INSIDE: School news, 4G | Livingston Parish police bookings, 5G
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DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND • PONCHATOULA THEADVOCATE.COM
Jamboree upholds musical traditions
Christine Morgan AROUND LIVINGSTON
CMARCENEAUX@ THEADVOCATE.COM
Wienermobile hauls buns to Denham Springs The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will stop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at Rouses, 110130 Crossing Way, Denham Springs. The stop is one of many this year across the country. During the stop, drivers Jessica Smith and Matthew Heng will host fun activities for families and shoppers and pass out wiener whistles, a news release from Smith said. Each year, Oscar Mayer brand selects 12 recent college graduates to become “Hotdoggers,� Smith said. “Matt and I were lucky enough to cut the mustard,� she said. To view the stops, visit Instagram@TheWienermobile and Twitter@Wienermobile.
Birthday celebration
Seventh Ward Elementary School will celebrate its 100th birthday at 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at the school, 24495 La. 16, Denham Springs. An open house will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for those unable to attend the 1 p.m. celebration, a news release said. A reception will be in the cafeteria starting at 12:15 p.m. for former school and district employees and their guests, the release said.
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Country stars, local talent provide family entertainment BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com
Advocate staff photos by ANGELA MAJOR
A police officer high-fives children Saturday before the Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade begins.
MARDI GRAS
on a roll
WALKER — If walls could talk, the walls of the Old South Jamboree would sing. For more than 45 years, the iconic building has been a parish staple — one in which some of the biggest country music stars have graced the stage. “Look at this,â€? said show producer Carlton Jones as he pointed to each performer’s old photo. “There’s Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mel Tillis.â€? “There’s George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Bill Anderson, Don Williams, Conway Twitty, the Osmond Brothers ‌,â€? Jones said. As he canvassed the area, he smiled, recalling the tales he had heard from former owner Lester Hodges, who built the building and produced the country music shows for nearly 50 years. During its heyday, the Grand Ole Oprystyle building and its country stars would äSee JAMBOREE, page 2G
Parents Night Out
Jacket’s Against Destructive Decisions will host a Parents’ Night Out Valentine’s Day Fun Night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday at the Denham Springs High School cafeteria, 1000 N. Range Ave. Parents can get a romantic night out while children, ages 3 to 12, enjoy Valentine’s crafts, games, supper, snacks and safety tips, organizers said. The cost is $20 with a $5 discount for each additional child. All registration and money can be delivered to the high school’s front office. For information, email shannon.donze@lpsb.org.
A float rolls by the Denham Springs crowd during the Krewe of Denham Springs parade.
Paradegoers scream for beads Saturday during the Denham Springs parade.
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Advocate staff photo by ANGELA MAJOR
FOR MORE,
Carlton Jones Jr. welcomes the crowd Saturday at the Old South Jamboree in Walker.
THEADVOCATE.COM
Students gain on-the-job experience at school BY CHRISTINE MORGAN
Valentine banquet
The Way Church, 9775 Lockhart Road, Denham Springs, will hold a Valentine’s banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The cost is $25 per couple or $15 per person, which includes admission, dinner, child care and a free 4-by-6-inch photo. Additional photo packages will be available for $5, $10 and $15. Attendees can dress in formal to casual attire. For information, call (225) 7888962 or email
MARDI GRAS
Pierre said as he pointed to more than a dozen students busy operating the store WALKER — The high school just after 9 a.m. Thursday. “I love the fact that it Miranda East attends focuses on science, technology, gives me more experience engineering and math — with work and customer the STEM subjects that can service,� East said as she best prepare her for college. baked cookies for the upThe school’s store — the coming lunch rush. The Green and White Cookie store, which sells a variety Site — teaches her the job of items, from snacks to skills she needs — during balloons and school apparel, has been operating for the school day. East, who attends Walker years and draws a profit. High school, believes both Students who run the business conduct regular meetdisciplines are important. “We want the students ings, use QuickBooks to bal‘doing,’ � Principal Jason St. ance their budget and learn
cmarceneaux@theadvocate.com
Advocate staff photo by CHRISTINE MORGAN
Walker High School students bake cookies as part of their job in the school’s store, the Green and White Cookie Site.
how to market their inventory. The store is one of several programs — and opportunities — the high school has in place for its students as part of Jump Start, the state initiative pushing local school districts to develop programs enabling their graduates to get good jobs in their hometown industries. In 2012, Walker High awarded 11 different industry-based certificates to 345 students, according to the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. The certificates, most in high-demand STEM
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skilled areas such as information technology, welding and health care, were offered through 13 major industry partners and three higher education partners (Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU and North Shore Technical Community College). Several of the programs, such as the school’s store and the digital TV and media program, operate as businesses generating revenue for the school. “You come here and you äSee PROGRAM, page 3G