The LSUS debate team ranked the best in Louisiana and third overall at the Southern Forensics Championships held on the LSUS campus this past weekend. (Submitted Photo)
The LSUS debate team ranked as the top squad in Louisiana this past weekend at the Southern Forensics Championships held on the LSUS campus.
The Pilots finished third overall in a 27-team field that included seven Louisiana teams.
Notable competitors included LSU A&M, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Union (Tenn.), Abilene Christian (Texas), Dallas Baptist, Southern Mississippi and a handful of competitors from Notre Dame.
LSUS boasted state champions Addison Jacobsen (novice division), Cameron Thoele (varsity champion as a speaker) and team champions in Thoele and CJ Longino, where Longino was also named the first-place speaker overall.
Mississippi State and Union were top two teams in the event.
“The Southern Forensics Championships is the second biggest tournament of the year only behind the national championships on our schedule,” said LSUS debate coach A.J. Edwards. “To be Louisiana debate champions is amazing, and it’s validation for us that our hard work is paying off.
“Our students have put in more time than I have any right to ask for, yet somehow they keep putting in extra practice time.”
In the team debate category, Longino was named the first-place speaker and reached the semifinals along with partner Thoele. Thoele was named the fourth-place speaker.
Jacobsen placed second overall in the novice division with teammates Heidi Tyler and Micah Robinson reaching the octofinals.
In junior varsity, Bailey Brown reached the quarterfinals with Chloe Fresne making the octofinals.
Three LSUS varsity debaters reached the quarterfinals in Jordan Guillot, Longino, and Thoele. Thoele was named third-place speaker (and state champion) in the division with Longino taking fifth-place honors.
Megan Veilleux advanced to the semifinals in the professional division.
More than 250 debaters, coaches and judges descended on the LSUS campus, and Edwards thanked university staff and his team for helping host the event.
“Hosting a tournament like this doesn’t happen without the support of the entire university,” Edwards said. “From event management to the chairs and deans that found us rooms to use to the faculty/staff that judged rounds, the support LSUS has for debate and these events are unmatched.
“A special thanks to the custodial staff that kept the rooms and buildings in great shape. We are lucky and grateful to have everyone in our corner.”
LSUS debaters arrived early to prepare the rooms and help clean up at the end of each day, adding extra tasks than just worrying about their arguments.
“It’s very difficult to host a tournament like this and compete at the same time,” Edwards said. “While other schools get to debate and head back to the hotel, our students came early and stayed late to help us.
“It’s no small feat, but they embraced the challenge.”
Mrs. Lola Linnear November 28, 1938 ~ January 13, 2024 Service: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 11am at Round Grove Cemetery, Shreveport.
Benny Joe Caldwell September 24, 1935 — January 15, 2024 Service: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 10am at Grawood Baptist Church, Keithville.
Bette Jean Wexler Turner October 20, 1934 — January 20, 2024 Service: Friday, January 26, 2024, 10am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Mrs. Shirley Ford September 7, 1946 ~ January 16, 2024 Service: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10am at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church
Ashley Nicole Adkison April 1, 1991 — January 16, 2024 Service: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 3pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
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)
The Greater Shreveport Chamber is excited to introduce its lineup of accomplished local business professionals set to guide the organization in 2024. The newly appointed Chairman of the Board is Michael Corbin from Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), succeeding the 2023 Chairman Roy Prestwood of Heard, McElroy & Vestal.
Dr. Timothy Magner, Chamber President, expressed gratitude for the commitment of these business leaders to steer the Chamber and contribute to the community’s welfare. Michael Corbin, the incoming Chairman, voiced optimism about the year ahead and acknowledged the talented group working with him.
The Executive Committee of the 2024 Board of Directors includes:
Chairman of the Board: Michael Corbin – SWEPCO
Chairman-Elect: Tom Simms – Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
Immediate Past-Chairman: Roy Prestwood – Heard, McElroy & Vestal
VC Education: Charles Johnson – Cejay Enterprises of Louisiana
VC Economic Development: Jason Smith – Citizens National Bank
VC Membership: Scott Ward – Southern Components, Inc.
VC Public Policy: William C. Bradford, Jr. – Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts, APLC
Treasurer: Terry E. Moore
Continuing the roster for the 2024 Board of Directors:
David Alexander – Vintage Realty Co.
Carla Anderson – Elite Health Solutions, LLC
Gabriel Balderas – El Cabo Verde
Andrew Craig – Mohr & Associates, Inc.
Brian Crawford – Willis-Knighton Health System
Mark Crews – Trust Technology Consultants, LLC
Ann Day – Praeses, LLC
Alex Einerson – Visit Shreveport-Bossier
Keith Evans – Brammer Engineering, Inc.
Dr. Holly French-Hart – Bossier Parish Community College
Jeremy K. Moore – Cadence Bank
Lance Miller – Prolec GE USA
Denny Moton – Regions Bank
Jim Shockley – Gordon, Inc.
David R. Smith – EAP
Mark Snow – Aillet, Fenner, Jolly & McClelland, Inc.
Adam West – Progressive Bank
Ryan Williams – Seedlinks Behavior Management
The Chamber looks forward to a productive year under the leadership of Michael Corbin and this dynamic team of professionals dedicated to the growth and success of the region.
AIR FRYING FOODIE:Jennifer West has turned her love for cooking into a million dollar business.(Submitted photo)
Everyone has a story.
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person — someone who is well-known, influential, or successful — and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
Jennifer West was excited.
Her first air fryer — for which she paid close to $200 — had just arrived from Amazon, and she was ready to cook something from scratch.
Homemade Onion Rings.
Sounded good. Until they were ready to eat.
It was “a complete failure.”
