RSS Feed

Memorial Day is a bittersweet day on the calendar. Memorial Day is a day to pay homage to the brave men and women who lost their lives defending the United States. However, over time, Memorial Day has evolved into the unofficial beginning of summer.
As temperatures start to heat up, so, too, do backyard grills. In fact, grilling is considered by some an essential component of a good Memorial Day celebration.
There are many other ways to put your mark on Memorial Day cookouts as well. These ideas can make your event all the more memorable.
Keep it simple
Guests have certain expectations when they arrive at Memorial Day barbecues, and simplicity often tops the list.
A simple playlist of recognizable, popular songs playing in the background, classic yard games like cornhole or horseshoes, sack races or water balloon tosses for the kids, and tasty classic fare on the grill, including burgers, hot dogs and chicken drumsticks, is likely all you need to put smiles on the faces of your guests.
Prep the grill and yard in advance
Memorial Day may be the first big event of the season, and chances are that the grill and yard could use some attention.
Make sure all the burners are clean and working properly. Clear clutter from the yard and give patio furniture a thorough cleaning. Add outdoor furniture if you need more seating. If necessary, have a spare propane tank on hand so you won’t run out of fuel.
If you have a pet, be sure that the yard is cleared of waste.
In addition to cleaning the yard, stock up on citronella candles or insect repellents. Bugs may want to join the festivities, too.
Create a red, white and blue burger
No barbecue is complete without delicious burgers cooking over an open flame. Those burgers can give an extra nod to the Stars and Stripes by showcasing the nation’s well-recognized colors.
Place your grilled burger patty on your bun of choice. Top it with raw or grilled tomato slices (red), a slather of mayonnaise or a more dressed up aioli (white), and some blue cheese crumbles (blue).
Carry the color theme over into a side salad as well, with your favorite greens topped with beets, blueberries and chunks of feta cheese.
Serve buffet style
One of the easiest ways to serve a number of people is to put the food out on long tables so that guests can pick and choose what they want. Place condiments and beverages in a separate area to keep the line flowing.
Separate beverages
Make sure that alcoholic beverages are kept separate from non-alcoholic options so that children do not get into the wrong drinks. Coolers placed on opposite sides of the yard can eliminate confusion.
It doesn’t take much to make Memorial Day barbecues enjoyable. With delicious food and close friends and family in attendance, fun is guaranteed.

DEAR ABBY: I lost your cookbooklet collection! My family and I have really enjoyed some of those recipes. I have loved all the ones I have tried, but my favorites are the desserts. Particularly noteworthy is your Peanut Butter Pie. It is yummy! Please let me know how I can order the booklets again. I need them because I’m having a family celebration for Father’s Day.
SWEET TOOTH IN PHOENIX

DEAR SWEET TOOTH: You and I have something in common — our affinity for desserts. I have made the Peanut Butter Pie for guests many times, and it has been well received. The last time I prepared it, I thought I’d try to “de-calorie” it. I drained some nonfat yogurt in cheesecloth until it thickened and substituted it for the cream cheese. It worked beautifully. My guests couldn’t tell the difference. For readers who might like to try it, here’s the original recipe:

Heavenly Peanut Butter Pie
Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup butter, melted
2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, grated
Filling:
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 tsp. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup miniature chocolate chips
½ cup salted peanuts (optional)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
In medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs, butter and chocolate; mix well. Reserve ¼ cup crumb mixture to use as garnish. Press remaining crumb mixture onto bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate. Chill.
In large bowl, beat together peanut butter, cream cheese and butter. Add sugar and vanilla. Blend well.
Stir in chocolate chips and peanuts. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into chilled crust and garnish with reserved crumb mixture. Chill overnight.
Serves: 8 DISCIPLINED people.

My cookbooklet set contains more than 100 tasty recipes for soups, salads, appetizers, main courses and, of course, desserts for special occasions. Order by sending your name and address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mt. Morris, IL 61054.
I’m proud to say that some of the recipes included have won blue ribbons in country fairs, while others were featured on the cover of women’s magazines. But whether your entertaining is formal or casual, remember it’s who you put in the chairs in ADDITION to the food that makes a great party.

DEAR ABBY: My daughter’s boyfriend recently stayed at our home for eight days. He’s 50; we are in our 60s. He regarded “help yourself” to mean it was OK to drink our liquor from early afternoon to bedtime. How can we have some control over this situation without causing a scene?
BAR’S CLOSED IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR BAR’S CLOSED: Put a lock on the cabinet where you stow your liquor, or move it out of the house entirely when you know he’s planning a return visit. And while you’re at it, have a serious conversation with your daughter about her boyfriend’s insatiable appetite for alcohol, because it could have a negative impact on her future.

