2020
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CHRISTMAS FUN THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS IN NATCHITOCHES
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Plantation Treasures Partners International Paper • Cane River Gallery • Exchange Bank • Grayson’s Barbecue • Louisiana Purchase • Sabine State Bank Alliance • Harrington Law Firm • LaCap FCU • State Farm- Jim Pledger • Mason Salter’s Natchitoches Christmas The official Guide to the City of Lights 2020 is a publication of the Natchitoches Times Publisher: Lovan Thomas Advertising Sales: Taryn Miles Creative Production: James McAlpin
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This magazine is published annually to promote the Natchitoches Christmas Events as well as the City of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Parish in an informative and positive manner. Natchitoches Christmas 2020 is a copyrighted publication of The Natchitoches Times.
NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS
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CHRISTMAS IN NATCHITOCHES The phrase “Magical Christmas” cannot be over emphasized when you’re talking about Christmas in Louisiana’s oldest city. For close to 100 years, the Christmas season in Natchitoches has been special. So much so, that it is ranked as one of the best events in the nation. Lodging arrangements are made a year in advance and local residents prepare their homes for visits from family and friends. Even if you are from Natchitoches, coming home for the holiday season is
unlike any other visit. The Christmas Festival has faced trials in the past but it has never had to deal with a pandemic. Some of the biggest challenges have been Mother Nature’s cold and rain. However; this year the COVID-19 pandemic has been like wrestling a bear. Scheduling performers and events has experienced changes almost weekly as the state moves from one phase to another regularly which restricts crowd sizes and venues. Despite those obstacles, the Christmas Festival Committee
Merry Christma
has continued to diligently plan on hosting visitors to Natchitoches for the holidays. Without a doubt, it won’t be a Christmas Festival in the fashion we are accustomed. It might not even be called a “Festival” because of COVID rules and regulations. You can rest assured; Christmas in Natchitoches will be as special as it ever was. Because of the ever-changing challenges facing the Festival Committee this year, it’s not possible to compile a list of activities, times and dates. Everyone is en-
couraged to visit the Christmas Festival Website (www.natchitocheschristmas.com) for the most up to date schedule. The Festival Committee has been meeting with state officials, even into early November, trying to work out a plan. You can be guaranteed; the Christmas season and holiday festivities will not be absent from Natchitoches this year. Natchitoches does Christmas really well, and this year will be no exception.
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TAKE PIECE OF NATCHITOCHES HOME WITH YOU Our local shops go all out for the Christmas season and are always looking forward to giving visitors a warm, holiday welcome. Their owners are our friends and neighbors, and we know that the global COVID-19 pandemic has hit these businesses pretty hard this year. We
PIED À TERRE
• Name means “My place in the City” • Opened March 2020 • Owned by Cathy Brown Willett • This is the location of Truvy’s West, the second location of Dolly Parton’s beauty shop, in “Steel Magnolias” • You can find home décor, furniture, lighting, accent pieces • “Our Neighbor” candles named after local places of interest • Located at 746 Front St.
want to encourage Christmas Festival visitors to shop locally during this time and take a piece of Natchitoches home with them. Here are a few highlights of stores along Front Street and their merchandise aim to remind you of your illuminating experience in the City of Lights!
PLANTATION TREASURES • Open since 1996 • Owners Tina & Jr. Rachal • You can find home fragrance, Clementine Hunter pieces, home décor and Christian items • Home of the laced spiral staircase • Located at 720 Front St.
FRONT STREET MARKETPLACE
• Open since 2015 • Owned and operated by Angela Dawson and Kelly Dawson Savell • Serves sandwiches with sauces made inhouse and freshly brewed coffee in various flavors • Specialty holiday beverage is the Cherries Jubilee, a delicious cherry flavored hot chocolate. The Marketplace will also serve hot dishes such as gumbo, corn chowder and pulled pork sandwiches, smoked with locally picked pecans. • Located at 584 Front St.
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While you’re in the city, don’t miss out on visiting our other Historic District shops:
KAFFIE-FREDERICK GENERAL MERCANTILE
• First established in 1863 • Owned by Luke and Lori Frederick • The oldest general store in the City of Natchitoches • Kaffie-Frederick brings customers back to the good old days with their merchandise, consisting of hardware, housewares, cookware and kitchen supplies, classic toys and gifts. The original freight elevator and cash register from 1910 is still in working condition. Don’t miss going up to the second floor to see their holiday section, filled with beautiful Christmas-themed décor.
