The St. Tammany Farmer 06-18-2025 by The Advocate

his granddad and fi

cast a line during the

Fishing with a pop

BY SHEILA GRISSETT

Staff

June 7 was a hot and muggy day, but despite climbing temperatures and humid air, plenty of young anglers showed up that morning to wet a lucky hook in the Youth Fishing Rodeo in the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge. Ranging in age from 4 to 15, some were seasoned anglers; others, just beginning. The U.S. Fish and

Ski Dawgs put everyone on the water

BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer

For some, it’s a summertime rite of passage. The spray in your face as you bounce over the water Hair ﬂying in the breeze as the boat pounds through the waves. The exhilarating feeling of speed Laughter and screaming into the wind Pure joy Water skiing is in the same category as baseball and hot dogs as part of the summer experience. And now, for the eighth year, a group of dedicated volunteers affectionately known as Ski Dawgs will offer the thrill of water skiing to individuals who might not otherwise get to experience it.

“We love helping people get out on the water, especially if it’s for the ﬁrst time,” said David Thomas, a founder of Ski Dawgs Adaptive Water Skiing Himself a paraplegic, Thomas had participated in adaptive skiing prior to helping create the local nonproﬁt organization, and he wanted to make the experience available to others in St. Tammany Parish and surrounding areas.

The group offers water skiing to people for whom traditional skis just won’t work Instead, the Ski Dawgs use a custom built ski rig featuring an open tubular seat they call “the cage,” and a catamaranstyle tri-ski setup. The skier is assisted at take-off on the beach by volunteers, then escorted on their

run across the water by individuals who travel alongside them on jet skis. There is also a spotter on the boat pulling each skier

“Safety is extremely important. We want everyone to have a great time,” said Thomas. The opportunity to ski is open to participants with various degrees of ability or lack thereof, he said. “We’ve had quadriplegics, people with Down syndrome and other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and spina biﬁda.”

Mytchiko McKenzie, who is blind, will take her inaugural run this summer “I’m excited about skiing this ﬁrst

Authorities prep for hurricane season

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

With recent planned changes to state and federal emergency response agencies, state and parish ofﬁcials in St. Tammany Parish gathered June 12 to try and assuage concerns about this year’s hurricane season.

A few days after President Donald Trump announced his plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an audience of about 100 fire chiefs, law enforcement officers, and state and parish officials gathered at a church near Mandeville for the parish’s annual meeting to kick off the hurricane season, which began on June 1. The gathering, which the parish said was its largest hurricane preparation meeting ever, was too large to fit in the parish’s Emergency Operation Center in Covington. “There’s so many distractions, so many other things to be worried about — let’s focus on this hurricane season,” St. Tammany Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Clint Ory said, echoing statements by Brig. Gen. Jason P. Mahfouz, the interim director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Mahfouz, who took the top job at the state’s emergency management ofﬁce in March, when the Louisiana National Guard took control of GOHSEP as part of a restructuring aimed at cutting costs, said “The focus on efﬁciency and the structural changes within the merger of the two agencies do not take anything away from the mission.”

Still, Mahfouz acknowledged there was some uncertainty around what to expect in terms of emergency response from the federal government. “The only conﬁdence I have about what’s going to happen to the federal level is it’s going to change,” he said.

“There’s ample reason to be concerned,” Mahfouz said, but added those concerns were better left to the “backside of this hurricane season.”

Trump said last week he wanted to “wean” states off FEMA, the federal agency responsible for disaster relief and recovery after

a ride

Dad Joey Dunaway shows Rylan Jack Dunaway how to safely remove the hook from the catfish he just caught in the fishing competition for kids. ä More photos. PAGE 2A

PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS

Ja’khei Davis held safely aloft by

shing coach, Dewaine Bennet, draws back his little rod and reel to

Youth Fishing Rodeo at the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge fish pond on June 7

PROVIDED PHOTO BY SHARON HARTZOG

Clint Voelker takes

with the Ski Dawgs.

Reassessment sparks arguments from ﬁre district

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A Slidell-based fire department has ratcheted up its criticism of St. Tammany Parish Assessor Louis Fitzmorris’ 2024 tax reassessment and is urging the Parish Council to open an investigation. But Fitzmorris says the criticism is politically motivated and says his ofﬁce is already looking ahead to the 2025 tax year

“We are moving on, which I think the vast majority of the public has done too,” Fitzmorris said in a recent interview

Fitzmorris’ ofﬁce reevaluated properties in St. Tammany in 2024, which he said is required by state law every four years. In St. Tammany, the reassessment has resulted in some substantial increases in property values, drawing the ire of some residents.

During the Parish Council’s meeting June 5, a law-

yer for St. Tammany Fire District No. 1, Chad Danenhower, asked the council to investigate Fitzmorris’ 2024 reassessment. The ﬁre district has already requested the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office to investigate, though Danenhower said the legislative auditor declined, deferring to local law enforcement.

“Investigate what?” asked Fitzmorris in a phone interview, arguing it was ultimately up to tax districts like Fire District No. 1 to set their tax rates, noting they can roll back the mills they collect to lower residents’ tax bills. He said he was unable to attend the council’s June meeting because he recently broke a rib

“You’ve already got an issue of trust in this parish. This does not help,” Fitzmorris said.

Terri King, the head of the investigative committee of Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany, a community group that has criticized the 2024 reassessment on social media, said he met with Northshore District Attorney Collin Sims to discuss the reassessment. In response to complaints, Sims said he was conducting an “inquiry” and had requested documents from the assessor’s ofﬁce that he plans to go over with Fitzmorris.

Estimate

Property values have risen across the parish in recent years, echoing a national trend. Coupled with the recent reassessment, property taxes have shot up.

When there are large changes to property values, taxing bodies can adjust their tax rate in order to remain revenue neutral. For

instance, if property values go up, taxing bodies can decrease the mills they collect. At issue for Fire District No. 1 is an early estimate of the property values that Fitzmorris’ office sent in May 2024 to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Ofﬁce that the auditor then used to calculate an adjusted tax rate for the ﬁre district.

In his letter to the Legislative Auditor, Danenhower said the property valuation Fitzmorris’ office sent to the LLA was significantly low He claimed that when the ﬁre district adopted the LLA’s suggestion and reduced its tax rate from 35 mills to 32.41 mills, the district expected to be revenue neutral, but instead still wound up raising taxes on its constituents.

For Fire District No. 1, this comes at an inopportune time, as it plans to go to the voters in October to ask them to renew a parcel fee it also has, Danenhower said. The district has had

the parcel fee since 2006, when it decided to diversify its revenue source after some of its district stopped paying property taxes for a few years after Hurricane Katrina, according to Fire District No 1 Chief Chris Kaufman.

Fitzmorris, meanwhile, said the May 2024 numbers were just an estimate. Some data about the taxable property are not yet available to the assessor when it sends the estimate, Fitzmorris said. “You’re making a call in the dark,” said Assistant Assessor Troy Dugas.

As the assessor updated the valuation after May, the ﬁre district could have decided to reduce its tax rate by the Oct. 1, 2024 deadline, Fitzmorris argued.

“Ultimately it’s up to these taxing bodies to decide what their budget is and how much money they make,” Fitzmorris said.

Parish Council resolution

In response to the con-

tentious 2024 reassessment, the Parish Council adopted a resolution at its June meeting encouraging all taxing bodies to reduce their tax rates if they are able to.

“We’ve heard out there that some agencies feel like they’ve gotten more money than they thought they were going to get, but

Fitzmorris Kaufmann

Cam Greenleef relaxes on a stump waiting for a bite.

A young fisherman hauls in his catch while his dad and younger brother look on.

Ben Abrams is trying to beat the heat at the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge on June 7.

Ben Gill is pretty happy with his fish being measured by U.S Fish & Wildlife Service specialist Jimmy Laurent.

Allyn Dunn teaches his daughter Autumn, how to cast a line during the Youth Fishing Rodeo.

PHOTOS BY MATT DOBBINS

Liam Ray works his fishing line.

Zachary Lucas tries to stay cool while focusing on fishing

YOUTH FISHING RODEO

time,” said McKenzie, after her meeting with several Ski Dawgs volunteers. “I’ve also asked a few friends if they would like to ski also, and they said ‘Heck yeah,’” she reports, her smile reﬂecting McKenzie’s eagerness to give this new adventure a try Volunteers, donors make it all happen

Tracy Galloway Johnson, a member of the Ski Dawgs board of directors, has been involved since the beginning, and she is joined on the board by her brother, Jamie Galloway

“I’ve been an avid water skier all my life, but I was not a part of the disabled community prior to meeting David (Thomas),” she said “I love that we can help people go out on the water and have fun.”

Gus and Stacey Bordelon are a pair of volunteers who provide the ski boat, as well as host the take-off beach and picnic area for participants on their property along the Pearl River Navigational Canal

In 2017, Thomas and friends received training in the sport from an adaptive water ski group in the Dallas area. Then they put together the needed equipment using their own funds, recruited some friends to volunteer, and were on the water in 2018.

“The people in Texas really took the time to instruct us. Then we lucked out and were able to ﬁnd people who built this type of custom equipment. Even the handles and ropes are hand-woven by a man named John Lipscomb in Florida,” said Thomas As can be deduced by the word “custom,” the special equipment costs more than average.

“A ski (rig) with an adjustable cage costs about $1,600. Add the cost of insurance, food and porta-potties for the ski days, and (the cost mounts) up,” said Thomas, so the nonproﬁt is always looking for additional avenues of support.

Each day of providing these rides across the water costs between $2,000 and $2,500, Thomas estimated. “We’ve had some excellent support from businesses like Coastal Environmental Services, Ainsley’s Angels and we got a grant this year from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation It all helps.” But for those who sign up, a day of skiing requires no cash, check or credit card.

“I tell them it only costs a smile,” said Galloway Ski Dawgs board members appreciate the fact that this program really is a family affair, not only for Galloway and his sister,

HURRICANE

Continued from page 1A

hurricanes, instead shifting responsibility to state governments. FEMA has provided Louisiana close to $47 billion for 28 disasters since 2003. The changes to FEMA would not be implemented until after hurricane season ends on Nov 30, Trump said.

