Feliciana Explorer Jan 7

PRESORT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDZACHARY, LAPERMIT NO. 6

CAR-RT PRESORTPOSTAL CUSTOMERS

ECWSS Postal Patron Local

Feliciana Explorer • Tuesday, January 7, 2014 • Vol. 4, No. 1 • Published Weekly • Circulation 17,000 • felicianaexplorer.com • © 2014

EXPLOREREXPLORERFeliciana

Proud to be the Felicianas' only locally owned, managed, and staffed newspaper.

See WRITERS on page 3

By James Ronald skains

“Warden Cain has done a wonder-ful job in bringing Christian opportu-nities to the offender population at An-gola,” Henry Geter told the Feliciana EXPLORER. “The B-Line Church on the Angola property with a fulltime pastor will help complete the circle by offering our services to those who live inside the gates and in the area.”

The Samaritan Purse Organization, headed by Franklin Graham, built the B-Line Church building about 5 years ago. For 6 months, the Samaritan Purse organization provided a full time pas-tor for B-Line, a non-denominational church. However, the full time pastors at B-Line since that time have served short-term stints. All that will change once the Geter’s move into the church

B-Line Church to Provide Spiritual Guidance for the Angola Community

A Gathering of Writers and Readers to be Held in St. FrancisvilleWhen the West Feliciana Parish

Police Jury in midsummer approved a bid of $2.7 million to construct a new library, old timers considered it a natural progression in an area that has traditionally been devoted to the literary arts. The town had one of the state’s earliest public libraries, and the surrounding plantations had extensive private libraries of their own. Today St. Francisville is home for several published authors and retired university literature profes-sors.

Besides looking forward to the spacious new library, today’s book-lovers anticipate with great relish a special event dubbed A Gathering of Writers and Readers, begun in 2007 and now under the auspices of Arts For All, the non-profit umbrella agency for all arts in West Felici-ana. The celebration brings together published authors with readers who might not otherwise have the oppor-tunity to hear writers read from and discuss their work.

Scheduled for Saturday, Febru-ary 22, 2014, at Hemingbough Cul-tural Arts Center just south of St.

Francisville, the all-day event be-gins at 8:30 a.m. and will be mod-erated by SLU professor and former bookstore owner Charles Elliott, himself a writer, film director and

noted character. Four professional authors will be featured, as well as distinguished repeat guest Ernest Gaines, recent recipient of the Na-tional Medal of Arts, who will be

honored for his extraordinary liter-ary contributions, and featured writ-ers from previous years are invited

Anne Butler Wiley Cash Julie Kane

parsonage within the next couple of weeks.

“It is very important in our opinion that the B-Line Church has a full time

pastor living on site. We did consider pastoring the church full time while still living in Zachary, but we knew in our hearts that would not work. Most people don’t realize how stressful it is working at a correctional facility.”

“The stresses and challenges of working at a correctional institution are far different than those experienced when working at a plant that produces some type of product or equipment,’’ Geter acknowledged. “You are deal-ing with human beings in a controlled environment which can be the most stressful of jobs.”

“With Connie and me onsite and holding church services at least every Sunday, we believe that we can help provide spiritual guidance that will give comfort to those persons deal-

See B LINE on page 7

Connie and Henry Geter will be moving from Coppermill in Zachary to the parsonage of B-Line Community Church on the grounds of Angola within a couple of weeks.

2 Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Email stories and photos to [email protected]

Published Tuesdays52 weeks a year

EXPLOREREXPLORERFeliciana

4104 Main StreetZachary, LA 70791

Phone (225) 654-0122Fax (225) 208-1165

Deadline for news and advertising: Wednesday, 5 P.M.

Call for advertising rates.

Publisher & EditorDaniel Duggan

Graphic DesignerTina Adams

Account ExecutivesGeorgiana Walls

Ashley Evans

Contributing WriterJames Ronald Skains

New Year HistorianCalla Duggan

Minecraft HackmasterChandler Duggan

The Ginger AvengerCecelia Duggan

Stunt Man in TrainingColton Duggan

20th Judicial District Attorney to Sponsor Upcoming Boating Safety Course

The 20th Judicial District At-torney’s Office is sponsoring a Boating Safety Course on Satur-day, February 15, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson Civic Center, 2084 Hwy. 10, Jack-son, Louisiana. The course will be taught by Agents from The Loui-siana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. The course includes information on choosing a boat, classification, hulls, motors, le-gal requirements and equipment requirements, many navigations rules, navigation charts, trailering, sailboats and related subjects that include canoeing, personal water-craft and more. Completion of the

course will result in the student being issued a vessel operators certification card.

