The Nancy Jones Autograph Party for her new book, “Playin’ Possum, My Memories of George Jones” is this Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. until noon at Many City Hall, located at 965 San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many.
At 10 a.m. the festivities kick off with an official Nancy Jones welcome by Sen. Louie Bernard, 11th Judicial District Judge Verity Gentry, Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Mayor of Many Robert Hable. At the party, there will be food, drink and a special Veterans Day Table of Honor. Admission is free.
Nancy’s new book will be available for only $25, and she will be happy to autograph each one. Books may be purchased with cash or card.
Celebrate the legacy of George Jones and the incredible story of love, life and music in “Playin’ Possum, My Memories of George Jones” when Nancy Jones returns to her Louisiana roots to reconnect with old friends and make new memories this Saturday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. at Many City Hall.
Attendees are invited to bring a veteran photo to display during the party on the Veterans Day Table of Honor.
Sponsoring the celebration are ArkLaTex Financial Consultants, Many; Sen. Louie Bernard, Natchitoches; BOM, Many; Brandon Law Firm, Many; Curtis Family Pharmacy, Many; Foy Motors, Many; and Guillet Realty Co., Natchitoches.
Also sponsoring are
Pete Abington, Many;
District Attorney Don Burkett, Sabine Parish;
Blake Byles, Earthmovers Construction, Many;
Dr. Leah V. Byles, Many;
Clauriste Byles Jr., Byles Welding & Tractor, Many;
James Cook, Crawfish Hole, Many;
Robert & Linda Davidson, Lagniappe Land Co./Circle D Tree Farm, Mansfield;
Attorney Dan Dyess, Many and Natchitoches;
Deputy District Attorney Anna Garcie, Sabine Parish;
Judge Verity Gentry, 11th Judicial District;
Good Gracious Apparel, Accessories & Flowers, Many;
Donald G. Kelly, Kelly & Townsend Law Firm, Natchitoches;
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Sabine Parish;
Chief Judge Elizabeth Pickett, Third Circuit Court of Appeal;
Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, Sabine Parish;
In Memory of Billy Wayne Sepeda by his Family;
Jeff Thomas, Thomas Law Firm, Natchitoches;
In Memory of Gerard F. Thomas, Legendary Natchitoches Attorney;
Assessor Chris Tidwell, Sabine Parish;
Chief Deputy Brad Walker, Sabine Parish; and
Buddy Wood, State Farm Insurance, Many.
An historic family photo shows, left to right, Billy Wayne Sepeda, age 21, and his cousins, a young Nancy Ford (the future Nancy Jones), age 13, Bobby Ford, age 21, Bettie Ford, age 14, and Lucille Ford, age 12.
As the Autograph Party for Nancy Jones began to take shape some weeks ago, we learned of a special man whose family wished to honor him with an event sponsorship in his memory. The late Billy Wayne Sepeda, a cousin to Nancy Ford Jones, is a veteran who will be honored at the party’s Veterans Day Table. He is the late husband of JoAnne BeBee Sepeda and father of Marcus Sepeda (wife A’na) of Zwolle.
Billy Wayne Sepeda was born May 20, 1941, to Edward Sepeda and Lela Bell Wilburn Sepeda, who lived in Pleasant Hill at the time. He was one of their several children and was known by all his friends and family as “PeeWee” or “Cooter.”
Specialist 4th Class Billy Wayne Sepeda during his Army days
Billy Wayne Sepeda later in life
After school, he joined the Army and was stationed one year in Korea and spent seven months in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.
After returning home, Billy Wayne enjoyed life, work, family, joking with friends and playing scratch-offs and going to the casino. He was often seen around town wearing a ball cap that shared his pride in and service to his country.
Billy Wayne’s mother and Nancy Ford Jones’ mother were sisters, and their families all lived in Mansfield.
“If he were with us today,” Marcus and A’na shared, “We know his pride and joy would be [our children] his grandson Matthew Wayne and granddaughter Hazel Marie.”
(Special thanks to A’na Sepeda and the Sepeda family for the information and photos above.)
ST. JOHN’S VETERANS MEMORIAL DEDICATION SET
Phil Troha Jr., left, has designed and donated a Veterans Memorial at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church to honor his father, the late Phil Troha Sr., right, and the other 114 veterans buried in the St. John Cemetery. The senior Troha died Aug. 9, 2009, at the age of 89.
Maj. Gen. Ronald Win Burkett has a connection with Many and St. John’s going back six generations to Mary Buvens and John Davis. Davis was one of the “Johns” who helped establish the first Catholic Church in Many. Maj. Gen. Burkett is also related to the Peace and Boone Families that are longtime Manyites.
