LSUS Continuing Education will host the annual Mental Health Awareness and Substance Abuse Prevention Conference on Dec. 1. This in-person event will enable continual training for professionals in our community to earn up to six clinical Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
The conference is an opportunity for counselors, school psychologists, psychologists, social workers, and teachers to make improvements to mental health and substance abuse prevention efforts. The morning keynote session with Dr. Robert Stevens will focus on effective engagement for families, teachers, staff, and clinicians to help unite them in facing school-based mental health. This mutual collaboration is vital to provide critical skills to practitioners as they advocate and assist with prevention and intervention services.
During the lunch session, Dr. Katherine Wickstrom will address gaps in local services for high school and higher education students.
“There is a growing need for increased awareness, program development and implementation, as well as collaboration among the stakeholders who help children, youth, and young adults with mental health and substance abuse difficulties,” said Dr. Wickstrom, Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Development at LSUS.
Stakeholders in K-12 include anyone who engages with youth every day. From teachers, counselors, administrators, school psychologists, social workers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, families, and clinicians who must work together to implement effective interventions.
Dr. Dudley Chewning’s afternoon session will cover who tells us what trauma is and effective methods to reduce its impact.
“If we know what our national health hazard is, we know the cause, the creator, the antidote but we are failing our clients,” Dr. Chewning said. “Too many are ill prepared to assist those they oversee, nor do they know how to measure their processes.”
The end of the year provides an opportunity for counselors, school psychologists, psychologists, social workers, and teachers to make improvements to mental health awareness and substance abuse prevention efforts. This information is vital for developing critical strategies and skills for anyone providing mental health or substance abuse prevention and intervention services.
The Annual Mental Health Awareness and Substance Abuse Prevention Conference will present the latest evidence-based and best practices for implementation in mental health and substance abuse prevention. For details on the agenda, and to register for the conference, visit the LSUS Continuing Education website at: https://www.ce.lsus.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=884
LSUS Continuing Educationprovides quality-learning experiences with professional instructors offering a flexible course schedule on campus and at other locations throughout the regional community for a multi-faceted and diverse population based on their educational needs. For more information and a full list of courses, please visit www.lsus.edu/ce or call 318.798.4177.
Emile William “Bill” Holm March 25, 1932 — November 19, 2023 Service: Friday, November 24, 2023, 11:30am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
William Caleb “Dub” Dean, Jr. December 14, 1928 — November 18, 2023 Service: Friday, November 24, 2023, 8am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
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)
NEARING RETIREMENT: Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator has served in law enforcement for more than 50 years. (Photo courtesy Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Everyone has a story.
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person — someone well-known, influential, or successful — and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
In fear.
That’s how many Shreveport women – especially those in the Highland neighborhood – lived their lives for 10 months in 1980 and 1981. A serial rapist, known as the “Highland Rapist,” terrorized the otherwise peaceful area.
Steve Prator, then with the Shreveport Police Department, was the lead detective on the case.
“I would go home and sleep for a few hours at a time. We had different teams that I would have assigned out there. I would actually be working with them …. We had SWEPCO trucks and taxi cabs that we had borrowed. We had detectives and police officers on bicycles, and joggers, in the neighborhood undercover.”
Around 1 a.m. on Sept. 7, 1981, Prator and his team were in the right place at the right time.
“He attempted to rape a woman, and she fought him off. She called us. It was off Dalzell Street, and we were close enough to the area that we surrounded it and started going block by block and alley by alley. We knew we pretty much had him cornered somewhere, then the K-9 flushed him out.”
Prator was one of the first people with whom the suspect came face to face.
“I was fortunate enough not to just investigate all these, but to actually be the one who chased him and laid hands on him as soon as we caught him.”
Forty years later, Prator still remembers the feeling when he “laid hands on him.”
“It’s ecstasy. It’s something you couldn’t explain. It’s more than just, ‘Hey, we caught him.’ It’s a lot more than that because you’re so invested in this thing. It dominates your whole thought process. It dominates everything.”
Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator, who chose not to run for re-election and will retire next June, told me this story – part of his story – over a Monday lunch at Po-Boy Express. The sheriff doesn’t go to lunch often, so he asked me to choose the place.
“A lot of times, I’ll get chicken and eat on the tailgate of my truck for lunch, rather than going to a restaurant.”
And therein lies the foundation for Prator’s popularity. He’s a man of the people. When the 72-year-old leaves office, Prator will have been with the sheriff’s department 24 and a half years — all but six months of those as the elected sheriff. That popularity was evident while we were at lunch. Before taking our order, the lady at the counter told the sheriff how disappointed she was that he wasn’t running again, and how much she appreciated his service. While we were walking out of the restaurant, a couple stood up from their table to echo the same feelings.
“I feel like Cher on my farewell tour,” the sheriff told me, with a shy look and a humble voice.
Prator was born in Clarksville, Tenn., but grew up in Shreveport’s North Highlands area. “I loved my mom, too, but I was so close to my dad. He and I were just so close. He instilled all of my value systems and worth ethic.”
That work ethic was taught while Mr. Prator had a water well drilling company.
“I remember when I was 14 years old. There was about a 200-foot water line we had to dig. He dropped me off one morning and told me where it needed to go and how big to make it. He said, ‘I will be back this afternoon at five o’clock and I want it done.’ So, I had a sharpshooter shovel and directions on where to dig from point A to point B. I knew he expected it to be done. Plus, I wanted to make him proud. That’s the way I grew up.”
Young Prator got the job done – and on time.
After a year at C.E. Byrd High School, then graduating from Northwood High School, Prator went to college at LSU. But “getting an education was second. Having a good time was first.” So, after three years, he came home and finished at LSUS with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Prator didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life, but his father knew his son needed direction and structure. So, Mr. Prator pulled a string attached to then controversial police chief George D’Artois, which helped his son get hired by SPD.
“When I first got on, I was more scared of my partner than I was criminals. I had just come from college, sitting around the fraternity house watching football games, and (the movie) ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ had come out. I’m thinking all police are fat and stupid. That was the image of them for a college boy at the time.”
Thanks to “working hard and keeping your nose clean,” Prator climbed the ranks to be appointed chief of police. Along the way, Prator suffered the pain of a few broken noses, and drew his gun hundreds of times. But Prator never pulled – and still has never pulled – the trigger, in the line of duty.
