Board celebrated a successful school year May 20 and started work on a new one with pay increases for part-time workers.
WEST FELICIANA SCHOOL BOARD
The board recognized the winners of Teacher of the Year, Student of the Year, Support Staff of the Year competition, as well as retirees, a championship track squad and competitors in a national consumer education competition Recognitions of students and employees included:
n Chloe Doiron for winning National Student of the Year for LifeSmarts, a consumer education program sponsored by the National Consumers League. Doiron and her teammates Laurel Fiser, America King, Jules Gresham and Andrew Johnston also placed fifth in the national competition. They are sponsored by Leneeta Ewing and Ashley Doiron
n The state Class 4-A girls cham-
pionship track and field team, coached by Joy Cazabat, Hatem Bachar and Chris Holland. The squad included Tristen Harris, Giselle El Bechir, Diamond Peck, Alajah Cannon, Peyton Pirie, Alayah Stanley and Frances Neal.
n Bachar said only five members qualified for the state meet, but they managed to score 51 points and win the championship, bolstered by a first-place finish in the 4x200-meter relay event by Peck,
Stanley Harris and Cannon.
n Students of the Year, Elouise Robinson, Bains Elementary; Luke Monson, West Feliciana Middle School; and Julian Lovell, West Feliciana High School.
n Teachers of the Year, Anita Ewing, Bains Elementary; Carlye Williams West Feliciana Middle School; and Delanear Buffalo, West Feliciana High.
n New Teachers of the Year, Kalyn Metcalfe, Brian White and Jacob Church. n Metcalf, Church and Buffalo are finalists in their respective
divisions for state Teacher of the Year honors. “Having three finalists in a small district like our is huge,” Superintendent Hollis Milton said.
n School Support Employee of the Year, Maggie Kleinpeter, Lashonda Rogers and Asia Smith.
n Retiring employees who Milton said represent a total of 291 years to the school system, Evangeline Woodall, Carlotta Coates, Cynthia Whitaker, Sally James, Jill Thibodeaux, Nita “Beck” Monistere, Alicia Hamilton and Linda Walden.
Flower power fuels effort to bolster community, pollinators
BY FRANCES Y SPENCER
Contributing writer
Organic farmer and conservationist Paul Davidson feels the plight of endangered ecosystems, communities in economic distress, and disappearing pollinators like bees.
As the world debates complicated and costly solutions, Davidson is putting his bets on future blankets of wildflowers covering the Felicianas.
Davidson and his fellow organizers in the Feliciana Wildflower Project will celebrate the second annual Feliciana Wildflower Festival Saturday, June 7, and continue their quest to bolster the environment and
draw tourism dollars to the Felicianas.
In an effort to “save the (native) bees, save the world,” planting massive plots of wildflowers is the start of getting back to the area’s ancient roots.
“A native plant is what God put here,” Davidson said. “All the grasses we use for lawns aren’t native to the United States. They come from somewhere else. So much of the landscape we use comes from some place else.”
The original menu is vital to a healthy Louisiana ecosystem.
“This is the stuff that your native flowering plants are
ä See FLOWER, page 3G
The first Feliciana Wildflower Festival poster is on display as organizers finalize plans for the second annual event.
Farmers market coming Saturday
The Myrtles is having a summer Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday in June and July
East Feliciana COA to host picnic
The East Feliciana Council on Aging invites the community to its annual picnic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 13, at the Jackson Senior Center, 3699 La. 10, Jackson. This year’s event will feature a pirate theme with live entertainment, door prizes and lunch. Seniors 60 and older living in East Feliciana must register by calling (225) 683-9862 no later than Friday, June 6. The Day the War Stopped coming The annual Day the War Stopped, a reenactment by Feliciana Lodge 31, is June 7. The lodge is at 4794 Prosperity St., St. Francisville Visit felicianalodge31.com/day-thewar-stopped to see the schedule, which includes tours, a play and re-enactments, jambalaya cookoff, vintage dancing and more. Call (225) 635-3688 or (225) 6354224 for information. Learn how to help in emergencies West Feliciana Parish is holding
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
impose a speed limit of 15 miles per hour in the recognized subdivisions in the town. The ordinance grew out of an earlier request from Dippel Subdivision resident Cheryl Decoteau, who wanted her subdivision’s speed limit
Development rules, zoning map hearing set at West Feliciana Council June 9 meeting
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The West Feliciana Parish Council will consider major changes to the parish’s land development regulations and a new zoning map at its June 9 meeting.
