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Star of the Quarter

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 1:14pm

Submitted Photo
Teche Regional Medical Center's Star of the Quarter for the third quarter was named at a ceremony Oct. 25 in Café Teche. The Star of the Quarter is Evyn Adams from the Medical/Surgical Department. All Stars of the Quarter receive $300, a designated parking location at the facility for three months, their photograph posted throughout the facility and an announcement in the local newspaper. Employees were nominated by their fellow employees as individuals who take initiative to significantly improve patient, customer and employee service. Pictured are Terry Matherne, assistant administrator; Adams; and Tata Beth Anderson, chief nursing officer.

Louisiana Politics: LSU journalism dean talks about elections

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 1:01pm

By JEREMY ALFORD and MITCH RABALAIS LaPolitics.com

LaPolitics: We saw some big news come out of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication two weeks ago about the poll that your staff conducted in partnership with the Cook Political Report. Consultant James Carville was a big part of that as well. How did this project come about?
Manship School of Mass Communication Dean Martin Johnson: Well, James was a part of it primarily because it was his suggestion and he put a lot of work into helping us get if off the ground. However, the real work of it, in terms of conducting the survey itself, was done by Mike Henderson, the director of the Public Policy Lab here at the Manship School. So there were several of us that worked on it — Mike, me, James and Jenee Slocum. We put together a midterms survey with questions that were essentially repeats from a similar project in 2010, assessing the first midterm elections that Barack Obama faced. By replicating those questions, we could make some interesting comparisons between President Trump’s first midterms and President Obama’s first midterms.
LaPolitics: This was a project that has gotten a lot of attention outside of Louisiana, especially on Capitol Hill. What does it mean for the Manship School and the Reilly Center to be producing these big-ticket type projects?
Dean Johnson: First and foremost, we want to be part of the national conversation. We want to lead the national conversation. And to do that, you have got to do relevant work, so I think that was a core part of James’ motivation, was wanting to encourage that kind of national-scope ambition. We see in a lot of things we do, we have that national-scope ambition, so it fit right in... That was a special thing, as well as getting into the depth assessments of the president, assessments of the politics of the midterms. It was way beyond the generic ballot horserace kind of survey, which is what we usually see.
LaPolitics: Without revealing too much, can you tell us about some of the projects you have planned for next year with our statewide elections coming up?
Dean Johnson: Of course, everybody should look to our annual Louisiana Survey. We will absolutely do the annual Louisiana survey. In terms of other specific state projects, we’re definitely talking about how to contribute. We have always been a place, especially since the inception of the Reilly Center, that tried to convene interesting, policy-relevant conversations for the state of Louisiana, and of course, we will continue to do that into 2019. So look for more on the horizon.

Political history:
Edwards, Lee and Who Dat
In the wild and ambitious world of Louisiana’s 64 top cops, late Sheriff Harry Lee (1932-2007) of Jefferson Parish still stands apart.
For starters, Lee, the son of Chnese immigrants, was the country’s only Asian-American sheriff. As a lawman, he was flamboyant, innovative and outspoken. Lee had a reputation for saying what was on his mind, friends recall, even if it sometimes resulted in an embarrassing gaffe.
Nevertheless, many Jefferson Parish voters loved him. By the time Lee ran for a fourth term in 1991, he was firmly ensconced in the sheriff’s office and faced only token opposition. He also had the advantage of sitting on a huge war chest. With Lee feeling secure about his own electoral fortunes, he decided to pitch in and help his friend, Edwin Edwards, who was seeking a fourth term in the Governor’s Mansion.
The assistance came in the form of a $100,000 media buy. But like most things in Louisiana politics, it wasn’t exactly a straight-forward deal.
The ad was technically for Lee’s re-election campaign, according to "Wild About Harry: A Biography of Harry Lee"by Deno Seder, which allowed the sheriff to circumvent the rules on maximum contributions to other candidates. Lee not only put up the cash, but he produced the spot as well.
From behind the camera — sort of — Lee directed a spot that focused the spot on how, Edwards had been able to keep the New Orleans Saints in Louisiana with some assistance from Lee.
The spot opened with Edwards standing outside of the Superdome and speaking directly to the camera. He talked about how Lee had helped him recruit Tom Benson to buy the team — before throwing in a good-natured joke about the sheriff’s physique.
“With me as quarterback and Harry Lee as the front four, we scored a touchdown for Louisiana,” Edwards said in the spot.
After Edwards hit his punchline, Lee walked into the frame, gave a thumbs up and yelled “Who Dat!” before a narrator intoned, “Re-elect Harry Lee, sheriff.”
In his book "Cross to Bear: America’s Most Dangerous Politics," LaPolitics founder John Maginnis called the idea “one of the most brilliant uses of soft money and the cleverest perversion of campaign finance law.”
They said it
“I’m a millennial. I’m just from a different millennium.”
—Former Sen. A.G. Crowe, on his appeal to young voters, at an LSU candidate forum
“I’m not afraid to stand up to Putin or the Russians.”
—Rep. Julie Stokes, on election security, in The News-Star
“I’m tired of people stealing my money.”
—Shreveport mayoral candidate Lee O. Savage, on corruption, in The Shreveport Times
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Jeremy Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.

