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March is busy month for community offered events

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 11:05am

Staff Report

March is a busy month for area events.
Here is a listing of some of the events planned:
—An Elton John tribute show, “Bennie & the Jets,” will perform at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium at 7 p.m. Monday.
Tickets for the show, part of the Morgan City Live Community Concert 2023-24 season, are $25 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Season tickets are also available.
All tickets, subscription or single concert, are available online at www.morgancitylive.com or at the door.
Greg Ransom began playing the piano at age 10 and has been playing music and performing ever since.
In 1995, Ransom (piano, vocals), Dan Moraski (guitar, vocals), Bob Lija (drums, vocals) and Ken Walpurgis (bass) formed Bennie & the Jets – a group dedicated to honoring the life and music of the Elton John.
Morgan City Live Community Concert Association of Morgan City Inc., formed in 1947, continues to bring world-class entertainment to the Tri-City area of Morgan City, Berwick and Patterson — as well as the rest of St. Mary Parish and surrounding parishes.
—The Krewe of Dionysus will hold its 8th annual Irish and Italian Parade at 1 p.m. March 16 in downtown Morgan City.
This year, the krewe has decided to reverse its route. Participants will line up at the corner of Second and Everett streets and parade down Second Street to Belanger Street where it will disband.
This is a walking parade although golf carts are allowed.
An entry fee of $20 is needed and entrants must be at least 21. Registration and social hours are 10 a.m. to noon at Bourbon’s at the corner of First Street and Railroad Avenue.
—Junior Auxiliary of East St. Mary is holding a fundraiser, “St. Mary Denim & Diamonds Casino Night and Silent Auction,” March 16 at Nico Bella, 722 Front St., Morgan City. All funds raised are to continue to fund and expand numerous service projects, which benefit community children, with special focus on the most vulnerable of the population.
Event times are 6:30-7 p.m., cocktails; 7-10 p.m., event festivities including small plates and pass arounds; wine and beer, music, photo booth, table games, slot machines, silent auction and 50/50 raffle.
Tickets, $75, are online at givebutter.com/c/denim-diamonds-casino-night. Additional chip buy-in and cash bar available. Attendants must be 21 or over.
Junior Auxiliary is also seeking sponsors and donations for the fundraiser. Sponsorships available are Radiant — $1,500, eight tickets/150 chips per person, a reserved table, and sponsor signage/advertisements, etc.; Marquis — $1,000, six tickets/150 chips per person, sponsor signage/ads, etc.; Flare — $500, four tickets,150 chips per person, sponsor signage/ads, etc.; Bootcut — $250, two tickets/150 chips per person, sponsor ads. Also collecting monetary sponsorships and auction items.
For full sponsorship benefits contact JA. Donations are tax deductible. Donor’s names displayed on signs, brochures, social media and on auction items, if applicable. For information call 985-312-4489 or 985-221-3382.
—The public is invited to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1011 First St., Patterson, for its St. Joseph Altar adorned with decorative cakes, cookies and specialty breads hand made by volunteers and derived from donated ingredients.
Blessing of the Altar is 6:30 p.m. March 18 with viewing until 8:30 p.m. March 19 festivities are opening Mass 9 a.m. with Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel; 10-11 a.m. procession of the saints for the meal; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. public meal served (until all food has been served); until 4 p.m. altar viewing. Any remaining cakes and cookies donated to the needy of the area in keeping with spirit of the St. Joseph Altar.
—Pharr Chapel United Methodist Church in Morgan City is hosting a Free Community Fish Fry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 in Lawrence Park in Morgan City.
In the event of rain, the distribution will take place under the U.S. 90 bridge between Second and Greenwood streets.
For information call 985-384-7984.
A story ran in the March 6 edition of the Morgan City Review with a list of Easter Egg Hunts. It can also be found online at StMaryNow.com.

Change clocks and batteries

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 11:00am

BATON ROUGE — State Fire Marshal Chief Bryan J Adams is encouraging Louisianans to check the status of the life-saving devices in their homes, like smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, when changing their clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. Sunday.
“The practice of changing your smoke and CO alarm batteries when you change your clocks should be second nature to all of us,” said Adams. “These days, as many clocks spring forward automatically, it’s especially important for this reminder to reach every household in Louisiana. Take a moment right now to put ‘change your clocks, change your batteries’ on your to-do list for this weekend.”
When checking the status of these devices to determine whether a new battery is needed, also take note of their age.
“If you know, or suspect, that your smoke or CO alarms are older than 10 years, we highly recommend upgrading to the 10-year, sealed battery alarms, that don’t require any battery replacement,” he said.