This year’s hurricane season is predicted to have above-average activity with an expected 13 to 19 named

but for the skiers and their families.

“We really try to make our ski days social events They can come and hang out on the beach for the camaraderie. There are not a lot of opportunities for gettogethers like this in our rural area,” said Thomas.

As far as the Ski Dawgs know, they are the only adaptive ski organization along the Gulf Coast. Participants and volunteers from Alabama, Mississippi and Florida join the Louisiana contingent at these events.

Ski Dawgs offer adaptive skiing experiences on a first-come, first-served basis four times each summer The first 2025 session is scheduled for June 21, and three others are set to follow on July 19, Aug. 16 and Sept. 20. Volunteers are key to the program as well.

storms this year, in part due to warm temperatures in the Gulf, said Julie Lesko, a senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service, at the meeting on June 12.

Ory also announced some of his ofﬁce’s new hurricane season initiatives, including a formal agreement with VIA LINK, a nonprofit based in Covington that will serve as a central hub for social services provided by nonprofits and faith-based groups in the parish. Residents can contact VIA LINK by dialing 211. The agreement is

in effect now, according to parish spokesperson Michael Vinsanau, but during a hurricane, the Emergency Operating Center will have a dashboard that tracks all requests for help.

The parish has a patchwork of different emergency response agencies, with its 14 different fire districts, as well as its various municipal police departments and the sheriff’s office — part of why the parish government said the meeting, which also included discussion of “contraflow” and general advice on individual preparation by

Madisonville employees get raises in new town budget

BY KIM CHATELAIN

Contributing writer

The Madisonville Town Council has approved a $7.8 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes funding for infrastructure improvements and a 5% pay raise for fulltime town employees.

The council at its June 11 meeting voted 3-0, with two members absent in favor of the spending plan that represents a nearly $700,000 increase over what was approved for the current ﬁscal year The new budget takes effect July 1. Mayor Jean Pelloat said the town’s projected increase in revenue is due in part to an increase in anticipated natural gas fees from new hook-ups The town budgeted $3.55 million in gas fees in the current budget, but upped that to $3.96 million for the 2025-26 budget. The local government also anticipates a rise in sales tax revenue because of new restaurants in Madisonville.

“We are fortunate to have a very good restaurant business in town,” the mayor said. Sales and use taxes are expected to generate revenue of $1.8 million, which is $70,000 more than the current ﬁscal year’s budgeted amount.

The budget also includes a signiﬁcant jump in interest income from $275,000 in the current year to $385,000. On the expenditure side of the ledger the total amount budgeted for salaries and

beneﬁts of town employees, including police, is $1.61 million. That’s up from $1.57 million for the current year In addition to the 5% raise for full-time employees, part-time workers will receive a 2% raise under the new budget.

Pelloat said several capital improvement projects funded in the spending plan involve improvements to the town’s wastewater sys-

tem, gas meters and other utilities. Continued improvements to the riverfront and to sidewalks in the area are also part of the plan, he said.

The budget’s projected surplus is $1.72 million, before grants and capital outlays.

Pelloat said the town is on sound ﬁnancial footing.

“We’re very healthy ﬁnancially,” he said. “We’re in good shape.”

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B) that a public hearing of St Tammany Parish Fire Protection District No 6 in St Tammany Parish will be held at St Tammany Parish Government Council Chambers at 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, LA on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:00 p m to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year’s maximum The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year from the increased millage is $ 876,642 30, and the amount of increase in taxes attributable to the millage increase is $ 65,309 85

“We need 20 or so volunteers per ski day They act as our beach crew, karaoke DJ, sign-in greeters, divers, lunch cooks, jet ski riders and spotters on the boat. If someone is interested in helping, we’d love to have them,” said Thomas.

New skiers are invited to reach out and sign up for a session or talk with Thomas if they have questions not covered online, but Thomas and his team get a special boost from repeat skiers.

“We love to have new people join in, (but) what we really love is seeing the ones who return each year The fact that they come back again and again tells me we’re doing something right.”

Go to www.skidawgs.com for information, registration forms to ski or forms to volunteer For additional questions, contact Thomas at (985) 516-8283.

the Louisiana State Police, was so important. “Organizing meetings like this ensures that we’re all on the same page,” said Parish President Mike Cooper Vinsanau said this was the “biggest emergency prep meeting we’ve ever had.”

Turning65ornew to Medicare? It’s time to get Medicare-ready

Learnabout your plan optionsfroma licensed salesagent—withnoobligation to enroll We know there’salot to learnwhenitcomesto Medicare andit’simportant to make sure youhave therightcoverage. Whenyou schedule ameeting with alicensedsales agent, they canhelpexplain howMedicareworks,the differentplanoptions available to youand helpanswerquestions you mayhave. Humana’s Medicare Advantageplans are designed to meet your needs andbudget. Exploreplans withbenefitssuch as: Lowornomonthly premiums

• Affordable deductibles, copays andcoinsurance

• Prescription drug coverage

• Dental,visionand hearingservices

• Health andwellnessprograms Get answerstoquestions like:

• Howmuchwillmyinsurance cost each year? Howmuchwillmyprescriptions cost?

• Aremycurrent doctorsinHumana’snetwork?

• Does this plan covermewhenI’m traveling?

Amorehuman way to healthcare® Y0040_GHHJEW7EN_25_FLY_M

Humana is aMedicareAdvantage HMO, PPOand PFFS organization with aMedicarecontract. Enrollment in anyHumanaplandepends on contract renewal.

Important

At Humana,itisimportant youare treatedfairly.

Humana Inc. andits subsidiariescomplywithapplicableFederal civil rights laws anddonot discriminate on thebasis of race,color,national origin,ancestry, ethnicity,sex,sexual orientation,gender, gender identity,disability, age, maritalstatus, religion,orlanguageintheir programs andactivities, includingin admissionoraccessto, or treatmentoremploymentin, their programs andactivities.

•The followingdepartmenthas been designated to handle inquiriesregarding Humana’s non-discrimination policies: Discrimination Grievances,P.O.Box 14618, Lexington,KY40512-4618, 877-320-1235 (TTY:711).

Auxiliaryaidsand services,freeofcharge, areavailable to you. 877-320-1235 (TTY:711)

Humana provides free auxiliaryaidsand services,suchasqualified sign languageinterpreters, video remote interpretation,and writteninformation in otherformats to people with disabilities when such auxiliaryaidsand services arenecessary to ensure an equal opportunitytoparticipate This informationisavailable forfreeinother languages.Pleasecallour customerservice number at 877-320-1235 (TTY:711). Hoursofoperation:8a.m.–8p.m Easterntime. Español (Spanish): Llamealnúmeroindicadopararecibirserviciosgratuitos de asistencia lingüística. 877-320-1235 (TTY:711). Horasdeoperación: 8a.m.a8p.m.horadel este 繁體中文(Chinese)：注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電877‑320‑1235

Madeline Pipkin approves of the ride.

Minnie Addison holds on, laughing all the way.

Ski Dawgs founder David Thomas, wearing the shark top, and his son, Zack, arrive at the ski site during an earlier ski day.

Nelita Manego Ramey gives a beauty queen smile and wave to spectators and volunteers on the water with her

Hunter White looks focused but happy taking his ride on the water

PROVIDED PHOTOS BY SHARON HARTZOG Chase Treadway looks to be having a blast on the water

Parish Council member Rolling laments library ﬁght

a lot of afﬁliation pressure,” he said.

‘I was so impressed by her’

spoken with Todd until she called him and asked him to nominate her

Differences over board picks are ‘tearing this parish apart,’ he says Rolling

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A Republican St. Tammany Parish Council member from Covington ﬁercely defended his decision to nominate a registered Independent and former Democrat to St. Tammany Parish’s library board, arguing party afﬁliation should not be the deciding factor in the board selection process. The Parish Council ultimately voted 9-5 against council member Larry Rolling’s nominee, Melanie Todd, instead selecting Travis Thompson, who had the backing of some of the parish’s Republican organizations.

But Rolling said that afterward many people thanked him for his speech, including conservatives, Christians, and almost every member of the council. “I think there’s

Todd has taught high school English at Christ Episcopal near Covington since 2012. Thompson is a project manager at a construction company in New Orleans and also serves on Slidell’s Board of Zoning Adjustment and the community group Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany Council member Patrick Burke said he asked Thompson, a politically active Republican from Slidell, to run because of his youth — he is 27 — as well as his commitment to the library and because he has small children.

Kids’ access to materials with sexual and LGBTQ+ themes has been central to the controversy in the parish’s library system in the last three years. The library has instituted a tiered card system that gives parents control over which library items kids can access, but the board could see renewed debate over what “access” means.

Rolling said he had never

Todd said in an interview she was partly inspired to seek the nomination by a powerful experience at a library board meeting in December She was there to help her son fulﬁll an Eagle Scout requirement, and the board was debating whether to put “The Hate U Give,” a novel some of her students were reading, in the teen or in the adult section, which kids need a special card to access.

filiation because he didn’t think it mattered. During his years spent on the Covington City Council, he said, political afﬁliation had never mattered for board positions. Still, he said he took a few days before agreeing to nominate her He prayed about it, he said. He also asked the registrar of voters to remind him of the makeup of the 18,000 voters in his district. While Republicans made up 46%, he said, 18% of the voters were Democrats, and 36% were another party “I serve a lot of people,” he said.

said that what he was doing could cost him his seat.

During a Parish Council meeting late in May, he watched as Todd was grilled by council member David Cougle, who questioned her decision to recently change her party affiliation from Democrat to Independent.

Then after he saw the meeting unfold on June 5, in which Republican council members’ political afﬁliations were openly questioned, Rolling said he decided to speak freely

Up next

While Todd could have another crack at being on the board — Parish Council member Jeff Corbin nominated her for one of the two seats that will be debated in July — she said she plans to withdraw from the nomination process altogether

Todd asked the board to shelve the book in the teen section, saying some her students, who could not afford to buy a copy, relied on libraries to access the book, which she called a “vital story to have on the shelves.”