The council introduced an ordinance at its May 12 meeting that sets up a public hearing and possible vote next month.
The council adopted a comprehensive code in 2023 to regulate how land is developed, but the plan lacked a new zoning scheme that prevented its full implementation. Parish President Kenny Havard backed a zoning map that was introduced last year but the council declined to act on it. Councilman Justin Metz followed Havard’s proposal with another map, but it, too, has languished without a council vote.
ä See COUNCIL, page 2G
Inmate allegedly beat his cellmate unconscious, then raped him
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
An inmate at Dixon Correctional Institute beat his cellmate unconscious and raped him, leaving the victim on a ventilator for weeks, the East Feliciana Sheriff’s office said. Tedrick Carter Jr., 20, was booked in May into the East Feliciana Parish Jail on charges of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree rape.
The attack allegedly occurred about 6:45 p.m. on April 30 at Dixon, a state prison in Jackson. Detectives with the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation May 6, reviewing
ä See INMATE, page 2G
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Paul Davidson, a founder of the Feliciana Wildflower Festival, is surrounded May 18, by flowers native to Louisiana currently growing wild in Clinton.
Lane information officer earns national certificate
Community news report
Lane Regional Medical Center announces Todd Walters, chief information officer, has been recognized as a Certified Healthcare CIO by the College of Healthcare
Information Management Executives. This credential is the only global professional certification for leaders in health IT and demonstrates a commitment to excellence and strategic leadership in the indus-
try a news release said.
Fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide have earned this designation.
“Todd’s certification reflects not only his professional expertise but also his steadfast commitment
to driving technology innovation that improves health care delivery and patient outcomes,” said Frank Corcoran, chief executive officer of Lane Regional Medical Center “We are proud to have him on our leadership team.”
INMATE
Continued from page 1G
surveillance footage and interviewing guards and inmates.
According to the arrest warrant, camera footage revealed that shortly before the attack, the victim threw his jumpsuit outside the cell then tried to retrieve it with a mattress pad.
Carter, who is serving time for armed robbery, told investigators he was intoxicated and talking to himself around the same time, and claimed his cellmate, after removing his jumpsuit, attacked him for being too loud.
Carter told detectives he retaliated by knocking his cellmate unconscious with his fists and stomping on him. He also confessed to sexually assaulting the victim after he was unconscious, investigators said.
COUNCIL
Continued from page 1G
Councilman Tab Ballard introduced the latest version, saying it had been developed over a serious of meetings with the parish’s land development consultant.
A hearing on the proposal will be held at the council’s 5:30 p.m. June 9 meeting
A new zoning map is included in the package Ballard presented. The proposed ordinance and map may be viewed and downloaded from the Parish Council page of the parish government’s website, www.wfparish.org.
A copy of the map may also be seen at the parish governmental office on
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
a free community Emergency Response Team certificate training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 and June 21 at West Feliciana High. The course is designed to equip people with skills to care in emergencies including medical aid, suppress small fires and support the community
It is an introduction to the Community Emergency Response Team for those who might be interested in joining. Topics include preparedness, fire safety and utility controls, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology light search and rescue, and active shooter Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/WFCERT2025 to register and www facebook.com/photo?fbid =1121233456709411&set =a.304478245051607 to get details.
Summer camps underway
Summer camps in West Feliciana Parish run through July 25 and are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, at the old Bains Elementary Gym. The camp is for ages 6-11 and costs $175 a week. It will have arts and crafts, weekly field trips and games. Call (225) 784-8447 for information. Register at www.wfprec.com.
4-H day camp set
The East Feliciana Summer Day Camp is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 18 at Redwood Baptist Church, 5182 La. 412, Slaughter Activities will include yoga, coking, nutrition, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, STEM, gardening and line dancing. Registration is open
“Yes, I touched him for touching me, for taking the gold out of my skin,” Carter told detectives according to the warrant.
Despite claiming he was attacked, Carter showed no signs of injury and later denied being hurt during the incident, authorities said.
Camera footage showed the victim’s hands last visible through the bars of the cell 6:35 p.m. Less than eight minutes later, a guard stopped by the cell and immediately called for assistance. During an interview with sheriff’s office detectives, the officer recalled Carter pointing at his cellmate and stating he wanted to “put a PREA charge on him,” referring to the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which mandates zero tolerance for sexual abuse in correctional facilities.
