undefined 05-21-2025

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Pay raises for teachers, workers agreed to with union

Board to make final decision

Teachers and other school workers in St. Tammany are in line for raises soon if the School Board signs off on an agreement hammered out between Superintendent Frank Jabbia and the employees’ union.

Teachers would receive an additional $2,550, and other school workers would receive $1,750 annually under the proposal, which Jabbia recently negotiated with Brant Osborn, president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees.

Mandeville picnic builds traditions and memories

About the only thing missing is a pie-eating contest, but maybe next year

The 12th Annual Heroes at Home Mandeville Family Reunion is more than just the name says It’s a throwback to Memorial Day picnics of the past. It’s a chance to recognize and honor former and current service members and enjoy a good time on the scenic lakefront with food and music

“What we want people to know is that it’s open to the public, you don’t have to be just from Mandeville,” said event director Susan Brady “It’s for everybody We want people to come and honor our fallen heroes.”

The event starts with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. that recognizes local Gold Star families Music starts at 10:30 a.m., and the headline act Vince Vance and the Valiants — take the stage at 5:30 p.m.

There are also activities available, such as rope for a family tug of war, sack races and cornhole boards. It’s not a festival per se, in that there’s limited food and drink for sale, and guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic (gas grills only, no glass bottles) and sit out by the water and relax Shuttle services are provided from public parking areas.

Near the entrance will be a welcome tent with raffle tickets for local prizes, including gift certificates and pictures of times gone by

“It’s a good way to see the history of Mandeville,” said Brady There are contests for the largest group/family gathered, the most patriotic tent/table and the most patriotically-dressed person. There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome. Over the past five years, the event has raised more than $110,000 for a combination of fallen officers’ families and different police organizations.

“Memorial Day for me is about our fallen heroes. I have a brother

The raises would become effective with the school year that starts in August, Osborn said.

The district and union are nearing the end of year one of a two-year collective bargaining agreement that dominated school system politics last summer

Among a handful of other salaryrelated items, the new agreement also calls for stipends ranging from $250 to $1,000 for coaches who guide team to the playoffs or become state champions, as well as $550 per semester for employees who manage the Chromebooks laptop computers at their schools.

The School Board must still approve the agreement. The board is expected to schedule a special

meeting later this month to take up the issue, Jabbia and Osborn said in recent interviews. The pay raises, if approved, would mark a departure from the most recent stipends given to employees. Those were one-time payments and did not add to employees’ permanent salaries.

The school district has more than 6,000 employees.

Permanent raises were a focus of the talks between the administration and union, Jabbia said.

“We wanted to get out of the stipend business,” Jabbia said. “We felt it was important to start putting our money where we could for a permanent pay raise.”

Osborn posted some key takeaways to the proposed agreement on Facebook last week, one of which noted that this would mark the school district’s largest singleyear raise.

Jabbia said starting teacher salary is just over $49,000 now and would near $52,000 if the raises go through.

Another takeaway in Osborn’s Facebook post notes that teachers have had more than $6,400 in raises over the past four years, while support staff have an additional $4,205.

“We really had a collaborative spirit and did everything we could with the existing budget,” Osborn said last week. “I’m pleased with

Split vote to keep free school lunches at least another year

St. Tammany public school students will continue to receive free meals during the 2025-26 school year under a federal program that the School Board opted into at its June 15 meeting. The board voted 7-5 to continue the Community Eligibility

The West St. Tammany YMCA filled its property with hundreds of people who showed up for its national Healthy Kids Day initiative to race, dance, mingle and celebrate the organization’s recent growth and improvements. The YMCA also officially opened its pool for the summer and celebrated its newly lighted back field.

“Nothing but good vibes here,” said Joey Roberts, the West St. Tammany YMCA ex-

ecutive director

Jabbia
PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS

RAISES

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it.”

Jabbia and Osborn are also watching the politics in Baton Rouge, where the Legislature is mulling bills that aim to raise teacher salaries. Meanwhile, stipends for public school teachers and other school employees are included in the proposed state budget working its way through the House of Representatives.

LUNCHES

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Provision program for one more year, reversing a decision it made during a committee of the whole meeting the week before.

Terri Prevost, the school district’s chief financial officer, said the committee’s May 8 decision to suspend the federal program raised concerns from board members, school district employees and parents.

Provost said she and Superintendent Frank Jabbia met to discuss the concerns and financial options for continuing the program, which will cost the district an estimated $2.5 million for the 2025-26 school year

“I took a hard look at the options …,” she said, and determined that money could be made available for the food program without significantly impacting the district’s other financial needs.

A recommendation from the administration to continue the program appeared on the May 15 agenda of the full board, which had the final say on the whether the district would participate.

Some board members questioned the administration’s change of direction and expressed concerns about taking money from other budgets, such as those for school maintenance, to cover the cost of the food program.

Opponents said other programs that provide free lunches and breakfasts for low-income families could instead be put into play for those who can’t afford to pay Those programs require students from needy families to fill out applications to receive benefits.

Conversely, the CEP program provides free meals to all families, including those that could afford to pay for them, the opponents said.

Board member James Braud said parents would appreciate the district’s continued participation

“This is a good program,” Braud said. “It’s beneficial to the community.”