Months later, after a colleague from her school, Pam Georges, resigned from her board seat, Todd said she decided to seek a nomination.

Rolling said Todd’s resume and the way she conducted herself during the interview impressed him. He said he didn’t ask her political af-

“After I really thought about it hard, the easy road for Larry Rolling would be not nominating anyone,” he said. “But I really thought about it, and I said, ‘I was so impressed by her, why in the world wouldn’t I give my constituent the chance to get on the ballot?’”

Soon after he nominated her in May, Rolling said, the threatening emails and texts started to come in. Some suggested he was throwing his party under the bus by nominating Todd; others

“This has to stop in this parish. This one board is tearing this parish apart,” Rolling said during a 10-minute speech, in which he lambasted anonymous social media accounts that accused council members of being traitors and Democrats.

“I want to ask my fellow councilmen. No group should control us. We are independent up here,” he told the council.

“This parish has so many different issues that people really care about in their heart,” he said by phone later “This library board and this topic sucks the energy out.”

“I talked it over with my family and decided if I did win, then I feel certain that that kind of really heated political rhetoric over something apolitical would continue for the next ﬁve years of my life, which is not something I want to sign up for.” Thompson, who will have his ﬁrst board meeting in July, said in an interview he, too, had been affected by the politics of the process, though he blamed his experience on people on the left.

“I really want people to be treated fairly not just conservatives, not just people who lean left. I promise to be fair and to work hard and to do the best we can do for the library system as a whole,” he said.

Wichterich creates Slidell’s White Linen event poster

PROVIDED IMAGE BY CITY OF SLIDELL

created by Joshua Wichterich graces the 2025 poster for Slidell’s annual White Linen and Lagniappe event.

nual event or Aug. 9 lde Towne

MARGARET ALBERT g writer

ist-illustrator-author Wichterich, the der of Blue Wing has been chosen year’s poster artmemorialize Olde Slidell’s ninth White Linen and Lagniappe event on winning artwork, “Stars, Sweet Tea, and Slidell Soirée,” is beatured on the ofevent poster and publicity materials for city’s cultural celebration that rolls ﬁne live music, delius food and plenty shopping into one memorable night. st the sight of it packs a visual punch since most who attend wear white or light linen to help with the summer heat. It will be an evening on the town designed for families from 6 p.m. to p.m.

Wichterich said his inspiration for this year’s poster art comes from one of his own works, “Mad Hatter’s Tea,” which is part of his “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” series.

“It’s a whimsical setting in watercolor and togetherness (that) the participants to come together relax and enjoy a summer evening during an otherwise tense time,” he said “The scene tells a story of friends, families and Louisiana critters, dressed in their ﬁnest, enjoying the magical atmosphere of a special Slidell summer evening.”

Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert said Wichterich’s talent and passion for Slidell shine through in his artwork and “truly captured the spirit of this event.” City Cultural and Public

Affairs Director Alex Carollo also offers high praise: “Joshua is an outstanding artist and authentic, compassionate individual who cares deeply about his community.” Wichterich studied his craft at William Carey College in Mississippi, and later at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Since then, he has worked professionally as an artist and been active in his community Wichterich is working on an art installation for the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany with parish art students that will debut this fall The work, he said, “is like a chandelier” of butterﬂies, individually created by each of the student participants.

Slidell welcomes the public to gather with friends, family and neighbors, dress in their breeziest whites, and come out to White Linen night in Olde Towne to shop, dine and sip some eventthemed cocktails, enjoy the live music and meet Wichterich, who will be on hand to meet and greet fans of his work.

Read all the details at myslidell.com, or follow “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R S 47:1705(B) and 47:1705 1 that a public hearing of the Board of Commissioners for St Tammany Fire Protection District No 13 will be held at Council Chambers for the St Tammany Parish Council located at 21490 Koop Dr, Mandeville, LA, on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 6:00 p m to consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval or adopting the adjusted millage rates after reassessment and rolling forward to rates not to exceed the prior year ’ s maximum The estimated amount of tax revenues to be collected in the next year from the increased millage is $4,926,199 and the estimated amount of increase is $423,638

PROVIDED PHOTO Joshua Wichterich created the poster art chosen for Slidell’s 2025 White Linen

Lagniappe event .

Artwork

DATE: FRIDAY,JUNE27TH •6:30PM

Jazz historian says Dew Drop is a unique treasure

BY SARA PAGONES

Contributing writer

“What stands out?”

That’s the question New Orleans jazz historian John McCusker asked history buffs gathered for a lecture on Mandeville’s venerable Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall as he pointed to a slide showing the 130-year-old wooden building’s cornerstone.

“It says Dew Drop Social and Benevolent No 2,” one audience member guessed, thinking the identity of No. 1 might be the answer

But McCusker was focused instead on something far more unusual as he outlined the story of benevolent societies that were created by African American communities after Reconstruction. These groups cared for their sick and buried their dead, and their brass band parades and funeral rituals helped give birth to jazz.

He pointed to the name at the top of the cornerstone: Olivia Eunice, who founded the Mandeville society

“It’s got a woman’s name on it in the 19th century, “ he said “You don’t see that. And not only that, hers is the only name that’s spelled out in its entirety, and it’s there above everyone else.”

That’s one of the stories that the Old Mandeville Historic Association and Friends of the Dew Drop wanted brought to light at the June 8 lecture presented by by the two nonproﬁt organizations with some common interests. Both serve as guardians of historic structures that are owned by the city of Mandeville; in the case of the historic association, that’s the Jean Baptiste Lang House.

Both nonproﬁts are dedicated to keeping the city’s history alive, and the fact that the Dew Drop is marking its 130th birthday spurred the idea of making it the subject of one of the Old Mandeville Historic Association’s free quarterly lectures.

McCusker, a career photojournalist, book author, the writer of stories and a jazz history aﬁcionado with a gift for historical research, created the Cradle of Jazz Tour several years ago to protect and mark structures associated with the creation and growth of early jazz in New Orleans. In early days, benevolent societies sprang up from Lutcher to Venice, as well as in both Covington and Mandeville

“It created a sort of network of entertainment venues, and local musicians would go and play at these,” he said. The societies sponsored dances and rented out their halls.

In Mandeville, the heyday came after the 1915 hurricane, when package steamers brought people to the northshore on excursions, the passengers enjoying bands on the boats and then taking a trolley to places like the Dew Drop McCusker also showed slides of Economy Hall, which disappeared after Hurricane Betsy, and the 7th Ward’s Perseverance Hall which he described as “all but gone,” noting that the Dew Drop is a rare exception.

“It’s really fabulous that the building is still in the shape it’s in, and that it is in the public trust,” he said. Still making history

The building on Lamarque Street, just blocks off Lake Pontchartrain, hosts a series of concerts in the fall and spring, pulling in some of the region’s ﬁnest musicians, as well as providing a children’s music and music history education program.

Tennille Parris, a board member of the Friends of the Dew Drop, told the lecture audience that she has personal connections with the building that is located just two doors from her great-grandmother’s home.

When I was coming up, the Dew Drop was abandoned, so all we did was sit on the steps and run around the buildings and play hide and seek and stuff. We never knew, growing up, what that building was, what it meant to the community until much later,” she said. Only after joining the board did she learn that her parents’ wedding was held in the Dew Drop. Parris said it is a priority for her that the Dew Drop goes on and that its his-

Parish,” she said.

Board member Jamie Roche said an important goal is to create a curriculum to “get the story right.”

That was the takeaway for audience members, as well.

“There’s too much we don’t know,” said Becky Rohrbaugh. “What we do know, we’ve rallied around as a community.”

As for the Dew Drop cornerstone with which McCusker started his lecture, he shared with the audience what he has learned about the four men who are listed only by their ﬁrst initial and last name.

tory be factually told.

“Just having the opportunity to work toward making sure that legacy continues and how that story is told We had community among the African Americans here in Mandeville, where we celebrated each other and embraced our culture, and (that) it has been woven throughout St. Tammany

Alphonse Francois attended Straight University in New Orleans and was a mason and a carpenter, McCusker said, “so it would make sense that he would be on the building committee of the benevolent society.”

Joseph Broussea was a Mandeville resident who worked as a house painter and whose ﬁrst wife had been enslaved. As for the other two men, S. Brown and J. Delaney, McCusker says he’s reached dead ends in his research.

Juneteenth in Covington welcomes all to celebrate

BY MARGARET ALBERT Contributing writer

One Covington and Future Leaders of Louisiana will present “Rooted in Freedom, Rising in Power,” Covington’s Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on June 21 in the city’s Rev Peter Atkins Park.

Past events on this day in Covington have featured a parade with grand marshals from the community, a fashion show and a scholarship recipient. This year’s celebration honoring the emancipation of the last of the slaves in the United States will be a bit different from those past; however City Council member Peter Lewis, the founder of One Covington, says, “We just want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Celebrants

the

The event from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. takes place in the park at 701 N. Tyler St. Juneteenth is a national holiday that celebrates the effective end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates the day that the last group of slaves in U S. finally learned from the Union Army officials arriving in Galveston, Texas, that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier Festivities will begin with a welcome from Lewis and actor-author Ashley Marissa. Michael Rush will provide music on the theme “We Are Family.” Speakers will acknowledge community pastors and honor historical places of worship. There will be a “Passing of the Baton” ceremony signifying the passing of power from

the elderly to the younger generation, followed by a performance of the Praise Dancers.

Beginning at 1 p.m., food will be served and visitors will be free to visit the resource fair There will also be family activities and games.

A Maypole presentation by Ashley Melissa will begin the next portion of the program, followed by a community gospel concert and candle walk with Pamela McKay, founder of God’s Unchanging Hands Feeding Ministry

The 2025 Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration is free and open to the public. Lewis said there is still room for businesses, resource vendors and health vendors, as well as sponsors for the kids’ area, to participate.

Additional information for the event can be found on the Juneteenth Covington Facebook and Instagram pages.