ALVIN WILLIAM SMALL SR.

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:40am

Mr. Alvin William Small Sr., age 78, a native and resident of Franklin, La., passed away at his home on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 4:46 a.m.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Otis Mortuary Chapel (501 Willow St., Franklin, La.) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with funeral Service also Saturday, at 1 p.m. The Interment will take place in the St. John Cemetery (Pecot St., Franklin, La.)
Mr. Small is survived by his wife Eleanor Lovely Small of Franklin, La.; (1) Son: Alvin W. (Shelia) Small, Jr. of Atlanta, GA.; (2) Step-Sons: Terrance (Erica) Gevins of Baton Rouge, La.; and Dwayne (Tracy) Gevins of Sioux City, Iowa ; (6) Daughters: Irene M. Broussard & Iris (Raymond) Sabine both of Franklin, La.; Kimberly (Wayne) Caesar of Ashton, La.; Minerva (Jimmy) Wiley of New Iberia, La.;Tylonia Fleming of Lafayette, La. and Dacia (Rev. Kimeray) Wells of Hattiesburg, Miss. (1) Step-Daughter: Paula (Benjamin) Wingfield of Columbia, South Carolina; (8) Sisters: Michelle (Edward) Henry, Susie (Joe) Hines, Letha Blanks, Shirley Blanks, Alice James, Martha James, Lillian Blanks, & Mary Bourgeois. (2) Brothers: Paul Nedd and Claude Nedd. Officiating Minister: Rev. Noah Smith.
OTIS MORTUARY, Inc. of Franklin, La. is in charge of arrangements.

JOYCE ANN SAWYER GATES

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:39am

Joyce Ann Sawyer Gates, 73, a resident and native of Berwick, La., passed away on Monday October 29, 2018 at 5:11 p.m. at her residence.
Visitation will be observed on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 9 a.m. until funeral services beginning at 10 a.m. at the Little Zion Baptist Church 2746 6th Street Berwick, La., with Rev. James Otis, Officiating. Burial will follow funeral services in the Berwick Cemetery in Berwick, La.
Memories of Joyce Ann will forever remain in the hearts of her daughter, Monica Lynn Slack of Morgan City, La.; two grandsons, Justin Oneil Gates of Berwick, La. and Brandon Jamal Gates of Bayou Vista, La. and a host other relatives and friends.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Franklin-Jeanerette-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences to family.