Staff Report

Ten students with 4.0 grade-point averages will lead the Berwick High Class of 2022 at graduation ceremonies Thursday.

Commencement is set for 7 p.m. at the high school stadium.

The 4.0 graduates are:

Carsyn Fabre
Carsyn Fabre is the daughter of Mickey and Tara Fabre. At BHS, she has been involved in Drama Club, helping create elaborate sets and decorations for plays.
Fabre has also been a member of Beta Club, helping at sporting events and often donating items for areas in need. She has been a part of the talented art program since second grade, trying out many different art styles but mainly focusing on creating pop-art paintings of her favorite musical artists.
She received first place for Fine Arts Survey and second place for Economics at the district rally, and received awards for having the highest grade in Speech, Food and Nutrition, Pre-calculus, Chemistry 1 and Spanish 2 classes. She plans to pursue a degree in political science at Nicholls State University, then she hopes to pursue a law degree.

Jaci Hebert
Jaci Hebert is the daughter of Jarret and Joy Hebert. While at BHS, she participated in talented art and both the BETA and Drama clubs.
In drama, she worked on the sets for school productions, and in BETA she volunteered selling programs and concessions at school games. Along with three of her fellow graduates, she was a “shining star” of BHS, picked by administrators for being a model student. She also participated in district rally her first year of high school for physical science.
After high school, Hebert plans to attend Nicholls. She is undecided on a major but hopes to focus on writing. She plans to travel the world and learn firsthand about diverse cultures and lifestyles.

Amanda Rose Jamand
Amanda Rose Jamand is the daughter of Jessica and Nelson Jamand. She has participated in the St. Mary Parish Gifted Program for four years.
She participated on the volleyball team for one year and attended Ochsner St. Mary Breakfast with the Docs. She has volunteered in schoolwide activities, such as decorating for homecoming week and cheering on the school baseball team.
Jamand has been awarded the Nicholls Academic Honor Scholarship. She is a fourth-degree WiseCat and fifth-degree PowerCat.
After high school, she plans to attend Nicholls to major in nursing and one day become a registered nurse.

James Klein
James Klein is the son of Frank and May Klein. He is a member of the Sound of Pride and the swim, power-lifting and tennis teams. He qualified for All-Academic teams for all three sports.
Klein has volunteered with the Boy Scouts to run the Tour de Teche and other projects. He also competed at the state level in all three sports. After high school, he plans to attend LSU to pursue a degree in business.

Magdalene Lemoine
Magdalene Lemoine is the daughter of Shawn and Stacey Lemoine. During her time at BHS, Lemoine was on the cheerleading squad and softball team all four years. She was also a member of FBLA, Student Council and ARK.
Lemoine played volleyball for two years and participated in power-lifting her senior year. Her junior year she was awarded first team all-district outfielder and senior year, second team. She was also varsity cheer captain. This year she placed third at the Regionals’ power-lifting meet and fifth at state.
Throughout all four years, Lemoine has gotten the highest average award in FACS 1, algebra 2 and U.S. History Dual Enrollment, and is a member of the 30’s + ACT club. After high school, she plans to attend LSU where she will major in biology or engineering.

Victoria Nguyen
Victoria Nguyen is the daughter of Melissa and Linh Nguyen. She is currently in BETA, HOSA, and Talented Art. On the weekends, Nguyen volunteers at a local petting zoo to expose herself to animals and their behaviors/lifestyles. Occas-ionally, Nguyen volunteers at the local Amelia church to create paintings or murals to fit their events.
Nguyen won the LHSAA poster contest and was recognized in the middle of the Caesar’s Super Dome during the LHSAA State football championship in New Orleans. She also won best of show senior year at the St. Mary Parish art show.
She plans to attend LSU to follow the pre-vet path and then eventually go into veterinarian school. After college, Nguyen plans to work in a clinic for several years until she develops the business skills to create her own clinic.