Fortunately, references to the Dew Drop’s female founder are more plentiful. When Olivia Eunice was 8 years old, a newspaper article mentioned her as a star pupil of a school sponsored by St. James Chapel in the Freedmen’s Bureau, and she grew up on Straight Street with her mother in New Orleans.

Her connection to Mandeville began when she was hired as a teacher at the city’s school for Black children and paid $30 a month; she married George Robinson, and they had a son.

What stands out to McCusker is not only her gender but her rather tender age of 26 years when the benevolent society was founded — and her a resident of Mandeville for just a relatively short time. “She obviously made an impression of some kind,” he said after the presentation. “She must have been formidable.”

While he has been able to unearth facts about the woman who died in 1906, there is something that has eluded him: her image.

“I sure would like to ﬁnd a picture of her,” the professional photographer said.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Covington is soliciting applications for a qualified appointment for City of Covington Fire Chief

Completed applications and the required attachments must be received at 317 N Jefferson Avenue, Covington, LA 70433, Attn: Eugenie Leggio by June 30, 2025 Approved applicants will be notified of the exact date, time, and place of the examination at least five (5) days prior to the examination date

Applications can be found at https://ose louisiana gov/wp-content/ uploads/2021/04/Competitive-ApplApril-2021 pdf

Or may be picked up at Covington City Hall 317 N Jefferson Avenue Covington, LA 70433

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

wrap

Emancipation Pole (or Maypole) at a previous Juneteenth celebration in Covington.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Built in 19th century, the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall is considered the world’s oldest, virtually unaltered rural jazz dance hall Patrons of its ongoing concert series often pack the small hall, while others choose to sit outside under the oaks, enjoying the music or having some food.

FILE PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER

The ceiling above the stage at the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Club in Mandeville.

PROVIDED PHOTO BY ELLEN MCCUSKER

Jazz specialist John McCusker captures New Orleans area music history in his photography, on his walking jazz tour, in his research and the nonfiction books he writes, and in the lectures he gives, like this one recently delivered on the Dew Drop Jazz Hall in Mandeville.

Slidell closer to lengthening airport runway

One parcel all that remains before relocating power lines

BY SARA PAGONES Staff writer

The city of Slidell took another step toward moving electric transmission lines at Slidell Municipal Airport with a vote last week to authorize the purchase of 5.3 acres owned by Weyerhaeuser Co. But before work can begin on what will be a two-year project, the city needs to acquire one last 3-acre parcel, Mayor Bill Borchert said. The project required buying just over 50 acres from four different property owners at $6,500 an acre.

Slidell ofﬁcials began pushing to move the lines after the 2016 crash of a plane that was returning from an aerial spraying for the St. Tammany Mosquito Abatement District

The twin-engine plane hit the top of the 80foot towers that carry the lines and crashed into woods near the runway, killing pilots Wayne Fisher and Donald Pechon.

Three years later, Cleco and Entergy agreed to pay to move the lines.

At that time, city and parish ofﬁcials said that the move would be an economic development boon by allowing for an eventual extension of the airport’s runway by another 1,000 feet. Area economic and political leaders have made no secret that they’d like to see the parish grow a larger base of light manufacturing, warehousing and distribu-

LAKESHORE HIGH CLASS OF 2025

Mason Alex Chexnayder, Jaylen Ray Clayton, Shelby Jane Cochran, Selena Victoria Collins, Ava Rose Conley Laila Latrice Cousin, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Croom, Stella Rose Crovetto, and Greg Charles Cusimano Jr. Also, Ariel Audryanna Rose Daughtry, Charles Othello Davis Jr., Logan Conner Desoto, Aydan Joseph Dixon, Mats Guiseppe Dolese, Blaine Patrick Doyle, Andrew Mark Duvieilh, Elliana Elizabeth Entrekin, Josie Elaine Epstein, Aiden Mark Eyman, Katherine Lynn Farkas, Teresa Belle Farkas, Ayden David Fath, Drew Joseph Favalora, Micheal James Fayard Jr., Drake Nicholas O‘Bryant Flot, Cameron Alexander Folks, James Andrew Fox Lucy Mae Furman, Jaden Tristan Garland, Jaden Isiah Garrett, Cam‘Ron Cortez Gary, Alexandra Jade Gentner, Brandon Luke Gifﬁn, Riley Michael Graham, Delaney June Grau, Ethan Thomas Grifﬁn, Olivia Kathleen Guth, Mackenzie Alise Harding, Amyrie Janai Harrell, Kaleb Ray Hayes, Rosi Mariely Hernandez, Emily Grace Hingle, Paige Vivian Holland, Mark Bryan Holley III, Brandon Zachary Hudson and Camryn Necole Hurst. Also, Cherish Arelena Jackson Samantha Anne Jaeger, Vincent Rene Jeanfreau Jr., Ashley Elizabeth Johnson, Reece Richards Jones, Robert Pierce Jones III, Dominic Joseph Joppa, Katelynn Marie Kahl, Darby Elise Keating, Makenzie Grace Kell, Abigail Laine Keyser, Emma Grace Keyser, Cameron Blake Kirby, Evan Thomas Kitchen, Perry Nicholas LaBorde, Michael Thomas Ladner Jr., Chelsea Francesca Landaverde, Hunter Joseph Lassere, Bryce Anthony Latino, London Reese Laudun, Christopher Joseph Laurent III, Clair Lyn Lavarine, Mackenzie Catherine LeBlanc, Evan James LeCompte, Hailey Michelle LeCompte, Emma Juliana Ledet, Andrea Leon, Peyton Michael

Lerille, Liana Anita Levy, Isabella Frances Lober, Dana Nicole Maggio, Baileigh Ann Mahne, Jackson David Mahner, Gage Alexander Mangipano, Eimy Yaheli Maradiaga Sauceda, Kaenan Kole Marquette, Andrew Michael Martinez, Gavin Alexander Martinez, Kentrell Renee‘Mayes, Aiden Brody Cinaed McAlpine, Abbey Laine McGill, Liam Holland McGuire, Alex Richard Mecom, Sophie Claire Mecom, Jaida Ashlan Melan, Analise Madalyn Miller, Lola Olivia Miranda, Gabriel Anthony Najolia, Micah Schoen Nebeker, Owen Lance Norman, Kadence Giovanna O‘Malley, Aliviah Alexandra O‘Neal, Marina Gayle Olson, Deanna Nicole Padilla, Soledad Irene Pampo, Avery Jade Pellegrin,, Alexis Marie Penton, Grace Elizabeth Person, Kato Scott Pichon Jr., Kate Marie Pilet, Mason Thomas Prinzo, Olivia Rae Quick, and Ashley Patricia Ragas. Also, Sonia Ramirez-Casiano, Shaun Steven Ray Jr., Samuel Charles Rehage Jr., Myla Nicole Rentrop, Spencer Lamar Rogers, Braxton James Rosiere, Derrian Dashon Ross Bailey Marie Route, Kevin Pozza Russell, Thomas Pozza Russell, Richard Anthony Sanderson III, Reese Everett Sanzone, Kirstden Melina Saweikis, Jackson Anthony Sayles, Nova Rae Scheckler, Austin Matthew Schellhaas, Ella Reese Schoder, Madison Marie Semel, Alexzander Scott Sewell, Kelly Eugene Sheasby Jr., Lane Thomas Sheasby, Schlief Marie Sheasby, Aidan Thomas Sheldon, Gabrielle Lynn Shores, Trenton Bryce Shows, Hayden White Simon, Savannah Rae Spicuzza-Woodcock, Timothy Michael St. Angelo, Dylan Michael Stein, Josephine Marie Stephens, Teagan Rayne Stradley, Sophia Bassima Tahsildar, Hannah Grace Templet, Dominic Alan Thrifﬁley, Zoe Madison Tranchina, Bria Marie Triche, Jenna Katherine Truesdell, Chloe Elise Tusan, Cohen Lamont Vander Jr., Chloe Michelle Vazquez, Lauren Elizabeth Veillette, Shaye Ariel Vicknair, Elly Leighton Vita, Tyson Kane Wall, Benjamin David Watson, Cooper Riley

Lauren Veillette

Weber, Brodie Austin Welsh, Alexis Nevaeh Whiting, Amrieual Daja‘H Joy Williams, Hannah Sue Williams

Jordan Marquise Williams, Lillian Jade Williams, Beauxdy Daniel Willie Mandi Elizabeth Wise, Ashley Brooke Woods, Elliot Matthew Wright, Sophia Grace Zelaya, Reagan Elise Ziegler, Royce Matthew Ziegler.