“I don’t know of a single policeman worth his salt who ever wants to shoot somebody or wants to be involved in a deadly situation.”
After 27 years with SPD – eight years as chief – Prator set his sights on leading the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“When you’re the police chief, you have the city council telling you what to do. You have the mayor. You have the CAO (chief administrative officer). You’ve got so many different bosses. When you get to be sheriff, you’ve got 250,000 bosses, but each one of them is not telling you every day (what to do).”
Congressman Steve Prator?
When Jim McCreary decided in 2007 not to seek re-election to the United States Congress, Prator says the local Republican party asked him to run.
“In fact, the Speaker of the House (John Boehner) even called me. It was kind of like I was going through rush. Then there was a sheriff that caught the Green River Killer in Washington State. He got to be a congressman. They had him call me. I watched some C-SPAN, and they were talking about Medicare and Medicaid. I watched about three or four minutes, and I said, ‘This is bull____.’ I am not going to go up there and have to listen to this. I’ll be sound asleep.”
And then there’s the issue of reaching across the aisle.
“My dad raised me with the definition of diplomacy being able to say, ‘Nice doggie’ while you’re looking for a stick to kill him.”
Prator doesn’t plan on slowing down in retirement. When he wakes up, “I’m going to take a shower, get cleaned up, and go somewhere and do something. I’m going to be involved in something. That’s why I don’t watch sports on TV. I don’t want to see somebody else doing something. I want to do it.”
That “it” will likely involve reforming the justice system. Prator brought up the subject, his voice rising to accentuate his passion.
“You pull up at a red light and look over to your right or your left, and that person could very well be out on bond on a violent crime, and you don’t have any idea about it. That is wrong. There are too many cases which are diverted, dropped, dismissed, plea bargained, reduced – and it shouldn’t be like that.”
As our time together came to a close, I asked Sheriff Prator my final question. As always, what is it about his story that could influence others?
“Find your passion. Find your passion, or your North Star, as the book says, and pursue that. All else will fall in line … Until you do, you’re not going to be as happy as you could be. You might be happy, but you won’t be as happy and do as good as you could. If you’re looking for a profession, find out what your passion is, and do that.”
Steve Prator found his passion some 50 years ago – helping others. And we have been the beneficiaries.
Do you know someone who has a story to tell? Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com
CHRISTUS Health announced Monday that Casey Robertson has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, effective Dec. 4.
Robertson comes to Shreveport from the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System in Longview, Texas, where he spent 18 months as chief operating officer.
“I am very much looking forward to working with our great CHRISTUS Associates and the communities here in the Shreveport-Bossier area,” Robertson said. “This is such a great ministry that has done some amazing work in recent years, and I look forward to continuing the great work and growing our ministry.”
Robertson brings nearly 20 years of health care administration, including more than 10 years at the CEO level. Prior to joining CHRISTUS, he was CEO of Sadiant Inc., a Fort Worth-based clinical on-demand organizations.
His previous roles included CEO at Longview Regional Medical Center in Longview and Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin, Texas.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University in San Antonio.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the work that Casey has done in our Good Shepherd ministry,” said Chris Glenney, CHRISTUS senior vice president of Group Operations for Northeast Texas and North Louisiana. “I know that our future in Shreveport-Bossier under his leadership is very bright and that we will continue to provide excellent, faith-based care that is consistent with the values of CHRISTUS Health.”
Robertson replaces Dr. Steen Trawick, who had served in the role since 2019.
A nationwide search is also underway for a dedicated chief medical officer for the CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, who will focus on advancing clinical excellent and quality.
On November 18, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Shreveport police officers responded to an armed person call in the 1600 block of Aline Circle. En route to the scene, officers received critical information indicating a female victim was trapped inside her vehicle while a male suspect had just shattered the windshield.
Upon arrival, officers successfully apprehended Cardairo Smith (2-25-87), who was taken into custody and charged with one count of aggravated battery, one count of felony stalking, one count of property damage, and one count of simple battery.
The incident, though alarming, resulted in no serious injuries to anyone involved. We are required to advise that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
On November 19, at approximately 6 p.m., Shreveport police officers responded to the 2200 block of East Bert Kouns Industrial Loop regarding a sexual assault.
Upon arrival, officers were informed that the victim reported being in the park when an individual approached his vehicle. The individual began tapping on the window. Subsequently, as the victim lowered the window, the suspect, identified as Gerald Flarity, 61 years of age, allegedly reached through the open window and grabbed the victim’s genitals.
The Shreveport Police Department takes such incidents seriously, and an investigation led to the arrest of Gerald Flarity. He is now facing one count of sexual battery.
We encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident or other similar cases to come forward and assist in our ongoing efforts.
We are required to advise that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
On November 18, at approximately 9 p.m., Shreveport police officers responded to a report of sexual assault at an address in the 400 block of E. 79th Street. Upon arrival, officers initiated an investigation into the alleged incident.
The suspect, identified as Kalin Scott, 27 years of age, was accused of attempting to rape an elderly female at the mentioned location. Following a thorough investigation, Scott was apprehended and subsequently charged with one count of attempted first-degree rape.
The accusations suggest that Scott, by use of force, attempted to commit sexual assault against a person aged 65 years or older. Our agency is diligently working to ensure justice is served in this matter.
Kalin Scott is currently in custody, and further legal proceedings will follow as the case progresses through the criminal justice system. We urge anyone with additional information related to this case to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
We are required to advise that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
SIMON SAYS: Calvary running back James Simon looks for running room in last week’s playoff win against Menard. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
The easiest offensive strategy in all of football would be for the Calvary offensive coaching staff to hand the ball to junior running back James Simon. Again, and again, and again.
And again.
You’ve got a four-star running back lining up in your backfield who averages almost eight yards per carry, and yet Simon gets about 10 carries per game.
But there’s no doubt he makes the most of them. Simon is averaging a rushing touchdown every nine carries. In an offense that features a passing game that has produced more than 3,000 yards this season, it might seem as though he is both underutilized and unnoticed.
Yet he is neither.