• Located at 758 Front St.
Advanced Cosmetic Techniques 110 University Pkwy Brenda’s Clothing & Accessories 584 Front Street, Suite 104 Cane River Candy Company 760 Front Street Cane River Kitchenware 732 Front Street Cane River Gallery 558 Front Street City Barbershop 504 Front Street Georgia’s Gift Shop 626 Front Street Gifts Galore & More 113 rue St. Denis Hana Japanese Sushi Bar and Grill 750 Front Street Hall Tree 600 Front Street Hello Dolly Relocated to 106 Front Street Jeannes Country Garden 300 Jefferson Street Jimbo’s Bar and Grill 530 Front Street Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant 622 Second Street Louisiana Purchase 550 Front Street
Maglieaux’s Riverfront Restaurant 805 Washington Street Magnolia Spa and Wellness 131 Touline Street Mama’s Oyster House & Papa’s Bar and Grill 608 Front Street, 604 Front Street Mary Lou’s Flowers & Gifts 117 rue St. Denis Mason Salter’s Fine Furniture 365 Second Street Merci Beaucoup 127 Church Street Merci Beaucoup Gifts 584 Front Street, Suites 106-107 Nakatosh Tattoo Gallery 119 Rue St. Denis Natchitoches Art Guild and Gallery 584 Front Street, Suite 102 Olivier’s Creole Cypress Furniture 117 Second Street Pioneer Pub 812 Washington Street Southern Necessities 624 Front Street StoryBrew Coffee Café 780 Front Street Tres Bien Antiques 132 St. Denis Clary’s Christmas Company 584 Front Street
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NSU CHRISTMAS GALA
This year’s Christmas Gala at Northwestern State University will be like no other in the more than 30 years to show has been presented. Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Gala will be performed, but not in front of a packed audience in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. The Gala will be recorded and will be available in December. Details on the cost of the download and how it will be accessed are being determined. Brett Garfinkel will be the director. “Our goal this year for the Christmas Gala is to give the NSU and Natchitoches community the performance they have come to
enjoy and love, just in a new format,” said Garfinkel, who is chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. “We will be filming new pieces in different locations and editing together a video performance of the show that will then be available for purchase. For the first time ever patrons will have the ability to watch the show from the comfort of their own homes.” Garfinkel said the theme is “A Multicultural Christmas” that will include a little something for everyone. This year’s Gala will combine audience favorites from past shows along with some new additions.
For the latest and most up-to-date schedule of events for
Christmas in Natchitoches please visit
www.NatchitochesChristmas.com
Merry
mas ChroistA ll t
800-259-1714 • www.NatchitochesChristmas.com 06
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Happy holidays om Nthwestern State University!
MISS MERRY CHRISTMAS
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Natchitoches still upheld its tradition of crowning Miss Merry Christmas and the Christmas Belles in September. Due to crowd restrictions, this year’s pageant was closed to the public Sept. 26 at the Natchitoches Events Center. 12 young ladies competed in scholastic achievement, interview and opening statement. This year’s Miss Merry Christmas is Katherine Anderson, daughter of Garrett and Jennifer Anderson. Katie is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School. She received an NSU tuition scholarship and with the Christmas Belles will represent Natchitoches at various events throughout the holiday season. The title of Miss Merry Christmas is awarded to a local high school senior enrolled in schools in Natchitoches Parish. Her “Court” as some would re-
fer to it, is called the Christmas Belles and they accompany her at functions and events promoting the Christmas Festival. In addition of Miss Merry Christmas and her Belles, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival also has Christmas Angels. A Christmas Angel is for students in pre-k through the eighth grade. They too play important roles in the promotion and production of the Christmas Festival. The Christmas Belles are: Jensen Parker, daughter of Jason and Mandy Parker. Jensen is a senior at St. Mary’s High School Brianna Laird, daughter of Brad and Renee Laird. Brianna is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School Mary Grace Long, daughter of Jimmy and Mary Long. Mary Grace is a senior at Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts
The 2020 Miss Merry Christmas and the Christmas Belles were named Saturday, Sept. 26 during the annual Natchitoches Queens Pageant. Miss Merry Christmas is Katherine Anderson and the Belles are Jensen Parker, Brianna Laird, Mary Grace Long and Baylee Laroux. As Miss Merry Christmas, Katie will serve as the official hostess of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. She and the Christmas Belles will represent Natchitoches at various events throughout the holiday season. From left are Parker, Laird, Anderson, Long and Laroux. Baylee Laroux, daughter of Brandi and David McManus.
