Commentary

We are sad to report that Councilwoman Mary Beth Brocato has announced the August Movies in Many have been cancelled due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Sabine Parish.

Our Sabine Sheriff is a man of his word. John Allen Martinez Jr., 40, hanged himself in the Sabine Parish Detention Center on March 18. On June 18, Observations carried a story about his widow, Melanie Martinez, attempting to get answers about his death from then-Sheriff Ronny Richardson, District Attorney Don Burkett and others.

Burkett told us that at that point in time, he talked with Ms. Martinez but did not have any information he could give her.

“I’m getting the run around; I’m not getting any answers and it’s frustrating,” she said back in June. Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, who was not in office when the incident happened, said he would listen to Ms. Martinez after he took office July 1, and he did.

50 Years Ago

Week of July 30, 1970

The Tom Gates’ home on the Middle Creek Road was completely destroyed by fire. Since all of the phones were out, a lady visiting the family, drove in to Many and reported the blaze. Nothing was saved.

The body of Richard Maxey, 43, was found in a wooded area near Noble on July 22, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. A charge of murder was filed against William J. Corley on the night of July 21. Corley and Maxey got into an argument at a lounge and Maxey was shot with a .22 magnum Derringer pistol.

A stand of dead trees south of Highway 6 were infested with Southern Pine Beetles, according to the La. Forestry Commission. They were in the process of killing the beetles.

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I was searching for a particular recipe last week, when I came across Mom’s recipe books. Rubberbands held the books together. Recipes from magazine, books and handwritten recipes from friends were among the worn pages of the books.

Before I knew it, I was in my chair, going through the books….sometimes shaking my head, other times laughing about the recipes she saved and never used, and other times, with tears rolling down my cheeks as I found “old favorite” recipes.

One “old favorite” in particular was her Tuna Casserole recipe. She served that casserole for years and it wasn’t until I was in high school that we all discovered it was not a favorite. Daddy, little brother and I were seated at the table one night and she served her casserole. My Dad took one look at it and said, “Tuna casserole! Yuck!”

50 Years Ago Week of July 19, 1970

Gailor Phares was installed as president of the Many Lions Club.

A July 4th drowning on Toledo Bend Lake at Red’s Point saddened the local celebration. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Civil Defense launched a search for the body of Bob Bailey, 47, of Sulphur. The boat had been launched from the Toledo Bend Marine and was a 14’ aluminum boat with a 20 hp motor. The boat obviously reared up and the man fell out of the boat.

Huey Dowden, the new president of the Many Rotary Club, was installed.

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When we look back on the year 2020, we will remember all we missed—no Easter bonnets, no family dinners, no birthday parties, no school, no ballgames, no church and no Fourth of July extravaganzas.

I wonder what the rest of this year holds. Many are quarantined; some get out for essentials protecting themselves with masks and plenty of hand sterilizer.

We have changed…..and I don’t like it! I’m sure you don’t either.

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In a conversation last week with my longtime friend, Index owner Lovan Thomas, he asked if I would start writing Observations for the Index. Remember that I owned and operated the Index for 47 years and this is where Observations started. So when Lovan asked, it was like being asked to come home. I gladly accepted Lovan’s invitation and look forward to writing this column weekly.

A crowd of about 200 gathered on the front lawn of the Sabine Parish Courthouse Wednesday morning, July 1, to see Aaron Mitchell take over as Sabine Parish Sheriff. Aaron is very passionate about doing a good job, which is a welcomed change.

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