“At my position, the goal is to not get so much wear and tear on my body,” said Simon. “It’s definitely not needed. I definitely feel like it could get to 20 or 25 carries a game if I have to. I’d love to do that, if it meant winning the game for my team.”
“As good as he is, he sometimes touches the ball three times in a game,” Calvary head coach Rodney Guin said. “He’s so unselfish. He never says a word about it.”
Is there a temptation to just hand it to Simon as many times as possible and see what happens? “That night might come,” Guin said with a laugh. “But we want him healthy in the playoffs.”
Mission accomplished.
Simon is as healthy as he can be as the Cavaliers enter the quarterfinals Friday night against Parkview Baptist at 7 o’clock at Jerry Barker Stadium.
“With the way they keep me healthy and well rested, I’m 100 percent every week,” said Simon.
Simon’s older brother is on the Cavs’ team and his father (John III) is the offensive coordinator at Grambling State. He had a record-setting career at Louisiana Tech (1998-2001) and played three seasons in the NFL.
“It helps that he comes from a football family,” Guin said. “He’s grown up around football. That helps him understand his role on the team.”
“It’s benefitted me a lot, especially since my dad played the same position I am playing at every single level,” Simon said. “He definitely knows the ups and downs and all the things to deal with. With my mom, too, they all know about the football life and how it goes and are very supportive about it.”
Simon gets plenty of analysis from his father, and there’s plenty of self-analysis.
“Even as a kid, I remember thinking about how I could have done things better,” said Simon. “Even now in high school when I watch film, I try to figure out what I could have done better, more than just look at the highlights. My dad would do that, too. At the end of the day, nobody’s perfect, so you have to look at what you could have done better to fix that.”
It’s hard not to notice the five elastic bands Simon wears on his left wrist – Texas, Alabama, Notre Dame, LSU and Texas A&M. Is that a coincidence or does that mean something?
“It could be … possibly,” he says. “But it’s just schools that I like a lot.”
Strange as it may seem, if Simon were ever asked to draw up one play for himself, it wouldn’t be a running play.
“Honestly, I would put myself out wide and run a deep route,” he said. “I know I could do it. People don’t know it, but I can run routes and I can catch the ball. I feel like that would show off my talents.”
But for now, he will just be taking it week by week, carry by carry, which feeds into what he loves most about football.
“Really, it’s just having fun, especially with my friends,” Simon said. “It’s one thing to just go out and play football, but to be able to do it with your friends and the people you hang out with makes it even better.”
TUNNEL OF LOVE: LSU QB Jayden Daniels gets adulation from fans after Saturday’s 56-15 win over Georgia State in Tiger Stadium. (Photo courtesy of LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – With Heisman Trophy ballots a week away from being distributed, Jayden Daniels’ Heisman Trophy campaign manager/LSU head football coach Brian Kelly said Monday that his senior quarterback is “playing the game of football at a level that I have never seen before.”
Daniels won SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the fifth time this season (sharing it with Missouri QB Brady Cook). With another record-setting performance in last Saturday’s blowout of Georgia State, he joined 2021 Heisman winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M as the only players in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
In 11 games for the 8-3 Tigers, Daniels has passed for 3,577 yards and 36 TDs and rushed for 1,014 yards and 10 TDs.
Heisman finalists are announced in two weeks on Dec. 4 and the winner is revealed on Dec. 9 in New York, so LSU’s last regular season game Saturday vs. SEC West rival Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium is Daniels’ final chance to gain more votes.
He’s done a good job of that the last two Saturdays.
Daniels’ 8 TDs – 6 passing and 2 rushing – in the 56-14 pounding of Georgia State tied 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow’s LSU single-game record for TD responsibility. What’s more, Daniels’ 509 total offense yards made him the only player in SEC history with more than 600 and 500 total offense yards in consecutive games.
“I’m chasing to be great each and every week,” Daniels said after the win over Georgia State. “I’ve still got a long way to go. I put in the work, day in and day out. You can’t cheat the game of football. You really got to go out there and just give it your all.”
Two Saturdays ago, in the Tigers’ 52-35 win over Florida, Daniels set an SEC single-game total offense yardage record of 606 yards (372 passing, 234 yards) and 5 TDs (3 passing, 2 rushing). He also became the first player in FBS (NCAA Division 1-A) history to pass for more than 350 yards and rush for more than 200 yards in a game. His rushing yards were the most ever by an SEC QB in a game.
Daniels, who leads the nation in seven stat categories, and Oregon QB Bo Nix (an Auburn transfer) are in a two-man race for the Heisman. On Monday, Daniels moved to the top of the Heisman odds on BetMGM.
He’s No. 1 nationally in total offense (417.4 ypg), passing efficiency (208.34), passing TDs (36), rushing yards per carry (8.18), rushing yards by a QB (1,014 yards), points responsible for (278) and points responsible for per game (25.3).
Also, Daniels has made 81 plays of 20 or more yards (more than 7 per game) with 64 passing and 17 rushing.
“I’ve watched the other players (Nix, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.) and they’re terrific players, too,” Kelly said. “But what he’s (Daniels) doing is so different in terms of what I’ve seen in my career, in terms of pushing the ball down the field, the accuracy in terms of dropping balls into tight coverages. running the football and the assertiveness he’s shown throwing the football.
“These aren’t screen passes. These aren’t swing passes. These aren’t cupcake throws. All of his throws are vertical throws, and he’s pushing the ball down the field, and his runs are not like, `Wow, where is everybody? ‘He’s making people miss.
“He’s taken hits to run the football. We can count on one hand the times he’s slid. He doesn’t slide. He shows toughness.”
Last game for Texas A&M: Won at home Saturday 38-10 over Abilene Christian. The Aggies had 448 yards, while the defense held its opponent from scoring an offensive touchdown for the fourth time this season.
Series record and last meeting: LSU leads 35-22-3. Last November in College Station, Texas A&M won 38-23. A&M’s Devon Achane rushed for 215 yards and 2 TDs on 38 carries.
Interim Texas A&M head coach: Elijah Robinson (1-0 overall)
THIS AND THAT
Early betting line: LSU is an 11-point favorite.