Teagan Stradley

Lucy Mae Furman

Michael Fayard Katherine ‘Heath’ Farkas

Caylea Causey

Daniel Calcagno

Madison Busque Connor Barr Lindsay Admire

PROVIDED PHOTO BY CITY OF SLIDLEL

Slidell Municipal Airport

Anderson,

André, James Anthony Anguzza,

ryn Ansardi, Ani Catherine Arcana, Addyson Renee Arceneaux, Sarah Anne Arceneaux, Ava Olivia Arnold, Adeline Rose Artigue, Lukas Kyan Ashley, Ryan Lane Ashley, Anthony Elias Atkins, Camrynn Jazlynn Aultman, Andrea Yanai Aviles Hernandez, Harrison Julius Bagley, Andrew Loyd Baham, Isaiah Gabriel Baham, Andrew Devine Baird, Giulia Balbo, Ashton Ray Ball, Adam Ballantine, Emma Grace Bankston Christian Michael Barbu, Donovan James Barilleaux, Caroline Rose Barnes, Camryn Elise Barrett, Mariah Angel Batiste Kiersten Hope Bautista, Sylvanta Jahnoe Bell, Liam Finnegan Bennett Payton Joseph Bennett, Daniel James Benoit, Jr., Andrew Wesley Benson, Meghan Catherine Bergeron, Molly Grace Bergeron, Jacob Kyle Berniard, Madeleine Olivia Bertel, Cameron Bradley Bertoniere, Dylan Christopher Bild, Brooke Ann Binnings, Blaise Dane Blackwell, Davis Austin Bloom, Alexandra Catherine Bohne, Payton Joseph Boice, Coby Joshua Bollmeyer, Sreeharsh Bollu, Damien Leigh Bonck, Vincent Patrick Bortocek, Quinn Michael Boudreaux, Rose Cherie Boudreaux, Samantha Grace Bourg, Jenna Elaine Bouton, Morgan Elizabeth Bowden, Hannah Elisabeth Bradley, Hailey Elizabeth Brassette, Isabella Mia Braun, Addison Evelyn Brayden, Carter Stephen Brown, Jada Denise Brown, Jana Marie Brown, Brayden Keith Brumﬁeld, Nico Dante Bruno, Kylee Rachael Buky, Janelle Marie Bules, Connor Paul Burmaster, Marley Skye Burslem, Brooke Elizabeth Buster, and Cyan A’lese Butler. Also, Keith Cabrera, Conrad Bryce Cadis, Ashton Lamar Calderini, Caroline Elizabeth Callahan, Logan Jacob Callahan, Marisa Claire Callejas, Katie Christine Callihan, Juan Carlos Canales, Jr., Morgan Lorraine Cancienne, Braeden Matthew Carbo, Samantha Abigail Cardenas, Lucas James Carrick, Timothy Dwayne Carrier, Blake Patrick Carrington Margaret Ann Caserta, Charles Benjamin Casley Jr., William Casimir Cazayoux, My’La Elizabeth Celestine, Camille Grace Chapel Smit Kumar Chaudhari, Robert Franklin Cheek III, Mason Chase Chelena, Elaine Chen, Bryson Paul Cheney, Kourtney Morgan Chiasson, Chiwoo Michael Choe, Cadence Riley Chreene, Bodo Michael Claus, Paige Ellie Cochran, Peyton Edward Cochran, Madison Elise Coleman, Rickelle Lashai Leeann Coleman, Layne Ellenorah Collier, Kressley Josae Collura, Sophia Ann Constantine, Weston Emile Cook, Abigail Noelie Cooper, Kaydence Aubry Cooper, Casey Marie Corales, Zoey Joan Corales, Hudson Brooks Corley, Rylee Ku’ulei Cote, Saniya Gabrielle Cousan, Preston James Crawford, Alexander Carl Cucullu Tyler Daniel Cullen, Owen James Cummings, Olivia Denise Cundiff, Damian Jude Currow, Ayden Joseph Daigle, Lindsey Nicole Daigre, Issaiah Michael Daniels, Allyson Phi Dao, Ella Claire Dardar, Audrey Lea Davenport, Jace Mark David, Abigail Katelyn Deliberto, Savannah Leigh DeLouise, Torri Brian Denis, Jr., Catherine Josephine Deroche, Reese Marie Dickinson, Dominic Vincent Dinh, Nicolas Gomes Ferreira Dos Santos, Elizabeth Bell Downie, Kevin McLeod Drane, Jr., Christopher Paul Edward Dufrene, Emma Grace Dufrene, Chester Aloysius Duncan, Madison Kaye Dupriest, Sarah Lynn Dwyer, Devin Christopher Eckel, Dominick Liborio Renteria Ede, Riley Addison Edwards, Ryan Patrick Edwards, Connor Thomas Egan Marae Christine Eisler, David Bradley Ellis, II, Olivia Katherine Ellison, Alexander Isai Escoto, Donovan Patrick Esker, Talan Joseph Eubanks, Darien Kadice Evans, Jr., Gabryella Faith Fazande, Spencer Owen Felarise, Tyler William Fischer, Rhylee Irene Fitch, Caleb Cole Fitzpatrick, Karina Angely Flores Pagan, Nelly Maria Fonseca, Abigail Lynn Forsythe, William Wesley Fowler, Cailyn Rose Franzo, Emma Lyn Franzo, Drew Anthony Frederick, and Catherine Kennedy Frolich. Also, Ella Madeline Gallagher, Avery Dean Gallois, John Gaybriel GalvinJuul, Sabrina Garcia Saenz, Ella Grace Gardner, Joshua Ryan Gardner, Gideon Paul Gauthier, Katie Lyn Gauthier, Candice Nichole Geautreaux, James Marchman Gibbs, Brynn Marais Gibson, Gavin Michael Gidman, Kyle Joseph Gifford, Ellen Marie Gilson, Caroline Carter Glass, Hayden Mark Gold, Blaine Averett Gomez, Madison Eliza Gourrier, Victoria Marie Grass Jackson Truett Gray, Maggie Elizabeth Gray, Cynnaia Lynnette Green, Kaitlyn Kristina Green, Gradyn John Grifﬁths, Grant Martin Guidry, Brian Paul Guilbeau, II, Kaitlynn Danica Habel, Isabelle Claire Haley, Kylie Elizabeth Hall, Wyatt Mitchell Hammant, Lillie Anise Hammer, David Ian Harryman, Layla Rose Harvey, Evan James Hasenkampf, Peyton Joniya Hawkins, Olivia Dulcy Hayes, Allison Jewel Heausler, Jackson Duplessis Heckert, Kayden Scott Hedrick, Andrew Jacob Hellbach, Elijah John Henning, Stephen Gregory Henning, Janaya Liliana Henriquez, Gavin Michael Herdt, Julia Frances Hernandez, Caleb James Hess, Mason Alexander Hickman, Matthew Theodore Hillin, Lane Nicholas Hite, Trent Patrick Holliday, Maurice William Holmes, IV, Kaden Reed Honeycutt, Oscar Henry Robert Hook, Finley Scott Hooker, Sydney Kate Hough, Easton Michael Howell, Olivia Elizabeth Howell, Bailey Kristyn Hunt, Violet Anne Marie Hunt, Hanna Michelle Hunter, and Davis Paul Hymel.

Also, Maleah Lake Ibieta, Salvatore Tre Impastato, Farin Fatima Izadpanah, Max Russell Jacketti, Clay Thomas Jacks, Abigail Mackenzie Jackson, Carleigh Johnise Jackson, Imogene Lela Jackson, Maurice Ramar Jackson, Davy Ludwig Jahnke-Alves, Sienna Elizabeth Jiguere, Corey Alexander Johnson, Jr., Christian William Jones, Ethan Joshua Jones, Mailee Marie Jones, Maxen Kay Jorgensen, Phoebe Mary Jouandot, Anna Grace Juul, Umar Kamran, Shubhpreet Kaur, Abigail Marie Keaton, Katherine Anita Keller, Andrew Alan Kennison, Riley Jane Kercher, Evie Hélène Keyes, John Remington Kimbrough, Kynnedy Varonna King, Sydney Varonaka King, Riley Eilir Kinler, Hunter Nicholas Lama, Parker Gentry Lanaux, Bradly Michael Landry, Richard Drake Landry, Brooks Emerson Lang, Rylea Elizabeth Languirand, Isabella Faith Dorothy Lanier, Hayden Christopher Lapierre, Peyton Elizabeth Larmeu, Austin Albert Charles Lauzon, Joseph Tyler Lavigne, Mason Jackson Lawrence, Anna Elizabeth Ledet, Aubrey Josephine Lemonier, Aydan Ann Lemonier, Makenzie Elise Lewis, John Paul Licciardi, Christian Emmanuel Lipps, Emma Louise Locher, Allison Elise Lomasney, Stephen Asher Lombardo, Clever Ismael Lopez, Porter Charles Louvier, Sophia Rose Lucido, Madison Amelia Lumpkin, Janel Catherine Macaluso, Oliver Cleveland Maillho, Alejandro Evan Malkemus Aidan Lawrence Mann, Reid Joseph Manning, Sophia Bella Marchese, Madelyn Claire Marek, Ella Elizabeth Marquez, Faith Jolie Marriott, Malachi Devon Martin, Ciara May Matula, Allie Elizabeth McCahill, De’Ja Ja’Nay McCann, Chase Patrick McCarthy, Haley Renae McCaskill, Charlotte Kay McClain, Landon Joseph McDonald, Hunter Lamar McGuyrt, Barton Ross McIntosh, Jr., Brianna Reese McIntyre, Matson Danger McKenzie, Maris Emily McMahon, Logan William McNamara, George Edward Meadors, III, Sophia Camille Mecca, Jack Seals Mecklenborg, Jayden Michael Melendez, James Andrew Messer, III, Grace Elizabeth Miceli, Jake Ryan Michel, Calleigh Dorothy Miles, Ava Elizabeth Miller, Clay Smith Miller, Peyton Kay Miller, Dominique Rose Mistretta, Armani Lynn Mitchell, Alexander Mathieu Mize, Alyssa Cheyenne Moore, Matheus Souza Morais, Olivia Grace Morel, Conner Joseph Morgan, Meredith Ann Morrison, Hunter Paul Mott, Ella Jane Munaco, Tristan Joseph Munna, Iris Mae Murphy, and Skylar Paige Murray. Also, Shelby Elizabeth Naquin, JonMichael Anthony Nastasi, Joshua Carter Neupauer, Dominic Trent Neyrey, Matthew Vincent Neyrey Brayden Christopher Norris, Robert Emmanuel Norris, Ella Claire Nowicki, Grace Caroline Nungesser, Harlie Juliana Nye, Aidan Sean O‘Connell, Jacob Thomas O‘Connor, Parker Alexander Olivas, Juliana Faria Oliveira, Ava Raeca Omes, Paige Elizabeth Ordone, Lacy Elizabeth Ostendorf,

Lloyd Clayton Ostendorf, IV, Brayden Garrett Overstreet, A‘Nijah Marjena‘ Pam, Catherine Reese Parker, Keelie Marie Patrick, Sailor Lynn Payne, David Anthony Paysse, III, Hailey Marie Paysse, Greyson Anthony Pearson, Timothy Andrew Penny, Logan David Penton, Jayla Sadie Perino, Kaimbry Carmel Perniciaro, Siena Katherine Perrault, Elijah Brice Perret, Conner Louis Perrot, Hannah Rose Flattmann Petrocelli, Mia Sierra Pettavino, Dawson Bradley Piediscalzo, Madison LaRie Piel, Paisley Beth Pierson, Sawyer Hamilton Plank, Meredith Elise Poirier, Elijah Christian Polizzi, Louin Thomas Polk, Diego Josué Posas Meraz, Alice Claire Powell, Rachel Marie Price, Ibrahim Puerto Cheal, Dominic Joseph Ragusa, Sadie Kathleen Ray, Cooper Javier Reese, Violet Camille Reeves, Boone Davis Reynaud, Grace Lynn Richard, Nicholas Warren Richard, Bishop Chase Rigaud, Ronald Joseph Ritter, III, Austin Brian Rivenbark, Corinne Michelle Rivers, Bailey Marie Roberts, Olivia Anne Rogge, Sebastián Jose Rojas-Velasco, Emma Renee Rolfes, Madison A’lice Romagosa, Emma Elizabeth Rorex, Tove Ocean RoseGlane, Dante Alexander Rossetti, Braden Pierce Vicari Rothschmitt, Samuel Keith Rotolo, Kamryn Elizabeth Rouse, Neely Ruth Roy Reese Elizabeth Rumney, Keira Renee Russell, Matteo Anthony Russell, Garrett David Ruth, and Ariana Florence Ryder.

