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The Rotary Club of Morgan City held its annual installation of officers and directors for the 2021-22 year June 17 and distributed awards during the event at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City.
The club honored Bill Goessl as its Citizen of the Year. Goessl was recognized for his work with the Marine Corps League, St. Mary Detachment Toys for Tots program.
The group also recognized its Rotarian of the Year, Scott Melancon.
The club’s annual high school scholarship was given to Ross Thomas, a Central Catholic High School graduate who will be attending Auburn University.
Additionally, Michael Irwin and Louis Stuer were honored with Paul Harris Awards.
The board also in-stalled its 2021-22 officers and directors.
The club’s leadership as president was passed from Jo Anne Bergeron to Jakob Dworaczyk.
The remainder of the slate is as follows: Drake Stansbury, vice president; Emily Berry, secretary; Claire Reiners, treasurer; Carrie Stans-bury, president-elect; and directors, Berry, Jim Firmin, Melancon, Ricky Romaire, Bergeron and Pam Daniels.

When it comes to lotteries, most people tend to think of the Louisiana Power Ball, Mega Millions, Lotto, Pick 3 or something of that nature. Most people don’t think of an alligator lottery. But the Louisiana Depart-ment of Wildlife and Fisheries will be receiving applications for their annual Wildlife Management Area, Corps of Engineers, and Public Lakes Alligator Lottery through June 30.
If you haven’t participated in this lottery, it’s something you should think about doing. A few years ago, both my wife, Christine, and I put in for this fun adventure. She was the lucky winner and I got to tag along and be her helper.
We put in for the Atchafalaya Delta WMA, where 10 hunter opportunities were available. Each opportunity allows a hunter to harvest 3 alligators. As it worked out, Christine fished the Wax Lake Delta portion of the WMA that I was more familiar with.
Over the years she and I had fished alligators commercially together, where I pretty much handled setting and baiting the lines, as well as shooting and pulling them in the boat.
When she won the lottery, she said she wanted to do everything herself.
“Well OK,” I said to her. “How can I be of help?”
Leading up to the season, I spent weekends cutting poles and stobs for her, attaching hooks to lines, and gathering clothes pins for her to set and adjust the bait above the water.
You’re allowed to set lines out the day before the season opens, so I took a vacation day that Friday.
We got up before daylight to make the 35 minute run down the Calumet Cut to set her six lines — the number each alligator hunter is allowed. When we arrived on the Delta, the sun was a beautiful orange ball just coming up on the eastern horizon. The water was slick like glass, with baitfish popping everywhere, as they fell prey to hungry redfish that cut them out of their schools with ease.
Just the experience of an Atchafalaya Delta morning is worth the price of a lottery ticket. When you put in for the alligator lottery it will cost you $5 for the application fee and $2 more for a transaction fee.
The Wax Delta side of the WMA has a sandy bottom and can be difficult to shove a long pole in to, but Christine managed and succeeded in setting all of her lines before midmorning.
The next day was like deja vu of the previous day. The sunrise, the bait fish popping, the slick calm waters all were a repeat. Only this time we had the excitement of checking Christine’s lines.
The LDWF conducts alligator lottery harvests on 19 WMAs, 28 public lakes, and 1 Army Corps of Engineers property. Application success rates depend on what public WMA or lake you put in for. Some are as low as 8 percent, while others are as high as 59 percent success rate. The Atchafalaya Delta has a 14 percent success rate.
There are additional fees if you happen to be selected for the lottery. Hunters will be required to purchase a $25 alligator license and pay an additional $40 fee for each alligator tag.
Louisiana’s wild alligator harvest is managed from a commercial standpoint. For the past several years there has been little demand for reptile hides worldwide. The price per foot from buyers has been in the single digits and so low, many land companies in recent years have elected to not fish them commercially and turned their tags in.
Don’t let prices stop you from this opportunity. Deer hunters don’t think twice about spending $400 to $750 to shoulder mount big whitetail deer. An alligator head makes for a terrific mount. Moreover, if you choose to tan your alligator hides, they can be made into quality products, or hung in your “man cave,” making an excellent keepsake.
Additionally, alligator meat can be delicious when properly handled. There are bunches of alligator recipes out there. All you have to do is a web search to find something delicious.
When we arrived at Christine’s first set, the line was pulled off of the pole and stretched out into the deep water. This was a perfect way to start. Typically, when this occurs the line can be gently pulled up and the alligator will come up quietly.
When the alligator’s head rose above the water, Christine dispatched it with her .22 rifle. After tagging it we got a rough measurement that looked to be about 7 feet, 8 inches.
As it turned out, she was a pretty good alligator hunter. Christine caught two more gators that both turned out to be near clones of each other at 7 foot, 4 inches.
Christine tagged out and had an experience of a lifetime she’ll never forget.
For those interested in putting in for the alligator lottery go to la-web.s3licensing.com. For more information email LAalligatorprogram@wlf.la.gov. For information on alligator hide care go to www.louisianaalligators.com/hide-care.html.