The Veterans Memorial at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Many. It will be dedicated this Saturday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m. following the 4 p.m. mass.
The St. John The Baptist Catholic Church Veterans Memorial in Many will be dedicated Saturday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m., following the 4 p.m. mass. The memorial is the project of Many native Phil Troha Jr., who now lives in Mansfield, TX. It specifically honors his late father, Phil Troha Sr., and all veterans buried at St. John Cemetery who served our country in the armed forces on land, on sea and in the air.
The 115 veterans buried there are each honored with a brick with their name, branch of service, war they served in and year of birth and death, if known. There are two women, First Lt. Mathilda Kieber Andries and SGT Wilma Brown, that join these men who fought in the Civil War, World Ward 1 and 2, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. Additional bricks are available so as veterans pass away, family members will be able to add their names.
Guest speaker for the event will be Major General Ronald Win Burkett, Commander of the 36th National Guard Infantry Division in Austin, TX. He has held that position since 2022. He received a BA in Journalism from Southwest Texas State University, an MS in Emergency and Disaster Management from Eastern Kentucky University and the MSS in Strategic Studies from National Defense University. In addition, he has attended 14 different Military Schools.
Maj. Gen. Burkett had three joint assignments and six operational assignments. He has been honored with 23 decorations and badges. These include Global War on Terrorism Medal, Legion of Merit, four Overseas Service Ribbons and Air Assault Badge. He joined the service in April 1990 and has been assigned to 30 different places, including Fort Bragg, SC, Fort Rucker, AL, Fort Hood, TX, Fort Sam Houston, TX, several areas in Houston, TX, Norfolk, VA, Arlington, VA, Washington, DC and Del Valle, TX. In addition, he has served in Europe, Bosnia and Kosovo.
On the program will be a blessing by Father Timothy Hurd, Pastor at St. John’s. To commemorate the dedication, a U.S. Flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington will join flags from each branch of service. Phil’s long-time friend, Pete Abington, obtained the flag.
The memorial, designed and donated by Phil Troha Jr. and family, is comprised of patriotic, inspirational iron work created by Cole Wagley. Cole’s granddaughter, Hanna Cole Wagley, designed and engraved the bricks. Special thanks to Phillip and Nancy Lambert of Sabine Monument for designing the granite monument and bench dedicated in memory of Phil’s father.
Veterans buried in St. John’s Cemetery include T. W. Abington, Marvin A. Adams, Paul (Chuck) Winnfield Adams, Weldon B. Anderson, Harold William Andries, Joesph A. Andries, Mathilda Kieber Andries, Robert Claude Andries, Emmett Hubert Armstrong, John C. Armstrong, Jack Aytes, John Joseph Black Jr., Donald Bowling, Jerry Raymond Briggs, Robert (Bob) M. Britner, Joe D. Brown, Wilma Brown and William O. Bush Jr.
Also Felix Hamilton Buvens, James L. Buvens, Norman C. Buvens, Jack E. Canton Sr., James Robert Cole, John Millard Conn Jr., Bernard Francis Connally, Carlton Creighton, Louis Francis Davis, Louise R. Davis, Buford Deers, Peter Francis DeKeyzer, Henry Daniel DeKeyzer, Dewey Ancul DeLatin, Henry Jasper DeLatin, Jasper DeLatin, Lawrence E. DeLatin and Lonnie Jerome DeLatin.
Others are Burney Wendell Duke, Hosea Joseph Ebarb, Billy Wayne Goss, Edward (Po) Lee Grappe, Frank (Son) Grappe, Joseph Tutsey Grappe, Robert Joseph Hambelton Sr., George Dewey Hatcher, Robert Thomas Hatcher, Roger D. Henke, Charles Barry Hildebrand, Earl C. Hildebrand, Gene L. Hubley, Walter Earl Hubley, Wallace McClaren Hunter, Antone Jaber Jr., Lloyd Butch Johnson, Jack Rogers Jordan and Ira Joe Key.
Also Lloyd H. LeCroy, Walter Charles Lee, John C. Lester, John Franklin Lewis, Vincent Sonny Liberto, Marcus J. Lites, James Ray Livingston, Richard E. Maines, Murry Charles Martin, Ira Peyton Matthews, Francis Lindy McCormic, Joseph William McCormick, Richard H. McCormic, Albert Frederick McCurdy, Carl Michael, Norbert Lee Miller, Norman S. Montano and Albert Willie Moore.