The CEP was established by Congress under the Healthy HungerFree Kids Act. Eligibility is on a four-year cycle, and school districts may opt in, or out, each year of the cycle.

St. Tammany school officials indicated that the 2025-26 year will likely be the last year of the district’s participation due to various factors.

YMCA

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Roberts said the registration showed 100 more participants than the inaugural event in 2024. Proceeds from those events will benefit scholarships to help youth attend summer camps and participate in sports programs, from swimming and football to soccer and T-ball.

Roberts said a recent grant from the NFL Foundation Grassroots program will also enhance both free play and organized games held on the property’s field behind the YMCA. It allowed for stadium lighting to be added to the field so that play can extend past the daylight hours.

“Previously, we have been at the mercy of sunlight, but now the kids will be able to use the space all the way to closing time. During the summer, they won’t come on for long, but we will really see the impact in the fall,” Roberts said. “It’s going to allow so much more time for football, flag football, soccer and just kids playing and staying active.”

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local fields. The grant for field lighting provided an $88,000 value, Rob-

erts said.

He said the ability for increased use of the field comes at a perfect time, since the YMCA realized a 13% growth over the previous year The positive turnout at the Healthy Kids Day also reflected that growth, he said.

The event is part of the YMCA’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families, and these kinds of community events are geared to inspire them all to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months and beyond.

“We know that we need to keep expanding our services to meet the needs of the community,” Roberts said.

Donna Laiche, associate executive director, said the success of the day pointed to the fun that members have together. “This day was about everyone coming together to have a great time and support our programs.

It’s our goal to be able to bring as many people as possible to all of the things we offer,” she said.

Among those who participated in the 5K were team members of Ainsley’s Angels of Greater New Orleans. Dressed in bright pink, the Ainsley’s Angels runners pushed joggers they dubbed “chariots” carrying 11 participants who would be unable to participate in the race otherwise.

Started in Lake Charles in 2013, the organization now includes chapters in 30 states and allows those of different abilities to experience sporting events through the volunteer efforts of “angels” who propel the chariots.

“We would love you to lend your heart and your legs,” said Ryan Cardinal of Covington, who runs the Greater New Orleans chapter

The organization also brings experiences, such as riding in Carnival parades and even adaptive water skiing, to those unable to participate on their own.

Following the race, the West St. Tammany YMCA held line dancing, Zumba and other activities in the gym. For information on the West St. Tammany YMCA and its programming, visit www.ymcaneworleans.org/ locations/west-st.-tammanyymca/west-st.-tammanyymca. For Angels info, visit ainsleysangels.org or email Cardinal at neworlans@ainsleysangels.org.

Northshore Food Bank needs donations, funds

The Northshore Food Bank shelves are emptier than they should be as the organization heads into the crucial summer months, and community leaders are asking individuals and organizations to help with muchneeded donations.

“Community donations are imperative to keep our shelves stocked with essential staple food items for our food insecure neighbors — whether through food or funds (of) support. We encourage everyone to help as they can,” said Northshore Food Bank CEO Yvette Roussel. “Every little bit adds up to help our neighbors in need.”

Roussel is also filling the role of development director (chief fundraiser) until the organization replaces former development director Scott Wallace, who took the job just one year ago, according to his Linked In account.

Covington City Council at large member John Botsford mentioned the need for increased donations during the May 6 council meeting, calling what Roussel and her colleagues do an “amazing” effort that must be supported.

“These are our kids, we’ve got to step up and feed our families. The rate of food insecurity in our area is surprising, and people don’t think about the fact that some kids get their only hot meal at school,” he said She said her group is being hurt by a considerable decrease of federal USDA support: “Weekly provi-

sions from our regional food bank have significantly decreased. Community food donations are down almost 28%. We anticipate this pinch will only get worse before it gets better.”

Botsford said the food bank served 810 families last year, a number that hit 1,135 through April of this year Roussel said the Northshore Food Bank, through nine different programs, addresses various barriers to access proper food for individuals, families, students, cancer patients, those with special dietary needs and homebound seniors. She said the summer months are typically slower months for donations and monetary donations, since schools and churches are some of the larger donors during the school year

The items currently most needed are applesauce, canned spinach, canned carrots, canned chicken, cereal and dry beans. Food donations can be dropped off to the Northshore Food Bank warehouse at 125 W. 30th Ave., in Covington on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in organizing a food drive, should contact the food drive coordinator at fooddrives@ northshorefoodbank.org. To make a financial donation, contact the development coordinator at clandrum@ northshorefoodbank.org or Roussel at yroussel@northshorefoodbank.org. For information on the Northshore Food Bank, visit https://northshorefoodbank. org/.

Prescribed burn set in Lacombe area

Staff report

In the Big Branch Marsh, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is expected to finish by June 1 a prescribed burn in a 113-acre pine savannah habitat south of U.S. 190 and north of Bayou Paquet Road in Lacombe. Smoke may be visible in surrounding areas, but impact to the public is expected to be minimal, the agency said. The burn was scheduled to begin in mid-May if prescribed conditions all coalesced, including fuel type, fuel moisture, relative

humidity, air temperature, wind speed, wind direction and other atmospheric conditions for a safe and successful burn.

