Lifestyle

A long, time ago, in a galaxy far, far away - or, as we like to call it, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, pediatric patients and RWCH team members celebrated “May the 4th Be With You” Day in style! These tiny sci-fi fans modeled Star Wars-themed hospital gowns in honor of this special day!

Welding Fabrication Team - From Left to Right, Wyatt Jordan, Jonathan Montgomery, & Tyler Williams - The Team Placed 1st in Both Regional and State Welding Fabrication Competition.

Tyler Williams - Placed 2nd in Regional Single Weld, and Placed 1st Place in the State Single Weld Competition

There are so many things to offer this summer for family fun in Winnfield. The kick off will be the “Growing Our City Together” event that’s being held at the Winnfield Civic Center, Saturday, May 7 from 1:00pm – 9:00pm. There will be free outdoor events for all. All moms in attendance will be entered to win a gift card. There will be free food and drinks for the kids, line dance lessons, inflatable slides and face painting. Performers will include the Dazzling Dance Divas and music will be provided by DJ – The Mayor of Southern Soul. Food vendors will be on hand and you are welcome to bring your lawn chairs, tents, cookers, grills, and four – wheelers. Come out early to claim your spot.

The Kiwanis Scholarship meal was a big success thanks to all who bought tickets and donated to our cause. A thank you goes out to the Winn Parish Dentention Center for the potato salad, Autumn Leaves Nursing Home for the green beans and Mac’s Fresh Market for the bread. Kiwanian Kim Futrell provided the cakes. Kiwanis President Lamar Tarver oversaw the fundraiser. Dylan and Star Womack were in charge of ticket sales. Jim Nicols, Lamar Tarver and Bill Gaddis seasoned the meat. Rita James made arrangements for the potato salad and the bread donations. The cooks who started at 4 AM Monday were Jim Nicols, Joe Evans, Dylan Womack and Dr. Bill Gaddis. Kiwanians and friends who made up the plates and delivered were Les and Janine Michie, Lamar and Candace Tarver, Mickey Parker, Mary Lou Blackley, Margaret Coon, Rita James, Dr. Jerry Williams, Jason Tarver, Kyle Armitage, Brenda Kae Richardson, and Megan Nicols who also sold a lot of tickets for us.

The Louisiana Forest Festival invites everyone to the Miller Spectacular Shows Carnival April 13-16, 2022 at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds. Wednesday-Friday hours will be from 6pm-10pm and Saturday hours will be 5pm-10pm. Ticket prices are $20/$22. Armbands are $20. Armbands will be Wednesday and Thursday. In the event of inclement weather on Wednesday, that armband night will move to Friday. This Spring Carnival leads us into the Annual Louisiana Forest Festival, April 22-23. All times and updates will be posted on the Louisiana Forest Festival facebook page.

Atlanta: (L-R) Sadie Vercher, Ryder Stewart, Cullen Desadier, Jah’La Tyree. Not Pictured: Kyrie Riser. Kiwanians Janine and Les Michie, Principal Wendy Miller, Kiwanian Rita James

Calvin: (L-R) Garrett Bates, Christian Hylton, J.D. Warner, Maisy Carson, Ian Cooper, Kiwanian Margaret Coon

WPS K - (L-R) Lily Rockett, Keithen Williams, Caston Sanson, Mere Elle Bostick, Administrative Asst. Resa Johnson, Kiwanian Margaret Coon, Principal Tiffany Martin

WPS 1st – Teegan Morgan, Ivory Barnes, Julianna Williams, JaCeon Pugh. Administrative Asst. Resa Johnson, Kiwanian Margaret Coon, Principal Tiffany Martin

WPS 2nd(L-R) Nikolas Shufflin, Alayah Pattain, Marlyn Jones. Administrative Asst. Resa Johnson, Kiwanian Margaret Coon, Principal Tiffany

WPS 3rd (L­R) Maddox Simons, Jesiah Williams, Matthew Crawford. Administrative Asst. Resa Johnson, Kiwanian Margaret Coon, Principal Tiffany Martin

The Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma was recognized as one of the outstanding chapters at the state convention held in Lafayette, Louisiana, on March 11-13. President Laure Derr and treasurer Amanda Taylor attended the meeting. The Alpha Beta Chapter from Winnfield received the Gold Chapter Award, the highest award given to a chapter. Amanda Taylor received the Outstanding Newsletter Award. The Fleur de Lis Project, Bags of Blessings, was among the five semi finalists for the outstanding project of the year. Among others recognized were members with 55+ years of memberships - Billie Ann Bates, Jane Purser, and Sarah Nell Brady. Gena Hatcher was also recognized for being a 25 year member.

The Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma held its “Magnolias and Pearls” meeting on March 15, 2022, at the Louisiana Political Museum. President Laure Derr called the meeting to order. The inspiration was given my hostess chairman Carolyn Lang. Dianne Jordan led the group in prayer. Following a delicious meal prepared by Sharon Brewton, the gathering of educators enjoyed the Founders Day Program. The program was called GRITS—Girls Raised in the South. Five former presidents of DKG - Billie Ann Bates, Melissa Trammell, Sheila Causey, Jane Purser, and Theresa Hendrix- were the GRITS members who shared attributes that five of the Delta Kappa Gamma founders exhibited. The symbols used were the magnolia, pearls, skillet, smiley face and music book.

My Vision for Winnfield as Mayor:

Is to get the city back on track to where there is an improved quality of life for those that live in Winnfield, be a city that is appealing to those that visit and for those wanting to bring business opportunities contributing to the city’s growth.

My experience:

• 20 plus years in various leadership positions.

• 2 terms as Winnfield City Councilman.

• Served on the City’s Budget/Finance Committee and Public Safety Committe.

My goals to improve the quality of life in Winnfield:

• Leadership - be a leader that is inclusive, transparent, encourages open communication with citizens, one that is responsive and available to citizens. Work together with the City Council and Department Heads to identify and generate solutions for areas in need of improvement.

Mr. and Mrs. Etoy Ashley celebrated 61 years of marriage on March 5, 2022. They met at Grambling State University when he was a senior and she was a freshman. Mr. Etoy thought Mrs. Betty was the prettiest girl he had ever see and it was love at first sight for him. They were married in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Both worked as educators in the Winn Parish School System until retiring.

Mr. Etoy said, “We took a marriage vow 61 years ago at the New Zion Baptist church in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Those vows said for better or for worse, through sickness and health, until death do us part. We kept that vow because we loved each other. We still love each other.”

The couple celebrated with their daughter, Andrea Michelle over the past weekend.