Number of Louisiana natives on Texas A&M roster: 5
Number of Texas natives on LSU roster: 13
Number of transfers on Texas A&M roster from 4-year schools: 17 players from 16 schools including 7 players from 6 Power 5 Conference schools
TEXAS A&M PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Jaylen Henderson (27 of 42 for 410 yards, 4 TDs, 1 interception) RB Amari Daniels (505 rushing yards, 5 TDs on 92 carries), WR Ainias Smith (45 catches for 736 receiving yards, 2 TDs), LB Edgerrin Cooper (75 tackles, 16 TFL, 7 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 PBU, 2 FF), DE Shemar Thomas (31 tackles, 10½ TFL, 6 sacks, 3 QB hurries), PK/KO Randy Bond (22 of 30 field goals, 43 of 43 extra points, 60 kickoffs for 63.2 pko, 30 touchbacks, 1 out of bounds), P Nik Constantinou (36 for 40.83 ypp, 18 fair catches, 14 inside the 20, six, 50 or more yards), PR Ainias Smith (19 for 289 yards, 1 TD) and KR Rueben Owens (8 for 154)
POP QUIZ
1. How much has Texas A&M paid collectively in buyouts to its last four fired head football coaches?
A. $56.8 million
B. $42.3 million
C. $98.2 million
D. $39.7 million
2. What did the Aggie say when he called the locksmith?
A. “Do you unlock just houses?”
B. “Can you open combination locks?”
C. “How much do you charge?”
D. “Please hurry. I locked my car keys in my convertible, the top is down and it’s starting to rain.”
3. How many consecutive seasons at one point did LSU play Texas A&M in Baton Rouge?
BULLDOG BITE: Louisiana Tech safety Myles Heard, the Bulldogs’ second-leading tackler this season, delivers a hit to a New Mexico State player. (Photo courtesy Louisiana Tech Athletics)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
RUSTON – Following season-long defensive struggles, notably in a six-game losing skid ending the fall, Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie has parted ways with three assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Scott Power.
The departures of Power and secondary coaches Myles Carelock and Nate Johnston were confirmed Monday in a text message to media from Tech athletic strategic communications director Kane McGuire. His text said they were “no longer on the football coaching staff” and added there “are no planned press conferences at this time.”
The Bulldogs, who finished 3-9 for a third straight season, are mired in their worst three-year span since joining the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks in 1988. Cumbie ended his second season with identical overall and Conference USA (2-6) records, as in 2022.
Tech also went 3-9 overall, 2-6 in CUSA games in 2021, resulting in the firing of head coach Skip Holtz, who had winning seasons in seven of his nine years, including three with 9 or 10 wins. The Bulldogs reached seven straight bowl games until his final season.
This fall, the Tech defense gave up 33.4 points per game while allowing 232.5 rushing yards and 418 total yards per contest. In the season-ending six-game losing streak, the points allowed average was 41.6, and it soared to 51.3 in the final three games.
Jacksonville State ran for 522 yards on Saturday in a 56-17 rout, opening a 42-10 halftime lead.
By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports After the first week of the prep soccer season, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Poll has major shakeup on the boys’ side, in addition to both top-ranked teams being displaced.
The boys’ voters elevated Byrd (with five first-place votes) to No. 1, switching spots with Bossier, after the Yellow Jackets defeated the Bearkats, 2-0, on Friday night.
Captain Shreve remained in the second spot, only five points behind Byrd and four ahead of Bossier. Loyola jumped two spots up to fourth, and even collected a first-place vote, the same number Shreve and Bossier received.
No newcomers entered into the poll. Results led to the voting coaches trimming the number of teams getting votes from 10 down to just seven.
The girls’ coaches voted Loyola (three first-place votes) into the No. 1 ranking, switching with Captain Shreve (two first-place votes). Byrd (three first-place votes) is in the third spot. The gap between first place and third place is only three total points, so clearly these teams will jockey for position all season.
Only four contests are slated on Thanksgiving week, so the next poll voting will not take place until the first weekend in December.
PACKING THE PAINT: Bossier Parish’s John Awoke (5), Ajang Tong (15) and Braylan McNeal (20) defend an inbounds pass from Delgado in the second half of the Cavs’ 90-58 win in the Dacari Markray Classic Monday night. (Journal photo by LEE HILLER)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Bossier Parish Community College ran out to an early lead in dispatching of Delgado 90-58 Monday night in the Dacari Markray Classic held at the Billy Montgomery Gym.
The Cavaliers, now 4-4 on the year, got out to a 23-8 advantage in the first half lead and were never headed off.
Jahlil Bethea led four Cavs in double figures with 25 points, followed by former Ruston standout Braylan McNeal with 24. John Awoke had 14 and Nicholas Kaigler tallied 13.
BPCC plays again today in the second day of the classic against East Central Community College at 2 p.m. That game follows the first game between Panola and Delgado that starts at noon.
To honor the tournament’s namesake, the former Doyline High School great who was lost as a freshman at BPCC, the last game of the classic will feature Doyline High School and Plain Dealing High School at 7 p.m.
Four Winds Cherokee Chief Two Feathers displays bags made of deer skin by his tribe Monday at LSUS. CREDIT: Lukas Harville/LSUS Media Relations
The historical accounts shared by Four Winds Cherokee Chief Two Feathers and United Houma Nation Chief Lora Ann Chaisson shed light on the personal impact of the often oversimplified narrative surrounding the interaction between Native Americans and Europeans in North America.
Organized by the LSUS Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement to commemorate Native American Heritage Month in November, the event provided a platform for Chiefs Two Feathers and Chaisson to share their perspectives.
Chief Two Feathers, leading the Four Winds Cherokee tribe in western and central Louisiana, traced his ancestors’ arrival in the late 1700s from the Carolinas. Settling in what was then No Man’s Land in western Louisiana, the area provided a temporary haven with more lenient laws. However, Chief Two Feathers noted that Native Americans faced legal, social, and cultural intolerance, leading to changes in last names and other identity concealment practices.
“For the Houma, forced off their traditional homeland around the Baton Rouge area, life in the bayous of Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes became a necessity,” Chief Chaisson explained. Despite ties to the land, historical disadvantages persist, affecting their traditional practices like cypress basket weaving due to saltwater intrusion.
Chaisson highlighted the environmental challenges faced by Louisiana residents, including coastal erosion and powerful hurricanes, impacting their way of life. The unequal recovery from storms further exacerbates disparities, as demonstrated by the abandonment of an island in southern Terrebonne Parish.
