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Two on Tap will take stage Tuesday

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:56am

Broadway veterans Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano are bringing their vocals, choreography and unique musical arrangements to Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Additionally, local dance students will be joining then onstage for a brief performance as part of their student outreach program, “Tea for Two.”
Single event tickets are available for $25 for adults and $5 students K-12. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Call 985-385-2307 for more information.
Since its debut in February 2010, Two On Tap has entertained tens of thousands.
The Community Concert Association of Morgan City has announced a new partnership with the St. Mary Council on Aging, which is offering free transportation to and from concerts for senior citizens 60 and over who live in St. Mary Parish.
Please call at least 24 hours prior to concert to arrange.

Central Catholic Hall of Fame will induct new members Sunday

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:51am

Staff Report
Central Catholic High School will induct seven graduates and five benefactors into the school’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Yvonne Adams Life Center at Holy Cross Church.
Hall of Fame inductees receiving the Central Catholic High School Lifetime Meritorious Service Award are Cedric LaFleur, Kenneth “Kenny” Duval, Burt and Jodi Adams and the Ed Patterson family.
Hall of Fame inductees receiving the Central Catholic High School Athletic Achievement Award are Shane Beaudean, Greg Bergeron, David Burch Jr., Michelle Hensgens, Joseph “Buzzy” Joy, and Curtis Randall.
Cedric LaFleur
LaFleur was a 1948 graduate of Sacred Heart of Ville Platte. He served as councilman and as mayor for the City of Morgan City. He sent six children, fourteen grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren through Central Catholic. He has assisted with several building projects and supported the tuition assistance program which helps keep tuition affordable for all students.
Kenneth “Kenny” Duval
Duval was a graduate of Morgan City High School and has been involved with Central Catholic High School for the past 20 years. He has been responsible for security at home football games, greeting the visiting teams to the stadium, and escorting various athletic teams to their away games. During this time, he has also served as the score keeper for boys and girls basketball. He has served Holy Cross Church as a Eucharistic Minister and as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus.
Burt and Jodi Adams
Burt Adams is a graduate of Central Catholic High School. For the past 20 years, he has served on the advisory council and the Eagle Club, been a charter member of the Eagle Foundation, chairperson of the CCHS Annual Appeal Committee, and chairperson of the Vision 2012 Campaign. He has also volunteered his time as a educator by teaching classes at CCHS and tutored students. Jodi has served as co-chairperson of the Vision 2012 Campaign and as chairperson of the Central Catholic Auction for several years. She was responsible for the remodel of the CCHS Mall and initiating the CCHS Project Graduation program.
Ed Patterson family
Ed Patterson serves as the chairman of the Patterson Family Foundation. He has personally guided and assisted the foundation in all of its projects that support the Central Catholic Community. He served as a major part in the success of the Vision 2012 Campaign.
Shane Beaudean
Beaudean graduated from Central Catholic in 1998 where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, golf, and track. He was awarded All-District honors in football, basketball, baseball, and he was MVP of the district in basketball in 1997-1998. He was a member of the 1997 State Runner-up football team. He was awarded Academic All-District honors in all sports as well. He was a four time letterman in basketball at Nicholls State University. He began as a preferred walk-on, but he earned a full scholarship during his tenure at Nicholls and was named captain of the basketball team for the 2001-2002 season.
Greg Bergeron
Bergeron was a 1972 graduate of Central Catholic. He was award All-District, District MVP and All-State honors in football for his junior and senior seasons. He led all rushers in the state in 1971 when he amassed over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games. He also ran track his senior year and was a part of the regional championship track team.
David Burch Jr.
Burch was a 2005 graduate which he lettered in football, baseball, and golf. For football, he was a four time member of the All-District team and Offensive District MVP and first-team All-State in 2004. For baseball, he was a four time All-District honoree, two time District MVP, three time All-State honoree, two time State MVP and member of the state championship teams in 2002, 2004 and 2005. He participated in the sState golf tournament in each year. He lettered in baseball at Nicholls State University his freshman year and then earned three letters from the University of New Orleans during his college career. He led the team in saves in 2009, and he is 2nd all-time in pitching appearances for UNO.
Michelle Hensgens
Hensgens was a 2004 graduate of Central Catholic where she lettered in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was selected to the all-district and all-parish teams all four years in volleyball and was a member of the 2003 Division V State Championship team. She earned All-State honors as a senior and was selected to the Louisiana High School All-Star team. She lettered in volleyball for four years at Louisiana State University where was selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll each year.
Joseph “Buzzy” Joy
Joy was a 1967 graduate of Central Catholic. He played football for two years and ran track. He was a member of the 1966 state runner-up team. He set the school record in 1967 for the 100 yard dash at 9.8 seconds and the 220 yard dash at 21.3 seconds. He signed a full scholarship to play football at Mississippi State University. He was the tailback on the freshman team and red-shirted his sophomore year. He played defensive back and special teams for two years.
Curtis Randall
Randall was a 1998 graduate of Central Catholic. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was a member of the 1997 State Runner-up team. He was a four year letterman at Louisiana Tech in Football. He was a member of All-WAC team his senior year and ranked second on the team in tackles. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was allocated to NFL Europe. He later signed with the Carolina Panthers and then with the Seattle Seahawks. He was a member of the Seahawks practice squad in 2004 before being placed on the active roster for the final 5 games of the season. He participated in four NFL games of those games. His football jersey number is currently retired by Central Catholic.