“The batter, because it was still wet, got caught in the grates. You pulled the onion rings out when they were cooked, and half the batter was stuck to the bottom. It was not a pleasant experience.”
But Jennifer isn’t the type of person to give up, especially after the first try.
“I went to the store, got some (chicken) wings, cut them up, put a seasoning and oil on them, and put them in the air fryer. I made sure to toss them and cook them.”
Winner winner, chicken (wings) dinner!
“When they were done out of the air fryer, I popped them in the sauce and ate them. I was like, ‘These are the best chicken wings I’ve ever had in my life.'”
Before long, Jennifer was coming up with recipes specifically made for cooking in an air fryer. Before long, thousands of people were reading her recipes. And before long, Jennifer found herself with a website she says is valued at one million dollars.
Oh, there was also a feature story on the front page of the New York Times’ food section, which led to “Air Fryer All Day”, a book published by Harper-Collins.
“I am proud of myself and I am humble, but I don’t ever want to swim in those accolades.”
Jennifer told me her success story over lunch at a place of her choosing — Strawn’s Eat Shop Too. She had a cheeseburger (no onions) and fries. I had a hamburger (no onions) and fries. You can’t go to Strawn’s without eating a piece of pie, and while Jennifer politely declined, I had no problem enjoying a slice of strawberry pie.
How successful is the recently engaged 48 year-old? Before building food websites and Facebook groups, Jennifer sold medical devices for 10 years. She made a very nice living.
“I have replaced my medical device income.”
Last October, Jennifer sold her first food website, “Pink When”, which she had for 11 years. Jennifer wouldn’t get too specific on how much she made, but narrowed the sales price to between $10,000 and $50,000. Jennifer said by the time she sold the site, it was averaging 200,000 page views a month.
Jennifer says her relatively new website (three years old), airfryingfoodie.com, averages 900,000 to one million monthly page views. It’s so popular, companies pay her to advertise their product on the site. Jennifer also receives money based on how many people visit the website.
Then there’s a Facebook page which nets Jennifer an income based on the page’s 70,000 followers. Not to mention her Facebook group, which has 2.4 million followers.
Not bad for someone who began working at the old Podnuh’s Bar-B-Q on Mansfield Road in Shreveport when she was just 14 years old.
“I always wanted to make my own money and do my own thing. I was always driven.”
While she’s now proud to call Shreveport home, that wasn’t always the case. Born in Germany, her father was in the Army (a Purple Heart recipient). Jennifer moved from place to place, before settling in Maryland from first through seventh grade.
“I loved Maryland. We had four seasons. It was beautiful, and close to everything. It was ideal.”
Needless to say, Jennifer wasn’t happy about heading to northwest Louisiana and in particular, Stonewall.
“I had an idea that if I moved to Louisiana, I was going to go to school in a barn, and I would be sitting on hay.”
When she arrived, things weren’t quite that bad. But . . . .
“All the way until the age of 18, I wanted to get out of here. I hated living here. I always wanted to move back to Maryland . . . . But (Shreveport) became home. It was the home I didn’t want to become home, but actually became my home.”
Medical device sales meant Jennifer, the mother of two daughters, traveled a lot. But as Jennifer got older, her priorities changed.
“My girls are 10 years apart . . . . I felt like I missed a lot of (Avery, her older daughter’s) life. When I had Addie, it was different. I realized not only am I going to miss what Avery is doing, but I’m going to miss Addie growing up. I ended up staying home (when Addie was a year-and-a-half old).
Jennifer is a self-described “Type A” personality, which meant she had to stay busy.
“While I was sitting around and not doing anything, I got online and literally taught myself how to build websites. I taught myself how to do social media. I already knew the recipe development piece. I taught myself photography. I taught myself editing. These are things people would probably go to college for. I took a ton of courses and spent a lot of money doing it, but I learned so much. If I get wrapped up in something, I can do it for hours and hours on end, and just stick to it until I feel like I mastered it.”
The “recipe development piece” came from the time Jennifer, at 17 or 18 years old, spent in the kitchen of a friend’s mom.
“I love to learn things. I think I was just intrigued by the process. Her process was so intricate compared to what my mom was doing. My mom was doing very simple things, where (my friend’s mom) was doing these very intricate things. Like, you have to saute’ the vegetables. You have to add the flour and the water. You have to stir it for a minute. You have to create the roux.”
It’s those lessons learned which are paying off. Jennifer doesn’t have a large staff to help with her website and social media work. It’s just her and a business partner (Becky Abbott) who lives in Arizona. They do everything — coming up with recipes, writing the recipes, photographing the food pictures, and writing in a way that utilizes Search Engine Optimization, so Google will recognize their work.
“Most days, I spend a good seven to eight hours on it, between social media and the website.”
While I was filling my face with pie, I knew someone out there must be waiting on Jennifer to answer an urgent air fryer question. So, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about her story that can be influential to others?
Jennifer didn’t hesitate.
“You’re never a failure until you quit. You’ve got to keep going. Don’t say you failed a test. Say, ‘I didn’t pass it.’ You don’t fail it until you quit. Keep going. Don’t give up on your dreams. You never know where it’s going to take you. If you decide you want to do something, pour everything you have into it. If you have a passion for it, do it. Don’t talk negatively to yourself. Be positive with yourself. I’m always about the glass is half full. Even when things are bad, look for the positive. Never quit. Keep going, because sometimes you have to lean into that struggle to push through to get to the other side.”
Like the other side of bad onion rings.
Do you know someone who has a story to tell? Email SBJTonyT@gmail.com.
The anticipation builds as the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman and Young Woman event marks its return on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the East Ridge Country Club from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Nominations for the 2024 Most Influential Woman and Most Influential Young Woman are now officially open, heralding the recognition of exceptional individuals in Northwest Louisiana.