Wheel House for March 8

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:47am

HORSESHOES
Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association 4th annual “Battle of The Badges Horseshoe Tournament” is 9 a.m. March 16, Kemper Williams Park, near Patterson. Event pits St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement vs the St. Mary Parish Fire Departments for a “Traveling Plaque.” Fireman, police officer, auxiliary, retiree, spouse or board member of either department, are all welcome to pitch (recruiting is allowed). Members of the local city and parish councils are also invited to pitch with any team. For info, call Craig, 504-270-7166 or Hilton, 985-519-5771

BREW FEST
The 6th annual Basin Brew Fest is April 13, along U.S. 90 bridge, downtown Morgan City. Early VIP entry, 2 p.m.; general entry, 3 p.m. and event ends at 6 p.m. Showcases Louisiana craft beer. VIP ticket sales, $65, end March 15 and are online only. General admission tickets, $40, until March 31; gate entry is $50. Advance tickets online at www.basinbrewfestmc.com. Must be 21 or older and bring proper ID.

Area road work continues

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:44am

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has announced lane closures for St. Mary Parish.
Approximately 2.5 miles of La. 182 east of U.S. 90 in Morgan City will have alternating lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, weather permitting.
This closure is necessary to allow crews to perform routine bridge inspections.
Emergency vehicles will have access to the area but may encounter delays.
The road will be open to regular traffic without any width restrictions on oversize loads passing through the work zone.
La. 317 at the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge (Bayou Sale) will be reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting.
This closure is necessary to allow for crews to perform routine bridge inspections.
Emergency vehicles will have access to the area but may encounter delays.
The road will be open to regular traffic with 16-foot lane restrictions on oversized loads passing through the work zone.
DOTD asks drivers’ patience and reminds everyone to drive with caution and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Where’re you going in such a hurry?

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:41am

By JOHN K. FLORES

Under the pressure of 70 mph speed, my face contorted like one of those astronauts going up into space. Only, this wasn’t a space capsule fastened like a spearhead onto a rocket launched from Cape Canaveral. This was a bass boat leaving the Amelia Public Boat Launch.
I should have realized something was up when my close friend and Patterson resident Gerald Foulcard donned a motorcycle helmet with a clear visor just before putting the boat’s shift lever into gear.
In the next instant we literally took off and I didn’t get a “T-Minus” launch countdown. I was sure, as I gripped in fear, the fingers of my white-knuckled left hand had dug into the boat’s fiberglass gunnel while my right hand squeezed the stuffing out of the seat cushion I was setting on. It was horrible and uncomfortable at the same time.
I couldn’t enjoy the cypress trees along the bank with their fresh spring greenery, nor the soaring bald eagles and osprey in search of a fish for breakfast.
The thing was, my bass tournament-angler friend wasn’t fishing in a competition. No. We were just out to do a little fishing on a Saturday morning in March, hoping to catch a few bass. So, what was the hurry? Dang man! Fishing isn’t supposed to be that intense.
Come to find out, like a NASCAR driver, speed is just ingrained in the tournament bass angler’s psyche. It’s not in their DNA, whether a practice day or not, to just leave the landing to leisurely fish bass. It’s pretty much get to where you’re going and make casts.
Local business owner and tournament fisherman Howard Hartley does a little speeding on the water himself.
Hartley, a BASS Nation Nationals Finalist, explained, “I believe it’s about maximizing your fishing time during the day. In typical bass tournaments you’re given an average of eight hours to fish. If you could actually be casting in high percentage areas for most of that time, then your chances of catching fish — if you have scouted enough — generally would increase.”
According to Foulcard, speed in some cases allows you to play a little defense.
Strategically speaking, Foulcard said, “The reason for the high speed is to try and beat your opponent to the best spots and try and get the early morning bite. We’re also trying to fish as many spots as possible from safe daylight to 3 p.m. weigh in. So, sometimes, speed can be an advantage to accomplish fishing a few more spots.”
Essentially, the month of March is one of the best times of year to fish largemouth bass because the spawn is in full swing. Moreover, as a result, there are tournaments galore being held across the state. Locally, there are seven tournaments being held out of Doiron’s Landing in Stephensville alone.
Foulcard said, “The big girls are on the nest and it’s not so much they like to eat, but rather are protecting the nest. So, anything that’s close to the nest, they will move or try and kill it and if hungry they will eat it. A lot of those bass are caught because while moving the bait they get hooked.”
Stephensville is one of the top locations to catch bass during March. There is an abundance of food resources like crawfish, shad and bluegill. Foulcard says the key is finding clear water.
The marshes below Bayou Black are excellent during the month of March. The Copasaw, Turtle Bayou, Bluebird Canal and 7-Mile are all top bass locations worth checking out.
Good catches of bass can be had in the Atchafalaya Basin when the conditions are right. Water level, clarity and temperature all play a role as to whether a winning stringer can be caught in this vast region. One thing for sure, crawfish and small perch are abundant and top food sources for largemouth bass.
With tournament season in full swing, there’ll be a lot of bass boats on the water this month. And, no doubt, many of them will be running like someone with their hair caught on fire trying to catch a fish or two. I’m sure, like me, you’ll be wondering, “Where’re they going in such a hurry?”
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.