The victim, who was nude and unresponsive, was taken on a stretcher to the facility’s infirmary, then to a hos-
Commerce Street in St. Francisville or the West Feliciana Parish Library, Ballard said. Ballard said the latest version includes “some big changes,” including three types of allowable residential subdivisions, one with five-acre minimum lots and two with two-acre minimums.
He said he encourages the public to study the proposed changes and new zoning map and to contact their council member if they have questions or concerns.
Council President John Thompson said the ordinance’s provisions “are not cast in stone,” indicating he thinks some more changes are needed in the document.
Parish President Kenny
and costs $52 a camper This include lunch and a T-shirt. Register at tinyurl. com/3a7zje4t or email Kayla Banta at kbanta@agcenter.lsu.edu. Phone (225) 683-3101.
Arts for All classes
Arts for All has some upcoming events: June 9-13 Art for Kids with Julia Bray, ages 7-12, 9 a.m.-11 a.m in the Arts For All Studio. $175 June 16-19 Handbuilding Clay 1 class with Lane Thompson for adults, 6 p.m.-8 p.m AFA studio. $125 June 23-25 Handbuilding Clay 2 class (a continuation of first class), 6 p.m.-8 p.m., AFA studio. $125 Sign up for both clay classes for $200. June 26-27 & July 7 Clay for kids with Lynn Wood, 3 p.m.-5 p.m $150. ages 7-12 Send an email to birdmancoffee@gmail.com to register
pital, detectives reported. For several weeks, hospital staff reported that the victim remained unresponsive, prompting discussions with the family about end-of-life care, the warrant said. Recently, the victim regained consciousness and is breathing on his own, but continues to suffer from severe cognitive impairment and now relies on a feeding tube, said Bill Cox, chief criminal deputy for the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. Cox added that given the circumstances, the victim has been released from the correctional facility on compassionate grounds. Meanwhile, Carter has since been transported back to Dixon, where he is being held.
Email Aidan McCahill at aidan.mccahill@ theadvocate.com or follow him on X, @ AidanMcCahill47
Havard, who has pushed for a zoning map’s adoption for more than a year, said the latest version “is very, very important and will touch every person who lives in West Feliciana Parish.”
Considering that the parish may see an influx of new residents with the addition of a high-tech data center and related facilities in the parish, Havard said adopting strict standards for development is needed to prevent what he called “predatory developers” from buying up land and ruining the rural nature of the parish with crowded subdivisions.
“It’s time to move on down the road and get something adopted,” he said.
“Whether you’re for it or against it, be here (on June 9),” Havard added.
Library art wanted
Audubon Regional Library is holding its annual Design Discovery contest for 18 and under Participants should turn in a library-themed art piece by July 15.
Vacation Bible school
The St. Francisville United Methodist Church is hosting “Road Trip, on the Go With God” Vacation Bible School June 23-26. It will be from 9 a.m. to noon at 9866 Royal St. It will have Bible stories, crafts, music, recreation, snacks and interactive storytelling. Visit tinyurl. com/57hprkcw for information and contact information for registration.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 3880731.
NoticedisherebygivenpursuanttoArticle7,Section23(C)oftheLouisianaConstitutionandR.S.47:1705(8)thatapublic hearingofTheTownofSlaughterinEast FelicianaParishwillbeheldatits regularmeeting placeatthe Town Hall located at 3337ChurchStreet, Slaughter, LA on July,15, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. to consider levyingadditionalorincreased millage rateswithout furthervoter approval or adopting theadjustedmillage ratesafter reassessmentandrollingforwardtorates nottoexceedthe prioryear’smaximum. Theestimated amount of taxrevenues to be collectedinthe next year from the increasedmillage is $54,630.65,and the amount of increase in taxesattributable tothemillageincreaseis$216.89.
The schedules for West and East Feliciana Council on Aging facilities are as follows: WEST FELICIANA
n 12292 Jackson Road, St. Francisville, (225) 635-6719
n Start time for all activities is 10 a.m.
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY: Line dance
FOURTH MONDAY: Religious service
TUESDAYS: Nutrition education
WEDNESDAYS: Exercise/yoga
THURSDAYS: Bible study
FRIDAYS: Bingo/movie/excursion n All people 60 and older in West Feliciana Parish are invited to join.
n For transportation to the
center or questions, call (225) 635-6719.
