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Wednesday will see another installment of this year’s Franklin Bicentennial celebration events, with this month’s presentation of “Ada and the Doc” by Fran Middleton, at 7 p.m. at the Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Admission is free.
The full title of the book is, “Ada and the Doc: An Account of the Ada Leboeuf-Thomas Dreher Murder Case.” It was written by Charles M. Hargroder and was published in Feb. of 2000 by University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Middleton will be discussing the book in detail, its title case’s peculiarities and ramifications, and the effect the trial and its trappings had on the social fabric of St. Mary Parish.
Franklin Bicentennial Committee Co-Chair Diane Wiltz said of the upcoming presentation, “Of course, everyone remembers that ‘Ada and the Doc’ was a well-known story about a love triangle which ended with one person murdered, and two people hanged; and they were hanged here in Franklin, in the St. Mary Parish Courthouse square.”
Wiltz further commented that she anticipates Middleton’s presentation will not only parse through the known details of the case, but should also “shed new light on some things that have been uncovered and that continue to be investigated,” since the book’s publication.
She continued, “The historical part of that, (the case) as far as Franklin’s bicentennial is concerned, is that the hanging happened here in Franklin because we were the parish seat, and both she (Ada Leboeuf) and the doctor (Thomas Dreher) were jailed here in the parish courthouse.”
Of the bicentennial committee’s rollout matrix, Wiltz said, “Our guiding statement is that by celebrating our bicentennial, we are looking at who we were, looking at who we are, and looking at who we are yet to be. So, in this particular presentation, the second one of the year, we are still looking back at who we were.
“Hopefully throughout the year, as we move forward with these presentations, we will begin to look at who we are, and I can’t wait to see the visions of who we are yet to be.”

Consolidation of Consolidated Gravity Drainage Dist. 2 and Gravity Drainage Dist. No. 6 was tabled by the St. Mary Parish Council this week.
An ordinance up for adoption to create Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A was set aside on motion of Councilmen James Bennett and Mark Duhon.
Parish President David Hanagriff said there is much “misinformation” circulating regarding the consolidation. He told the audience, many of which were there because of the ordinance, that he would “meet with you at any time, any place” to discuss the matter.
Also Wednesday, Chief Administrative Officer Henry “Bo” LaGrange reported that in correspondence Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn D. Wilson pledged to be accessible to local government as necessary. Wilson noted that he has added a new staff member to work with local governments.
LaGrange also attended the Coastal Wetlands Protection Planning and Restoration meeting in Morgan City, where projects were nominated for priority projects. None were in St. Mary.
He also gave updates on road projects in the parish and sewer upgrades in the Sorrell- Four Corners area.
Councilman Rodney Olander asked if there had been any progress in meeting with Cox representatives regarding concerns in the rural areas of west St. Mary. A rep replied and suggested a personal meeting, Councilman Craig Mathews said, but said he expected a session with the council.
Olander said the need for fiber optic transmission is great in the parish, and it could impede economic development.
Mathews said a federal broadband infrastructure program is in effect that may be helpful, and said the broadband issue should be a priority.
There is an app available for cell phones, Olander said, that is free and can measure signal strength, that is then sent and monitored by the FCC. “That’s how the decide who gets the money, which area, to upgrade,” he said.
Council member Kristi Prejeant Rink, MD, added that the National Association of Counties is also involved with the testing app. “We need other avenues to get broadband coverage that’s appropriate for this area,” she said.
In other business:
—Ordinances were passed for bond purchase agreements.
—Appointments were made to Fire Protection Dist. 1, Dickey Arnold; Mosquito Dist. 1, Dawn Schouest and Shirley B. Thibodaux; Fire Dist. 11, Linda Lockett.
—Mathews was approved an allocation of $7,500 from the Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 10 sales tax for Recreation Dist. 5 maintenance and exterior cleaning.

Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly Named Grand Marshal for St. Mary CAA Krewe of Head Start Parade 2020
Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly will serve as the 2020 St. Mary CAA’s Krewe of Head Start Parade Grand Marshal, CEO Almetra J. Franklin announced.
Franklin expressed delight at having the former State Trooper and Franklin native lead this year’s parade. “He is a man of great integrity, who reached the pinnacles of success as a top law enforcement officer,” she said. “Now, he has returned home to help impart the values and traditions that make this town, parish and people so special.”
Beverly said he is thrilled to lead St. Mary CAA’s 27th Annual Head Start Recruitment Parade, which is scheduled for Saturday. “As a native of this town, I was encouraged to return home to protect and serve the people, who I hold dearly in my heart,” the chief said. “I am excited to serve as Grand Marshal for this great parade, which has so much tradition and importance.”
Chief Beverly was born in Franklin, the third of five children, to parents Charles E. Beverly and Sarah Tillman Beverly. He and his three brothers and one sister grew up in a spiritual home filled with love, where he learned at a young age the importance of hard work and perseverance. He attended Franklin Senior High and graduated in 1971. Beginning September 1979, Beverly attended the Louisiana State Police Training Academy and graduated Dec. 23, 1979.
The chief’s illustrious 30-plus year career as a State Trooper included a 1994 promotion to the rank of Sergeant at Troop C in Gray. In 2003, he was promoted as Regional Lieutenant of the Transportation and Environmental Safety section of the State Police over Troops C, D, and I. During that tenure, he oversaw a command post in charge of assisting in the cleanup and recovery of Space Shuttle Columbia, which exploded over parts of Texas and Louisiana in 2003, killing the seven astronauts on board.
Beverly retired from the Louisiana State Police in September of 2008, but soon returned to work as the appointed Louisiana Highway Safety Commission as a Law Enforcement Liaison. He held that position until December 2018, at which time Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard appointed him as Franklin’s Police Chief
The chief and his wife of 40 years, Florence Haynes, have three children, Christopher, Brittany, and Kelleye, and five grandchildren. He is also an avid fisherman and golfer.
The annual Krewe of Head Start Recruitment Parade for 2020 will roll through the streets of Franklin Saturday at 1 p.m. Since the early 90s, the Krewe of Head Start Parade has served as St. Mary CAA’s major recruitment tool for Head Start’s pre-school children aged 3-5 and allows the agency to market other services available to our Head Start families and Individuals.
The parade also highlights and markets the premiere early childhood programs in St. Mary Parish through the St. Mary Parish Early Childhood Network and Ready Start Network which focuses on quality and school readiness for children aged 0-5.
This year’s Krewe of Head Start Recruitment Parade’s theme is “Head Start Goes to Hawaii!” Line up begins at 11 a.m. along Cynthia Street and in Franklin Senior High School secured parking area. The student parking area will be available for parents and participants to park. The parade route leaves Franklin High School, proceeds onto Main Street and travels through downtown Franklin.
There is still time to participate in the parade, and entry forms may be obtained at the St. Mary CAA Central Office, located at 1407 Barrow St. in Franklin. Any one completing this form must also provide a copy of their driver’s license and insurance.
Fees are: Floats and flatbeds $35; trucks and cars, $25; dance/drill teams, $10; and walkers $5. For the second year, the parade will feature “Trucks on Parade,” showcasing fathers and father figures.
For more information contact David Teno, Jeffery Beverly or Reginald Patterson, at 337-828-5703.

New parents may not realize the importance of caring for their infant’s primary (baby) teeth. The Bayou District Dental Association cautions parents, however, that serious tooth decay may develop by the child’s first birthday.
Even though the child’s primary teeth will eventually be replaced with permanent ones, the primary teeth are critical for proper chewing, speaking and appearance.
Baby bottle tooth decay, also called nursing-bottle or nursing-mouth syndrome, is a condition that can destroy the primary teeth of an infant or young child. It develops when a baby frequently receives a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened liquids to serve as a pacifier or comforter.
It may result when the child often is allowed to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at bedtime. Prolonged demand breastfeeding may also cause this condition. Although the teeth most likely to be damaged are the upper front teeth, others may be affected.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, which are present in a thin film of plaque that constantly forms on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque use sugar to produce acid, which attacks tooth enamel. If sugary liquid is allowed to remain in the mouth, acid can attack teeth for several minutes. Tooth decay can occur after frequent, repeated acid attacks.
It’s not just what children drink, but how often and for how long their teeth are exposed to decay-causing acids.
For example, if you offer a bottle containing sugary liquid as a pacifier many times a day, the teeth experience more acid attacks. Allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle during a nap or at night also can harm teeth.
While the baby sleeps, the flow of saliva decreases. Harmful sugary liquids collect and remain around the teeth, inviting acid attacks.
Prevent this by watching what you give your baby between regular feedings. A nursing bottle should not be used as a pacifier or as an aid to help baby sleep unless it contains plain water.
Don’t dip pacifiers in a sweet liquid and don’t add sugar to baby’s food to try and make it taste better. Children can be taught to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. This will eliminate prolonged bottle feeding or using a bottle as a pacifier.
The Bayou District Dental Association recommends that after each feeding, parents should wipe their baby’s teeth and gums with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze pad. This will remove plaque and prevent acid attacks.
Begin brushing as soon as the baby’s first tooth appears. Continue cleaning and massaging gums in all other areas that remain toothless.
Visit the dentist by the child’s first birthday. While this may seem early, your dentist can determine if you are using the right cleaning techniques. The dentist also can determine if there are problems with the child’s primary teeth.
Children should receive an optimal amount of fluoride, a mineral needed for the development of decay-resistant teeth. Whether or not you live in a community that has fluoridated water, you should ask your dentist about how your child can get the right amount of fluoride.