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The Winters, a family of 10 people living in Patterson, got a welcome visit Monday from a local group hoping to make their Thanksgiving a little brighter in the midst of tough times.

Community organization, Hoodstock, donated Thanksgiving dinners consisting of a turkey, ham and sides to four families in the parish.

Two families from Patterson, a Morgan City family and a Franklin family received the dinners. The Winters family in Patterson was among those families.

Hoodstock is a committee of young professionals and residents who believe in giving back to their community, according to its Facebook page.

The organization accepted nominations through its Facebook page and selected the families who were most in need, Hoodstock founder Courtney Long said. Hoodstock received two nominations for the Winters family.

“It was pretty extraordinary to have two different people, separate people, who didn’t know each other, nominate the same family,” said Danika Foley, Hoodstock committee member.

“That actually played very well with the reviewing committee,” Foley said.

Shane Winters and her husband, Daniel Winters, who’s out of work due to an injury, have eight children who live with them and are “very active in the community,” Foley said.

“There was definitely a need. So that’s how we chose them,” Foley said.

Shane Winters said her husband recently hurt his back and has been out of work for 3½ months.

“When you have 10 children, it can be pretty rough,” Winters said. “The fact that not one, but two people thought that my family was worth a nomination is kind of overwhelming.”

Shane Winters expressed great appreciation for Hoodstock and its efforts to help bring a happy Thanksgiving to families in need.

The Winters have children from 1 year old to 25 years old. Eight children live in their Patterson home, and they also have two adult children.

Courtney Thomas Malagarie of Lafayette knows the Winters because both families home school their kids.

Malagarie knew the Winters “had hit a rough spot,” she said.

“I’ve been there before, so whenever I saw that there was an organization offering that I just knew I had to nominate (the family),” Malagarie said.

A 24-year-old Amelia man was charged Saturday with committing domestic abuse battery on a woman in front of a small child, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

—Franklin Ortega, 24, of Cypress Street in Amelia, was arrested at 5:30 a.m. Saturday on a charge of domestic abuse battery-child endangerment law.

A deputy responded to a call for service from a home in Amelia regarding a disturbance in progress. During the investigation, the deputy found evidence that Ortega pushed a woman and took her cell phone while yelling at her, the sheriff said.

A small child was present during the battery, Hebert said. Ortega was booked into parish jail and then released on $3,500 bail.

Hebert reported responding to 105 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Karlyn Knudsen, 59, of Jamie Court Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:45 p.m. Friday on charges of stop signs and yield signs violations, obstructed license plate, proper equipment required, expired license plate, expired inspection sticker and possession of tramadol.

A narcotics detective patrolling Amelia observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Friendship Alley and Lake Palourde Road.

The detective also observed that the vehicle had an obstructed license plate and missing side view mirror. The detective conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver who was identified as Knudsen. The detective received consent to search the vehicle and located over two dozen tramadol pills, Hebert said.

Knudsen was unable to provide a prescription for the drugs, the sheriff said. The detective also found that the license plate and inspection sticker were expired on the vehicle. Knudsen was jailed with no bail set.

—Michael Sweetser Sr., 66, of Field Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 2:48 a.m. Saturday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, improper lane usage, and possession of marijuana.

A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle traveling in the middle of the roadway on Field Road before moving completely into the oncoming lane of traffic. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Sweetser.

While speaking with him, the deputy smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Sweetser’s breath and body, Hebert said. The deputy performed a standardized field sobriety test. Sweetser conducted the test poorly and later registered 0.162 grams-percent blood alcohol concentration on a breath test, Hebert said.

Sweetser was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. During booking, Sweetser was found to be in possession of marijuana cigarette, Hebert said. Sweetser was released on $4,750 bail.

—Cory Leblanc, 36, of Lagonda Lane in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference and failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court.

A deputy made contact with Leblanc at his home and located the active warrant for his arrest. Leblanc was booked into parish jail with bail set at $100,000.

—Christopher Pollard, 32, of Seventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 12:12 a.m. Sunday on two warrants charging him with failure to comply with the terms and conditions of drug court and three warrants for failure to appear on the charges of criminal neglect of family.