Big Branch Marsh fire management program objectives include protecting private and human lives against uncontrolled wildfires through vegetative fuel reduction; protecting refuge resources from catastrophic wildfires; maintain biological diversity in fire-adapted plant communities; and maintain habitat for endangered and threatened plant and animal species.

PICNIC

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who was in Desert Storm and he came home, but some of his buddies did not,” said Brady “This is what Memorial Day is all about, having a special community event where everyone can come together and see our beautiful lakefront.” Here’s a look at other Memorial Day events planned on the northshore: n Retired Sgt. Maj. James A Kuiken will be the featured speaker at “Breakfast with The Best” at 8:30 a.m. on

last year

SUBMISSIONS

PROVIDED PHOTO BY /USFWS
A prescribed burn in a savannah habitat near Lacombe in 2021.
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Paul Bodet helps daughter Natalie do some chin-ups at the Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA of Covington on May 10.
Colette Roberts enjoys a hot dog

Summertime weather and the water feels fine

Contributing writer

Residents soon can grab sunscreen and goggles and head to their respective public community pools opening for the summer in Covington and Slidell.

The municipal pool at Peter Atkins Park, 701 N. Tyler St., in Covington officially opens May 30 and will maintain pool hours from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Lifeguards will be on duty during those hours.

The park is near Lyon Elementary School and includes a splash pad, as well as the pool, which is open to the community without charge.

The Lionel J. Washington Community Pool, the public pool in Slidell, will open May 24 at 705 Dewey Ave., across from the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana. The entry fee is $1, and hours are noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

The Lakeside Swim Club organization runs the community pool for Slidell and provides lifeguards, and manager Nicole Beebe said the fee will be refunded in case of inclement weather

The pool includes picnic tables and a family atmosphere, Beebe said, and it will remain open until Labor Day weekend.

Another summer treat readily available throughout the area are public splash pads, most of which require no admission fee.

Most commonly, a splash pad is filled with nozzles or jets that stream low-flow water up — typically to varying heights — provid-

PHOTO BY GRANT

Makhi Leonard celebrated Covington’s Juneteeth Freedom Day last year by frolicking with a ball in the splash pad at Rev. Peter Atkins Park.

ing water play for children of different ages and sizes. The water is recirculated so that it does not collect.

Splash pads are generally located in a park or even called a “splash park” — and are adjacent to other kid- or family-friendly amenities, such as playground equipment, picnic areas or biking/walking trails.

Splash pads can be found from Madisonville, Mandeville and Covington to Abita Springs, Slidell, Folsom and in Fontainebleau State Park. The opening dates and hours of operation vary, so residents should check websites and Facebook pages for details.

For information about the Covington community pool, visit www.covla.org, and for the Slidell community pool, visit lakesideswimclub.org.

Fitness courts just waiting for users

A pair of fitness courts now open in St. Tammany Parish are designed to provide full body workouts in the great outdoors at no charge.

The fitness courts, one at Koop Drive and another at Camp Salmen, each designate seven exercise zones: core, squat, push, pull, lunge, bend and agility There is also a Fitness Court app for users to download and optimize their personal workouts.

The courts were developed with help from The National Fitness Campaign, which creates recreational opportunities for cities, schools and municipalities by helping them find financing through the campaign’s business partners and other available sources.

The St. Tammany courts qualified for the campaign’s grant funding, which also allowed for local artists to beautify a fitness court wall at each site.

The Koop Drive wall art was created by Covington resident Joey Roberts, an amateur artist who is the Covington City Council member for District C. Wall art for Camp Salmen was provided by Mandeville artist Mandie Manzano.

Originally from New Orleans, Roberts has been living in Covington for almost 20 years. His baccalaureate degree is in kinesiology, and he has a passion for health and fitness. When the contest announcement was made, Roberts said he thought about his love of the sketch work he does mostly to amuse himself and thought the wall project might be a chance for him to showcase the St. Tammany community that has given so much to him.

“I had an image of Polaroid shots coming to life in my head,” he said “I made a preliminary sketch with my phone, used a pen

to tweak it, and submitted the sketch,” Roberts said. Those “snapshots” in his mind are now on the fitness wall at Koop Drive

depicting images of Abita Springs, Pearl River Mandeville, Slidell, Covington, Lacombe, Madisonville, Sun and Folsom.

We’reputting our energy into abetter Louisiana.

Manzano began her professional artistic journey in 2011, leading to collaborations with DreamWorks Animation Fine Arts and Warner Brothers. Her artwork can be seen on magazine and book covers and is exhibited in galleries worldwide She has a whimsical art style infused with elements from nature that feature vibrant colors and playful imagery

“When I saw the contest, this playful scene just popped into my head,” she said. “Alligators in boats, raccoons trying to fish, a pelican superhero, and even some froggy bodybuilders,” she added. The playful artwork that resulted now graces the fitness wall at Camp Salmen. The Camp Salmen Fitness Court cost was $227,000; the cost at Koop Drive was $291,000, the difference being the addition of an open studio surface for yoga,

PROVIDED PHOTO BY JOEY ROBERTS
Art by Joey Roberts depicts snapshots of St. Tammany
Parish communities on the fitness court’s outside wall near Mandeville at the Tammany Trace.
PHOTOS BY MARGARET ALBERT
Whimsical artwork by Mandie Manzano on the exterior wall of the fitness court near Slidell.
The new fitness court at Camp Salmen is is a multipurpose way to work out near the Tammany Trace.