Key Event Details:
Date and Time: Thursday, March 7, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Venue: East Ridge Country Club
Nomination Period:
The deadline for nominations is set at midnight on January 30. The unveiling of the top six candidates for the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Award is scheduled for mid-February, adding to the excitement of the upcoming event.
Categories and Criteria:
Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Award:
This prestigious accolade acknowledges the contributions of business women, civic leaders, and philanthropists who have left an enduring impact on Northwest Louisiana. Nominees are required to meet specific criteria, showcasing influence and leadership, maintaining a positive reputation, and making substantial contributions to their communities.
Nominees must:
Be a business woman, civic leader, or philanthropist in Northwest Louisiana
Demonstrate influence and leadership in their business or organization(s)
Possess a positive reputation based on their experience, leadership, and integrity
Exhibit significant professional and/or community accomplishments
Build recognizable and lasting initiatives or changes with their businesses/organizations and/or the community
Show a commitment to philanthropy through unpaid positions, benefiting various causes such as children, the elderly, the arts, business development, education, and more.
Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Young Woman Award:
This category recognizes outstanding high school junior or senior females in Caddo, Bossier, or De Soto Parish. Nominees should exhibit leadership, influence, and dedication through meaningful acts of philanthropy and contributions to their fellow students and community.
Nominees must:
Be a high school junior or senior in Caddo, Bossier, or De Soto Parish
Demonstrate influence and leadership in their school and/or community
Have a positive reputation based on their experience, leadership, and integrity
Exhibit significant education and/or community accomplishments
Show a commitment to philanthropy through unpaid positions, contributing to causes such as children, the elderly, the arts, business development, education, and more.
Support the Cause:
Supporter can actively participate in this meaningful event by purchasing individual tickets for $75 or opting for table sponsorships priced at $1,000. Table sponsorships come with luncheon tickets for eight and recognition in the event program, on social media, and on the Holy Angels website. Both individual tickets and table sponsorships are available for purchase at Holy Angels Event Page.
A Noble Cause:
In its eighth year, this Northwest Louisiana honor serves a higher purpose. Proceeds from the event will benefit Holy Angels, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving over 200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Holy Angels provides love, support, and empowerment through job and skills training, education, and community and social integration. Learn more about their impactful work at Holy Angels.
For Further Details:
For more information or inquiries, please reach out to Lauren Giddens at 318-629-0566 or via email at lgiddens@laholyangels.org. Your participation and support contribute to making this event a resounding success and furthering the noble cause championed by Holy Angels.
The Shreveport Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit has issued warrants for three individuals involved in separate incidents of domestic violence. Lamarcus Brown, Mondell Anderson, and Kendrick Fountain are currently wanted, and the police are seeking the public’s help to locate them.
Lamarcus Brown, born on June 26, 1986, is wanted for the battery of a female victim on December 22, 2023. The charges against him include Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault, Domestic Abuse Aggravated Battery, and Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment.
Mondell Anderson, born on March 9, 1993, is wanted for the battery of a female victim on December 28, 2023. His charges include two counts of Domestic Abuse Battery, Simple Criminal Property Damage, Domestic Abuse Battery 3rd Offense, and Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling.
Kendrick Fountain, born on May 6, 1988, is wanted for the battery of a male victim on October 16, 2023. Charges against Fountain include Domestic Abuse Battery (3rd offense) and Violation of a Protective Order.
The police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of these individuals to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 #3. Those who wish to remain anonymous can reach out to Caddo Shreveport Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373 or via the P3Tips app, an anonymous tip service that offers cash rewards for information leading to arrests.
Chief Wayne Smith emphasizes that love shouldn’t hurt and encourages individuals in unsafe relationships to seek help. If you or someone you know is in such a situation, please reach out to investigators at 318-673-6955 during the week or call 318-673-7300 #3 after hours.
Let’s stand together against domestic violence and support the efforts of the Shreveport Police Department in ensuring the safety of our community.
On January 19, in the 2900 block of 5th Street, a north Shreveport shooting occurred. Shreveport Police patrol officers responded to the incident, discovering a man with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Despite being transported to a local hospital, the victim succumbed to the injuries.
The suspect, John Landers (born 2-1-1978), was detained by patrol officers at the scene. Violent Crimes and Crime Scene Units initiated an investigation, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. It was revealed that the victim and Landers knew each other and had a verbal argument, resulting in Landers shooting and killing the victim.
Following questioning at the Shreveport Police Complex, John Landers was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on one count of Second-Degree Murder. The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.
With heavy rains predicted this week and some rain in the forecast for the weekend, the final week of the regular season in local high school soccer looks to be a wet one.
Unlike many other cities in Louisiana, Shreveport-Bossier has a multitude of turf fields that can be used despite such inclement weather. There are 15 in total and 14 available with Lee Hedges Stadium being one of those, but it is still under repair. Those 14 fields will get the bulk of the use this week, if not for all the games.
On the girls side there are many anticipated matchups that will affect district champions and the playoff power rankings, not to mention the year-end Shreveport-Bossier Journal coaches’ poll.
SBJ’s top-ranked Captain Shreve has a game scheduled tonight against third-ranked Loyola. It will then host sixth-ranked North DeSoto on Wednesday. The Lady Gators also face D-II powerhouse Lakeshore on Saturday.
Second-ranked Byrd faces fifth-ranked Caddo Magnet tonight, then faces district opponent and fourth-ranked Benton on Wednesday. If Benton pulls the upset, it will tie Byrd for second in the district, something unthinkable just a year ago. The Lady Jackets finish the season with a game versus Lakeshore on Friday night. Benton finishes its regular season next Monday with North DeSoto.