THIBODAUX — More than 1,000 aspiring high school quarterbacks and receivers will descend upon the Nicholls State University campus for the return of the Manning Passing Academy from July 15-18.
This will be the 25th anniversary of the premier football camp, and its 16th year at Nicholls. Last year, the camp was canceled because of COVID-19.
“The Manning Passing Academy is the pinnacle of football summer camps,” said Jonathan Terrell, Nicholls athletic director. “Over the years we have seen campers become counselors, counselors become All-Americans and All-Americans become first-round picks. We are thankful for the valued partnership between Nicholls and the First Family of Football.”
The South Louisiana Economic Council estimates that the Manning Passing Camp has injected as much as $4.5 million into the local economy.
At 8:30 p.m. on July 17, parents and fans are invited to watch the annual Saturday Night Lights passing display. Camp coaches and counselors along with selected campers will run pass route drills at Guidry Stadium.
The night will cap off with the popular Riddell Air-It-Out passing competition featuring many of the top college quarterbacks in the country. One of the most popular summer events at the Nicholls Campus, the passing competition has generated almost $45,000 in revenue over the last five events.
“This camp is more than just an opportunity for these young all-stars to refine their game,” Terrell said. “It’s a chance for football fans in South Louisiana to get an up-close look at many of the biggest names in the sport. Additionally, it’s a chance for us to introduce South Louisiana culture to these families who come from all over the country. This is truly one of the highlights of our summer.”
In addition to seeing the biggest names in football, fans will also get their first glance of the recently completed Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex. The $6.5 million expansion of Barker Hall will benefit all 17 athletic programs, including the football program with the addition of a state-of-the-art operations center.
The center will include a new locker room, players’ lounge, team meeting room with stadium-style seating, training and equipment room, catering kitchen and showcase lobby. The team meeting room will also function as game day club seating.
Tickets for Saturday Night Lights are available now for $12 and $15 at the gate. To buy tickets early, visit geauxcolonels.com, or call 985-448-4790.

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Wednesday, June 16
7:05 a.m. 700 block of Justa Street; 911 hang up.
9:38 a.m. La. 70 and Willard Street; Crash.
9:29 a.m. 1200 block of Brashear Avenue; Theft.
11:12 a.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Complaint.
11:30 a.m. 600 block of Brashear Avenue; Medical.
12:17 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
12:31 p.m. 700 block of Hilda Street; Complaint.
1:11 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Comp-laint.
1:22 p.m. 600 block of Railroad Avenue; Animal complaint.
2:20 p.m. 400 block of Fifth Street; Disturbance.
2:22 p.m. 7400 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
2:54 p.m. 1500 block of Second Street; Medical.
3:10 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Patrol.
3:56 p.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Complaint.
3:59 p.m. 200 block of Robin Street; Arrest.
4:06 p.m. 1400 block of Youngs Road; Animal complaint.
4:08 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; 911 hang up.
4:13 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Arrest.
4:48 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Crash.
6:31 p.m. 1400 block of Sandra Street; Alarm.
6:42 p.m. 2300 block of La. 70; Assistance.
7:12 p.m. La. 182 And Martin Luther King Boulevard; Reckless driving.
7:35 p.m. Federal Avenue and Garber Street; Frequent patrols.
8:10 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Assistance.
9:25 p.m. 300 block of Egle Street; Reckless driving.
9:36 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.
Thursday, June 17
3:13 a.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Disturbance.
4:41 a.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Medical.
4:46 a.m. 3000 block of Lake Palourde Road; Suspicious person.