuse battery, possession with intent to distribute
schedule II CDS (cocaine), resisting an officer and resisting arrest. Bond on
each of these charges is yet to be set.
According
to reports, Captain Donald Malray, of the Homer Police Department, Officers
McDaniel, Rayburn and Roger Smith were dispatched to a Monroe Avenue residence
in reference to a disturbance.
Upon
arrival, a witness advised officers that Mitchell had damaged her property.
When officers approached Mitchell, he was told to stay where he was and the
suspect refused. McDaniel and Malray attempted to pat search Mitchell for officer’s
safety, but he fled on foot. Shortly after, Mitchell was apprehended but he
still resisted arrest. Once Mitchell had been subdued, he was placed in the
patrol unit and transported to the Claiborne Parish Detention Center for booking.
Officers
searched the area where Mitchell was apprehended and McDaniel discovered a
container with a rock-like substance which appeared to be cocaine. Officers
then added the possession charge.
Haynesville receives grant to push
tourism
The Guardian-Journal photo/Michelle Bates
Jim Pesnell, of Entergy, pictured left,
presented the Haynesville Town Council and its mayor, Sherman Brown, pictured
right, with a check for $1,800 to produce brochures about the town. Also
pictured, behind the check, are Haynesville’s council members. From left are
Dump Hatter, District 1; Penny Fields, Town Clerk; Joyce Mayor, District 3;
Carla Smith, District 5; and standing in the back, Herb Taylor, District 2. Not
pictured is Brian Bogle of District 4.
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Haynesville
is in the beginning stages of promoting its community in the tourism industry.
At
Haynesville’s regular monthly meeting, Entergy Customer Service Representative
Jim Pesnell presented the town council with a check for $1,800 to produce a
brochure. Mayor Sherman Brown recently applied to the electric company for a
grant to help market the town and northern Claiborne Parish.
“When
the Town of Haynesville does good, we do good,” Pesnell said.
Through
the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, these brochures will go in all of
the welcome centers located throughout the state. The completed brochures will
be distributed throughout Haynesville, through the Claiborne Chamber of
Commerce and local businesses.
In
other business, the council members were asked to appoint the initial members
of the Citizen Advisory Committee. The initial appointments will be finalized
in December’s meeting, Brown said. He continued by saying that they are looking
for supporters of the town, people who have the town’s best interests at heart.
This committee would issue letters of support when needed and be available at a
moment’s notice. These appointees should be people the council can bounce ideas
off of and get feedback.
Those
initially appointed are Mary Ann Adams in District 1, represented by Dump
Hatter; Bob McDaniel in District 2, represented by Herb Taylor; Carolyn Hatter
in District 3, represented by Joyce Major; Martha Trinko in District 4,
represented by Brian Bogle; and Paul Newell in District 5, represented by Carla
Smith.
In
other news, the council held its first reading of Ordinance #583, which if
passed, would grant Entergy a franchise to supply electric service to
Haynesville for a 25-year term. Because the original ordinance is 10 pages
long, Town Clerk Penny Fields read a synopsis of it. A public hearing will be
held at 5:45 p.m., prior to the regular town council meeting on December 18.
During
the FYI presentation, Brown said that since the trash dumpster has been in
place, some illegal dumping has already occurred – twice.
“It’s
not bad, and believe it or not, they’re doing it during the day,” Brown said.
“We hope that this doesn’t continue.”
A note
to Haynesville and Claiborne Parish residents: tree debris is an item not
approved to be placed in the dumpster. Just as a reminder, items ALLOWED
include construction waste, scrap steel, glass, concrete, pallets, wooden
crates and old furniture. Items NOT ALLOWED include white goods (all
appliances), batteries, tires, paints and oils, hazardous and medical wastes
and asbestos. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury will accept old tires at their
Homer yard. Please call 927-2932 before taking them.
The
dumpster is located to the left at the entrance to the sewer treatment plant on
Burnham Drive, off McDonald Street, north. The site is open seven days a
week, from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The
next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, December 18. Please
remember at 5:45 p.m., a public hearing will be held in regards to Ordinance
#583.