After the Lady Flyers have their battle with Captain Shreve, they will finish their season at home against Caddo Magnet. The Lady Mustangs put their hold on the D-II District 1 championship at stake, in a faceoff with North DeSoto, If the Lady Griffins can pull off the upset, they will win their first D-II District 1 championship. Magnet needs a tie or a victory to retain the title.
Not to be outdone by the girls’ competitive lineup, the boys have some quality games to be played. Tied on top of the SBJ’s coaches poll, Captain Shreve beat No. 3 Benton last night 3-0. The Gators also face No. 7 Haughton on Thursday, then finish the season next Monday against fourth-ranked Byrd. The winner of that rivalry game is the D-I District 1 champion.
Bossier, also atop the coaches poll, traveled to Monroe to face the highly ranked D-II Ouachita Parish Lions, and rode home with a 1-0 victory Monday night. The Bearkats face off with their old district rival, fifth-ranked Loyola, on Thursday. They finish off the season next Monday against new district foe Sterlington.
Byrd blanked No. 6 Caddo Magnet last night 3-0. The Mustangs, eerily similar to their girls’ counterparts, will put their D-II District 1 championship bid on the line next Monday against Haughton, in what promises to be an intense game.
The winter storm shortened last week’s action with only a small amount of games played. Captain Shreve traveled to the Northshore to face top D-IV teams, Pope John Paul II (winning 2-1) and Archbishop Hannan (losing 5-0). Byrd traveled to Lafayette to “meet in the middle” with two D-I powers — Mount Carmel, losing a highly contested game 1-0, then beating Dominican 2-1. The Dominican win moved the Lady Jackets up four spots in the D-I power rankings from 17 to 13. Benton played St. Louis, second-ranked in the D-III power rankings, and earned a hard fought 1-1 tie.
There were even less high ranked games on the boys’ side last week. St. Louis, who was a semifinalist last year, came up to face Evangel, beating the Eagles 4-0. The Mustangs then had their turn against St. Louis, winning 2-0, in what could be deemed a mild upset. In other action, D-IV district rivals Calvary and Evangel tied 2-2.
After reading of Jack Burke Jr.’s death last week at age 100, I thought about a day in October of 2018 when I got to spend a few hours with the man himself at the Champions Golf Club.
My friend, Tommy Wertz, drove me to Houston and introduced me to Burke, touting my credentials as a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Burke, suitably, was not so impressed, which fit his crotchety yet lovable personality. Nonetheless, he agreed to sit down for about an hour visit in his office, and he then surprisingly joined Tommy and me at lunch in the club’s dining room.
Burke was revered at Champions Club. He was a two-time major champion. He won the 2004 Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor that goes to an individual who demonstrates the spirit and sportsmanship of the award’s namesake. He owned 16 PGA Tour victories. He was also a co-founder of Champions Golf Club with fellow Texan Jimmy Demaret in 1957 – a year after he won both of his major championships. In 1956, he won both the Masters Tournament, rallying from eight strokes back, and the PGA Championship in a match-play format, defeating Ted Kroll 3 and 2.
He told me of a teacher who made an impression on him as a youth. It was a Father Higgins of St. Thomas High School, a Houston Catholic school founded in 1900 by a few priests from the Congregation of St. Basil. As a teacher might do, Burke, who mentored major champions Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson, Ben Crenshaw and Steve Elkington, said his teacher wrote “50” on an erase board and wrote “51” on another.
“’If you’ve got this much,” Father Higgins said to our class, “pointing to the 50, ‘never spend this much (pointing to 51).’ I learned first things first from Father Higgins.”
Burke’s disciple Sutton, a Shreveport native and 2009 Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer, lives in Houston and operates a golf academy there. “I remember when Hal was an amateur,” said Burke, “and he wanted to know about the pro circuit and what it was like. He was standing on a ledge there and I kind of pushed him and he was balancing himself. I said, ‘That’s what it’s like; you feel like you’re on the edge of a cliff all the time and somebody’s about to push you off.”
When Sutton was named the USA team captain for the 2004 Ryder Cup, he quickly persuaded Burke to serve as assistant captain. Speaking to Golf Channel after Burke’s passing last week, Sutton called him “a protector of golf.”
Burke was born into the game since his father, Jack Sr. was the teaching pro at River Oaks Country Club in Houston.
“I don’t ever remember not being in golf,” he said. “I shot a 69 when I was 12. I came up in the Black caddie yard because I wasn’t a member of the club. My dad was an employee. I was shooting dice at 9.”
A combat instructor in the Marine Corps, he had a martial arts degree and taught that at Camp Pendleton. “The first weapon I picked up was in the Marine Corps,” he said. “There were no guns in our house.”
His life was about golf and he loved talking about it. He reminded me at times of eccentric rancher and golf instructor Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall) in the movie “Seven Days in Utopia.”
“You learn a lot playing golf,” Burke said. “You learn how to create. Timing, tempo, tension and trust – you trust your swing. You don’t try to control it or guide it. You don’t try to show somebody how good you are. If you do, you’re just pretty stupid. It’s about balance and timing. Everything is about balance and timing. Surgery is about balance and timing.”
On his favorite golf hole: “My favorite hole? The one I’m on. I don’t have favorites.”
On the best golfer ever: “I don’t know any that was the best. They might have been the best that day. It just varies. Good goes back and forth.”
On caddies: “I can take a target and judge distance wherever I am. I can see that green down there, and I know what it’d take to carry over there. I can tell you the club. I don’t need a caddie. I tip caddies heavily if they’re never on the green with me, and I keep ’em two club lengths from me.”
On how he’d like to be remembered: “Remembered? I’m not gonna be remembered, and neither are you.”
There aren’t many who can disarm you and leave you laughing or feeling the wiser for it. Jack Burke Jr. was one such man, and, yes, Mr. Burke, I am remembering you for that.