Also, Kalei Annette Sallean, Gracen Kyle Sanders, Remy Claire Santangelo, Holden Alexander Satterlee, Olivia Kate Satterlee, Madison Grace Savois, Addison Lynn Scallion, Cara Angelina Scardino, Paul Jacob Scariano, Jr., Taylor Jane Schaefer, Joseph Christian Schexnayder, Lilian Grace Schexnaydre, Ryan Elizabeth Schneiderhan, Makayla Monica Schutt, Syler Sebron Scogland,

Joshua Vail

Abrianna Swindell

Olivia Rogge

Dominic Ragusa Jayla Perino

Farin Izadpanah

Olivia Hayes

Peyton Hawkins

Isabelle Haley Emma Franzo

Cailyn Franzo

Hannah Bradley

Giulia Balbo

Troupe. Eryca ﬁnished second at the State Literary Rally in Fine Arts Survey and recently won the Most Outstanding Choir Student Award She has been awarded two academic scholarships from Southeastern Louisiana University Makai Steven Quantrell Swartz, the so Leah Swartz and Sean Cardon,

4.0

has

ous ofﬁcer positions in the

Alpha Theta, and Facta Non Verba organizations. He was recently awarded The Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence as well as the U.S. Air Force Most Outstanding Science Student Award. Makai received the Tulane Merit scholarship to Tulane University, where he plans to pursue a

pursue a degree in mathematics education. THE COMPLETE LIST OF GRADUATES INCLUDES: Zain Ali Abbasi, Landon Tyler Allen, Leah Kaitlyn Allen, Austin Tyler Alt, Abby Nicole Amador, Dylan Joseph Anguzza, Elijah Gage Auglair, Reagan Michelle Autry, Tashod Arnez Badon, Sarah Catherine Barker, Christopher Spencer Barton, Hayden Siegert Bauman, Ashlynn Marie Berns, Deja Lee Billiot, Emersen Kate Blanchard, Eryca Anne Boehm, Jaiden Elizabeth Branton, Anthony Quinn Brooks III, Olivia Rose Brooks, Alden Joseph Brown, Kaysen Trec Brown, Luke Henry Browne, Georkobe Ahmad Buckley, Brooke Marie Burlett, Andre Luis Caballero, Kelly Blaze Campbell, Christian Alexander Canales, Mia Rodney Canulette, Reagan Mary Carrasco, Brooklynn Faith Carrigg, Sophie Aleah Carter, Amira Ti’Cora Celestine, Ella Patricia Cheramie, Ernest Anthony Clement IV, Jacob Thomas Clifton, Logan Vander Craddock, Jenna Angelle Crawford, and Jacob Anthony ONeal Cuchinotto. Also, Annabelle Lilly Dailey, Jasper Steven Davis, Matthew Paul Descant, Braden Matthew Dickens Grant Michael Matthew Ducote, Zoe Marie Dudley, Mylie Rebecca Elsensohn, Keaton Michael Finn, Christina Lillian Fischer, Emy Lee Iveth Flores Miranda, Khristian Anthony Frazier, Beau Renee Gerard, Mason Christopher Gilliland, Juliana Rose Glory, Jesse Alejandro Gonzalez, Dylan Taylor Gornor Marielle Leigh Gutierrez, Peighton Paige Haisch, Jayce Reginald Hall, Logan Joseph Hall, Isabella Renee Harper, Bryce Da’Marcus Harris, Emily May Henley, Valerie Stephanie Hernandez, Roland John Higgins Jr., Colin Lee Hingle, Faith Nicole Hosey Makayla Grace Hudmon, Phillip Sean Huth, James David Jacobs, Laikyn Grace Jeffrey, Sean Michael Jenkins, Christian Lee Jones, Gabriel Louis Jones, Keyri Juliette JuarezLaureano, Michael Deaton Keller, David Bernard Kerlee Jr. and Michael James Kruebbe.

Also, Jared Jules Lafrance, Mya Elizabeth Lafrance, Robert Stanley Lane, James Connor Lang, Gavin Wallace Lebouef, Kloé Emma Lee, Jacob Avit Lemoine, Vicki Tabatha Lesley, Lilliana Pearl Livingston, John Patrick Lutzen, Isabella Rose Matranga, Payton Taylor Matthews Demitri Louis Mauer, Christopher James McCarra, Jahel Yelena Mejia Machado, Hailey Michelle Meree, Mikayla Marie Monteleone, Dominic Rayshaun Moody, Bethany Grace Moore, Destiny Lynn Moore, Rebecca Ann Moore, Rhyan Joseph Morel, Breanna Lynn Morgan, Elijah Lee Morse, Gael Muniz, Shawn Anthony Muse, Isabella Marie Louise Nash, Andrew Dewitt Neal, Luke Robert Neller, Xuyen Thuy Nguyen, Demetris Laroy Oatis Jr., Juliana Kristine Oliveira, Kloie Leila Oliveira, Amber Lynn O’Neill, Saira Maireny Orellana Aleman, Donavin Floyd Pace, Isbela Alejandra Palma Amador, Blake Matthew Palmer, Hubert Wyatt Parker, Rashad Jeramiah Parker, Robert Vincent Peri III, Patrick Louis Petkovich, Izreal Velente Malachi Pichon, Brianna Marie Pierre, Simeon Rose Pittman, Blake Ashton Polk, Emily Nicole Pope and Christopher Shane Pursell Jr. Also, Jakob Pierce Rao, Thomas Wayne Reynolds, Chloe Hannah Rizzuto, Kylie Marie Robertson, Savanah Marie Robertson, Ryan Bartholomew Robin Jr., Isabella Marie Rougeau, Gavin Lee Ruble, Dyllon Anthony Rush, Dalton Spencer Sabathe, Emma Grace Saladino, Landon Lee Sanchez, Gabrielle Michelle Englade Scamardo, Pamela Victoria Schmidt, Joseph Anthony Seghers III, Lyndsay Adana Gene Simon, Nolan Shane Singletary, Preslie Juliet Singletary, Haven Howard Slaydon, Chloe Elise Smith, Rylee Morgan Smith, Cooper Wayne Snider, Katelyn Raine Rollings Stewart, Noah Andrew Sticker, Jazmine Renee Sumlin, Makai Steven Quantrell Swartz, Zoey Rose Symons,

ThePearl is amonthlymagazine showcasing the bestofNew Orleans FASHION, LIFE,and DESIGN.From curated trend stories to profiles on local leaders and creatives, residentsand visitors alikewill benefitfrom thisstylishguide. in Gambit +Times-Picayune —morethanany lifestyle magazine in NewOrleans 232,000 readers, THE PEARL’S REACH:

44,000 households

UDING with an incomeof$150,000+ –morethan double anylifestyle magazine in NewOrleans

Zander Yarbrough Makai Swartz

Eryca Boehm

Hailey Meree Michael Keller

Jenna Crawford

Marielle

Blanchard Mason Gilliland

Megan Wicker

Aleta Vang

Cameron McCann

Jackson Majoue

Taylor Hardee

Jenna Blau

Anthony Blackwell

to enjoy while passing a good time with the unique Pleasuremakers.

UP CLOSE: Singer-songwriter Ellisa Sun brings her powerful voice and romantic moods to an evening of music in the intimate Listening Room at the Harbor Center on June 20 near Slidell at 100 Harbor Center Blvd. The show begins at 7 p.m. advance $22 tickets, plus fees, at Eventbrite; none sold at the door; four-top tables also available in the bohemian-style, smoke-free, 124-seat venue.

TWO SHOWS: The North Star Theatre at 347 Girod St. in Mandeville presents The Rocketmen in concert at 7 p.m. on June 27. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m. General admission tickets $25; VIP tickets are $65 and includes hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a meet-and-greet in the VIP lounge. On June 28, The Walrus performs; same time. Tickets for this one are $30 and VIP seats, with all the extras, are $80. For more info, see northstartheatre.org or call (985) 200-4300.

JAZZ & BLUEGRASS: The Northshore Traditional Music Society provides several free music sessions monthly in St Tammany Parish. See nstms. org for details, songlists and to conﬁrm meeting times. The next scheduled sessions include:

n June 19: There’s a Traditional Irish Session every third Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Abita Brew Pub’s back room at 72011 Holly St. to play and sing fa-

vorite pieces of Celtic music. Visit the Session Celtic Music resource page at thesession. org/tunes.

n June 26: Open Mic Night on the ﬁnal Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the St John’s Coffee Shop welcomes musicians of all ages and abilities to perform before a supportive audience. Each performer or ensemble is invited to share a set of three songs; only eight sets can be accommodated per session, so attendees are advised to arrive early for a slot

THEATER ON STAGE: “Lucky Stiff” at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville is a musical comedy based on the novel “The Man Who Broke the Bank …” by Michael Butterworth. It’s an offbeat murder mystery full of farce, mistaken identities, $6 million in diamonds and one overriding question: Can Harry Witherspoon pass off the embalmed body of his uncle as a living, breathing relative during a Monte Carlo vacation? If he can, Harry stands to inherit a fortune. Directed by Jason Leader; assisted by Cat Forester; musical director, Frank Gonzalez. Jack Latner, as Harry, heads a cast of 12. See it two more weekends June 20-27; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $25 to $32 online at 30byninety.com.