Baylee is a senior at Natchitoches Central High School
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LIGHTING UP THE CITY OF LIGHTS If you’re looking for an optimistic person, look to Lee McKinney, the electrical superintendent in the Natchitoches Utility Department. McKinney has worked for the City for 26 years and for all that time, he’s had a part in hanging the strands of lights with 300,000 bulbs that illuminate Natchitoches for Christmas. “We all work together,” he says of the crew of 15 full-time employees who have begun the two month long task of hanging the lights. They may get extra help as the festival nears. It’s an arduous task that begins with moving the strands of lights stored in City property on Mill Street. Then comes managing traffic. The crew generally can’t work before 8 a.m., nor after 2:30 p.m., peak traffic times because of school starting and ending. “The traffic is a nightmare,” McKinney says. “Front Street
and the bridge are the hardest.” Lights in those two locations are the last to go up and are strung at night. The first locations are the side streets. He says the crew got lucky this year because they had strung the lights on the riverbank before the heavy rain started and the trucks didn’t damage the landscape. There was minimal damage from the two hurricanes. This year there will be 110 set pieces on the riverbank. While there are no new ones, the American flag has been totally restored for the first time in about six years. McKinney laughs when asked which is easier, hanging the lights or taking them down. “When it’s over, we just pull ’em down.” Hanging and removing the glowing strands of lights are just part of the job. Aubrey Garcie is a former utility department employee who works part-time, year round. “When the lights
come down, he examines every single one,” McKinney says. Garcie replaces damaged and faded bulbs. Despite two hurricanes and endless traffic, McKinney is sure the lights will be in place for the thousands of visitors and home folks as well. “We’re going to get it all up and make it pretty.”
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CANE RIVER BOAT PARADE
In 2019, the Festival Committee partnered with the Natchitoches Rotary Club to bring back the Boat Parade. After rave reviews, the tradition will continue this year Saturday, Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Boats will begin at the Washington Street boat launch and travel South on Cane River making several passes for onlookers downtown. A $10 entry fee is required for all boats entering the parade. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top entries. Boats must be lit and decorated in a Christmas theme. Boats may register at www.NatchitochesChristmas.com. For more information, contact the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 318.357.3822
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CANE RIVER CARRIAGE COMPANY
Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we won’t be seeing many of the regular activities you would find at the annual Christmas Festival. You can still count on taking a stroll in the beautiful downtown historic district, pulled along the brick street under the Christmas lights in a horse-drawn carriage. When you think of a classic Natchitoches holiday season, this touring experience might be one of the first activities that come to mind. Holiday tours are a go for the Cane River Carriage Company, who will have carriages set up on the north end of Front Street seven days a week during the season, Nov. 21 - Jan. 6. This year, they will not be able to supply blankets for passengers due to potential virus spread, so be sure to bring your own! If you happen to forget one, the company might have a few spare for sale. They will also sell hot chocolate
and caramel apple cider at their booth located down the ramp to the riverbank to keep passengers warm. If you’re looking to learn more about Natchitoches’ history or the best locations to visit, the
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carriage guides are always enthusiastic about sharing their local knowledge for those that are curious. The horses, such as Gumbo pictured here, love to receive treats from visitors and when they’re not trotting along
the streets, they are kept warm and safe in a barn close-by the district. The carriages will be out from 4-9 p.m. on weekdays and 3-10 p.m. on weekends during the Christmas Festival season.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5
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CHRISTMAS POSTER ARTIST - ALEX FELTER Though this year’s Christmas Festival will be a bit different than years’ past, we won’t let annual traditions slip by so easily. One tradition festival lovers can always look forward to is a new Christmas Festival poster created by one talented artist. Alex Felter is this year’s Christmas Festival poster artist and he has created an incredible work of art that encompasses the holiday cheer found in the City of Lights. Felter, a native of Natchez, Miss., is a 2012 graduate of Louisiana College in Alexandria, double majoring in both studio and graphic arts. Felter has attended Christmas Festival every year for 10 years with his family members. When he learned there is a contest for poster submissions, he decided to just go for it. Usually with his art concepts, Felter keeps an intuitive mind. With this Christmas Festival poster, his initial idea was to have