Slidellhalts pop-up vendorson privateproperty

The SlidellCityCouncil has imposed a120-day moratorium on outdoor pop-up vendorshopevents so that regulations canbeenacted to makethe unconventional marketing effortsmesh with brick-and-mortar businesses.

“I supportsmall businessesbecause I am one.I believeinthe American dream because I’m living it.But in my experiences,inmysmall parking lot, it’sa zoo.”

Chief Mooneysettling in tohis newdepartmentalhome. PHOTOSPROVIDED BY

FirefightersinSlidell getK9

The men and women of St.Tammany Fire ProtectionDistrictNo.1 have welcomedwith open arms and head pats their newChief Mooney,a 21/2 year-old golden retriever specially trained to offer them peer support and provide crisis response in toughsituations.

Mooney,his familiar name, is the department’sfirst such support animal, and his job will be to support the mental health and well-beingofhis coworkers.Mooney is specially trained to recognize anxiety,stress andPTSD among firstresponders, andhis support will probably matter most when he offers happy,loving distraction to co-workers after critical incidents

The newcrisis response K9 was named in honor of Deputy Sheriff Jason Mooney,who lost his lifeinthe line of duty on Oct. 19, 2007, while responding to an automobile accident. Chief Training Officer TimHarrison first discussed the possibility of such a service dog for the department when he met Anjanette Montaño, co-founder and executive director of Thin Line Service Dogs of West Virginia, at anational fire protection conference.

Harrison next contacted Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann to discuss the possibility with him, and Kaufmann responded, “Why haven’tyou doneit already?”

Montaño’sbusiness breeds, trains and places service dogs. Andwhenit became clear that this would be the company’sfirst opportunity to train and place acanine for this specific type of work, her company donated Mooney to the department

“This is our inaugural crisis-response trainedcanine for Thin Line,” shesaid. “And youhave achief and department who ‘get it,’ or they would not have welcomed the possibility and carried it through,” she said.

Montaño saidshe chose Mooney to work with first responders in Slidell because hefunctions well with multiplepeople, not just individuals, and is one of thetop four dog breeds —Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles and rough coat collies —for service work.

She expressed confidencein Mooney’s new station in life.“We’re proud to pass on thisleash,” said Montaño, whostarted thecompany with husband Wayne, afirefighter and

military vet. They breedand trainservice dogs and provide them, at no cost, to first responders and veterans.

Mooney will spend hisdays on the job with his fellowfire personnel, then relax at home in the evenings and on weekends with hishandler,Training Officer/Emergency Medical Technician TimDudenhefer,who will keep Mooney withhim at the department’s training academy daily to ensure his availability to firefighters. “His arrival is perfectly timed, with May beingMentalHealth Awareness Month,” Kaufmannsaid in astatement. “Welook forward to welcoming Mooney intoour family,where he will be treated as avalued member of our team.”

The council voted 7-1for themoratoriumfollowing apassionate, 90-minute discussion at itsMay 13 meeting.

Supporters of the moratorium said it is designed to give city officials time to tighten regulations on pop-ups held on private property so that they don’t infringe on the operations of businesses in shopping centerswhere thetemporary sales ventures are held.

Thecontroversy came to ahead after an event in February at astrip shopping center at the intersection of Robert and Marche boulevards.

Owners of brick-andmortar businesses in the center complained that tents were erected haphazardly in the parking lot and on sidewalks, making it difficult for their customers to park andgainaccess to their stores.

Residents of an adjoining neighborhood also complained, saying the tents erected by vendorscreated atraffic hazard by blocking theviewoftraffic on Robert Boulevard. The complaintsprompted city officials to draft amoratorium ordinance that was introduced to the council in April. Several supporters of pop-up businesses urged the council to quash the proposed ordinance, but members opted to move it forward for avote at the May 13 meeting.

Deanna Miller,who owns ascreen printing and embroidery shopinthe strip center on Robert Boulevard, urged the council to enact the moratorium to prevent events like the one in February fromreoccurring.

She said that event was poorly organized, with vendors putting up tents in reservedand handicapped parking spaces and cars parked illegally throughout

DEANNA MILLER,who owns ascreen printing and embroidery shop in thestripcenter on RobertBoulevard

the area. Miller said shehas nothing against vendors who areusing pop-ups to get theirbusinesses off the ground, but shesaidcramming too manyvendors into small parking lots is unsafe and unfair to brick-andmortar businesseswhose customers are blocked from reaching stores.

“I support small businesses because Iamone,” Miller said. “I believe in the American dream because I’mliving it.But in my experiences, in my small parking lot, it’sazoo.” John Grigg, who now owns astorefront business with his wife on Robert Boulevard after getting their start with pop-ups, spoke against the moratorium,saying laws already on the books could address concerns.

He acknowledged that the Feb. 8event raised legitimate concerns, but that many otherpop-upevents are held without incident.

“I don’tthink shutting off theflow andpunishingthe wholebecause of the actions of one is fair,” he said.