Bob Tompkins enjoyed a 43-year newspaper career as an award-winning writer and editor, serving the last 39 years at the Town Talk in Alexandria ending in 2015. He is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a 2016 winner of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. An Alexandria resident, Tompkins is a contributing columnist sharing his talents weekly with Rapides Parish Journal readers.
TRACK ICONS: Jerry Dyes (left), Walter Ledet (center) and Leon Johnson, all highly-successful track and field coaches at Northwestern State, posed in 2001 when a monument honoring Dyes and his national champion relay team was unveiled at NSU. (Photo courtesy Northwestern State)
JOURNAL SPORTS
NATCHITOCHES — Plans are underway for a tribute April 13 to honor the memory of Jerry Dyes, whose immense impact on track and field as a competitor and coach in north Louisiana and Texas continues its influence today.
“He was one of Louisiana’s greatest in track and field as an athlete, then as a coach and promoter,” said former Shreveport Journal sports editor and writer Nico Van Thyn, “a passionate, dedicated personality.”
Dyes was a star from 1957-59 at now-defunct Fair Park High School in Shreveport who coached at Northwestern State for 12 years through 1982, then took over at Louisiana Tech for six more seasons. He produced multiple All-Americans and national champions at both programs.
His sharp recruiting eye and high-level technical coaching ability shaped a group of unknown sprinters into the Demons’ 1981 NCAA champion 4×100 meter relay team. Then in 1985 at Tech, Airline product John Campbell – who was an All-American for the Demons as a freshman, then transferred to follow Dyes to Ruston and the Bulldogs’ program – won the NCAA Division I shot put crown.
NSU’s smalltown foursome of Victor Oatis of Winnsboro, Haughton’s Joe Delaney, east Texan Mario Johnson and Moreauville’s Mark Duper outran powers Georgia (with Herschel Walker), Tennessee (with Willie Gault) and Arizona State (with Olympic medalist Ron Brown) and became the only relay team, men or women, from a Division I-AA football-based program to ever win an NCAA Division I relay championship.
Dyes, 82, died Jan. 15 in Fredericksburg, Texas, after fading health in his last couple of years.
Some former competitors for Dyes at Northwestern are in conversation with university officials to organize a reunion of his athletes and staff at NSU, as well as those from Louisiana Tech and friends and colleagues from Shreveport-Bossier and elsewhere, for the April 13 NSU Leon Johnson Invitational meet at the Walter P. Ledet Track Complex in Natchitoches. Details are expected to be announced next month.
A year after winning the NCAA title to the delight of the crowd at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium in Baton Rouge, and with Delaney and Oatis in the NFL, NSU’s relay team finished second at the NCAA meet in Provo, Utah. The 1981 foursome, along with Dyes, was inducted into the N-Club Hall of Fame in 2006.
Frank Trammell, a longtime focal figure in the local running scene who was a highly-successful cross country and track coach at several north Louisiana high schools including Benton, came from New Orleans to Natchitoches to compete for Dyes and began a lifelong bond.
“Not only did I run under him, but coached under him as well,” an emotional Trammell said. “I was his first recruit, and he was proud of it and always remembered that.
“When he got the job (at Northwestern), I was his first track athlete to sign, and I always valued that and it held a special place in my heart.”
At the age of 22 following a standout prep career at Fair Park and competing at then-Northeast Louisiana and Abilene Christian, Dyes decided to go into a career in coaching, a journey that spanned 30 years and helped lay the foundation for Northwestern State’s continuing track and field success.
Dyes immediately made a coaching impact, beginning his coaching career by leading Corpus Christi Ray High School to championships in the 1960s in both track and cross country before heading to Natchitoches (1970-82), helping lead NSU to top 20 team finishes at the NCAA Division I Championships in 1981 and 1982, after a national runner-up finish at the 1976 NAIA Championships, before coaching Louisiana Tech and returning to his alma mater, Abilene Christian.
“When he got to NSU, the school wasn’t all that known (nationally) as a track school, and he turned around the program and developed and coached All-Americans and conference champions,” Trammell said.
“After the news, I talked to several former teammates, and we all talked about how he took a small school in northern Louisiana and turned it into a power. This program has a terrific legacy, which was in large part due to coach Dyes.”
Dyes even had a significant impact on people he didn’t get to coach, influencing generations of coaches, some still active now.
“Coach Dyes was such a great mentor to me,” former Northwestern president Dr. Chris Maggio said. “I knew coach from back when he recruited me. While I didn’t run for him, his intellect for track and field was second to none.
“He built great programs wherever he coached, whether it was here or Louisiana Tech. Jerry was a very fine man and a world-class athlete, not mention a world-class coach as well.”
Dyes graduated from Fair Park in 1959. There, he was all-state in track in 1959 in three events (long jump, triple jump and javelin). He won 95 percent of his competitions, which included his main three events, as well as the shot put, discus throw and high jump.
While at Northeast, he was the national freshman champion in the triple jump in 1960 and runner-up in the javelin. One night in 1960, he participated in 11 events at a track meet in Natchitoches. After transferring to Abilene Christian, he became an All-American in the javelin.
In the 1964 Kansas Relays decathlon, he set an American decathlon record in the javelin throw that stood for 20 years at 249-1. Dyes resumed competing in his 50s and won two Masters World Championships in the javelin. He was undefeated as a Masters javelin competitor over the 10-year period that he competed.
The Caddo Sheriff’s Office seeks public assistance in apprehending LaJavious Whitehead, a 23-year-old Shreveport resident with an active warrant for his arrest. Sheriff Steve Prator announced that Whitehead entered the Caddo Parish Clerk of Court Office on January 8, stealing an original criminal file and subsequently posting its contents on social media without permission.