A deputy made contact with Pollard at a home on Lagonda Lane in Bayou Vista and located the active warrants for his arrest. Pollard was jailed with no bail set.

Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported responding to 107 complaints and reported the following arrests:

—Juan C. Santos, 17, of Fifth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:05 a.m. Friday on a charge of theft less than $1,000.

Officers responded to a high school in regard to a theft. Through security footage, Santos was developed as a suspect. Santos was located by school officials and admitted to taking the item, Blair said. Santos was jailed.

—Bryan K. Faulk, 33, of Village Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:05 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with failure to pay fines.

Faulk was transported from the Patterson Police Department to the Morgan City Police Department for a Morgan City Court warrant. Faulk was jailed.

—Zacolby Granger, 25, of Grace Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:53 p.m. Friday on charges of stop sign violation, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.

A patrol officer in the area of Second Street and Brashear Avenue saw a vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Granger, who had a suspended driver’s license, Blair said.

The officer also located suspected marijuana in Granger’s possession, Blair said. Granger was jailed.

—Gersson S. Viniegra, 33, of Main Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10:46 p.m. Friday on a warrant charging him with two counts of failure to pay fines, a warrant charging him with two counts of probation violation and a warrant charging him with contempt of court.

Viniegra was transported from the St. Martin Parish jail to the Morgan City Police Department on Morgan City Court warrants. Viniegra was jailed.

—Jason P. Cavalier, 42, of Hilda Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:15 am. Saturday on charges of theft less than $1,000 and criminal damage to property.

Officers responded to a drug store on Brashear Avenue in regard to a theft. Management pointed out the individual to officers, who was identified as Cavalier, Blair said. Officers located items belonging to the store in Cavalier’s possession and one of the items was damaged, Blair said. Cavalier was jailed.

—Joseph H. Pollard Jr., 56, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:33 p.m. Saturday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to the area of Fifth and Greenwood streets in regard to an individual that was lying on the ground. Officers located the individual, who was later identified as Pollard, who Pollard appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Pollard was jailed.

—William K. Rawls, 55, of Carrol Drive in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:50 p.m. Saturday on charges of DWI second offense, improper lane usage and possession of alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle.

A patrol officer observed a vehicle in the area of La. 182 and Aycock Street crossing the center line several times. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was identified as Rawls, who appeared intoxicated, Blair said.

Rawls performed poorly on a field sobriety test, Blair said. The officer also noticed an open container of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle. Rawls was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department.

Rawls registered 0.122 grams-percent blood alcohol content on a chemical test, Blair said. Rawls was jailed.

—Frank D. Peavy, 45, of North First Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:40 a.m. Sunday on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft less than $1,000.

Officer responded to a home on Lousia Street in regard to a theft. The victim stated that Peavy had used her vehicle and had not returned it, Blair said.

The victim also believed he had stolen her purse, Blair said. Officers were given a description of the vehicle and were able to locate the vehicle at a residence on North First Street. Police located Peavy, and he was jailed.

—Herman Span, 48, of David Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 4:04 p.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace intoxicated.

Officers responded to a home on 11th Street in regard to a disturbance. Officers arrived and located Span. According to witnesses, Span had been at the home causing a disturbance and would not leave, Blair said. Span appeared intoxicated, Blair said. Span was jailed.

—Larry Washington, 39, of Fourth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:43 a.m. Sunday on a charge of simple battery.

Officers were dispatched to a residence on Fourth Street in regard to a disturbance. The victim stated that she and Washington had gotten into a verbal altercation, which later turned physical, Blair said.

The victim alleged that Washington had pushed her during the altercation, Blair said. Washington was located in the home and jailed.

—Victoria M. Daigle, 35, of Duke Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:27 p.m. Sunday on a charge of less than $1,000.

Officers responded to a business on Brashear Avenue in regard to a theft. Management provided security footage of the incident and the suspect was identified as Daigle, Blair said.