a scene located within a light bulb, a snow globe concept, but Felter let his heart and his hand create the smaller details found within the art. A scene reminiscent of a traditional Christmas Festival evening- a group of attendees can be seen next to the giant Christmas tree found on the riverbank looking up at the fireworks lighting up the night sky. The familiar Church Street Bridge wearing its lighted archway is located behind the light bulb. Felter created a unique framing for the art- a string of lights surrounds the holiday scene. Felter designed this poster to be elegant and have a traditional feel. He said he wanted to stray away from cool colors, keeping the poster in mostly warm, neutral tones. One unique aspect to this poster is that it was created digitally. “I like to create my illustrations digitally and it allows me
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Alex Felter, designer of the 2020 poster to have complete control over my work,” said Felter. “With physical mediums, you sometimes get what I would call ‘happy accidents’ and it’s easier said than done to go back and edit the art should you choose to do so. I still get these with my digital art, and it feels authentic.” Felter is inspired by artists such as Eyvind Earle for her rich textures and mood setting, Stanley Roy Badmin for his wonderful details and precision and Ludwig Bemelmans for his loose gesture style accompanied by his whimsical flair. “Double majoring in both Studio Art and Graphic Design really shaped my style of work as an illustrator. I’m able to fuse the two together completely when I pull out my tablet to draw at the computer. It really does feel very authentic and the technology has made strides in the past five years or so. I’ve set up the program to fit my needs and with it I hope I’m able to have a unique thumbprint within my art,” he said. “Sometimes the lines are blurred when I’m working on a project and I forget that I’m working digitally. It feels and looks real which is always my goal. I’d say for me at least, it’s 20% technical knowledge and 80% creativity and just getting in there and being willing to make mistakes and learn from it. I remember years back being inspired by digital illustration and thinking that I’d never get there. A lot of trial and error put a deter-
Christmas in Natchitoches 2020 by Alex Felter
Forty-First Annual Limited Edition Christmas Festival Print
Natchitoches Arts Council ©
mination in me to just start creating and the hiccups I’ve had I’ve learned from. I feel as though any artist can be excellent at just about any medium they choose and for me, this is by far my favorite. I’m still learning things on a constant basis and at the end of the day, I’m just happy to be able to create. It’s what I love to do most!” Felter said his favorite part about the Christmas Festival is just sitting beside the riverbank, viewing the numerous lighted set pieces across the way. Felter has also been named the T-shirt and poster designer for the 2020 Natchez Balloon Festival. He owns and operates Felter Illustrations in Alexandria, and also enjoys creating illustrations for children’s books. He is the son of Sherri and Ellis Felter, and the husband of Lizzie. Together they have two daughters: Heidi, 5, and Nina, 2. Official Christmas Festival Poster prints can be picked up at Natchitoches Community Development, located at 420 Fourth St. Buyers will need to call ahead to the annex at (318) 357-3838 and will be met outside to be handed their posters. Posters are 18x24 and cost $35. They come with a mini poster. Mini posters are sold separately for $3.
FLEUR DE LIS CRAFT SHOW RETURNS FOR 16TH YEAR
It’s only fitting that one of oldest and most prestigious arts and crafts shows during the holiday season happens in Natchitoches. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 28 for the 16th annual Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Mall. The Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Christmas Mall has been a staple of the holiday since 2005. This event is unique in that only artist-generated items will be available. No imports, resale, or commercial items are allowed. There will be vendors from a four-state area offering a wide variety of handcrafted items including jewelry, home decor, artwork, bath and body products, toys, clothing, rosaries, candles and more. The Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Mall, specializing in individualized pieces, will be Saturday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The event, in the indoor comfort of air-conditioning and restrooms, is free to the public and free parking is available.
The Natchitoches Events Center has been home to the Fleur de Lis show all but one year. The first Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Show was in the Arts Center because the Events Center was under construction. The 2020 Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts show has been a sell out for vendors with approximately 90 planning to participate. Cheryl Gianforte, a former art teacher at Natchitoches Central High School, has spearheaded the event from conception to reality. She said this year one of the artists is from the Carolinas, but is originally from Natchitoches. So that artist will be showcasing her items while enjoying a return home visit family and friends this holiday season. The Events Center has a 15,000 square foot exhibit hall and three 1,200 square foot meeting areas. The crafts show will include knitted and embroidered items, soaps and body lotions and some
Cindy’s Jellies, handcrafted by Natchitoches resident Cindy Jonson, has been a regular participant at the Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts show for several years. of the works of the South’s most prominent painters and photographers. There will also be a wide variety of birdhouses, quilts, jellies, cork décor and a variety of religious items. Shoppers will check some people off their Christmas list with their purchases, but many will leave with gifts for themselves.