Sheriff’s Lt. Donnie Laney successfully recovered the file and its contents, but the Caddo Sheriff’s Warrants Division has been unsuccessful in locating Whitehead. A warrant for his arrest has been issued on charges of Injuring Public Records. Individuals with information about Whitehead’s whereabouts are urged to contact Lt. Laney at (318) 681-0862. Let’s work together to bring justice to this case.
The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce recognized Willis-Knighton Health System for 100 years of service. (Photo from Facebook)
The Greater Shreveport Chamber recently recognized Willis-Knighton Health System for an impressive century of service at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet. The event, held on Friday night, celebrated the healthcare institution’s continuous commitment to providing high-quality medical care to Shreveport and Bossier families.
Dr. Timothy Magner, President of the Greater Shreveport Chamber, emphasized the significance of reaching the 100-year milestone. He stated, “Being around for one hundred years takes continuity of leadership, a quality product, dedication to service, and great people working hard every day.” Dr. Magner commended Willis-Knighton Health System for its steadfast delivery of healthcare and its long-standing philanthropic engagement, making Shreveport-Bossier a great place to live, work, and play.
Jaf Fielder, CEO of Willis-Knighton Health System, expressed pride in the institution’s rich heritage and solid foundation. He acknowledged the dedication of thousands of doctors, nurses, and support staff who have prioritized patient care throughout the years. Fielder outlined the commitment for the next century, aiming to make it as positive as the first.
Willis-Knighton Health System’s local focus has been a key element of its success. With no out-of-town management or boards in control, the institution is deeply rooted in the local economy. It conducts business with local banks and supports educational institutions crucial to the community. This commitment helps assure economic opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, with over 7,000 employees benefiting from diverse opportunities for benefits, growth, and advancement.
A distinctive aspect of Willis-Knighton’s contribution is its unique tithe-the-bottom-line philanthropy. The health system dedicates a minimum of 10% of its earnings to community projects and programs, supporting education, public safety, healthcare, and quality of life initiatives. This philanthropic approach significantly contributes to uplifting the city and the region as a whole.
Larry Attaway April 15, 1951 — January 17, 2024 Service: Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 5pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Mrs. Lola Linnear November 28, 1938 ~ January 13, 2024 Service: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 11am at Round Grove Cemetery, Shreveport.
Benny Joe Caldwell September 24, 1935 — January 15, 2024 Service: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 10am at Grawood Baptist Church, Keithville.
Mrs. Shirley Ford September 7, 1946 ~ January 16, 2024 Service: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10am at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church
Ashley Nicole Adkison April 1, 1991 — January 16, 2024 Service: Saturday, January 27, 2024, 3pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
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)
Northwood High School and Donnie Bickham Middle School are continuing to experience water pressure issues impacting abilities to perform normal operations. Therefore, Northwood and Donnie Bickham will be closed tomorrow, January 23.
NOT SHY ANYMORE: Gaby Albo co-stars in the on-stage story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. (Photo courtesy Jason Niedle)
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
She’s performed in major shows such as A Chorus Line, West Side Story, and Cats.
So it’s hard to believe Gaby Albo was a very shy child.
“I would be at family parties and everybody would be singing Happy Birthday to my grandpa, and I would be holding on to my Dad’s leg like, ‘Please do not look at me.’ I was the only girl in my primary school who was not accepted in the school choir. I was too shy to sing the National Anthem in front of everybody.”
Friday night in front of everybody at Shreveport’s Strand Theatre, Albo will sing the music of Gloria Estefan. Born and raised in Mexico City, Albo co-stars in On Your Feet!, which tells the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The husband and wife began their rise to international fame in 1985 with Miami Sound Machine, and have won 26 Grammy Awards between them.
Gloria alone has won seven Grammys, and has sold more than 100 million records on her way to 38 Billboard chart-topping songs. Remember “Don’t Wanna Lose You”, “Turn the Beat Around”, and “Coming Out of the Dark”?
“It’s the story of the struggles in their career, but also in their personal life,” Albo told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal from Orange, Texas, a stop on the show’s nationwide tour. “It goes through a lot of the greatest hits of the Miami Sound Machine, especially the second act which is my favorite. It’s more on the personal side — the struggles with her mom, the struggles with her accident that a lot of people don’t know about. Aside from having a lot of fun and singing the songs, I think a lot of people are going to be touched in the end, and very inspired.”
In 1990, Estefan was critically injured and suffered a fractured spine when a truck crashed into the tour bus in which she was riding.
“For me, the core of the show is empathy and love support. With love, you can do anything. I know it sounds cheesy, but for me, that’s the core of the show.”
Making it even more surprising that Albo is in show business is the fact that in addition to once being shy, she couldn’t carry a tune.
“My friend came to me and said, ‘Gabby, you are such a terrible singer! Why don’t you go and sing with my friend who’s a voice teacher?.’ That changed my life.”
From there, Albo took advantage of a talent she never knew she had.
“I started to be more confident in myself — more social, more outgoing. I really started to like the idea of becoming an artist. The idea of being famous started appealing to me. I started liking the attention and the craft.”
Performing in On Your Feet! requires Albo to do more than sing. Portraying Estefan from ages 17 to 33, Albo has leaned on the acting skills she learned while attending the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York, and while taking online classes. Now two years into her role, the acting part isn’t so intimidating.
“I feel more comfortable…If I’m tired, the acting helps keep me fresh to tell the story…Every night, I tell the story in the most truthful way I can.”
Jenifer Hill, Strand Theatre’s Executive Director, knows what to expect when the On Your Feet! cast representing close to 20 countries takes the stage.
“Several years ago, I was in New York City with a friend who was interested in this show. It wasn’t my first choice because I thought I didn’t know much 80’s music. However, we went and boy was I wrong! I knew every song and truly was on my feet. I have been waiting for the show to become available in our market, and this was the year.”