EAST FELICIANA
n 11102 Bank St., Clinton n 3699 La. 10, Jackson
Wednesday, June 4
SEWING AND QUILTING CLASS: 10 a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. ART CLASS: noon Thursday, June 5
BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 6
EXERCISE CLASS: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
Monday, June 9
SEWING AND QUILTING CLASS: 10 a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
ART CLASS:
Todd Walters
DEMOCRAT
Top educators, student, staff honored
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
The West Feliciana Parish School Board celebrated a successful school year May 20 and started work on a new one with pay increases for part-time workers. The board recognized the winners of Teacher of the Year, Student of the Year, Support Staff of the Year competition, as well as retirees, a championship track squad and competitors in a national consumer education competition
Recognitions of students and
WEST FELICIANA SCHOOL BOARD
employees included: n Chloe Doiron for winning National Student of the Year for LifeSmarts, a consumer education program sponsored by the National Consumers League. Doiron and her teammates Laurel Fiser, America King, Jules Gresham and Andrew Johnston also placed fifth in the national competition. They are sponsored by Leneeta Ewing and Ashley Doiron
n The state Class 4-A girls cham-
pionship track and field team, coached by Joy Cazabat, Hatem Bachar and Chris Holland. The squad included Tristen Harris, Giselle El Bechir, Diamond Peck, Alajah Cannon, Peyton Pirie, Alayah Stanley and Frances Neal.
n Bachar said only five members qualified for the state meet, but they managed to score 51 points and win the championship, bolstered by a first-place finish in the 4x200-meter relay event by Peck,
Stanley Harris and Cannon.
n Students of the Year, Elouise Robinson, Bains Elementary; Luke Monson, West Feliciana Middle School; and Julian Lovell, West Feliciana High School.
n Teachers of the Year, Anita Ewing, Bains Elementary; Carlye Williams West Feliciana Middle School; and Delanear Buffalo, West Feliciana High.
n New Teachers of the Year, Kalyn Metcalfe, Brian White and Jacob Church.
n Metcalf, Church and Buffalo are finalists in their respective
divisions for state Teacher of the Year honors. “Having three finalists in a small district like our is huge,” Superintendent Hollis Milton said.
n School Support Employee of the Year, Maggie Kleinpeter, Lashonda Rogers and Asia Smith.
n Retiring employees who Milton said represent a total of 291 years to the school system, Evangeline Woodall, Carlotta Coates, Cynthia Whitaker, Sally James, Jill Thibodeaux, Nita “Beck” Monistere, Alicia Hamilton and Linda Walden.
Flower power fuels effort to bolster community, pollinators
BY FRANCES Y SPENCER
Contributing writer
Organic farmer and conservationist Paul Davidson feels the plight of endangered ecosystems, communities in economic distress, and disappearing pollinators like bees.
As the world debates complicated and costly solutions, Davidson is putting his bets on future blankets of wildflowers covering the Felicianas.
Davidson and his fellow organizers in the Feliciana Wildflower Project will celebrate the second annual Feliciana Wildflower Festival Saturday, June 7, and continue their quest to bolster the environment and
draw tourism dollars to the Felicianas.
In an effort to “save the (native) bees, save the world,” planting massive plots of wildflowers is the start of getting back to the area’s ancient roots.
“A native plant is what God put here,” Davidson said. “All the grasses we use for lawns aren’t native to the United States. They come from somewhere else. So much of the landscape we use comes from some place else.”
The original menu is vital to a healthy Louisiana ecosystem.
“This is the stuff that your native flowering plants are
ä See FLOWER, page 3G
The first Feliciana Wildflower Festival poster is on display as organizers finalize plans for the second annual event.
Farmers market coming Saturday
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
of Aldermen voted May 27 to impose a speed limit of 15 miles per hour in the recognized subdivisions in the town. The ordinance grew out of an earlier request from Dippel Subdivision resident Cheryl Decoteau,
Development rules, zoning map hearing set at West Feliciana Council June 9 meeting
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The West Feliciana Parish Council will consider major changes to the parish’s land development regulations and a new zoning map at its June 9 meeting.
The council introduced an ordinance at its May 12 meeting that sets up a public hearing and possible vote next month.
