West Carroll Chamber of Commerce

WEST MONROE, La. — Former West Carroll Parish native Gordon Smith has announced the release of his latest invention, The Bow Shooters Station, which will be available soon at greatdayinc.com.

“Picking up the bow again after a number of years was kind of exciting. I’ve never had much time for hunting and the time I did have I spend getting ready, organized and usually not enough time for practice,” Smith said. “I invented The Bow Shooters Station so everything would be in its place, right in front of me and nothing laying on the ground to step on which allows more practice time in the back yard or on the shooting range.”

Smith’s invention now called Great Day’s BowShooters Station transforms awkward, frustrating archery target practice into a systematic, organized and pleasant experience.  The BowShooter’s Station holds the bow and arrows at your fingertips—no more laying your bow on the ground or pulling arrows from a quiver!

The BowShooter’s Station is constructed of aircraft aluminum, weighs only 4 lbs—making it easy to move from one target or location to another.  It comes complete with a slotted bow holder that can be set up for either right or left-handed shooters. It also includes two-arrow “caddies” that will easily hold 12 arrows each.  The BowShooter’s Station also has a convenient drink-holder for can or bottle drinks.

Smith moved to Oak Grove, La. in 1969 and attended Oak Grove High School until midterm of junior year and transferring to Sam Crow Academy and graduating 1975.  Smith is the son of Opal Boone with three sisters Shelia, Candy and Donna Smith all of which attended OGHS.

Smith worked after school for the late James Dumas at the carwash and also got his start in Heating and Air Conditioning services from late Jimmy Miles Holland.

Chances are he has installed the services or been to most house in a certain radius of Oak Grove to perform maintenance repairs before moving to Texas with Shell Oil Co. in 1980 as their explosive blaster. A resident of West Monroe now since 1994, Gordon worked as a journeyman electrician for Graphics Packaging before entering into the field of pipeline and tank inspection and safety. Gordon still works at many jobs which does not leave much time for one of his favorite past times, hunting.

The Bow Hunter’s Station made its first public debut at the Archery Trade Association’s Annual Convention where it was one of the most popular attractions prior and during the annual trade show. Demonstrations of the product will be available soon on youtube.com.

OAK GROVE, La. — The Digital Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, La. has announced and expanded Holiday Season line-up to included two faith-based films along with a classic to its already packed Holiday Blockbuster season.

Christmas with a Capital C has been added to the schedule on December 13 for a one-night engagement beginning at 7 p.m.  In this Pure Flix Entertainment film Christmas has always been an exceptional time of love and tradition in the small town of Trapper Falls, Alaska. Hometown of Mayor Dan Reed (Ted McGinley) looks forward to each year with enthusiasm to all the events, friends and family that fill this special season. When Dan’s old high school rival Mitch Bright (Daniel Baldwin) returns home after 20 years, Dan is immediately suspicious. Mitch is a highly successful big city lawyer who has never wanted anything to do with Trapper Falls. The rivalry re-ignites when Mitch takes offense to seeing the town’s flagrant violation of the constitution’s Establishment clause. Mitch wants the Nativity scene removed from the front of City hall and more importantly the word Christmas switched to Happy Holidays on all signs. Fifty years of tradition are now challenged not by an outsider but a former member of the community. As the conflict escalates it goes beyond one person’s opinion but magnifies into an entire town problem when Mitch enters into the mayoral race to have Dan replaced.

The Fiske brings back a classic, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen on December 20 at 7 p.m.  As a Christmas gift to the Ark-La-Miss the Fiske is offering this film free of charge to the citizens of the Ark-La-Miss.

And after popular demand Courageous returns for a one-time engagement January 1 at 6:30.

General is just $6.50 and children six and under are admitted for $3.75.

The Fiske Theatre is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment LLC of Oak Grove, La.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkK30YFv9u0

OAK GROVE, La. — Friday November 18 at 4 p.m. a century old era officially came to an end and a new era began as the Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, La. became the first Independent Theatre in North Louisiana to become 100% digital.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce, owners of the Fiske Theatre and Holland Entertainment LLC, operators, announce the transition of the Fiske Theatre to Digital Cinema Presentation in time for the beginning of its Christmas Season.The first film to be shown in this new format was “Twlight: Breaking Dawn.”

“We are proud of the commitment the Holland family has made to the theatre,” W.C. Chamber President Brenda Hagan said. “The sizable investment they are making to make this transition shows their dedication to providing quality family entertainment in our historic theatre for years to come.”

The motion picture industry in the United States have been transitioning away from 35 mm film over the past few years and this transition has picked up pace within the last few months, experts say that by January 2013, 35 mm prints will no longer be available for exhibition in the USA.