From January 10th to April 13th, Albo will perform in 34 cities, including multiple shows in many of those cities. That schedule requires the 32 year-old (she turns 33 next month) to be in top physical shape.
“I like the challenge. It’s a really exhausting show for me. I do everything. In the original production, Gloria does not dance as much. But I love dancing, and (the choreographer and director of the show) knew that. He gave me a lot of dancing parts in this version. I enjoy that. The show is two-and-a-half hours, and I’m in it for two hours and 28 minutes. It is really rough and demanding in a lot of ways, but I think it’s really fulfilling in the end.”
Albo has met Gloria Estefan three times. Imagine meeting someone — a former superstar — who you are trying to be like on stage.
“The first time, I think I didn’t even enjoy the show as much. I think I was very in my head. It had just been a couple of times that I had done the whole show. It was different. But then the next time, I had been in the show for a year. I was more prepared. I was more confident in the work I was doing. The third time, (the Estefan’s) invited us to do a tribute for an awards show. We went to have dinner with them after. That was pretty exciting, to meet them on a more personal level.”
When Albo arrives in town, she can check Shreveport off her “new city” list.
“I’ve never been, so I’m really excited. It’s always nice to see the response of the different audiences in the different states. I am definitely looking forward to it.”
For Hill, On Your Feet! will check a couple of boxes off her list.
“There are two things that I hear most when people talk to me about what they would like to see at The Strand — Broadway and music. This show fills both requests with a fascinating storyline.”
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
Depending on your point of view, we are either blessed or cursed with a Mexican food restaurant seemingly on every corner.
We tend to have our favorites, even though most of them offer the same things (tacos, enchiladas, and burritos). Therefore, when it came time to review a second Mexican food restaurant in this weekly series, I wanted to try a place that isn’t well-known and offers something different.
I chose Taqueria El Eden (1236 Shreveport-Barksdale Highway), which is described on their Facebook page as “A locally owned Mexican taqueria with food from the south of Mexico.” So, on a recent cold, rainy Monday, I invited a friend to join me for an adventurous lunch.
It’s hard to miss Taqueria El Eden. It has a gaudy outside appearance — some of the brick is painted green, and there’s a red awning with words in big white letters like “Bienvenidos”, “Welcome”, and “Street Tacos”. The building used to be an Arby’s, but any leftovers are long gone. I was surprised to learn Taqueria El Eden has been open for three years.
A step inside brightened up the gray, sun-deprived day. The fairly large dining room was alive with bright colors and decorations, although I was surprised not to hear any Hispanic music, which would have been a nice touch. There were several airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base enjoying lunch, so I’m guessing the restaurant isn’t a secret to those on the nearby base.
Being first-timers at Taqueria El Eden, we learned as we went along. After waiting a couple of minutes, we realized no one was going to seat us, so we showed ourselves to a booth. After a few more minutes of not being acknowledged, I went to the counter and picked up a couple of menus. Turns out, the protocol is that you review the menu at your seat, then order at the counter. You are given a number, and when ready, your food will be brought to you.
About the menu . . . . It’s more like a book. FIVE pages filled with some of what you’re used to eating at a Mexican food restaurant, and a lot of things which you may very well have never heard of. The good thing — and we found this to be really helpful — is that above the counter were pictures of many menu items with corresponding names. I wasn’t familiar with a Coctel de Camaron, Enmoladas, or a Garnacha. The pictures really helped us decide what to order.
One thing you should know is there’s no such thing as complimentary chips and sauce, like we are used to getting. They are for sale, however, along with Pico & chips, Queso & chips, and Guacamole & chips. Instead of choosing one, we ordered the Combo ($20), which got us two baskets of chips (deep-fried and crunchy, without a hint of grease), a bowl each of red and green salsa, a bowl of guac, and a bowl of queso. Everything was very good! The red salsa especially had a different taste (in a good way) from any salsa I have had. The guac tasted fresh, and the queso was warm and thick.
We found Taqueria El Eden’s prices to be reasonable, so when ordering our meal, we tried several things, to get a true taste of Taqueria El Eden’s food. As a result, I am still full while writing this review six hours after eating.
I ordered a Huarache with pork ($10). That was described on the menu as ‘A large handmade tortilla, cooked on the grill and filled with black beans, and prepared with pinto beans, your choice of meat, lettuce, sour cream, avocado, cheese, and red pickled onions.’ I went with pork for my meat selection.
I also ordered an Empanada ($3), a deep-fried meat pie with my choice of meat, lettuce, sour cream, and cheese. My meat choice was shredded chicken.
Both were outstanding! The Empanada remained hot throughout my meal, and was adequately stuffed with the promised goodies. The Huarache was beautifully presented. I could not taste one specific ingredient, which meant that everything mixed together well.
My friend ordered four different things: a Sope Pollo Taco (Pork with Pineapple-$3.50), a Gordita with ground beef ($4), a Tostada with Chicken ($4), and an Empanada with shredded chicken ($3). His favorite was the taco (“It was made with two corn tortillas instead of one, which meant it didn’t fall apart.”), followed by the Chicken Tostada (“It was loaded with meat and toppings. I could have eaten two of those and been full.”)
For dessert, there were two choices. We tried to order a Tres leches (Wet cake made with sliced peaches, strawberry jam, & pecans). It must be really good, because the restaurant was out of it. So, my friend went with Flan ($4.50), a Mexican custard. The Flan was in a plastic container in a cooler by the counter. It was my friend’s first encounter with Flan, and it sounds like it will be his last. He only ate two bites. He said it would probably taste good to someone who likes Flan, but he learned he’s not a Flan fan.