Chaisson emphasized the need for collective efforts to secure a better future for the upcoming generations. “We’re fighting so that our babies don’t have to fight these fights,” she said, underlining the ongoing struggle for cultural preservation and environmental justice.
“These robot dogs not only have the potential to save Airmen’s lives, but they also serve as a reminder of how valuable your voice is, regardless of rank.”
Master Sgt. Dominic Garcia, the emergency management flight chief from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, devised the concept of robot dogs and while he advanced his idea into building and testing the robots he learned some valuable lessons along the way.
The journey to robot dogs
Garcia is originally from Denver, enlisted in the Air Force in 2006 and spent a majority of his career working under the Air Force Global Strike Command.
In 2017, Garcia deployed to Syria from his home station at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
After returning from his deployment Garcia reflected on his time in Syria.
“I had a really hard time adjusting back, and when you’re trying to adjust back, you replay a lot of things in your head,” said Garcia. “You replay certain situations, you think what could I have done better? What could I have done differently?”
While reflecting on his deployment he remembered seeing canine teams on some of the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear missions. He said while he considered the things he would improve he wondered if there was a way to arm the dogs with detectors instead of sending an entire team into a potentially hazardous environment.
In 2019 Garcia was one of six AFGSC Airmen of the Year award recipients and met people from across AFGSC. His networking led to the opportunity to bring the concept of robot dogs to life through the Air Force Work Project.
AFWERX is an Air Force innovation program that connects Airmen with technology developers to evolve creative ideas into reality.
While Garcia worked on his concept with AFWERX he connected with the company, Ghost Robotics, who agreed to build the robot dogs.
In 2022 Garcia and his team applied for and were awarded $1.25 million dollars for the project through the Silver Award Grant.
Garcia said he was delightfully surprised as he discovered opportunities and programs as he progressed in his journey to make his robot dog idea possible.
“All I knew up until 2018 and 2019 was, if you want something done, you have to wait for policy or requirements,” said Garcia. “I didn’t know that there’s this whole other side of the Air Force that allows you to fast track and get what you need, kind of at the speed of relevancy to the tactical edge.”
Once the robot parts were ready and delivered Garcia and his team assembled the parts into two robotic canines.
The team tested the functionality of the newly assembled robot dogs then advanced to testing their capabilities to tackle CBRN incidents. The team tested the robot dogs CBRN readiness through radioactive sites at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Garcia and his team tested the robot dogs on terrain usability, detection, sensor data feedback and communication at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah.
Garcia and his new flight at Barksdale have continued testing the robotic canines through further research and development.
One of Garcia’s flight members, Airman 1st Class Daisy Slater, an emergency management specialist from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, said she is grateful for the opportunity to work with Garcia and learn about the dogs.
“I feel like getting to this flight, I’ve been given the opportunity to hit the ground running, so to speak,” said Slater. “There are so many NCOs and especially Airmen coming out of this flight that are making waves in the career field. And when you situate yourself next to people doing great things, it opens up a door for you to also do great things.”
Slater said over the past month she has watched the team remote control the dogs in different terrain and environments.
Lessons along the journey
Throughout the development of his robot dog concept Garcia discovered a new passion for empowering Airmen to share their perspectives.
He emphasized the importance of listening to and encouraging different perspectives of his teammates.
“We need to be able to say yes more and listen more,” said Garcia. “We need to be able to allow our Airmen, our sergeants, our lieutenants, whoever, to be able to give those ideas and support them because if you say no you’ll never know the return on investment. But a simple yes can have so many positive effects that we don’t even see sometimes.”
There was a time in Garcia’s career that he didn’t know he could come up with a concept and receive the support to make it a reality.
Going through this process opened his eyes to the value in involving Airmen at every level and encouraging them and supporting their ideas. Garcia said that is the reason he wanted to involve his teammates in the testing and evaluation of the robot dogs..
“This is one of the few times that we get to build by the end user, for the end user. Yes, end users test certain pieces of equipment, but very rarely do they get to build it out for an entire career flow for an entire mission,” said Garcia. “That’s why I wanted to create an exposure for these guys to show them that it doesn’t matter what rank you are…it doesn’t matter how much experience you have in the Air Force, we all bring something to the table,” said Garcia.
Garcia said he is inspired by the adaptability and eagerness displayed by the newer generation of Airmen and he hopes he has paved a path for the many Airmen who have innovative ideas.
“The robot dogs are amazing. I love them, and I believe they’re going to save lives,” said Garcia. “What we’re doing for the career field, I think is awesome because we’re the first ones in the whole emergency management career field doing this, but the more important message is, we need to be able to be more open.”
We are entering the season of anticipatory waiting. There is lots of movement in this season. We travel. We welcome out-of-town guests. We hurry to the door when Amazon arrives. We overdose on the saccharine sweet stories on the Hallmark Channel. Soon, we in liturgical churches will talk about the “waiting of Advent.” Before the madness begins, I wanted you to ponder a writing from Sue Monk Kidd’s When the Heart Waits. She wrote:
“One afternoon as the children watched television and I folded laundry; we heard a terrible thud against the patio door. I turned in time to see blue wings falling to the ground. A bird had flown into the glass.
None of us said a word. We looked at one another and crept to the door. The children followed me outside. I half-expected the bird to be dead, but she wasn’t. She was stunned and her right wing was a little lopsided, but it didn’t look broken—bruised, maybe.
The bird sat perfectly still, her eyes tiny and afraid. She looked so fragile and alone that I sat down beside her. I reached out my little finger and brushed her wing.
A voice came from behind me, “Why doesn’t it fly off, Mama?”
“She’s hurt,” I said. “She just needs to be still.”
We watched her. We watched her stillness. Finally, the children wandered back to the television, satisfied that nothing was going to “happen” for a while. But I couldn’t leave her.
I sat beside her, unable to resist the feeling that we shared something, the two of us. The wounds and the brokenness of life. Crumpled wings. A collision with something harsh and real. I felt like crying for her. For myself. For every broken thing in the world.
