Recently established Sumatra Church named in honor of my cousin Samual Munson and his fellow missionary martyr Henry Lyman..

Almost 200 years ago Samual Munson and Henry Lyman were killed by natives on the island of Sumatra. There was pretty good verification that they were eaten. The son of Samual is believed to be the first American born on Sumatra. This son, named Samual of course, later served in the US Army in the Indian Wars.

See Munson and Lyman

This mural is on a previously built memorial to the two young Christians. It shows some of their work plus their murder in the center of the mural. It can be very hard to be a Christian.

Claibourne Electric 2018 Annual Meeting.

Swell Annual Meeting of our electric co-op. As usual it was held in the Louisiana Tech Basketball Stadium. We were given hats and a delicious hot dog. And tickets for a four wheeler and a bunch of door prices. John and I were not lucky.

However we were very lucky to get a bluegrass concert by a W0rld Class Group. "Flatt Lonesome"

A view of the stage and the crowd.

A minute of Flatt Lonesome,

Chautauqua. Two home runs! Taryn Sternitzsky and Wesley Harris.

Home Run # 1. Taryn is a Ruston High School student who has worked up a wonderful display on the history of the Ruston Chautauqua. She lives and has been raised on the grounds of the original Chautauqua. The Chautauqua was started near the end of the 19th century and was dedicated to education, religion, and recreation. It was a big success. A three time candidate for President, William Jennings Bryan spoke at the Ruston Chautauqua. People came by train from as far away as New Orleans.

Home Run # 2. Wesley Harris is a local Historian. The title of his talk was "The Battle after the War". He discussed how wild and lawless this area was after the war. At that time Vienna was the largest settlement in the area. He discussed the possible reasons that Lincoln Paris was established in 1884.

I am looking forward to the return of the Chautauqua in the Fall.

Katlyn Fajardo entertains at Ruston Farmers Market.

I had heard that there were strawberries grown in Ruston for sale at the Farmers Market.

It was true. And they are delicious. The lady said that they were grown within five miles of the market.

Katelyn Fajardo was singing pretty!

Listen. How pretty.

Louisiana Tech Kinesiology Department Annual Fish Fry.

I am a student in this department. I get 3 credits per quarter for my swim class. I calculate that I will graduate in 17 years.

Sure had a nice time at this (2018) year's fry. It is exciting to see my classmates dry and in street clothes.

Dr. Szymanski gave us a nice welcome.

As did Lacey Deal.

And Rhonda Boyd.

We were entertained by the Dixie Dancers.

A bunch of happy diners.

History of Public Education in Lincoln Parish.

The lecture at the last Chautauqua meeting was given by Kay Riser Prince. The lecture was very interesting and covered the time since the end of the Civil War. Mrs Prince knows her subject. She had worked in public education for many years.

Mayor Walker was in attendance. He gave an update on the building of the Ruston Sports Complex.

Music at the Ruston Farmers Market.

Today the music was furnished by the Fiddlin Tim Trio. These young men really can play. I enjoyed their music. Today was the first day of the spring season. The turn out was huge. There were cars parked in all directions.

Duck Calls.

Deer Grunts.

A minute video of Fiddlin Tim Trio.

There is good music every week.

Spring Chautauqua.

I went to the first of the Ruston Spring Chautauqua series of talks the other night. Had some delicious cookies and learned something new. Nolan Eller, the man in charge of the Louisiana Tech Archives gave a talk on what is in the Tech archives. The archives hold items of interest from Northeast Louisiana in addition to Tech items.

Nolan gave a very interesting talk. The archives even have some Gutenberg items and items from the Ruston POW Camp.

Two more meetings. Come learn something new and have a cookie.

A city named after a steamboat.

200 years ago next year (1819) the first steamboat in history arrived in Monroe. The name of the steamboat was the Monroe. In honor of this momentous event the people of Monroe (then called Fort Miro) renamed their city Monroe.

This event will be recognized all next year as "THE YEAR OF THE RIVER 2019". It will be a ear long celebration of exploring the Ouachita River.

At the last meeting of the Northeast Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society a talk was given by Jorenda Stone. She knows her subject and gave a good talk. I enjoyed it.

Come to the celebration!

Supper last night and Vital Signs of March 2018.

Oh Boy! Gourmet food.

Gained four pounds!