Councilmember Trey Brownfield, who cast the lone vote against the moratorium, agreed thatthe city can address the issue by enforcing existing laws. Shutting down pop-ups casts an anti-businesspalloverthe city,hesaid.

“Wehavetobecomemore business-friendly,” Brownfield said. “This is bad for business. It killsthe hopes anddreams of smallbusiness owners in the city.” Council member Leslie Denham said efforts are well underway to refine regulations regarding popups, noting the moratorium could be lifted in less than 120 days.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby givenpursuanttoArticle 7, Section 23(C)ofthe LouisianaConstitutionand La.R.S. 47:1705(B) that apublic hearingofthe Mandeville City Councilwill be held at itsregular meeting placeinthe CouncilChambersatMandeville City Hall,3101E.CausewayApproachonThursday, June 26,2025at6:00p.m.toconsiderlevyingadditional or increasedmillagerates withoutfurther voter approval or adopting theadjustedmillagerates afterreassessmentand rollingforward to ratesnot to exceed theprior year’s maximum. Theestimated amount of taxrevenuestobecollected in thenext year from theincreased PoliceDepartmentMaintenanceand Operations millageis$1,272,420and theamountofincreaseintaxes attributabletothe PoliceDepartmentMaintenance andOperations millageincreaseis$1,021,943.

Northlakesingers beat theoddsfor 30 yearsasachoir

It was 1995 when TimEllzey got word that acommunity choir was starting up on the northshore Ellzey,anengineer for Shell at the time, had always enjoyed singing, but life didn’ttake him down the path of acareer in music. So the engineer withatenor voicetook a leap and was one of the 150who auditionedfor the group in the living room of then-director and founder Laura Lane. He made the cut.

The group, coined the Northlake PerformingArts Society, was a success from the jump, said Ellzey,attracting all sorts of talent from across the parish. Young, old, professionaland hobbyistsingers came together to share their love of music. The group blended their passion for song, creating an energy that would make Monday night rehearsals in the then-Graham ResourcesBuilding in Covington aretreat from the pressures of everyday life. Choir members had to bring their own chairs, and the group had to rent apiano,but the energy was electric.

“You’re singing next to doctors, teachers, mechanics, it’s just awide diversegroup of people whocome together and really love to sing,” said Ellzey He said hisjob at the time required acommute into NewOrleans where “long grueling days” in ahigh-stress occupation were draining. Getting to choir practice felt tedious.

“But when you finished that rehearsal, you had so much energy you couldn’tgotosleep,”hesaid.

“That’swhat singing does foryou ” Lane’soriginal mission —tocreateacommunity of artists —was working, and the choir hosted its first concert that year.Many more would follow Thirty years later,and the NPAS choir members arestillsinging their hearts out —Ellzey included. It’sbeen abumpy road at times, he explained, but all these years later, the choir is still active, still singing and will perform its 30th anniversary concert. “Pearlsofthe Past,” this week at Abita Springs Town Hall. Performances will take place May23at7:30 p.m.and May 25 at

St.

from theDisneymovie “Encanto.”

The group is led by director Kenya Lawrence Jackson.

3p.m. Ticketsare $15. The concert will honorthe choir’sanniversary,highlighting members’ favorite songs from thepast and also, asong from its first-ever performance in April of 1995.Songs willinclude avariety of genres,with numbers like the old Frank Sinatra favorite “Come Fly with Me,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and more current hits, such as “WeDon’tTalkAbout Bruno”

“We’re going to have areally positive evening. It’sone where youcan check your stress at thedoor and just relax andhavefun,”saidSandy Hughes, immediate past NPAS boardpresident. “The joy we will be exuding will be contagious.”

Butithasn’talways been blue skiesfor thechoir. The groupalmost didn’t make it throughthe pandemic, said Hughes, when researchers pointed to droplets in the air as the primary culprit to COVID-19’scontagion.

“WhenCOVIDhit, one of thebiggest spreaders of thevirus was thought to be singing,” said Ellzey

Parish Public Schools name newadministrators

Newadministrativeappointments madeduring the St. TammanyParish School Board committee meetings on May8are picturedwith Superintendent Frank Jabbia, second from right at back, and included, from left front, Jamie Bateman, Little OakMiddle School assistant principal; JessicaPinegar,Madisonville ElementarySchool assistant principal; TonyaBarth,LyonElementarySchool assistantprincipal; Patrick Daniel, Covington High assistant principal; Nicole Gagnard, AbneyElementary School principal, Byron Long, Creekside Junior High principal; Colleen Bordelon, Fontainebleau Junior Highassistant principal; Ryan Dieck, Northshore High assistant principal; Colleen Assavedo,Tchefuncte MiddleSchool assistantprincipal; Christian Hahn, Pine View Middle School assistant principal; JennyComeaux,Lancaster ElementarySchool assistant principal; Chandra Adams, Brock Elementary School assistant principal; CarolynDuffaut, BoyetJunior High School assistant principal; and Robin Mitchell, Lake Harbor Middle School principal.

Some Northlake Performing Arts Society members performing pre-COVID included, fromleft, Tim Ellzey, Kelly O’Connor and JerrySmolinski.