All persons born after January 1, 1984, must complete a boat-ing safety course and carry proof of completion to operate a motor-boat in excess of 10 horsepower. The person may operate the boat if accompanied by someone over 18 years of age who if required has completed the course. It is il-legal for anyone under the age of 16 to operate a personal watercraft (PWC).

Please contact Crystal at 225-683-8563 to register, seating is limited.

District Attorney D’Aquilla Hosts Christmas Open House

Pictured Left to right---Betsy Jones, Rickie Collins, Debbie Bennett, Amanda McClung, Crystal Maples, Jerry Shropshire, Mary Du-four, Shane Bourgeois, and District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla.

The East Feliciana District At-torney’s office was alive with holi-day camaraderie on December 20, 2013 while hosting its fifth annual community Christmas open house brunch. In attendance were sev-enty-five guests including repre-sentatives from the 20th Judicial District Court, local police depart-ments, town halls, Police Jury, School Board, Clerk of Court’s of-fice and other citizens in the com-

munity. The District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District, Samuel C. D’Aquilla, would like to thank everyone who attended.

Each year, the District Attor-ney’s Office and his staff look forward to a time of fellowship with the community in order to strengthen the relationship with other departments, agencies, and local citizens.

It is an opportunity for the Dis-

trict Attorney’s Office to provide an inviting atmosphere for both encouraging a continuing positive working relationship and reinforc-ing its open door policy with each member of the public. Samuel C. D’Aquilla, along with his staff, ea-gerly anticipate this special event and hope everyone will attend this gathering in the coming year.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 3

WRITERS continued from page 1

We have a way with loans.

10926 Plank Rd.Clinton, LA

225-683-8565

13411 Main St.Norwood, LA225-629-5297

503 Hwy. 37Clinton, LA

225-683-3311

For the help you need,when you need it.

to “gather” again.Dr. Wiley Cash, nationally ac-

claimed award-winning fiction author, had his first novel, A Land More Kind Than Home, selected as a New York Times Notable Book. A North Carolina native, Cash earned his PhD at UL Lafayette and studied under writer-in-residence emeritus Ernest J. Gaines. It was there that he began the bestselling book A Land More Kind than Home, which NPR called “great Gothic Southern fic-tion filled with whiskey, guns and snake-handling.” His second book, the just-released This Dark Road to Mercy, promises to be just as rivet-ing, a novel of love and atonement, blood and vengeance.

Rheta Grimsley Johnson is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and author of nonfic-tion books including Poor Man’s Provence—Finding Myself in Ca-jun Louisiana about time spent in Henderson in the Atchafalaya Basin. Dr. Julie Kane, Northwestern State University professor and Louisi-ana’s past Poet Laureate, has pub-lished five volumes of poetry, and her poems have appeared in dozens of anthologies and journals. Both Cash and Kane are experienced uni-versity professors, and Johnson has been on the short list for a Pulitzer for journalism; her popular folksy columns appear in Baton Rouge’s The Advocate. Anne Butler writes nonfiction books preserving Loui-siana history and culture, as well as children’s books, hundreds of arti-cles for magazines and newspapers,

and true crime, including Weep for the Living; as a crime writer she had certainly not intended to become an actual participant, but when she was shot five times, she managed to get a good book out of even that experi-ence. Her more recent books Loui-siana Hwy. 1 and Main Streets of Louisiana include beautiful color images by Louisiana photographer Henry Cancienne.

These diverse authors have been specifically chosen to give the audi-ence a well-balanced appreciation for the art of literature---poetry, fic-tion, creative nonfiction, nonfiction, all with great appeal to Louisiana readers. They will share their cre-ative processes and works; partici-pants, including several students on scholarships, are encouraged to ask questions and will have an oppor-tunity to interact with the authors. Seating is limited. For online in-formation visit http://artsforall.feli-cianalocal.com. Tickets, $35, may be purchased at http://www.brown-papertickets.com/event/491750 and include parking, individual author presentations as well as moderated panel discussions, book signings, refreshments, lunch and a dessert reception with authors.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cul-tural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, the Greater Ba-ton Rouge Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency. A grant from En-tergy allowed Arts for All to invite Wiley Cash, who will be the Enter-gy Author for this event.