CCHS basketball champs

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:30am

The Central Catholic boys and girls basketball teams brought home district championships this season. The girls got a bye in the bi-district round and then defeated Louise McGehee 60-23 in the regional round. The Eagles reach the state quarterfinal, where they fell to Hamilton Christian 50-44. The boys also had a bi-district bye. They were eliminated with a 57-41 loss to Westminster Christian in the regionals.

League seeks area basketballers

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:28am

Young basketball players in St. Mary are invited to take part in the Alpha Omega Development league. The league is for boys and girls ages 9-14.
Alpha Omega is tailored for individuals who may not have had ample playing time last season, specifically targeting beginner and intermediate level players.
The league brings together players from across eight parishes — St. Mary, St. James, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne and Ascension.
To ensure a competitive environment, all interested players are required to attend an evaluation session.
Alternatively, players are welcome to join as a group with their friends or teammates, allowing them to experience the season together.
Players can get started by attending one of six evaluations as a “pre-gathered” team or an individual looking for placement. Coaches can attend this evaluation to recruit more players for their team.
Players can register at https://form.jotform.com/240456364082152. An evaluation fee of $25 per player is charged.
The St. Mary Parish evaluation registration form deadline is March 23. The evaluation will take place at the Bayou Vista Community Center, 1333 Belleview St., on March 30.

Area students earn SLCC scholarships

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 10:26am

More than $121,855 in scholarships was awarded to students at South Louisiana Community College for the spring semester.
“These scholarships provide students with a vital boost, ensuring they have the financial resources needed to pursue and accomplish their college aspirations,” said Brittny Ducote, SLCC Foundation development and alumni coordinator. “Thanks to the generous support of our partners throughout Acadiana, our students are empowered to pursue their dreams with significantly reduced financial stress.”
Recipients include a varied mix of majors at SLCC, from registered nursing and nondestructive testing technology to general studies and information technology.
Ddonors are also a diverse group, with many directly tied to the college like Director of Career and Testing Services Toni Celestine. She created the Lt. Linda H. Brown Memorial Scholarship in honor of her mother, a 25-year Ville Platte police veteran.
“I established the scholarship with the hope my mother will be remembered for her dedication and commitment to protect and to serve,” Celestine said. “I firmly believe that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their financial circumstances and I hope this scholarship inspires people to rise up and serve one another, as my mother did.”
A reception for the 125 scholarship recipients was held March 6 at the Devalcourt Auditorium on the SLCC Lafayette Campus.
Area scholarship recipients include St. Mary Parish’s Seth Baham, Justin Bourgeois, Theresa Coleman, Tiffany DeLee, Da’Kya Garrett, Will Garrett, Joan Granger, Brianna Leblanc, Winnie Mabile, Laketra Mitchell, Matthew Sonnier and Danielle Wiese.
St. Martin Parish recipients are Jermaine Broussard, Collin Broussard, Kendria Jones, Graci Laviolette, McGino Philayvanh, Destinie Landry Simmons and Ikia Thompson.