“In one since this transition is like losing and old friend,” Adam Holland, President, Holland Entertainment said. “35 mm has been the bread and butter of our industry since the days of Thomas Edison, but the quality and versatility that this 21^st Century technology will allow us to provide our patrons brings with it much excitement and possibilities, this will be the biggest advancement in the West Carroll Parish cinema going experience since movies learned to talk with the “Jazz Singer” in 1928.”

Digital projection will provide movie goers top quality presentation each time a movie plays, and will also allow the theatre the capabilities of providing alternative content such as Broadway Plays, Metropolitan Opera, Rock Concerts, Classic Movies and live sporting events.

Throughout the history of the Fiske Theatre, it has always been on the cutting edge of technology.  In 1951 the year after the new theatre opened Mr. Fiske was awarded Exhibitor and Theatre Catalog’s Merit Award as being the most modern and well-appointed theatre in the nation.

“Since we returned the theatre to operations as a motion picture house it has always been our goal to bring the theatre back to her glory as one of the most advanced theatres in the region,” Holland said. “Being the first independent to make this move shows that we are once again one of the leaders in our industry.”

The Fiske Theatre is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment LLC of Oak Grove, La.

OAK GROVE — A busy Holiday Season is set to begin this weekend at the Historic Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove, La.

It all starts this Saturday at 7 p.m. with the West Carroll Singing Christmas Tree which will perform the cantata “O Holy Night.” The tree performances will repeat Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m.

Movies return November 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. with “Courageous” from creators of “Fireproof.”

At 12:01 a.m. November 18, the Fiske will open the first part of the final installment of the “Twlight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One.” Advanced tickets for the midnight screening are on sale now at Small Town Designs next to the theatre. “Breaking Dawn” will play nightly through November 27.

December 1, at 7 p.m. the University of Louisiana at Monroe in association with the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will present “Christmas Between the Rivers” featuring the ULM Choir and Twin City Ballet Dancers. Advanced tickets for this one night engagement are available now for $10.00 at Small Town Designs in Oak Grove, Prairie View Academy in Bastrop and the VAPA Box Office on the ULM Campus. Tickets will be available at the Fiske Theatre box office the night of the show for $15.00.

Dreamworks Animation’s hit new picture “Puss in Boots” takes to the screen of the Fiske December 2-4, Adam Sandlers new comedy “Jack and Jill” will play December 9-11, “Happy Feet 2” takes to the screen December 16-18 and “Arthur Christmas” will play Christmas Weekend.

Regular weekend show times are Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30. Tickets are just $6.50 for General Admission and children under six are admitted for $3.75.

The Fiske Theatre is owned by the West Carroll Chamber of Commerce and operated by Holland Entertainment LLC.

OAK GROVE — The Second Annual West Carroll Chamber of Commerce “Cruisin’ the Square” is slated to take place October 8 on the grounds of the West Carroll Parish Court House in Oak Grove, La.

“Last years event was a huge success,” Chamber Director Adam Holland said. “Everyone young and old alike came out and reminisced about the old times they spent with friends and made new memories as well. It is our goal to make this year’s event bigger and better than the last.”

The event will feature a classic car show on the lawn of the Courthouse during the day, culminating with a parade of classic cars around the square at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m. there will be a screening of the hit movie GREASE which is set in the 1950’s. From 6 p.m. until the Josh Madden Band will perform at the Little Freezer lot along with cruising the square in downtown Oak Grove.

This year we will also feature Arts and Crafts vendors to be open during the day from 9 am until 4 p.m. Booth spaces are available by reservation for just $25 for a 12×12 or $45 for a 12×24. Call Janice Holland at 318-428-9280 to reserve your space.

This years event is sponsored by The Little Freezer, The Drug Store, Small Town Designs, Merle Norman Cosmetics, The Fiske Theatre and KWCL.

OAK GROVE — The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will host a political forum Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 for the 2011 parish and regional elections which are set to take place in October.

All candidates in the District Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk of Court and Tax Assessor’s races have been invited.

The forum will be moderated by Chamber Director Adam Holland with President Brenda Hagan and Board Member Brenda Hagan serving as time keepers.

Each candidate will be given a five-minute opening comment and asked a series of two prepared questions with his/her opponents given a one minute rebuttal.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse any candidates.

The event is open to the public and no admission will be charged.

The West Carroll Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon cutting Friday, July 29 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of T&L Auto located at East Jefferson Street right next to Mike’s Automotive Repair in Oak Grove.

“We are very excited about this new business,” Ribbon Cutting Chair Genea Dickinson said. “Everyone in the community is encouraged to come out and support this new business in our town.”