Others are Elmer E. Moore, George Moore Jr., Jodie Ray Moore, Johnny R. Moore, Johnny Vick Morvan, John (Shine) Edwin Mowad, Casey Michael Murphy, Abbie G. Nett, Robert Joseph Nett, Floyd Jay Pearce, Dale S. Phillips, Lloyd Bob Preston, Frank J. Quaeyaegen, Dewey DeWayne Rains Sr., Abram Remedies, Edmund Remedies, Hildo M. Remedies Jr., Levi Remedies, Monroe Remedies, Willie Remidez, Coda Robinson and Robert Edmond Rodgers.
The list continues: Curtis (Doc) Levi Rodrigues, Ernest Rodrigues, Jose Rodrigues, Steven Wade Rodrigues, George M. Ross, James (Mike) Ellis Simpson, Rioux Slyker, Joseph Leo Springer, William S. Summers, John Thomas Sumner Jr., Phillip Troha Sr., John Baptiste Vandegaer, Billy Dean Veuleman, James M. Veuleman, Norman P. Webb, Stephen L. Wilczewski, Charles Yale Wright, Edward B. Wright, Harry Bell Wright Jr. and William (Billy) A. Wright.
TROY’S BUTCHER SHOP ANNOUNCES 15% OFF
Troy's Butcher Shop owner Troy Welch, above, is determined to help folks out during this economic slump many are experiencing.
Sabine Chamber of Commerce’s “2023 Overall Business of the Year,” Troy’s Butcher Shop of Many, recently announced a 15% off sale that will continue “until.…”
Owner Troy Welch said, “Times are hard, and we recognize that. We’re offering 15% off to help folks as much as possible and want to provide that discount as long as we can.”
Troy’s Butcher Shop stocks all kinds of fresh and specialty meats in addition to specially prepared items, like stuffed pork chops, burger rolls, meatloaf, stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and much more as well as fresh produce, seasonings, batter prep and other items. It’s a one-stop shop for dinner time or to stock up on essentials with the store’s popular meat bundles.
Troy’s Butcher Shop is in Wright’s Shopping Center at 210 Elizabeth St. next door to Nichols. They are open every day from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and may be reached at (318) 581-0640 or www.troysbutchershop.net .
Above, Larry and Kayla Hataway of Many, shown left and right, with friend Eddie Foe, center left, and Country star Ronnie McDowell at the big Classic Country show at Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium on Saturday.
It was a rousing performance of Classic Country music at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium on Saturday for the big “Keeping It Country Live” show to benefit the AmVets veterans organization. The sounds of traditional Country music filled the historic venue at the evening concert headlined by Ronnie McDowell and the Bellamy Brothers.
We were delighted to see our longtime friends and neighbors, Larry and Kayla Hataway, who were there with a co-worker of Larry’s, Eddie Foe.
Eddie is a friend of Ronnie and his family, so the Hataways enjoyed visiting with McDowell during the evening and snapping the photo above.
We had to leave a bit early, but Larry and Kayla reported the Country music festivities continued well into the night.
It was a special treat to see legendary singer-songwriter Leona Williams, her son and fine performer in his own right, Ron Williams, Tugboat Jerry and 2 Country 4 Nashville, who performed a couple of times here in Many at the Sabine Theater.
(Thank you to my wife Laurie for the information above.)
Wood Sentenced to 29 Years in Federal Prison
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced on Thursday, Nov. 2, that Scott William Wood, age 41, of Noble has been sentenced to a total of 29 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for drug and firearm charges in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport.
Wood was sentenced to 22 years for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, five years for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and an additional two years for revocation of his supervised probation, for a total of 29 years.
Wood was apprehended when the Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputies initiated a traffic stop in late December of last year. Wood was the front seat passenger in the vehicle. On the front floorboard underneath the passenger side where Wood had been seated, Deputies found a small, zippered bag. Inside the bag they discovered a loaded Glock 9mm pistol and a clear bag containing approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine. The firearm and the methamphetamine belonged to Wood, and he admitted to officers his intention to distribute the methamphetamine to other individuals.
Wood pleaded guilty to the offenses of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking at a hearing on May 26.
At the time of his arrest, Wood was on supervised release in the Western District of Louisiana. The supervision was related to a Nov. 21, 2013, conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison for that offense.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation and conviction of Wood is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reiterated his commitment to ridding Sabine Parish of illegal drug dealers. His team of highly trained narcotic agents, Detectives and Patrol Deputies continue to seek out violent offenders, and to investigate and solve crimes to keep the citizens of Sabine Parish safe.
(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above information.)
Sabine Parish saw its first frost of the year Thursday morning, Nov. 2. The first frost usually happens around Nov. 15, but it was early this year.