THEOPHILUS “TITO” BALDWIN

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:39am

Theophilus “Tito” Baldwin, 59, a resident of Houston, TX and native of Jeanerette, La., passed away on Wednesday October 31, 2018 at 6:07 a.m. at his residence in Houston, TX.
Visitation will be observed on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the First Jerusalem Baptist Church 835 Monnot Rd. Jeanerette, La. 70544, from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. with Reverend Arthur Lee Alexander officiating the services. Burial will follow in the Morning Pilgrim Cemetery of Jeanerette.
Memories of Theophilus Baldwin, his wife of thirteen years, Sharon Ausbie-Baldwin of Houston, TX; his mother, Mrs. George (Mary Alice) Pierce, a step-mother, Shallow Phillips all of Jeanerette, La.; three children, Theopolis Baldwin, Jr. of Houston, TX, Tananna (Edward Polidore Sr.) Baldwin and Angelica Baldwin both of Jeanerette, La.; four other children Sharon Allen and Brandon Allen of Jeanerette, La.; Sharonda Ausbie, Richard Ausbie, and Shakelia (Gary) Ausbie-Babers all of Houston, TX; twelve brothers, Robert Kennedy of Los Vegas, NV, Jack Baldwin Jr of Los Angeles, CA, Jerry Baldwin of Shreveport, La., Joseph Alfred (Mae Gloria) of Lafayette, La., Raymond Burney, Matthew Baldwin Sr., Robert Lewis, and Donovan Lewis all of Jeanerette, La., Cortez Lewis ( Kyla) of Westlake, La.; five sisters, Rosa Gray of Shreveport, La., Mrs. Jessie (Cornelia) Engleton of Jeanerette, La., Mrs. Johnell (Annie) Lewis, Jr., and Mrs. Anderson (Juanita) Clay, Jr., of New Iberia, La. and Hilda Baldwin of Baton Rouge, La.; a step-brother, Gregory Pierce of Baton Rouge, La.; four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, seventeen grandchildren, a special cousin,, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Theophilus was preceded in death by his father, two grandchildren,; two sisters, one brother, and a step-father.
Jones Funeral Home of Morgan City-Jeanerette-Franklin-Houma in charge of arrangements.
Visit www.jones-funeral-home.com to send condolences.

EDWINA V BROUSSARD

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:38am

A Mass of Christian Burial for Edwina V Broussard will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2018, 11 a.m. at St. Jules Catholic Church, 601 Magnolia Street, Franklin, La. Fr. Peter Emusa will celebrate the mass.
A Wake will be held Friday, November 9, 2018, from 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at MK Dixon Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 10 a.m. until the commencement of the funeral mass at St. Jules Catholic Church.
Edwina Virginia Verdun Broussard was born to the late Annie Vappie Verdun and Edward Patrick Verdun on August 20, 1925 in Baldwin, Louisiana. She was baptized and confirmed at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baldwin. On December 17, 1947, Edwina married Harold Sostand Broussard Sr. in Franklin. Together they had six children, Cheryl Elmore (James “Skip”), Harold S. Broussard, Jr. (Cheryl Ann), Michael E. Broussard, Patrick E. Broussard, Marsha M. Broussard (David Williams) and Carla Broussard Pellerin (Brian). She leaves twelve loving grand children: Kathy, Zedrick, Chiquita, Kendell, Marcus, Mindy, Jessica, Michael, Adrienne, Amy, Everett, Tyreek, and ten great grandchildren.
MK Dixon Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La. 70514, www.mkdixonfh.com.

CAA reps brief Rotary Club on affordable housing

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:37am

Almetra Franklin, chief executive officer of St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency, and Jeffrey Beverly, CAA housing director, addressed Franklin Rotary Tuesday at the Forest Restaurant in Franklin.
Franklin and Beverly were the guest speakers of Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard, who introduced the pair with praise and expressions of gratitude for the support he received as a mentee of Franklin’s, as well as financial director of CAA before being elected mayor in March.
Franklin affirmed in her address working closely with Foulcard’s administration in the current securing of funding for Foulcard’s fledgling affordable housing initiative, emphasizing what she called, “the importance of transportation and housing,” saying, “We’ve been talking with Mayor Foulcard about how we might extend the housing stock in Franklin, and we were talking about all the vacant units we have in Franklin.
“What we would like to do, is pool the Louisiana Housing Corporation partnership, which we are a member of. We would like to extend and do some rehab and really open Franklin up, so that families who wish to have the opportunity to do so, can own their own home.”
She mentioned the transportation and first-time housing counseling programs currently offered by CAA, focusing on transportation before leaving it to Beverly to expound the details of those and other programs.
She said, “We are the 5311 provider (Department of Transportation and Development), which is a transportation program not only in St. Mary (parish), but we are in Vermillion (parish), as well.
“What we are trying to do is we are trying to get more partnerships with the transportation programs to do some work with the hospitals and the nursing homes to provide transportation, so that they won’t have to transport their clients.”
After being yielded the podium, Beverly first addressed CAA’s weatherization program, saying, “With the weatherization program, we go as far as Lafourche (parish) all the way to Jeff Davis (Jefferson Davis Parish) doing weatherization, and what we are finding out is that the health and safety portion of that program, is critical.
“We go into homes and we find that residents are in homes with bac-flowing gases, with combustible parts of their stoves not working properly and people waking up feeling badly because there’s not good air flow into the home.”
He went on to say that because of the prevalence of such issues, CAA is attempting to expand their regular program of home assessment, to include homes that are outside the restraints of the program’s qualification protocols.
He said that the weatherization program has an average energy bill reduction rate of around 50 percent, and that he thinks most citizens could benefit from such a reduction.
In addressing CAA’s homebuyers education program, he said, “Most people don’t know that every Monday, we do a homebuyers class to certify people to become homeowners and to know the process of becoming homeowners.”
He touted the program as one which aims to extend the opportunity to people visiting a parish, to stay in the parish, and to educate them in the process of “investing in your community.”
Franklin concluded the dual address by saying, “We would just like to say that we are always looking for partners.
“If you have an activity and you are looking for a non-profit partner to latch onto, we would like to talk to you about how we might further the services to the people in our service area.”
To contact CAA, call 337-828-5703 or reach them online at: stmarycaa.org.