This year, due to Covid-19, will have a different look and feel. Regulations regarding masks and physical distancing will be followed and hand sanitizing stations will be available. For more information, contact Cheryl Gianforte at 318-3526068.
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COOKIES WITH SANTA
Back by popular demand, the Festival Committee will host “Cookies with Santa” Saturday, Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 at www. NatchitochesChristmas.com. A limited number of $10 tickets will be sold for each one- hour session. Everyone entering the area will require a ticket. Children under 2 are free. Santa will visit with the children and provide photo opportunities during the sessions. Each child will complete a Christmas craft along with a letter to Santa that can be placed in a special North Pole mailbox. Social distancing, safe hand sanitizing and masks will be encouraged throughout the sessions.
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HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
One of the real treats every December comes from the Natchitoches Historic Foundation who coordinates the annual Christmas Tour. In years past, private homes have opened their doors to visitors, however this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, only public venues will be featured.
There will also be some new and innovative activities to coincide with the tours. Details are pending State Fire Marshal approval. The locations, all within the famous Natchitoches Historic District, are community landmarks. This year, four public properties, including the Prudhom-
me-Rouquier House, Roque House, Lemee House and the Cunningham Law Office, home of the NHF, will be adorned in the Christmas spirit and open to visitors over six days in Decem-
ber. Dates are Thursday-Friday, Dec. 10-11 with tours from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1-4 p.m., Thursday-Friday, Dec. 1718 with tours from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1-4 p.m.
LEMEE HOUSE
THE ROQUE HOUSE
The Roque House, circa 1797, was constructed by a freed slave along the banks of the Cane River. The house served as a residence and as a convent for French nuns. It was moved 22 miles to Natchitoches in 1967 to save it from demolition by neglect and now sits on the downtown riverbank. In March 2016, flooding inundated the house to a depth of 12 inches, causing settling of the structure and damage to the bousillage (mud and moss) walls. Photo by Kathy Seymour.
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The Lemee House was featured in the movie “Steel Magnolias” as Ouiser’s home, played by Shirley Maclaine. The Lemee House is one of Natchitoches’ most beautiful and important historic homes. Built in 1837, the home has been many things to many people; first a home, then a bank (a branch of the Union Bank of New Orleans) and ultimately the spark that would ignite the preservation movement in Natchitoches. Alex Lemee bought the house in 1849. The cellar and tunnel were used to route gold to and from New Orleans when the house was a bank. There is a sealed brick entrance to the tunnel that goes under Jefferson Street.
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PRUDHOMME-ROUQUIER HOUSE This Save America’s Treasures property, circa 1790, is the only known two and one-half story bousillage structure on the North American continent. Owned and operated by the Service League of Natchitoches, Inc., the house went through an extensive restoration in 2005. League members take pride in its period décor and decorations appropriate for the Christmas season in the City of Lights. Used as the Service League headquarters, Prudhomme-Rouquier House is available for rental throughout the year as well as during the holiday season.
CUNNINGHAM LAW OFFICE
A unique feature of this building, located at 550 Second St., is the twin chimneys in the center of the building that served to heat both sides of the duplex office. This building housed five generations of lawyers since its construction in the 1860s. The Natchitoches Historic Foundation bought and restored this fine example of a mid- 19th century law office. The Cunningham Law Office is decorated with period antiques and art, and houses the part of the Mildred Hart Bailey collection of Clementine Hunter paintings left to the Foundation. The office is beautifully decorated with seasonal and traditional natural materials. The Mildred Hart Bailey Garden adjoins the property
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Kaffie- Frederick Posey’s Sports Center NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS
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Children have been coming to tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas at the Santa House on Front Street for the past several decades. What people might not be aware of is that the house, located on the south end of the riverbank, has quite the history behind it.