It’s that time of year again, when many of us make resolutions to be healthier or more fit or to exercise more regularly. It can be hard to stick with those resolutions on your own, and a group activity may be just what you need to keep going. Come join in a safe, effective and enjoyable strength training program that is lifting women to better health all over the country!

A new session of Strong Wom-en, a research-based strength train-ing program, will be offered by the West Feliciana Parks & Recreation Department starting January 14. The classes will take place at the West Feliciana Community Center on Hwy. 965 Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:30 pm and Wednesdays and Fri-days at 8:15 am.

A new option this session will be a 30-minute floor session focus-ing on core strength following the morning classes from 9:15 to 9:45 am.

The StrongWomen program was developed by Miriam Nelson, PhD, an associate Professor at Tufts Uni-versity. The program is based upon years of research on how strength training and proper nutrition im-prove the health of women of all ages. Research shows that a pro-gram of strength training not only improves muscle strength and bone density, but reduces falls, improves arthritis symptoms and increases flexibility. That is especially impor-tant for mid-life and older women who often see declines in many of these functions with age.

Call the West Feliciana Parks and Recreation Department at 784-8447 for registration information and equipment needs. Or visit the website at http://www.wfprec.com and look at the tab for fitness pro-grams. For additional information on the Strong Women program, con-tact Pam Myers, Extension Agent at 635-4878.

Strong Women Program Starts Soon

4 Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Jackson Elementary School Hosts Christmas Program

Kindergarten scholars Ar’Lecia Bradford and Kerry Jenkins were a part of the JES readers theatre ensemble.

ackson Elementary School’s Pre-K and kindergarten scholars hosted a holiday showcase for their families and the community to celebrate the season and show how much they have learned in school. Kindergarten performed a readers theatre of ‘Pete the Cat Saves Christmas’ while the Pre-K class explained the reason for the season and demonstrated their spelling skills by performing the acrostic poem “Christmas.”

Third grade Cub scholar Mackenzie Russ and fourth grade Cub scholar James Jack-son recently earned recognition as Jackson Elementary School’s Students of the Week. Mackenzie completed over 27 hours of work on ALEKS Math over Thanksgiving break, while James has demonstrated outstanding behavior and citizenship.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 5

Village of Wilson Christmas Parade

6 Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Milestones Births • Engagements • Weddings • Awards Obituaries • Anniversaries • Reunions

James Flynn Reeves

Storm and Hailey (Zahorchak) Reeves of Slaughter, La. are delighted to announce with lots of love the arrival of their first little angel, James Flynn Reeves born on 30th October 2013. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 1/2 inches long. Proud Grandparents are Russell and Renee Zahorchak of Wilson, La., Wendy Reeves of Denham Springs, La. and Edwin Reeves of Forrest City, Ar. Great Grandparents are Jim and Virgie Ford of Wilson La., Frank Zahorchak of Monroeville, PA. James and Barbara Reeves of Rayville, La. and Eva Singleton of Dubach, La. Also, Great great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Reeves Sr. and Mrs. Mary DeMoss, all of Tallulah, La.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 7

B LINE continued from page 1

Classifieds2008 GMC Acadia, Excellent Condition, 3rd Row Seats, DVD player, Loaded. N.A.D.A. $19,575; Sale Price $13,995. ON TIME MOTORS (225) 921-2185Drivers: Looking for Regional Com-pany Drivers in your Area!! $500 Sign on Bonus, $950 per week guarantee for first six weeks. Requirements: 18 months Tractor Trailer experience. CDL-A with Tanker and Hazmat. Highway Trans-port Offers: Paid Orientation, Excellent Benefits, TWIC Assistance Available. Safety Focused Quality Driven, “Our CSA rating reflects our commitment” EOE/M/F/V/D Apply Online Now! www.drive4hyttchemical.com Call 800-800-5856 #3I am Looking for a Good Used Mobile Home to Buy and Move. I will Consider trading acre of land. Call 225-245-1448.2003 Ford F-150 Reg. Cab Work Truck, Automatic, A/C, 55K miles, Great Truck! N.A.D.A. $7925; Sale Price $5500. ON TIME MOTORS (225) 921-2185Cross Creek Cowboy Church. 5D West-ern Store, Zachary. Sundays at 10:30. Come as you are, bring your lawn chair. 225-721-1313.2003 Ford Windstar, Low Miles, One Owner. Great Condition. Sale Price $3500. ON TIME MOTORS (225) 921-2185