Police were able to locate Daigle at a home on First Street. Daigle allegedly admitted to the theft, Blair said. Daigle was jailed.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported the following arrest:

—Tiffany Miracle, 34, of Napoleonville, was arrested at 4:43 a.m. Sunday on a charge of disturbing the peace. Bail was set at $167.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.

Pumpkin is so popular today that there is hardly anything that hasn’t had a pumpkin variation. Some of them are no-brainers, others are so far-fetched that I don’t understand who is buying them, much less eating them.
Back in the day, a pumpkin cheesecake would have been unusual, today it is almost old school. But if there was ever a meal that screams for pumpkin cheesecake, it is Thanksgiving. Or the day after Thanksgiving if you are a purist and need your classic pumpkin pie to follow your turkey and dressing.
I happen to love pumpkin, in pie, bread, muffins, cake and cheesecake. And, this cheesecake is adapted from Natalie Dupree’s companion cookbook “Nathalie Dupree Cooks for Family and Friends” to her PBS show, “Food for Family and Friends.” I love to collect old cookbooks and picked it up several years ago at a second-hand store. I was looking at the book a few weeks ago and it is surprising how many recipes are either back in vogue, or still in constant rotation.
I have changed quite a few things in her recipe but her recipe is what inspired me to make pumpkin cheesecake this Thanksgiving so credit is due.
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
WITH CRYSTALIZED GINGER CRUST
Start to finish: 8½ hours minimum, best to make the day before
(Active time: 20 minutes)
Chef’s Note: I do not pre-bake the crust or use a water bath in this recipe, which makes it faster and easier to make. If you are accustomed to baking cheesecake in a water bath, go ahead and do so, but follow the timing in your water-bath recipe.
Crust:
½ cup chopped crystalized ginger
1¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cups granulated white sugar
pinch of sea salt
½ (1 stick) cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
4 packages (8-ounce each) cream cheese, softened
Zest of one large lemon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 15-ounce can of Libby’s pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
¼ cup full-fat sour cream
¼ cup all-purpose flour
6 large eggs, beaten
Topping:
¾ cup full-fat sour cream
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1-2 tsp. bourbon, optional
Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Prepare a large (9-inch) springform pan by greasing the bottom and the sides. If your pan is not secure, wrap foil around pan to catch drips.
In a small bowl, mix crystalized ginger, graham-cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter. Let sit for 5 minutes and stir again. This allows the cracker crumbs to completely absorb the butter.
Press crumb mixture in bottom of pan and up about 1/3 of the sides. Set aside.
Meanwhile, using a stand mixer, blend cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, lemon zest and pumpkin pie spice. Mix on a low speed for 1-2 minutes. Add pumpkin, sour cream and flour and mix on low for another 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and add beaten eggs. Mix for another 1-2 minutes and make sure that the entire mixture is mixed well by scraping bottom and sides with a spatula.
Mix remaining sour cream, 1 tablespoon of sugar and a generous teaspoon or two, of bourbon and set aside.
Pour filling into crust. Leave a good ½-inch of space at the top. If you have extra filling, make a small cheesecake. Set pan on a sheetpan and place in the center rack of the pre-heated oven. Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until set, but center of cheesecake still jiggles slightly when moved. Remove from oven and spread sour cream mixture on top. This topping will also hide any cracks in the cheesecake. Place back in the oven to bake for 2-3 minutes, just to set.
Chef’s Note: I only let it bake for a few minutes to set which leaves the topping creamier and looser but will solidify in the refrigerator as it cools. If you like your topping completely cooked, let bake for an additional 6-7 minutes.
Turn oven off; open oven door at least 5 inches. Let cheesecake remain in oven 30-60 minutes. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before serving.
To serve, run knife around edge of pan to loosen cheesecake. Carefully remove side of pan before cutting cheesecake. Cut cheesecake when cold and store covered in refrigerator. Can be frozen and served after thawing in the refrigerator.
Servings: 16 pieces
Nutrition information per serving: 451 calories; 273 calories from fat; 30 g fat (17 g saturated; 1 g trans fats); 168 mg cholesterol; 296 mg sodium; 38 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 30 g sugar; 7 g protein.