Radio logs for Nov. 7

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 10:36am

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.

Tuesday, Nov. 6

8:23 a.m. 2400 block of Tupelo Street; Medical.

8:43 a.m. 600 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard; Lost and found.

8:58 a.m. U.S. 90 East; Stalled vehicle.

8:59 a.m. 300 block of Third Street; Alarm.

10:22 a.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Disturbance.

11:50 a.m. 2000 block of Allison Street; Medical.

12:01 p.m. 100 block of Montana Street; Theft.

12:05 p.m. 7100 block of La. 182; Complaint.

12:29 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.

1:37 p.m. 900 block of Cottonwood Street; Utilities.

2:46 p.m. 1600 block of Front Street; Complaint.

3 p.m. 600 block of General MacArthur Street; Harassment.

3:35 p.m. 100 block of Youngswood Road; Medical.

4:31 p.m. 100 block of 11th Street; Medical.

5:55 p.m. Brashear Avenue and Sixth Street; Vehicle accident.

6:29 p.m. 800 block of Brashear Avenue; Shoplifter.

7:22 p.m. Fourth Street near Federal Avenue Exit; Suspicious activity.

8:23 p.m. 900 block of Poplar Street; Removal of subject.

8:34 p.m. Sixth and Bush streets; Suspicious person.

9:02 p.m. 2300 block of Elm Street; Officer stand by.

10:05 p.m. 2000 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.

Wednesday, Nov. 7

12:09 a.m. 100 block of Mallard Street; Removal of subject.

Area births announced

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 9:10am

Born to Amber Shanee Burgess and Jermaine Jona Alfred Sr. of Franklin, a girl, Anarii Sa’riyah Alfred, on Oct. 16 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 11.66 ounces and measured 17.99 inches. —— Born to Alexandra Christine Savell of Patterson and Kenrock John Verret of Dulac, a girl, Ivorie Reign Verret, on Oct. 16 at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 7.26 ounces and measured 20 inches. —— Born to Deyaneira Martinez Gonzalez and Jonathan de Jesus Turrubiates Gonzalez of Morgan City, a boy, Jonathan Matias Turru-biates Gonzalez, on Oct. 19 at Teche Regional Medical Center in Morgan City.

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AgCenter Burden Museum and Gardens offers winter activities