The council adopted a comprehensive code in 2023 to regulate how land is developed, but the plan lacked a new zoning scheme that prevented its full implementation. Parish President Kenny Havard backed a zoning map that was introduced last year but the council declined to act on it. Councilman Justin Metz followed Havard’s proposal with another map, but it, too, has languished without a council vote.
ä See COUNCIL, page 2G
Inmate allegedly beat his cellmate unconscious, then raped him
BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
An inmate at Dixon Correctional Institute beat his cellmate unconscious and raped him, leaving the victim on a ventilator for weeks, the East Feliciana Sheriff’s office said.
Tedrick Carter Jr., 20, was booked in May into the East Feliciana Parish Jail on charges of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree rape.
The attack allegedly occurred about 6:45 p.m. on April 30 at Dixon, a state prison in Jackson. Detectives with the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation May 6, reviewing
ä See INMATE, page 2G
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Paul Davidson, a founder of the Feliciana Wildflower Festival, is surrounded May 18, by flowers native to Louisiana currently growing wild in Clinton.
Lane information officer earns national certificate
Community news report
Lane Regional Medical Center announces Todd Walters, chief information officer, has been recognized as a Certified Healthcare CIO by the College of Healthcare
Information Management Executives. This credential is the only global professional certification for leaders in health IT and demonstrates a commitment to excellence and strategic leadership in the indus-
try a news release said.
Fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide have earned this designation.
“Todd’s certification reflects not only his professional expertise but also his steadfast commitment
to driving technology innovation that improves health care delivery and patient outcomes,” said Frank Corcoran, chief executive officer of Lane Regional Medical Center “We are proud to have him on our leadership team.”
INMATE
Continued from page 1G
surveillance footage and interviewing guards and inmates.
According to the arrest warrant, camera footage revealed that shortly before the attack, the victim threw his jumpsuit outside the cell then tried to retrieve it with a mattress pad.
Carter, who is serving time for armed robbery, told investigators he was intoxicated and talking to himself around the same time, and claimed his cellmate, after removing his jumpsuit, attacked him for being too loud.
Carter told detectives he retaliated by knocking his cellmate unconscious with his fists and stomping on him. He also confessed to sexually assaulting the victim after he was unconscious, investigators said.
COUNCIL
Continued from page 1G
Councilman Tab Ballard introduced the latest version, saying it had been developed over a serious of meetings with the parish’s land development consultant.
A hearing on the proposal will be held at the council’s 5:30 p.m. June 9 meeting
A new zoning map is included in the package Ballard presented. The proposed ordinance and map may be viewed and downloaded from the Parish Council page of the parish government’s website, www.wfparish.org.
A copy of the map may also be seen at the parish governmental office on
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
a free community Emergency Response Team certificate training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 and June 21 at West Feliciana High. The course is designed to equip people with skills to care in emergencies including medical aid, suppress small fires and support the community
It is an introduction to the Community Emergency Response Team for those who might be interested in joining. Topics include preparedness, fire safety and utility controls, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology light search and rescue, and active shooter Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/WFCERT2025 to register and www facebook.com/photo?fbid =1121233456709411&set =a.304478245051607 to get details.
Summer camps underway
Summer camps in West Feliciana Parish run through July 25 and are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, at the old Bains Elementary Gym. The camp is for ages 6-11 and costs $175 a week. It will have arts and crafts, weekly field trips and games. Call (225) 784-8447 for information. Register at www.wfprec.com.
4-H day camp set
The East Feliciana Summer Day Camp is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 18 at Redwood Baptist Church, 5182 La. 412, Slaughter Activities will include yoga, coking, nutrition, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, STEM, gardening and line dancing. Registration is open
“Yes, I touched him for touching me, for taking the gold out of my skin,” Carter told detectives according to the warrant.
Despite claiming he was attacked, Carter showed no signs of injury and later denied being hurt during the incident, authorities said.
Camera footage showed the victim’s hands last visible through the bars of the cell 6:35 p.m. Less than eight minutes later, a guard stopped by the cell and immediately called for assistance. During an interview with sheriff’s office detectives, the officer recalled Carter pointing at his cellmate and stating he wanted to “put a PREA charge on him,” referring to the Prison Rape Elimination Act, which mandates zero tolerance for sexual abuse in correctional facilities.