Both men are original NPAS members

The choir attemptedtotakeits rehearsals to Zoom, but it was difficult, said Hughes, as the timing of voices was always off on the video call technology.Itjust didn’twork, and in-person rehearsalsresumed in September 2020, with various safetyprotocols in place. Chairs were sanitized,everyone was spaced apart and the voices that once rang out in harmony did so on amuch smaller scale and through surgical masks, recalled the choir’s longtime leader Membership dwindled down to just14members, but it survived off good planning.The group relied on reserves that had been stashed away —enough to cover six months of operating expenses.

‘PEARLS OF THEPAST’

WHAT: Apair of concertsbythe NorthlakePerforming Arts Society

WHEN: Friday, May23at7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May25, at 3p.m.

WHERE: AbitaSprings Town Hall, 72077 LiveOak St

HOWMUCH: Tickets$15 at NPASsingers.org or at the door

WHATELSE: A30thanniversary party forticketed guests after theMay 25 concert at the showvenue,from 5p.m. to 7p.m.

MORE: Get additional details and more conceretticket salesvenues at npassingers.org.Nomoreparty ticketsfor sale

By Christmas2020, the choir— small but mighty —returned with aconcert. The group sang with masks on to 60 or so audience members, amuch bigger turnout than wasexpected.

Fast forward, and today’s Northlake Performing Arts Society will celebrate another milestone anniversary,atestament to the determination it took to getthrough those unprecedented times.The choir is back to its pre-COVID size with more than70membersand has long since resumed its regular fullseason concert schedule. Rehearsalsare back to normal andtake place at St.Timothy’s in Mandeville, andnew members arecontinually being added. Auditions are ongoing, but are usually aformality to place singers in thecorrect vocal group. Oneofthe newest membersis former CovingtonHigh School Choir director Cedric Bridges, who joined the choir after his retirement in May.Bridges, aprofessionalsinger, saiditwas achanceto enjoy his craft and to connect with others. Many members even come early just to socialize, he said. It’salso achance to be apart of something “bigger than yourself,” alesson he taught his students for more than 30 years. And at NPAS the energyisjust that. The choir is ablend of voices fromall ranges, backgrounds and ages that come together forsomething bigger than individual talent. But rather,the sound of acommunity

PROVIDED PHOTO
Tammany
Kenya Lawrence Jacksonleads her NorthlakePerforming Arts Society singers in an acapella selection.
FILEPHOTOSBYGRANT THERKILDSEN
The NorthlakePerforming Arts Society singers and Covington ConcertBand performed in a first-ever collaborated to givethe community ajoint Christmasconcertnear Mandeville in 2023.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Archbishop Hannan’s Class of 2025 moves on

The Magnify Vocal Ensemble sings during the NCS graduation at First Baptist Church of Covington on May 9.
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Northlake Christian Class of 2025 grads turn their tassels at the end of commencement exercises.
Northlake’s Class of 2025 process in to begin the graduation ceremony.
Graduates react to a slide show of highlights from their senior year at Northlake.
Nathan Uberawa gives the farewell address.
Sheri Gros lovingly touches the face of her son, Cohen, after he presented her with a rose.
Jillian Munster walks across the stage to receive her diploma from Head of School Denis Schexnaydre.
Makenzie Jackson is flanked by her parents, Marcus and Tameka Jackson.
Brody Smith exults in receiving his diploma.
Students react to the jokes delivered in the valedictory address.
Valedictorian Daniel King laughs at one of the many little humorous barbs he delivered in his valedictory address.
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
Archbishop Hannan High graduate candidates file into commencement at First Baptist Church on May 17.
Jane Edwards receives her diploma from Head of School Sheri Gillio.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS
Hannah Garvey reacts to receiving her diploma.
St. Scholastica Co-Valedictorian Mary Avenel addresses the graduates and attendees.
Ashton Bedford drew a big round of applause for being awarded one of the two Visitor’s LaSallian Awards at St. Paul’s graduation.
Leslie Adams celebrates with her son, John.
Graduate candidates walk through a phalanx of faculty on the way to the ceremony.
PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS
Graduate candidates stroll through the oak-covered St. Paul’s campus to the ceremony.
St. Paul’s caps sail up on May 17 and the graduates steam ahead.

FROM THE FILES OF THE FARMER

25 years ago

A huge forest fire between Lacombe and La. 59 just south of Interstate 12 forced officials to close the interstate to traffic for about five hours Sunday, authorities said “We had flames shooting 20 to 30 feet high along the north side of I-12, said Mandeville area Fire Chief Earl Gorrondona. Gorrondona said 27 firefighters from Mandeville and another seven from La co m be fought the blaze from 1:27 p.m. to shortly before 6 p.m. The interstate was closed to traffic from La 434 to La 59 at about 1:30 p.m. and the westbound lane of traffic was reopened at 6: 30 p .m. , Gorrondona said. The eastbound lanes were reopened before that time but the chief was unclear on the specific time of opening

All traffic was rerouted to U.S. 190 State Police and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office handled traffic control. The fire, which burned more than 180 acres of forest, probably began off Thistle Street and just east of a fire that consumed about 150 acres 10 days ago. The fire threatened homes in the rural area, but no one was injured in the blaze. Other western St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection districts have been plagued by brush and grass fires over the past week.

50 years ago

Thefts in Covington this week involved a number of parked vehicles.