That moment taught me that while the postures of stillness within the cocoon are frequently an individual experience, we also need to share our stillness. The bird taught me anew that we’re all in this together, what we need to sit in one another’s stillness and take up corporate postures of prayer. How wonderful it is when we can be honest and free enough to say to one another, “I need you to wait with me,” or “Would you like to me to wait with you?”
I studied the bird, deeply impressed that she seemed to know instinctively that stillness is healing. I had been learning that too, learning that stillness can be the prayer that transforms us. How much more concentrated out stillness becomes, though, when it’s shared.
The door opened again, “Is she finished being still?”
“No, not yet,” I said, knowing that I was talking as much about myself as the bird. We went on waiting together. Twenty minutes. Thirty. Fifty.
Finally, she was finished being still. She cocked her head to one side, lifted her wings and flew. The sight of her flying made me catch my breath. From the corner of my eye, I saw her shadow move along the ground and cross over me. Grace is everywhere I thought. Then I picked myself up and went back to folding the laundry.”
The Meadows Museum of Art at Centenary College will welcome local artists and makers to the museum for its sixth annual Holiday Makers Market on Saturday, December 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Meadows is located on the Centenary campus at 2911 Centenary Boulevard. Free parking is available in Lot 13, directly across Centenary Boulevard from the Meadows Museum.
A variety of vendors will join the Makers Market this year, including:
3 Acres Crafts & Crops
Art By Azire
Betsy Levels Art
Blue Jay Creative
Clean Slate Botanicals
Dawn2Dusk Creations
Healing Water’s Candles
Judy Horne Art
Kristin Sorensen
MKW Studios
Molly McCombs Art
Pottery by Trudy
Riana Seidenberg Art
Wet Paint Arts
Hot chocolate and cookies will be served throughout the event.
Huey Perry Dean October 11, 1930 — November 18, 2023 Service: Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 5pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Homer.
Mr. Rodney “Ronnie” Pinesett January 11, 1952 ~ November 12, 2023 Service: Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 11am at the Lake Bethlehem Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Emile William “Bill” Holm March 25, 1932 — November 19, 2023 Service: Friday, November 24, 2023, 11:30am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
William Caleb “Dub” Dean, Jr. December 14, 1928 — November 18, 2023 Service: Friday, November 24, 2023, 8am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
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)
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always hungry reporter visits a different restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
I’ve never been a brunch person.
My taste buds are wired for breakfast in the morning, lunch at midday, and dinner in the evening.
But I know I am in the minority, as I often hear people talk about their enjoyment of weekend brunch.
So, on a recent Sunday and to fulfill my duty to you, the reader, I asked a friend to join me for brunch at Sauvage (608 Absinthe Court, Shreveport).
Why Sauvage? A: I had never been. B: The food pictures they post on social media look outstanding.
Sauvage is not one of those places you’re going to stumble upon. It’s located on a side street near the entrance to Twelve Oaks subdivision. In fact, Sauvage doesn’t have a stand-alone sign facing Flournoy-Lucas – the main road bordering the restaurant.
Our reservation was for 12:30. If you want to make a reservation, you will have to call. I tried making one by going to what I thought was Sauvage’s website. Instead, the link took me to the restaurant’s Facebook page. As I have said before, a Facebook page is not the same as a website. In 2023, a website is a must for any legitimate business.
We arrived on time and were seated on time. The gentleman who greeted us wasn’t the friendliest, but did his job in showing us to our table. He gave us two choices – sit in the bar area, or the main dining room. The bar area was lively and had televisions showing NFL games. We chose the quieter dining room. It was pleasant but lacked atmosphere. The room could use some color, as we were surrounded by mostly plain white walls and a dull-looking stained concrete floor.
Soon after, Patrick, our server, was filling our water glasses. “Sauvage” is French, and in keeping with French custom, the glasses were without ice.
Early on, Patrick let us know it was his first day on the job. We appreciated Patrick’s honesty, as he did not have full knowledge of the menu. Patrick is working his way through welding school. We wished him well.
While I nursed my water without ice, my friend wanted to order a Poinsettia, which was on the menu as one of the restaurant’s “Brunch Drink Specials.” Who knew the Christmastime plant was also a drink? Patrick wasn’t certain of the Poinsettia’s flavor but offered to find out. He reported back that the Poinsettia was a mix of cranberry juice and champagne. My friend took a chance, and that chance paid off. She really liked it. The glass was filled to the top, prompting Patrick to say, “I tried not to short you!”
While reviewing our food options, my friend pointed out that this was a true brunch menu. There were a variety of breakfast and lunch entrees. Those food options included six appetizers. Being a brunch novice, I didn’t know if it was typical to have a starter. But one item caught my friend’s attention – Spring Rolls ($12). They were described as Beef, Asian Slaw, and Sweet and Spicy Aioli.
The spring rolls were beautifully presented—six of them positioned diagonally over each other—with with garnish and a side of dipping sauce. I enjoyed them more than my friend, as she said they tasted bland. I agree the taste was a bit mild, but they were served warm, which counts for a lot. Unfortunately, the spring rolls were the only thing served warm. As the late, great radio host Paul Harvey used to say, “Standy by for more!”
When Patrick seated us, he described a couple of “Specials.” One prompted me to ask him to repeat what he said. “Key Lime French Toast.” I like Key Lime Pie, and I like French Toast. But I had never heard of combining the two. I almost ordered Shrimp and Grits but let’s be honest, how many times are you going to have the opportunity to have Key Lime French Toast ($16)? I couldn’t pass it up. I also ordered a side of bacon ($5).
My friend went more traditional – Steak and Eggs ($19). The dish was described as a grilled and sliced 6-ounce New York Strip, breakfast potatoes, and two sunny side up eggs. She requested her eggs be served scrambled, and they were.
While we waited for our meal, we took notice of food others were being served. Everything looked just like the pictures – beautiful. We saw everything from Asian Nachos to Chicken and Waffles to the Brunch Burger. This only raised the anticipation level of how our food would look and taste.
Upon arrival, both our dishes looked delicious. Unfortunately, neither of our dishes tasted delicious. My Key Lime French Toast wasn’t cold, but it certainly wasn’t hot. In fact, it wasn’t close to being warm. Who wants almost-cold toast, even if it does taste like Key Lime? And it did. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought I was eating key lime pie. Think of key lime pie, with bread replacing the crust. Except for its warmth, the Key Lime French Toast was good. But that was a big “Except.”