BRENDAN VERRETT

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:46am

The world lost a beautiful soul for us to gain a Heavenly Angel … Brendan was a beautiful soul called to his Heavenly home on Jan. 1, 2018. He blessed the lives of everyone he encountered and was loved by all. What Brendan was not able to do on earth has been made whole in Heaven with God. He is truly dancing and singing with the Angels to now watch over us until the day we meet again.
Brendan is survived by his parents, Alaina and Chris Black; his father, Shane Verrett; his sister, Olivia Black; brothers, Talen and Tyler Black, Brennan Black and his wife Lacie, and Michael Black and his wife Cherie; and niece and nephew, Kimley and Saven Black. Brendan is also survived by his beloved grandparents, Douglas and Katrina Leftwich, Monica and David Acosta, Frank and Betty Black, and Howard and Diana Verrett, as well as his aunts and uncles, Peyton Acosta, Laura Leftwich, and Jeremy and Amy Leftwich. Great-grandparents include Cedric LaFleur and Ovay and Dianne Rogers. Brendan will also be missed by many other aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to name.
Brendan was welcomed into Heaven by his great-grandmother, Rowena LaFleur; great-aunt, Patience LaFleur; great-uncles, Michael LaFleur, Gary Acosta and Anthony Blanco; and great-grandfathers, Paul Sheehan and Willard “Billy” Leftwich.
The family would like to acknowledge the help and support of all of the many caregivers who gave so selflessly and lovingly of their time to Brendan during his life. This includes most especially his aunt and primary caregiver, Maria Leftwich.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Brendan’s life at a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Morgan City. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Brendan’s name to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.

(UPDATED) DAVID J. AUCOIN JR.

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:44am

David J. Aucoin Jr., 46, a resident of Morgan City, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Teche Regional Medical Center.

David was born on January 31, 1971 in Morgan City the son of David J. Aucoin Sr. and Janice Wiggins Aucoin.

David was an avid sports fan who loved the New Orleans Saints and the LSU Tigers.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his parents, David “DJ” and Janice Wiggins Aucoin; one brother, Dwayne “Peanut” Aucoin and wife Michelle of Berwick; two nephews Wyatt Aucoin and Winston Aucoin; grandfather, Earl J. Wiggins.

David was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hillary Aucoin Sr. and Enola Blanco Aucoin; maternal grandmother, Gloria Morrison Wiggins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Danny Poche celebrating Mass. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until Mass time. Following Mass David will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in David's name to the Epilepsy Foundation Louisiana, 4137 Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 210 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9908

ROSLYN ANN DOIRON

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:42am

August 30, 1944 - December 30, 2017
Roslyn Falgout Doiron, 73, a native of Berwick, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017.
Roslyn is survived by her husband, Jimmy Doiron; her children, Dayna Brown and her husband, Jeff, and Denice Brinson and her husband, Troy; three grandchildren, J.P. Doiron, Kaylie Brinson and Desi Duke; and four grandchildren, Zach, Drew, Rhett and Raylee.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jimmy Doiron Jr.; a grandson, Kamen Brown; her parents, Sidney Falgout Sr. and Vester Dufrene Falgout; and her sister, Marilyn Tidwell.
According to her wishes, services will be held privately at a later date.

Wheel House for Jan. 4

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:34am

FEEDING PROGRAM
At Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, 113 Federal Ave., Morgan City, for needy and senior citizens, at noon Saturday, Jan. 6. For more info, 384-6800.

MLK CELEBRATION
Patterson Civic Organization’s 2018 Annual MLK Celebration 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, St. Luke Baptist Church, 1709 Harry D St., Patterson. The Rev. Keith Verret Sr. officiating. Theme “Community: The Art of Coming Together!” Arlanda Williams, Terrebonne Parish councilwoman and owner of Rosemary’s Soul Food Kitchen is speaker. A march and parade of church vans will immediately follow the service to Cherry Street Park. Churches across St. Mary Parish asked to enter its church van as a sign of unity in the community.

WOMEN MISSION
Ministry at New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Speaker Dorothy Stewart. Another Women Mission Ministry held at 10 a.m. Feb. 24. Speaker Debra Calhoun.

FISH PO’BOYS
At New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Menu includes fried fish po’boys, potato salad, dessert and cold drink. Cost $7.

BLACK HISTORY
Program at New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Speaker Mayor Rodney Grogan.

MEN’S DAY
Program at New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., Patterson, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25.

RICHARD CORTEZ SR.