On Saturday, a thief grabbed a purse from the front seat of a car parked on Monroe at Sharon Alley, following the theft of a purse and $40 from a car in the shopping center parking lot on Tuesday An item worth $188 was stolen from Covington Middle School sometime during late April and early May, and some $5 cash and some luncheon meat was taken in the burglary of a Columbia Street grocery on Wednesday A target pistol was taken from a parked car on North Madison Street on Tuesday, while on Thursday, some $39 in damage was incurred in a 30th Avenue residence burglary. Approximately $100-$150 worth of damage was done to the Church of God on Columbia Street on Thursday, and a bicycle and ice chest valued at $139.95 was stolen from a 22nd Avenue residence carport on Saturday

On Sunday, a soft drink bottle was thrown through the window of a store in the shopping center, police reported.

75 years ago

Friday,June 2 at 7 p.m.has been set as the formal opening of the St. Tammany Parish Demonstration Library, it was announced yesterday by Miss Lucille Glissen, president of the parish library board Ceremonies will be held in the Majestic Theatre building near the library in order to accommodate the expected number of outof-parish visitors, including citizens from the adjoining parishes, as well as the large number from St. Tammany Parish. Immediately following the program in the theater, visitors will be shown the new library in the Lobdell Building, which will be open for inspection A large delegation from Baton Rouge from the State Library will be in attendance and the parishwide opening in Covington will be attended by librarians and library friends from Washington, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Orleans, Jefferson, and other nearby parishes with operating libraries. The launching of the parishwide system will be a large and most impressive ceremonial and there will be a program with state, parish and city officials participating, since the new library is a cooperative endeavor For once all the books will be on the shelves and the full library staff on hand to meet St. Tammany people, Miss Sarah Jones, state library representative, said this week. Following the Covington ceremony, the branches will be opened over the parish as rapidly as possible within the next two weeks, said Miss Jones, with appropriate activities at each point. In addition to the branches already named — Slidell, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Pearl River — , it is probable that Folsom will also have a branch because of the interest in that community.

The Abita Springs branch will be housed in the City Hall. Mayor John Leveson, member of the library board, is already making plans for it, where it will be quartered in the mayor’s office. Pearl River branch will be in the new City Hall building now rapidly nearing completion.

Some of the branches plan to have program openings Others will hold open house, with the community being invited to visit their new library

100 years ago

Calcium chloride, a chemical highly endorsed by many towns as a dust preventative and as a bond for loose gravel, was applied experimentally on the streets of Covington during the week. Results are awaited with interest not only here, but in nearby towns.

125 years ago

convenience, and is rapidly growing in popular favor.

Fest in Madisonville benefits historic lighthouse

The Maritime Music & Art Festival was an event in Madisonville Park for families and supporters of the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse, with live music, food, art shopping and games for people of all ages. The festival was a fundraiser to help maintain and the lighthouse and stabilize the land surrounding it. The museum, which manages the lighthouse, is collaborating with St. Tammany Parish to stabilize the shoreline and protect the structure from erosion.

FILE PHOTO BY ST TAMMANY PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE Fire burns on Interstate 12 following a 2017 traffic accident.
Wynona Arnold shops in vendor Ken Newton’s Grit and Wonder pop-up in the arts area of the Maritime Music & Art Festival at Madisonville Park on May 10.
Jaquincia and Thomas Benton, of Benton Bistreaux, help feed hungry festgoers.
Dwayne Dopsie plays and the Zydeco Hellraisers keep people moving
Noah Ammerman and Luke Aderhold aim at some targets in the game area at Madisonville Park.
Luke Aderhold takes a ride down an inflatable water slide.
PHOTOS BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Jimmy Atwood and Jennifer Smith enjoy a dance at the festival.
Don’t be scared. Henry Denton is just getting in the spirit of a party in the park as artist Frankie Demelo gives him a new look for the festival.
Karen Ainsworth helps granddaughter Caurie Ray Ainsworth enjoy a treat.

MUSIC

OZONE: Get ready for the Ozone Summer Sound-off on May 30 in Slidell, a midseason music fundraiser in preparation for the group’s annual three-day songwriting festival in the fall. The summer show hosted by Emmy-winning, Grammynominated singer-songwriter Greg Barnhill, will also feature the work of Hannah Belle, Laine Bleu Madison and Stephen McDonald and Caroline Tebbs at Slidell Little Theater from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets $35 at givesmart.com/events or Ozonemusic.org. Barnhill founded the nonprofit Ozone Music Foundation eight years ago to educate, nurture and help open doors for aspiring musicians hoping to build careers, and it hosts multiple music events a year, from small group gathers to major performances.

ZYDECO: Accordion virtuoso Chubby Carrier and his Bayou Swamp Band will bring their Creole-based music played with zydeco flair to the Mandeville Trailhead from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 23, closing out the Mandeville Live! spring concert season. Carrier and the band, winners of a Grammy for zydeco album of the year, will bring plenty of energy to the stage, so guests should bring dancing shoes and a fest chair or blanket for seating — in case they ever want to sit during the show at 675 Lafitte St. No outside food,

Jefferson, in Covington. The show is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Get tickets on Eventbrite; $20, plus fees and taxes. GROOVE: The TerraBella Village community in Covington hosts a free public concert in their square on May 23 featuring the party band Groovy 7. The 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. event will also include food trucks, beverage vendors, and lots of green space at 111 Terra Bella Blvd. No outside food, drinks or ice chests. For more, see terrabellavillage.com/ events.

