Vaccinations, play, radio on tap this weekend

Tri-City people looking for something to do this weekend have a choice: taking care of that COVID-19 shot at either of two vaccination events Saturday, catching a play Friday or Sunday, or learning about amateur radio’s preparations for emergency service.
Vaccination
Mass vaccination events are scheduled Saturday at Ochsner St. Mary in Morgan city and at Amelia Belle Casino in Amelia.
At Ochsner St. Mary, the health screenings and vaccinations will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday in the Medical Office Building behind the hospital.
All participants must be 18 or older.
To schedule a vaccination, call 844-888-2772 or visit Myochsner.org. Those undergoing the health screening are encouraged but not required to fast.
While appointments are not required, they are suggested. To schedule one, visit ochsner.vitalogyinc.com and use code 866E49.
The Ochsner St. Mary event was originally scheduled for June 5 and was to offer a boiled crawfish incentive, but it was postponed because of a weather threat. There will be no crawfish Saturday, but otherwise the event will go on as rescheduled.
At the Amelia Belle, vaccinations will be offered 2-5 p.m. Saturday. People 12 and over can get the Pfizer two-dose vaccine, and people 18 and over can get the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who get the Pfizer vaccine will get appointments for their second shots.
Walk-ins are welcome, but to schedule an appointment call 1-855-453-0774 or the St. Mary Parish health unit.
Louisiana is lagging behind the rest of the country in the percentage of adults who have been vaccinated, and St. Mary is lagging the rest of the state.
On Friday, the Louisiana Office of Public Health online vaccination dashboard said 27.8% of St. Mary people have been vaccinated; 27.5% in St. Martin; and 28.4% in Assumption. Nationally, 45% of adults have completed their vaccine series.
The state government is offering four weekly series of drawings with $100,000 prizes beginning July 9 for vaccinated residents who register. One drawing with a $1 million prize is scheduled late July.
Learn more at shotatamillion.com.
Children’s Theatre
The Morgan City Children’s Theatre has scheduled two performances of “A Monster Ate My Homework” this weekend, both at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium.
Performances are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are $5 at the door.
Amateur Radio
The Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service, a local organization of ham radio operators, will take part in the national Field Day event this weekend.
The public is invited to visit the on-air operations 2-5 p.m. Saturday. The BEARS radio station is located upstairs at 201 Everett St. (the old Whitney Bank Building).
In addition to the on air operation, members will be on hand to meet visitors and explain any part of the operation and to answer any questions anyone might have. A tabletop display of educational materials will be on hand as well as Morse code keys and other items of interest.
Field Day, always the last weekend in June, challenges amateur radio operators to test their transceivers, antennas and other equipment as well as their ability to be of service during emergencies.
Local amateurs can use VHF and UHF radios to communicate locally, and they often help at events such as Tour du Teche.
Field Day is mostly about high frequency communication, with which operators can talk to fellow hams across the country and around the world. They can use voice, Morse code and computer-to-computer digital modes to make Field Day contacts and score points in a national contest.