Bayou Industrial Group accepts scholarship apps

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 9:57am

Bayou Industrial Group is currently accepting applications for 2024 BIG scholarships to Nicholls State University and Fletcher Community Technical College.
Applications are accepted through April 15.
Each year, Bayou Industrial Group awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Bayou Region for enrollment at Nicholls State University and Fletcher Technical Community College. The BIG Scholarship Fund is supported by contributions from members with annual dues, the BIG Seafood Social for Scholarships, and other scholarship fundraising activities that may be held throughout the year.
While the main focus of our scholarship program is still on graduating high school seniors, BIG will now also consider applications from non-traditional students residing in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption or St. Mary parishes.
In addition to students who are pursuing two- and four-year degree programs, applications for students pursuing industrial certifications and non-degree programs will also be considered. Scholarship amounts for these programs will depend on program costs and other factors.
Contact BIG’s Executive Director Deanna Lafont at info@bayouindustrialgroup.com with any questions. Make sure to allow enough time for a response before the April 15 deadline.
All applications will be completed on-line using a user-friendly system. Make sure to follow directions and fill out the correct application based on your individual situation:
Application for graduating high school seniors attending Nicholls: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Nichollsgradsrs; application for graduating high school seniors attending Fletcher (all programs and industrial certifications): www.surveymonkey.com/r/fletchergradsr; application for non-traditional students (anyone except May 2024 graduating seniors) attending Nicholls: www.surveymonkey.com/r/nichollsnontrad; application for non-traditional students (anyone except May 2024 graduating seniors) attending Fletcher (all programs and industrial certifications): www.surveymonkey.com/r/fletchernontrad.
In 2023, BIG awarded $39,000 in scholarships to 12 students.

Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival is March 15-16

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 9:53am

By LISA SOILEAUX, LSN

RAYNE — St. Martinville will bring tourists from around the world to learn about the Acadians history, culture, traditions, historic stories and experiences during the 2024 Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival slated March 15-16.
The Acadian Memorial Foundation will host the Annual 17th Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival/Reception as follows: Friday, March 15, 6-8 p.m. reception, and Saturday, March 16, Festival will be held between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.
On Friday, the festival opens with a reception at the Acadian Memorial Museum, St Martinville, honoring two Acadian Cajun families, Dupuis and Cormiers.
Special guest will be Lafayette artist Ceci OKeefe Neustrom who will be displaying her 2024 paintings from her Acadian Heritage series. A brief presentation will be given as to the origin and history of the series at 5 p.m. The life-size portraits depict living descendants of the following Acadian families: St. Julien, Boudreaux, Arceneaux, Poirrier, and Thibodeaux. This is the first public exhibit of her 2024 portraits.
Neustrom is an Ambassador of Art for the Acadian Museum of Erath, and has been developing the series over the last ten years. The models are dressed in outfits befitting of 18th century dress and are poised in compositions reflecting the custom, background, dignity and endurance of Louisiana’s Acadian history. The family name and crest are painted at the bottom of the portraits.
The Acadian Memorial Heritage festival was created to share the history, cuisine, music, historic stories, educational interactives seen in the Memorial/Museums by bringing their livelihood traditions outdoors for all to experience.
Their story of deportation along with the historic settlement of the Acadians/Cajuns, who made a huge mark on the rich culture of Louisiana is beloved by North America, Europe and the world.
The city supports the strongest marker for the true settlement of the Acadians’ original home in France. All this and more makes for drawing tourist’s to this parish of St.Martinville.
For more information on tours, visitation, events or becoming an event vendor, contact Brenda Comeaux Trahan at 337-288-5914, the Acadian Memorial Office 337-394-2258 or visit www.acadianmemorial.org.
Since 2006 the Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival has brought attention to the Arrival of the Acadians to Louisiana with a re-enactment of that event by descendants of Acadians arriving at the Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville paddling Cajun pirogues on historic Bayou Teche.
The Festival also demonstrates age-old ways of Cajun cooking jambalaya, gratons and boudin, along with homemade sweets like gateau-sirop and dark cajun coffee.
And don’t forget the music – Cajun family bands playing traditional instruments and dancing, dancing, dancing!
The Festival is a family-friendly event with a loyal following of folks who appreciate the Festival’s efforts to honor a lifestyle received from generations past.
The Festival is important to the community/area and to the mission of the Foundation which is to maintain the elements of the Acadian Memorial such as the famous Dafford Mural, the Wall of Names and the Memorial Garden with its replica of the Grand-Pré Deportation Cross. Come support the Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival in preserving the Cajun heritage.
Seeking Craft, art, book booths on-site for $25, call 337-394-2258 or email acadianmemorial.org.