The cost of our lunch, which included two fountain drinks ($3) with free refills, was $58.73 before tax and tip. Be aware that the menu prices are if you pay with cash. There is a 4% service fee for using a credit card.
$58 for lunch for two is high, but keep in mind we ordered quite a bit to get samples of several items. You can certainly have lunch at Taqueria El Eden for a lower, more reasonable cost.
I’m giving Taqueria El Eden Four Forks. It met my expectations of something different than the usual Tex-Mex flare. The old school atmosphere, and a wide selection of food you just don’t get at most Mexican food restaurants, meant I would return, and go out of my way to do so. With so much on the menu, it will take several visits to try everything — and I’m up for it.
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
EASY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Parkway product Mikayla Williams led LSU to a romp over visiting Arkansas. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – It would have been human nature for No. 10 LSU to peek ahead to Thursday’s much-anticipated showdown here with unbeaten No. 1 South Carolina in a battle of the last two NCAA women’s basketball national champions.
ESPN’s full GameDay crew is already booked live on site for a two-hour pregame show. A sellout crowd is expected in a matchup of the last two defending national champions.
So, Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors wished the Razorbacks’ Sunday visit could have been a “trap game” for the Tigers.
“We were hoping they (LSU) were looking forward to it (the South Carolina game),” Neighbors said. “It was pretty clear from their start they weren’t falling for that.”
The Tigers opened the game on an 18-0 run, Bossier City freshman guard Mikaylah Williams scored 10 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter and LSU roared to a 99-68 SEC victory.
A Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd of 12,873 – the largest of the season – watched LSU trot out of its full arsenal of weapons on both ends of the court.
All five starters scored in double figures, including Louisville transfer guard Hailey Van Lith who matched her season-high 20 points and All-American Angel Reese who had 16 points (including a 3-pointer) and 17 rebounds. Aneesah Morrow had 14 points and 8 rebounds and Flau’jae Johnson added 13.
“It was a game that we pretty much were special on both ends of the floor,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said. “We were just playing very confident, very free, pushing the ball up the floor. We were doing a lot of active things. The crowd got into it. It was just one of those games that was entertainment.”
It was LSU’s second straight victory after it had a 16-game win streak snapped in an 87-62 loss at unranked Auburn on Jan. 14.
“After the Auburn game, we said that we were never going to get outplayed again,” said Williams. “Since then, we haven’t been outplayed. We’ve done a great job of being focused.”
Williams, a two-time Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year for Parkway High School as well as the Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year in last year’s state championship season, has rarely played like a freshman in her 20-game college career so far.
She put on a clinic of smart, efficient well-rounded basketball vs. the Razorbacks by hitting 9 of 14 shots (including 3 of 5-pointers) and grabbing 9 rebounds. Her decision-making in handling the ball in pick-and-roll situations is beautifully nuanced.
“She’s a three-dimensional player,” Mulkey said of Williams. “She can take you off the dribble and get layups. She can stop and shoot the mid-range and she can shoot the 3-ball. She has a strong body and she can get to anywhere she needs to on the floor.”
Neighbors, who said he’s watched Williams play since she was in the eighth grade, concurs.
“You can yell all you want about trying to keep Mikayla Williams from getting to her spot, and you can’t do it,” Neighbors said. “She gets to her spots as good as any kid since (former UConn two-time National Player of the Year and former WNBA MVP) Maya Moore.
“She’s just continued to get better and better. I came out (before Sunday’s game) to watch her warm up and it was very methodical. It’s very businesslike and then she carried it over the game. I’m hoping the WNBA opens up (the draft) for freshmen immediately.”
Reese, who missed three layups in the game’s first five minutes, settled in and hit 6 of 10 shots. The surprise, something she hadn’t shown much this season, was her swishing two mid-range 16-foot jumpers and then nailing her first 3-pointer of the year.
“I work on my outside shot because I know people are going play (defense) like that and back off me,” Reese said. “So, I have to be able to take advantage of that, be confident about the work I put in and knock down the shots.”
Every LSU starter but Morrow hit a 3. The Tigers’ 8-of-20 3-point performance helped offset Arkansas’ frenetic 12 of 47 bombing from beyond the arc.
The Hogs closed the first quarter hitting six of its last eight shots, including four 3-pointers, to cut LSU’s lead to 25-16 heading to the second period.
The Tigers drilled their first seven of eight shots in the second quarter and took a 55-28 lead into the break.
Arkansas didn’t go down without a fight. Four of their five third-quarter baskets were 3-pointers, including a pair by Samara Spencer. She scored 10 points of a game-total 20 points to help Arkansas whittle LSU’s 27-point halftime lead twice to 22 points, the second time on her 3-pointer with 3:01 left.
A couple of Williams’ stop-and-pop jumpers restarted LSU’s engines. The Tigers closed the period with a 10-2 burst that sent LSU to the fourth quarter with an 80-50 lead.
In the end, Mulkey liked the continued positive response from her team of scoring wins over Alabama and Arkansas since the Auburn loss.
“We were in that locker room after the Auburn loss a long time,” Mulkey said. “I made them talk. I said, `You tell me what you could have done better. You tell me what you’re gonna do better.
“They have to take ownership, I can lead you as a coach. But at the end of the day, I can’t pass, I can’t shoot it and I can’t dribble it for you.
“Part of that needed to be corrected after Auburn started with leadership and it needed to be all of them. They’re all very capable of leading because they’re good, great players. Don’t wait for somebody else. Let’s all do it collectively.”
The Tigers will take a 33-game regular season homecourt winning streak into Thursday’s game vs. South Carolina (17-0, 5-0 SEC), which won 99-64 at Texas A&M on Sunday. The Gamecocks were the last team to win in the regular season at LSU, scoring a 66-60 victory on Jan. 6, 2022.