Students get CERT certification
The Guardian-Journal photo/Jenni Williams
Students of the Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) training exercise participated in a mock tornado
simulation at the Homer Fire Department, Saturday, November 22. These team
members, above, responded to a young female victim pinned beneath a table in a
smoke-filled room. The team was required to apply knowledge gained after 28
hours of classroom instruction.
JENNI WILLIAMS, The Guardian-Journal
Claiborne
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certified eight citizens after they
completed a four-week course and one-day training exercise on November 22 at
the Homer Fire Department.
The
students and instructors met every Monday for the past four weeks where they
were instructed in Disaster Psychology and Disaster Preparedness by Karen
Emerson in the first week.
The
second week, students were instructed on Triage and Disaster Medical by Walter
Johnson and Scott Greeson, followed by Light Search and Rescue, team organization
and radio operations in week three by Wayne Hatfield.
During
the fourth week, the students learned about Terrorism and CERT by Dick Dorrell
and Loyd Manuel.
The
students were also instructed in fire suppression with a fire extinguisher by
Greg Greeson at the training simulation. The fire extinguishers were donated by
Dual State Fire Protection of Junction City for the use of the students.
Local
government prepares for everyday emergencies. However, there can be an
emergency or disaster that can overwhelm the community's immediate response
capabilities.
While
adjacent jurisdictions, state and federal resources can be activated to help,
there may be a delay in getting to those who need them.
The
primary reason for CERT training is to give people the decision-making,
organizational, and practical skills to offer immediate assistance to family
members, neighbors and associates while waiting for help.
While
people will respond to others in need without the training, the goal of the
CERT program is to help people do so effectively and efficiently without
placing themselves in unnecessary danger.
People
who go through CERT training have a better understanding of the potential
threats to their home, workplace and community and can take the right steps to
lessen the effects of these hazards on themselves, their homes or workplace.
If a
disaster happens that overwhelms local response capabilities, CERT members can
apply the training learned in the classroom and during exercises to give
critical support in the immediate area until help arrives.
When
help does arrive, CERT volunteers provide useful information to responders and
support their efforts, as directed, at the disaster site. Volunteers can also
assist with non-emergency projects that improve the safety of the community.
“We all
thought the exercise was a success. It was a great job by a great bunch of
people,” said Greeson. “We went over tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash
floods and ice storms, all of which have caused severe damage within Claiborne
Parish.
“The
main goal we taught throughout the course was safety, safety, safety,” he
continued. “The class is a total of 28 hours that includes a exercise
(simulation). The goal of the simulation is to let the students practice and
apply the skills they have learned in a mock disaster scenario.”
The
scenario incorporated three scenarios and "add-ins." The students
were able to use their skills, including arranging a Triage/Treatment area.
The
exercise was a success. The students showed great use of their skills to handle
a disaster. The Girl Scouts and Doug Efferson were on hand to act as victims
in the simulation.
It took
a team approach to pull the simulation off without a hitch and it was this team
work approach that made it a success.
“Claiborne
Parish should be proud of these students, instructors and the volunteers with
the commitment they have shown to help Claiborne Parish be prepared,” Greeson
said.
What
now for the students? Each one will have the opportunity to instruct with some
extra training. The CERT instructors are working on advance courses for these
students to participate if they choose to attend.
The
great thing about CERT is that it is by invitation only. There will be no
pressure for students to continue with advanced classes. Different education
opportunities will be available to them.
The
eight residents successfully completing the 28-hour course and simulation were
Jim Slaton, Yolanda Allen, Shelia Washington, Merry Mardis, Lisa Williams, Loyd
Manuel, Ed Watson, Cheryle Shrout and Buddy Beck.
The
students completed the Community Emergency Response Team Training to become
members of the President’s Citizens Corps, a division of the United States
Department of Homeland Security.
Instructing
the students were Wayne Hatfield, Scott Greeson, Karen Emerson, Walter Johnson
and Dick Dorrell.