ART

FRAGMENTS: There will be an opening reception June 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the “Fragments of Imagination” exhibition of original art in the George Dunbar Gallery in Slidell. The public is invited to the reception to mix and mingle with the participating artists and show juror, well-

known New Orleans artist Terrance Osborne. See the exhibit through July 25 in the Slidell Cultural Center gallery at City Hall, 2055 Second St., where exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, by appointment only BRIDGING: The “Be-Causeway: Bridging North- and South-Shore Arts” exhibition in the Atrium Gallery on the Christwood campus near Covington continues through June 27, featuring the work of up and coming artists represented by the Ferrara Showman Gallery in New Orleans. The show is a collaboration between Ferrara and the Atrium Art Alliance to expand artistic engagement and visibility. The gallery is open to the public 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at100 Christwood Blvd. Free admission.

PEOPLE WHO MEET

WIDOWS: The Widows’ Social Club of Slidell will meet June 28 at 10 a.m. in the John Wesley Center at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 360 Robert Blvd., and includeKevin Langley, a leader of professional beekeeper groups in the state. Langley will talk about how each of us can beneﬁt the pollinators responsible for one-third of America’s food supply in the midst of a crisis destroying so many of them. All widows welcome. Questions? Call Cindy Alberts at (985) 7077676.

CIRCLES: The Abita Springs Songwriters’ Circle to meet June 19 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Abita Springs Opry/ Town Hall, 22161 Level St., for creative collaboration, sharing and encouragement. No charge or sign-up, but participants must bring their

own acoustic instruments (keyboard, equipment and cords.); the Slidell Writers Circle to meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 24 in Slidell Cultural Center, 2055 Second St. Check each circle’s Facebook page to get details and conﬁrmation.

COMMUNITY GUMBO

BIRDING: The next Early Birds bird-walking session takes place June 28 at Fontainebleau State Park near Mandeville. Newcomers welcome. Meet up at 8 a.m. near the splash pad for a 2-hour walk on flat ground and along the beach. Binoculars provided, but participants should bring sunscreen, water, hiking shoes and hat. Accessible toilet facilities. The park has an all-terrain wheelchair available for rental (firstcome, first-served); reserve it at www.lastateparks.com/allterrain-chair. Park charges $3 to enter. The walk is a Pelican Park Nature Club event.

RUNNING: The 26th Four on the Fourth is scheduled to start the day on July 4 at Hubie Gallagher Park, 1000 W 15th Ave., in Covington. Adult race starts at 7:30 a.m.; kids’ race at 8:30 a.m. Register in advance or on race day (or pick up race numbers) from 6: 30 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. There’s even a Beer Mile for those 21 and up. Discount for early registration; after June 22, it’s $40 for adults and $20 for kids. Red, white and blue attire suggested. Lots of awards, door prizes and music. Register at www run4onthe4th.com.

LARRY: The Mystic Krewe of Brew throws another Larry

Brew Fest & Homebrew Competition at the Castine Center near Mandeville to beneﬁt the Northshore Humane Society from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 21. Sample from among more than 200 commercial and home-brew samples, plenty of food, live music and shopping with local vendors. A pet-friendly event, so bring yours. Northshore Humane will also bring adoptable pets looking for love. Go to larrybrewfest.com for details, sponsor and ticket information.

FESTING: The Rotary Clubs of Slidell and Slidell Northshore, in partnership with the city of Slidell, have scheduled the 27th annual Slidell Heritage Festival on June 28 in Heritage Park at 1701 Bayou Lane. Gates open at 5 p.m. for an evening of live music from local artists, diverse food vendors, arts and crafts displays and a dedicated children’s zone. The night will culminate with ﬁreworks at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for aged 13 and above; younger ones are free. All proceeds to local charities. For more, including tickets, visit the festival website at www slidellheritagefest.org.

SAVE THE DATE STROLL: The

SEAFOOD: The annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-off takes place June 27 at the Harbor Center in Slidell, the statewide event’s ﬁrst in St. Tammany Parish. The cookoff will also help kick off the 8th annual Tammany Taste of summer in restaurants parishwide from Aug. 1-31. As part of that, the state event will include samplings from Tammany Taste’s participating restaurants. Get details at the Louisiana Seafood Cook-off Facebook page and Tammanytaste.com website. SUPPORT: St. Tammany Health System’s Palliative Medicine program will present an Alzheimer’s Support Group and Advance Care Planning event at Avanti Senior Living Center,

PROVIDED PHOTO BY LIBBY DANFORTH Fiddler and singer Amanda Shaw.

FILE PHOTO BY DAVID GRUNFELD

session at Fontainebleau State Park is planned June 28. The park is

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS

St. Paul’s defended its Southeastern 7-on-7

St. Paul’s defends Southeastern 7-on-7 football tournament title with undefeated run

BY MIKE PERVEL

Contributing writer

St. Paul’s earned back-to-back District 6-5A football titles this past season

The Wolves like defending their titles so much that they did it again this summer St. Paul’s secured a second consecutive championship at the Southeastern Louisiana University 7-on-7 tournament on June 6.

The Wolves won all seven of their games, including a 21-14 victory over Gauthier, Mississippi, in the championship game. The 20-team field also included St. Tammany Parish teams from Covington and Slidell High

St. Paul’s delivered a balanced perfor-

“Heading into the championship game, we were exhausted. We started off kind of shaky, but we figured it out and put it all together in the end. We ran a lot of different plays, working on the shorter routes.”

BRADY PIERSON, St. Paul’s junior quarterback

mance, outscoring their opponents 192 to 93, not allowing more than 21 points in a game. The tournament format featured a 20-minute running clock with quarterbacks allotted just four seconds to release the football.

St. Paul’s assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Kenny Sears ran the show at Strawberry Stadium. Head coach Ken Sears was at a linemen camp during the 7-on-7 tournament.

“Our guys stepped up and rose to the occasion,” Kenny Sears said. “We faced great, tough competition and played extremely well on both sides of the ball to repeat as champions. Gautier played in their 5A state title game last year and is a well-coached, talented team. We showed

quarterback Jervious Epherson threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns against the South Louisiana Demons on June 7.

Bayou Lacombe Cardinals clinch spot in NLFA Championship

Game set for June 21 in Jackson

BY SCOTT MEYER

Contributing writer

The Bayou Lacombe Cardinals made program history last season by earning their ﬁrst-ever trip to the Next Level Football Alliance Championship game. It was so nice that they decided to make a return trip. The Cardinals clinched a spot in the title game with a 30-10 victory over the South Louisiana Demons in the NLFA South Conference Championship on June 7 at Lakeshore High The win sets up a rematch of last year’s championship game against the North Mississippi Roadwarriors for the NLFA Championship on June 21 at the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Mississippi. The Cardinals’ passing game was on full display in the conference championship as their veteran quarterback

Jervious Epherson (Northshore High) threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns.

Bayou Lacombe scored on its ﬁrst offensive possession after forcing a punt on the Demons’ opening drive. Epherson connected with Xavier Chatman (Lakeshore High, Southeastern) for a 55-yard TD pass to take a 7-0 lead four minutes into the game. The Cardinals never trailed in the contest. The Demons scored their first points via a safety on an errant snap on a punt. Bayou Lacombe added a score late in the second quarter that capped an 8-play, 60-yard drive. Epherson tossed his second TD pass — a 15-yard strike to Brain Tanner (St. Helena College and Career Prep) to set the 13-2 halftime score. The Cardinals put the game out of reach on the opening drive of the second half. Epherson connected with Chatman again for a 38-yard TD pass to cap the 5-play, 69-yard march.

our physicality and came away with the title.”

The Wolves opened Pool C play by holding off Gautier for a 23-21 victory in sudden death before facing off with the Gators again in the championship game.

The tournament ﬁnals were tied 14-14 with only a minute remaining before junior quarterback Brady Pierson connected with senior Brennan Villa, who made a one-handed TD catch as time expired.

“Heading into the championship game, we were exhausted,” Pierson said. “We started off kind of shaky, but we ﬁgured it out and put it all together in the end. We ran a lot of different plays, working on the shorter routes.”

St. Paul’s edged Live Oak 22-15 in the

semiﬁnal game to advance.

“In the championship game, both sides of the ball made some big-time plays,” Sears said. “Senior backs Cody Corales and Troy Willis, along with junior receiver Patrick Gahagan, all made key thirddown conversion catches to keep drives alive while hauling in multiple TD tosses from Pierson during the tourney

Sears also praised the poise of his ﬁrstyear quarterback, who takes over for three-year starter Brennan Keim.

“Brady is a hard worker and a great kid. He’s a good athlete and continues to improve. He stepped up and is a dual threat with a special ability to run the ball He gives us a different dynamic at quarterback,” Sears said. Pierson credited his receivers and backs for getting free on their routes.

“My backs Cody (Corales) and Troy (Willis), who I feel are two of the best in the state, did a great job out of the backﬁeld catching the ball. We worked on lots of different sets, and tight end Adam

ä See CHAMPS, page 2B

Summer swimming heating up

BY MIKE PERVEL Contributing writer

Summertime is upon us, and while families are heading to the beach to cool off, many St. Tammany Parish swimmers are scurrying to local pools for topnotch competition.

The 2025 St. Tammany Swim League, boasting over 450 swimmers from the ages of 4 to 18, is underway The league has four teams — the Cross Gates Gators, Lakeside Gators, Pinewood Porpoises and Picayune Blue Tide.

The league features dual meets between the four teams, followed by three championship meets, which wrap up with the Christopher Condon League Championship Meet on July 1112 at Cross Gates Athletic Club in Slidell.

St. Tammany Swim League volunteer board president Jeff Ganucheau said swimming has been a mainstay for Slidell summer activities for a long time.