The first Santa House The original Santa House was built in 195960, in memory of Barry Gunter. Barry, 4, and his mother, Jeanette Katherine Maggio, went to Shreveport one December day in 1957. On the way back, they realized they forgot to pay Santa a visit. Barry said that it was okay, and they would see him next year. Unfortunately, Barry passed away in October of the following year and didn’t get another chance to see Santa. The first Santa house was built in memory of Barry and to make sure other children had a chance to visit Santa Claus
Barry Gunter 20
THE SANTA CLAUS HOUSE
in Natchitoches. The Santa House was remodeled in 1994. The remodeled house was dedicated to the late Charlie Maggio, Barry’s uncle. Maggio, along with Charles Solomon, were known for creating the Christmas set pieces along the riverbank during the holiday season when the festival was still new. With the remodeling of the riverbank in 2018 came a brand new Santa House. The new Santa House is almost twice as large as the previous one, with approximately 200 square feet of space. The house has a concrete floor and is constructed in the same design and with the same wood shape shingles on the Riverbank Stage and the adjacent bathrooms. Santa’s new house is heated and cooled, and has benches inside for those waiting to give Santa their Christmas lists. Santa’s chair is placed in a way so that when the children are face to face to Santa, they can also look out to Cane River through the nearly 5 foot tall glass pane windows. With Santa seated close to the windows, entrance and egress to the building is a straight shot through the center of the 14 foot wide building. The Santa House’s courtyard also has a deeper meaning behind it. The plaque in the courtyard is dedicated to Brooke Hennigan, daughter of Margaret and Jim Kilcoyne and the 1993 Miss Merry Christmas, who passed away in 1994. Her parents, faculty members at Northwestern State University, created memorial scholarships in the names of their children, Brooke and later,
NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS
Clay, who passed away in ness and business educa2012. The first scholar- tion majors at Northwestships were originally given ern State University. to two Natchitoches Central High S c h o o l students in 1994-95 and 199899, but are now preThe plaque in the sented to courtyard is dedicated junior and to Brooke Hennigan senior busi-
The path to the house has been decorated with a new lighted archway.
Healthy Holidays
Behavioral Health
Breast Center
General Surgery Associates
ENT Associates
North Natchitoches Medical Clinic
Pulmonology
Regional Cardiology
Courtyard of Natchitoches
OB/GYN Associates
Sleep Center
Natchitoches Assisted Living
Orthopedic Associates
Urology Associates
Pain Institute
Walk-In & Primary Care Clinic
Wound Care Center
All of us at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center want to wish our community a healthy, happy holiday season and all the best for 2021. As we ring in the New Year, we remain focused on providing exceptional care and positive patient experiences.
Happy Holidays!
CHRISTMAS ON THE CANE
MISTLETOE MARKET
On Christmas Festival day, you won’t have to look too far to find Christmas cheer! You can count on the downtown historic district to supply the right items to get into the holiday spirit. One area where Festival visitors can find items ranging from arts and crafts to holidays treats is the Mistletoe Market! The Natchitoches Women’s Resource Center hosts their crafting market every year during Christmas Festival Day, Dec. 5, in the City Bank parking lot, located on the corner of Second and St. Denis Street. The market also serves as a fundraiser to assist in the Center’s ministry in helping young women in difficult life situations. Booth space availability is on a “first come, first serve” basis. Set up time is from 5-7 a.m. on Christmas Festival day. Vendors must bring own tables, chairs, stands, etc. Tents are permitted if they remain in the 10’x10’ space, which is $100 each. This year, because of the uncertainty of COVID precautions, vendors will be allowed to cancel booth reservations until Dec. 4, with a refund minus a $20 cancellation fee per booth. However, there is no refund for inclement weather on festival day. To become a vendor at the Mistletoe Market, visit https://www.wrcnatchitoches.org/christmas-fest. For more information, contact Danette Westfall at 318-357-8888.
Step back in time at Fort St. Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. AdJean Baptiste State Historic Site as mission to Christmas on the Cane they host Christmas on the Cane, is $4 for persons over 12 and unformally known as Fe’te de Hiver. der 62. Christmas on the Cane will take visitors back to the 18th century to experience traditional colonial Christmas celebrations and feature historical talks about the period, re-enactors and period merchants. Take your time walking through the fort, marveling at the craftsmanship and learning the fort’s historical significance as the Louisiana Purchase’s first permanent settlement. Christmas on Fort St. Jean Baptiste is a replica of the the Cane is sched- original 1716 trading post which also feauled for Saturday, tures living history events daily.