The victim, who was nude and unresponsive, was taken on a stretcher to the facility’s infirmary, then to a hos-
Commerce Street in St. Francisville or the West Feliciana Parish Library, Ballard said. Ballard said the latest version includes “some big changes,” including three types of allowable residential subdivisions, one with five-acre minimum lots and two with two-acre minimums.
He said he encourages the public to study the proposed changes and new zoning map and to contact their council member if they have questions or concerns.
Council President John Thompson said the ordinance’s provisions “are not cast in stone,” indicating he thinks some more changes are needed in the document.
Parish President Kenny
and costs $52 a camper This include lunch and a T-shirt. Register at tinyurl. com/3a7zje4t or email Kayla Banta at kbanta@agcenter.lsu.edu. Phone (225) 683-3101.
Arts for All classes
Arts for All has some upcoming events: June 9-13 Art for Kids with Julia Bray, ages 7-12, 9 a.m.-11 a.m in the Arts For All Studio. $175 June 16-19 Handbuilding Clay 1 class with Lane Thompson for adults, 6 p.m.-8 p.m AFA studio. $125 June 23-25 Handbuilding Clay 2 class (a continuation of first class), 6 p.m.-8 p.m., AFA studio. $125 Sign up for both clay classes for $200. June 26-27 & July 7 Clay for kids with Lynn Wood, 3 p.m.-5 p.m $150. ages 7-12 Send an email to birdmancoffee@gmail.com to register
pital, detectives reported. For several weeks, hospital staff reported that the victim remained unresponsive, prompting discussions with the family about end-of-life care, the warrant said. Recently, the victim regained consciousness and is breathing on his own, but continues to suffer from severe cognitive impairment and now relies on a feeding tube, said Bill Cox, chief criminal deputy for the East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office. Cox added that given the circumstances, the victim has been released from the correctional facility on compassionate grounds. Meanwhile, Carter has since been transported back to Dixon, where he is being held.
Email Aidan McCahill at aidan.mccahill@ theadvocate.com or follow him on X, @ AidanMcCahill47
Havard, who has pushed for a zoning map’s adoption for more than a year, said the latest version “is very, very important and will touch every person who lives in West Feliciana Parish.”
Considering that the parish may see an influx of new residents with the addition of a high-tech data center and related facilities in the parish, Havard said adopting strict standards for development is needed to prevent what he called “predatory developers” from buying up land and ruining the rural nature of the parish with crowded subdivisions.
“It’s time to move on down the road and get something adopted,” he said.
“Whether you’re for it or against it, be here (on June 9),” Havard added.
Library art wanted
Audubon Regional Library is holding its annual Design Discovery contest for 18 and under Participants should turn in a library-themed art piece by July 15.
Vacation Bible school
The St. Francisville United Methodist Church is hosting “Road Trip, on the Go With God” Vacation Bible School June 23-26. It will be from 9 a.m. to noon at 9866 Royal St. It will have Bible stories, crafts, music, recreation, snacks and interactive storytelling. Visit tinyurl. com/57hprkcw for information and contact information for registration.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 3880731.
NoticedisherebygivenpursuanttoArticle7,Section23(C)oftheLouisianaConstitutionandR.S.47:1705(8)thatapublic hearingofTheTownofSlaughterinEast FelicianaParishwillbeheldatits regularmeeting placeatthe Town Hall located at 3337ChurchStreet, Slaughter, LA on July,15, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. to consider levyingadditionalorincreased millage rateswithout furthervoter approval or adopting theadjustedmillage ratesafter reassessmentandrollingforwardtorates nottoexceedthe prioryear’smaximum. Theestimated amount of taxrevenues to be collectedinthe next year from the increasedmillage is $54,630.65,and the amount of increase in taxesattributable tothemillageincreaseis$216.89.
The schedules for West and East Feliciana Council on Aging facilities are as follows: WEST FELICIANA
n 12292 Jackson Road, St. Francisville, (225) 635-6719
n Start time for all activities is 10 a.m.
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY: Line dance
FOURTH MONDAY: Religious service
TUESDAYS: Nutrition education
WEDNESDAYS: Exercise/yoga
THURSDAYS: Bible study
FRIDAYS: Bingo/movie/excursion n All people 60 and older in West Feliciana Parish are invited to join.
n For transportation to the
center or questions, call (225) 635-6719.
