Month: November 2023

What’s wrong with people?

/ Megan Lowe

In my early 60’s, my level of patience is deteriorating rather quickly. The one area really being tested is with the human race and their level of disrespect and stupidity.

It’s no secret that I too have had my share of crazy moments, and I’m not proud of them. But we live in a time when it seems some people have forgotten how to act. Courtesy has disappeared from the American vocabulary.

About a month ago, I was fishing the American Bass Anglers (ABA) two-day divisional championship on Lake Sam Rayburn. It was during our morning takeoff that one guy decided to make it all about himself instead of being courteous.

Takeoff is where the tournament director calls out boat numbers as anglers head out for a day of competition. These takeoffs take place next to a boat dock as anglers drive their boats past the dock with their livewells open. As the boat passes the dock, the director makes sure competitors have no fish in their livewell and that their aeration system is working properly. It’s called a rolling start and is common among tournament circuits.

Our tournament director, Chris Wayand, who does an outstanding job, was getting ready for takeoff when he approached a fellow fishing off the dock. Chris explained to the man that he was about to release the boats for the tournament, and they would be driving by the dock where he was fishing. Chris asked the man if he would like to reel in his line while we drove by so that no one would cut his line with their boat motors.

This is where things went south. The boat dock fisherman went off on Chris with an outburst of foul language, saying he had just as much right to fish off that dock as we did to drive by it.

Chris agreed that he did have the right to fish off the dock, but explained the competitors would be out of his way in 10 to 15 minutes. Chris was polite and never raised his voice even after the guy was rude and inconsiderate.

Recognizing that the dock fisherman was not going to reel in his line for takeoff, Chris made an announcement to the tournament anglers and asked that we try and veer away from the dock as quickly as possible so as not to run over the man’s fishing line.

As Chris began to call boat numbers and anglers idled by the boat dock, it was about boat Number 3 that the moment got ugly. Boat 3, with some inexperience on board, managed to run over the dock fisherman’s fishing line and cut it. The angler jumped out of his chair and ran down the dock cursing Chris Wayand while shaking his finger in Chris’s face.

The angler peppered the air with a string of curse words to express his displeasure with his line being run over and the idea that we tournament anglers think we own the lake.

While none of us actually had ownership over any part of Lake Sam Rayburn, this old man (probably in his mid 70s) was still giving Chris a piece of his mind as I approached the dock as boat Number 11 during takeoff.

If I could have the opportunity to talk with this gentleman, I would ask him a couple of questions. Why was he so uncooperative and refused to show a little respect for our takeoff that morning? Why was he so set on continuing to fish, knowing that the odds of him catching a fish were near zero while bass boats were driving directly over his fishing area?

For some reason the dock fisherman decided to try to make a point by refusing to cooperate and show a little courtesy to avoid a confrontation. Instead, he CHOSE to make a public scene and show everyone just how uncooperative he could be.

What is wrong with people today? Why do some folks choose to be selfish rather than use just a little common sense? Why can’t people be respectful and get along? Where did we as a country lose our respect for one another?

But this one incident is just an example of the country we live in today. The attitude too often is: IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!

‘Til next time good luck, good fishing and let’s all try to get along and regain respect for each other.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Centenary Theatre Program presents One-Act Festival November 9 and 10

/ Megan Lowe

The Centenary Theatre Program (CTP) will showcase student talent during a unique two-day festival format next month. CTP’s One-Act Festival, featuring six one-act plays with six different directors and casts, will be presented at Centenary’s Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on Thursday, November 9, and Friday, November 10. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday with three plays presented each evening.

The One-Act Festival represents an exciting evolution of class projects historically known as “Dem Labs,” which were usually smaller scenes directed by beginning student directors.

“Students in the Production I class are now getting the opportunity to work with designers, as the scope of the project has changed and they are now producing in our second main stage slot of the fall,” explained Logan Sledge, associate professor of theatre and chair of the theatre department at Centenary. “The trick has been making sure the core goals of the directing project remain in place, and that adding the technical elements for a main stage production doesn’t detract from those core goals. Our student directors are showing that they are up for the task and we can’t wait to present these one-acts to the community.”