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LOUISIANA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2020 INDUCTION CELEBRATION
The Class of 2020 for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame has a slightly different look as the runup begins for the annual Induction Celebration Tuesday, Dec. 15 through Thursday, Dec. 17. The 2020 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class will be celebrated with the usual three-day slate of events, with participation and sponsorship opportunities available through secure online transactions on the LaSportsHall.com website. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Ronnie Rantz (email RonnieRantz@ LaSportsHall.com), the LSHOF Foundation CEO/President, at 225-802-6040 or his executive assistant Gracen McDonald (email GracenMcDonald@LaSportsHall. com) at 318-554-9020. After recently being elected for the LSHOF Class of 2021, two championship coaches, former LSU track and field coach Pat Henry and retired Monroe-Richwood High School football coach Mackie Freeze, will be inducted in December as part of the 2020 class. Eight-time world bodybuilding champion Ronnie Coleman, a Bastrop native and Grambling graduate, was elected for induction in 2020, but will go into the Hall next June 24-26 with the Class of 2021. This year’s traditional June induction was postponed to December due to the coronavirus pandemic, while at the same time, Coleman’s biggest annual event, the Mr. Olympia competition, shifted from its planned September timetable to conflict with the Hall’s dates in December. Freeze and Henry step into a star-studded Class of 2020. It includes outdoorsman Phil Robertson, recognized internationally as the Duck Commander, and former LSU football coach Nick Saban, who won 75 percent of his games and the 2003 national
championship in five seasons with the Tigers, along with Sweet Lou Dunbar of the Harlem Globetrotters and Pro Bowl football standout Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, a star at UL Lafayette. The Class of 2020 also showcases two extraordinary basketball players: New Orleans native Kerry Kittles, a two-time All-America guard at Villanova who averaged 14 points in an eight-year NBA career, and Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball legend Angela Turner, a Bienville Parish native who helped the Techsters to four straight national championship game appearances including wins in 1981 and 1982. Inducted as winners of the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism will be LSU sports publicist Kent Lowe and Baton Rouge Advocate prep sportswriter Robin Fambrough. Opelousas native Joan Cronan, one of college sports’ most influential administrators in her career as athletics director at the University of Tennessee, will be inducted as the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award winner. Enshrined as the first recipient of the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award will be Shreveport-based broadcaster Tim Brando, whose pride in his home state has been evident throughout his four decades among the best in his business around the country. They will be honored in a series of events culminating with the annual Induction Dinner and Ceremonies presented by State Farm Agents of Louisiana on Thursday evening, Dec. 17, at the Natchitoches Events Center. he 2020 Induction Celebration begins Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 15, with a nationally-televised (Cox Sports Television) afternoon press conference. The press conference and a free public reception from 5-7 at the
The Hall is a 27,000-square-foot building shared with the Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Designed by Trahan Architects of New Orleans, the building evokes the region’s agricultural heritage with sinuous molded stone interiors suggesting slow-moving rivers and linear earth-colored exterior cladding inspired by plowed fields. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, located at 800 Front Street, are presented by La Capitol Federal Credit Union. The Wednesday, Dec. 16 schedule begins around lunchtime with the LSHOF’s Celebrity Bowling Bash, presented by BOM Bank, pairing 2020 inductees and more sports celebrities, including past inductees, with patrons at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Wednesday evening, the third annual Rockin’ River Fest presented by Rapides Regional Medical Center will feature bands and fireworks over Cane River Lake in historic downtown Natchitoches in a free concert. The 2020 induction class will be introduced just before the fireworks show. The Taste of Tailgating Party, presented by Hancock Whitney Bank, will be held in Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room on Front Street, overlooking the riverbank stage. Thursday morning, Dec. 17, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp, presented by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff ’s Office, will be held on the North-
western State campus with 300 youth participating at no charge. Hall of Fame inductees will be the featured instructors for drills in football and basketball while healthy living initiatives and other positive lifestyle messaging will be presented to boys and girls. Social distancing and other preventive measures will be practiced throughout the celebration per local and state government policies. The 2020 Induction Class will be showcased in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum, operated by the Louisiana State Museum system in a partnership with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. The striking $23 million, two-story, 27,500-square foot structure at 800 Front Street faces Cane River Lake in the National Historic Landmark District of Natchitoches and has garnered worldwide architectural acclaim and rave reviews for its contents since its grand opening during the 2013 Hall of Fame induction weekend. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with admission prices $6 and under.
NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS
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CARING FOR YOUR FEET SINCE 1985
Relax Santa, We’ve got you covered!
ANGELO P. MORREALE, DPM, ABPO BOARD CERTIFIED
PODIATRIC PHYSICIAN & SURGEON
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