Mikah Mary Ortiz
Mikah Mary Ortiz is the daughter of Mike and Evelyn Ortiz. Over the past four years at BHS, she has enjoyed being involved in Beta Club, Key Club, FBLA, Acts of Random Kindness, Student Council (Class President 10th-12th), Health Occupations Students of America, Debate, Quiz Bowl and Hope Squad.
Ortiz has also enjoyed participating in volleyball, track, softball, power-lifting and tennis.
Volunteering at the Assisted Living Facility, being a student advocate for the LA NERR (Louisiana National Estuary Research Reserve) selection of the Atchafalaya Basin, Special Olympics, and St. Joseph Catholic Church have been tremendous blessings. She enjoyed participating in the virtual Hugh O’Brian Leadership Conference, becoming a first responder through her Emergency Medical Responder class, and attending the New Generation Forum by the MC Rotary.
Ortiz plans to attend LSU and major in kinesiology with the aspiration of becoming a physical therapist.

Emily Grace Terrebonne
Emily Grace Terrebonne is the daughter of Kelly and Mark Terrebonne Jr. She was involved in various school activities, including dance team, BETA Club and student council.
Terrebonne was dance team captain and made the top three for student of the year, maintained a 4.0 GPA, and danced in Disney World as an All-American dancer. After graduation, she plans to attend Nicholls and major in nursing.
After getting her bachelor’s degree, Terrebonne will work at a local hospital for one year, then become a travel nurse and work across the country. Later in her career, she intends to get a master’s degree in nursing and become a nurse practitioner.

Gabriela Maria Utra
Gabriela Maria Utra is the daughter of Grisel Torres. Throughout her four years of high school, she participated in BETA, HOSA, volleyball, tennis and power-lifting.
Some of her biggest accomplishments are being the pep rally emcee and becoming BHS Student of the Year. She also was active in the arts and has performed on the piano at various events.
In visual art, Utra received awards for various entries in the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Art Show and the St. Mary Parish Student Art Show. She plans to attend Louisiana State University in the fall, majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine.
Utra has hopes of becoming a doctor.

Jude Vasquez
Jude Vasquez is the son of Kimberly and Martin Vasquez; he has been in the Berwick school system for his entire school career. Vasquez was a member of the football team for three years and the baseball team for four years, and a member of the Beta Club for four years.
Vasquez earned and maintained a 4.0 GPA while balancing his lawn care business, playing sports, and being a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church. After high school, he plans to attend Nicholls and major in geomatics while continuing his lawn care business.

A bill to require Louisiana schools to inform students and parents about exemptions from school immunizations cleared the House this week.

“House Bill 47 basically requires that any communication issued to students or parents relative to immunization requirements include exemption information,” Rep. Kathy Edmonston, R-Gonzales, the bill’s sponsor, said on the House floor.

Representatives unanimously approved the bill on Thursday without discussion or objection.

Lawmakers vetted HB 47 in the House Education Committee on April 27, when Edmonston elaborated on the legislation.

“There is an option for exemptions with a written statement from parents or the student included in (state statute), and we want to clarify existing law the responsibility of schools to accept exemptions,” she said. “Currently most parents are not
aware that they can opt out of any immunization with a written statement. This will make it clear that it is a choice.

“Some schools refuse to accept exemptions listed (in state statute) and this legislation will … make it clear that if an exemption is presented it must be accepted.”

Jill Hines, co-director of Health Freedom Louisiana, a parents rights group, told the committee “parents and students have been done a great disservice by the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the many public and nonpublic schools across the state that have failed to accurately convey vaccine exemption information.

“Withholding exemption information is an egregious act of medical coercion, especially for those who may not have resources or access to seek accurate information regarding the law,” she said.

Hines provided committee members of examples of communications to parents with “complete omission of exemption information,” as well as demands for shots not required under current law, the use of a standardized form, use of a notary, requirement of a physician’s signature, and for vaccine information beyond of what’s required in law.

“In addition to these school policies that are not in compliance with (state statutes) some schools intentionally refuse to enroll students that submit a vaccine exemption,” Hines said, adding that similar issues in higher education are occurring, as well. “Education should not be held hostage in lieu of a medical procedure.”

Multiple parents shared personal stories with the committee of schools rejecting students based on school-imposed rules regarding vaccinations.

Gov. John Bel Edwards added the COVID-19 vaccine to the state’s school immunization schedule in December, though the change only applies to FDA-approved vaccines. In a letter to the House Committee on Health and Welfare, Edwards noted that “no child will be forced to be vaccinated against the will of his or her parents.”

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and Louisiana Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics opposed the bill in committee, based on concerns the measure could lower vaccination rates.

The education committee approved HB 47 with a vote of 7-4.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.