The One-Act Festival opens with three plays on November 9 and concludes with three different offerings on November 10.

Night 1 – Thursday, November 9
Butterfly Kisses by Ashley Nader, directed by Kaeleigh Graham

This Property is Condemned by Tennessee Williams, directed by Abbie Phelan

Horse Girls by Jenny Rachel Weiner, directed by Emma Greer

Night 2 – Friday, November 10
A Game by Dennis E. Noble, directed by Hailey Chiasson

Letters For Adelaide by Grace Everett, directed by Za Brown

Anniversary by Rachel Bonds, directed by Josie Hodges

“The tagline of A Game by Dennis E. Noble is, ‘This is my land. It is mine. It is beautiful, and it is mine,’” shared student director Hailey Chiasson. “Rehearsals are filled with dialogue about the themes and characters of the show and we are constantly playing with ways to communicate those ideas. This show would not be what it is without the wonderful cast and crew behind it, and I am incredibly excited to share this impactful show with the community.”

Tickets for the One-Act Festival are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/military members, and $5 for students with ID. Tickets are free for Centenary students, faculty, and staff with ID. Visit centenary.edu/mlptickets to purchase tickets.

For more information about the Centenary Theatre Program, visit centenary.edu/theatre.

Creative ways to repurpose hay bales after Halloween

/ NPJ

Halloween has come and gone, and if you’re like many people, you may find yourself wondering what to do with those leftover hay bales that you bought for your hayrides and spooky decorations. Don’t let them go to waste! There are plenty of creative and practical ways to repurpose hay bales, ensuring that they don’t end up taking up space in your garage or backyard. Here are some ideas for making the most of your hay bales:

1. Composting: Hay bales can be an excellent addition to your compost pile. As they decompose, they add valuable organic matter to the soil, helping to enrich your garden. Just break down the bales and mix them into your compost to accelerate the decomposition process.

2. Mulch: Use straw or hay as mulch in your garden or around trees and shrubs. This can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve the overall health of your plants. It’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional mulch.

3. Animal Bedding: If you have pets like rabbits, chickens, or goats, hay bales can serve as cozy bedding material. Not only will it provide comfort for your animals, but it also makes for easy clean-up.

4. Erosion Control: In areas prone to erosion, hay bales can be used to create barriers that prevent soil from washing away during heavy rains. They’re an eco-friendly way to protect your landscape.

5. DIY Projects: Get creative and use hay bales in various DIY projects. For example, you can stack them to create rustic seating for your outdoor gatherings or use them as a base for building temporary structures, like a children’s play fort or a haunted house for next Halloween.

6. Gardening Raised Beds: As gardening season rolls around, consider using hay bales to create raised beds. They provide an excellent way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers while reducing the need for bending and digging.

7. Seasonal Decor: Hay bales can be a fantastic addition to your seasonal decor. Paint them in festive colors or stack them to create an autumn-themed display. You can even turn them into a unique seating area for an outdoor fall gathering.

8. Donate or Sell: If you find yourself with more hay bales than you can use, consider donating them to a local farm, animal shelter, or community garden. You could also sell them to others looking for hay bales for their own projects.

9. Firewood Storage: Hay bales can make an excellent base for storing firewood. They keep the wood off the ground, preventing moisture from seeping in and ensuring that your firewood stays dry and ready for winter.

10. Insulation: For the more ambitious DIY enthusiast, hay bales can even be used as insulation in structures like chicken coops or root cellars. They provide natural insulation and can help maintain stable temperatures.

Don’t let those leftover hay bales go to waste. Get creative and explore the various ways to repurpose them, from composting to seasonal decor and DIY projects. By doing so, you’ll not only reduce waste but also make the most of your investment in Halloween decorations.

Notice of Death – October 31, 2023

/ NPJ

Barbara “Kay” Moore Dillon
October 23, 1940 — October 29, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 10am at First Baptist Church.

Ronona Jones Hale
October 10, 1939 — October 30, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 1:30pm at Vivian Cemetery.

Kathleen James
December 5, 1930 — October 28, 2023
Service: Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10am at Grand Cane Cemetery

W. L. Marney
April 22, 1939 — October 28, 2023
Service: Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 1:30pm at Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery.

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)