Classifieds2003 Buick Rendezvous, Hwy Miles, Loaded, Runs Great. N.A.D.A. $4460. Sale Price $2850. ON TIME MOTORS (225) 921-21852004 Honda Odyssey, White/Blue, One Owner, 119K miles, Loaded, Excellent Condition. N.A.D.A. $6650. Sale Price $4995. ON TIME MOTORS (225) 921-2185Immediate openings for Shop Technicians 20 minutes North of Zachary; Solar power systems, electrical/electronic experience a plus; resume to [email protected] Sale! Seasoned Oak Firewood. $75 per truck load. Pick up only. Located in Slaughter 225-654-3236.ZACHARY CURVES FOR SALE! Only Franchise offering Fitness, Meal Planning & Coaching, Turn Key Opportunity, Low Investment, contact 225-658-6555. Immediate opening for experienced CADD operator 20 minutes North of Zachary. VISIO or AutoCADD, Electri-cal design experience required. Email [email protected].

Call in or send us your Classified Ad

Only $10 Up to 20 wordsPhone 225-654-0122 or email

[email protected]

BUSINESS DIRECTORY | CLASSIFIEDS

CONSTRUCTION

CUSTOM DRAPES

INSURANCE

LENDING SERVICES

HOME & LAWN

ARTS, DANCE & MUSIC

ANTIQUES

@The Crossroads, LLC

(225) 570-2039 20130 Plank Rd.

(Hwy 64 & Hwy 67)Zachary, LA 70791

Antiques At The Crossroads

AntiquesPrimitives

VintageRetro

LinensCast Iron

and More!

OpenMon-Sat

10:00-5:00Sundays

by Chancewww.AntiquesAtTheCrossroads.com

FRAMING

225-936-8649

Custom Drapes& Upholstery

Credit cards accepted

“We come to you, FREE estimates”

DOG CARE

All Breeds Dog BoardingObedience & Retriever Training

www.y-farms.com • 225-445-5012

ENJOY A FREE ART LESSON!Art Lessons Made Easy

with Betty Miller

(LIMIT ONE PER PERSON; MUST PRESENT AD) 

225-654-9900225-301-2908

Director of Public Works/Planning and Zoning Position Open

The West Feliciana Parish Government seeks an individual with a strong background in Civil Engineering including repairs, maintenance, upgrading, and installation of infrastruc-ture, including roads, bridges, utilities and water and sewer systems. A Engineering degree is required. Candidates must have at least 5 years of supervisory experience in public works management. In addition, the preferred candidate will have experience in planning, zoning and development.

Candidates must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies and the public. Candidates must possess a valid Louisiana driver’s license with acceptable driving record for the past three years.

General Purpose: Performs a variety of complex professional and administrative work in planning, developing, scheduling, directing and implementing a year-round, public program.

Supervision Received: Works under the broad policy guidance and direction of the Parish President.

Supervision Exercised: Exercises direction over Utilities Superintendent, Road Superin-tendent and other support staff, part-time, contracted or seasonal personnel either directly or through subordinate supervisors. Provide leadership in the execution of a Planning and Zoning program for the Parish.

Salary Scale: Salary range is dependent upon experience and qualifications. Mail resumes to: West Feliciana Parish Government Attention: Kevin Couhig, Post Office Box 1921, St. Francisville, LA 70775. Resumes must

be postmarked no later than January 15, 2014. Resumes are considered a public record and will be treated as such.

The potential start date for the position is March 1, 2014, or earlier if mutually acceptable.

West Feliciana Parish is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and an equal opportunity service provider.

ing with the stresses and challenges of working at Angola and those living in-side the gates.”