EAST FELICIANA
n 11102 Bank St., Clinton n 3699 La. 10, Jackson
Wednesday, June 4
SEWING AND QUILTING CLASS: 10 a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. ART CLASS: noon Thursday, June 5
BINGO: 10:30 a.m. LUNCH: 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 6
EXERCISE CLASS: 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
DEMOCRAT
Monday, June 9
SEWING AND QUILTING CLASS: 10 a.m.
DEVOTIONAL: 11:15 a.m.
LUNCH: 11:30 a.m.
ART CLASS:
Todd Walters
Continued from page 1G
— what God put here,” Davidson said. “And the dilemma that we’re facing globally is the precipitous decline in pollinators. A good percentage of the food we eat is dependent on pollinators.”
For the past couple of spring seasons, Davidson has been planting patches of native wildflowers including Gaillardia and Rudbeckia, one of the variations of the wellknown black-eyed Susan Organizers see two types of green in their dreams There is the hope that blankets of wildflowers will create the type of tourist drawn seen in West Texas each year
“Those are also rural economies,” Davidson said “So, there
is a potential for East and West, Feliciana parishes’ economic development.” Organizer Arlene Culpepper said the 2025 festival will offer education programming for children and adults, live entertainment, food, discussion panels and shopping.
The festival will feature a petting zoo, gardening presentations, and the first art show of the newlyfounded Feliciana Artists Group.
The festival will draw from nearby Ascension Parish with the participation of the Children’s Entrepreneur Market that features young business owners displaying their wares throughout the children’s section.
For more information, email felicianawildflowerproject@ gmail.com or visit the project’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/ felicianawildflowerproject
Mary-Nell Anderson, MD is providingElectromyograms (EMG) andNerve Conduction Studies (NCS) through West Feliciana Hospital. These two types of tests measurehow well your muscles and the nervesthatcontrol them areworking. Dr.Anderson is a board-certified specialist with over 30 years’ experience in conductingEMG and NCS specialty studies
If youare experiencing anynumbness,tinglingorpain, askyourphysician fora referral to Dr.Anderson to discoverthesourceofyourdiscomfortand develop aplan to treatit soyou can feel better
Arlene Culpepper an organizer and publicist for the Feliciana Wildflower Festival
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Downtown Clinton is alive with flowers and posters May 15 as organizers prepare for the second annual Feliciana Wildflower Festival.
A bee reaps the pollination benefits of native wildflowers May 18 at a flower plot planted by Feliciana Wildflower Festival organizers.
Group unites to release art of the Felicianas
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Contributing writer
Legend holds that famous artists like Michelangelo could fully see the art before the creation process merely set it free
Kathy Martin sees a creative masterpiece living in the Felicianas and is on a mission to set it free.
Martin, an artist and painter, has been working for four months to exclusively find Feliciana artists.
“The main reason why I started the group is because I’ve done arts and crafts and painting all my life, and I realized that this area is just overwhelmed with artists who do some beautiful work,” she said. “I’ve got to thinking, ‘Man, wouldn’t it be awesome if we could get together and share?’”
Martin started organizing and recruiting local artists in February and the group is approaching 50 members. The Feliciana Artist Group aims to foster a community of artists, sharing resources and supporting each other Martin expressed her concern that emerging technology and artificial intelligence is
diminishing the value of original art due to mass-produced, computer-generated pieces. She knows that nothing can replace the emotional and personal connection artists have with their work.
“I know this might sound cliché, but an artist puts their heart and soul into a painting, they really do,” she said. “My (late) husband loved to read, and he told me over and over again that those books actually took him to the places in the book — then it made me realize, because I do the same thing with paintings.”
Martin was the poster artist for the first Feliciana Wildflower Festival and the newly-founded Feliciana Artist Group will hold its first art show during this year’s festival June 7 in the fellowship hall of Clinton United Methodist Church.
Festivalgoers can browse, shop and vote for their favorite works from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m For more information, email felicianawildflowerproject@gmail.com or visit the project’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/ felicianawildflowerproject.
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Kathy Martin’s painting that inspired the first Wildflower Festival poster sits next to a framed copy of the poster May 18. Earlier this year, Martin helped organize the Feliciana Artists Group
Kathy Martin reflects on nature’s influence on art Sunday as she prepares for the first art show of the Feliciana Artists Group to be held during the Feliciana Wildflower Festival set for June 7.