Elizabeth Alford, longtime Observations reader and former Sabine Index employee
WE GET LETTERS: Elizabeth Alford wrote to us last week that she went to work for the Sabine Index, which I then owned, for the first time 55 years ago in September. She states, “Observations was my favorite then and still is today.” By the way, Liz worked for the Index several times.
Lifelong friend Kenneth Megason
Another faithful reader of Observations is my ole Marthaville High School classmate, Kenneth Megason, who now lives in Natchitoches. We visited with him and his lovely wife, the former Patricia Ballard, at a recent funeral at Beulah Methodist Church between Marthaville and Ajax. At one time he ran an accounting business in Marthaville. He is doing well, and it is always a pleasure to see him and Pat. It is hard to believe that it has been 55 years since we were graduated.
AND MORE LETTERS: This one from Ronny Byrd of South Boston, VA. “Your Observations is reassuring. I’m kind of set in my ways and am happy that your reporting remains to be the kind that give me that good picture of small-town life that I treasure so much. Also, I was concerned that I’d not catch on to the new procedure for accessing Observations, but the site was really user-friendly. Looking forward to more years of your work, my friend.”
The run-off election is closing in. It will be Saturday, Nov. 18. Early voting is going on now in the office of Registrar of Voters Zach Faircloth in the Courthouse. You may vote daily anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., except for Friday, Nov. 10, when the office will be closed in honor of Veterans Day. Early voting continues through Saturday, Nov. 11.
Do your American duty and cast your vote.
Sales tax collections in Sabine Parish for October 2023 was down by $400,228.60 from the same month in 2022, according to a report issued by Sales Tax Administrator Wanda Rivers. The Village of Florien was the only parish agency which showed an increase. Her report follows:
More pipeline work is going on in Sabine Parish. A new staging area is located at Toledo Town at the northeast corner of the intersection of Hwy. 6 and Hwy. 191. The company is White Castle. We have asked them for a report on their activity but have not heard anything yet.
The Sabine Master Gardeners are again preparing for their annual Down and Dirty Garden Seminar. They invite everyone interested in gardening to attend.
The Down and Dirty Garden Seminar will be Feb. 24, 2024, at Cypress Bend Resort located at 2000 Cypress Bend Pkwy. off Hwy. 191 about a half-hour southwest of Many.
Online ticket sales to the event began on Nov. 1. Those interested in attending may scan the QR Code provided here or follow the link below to learn more about the event and to make a ticket purchase.
Scan the QR Code above or follow the link provided below to learn more about the Down and Dirty Garden Seminar.
The seminar usually sells out quickly, so all are encouraged to act fast to ensure participation.
DENIM & LACE IS NOW OPEN!
Many is proud to welcome another business downtown. Denim & Lace, a new boutique at 745 San Antonio Ave., opened their doors on Monday, Nov. 6, to a well-attended Grand Opening. Owners Susan Speight and Bill Powell live in Marthaville.
"Bill and I thank everyone for coming out and making the Grand Opening of Denim & Lace absolutely amazing!" co-owner Susan Speight, shown above, shared with Observations Monday afternoon.
The new store offers clothing sizes S-3X and jeans up to Size 22. They carry jewelry and accessories, shoes, bath and body products and home décor. They are open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and may be reached at (318) 438-5151.
(Special thanks to my wife Laurie for the article and photos above.)
The 43rd Annual Sabine Freestate Festival in Florien looked to be a big success last weekend. The weather was beautiful with sunshiny skies and temperatures at about 75.
A builder of fiddles, dulcimers and other instruments was featured again at this year's festival.
A miniature of the visiting Truckers' Chapel that travels the nation was a big hit in the Sabine Freestate Parade.
Kelly Stewart, Festival Chairman, announces the names of the "Shoot-out" cast to the audience of front of the "Sabine Saloon," the event's daytime main stage area.
My daughter, Verity, shown standing, talked Yours Truly and my wife Laurie into riding with her in the Sabine Freestate Festival parade Saturday morning. The beautiful, blue 1955 Ford truck belongs to Jerry Ezernack, who was kind enough to drive. It was a lot of fun. Photo by Cindy D. Ezernack
Chairman Kelly Stewart remarked after the full weekend, "Another year has come and gone, and man, what a whirlwind it was! I can't thank my wonderful Board enough for everything they do for our Sabine Freestate Festival! To the Village of Florien and the Mayor, thank y'all for everything... I hope everyone had a great time and hope to see you back next year!"
The big weekend featured the event's largest "shoot-out" cast ever, an impressive parade, a blacksmith, potter, chainsaw carver, a magic show, a teen block party, a full street of folks to watch the Saturday night bands and more.
Signs Along Life's Highway
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