The bacon was tasty. It was crisp, and absent of grease. When was the last time you ate bacon which didn’t have grease?
It only took one bite of steak for my friend to express disappointment. While it was cooked to her preference (slightly pink in the middle), she said the steak was tough. Real tough. I took a bite and, after chewing for several seconds, agreed. In fact, I will go a step further. The steak was terrible. It was also borderline cold. My friend only ate a couple of pieces.
She did say the eggs were good and “fluffy,” while the potatoes were seasoned well and had a “great flavor.”
Patrick gave us a couple of dessert choices – one being Key Lime Pie. I already had my daily quota of key lime, and while Patrick said something about crème brulee, and lemon cake, we decided to pass.
Our meal before tax and tip was $52. Had our food been satisfactory, that would have been a fair price. (Note: The 20% suggested tip was based on the after-tax total – not the subtotal. That’s a pet peeve of mine.)
I thought long and hard about how to rate our Sunday brunch. We were mostly disappointed. However, our food – and the food of others – looked great. The service was good (especially considering it was our server’s first day), and the prices were reasonable. So, I decided to give Sauvage the benefit of the doubt – Three Forks. We would visit again, but not go out of our way to do so.
If there is a next time, we will definitely order something different. And without a doubt, I would ask our server to please tell the cook to make sure our food is hot if it’s supposed to be hot.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt 2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying 3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it 4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
In a momentous stride towards revitalizing the city’s cultural landscape, Mayor Arceneaux recently convened with renowned artist and entrepreneur Curtis Jackson, widely recognized as 50 Cent, and key members of his team. The focus of this high-profile meeting was the reinvigoration of the dormant Millennium Studios, a venture set to reshape Shreveport’s standing in the film and video production industry.
After a series of meetings between the Mayor’s Administration and representatives from G-Unit, a company affiliated with Mr. Jackson, an eagerly anticipated press conference is slated for this morning, November 20th at 10 a.m. The event will unfold on the 1st Floor of Government Plaza in the Foyer area, marking the official announcement of the groundbreaking collaboration between the City of Shreveport and G-Unit.
Mayor Arceneaux, brimming with enthusiasm, conveyed the significance of this collaboration, asserting, “This partnership with G-Unit is a game-changer for Shreveport. It not only breathes new life into a previously underutilized asset but also positions our city as a major player in the film and video production industry. This is a win-win situation that will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and showcase Shreveport’s potential on a global stage.”
The dormant Millennium Studios, now poised for transformation, holds the promise of becoming a thriving hub for cinematic creativity. The collaborative effort between the City of Shreveport and G-Unit is anticipated to inject vitality into the local economy, ushering in a wave of job opportunities and establishing the city as a prominent player in the global film and video production arena.
As the press conference unfolds, the community eagerly anticipates details of the innovative projects and initiatives that will unfold as a result of this groundbreaking collaboration. Shreveport, with its rich cultural tapestry, is on the brink of a cinematic renaissance, and Mayor Arceneaux and G-Unit are at the forefront of this transformative journey. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting venture that promises to elevate Shreveport to new heights in the world of entertainment and production.
is year, Mayor Arceneaux met with renowned artist and entrepreneur Curtis Jackson, also known as 50 cent, and members of his team to visit the revitalization of the dormant Millennium Studios. As a result of several meetings with representatives of G-Unit, a company affiliated with Mr. Jackson, and the Administration, a press conference/announcement of groundbreaking proposed collaboration between the City of Shreveport and G-Unit will be held on this morning, November 20th at 10a.m. on the 1st Floor of Government Plaza in the Foyer area.
Mayor Arceneaux expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “this partnership with G-Unit is a game-changer for Shreveport. It not only breathes new life into a previously underutilized asset but also positions our city as a major player in the film and video production industry. This is a win-win situation that will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and showcase Shreveport’s potential on a global stage.”
The Shreveport Police Department responded to an assault and battery call on November 15, at approximately 10:30 P.M. in the 1000 block of Prospect Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim with a head wound, bleeding, and in need of immediate medical attention.
In response to this incident, officers quickly initiated an investigation that uncovered alarming details. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Dalton Simpson, allegedly brandished a firearm, threatening the victim before violently striking him in the head with the weapon, resulting in a significant injury. Dalton then took items belonging to the victim.
Dalton Simpson has been taken into custody and is now facing serious charges, including one count of armed robbery and one count of second-degree aggravated battery. The victim is expected to recover.
We are required to advise that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
LSUS faculty member Dr. Robert Miciotto, a medical historian in residence, discussed the journey toward this discovery in his lecture “In the Footsteps of a Pioneer: Walter Reed’s Yellow Fever Quest” on Friday at Noel Memorial Library. CREDIT: Lukas Harville/LSUS Media Relations
Cuban physician Carlos J. Finlay was convinced he had the right idea. In 1881, he hypothesized that the rampant yellow fever epidemics of the 19th century were being transmitted by mosquitoes through their bites.
However, it wasn’t until U.S. Army physician Walter Reed and his Yellow Fever Commission validated Finlay’s theory in 1900 that progress was made in combating this deadly disease.
LSUS faculty member Dr. Robert Miciotto, a medical historian in residence, delved into this pivotal discovery in his lecture titled “In the Footsteps of a Pioneer: Walter Reed’s Yellow Fever Quest” at Noel Memorial Library last Friday.
Almost a decade before Finlay’s hypothesis, Shreveport faced the third-worst yellow fever epidemic on record in 1873, claiming a quarter of the town’s population (around 1,200 people). Scientific analysis of the outbreak revealed higher infection rates near bodies of water, foreshadowing the revelation that mosquitoes were the culprits.
When Finlay presented his theory in 1881, it was met with skepticism. Miciotto noted that prevailing wisdom suggested bacteria spread via fomites (objects like bedsheets or clothing). With Cuba grappling with yellow fever for centuries, many assumed it was an inevitable part of tropical life.
The U.S. military’s presence in post-revolution Cuba led Reed to the Caribbean island to study yellow fever. Despite an initial setback due to a break in quarantine protocol, Reed’s subsequent experiments, including one at Camp Lazear, conclusively pointed to mosquitoes as the carriers.
