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Preservation award presented to Gary and Diane Wiltz

St. Mary Chapter of the Louisiana Landmarks Society presented its Historic Preservation Award to Dr. Gary and Diane Wiltz on May 30.
The honor was in recognition of the restoration of the building at the corner of Main and Jackson Streets.
“Last night Gary and I were truly humbled and honored to receive the Historic Preservation Award from the St. Mary Chapter of Louisiana Landmarks Society,” Diane Wiltz said, “for our labor of love to our community with the preservation of the Lamp Post Reception Facility, Lamp Lighter Antiques, Lamp Station and our home. Our joy has been joining with other dedicated and committed community members in Revitalizing Franklin.”
Wiltz also quoted the late George Bernard Shaw in her acceptance: “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.
“I truly feel the contagious energy in Franklin and see the many people that are committed to building upon the “dream” of what Franklin will become in the near distant future. As (Franklin Mayor Eugene) Foulcard enthusiastically states...“It’s all Under the Lampposts!”

Ribbon cutting for Nelvin's Creations

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday for Nelvin’s Creations, 605 Main St., in downtown Franklin. The business is owned by Nelvin Coleman and offers parties, baby showers, decorations and more. The St. Mary Chamber of Commerce, local officials, Nelvin’s Creations staff and well-wishers turned out for the ceremony.

Berwick's Brandon Bravata hired as St. Amant head baseball coach

Berwick High School Baseball Coach Brandon Bravata has announced his resignation, effective July 1, as he will be taking the same job at Class 5A St. Amant High School.
Bravata has been with the Panthers for the past three seasons.
“Berwick has been a wonderful place to call home,” Bravata said in a Facebook post about his announcement Thursday. “I came as a 28-year-old single man not knowing anything about the area. I leave as a 31-year- old married man with a baby on the way that is remarkably thankful for the relationships and memories that have been made. Ultimately, I have made this decision in what is the best interest of my family due to financial considerations, location of our parents and housing considerations.”
After serving as an assistant baseball coach for a season under then-coach John Menard, Bravata took over the head coaching position in 2017.
In his first season at the helm, he led the Panthers to a state championship, while this past year, Berwick finished as a Class 3A state semifinalist, falling to eventual Class 3A state champion Sterlington in eight innings.
The state championship in 2018 was the school’s first in 40 years.
In two years, he recorded a 59-17 record, including a 30-9 mark this season.
“I think the people are certainly special to me,” Bravata said today of the Berwick community. “It’s been a really close-knit community, really my first time to be in a small community.”
He said the memories he will take of his time at Berwick are the state championship a year ago, and the Panthers’ quarterfinal series this year with Iota when the stadium was packed and the atmosphere incredible.
“Everybody has treated me and my wife like family, so we’re certainly going to miss it,” Bravata said.
Bravata was named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A Coach of the Year in 2018 and co-Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A Coach of the Year in 2018.
He led his team to an undefeated District 8-3A season in 2018 and a district runner-up finish this year.
Bravata is the area’s second baseball coach to resign their position since the season ended as Morgan City High School’s Andrew Madden left his position at Morgan City High School to take the head baseball coaching position at Delcambre, citing a move closer to home.
Also, former Patterson and Central Catholic High School baseball coach Ryan Jensen was hired as head baseball coach at Lutcher High School this week.

Free of injuries, Cantrelle's senior season was one to remember

Lauren Cantrelle may have concluded her Berwick High School track and field career last month with two top-five finishes in Class 3A at the state track and field meet, including a state runner-up finish in the 1,600-meter run, but there was a time when she didn’t even know if she should continue running. Cantrelle said as a 14-year-old, she was told by an orthopedic surgeon that she should give up running. “He said basically, ‘running’s not for you,’” Cantrelle recalled last month. “He said that I should play softball or volleyball, just something.” Cantrelle said she was told her body was unable to ...

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Berwick alum Jones finishes 18th nationally in long jump at NCAAs

LSU freshman Kenan Jones finished in 18thplace in the long jump Wednesday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas.
Jones, the lone freshman competitor, leaped 24 feet, 9 inches.
He was one of three Tiger competitors in the meet, along with sophomore JuVaughn Harrison and junior Rayvon Grey.
Harrison won the national title with a personal best of 26 feet, 11 inches. Grey finished in 21st place with a leap of 24 feet, 2.5 inches.

Horseshoe Week 10 Spring League report

Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association Spring League Week 10 W L Fab 4 62.5 27.5 Corn Holes 55.5 34.5 Blue Suede Shoes 48.5 41.5 Swamp Dogs 48.5 41.5 STAG 44 46 High scratch point average: (30’) Tim Gilmore 84.5, Al Dodson 73.9 and Dudley Michel 65.8; (40’) Clyde Landry 49.8, Jimmy Percle 45.4 and Dwain Arceneaux 44.3. High individual ringer percentage: (30’) Gilmore 63.3, Dodson 47.0 and Michel 46.7; and (40’) Landry 31.5, Randy ...

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