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:30am

Ricardo Cortez Sr., 80, a native and resident of Morgan City, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at Teche Regional Medical Center.
He is survived by five children, Ricky Cortez Jr., Richard Cortez, Stephen Cortez and Daniel Cortez, all of Morgan City, and Charity Williams of Baton Rouge; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Deanna Cortez of Morgan City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and a son.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in Morgan City Cemetery.

10 years of service

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:23am

Submitted Photo
Jeremy Callais, center, M C Bank's executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief operating officer, was recently recognized by the bank for 10 years of service. He's shown with President and CEO Larry Callais, left, and Barton Blanco, executive vice president/chef lending officer. Jeremy Callais joined M C Bank in 2007. He is a Patterson High School graduate who received a bachelor's degree from Nicholls State University. His master’s degree is from Northwestern State University. He completed the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking from the Stonier School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Marine Operations program showing rapid growth here

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 11:21am

Staff Report

In the last six months, a Marine Operations program in St. Mary Parish has transitioned to South Louisiana Community College’s Corporate College and has served nearly 1,000 students. That’s a 95 percent increase over the number of students served in the previous six months.
The transition of the program from South Central Louisiana Technical College to SLCC is part of a realignment plan announced in 2017 by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
“Under the guidance of SLCC’s Corporate College, our Marine Operations program is now able to focus on what we do best – service the oil and gas industry,” said Capt. Carl Moore, assistant dean of the Marine and Petroleum Training Centers in Houma and Morgan City.
The program provides specialized Coast Guard-approved classroom instruction as well as practical training for students. Upon completion, students are able to obtain a variety of credentials from the U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Communications Commission. These credentials are required for many jobs in marine operations.
“Ensuring that our community maximizes training opportunities for our citizens has never been more important. However, this growth demonstrates that individuals outside of our region are also recognizing the quality training available in our community,” said State Sen. Bret Allain, who serves District 21.
The Marine Operations program is a long-standing program in St. Mary Parish.
It was started in 1960 by local industry to establish a training center for the maritime industry. In 1972, the program and training moved to the Young Memorial Campus in Morgan City.
During the last decade, training moved to a new facility on Youngs Road, which provides water front access.
“Doubling the number of individuals trained in the marine industry shows what can happen when Louisiana focuses on ensuring workforce training opportunities,” said state Rep. Sam Jones, who represents most of St. Mary Parish.
“Our community and technical colleges are the right investment to put individuals to work for our important marine employers.
"This is why we fought so hard to get the new Marine Center funded and built in Morgan City, not only for St. Mary Parish, but for all of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.”
“An industry-led study by LABI documented the extraordinary role the maritime industry plays in the Louisiana economy,” said LCTCS President Monty Sullivan. “Over the past few years, we have made strategic decisions statewide to focus our efforts on strengthening programs like maritime, that lead to good-paying jobs and that are aligned with local and regional workforce demands. Dr. Natalie Harder, chancellor of SLCC, and Dr. Willie Smith, interim director of SCL, and their respective teams deserve a lot of credit for improving an already strong program and turning it into one of the fastest growing in the state.”
The Marine Operations program caters to new students, experienced tradesmen in need of refresher courses, and business with unique training needs for its workforce.
A number of safety courses are taught including: rigging, firefighting, personal survival, fall protection, and electrical safety among others. Marine courses taught include: able-bodied seaman, inland towing, knot tying, tankerman, vessel security, and welding among others. Students are able to train on equipment they’ll encounter in the maritime industry. This includes a hydraulic crane, a flashover fire trainer, global maritime distress and safety system lab, and state-of-art radar simulation lab.
“The Marine Operations program, like other short-term training options in SLCC’s Corporate College, can serve needs of an array of students and businesses,” said Jermaine Ford, associate vice chancellor for Workforce and Economic Development. “Our goal is to put people to work while answering the needs of industry for a trained workforce.”
To enroll in the Marine Operations program, call 985-385-7036.

Water woes in Baldwin, Franklin

Thu, 01/04/2018 - 10:48am

Franklin and Baldwin have experienced complications with water availability this week since temperatures dropped below the freezing point.
Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris cited “several major (line) breaks” beginning Tuesday and continuing through yesterday as the reason for the city’s lack of pressure in the water lines.
“With the weather being the way it is,” Harris said, “we don’t know when we are going to get another break. We’ve put the water back on, but things are just not very stable right now.
“We are asking people right now to just be patient with us.” He said the boil water advisory is still in effect for Franklin.
As for Baldwin’s water woes, Mayor Donna Lanceslin said there was a meeting of town officials Wednesday night concerning the lack of water in the town, and that the meeting was productive.
She also said that she will be meeting with parish government, engineers and local officials at 3 p.m. today to discuss the immediate options for Baldwin’s water access difficulties.
“Today, they turned the water on, and it is still on,” Lanceslin said. “Pressure is higher than it was, so we may be able to leave it on for the rest of the day.”