Connie Jackson Geter grew up on the Angola grounds being the daugh-ter of Estelle and Frank Jackson, both Angola Penitentiary employees. Con-nie Geter pursued a management ca-reer with the LA Department of Cor-rections working in the Baton Rouge headquarters offices. Connie Geter rose through the ranks to Internal Au-ditor for Compliance for the Louisiana Prison System with American Correc-tional Association Standards.

“I worked on the management staff of Secretary Richard Staldler’s team,’’ Connie Geter noted. “I worked for 37 years for the Department of Correc-tions plus growing up on the grounds of Angola. So I know the environment that people in corrections work and live in. It can be, oh so stressful!”

“My mom and dad were very in-volved in the Tunica Hills Baptist Church as I was growing up. Tunica Hills is on the road going to Angola. Henry and I were married 41 years ago in the Tunica Hills Church. We are still very active in the church and will con-

tinue to be active, even with our full time commitment to the B-Line Com-munity Church.”

“Connie and I have wanted to pas-tor a church for several years but the right opportunity did not present itself until the B-Line Church was in need of a fulltime pastor,” Geter elaborated. “We firmly believe that God is leading us to this fulltime ministry opportu-nity.”

“There are several churches and people who are helping us to devel-op a fulltime ministry at the B-Line Church. The First Baptist Church in St. Francisville where Joel Williams is pastor, is our leading sponsor for B-Line. Also, the LA Baptist Conven-tion is being very helpful in getting the ministry up and running at B-Line. Larry Badon with the Convention was the first to call me about B-Line need-ing a full time pastor.”

Geter himself has been an electri-cian for more years than he wants to count. He spent 18 years with Dow Chemical, 17 years with the former TIMBEC (now KPAQ) in St. Fran-cisville, and 7 years as an electrician at Dixon Correctional Center before retiring in November of 2013.

“We’ve had so many spiritual men-tors during our journey through life,”

Geter, who has been a church pianist for 50 years in various churches in southeast Louisiana, pointed out. “One is particular is Dr. A. L. Palmer who at age 94 is still preaching. Another is Dr. Horn who was at Satsuma Baptist church at one time. He is now the presi-dent of the LA Baptist Convention.”

“Also, Dr. Statham with the Henry Wallace Ministry that is part of the LA Baptist Association has been very helpful with the B-Line Community Church. Warden Cain as always has been wonderful to work with. Our ser-vice schedule for B-Line will be at 9 AM and 6:30 PM on Sunday and 6:30 PM on Thursday night.”

“Another person who has been very helpful is Diane Norris from Pit-kin. She is Warden Cain’s niece. She has brought her Vacation Bible School group over to B-Line to hold Vacation Bible School with us for a couple of years.”

“We plan to be moved out of our house here in the Copper Mill subdivi-sion in Zachary to the parsonage at B-Line within the next two weeks,” Con-nie Geter acknowledged. “It is going to be tough to downsize to a 1,300 square foot parsonage house. My biggest con-cern was what to do with our grand piano but our daughter Amber, solved

that problem by taking the piano.”The Geter’s have one daughter,

Amber Geter Thorne, who lives in the Woodlands, Texas area with her hus-band Neal, and the 3 Geter grandkids, Jackson (age 11), John Henry (age 8), and the granddaughter, Tallulah, who is less than two years old.

“God puts people together for His reasons,” Geter emphasized. “I grew up a little north of Woodville, Missis-sippi. When Connie and I were court-ing, our routine was to go out on Friday night and then on Sunday we would go to her home church, which was the Tu-nica Hills Baptist church.”

“Now, after a 40 year career in oth-er fields, we are culminating our min-istry career by going back to Connie’s home turf at Angola. God always puts people in positions for his purpose, but only opens the door when he deems it time. It is time for Connie and me to walk through the doors of B-Line Community Church.”

Writer’s note: If enthusiasm and preparation are the keys to a success-ful ministry at B-Line, the Geters cer-tainly have plenty of both. God bless you, Connie and Henry, and keep you encouraged and enthusiastic with your ministry at B-Line Community Church.

8 Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Let us take care of yourimaging needs.

(225) 635-3811 • 5266 Commerce Street • St. Francisville, Louisianawww.wfph.org.

The Imaging Department:16 slice Computed Tomography (CT) Scan • MRI Ultrasound • Mammography • Diagnostic X-ray