Wed, 11/07/2018 - 9:08am

By RICK BOGREN, LSU AgCenter

BATON ROUGE — As fall turns to winter, Burden Museum & Gardens offers many activities for the holidays and beyond.
Special holiday and winter dates to remember
On Dec. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon, the public can attend the Poinsettia Show and Sale to view some of the latest varieties of poinsettias and vote on their favorites. The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens is one of the nationwide trial locations for new and classic poinsettia varieties. More than 1,000 poinsettias will be on display and for sale with proceeds benefiting the research at the Botanic Gardens.
Dec. 1, and Jan. 19 and Feb. 16, 2019, children ages 3 to 8 can enjoy StoryTime in the Garden from 9 a.m. to noon at the Botanic Gardens. The morning will feature storybook readings and gingerbread-and-snowman-themed activities beginning every half hour. The last reading begins at 11:30 a.m. StoryTime is sponsored by the Junior League of Baton Rouge. Admission is free.
On Dec. 2, from 12:30 to 6 p.m., visitors can ring in the Christmas season at A Rural Life Christmas, a 19th century Louisiana celebration at the LSU Rural Life Museum. Musical groups, demonstrating artisans, storytellers and costumed reenactors will be present to set the holiday mood.
The event will conclude with a bonfire and a visit from Papa Noel. Admission is $10 per person with children 10 years old and younger admitted at no charge.
On Jan. 19, 2019. Arbor Day will be celebrated at Burden. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Botanic Gardens will offer visitors the opportunity to plant a tree and get a GPS location so they can return to see their trees grow. Other activities will include a scavenger hunt, StoryTime, children’s harnessed tree climbing, timber sports demonstrations and more.
Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase.
On Feb. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., and on Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Baton Rouge Camellia Society will conduct their annual Camellia Show at the LSU Rural Life Museum. It features a juried camellia show with many plants for sale from the expansive camellia collection in the Botanic Gardens.
The show is free and open to the public. Visitors may also tour the blooming camellia collections in gardens.
Feb. 11 to 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Botanic Gardens will sponsor the Byzantine Icon Workshop. This thoughtful and meditative five-day retreat focuses on traditional painting techniques that date back 2,000 years.
If you have a desire for a peaceful, contemplative setting, join the iconographers and create an individual piece of meaningful art. No previous artistic skill or experience is required.
The cost of the workshop is $350 and includes all materials and lunch for five days.
On Feb. 23, from 2 to 5 p.m., the LSU Rural Life Museum will present Afternoon Tea, Fashion and Fancies featuring a special English-style tea menu with multiple courses of assorted sandwiches and pastries.
The period fashion show will feature reproduction clothing from the 19th and early 20th centuries along with a textile and tea exhibit. A fee will be charged.
On Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Herb Society of America Baton Rouge Unit will present Herb Day. The event will feature a herb sale along with music, classes, food trucks and many vendors of jewelry, décor, and garden- and herb-related items. Children’s activities will include a herb plant petting zoo and make-your-own critter garden.
No registration is required.
About Burden Museum & Gardens
Located at 4560 Essen Lane just off I10 in Baton Rouge, Burden Museum & Gardens is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes the LSU Rural Life Museum, the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens and Windrush Gardens.
The LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens is an expansive collection of specialty gardens, woodlands, wetlands and arboreta. Trees and Trails offers 3 miles of serene walking paths through the Burden Woods. The Rose Garden, Children’s Garden and All-America Selections Display Garden showcase the beauty of plants and flowers and provide educational experiences for gardeners of all ages.
No admission is charged to tour the gardens.
The LSU Rural Life Museum focuses on the ways of life of rural Louisiana during the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also provides educational and research resources that advance an understanding of the material and cultural heritage of the region.
Adjacent to the Rural Life Museum, the historic Windrush Gardens comprises 5 acres of semiformal gardens of the Burden family.
Admission to the Botanic Gardens and Trees and Trails is free of charge and open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Rural Life Museum is $10 for adults 12 to 61 and $9 for seniors and children 6 to 11. Admission to Windrush Gardens is $3 per person. Both are free for kids under 6. The LSU Rural Life Museum and Windrush Gardens are open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except major holidays.
For more information, visit www.discoverburden.com or call 225-763-3990.
Continuing activities include
Trees and Trails, a 3-mile system of pedestrian, recreational and educational trails in the Burden Woods, provides opportunities for hiking and interpretive and educational activities for youth and adults. The Mosaic Boardwalk at Black Swamp guides visitors through a hardwood swamp more than 200 years old. The trail system is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
The Children’s Garden offers a place to learn about gardening and nutrition. This model garden also provides a location for youth-related organizations and individual families to experience the outdoors, focusing on vegetable, herb and butterfly garden plantings.
The Rose Garden is a part of the American Garden Rose Selections program, a nationwide network of approved public gardens, and the American Rose Trials for Sustainability program, maintaining an inventory of 1,100 plants representing 150 varieties. Starting each April, the Rose Garden offers an exclusive preview of the coming year’s outstanding new varieties.
Windrush Gardens comprises majestic live oaks and ancient crape myrtles to create a shady canopy over azaleas and camellias, evoking a sense of tranquility and peace. Steele Burden, who was influenced by the gardens of Europe and the surviving gardens of 19th century Louisiana plantations, designed Windrush. The winding paths are ideal for strolling and enjoying the 25 acres of landscaped spaces.