In a groundbreaking moment for medical history, Reed’s experiments demonstrated that only those in the mosquito-quarantined area were infected. This led to cities improving drainage systems and implementing mosquito deterrents, resulting in a decline in yellow fever epidemics.
In the 1920s, the Rockefeller Foundation’s International Health Board contributed substantial resources to eradicate yellow fever, culminating in the development of a vaccine in 1937.
While yellow fever persists in certain tropical parts of Africa and slivers of South America today, significant strides have been made in containment.
Parents are expert problem solvers. One thing we’re never really trained for is how to handle the holidays after having kids. There are so many new challenges — getting the baby to sleep, potty training, tantrums, nursing issues, and more. The list goes on and on. Meanwhile, parents, grandparents, and everyone else want to keep the routines the same.
As parents, we’re trying to establish our own routines and traditions, which isn’t made easy by the existing traditions and history. The struggle is real, ranging from food choices to travel plans and attention distribution among families.
Establishing new traditions while incorporating extended family takes work. With the holiday season approaching, it’s a good time to explore how to establish new traditions, let go of ones that don’t work, and find balance with extended family.
How to Establish Your Family’s Holiday Traditions
Traditions are amazing if they bring people together and strengthen marital bonds. However, if no one ever asks, “Why do we do it this way?” then is it beneficial? Traditions with deep meaning can be amazing, but sometimes we lose sight of the purpose of holidays in light of the traditions and events we attend.
Traditions that have deep meaning can be amazing, but sometimes we lose sight of the purpose of the holidays in light of the traditions and events we attend. I want to make it clear that the point of holidays is to honor the season we are in, whether it is thanksgiving or the birth of Christ, for us Christians. Holidays should not be centered on making each other feel better about all the issues from the year. That is the byproduct of the holiday season, not the reason for the season.
When establishing traditions for your family, ask a few questions:
What new traditions do I want to have with my own children?
What traditions do I want to continue from my childhood?
What new traditions do I want to begin with my children’s grandparents?
Ask your spouses these questions too, as being on the same page is extremely helpful. Begin small; something fun and special doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Traditions become special when shared among family members.
Some ideas for holiday traditions with little ones include making cookies together, reading a special story each year, making a certain food, and putting up kid-friendly decorations.
While it may seem like there’s a lot of pressure to start the perfect holiday tradition, my advice is to begin small. Something fun and special doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, but rather a chance to spend moments together truly enjoying each other. Traditions become special because they’re shared amongst family members.
Some things we do are breaking out the decorations, putting up the tree, doing a thankful pumpkin, finding the star, and lighting the first fire etc. For adults this might be watching “Christmas Vacation” and adult eggnog.
Avoid Possessiveness over the Past
You and your spouse likely have ideas about the perfect (or not so perfect) holiday traditions that you grew up with. When kids enter the family, you may want to continue these traditions so they also experience these special moments. But with every new addition, time slips away, and it’s essential to avoid overcommitting.
Before signing up for every family gathering, ask yourself:
What traditions from the past are non-negotiable, and we want to continue? Why? What are the points and goals of these traditions?
What traditions from the past can be modified to fit our family better?
What traditions can we gently let go of or incorporate in a different way for our children?
The biggest shift between traditions with extended family before and after a baby is your focus. Prioritizing your family’s needs is paramount. There can be feelings of betrayal or competition when prioritizing your nuclear family over the extended family for the first time. Encourage healthy boundaries and avoid comparison games.
Questions like what foods are cooked, how late do we stay up, where do we do thanksgiving, who hosts, who is invited, are important, but all these things are very touchy when we lose sight of the meaning.
In some cases, there is a lot of pressure to create a perfect environment. We get into the comparison game, because of neighbors or social media and we long to have the perfect Rockwell painting in our kitchens, when in reality it can look a lot more like the Adams family.
Travel is the other big issue. When we first start our lives, we don’t usually have money for travel. Kids have to fly. Kids have to ride in cars. Kids need toys and food and security, yet many times we want to bring everything to the people who don’t have kids. The people who are retired and have nothing else going on except for the parents who are exhausted and overwhelmed to bring everything to them. Many times we expect the mom, breastfeeding and shuffling toddlers around to get in their cars and visit, visit, visit. When in reality, the kids want to be home relaxing and playing in their safe and calm environment.
One of the problems is that we are trying to make up for all the time we don’t spend with each other throughout the year. Understandable if it is a distance issue, but truly if we do not invest in time and conversation through the year, why do we take the few days or weeks we have for peace and turn it into stress and chaos with people we are not even in relationship with. Children from divorced homes are especially made to deal with this.
Tips for Visiting with Extended Family
Visiting with extended family, especially while meeting the needs of a baby and holding onto emerging traditions, can be stressful. Here are 5 tips to lower stress during and around the holidays:
Be Flexible: Timing of holiday visits often needs to be flexible. Set up times ahead of time and be flexible with your spouse. Make your time count without overdoing it.
Be Proactive: Plan ahead, communicate what you can and cannot attend, and let them know you appreciate and love them.
Be Brief: If overnight stays are involved, keep it brief to avoid falling back into old family dynamics and conflicts.
Be Firm: Stick to your schedule and what is best for your kids, even if family is being pushy about their agenda.
Be Kind: Model kindness towards extended family, avoid over-analyzing visits, and focus on positive aspects.
Safety During the Holidays
Lastly, holidays are a prime time for unsupervised play, and the risk of abuse or exposure to adult content is at an all-time high. This most likely happens without intention and starts innocently but can be a lifelong sentence if we do not pay attention.
With smart devices and cell phones going younger and younger into the hands of kids, we have to be even more intentional around friends and family to make sure children are prepared, supervised, and then talked to after visits.
I know it is scary, but doing these few things reduces the likelihood of abuse and exposure to adult content by 90% or more. For more information, get my new book, “Building Better Bridges.”
Many abuse cases happen with child-on-child play that gets abusive or toxic due to a lack of supervision, understanding, early exposure, or previous abuse. Having these conversations can be difficult, but I hope that with these healthy boundaries, you and your family will have a wonderful holiday season that leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed, instead of being worn out and stressed!