LISTEN: The next “Up Close & Musical” performance in the Harbor Center’s intimate listening room, the Lobby Lounge, takes place with a 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. show on May 27 at 100 Harbor Center Blvd. in Slidell with singer-songwriter Joy Clark, who has claimed “crying” as her superpower. “Tears of joy, because that’s what happens,” she told music writer Keith Spera. “I want to have that connection with people.” Advance tickets only; Eventbrite com seats, $22 plus fees; tables also available. The series features nationally touring acts performing acoustic or lightly amplified music

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS

monthly in the intimate, bohemianstyle, smoke-free, 124-seat venue.

CHORAL CONCERTS: The Northlake Performing Arts Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary with two concerts, one at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 and a matinee at 3 p.m. May 25. Get concert tickets ($15) online at https://npassingers.org or in person at Downtown Drugs in Covington or C&C Drugs in Mandeville. Tickets also be sold at the door in Abita Springs at the Town Hall venue, 72077 Live Oak St

THEATER HAIRLARITY: “Pouf” at the Cutting

Edge Theater continues with 8 p.m. show May 23 and 24. Come and see results in 1958 from mixing hair spray, head lice and a little dab of Elvis if you are Betty, an unfulfilled housewife who sets up an in-home salon when her husband forbids her from getting a job. But Betty makes the most, wielding her hair spray and bobby pins to begin changing the lives of neighborhood women by “poufing” their hair. The show at 767 Robert Blvd. in Slidell is an “uplifting” comedy with lots of big hair and big laughs. Based on the book by Lou Clyde. Tickets $30 to $35 at Eventbrite or save internet fees by texting (985) 288-2933. See www

Dancing a morning away with friends in Slidell

a banquet for the May pastoral meeting that included the honored guest, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Gathered with the Archbishop, center left, and the church pastor, the

Darmanin,

Janie Parks and Etchie Yauger

residents can drop off hazardous wastes

cuttingedgetheater.com for texting details.

ART

ONE MORE WEEK: The public is invited to a May 22 artist talk with painter Tom Walton at 6 p.m. in The Art House at 320 N. Columbia St. in Covington. No admission. Walton’s current exhibition of paintings that focus on the quiet spaces found in everyday places will hang there through May 24. THE MARKET: Visit the Columbia Art Market — Art in the Alley during the May 30 block party on Columbia Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The vendors offering fine art will all be St. Tammany Art Association members. Visit the market at 320 N. Columbia St.

BRIDGING: The “Be-Causeway: Bridging North- and South-Shore Arts” exhibition has opened in the Atrium Gallery on the Christwood campus near Covington. It features pieces from multiple, up and coming artists from throughout the United States who are represented by the Ferrara Showman Gallery in New Orleans. The show represents the Atrium Art Alliance mission to collaborate with other galleries to expand artistic engagement and visibility, and the public is invited to see the show through June 27, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 100 Christwood Blvd. No admission.

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44,000 households

Staff report

St. Tammany Parish is holding its largest Household Hazardous Waste Day event on May 31 from 8 a.m to noon at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington. By popular demand, the event has been expanded to accommodate 600 residents, but everyone wanting to participate must first register online and select an available time slot. On collection day, registered participants need only drive their hazardous items to the fairgrounds (using the E. Magee Street entrance only) during their time slot. Once there, volunteers will unload the items from passenger vehicles or pickup trucks — no trailers allowed

lected across events held in Mandeville, Covington and Slidell.

To register, select a time slot or to review a complete list of items that can be dropped off — and those that cannot go to stpgov.org/_ st_tammany_beautiful.php. The hazardous items to be collected cannot be safely placed in regular residential trash bins for collection each week, but they will be properly disposed of by the parish and Keep St. Tammany Beautiful. Last year, an estimated 42 tons of hazardous wastes were col-

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper says his administration is committed to sustainability through initiatives such as Keep St. Tammany Beautiful, green energy throughout parishowned facilities, the work of daily litter abatement crews, publication of the parish Green Guide, weatherization assistance programs, elevated water quality standards and Household Hazardous Waste collections that keep harmful materials from being improperly released into the environment.

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FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Slidell native and Ozone Music Foundation founder Greg Barnhill performs some of his original music at an earlier Ozone Songwriter Festival, one of the foundation’s several regular events.
FILE PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Joy Clark will be on stage at the Lobby Lounge on May 27 in Slidell.
Archbishop Aymond lunches at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Chucrh
PROVIDED PHOTO
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church’s Hospitality Ministry recently hosted
Rev. Dan
were ministry members, from left Susan Billiot, Elisha Parks, Darlene Matthews,
St. Tammany
PROVIDED PHOTO
The Happy Heart Dancers recently spent a happy morning line dancing for and visiting with residents of SummerHouse Park Provence in Slidell. The visiting dancers included, from left, Kathy Spadoni, Karen Breath, Donna Bruskotter, Lou Landry, Shirley Bagert, Tali Guidry, Evelyn Caronia, Cathy Springer, Dale Laborde and Tina Stout.

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