“I’m from a big swimming family, so it’s always been a big part of my life. It’s great to see the youngsters get so involved, participating in the St. Tammany Swim League,” Ganucheau said.

“First and foremost, it’s a way for children and families to have some fun during the summer, taking part in friendly competition. We try to ensure the kids have fun while staying busy during the summer Middle and high school students can use the summer to help prepare them for their fall swim seasons at their respective schools.”

Macie Jones, a 13-year-old Boyet Junior High eighth grader, swims for the Pinewood Porpoises. Jones started swimming at age ﬁve and began competing at seven, when her mom, Jenny fondly started calling her a “lit-

in the

tle ﬁsh.”

“I really love swimming and spending time with my friends in the pool,” Jones said. “It gives me another opportunity to have fun. It’s also fun competing. I always try my hardest, supporting my team, wanting to improve.”

That effort is paying off as she registered three ﬁrst-place ﬁnishes in a dual meet on June 2 against Lakeside. She won the 50-meter breaststroke (40.86 seconds), 50 butterfly (34.63) and 100 IM (1:16.76).

Jones’ favorite event is the 400 IM. She’s also a member of the Hurricanes Club Swim Team in Slidell, who recently traveled to Chattanooga, Tenn., for a competition.

Donald Frisard, a 13-year-old eighth grader, attends Holy Cross in New Orleans. He swims with the Lakeside Gators and is also a ﬁfth-year member of the Hurricanes Swim Club in Slidell.

“I started swimming just for fun with the Lakeside Gators

at seven and started competing year-round when I turned 9,” Frisard said “I enjoy swimming in the summer, just having fun with friends and my younger brothers, Logan (10) and Quinn (8), who are my teammates.” Frisard describes himself as a very fast swimmer who likes to remain humble. That disciplined approach earned him three first-place finishes during a dual meet with Pinewood on June 2. He won the 50 freestyle (28.20), 50 butterfly (31.37) and 100 IM (1:11.86). On the west side of the parish, the Northshore Country Club Swim League was founded by coach Shannon Prator in 2020, and she has coached the Tchefuncta Country Club T-Birds since 2010. The T-Birds have a lengthy swim team history, first competing in the 1950s. The Northshore Country Club Swim League features four teams — the T-Birds, Beau Chene Country Club Sharks,

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO Pinewood swimmer Macie Jones competes

breaststroke.

FILE PHOTO BY SARAH LABORDE

Bayou Lacombe

LHSCA names former Franklinton standout as director

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

In 19 years of working as a teacher and coach, being an assistant coach was the job Jessica Barber loved the most.

The former Franklinton High basketball star sees her new role as director of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association as a variation on that theme. The LHSAA announced Barber’s hiring on June 4. Barber is the ﬁrst woman to hold the LHSCA position and succeeds Eric Held, who accepted a job as LSU football’s director of alumni relations and high school

CHAMPS

Connell is a huge factor for us. He’s got good size and is super athletic with good hands,” Pierson said.

“I played 7-on-7 previously in a travel league during my freshman and sophomore years, so I knew what to expect with the four-second rule to deliver the ball I had a mental clock in my head and only got called once in our seven games, which I thought was fantastic. Being prepared, I was able to sit back and relax, going through my progressions, thinking one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi.”

The St. Paul’s defense also stepped up with key stops and interceptions throughout the tournament.

Senior Hunter Marchand picked off two passes, while fellow seniors Aiden Brooks, Dylan Post and Brett West all registered key interceptions.

Several less-experienced defenders also stepped up as Sears praised sophomores Christian Martin and RJ Payne in the secondary, along with junior Taylor Richards and senior Mason Bazajou.

“We have a very promising group at defensive back They have lots of potential. They stepped up, delivered and made key plays throughout the tournament,” Sears said.

Brooks, a first-team AllDistrict 6-5A defensive back last season, is the lone returning starter in the Wolves’ secondary In addition to picking off a pass, he registered several pass breakups.

“We have a wave of new secondary players, so it was cool to see them do so well. The secondary proved it can make stops when needed. It was a big showing for us as

outreach during the spring.

“For me, this is the opportunity to be an assistant coach for over 400 schools and all the LHSAA sports,” Barber said. “I think my personality and ability to build relationships will make this a fun transition for me.

“I know I’m the first female and that comes with its own excitement and challenges. Now, I am not the type of person who is going to make that such a big deal. I feel like I can sit in a room and hold conversations with football coaches. I also know when it’s time to listen.”

The 42-year-old Barber has spent the past six years as an college assistant wom-

PROVIDED PHOTO

St Paul’s senior defensive back Aiden Brooks helped lead the Wolves’ defense at the SLU 7-on-7 tournament on June 6.

we continue to grow as a unit,” Brooks said.

“We showed we can adapt to our different schemes and coverages. We can come out in one coverage and then switch and not miss a beat. Varsity game speed is a lot faster, so our younger guys must play quick in their minds and their feet.”

Sears said defending the title was a huge conﬁdence boost for the Wolves’ offense.

“Finishing on top, defending our title, made it all worth it,” Sears said. “I was proud of the play on both sides of the ball. We’ll use the tournament as a good growing experience, but it’s only 7-on-7, so we still have lots of work to do, preparing for the season Our approach is to keep getting better and going through the process to get better every day.”

en’s basketball coach, ﬁrst at UL-Monroe and most recently during two years at Southern Miss. She served as recruiting coordinator for both schools and did graduate studies in sports administration/sports management at those universities.

“When I think about being able to work for an association that provided me an opportunity to play in a state championship game and to coach in Marsh Madnesses it’s surreal,” she said. “Being able to work in an administrative role and still be part of athletics this is a dream job it really is.”

Barber also had coaching stints at Loyola-New

Orleans and Nicholls State.

As a high school girls basketball coach at Edna Karr from 2011-17, Barber won more than 120 games. She won four district titles and led the Cougars to LHSAA state tourney berths in 2015 and 2016.

“Eric Held leaves some big shoes to ﬁll because he took the job of the director of the LHSCA to another level,” LHSCA president Christopher Kovatch said.

“The position is deﬁnitely a job that requires someone who is a proper ﬁt.

“By the time that we had ﬁnished her interview, I was 100% convinced that Jessica is that person. Between her high school and college experience she has had to work with people in all walks of life. She has proven to be successful in each venue.”

As a player, Barber was part of Franklinton’s 1998 state runner-up squad and was the LHSCA All-Star game MVP in 2001. She went on to play at the University of Mobile, where she was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year LHSCA ofﬁcers and board members interviewed four candidates for the director’s post at the LHSAA ofﬁce in Baton Rouge, one day before the LHSAA executive committee held its annual summer meeting.

Jessica Barber

CARDINALS

Continued from page 1B

Special teams keyed the next scoring drive. After a blocked punt, Epherson threw his fourth TD pass — a 35-yard strike to Kaleb Compana (Holy Cross High) with 19 seconds remaining in the third quarter

Bayou Lacombe’s final points came off a turnover as the Cardinals drove 32 yards in eight plays, capped by a 23-yard ﬁeld goal by JP Furman (Lakeshore High, John Hopkins University).

South Louisiana produced its only offensive points late in the fourth quarter as Kyrie Grifﬁn connected with Jamon Bradford for a 13-yard scoring pass.

Bayou Lacombe’s defense had another stellar outing, limiting the Demons to just 92 total yards of offense on 34 plays.

Epherson completed 14

Bayou

defense held their opponent to just one

of 21 passes to seven different receivers. Chatman was his favorite target with four catches for 101 yards and two TDs, while Devin Scott (West Jefferson High, University of Louisiana Lafayette) hauled in two passes for 48 yards. Jer-

emy Griffin (St. Helena) and Josiah Miller (Bowling Green) rushed for a combined 42 yards on 10 attempts. Griffin was the leading passer in a backup role for the Demons with 69 yards on 3-of-6 passing. He also led the Demons with 12 yards rushing, while Bradford finished with four catches for 74 yards. Now, the Cardinals (7-2) will face a North Mississippi team in the championship that they beat 7-6 on May 17 in a

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

The

Lacombe

PROVIDED PHOTOS

The Cardinals celebrate after clinching a spot in the NLFA title game with a 30-10 victory in the South Conference Championship on June 7 at Lakeshore High.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Lakeside Gators swimmer Donald Frisard, center poses for a photo with his teammates and younger brothers, Logan, left, and Quinn.

Katherine Broussard Artus August 25, 1931 –May 23, 2025. Katherine Broussard Artus passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 23, 2025 surrounded by her loving family She was 93 years young—a woman of deep faith steady devotion, and a heart full of grace Born in Elliot City, Louisiana, Katherine was the second of six children in a closeknit farming family From an early age, she had many responsibilities: feeding livestock, managing house‐hold chores and caring for her younger siblings It was during these forma‐tive years that she devel‐oped a lifelong love for sewing—a craft she prac‐ticed with both joy and skill often sewing clothes for her family A bright stu‐dent, Katherine graduated as a valedictorian from Livonia High School where she was also a standout on the basketball court. She went on to attend the Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, and be‐came a registered nurse in November 1953 at the age of 21. Her nursing career spanned more than five decades, culminating in her service in the emer‐gency room at St Tam‐many Parish Hospital in Covington—a place and profession where her com‐passion and strength touched countless lives Katherine’s greatest joy and enduring legacy was her family She was the proud mother of five chil‐dren and an ever-present source of love and encour‐agement at every mile‐stone: births, adoptions, weddings and family gath‐erings She nurtured not only her own children but generations of family with quiet wisdom and unwa‐vering support. A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Covington Katherine was actively in‐volved in the Lydia Connect Group Her faith journey began early in life inspired by a preacher from Cane Brake Baptist Church in Lottie who ministered to her father in the fields She never forgot the day she watched her parents’ river baptism—an experience that shaped her own spiri‐tual walk Katherine is sur‐vived by her children: Bruce Artus (Vivian) Kathy Artus Felps (late Jim Felps), Steven Artus, Karen Artus, and Terrell Artus (Deanna); her brother, Cecil Brous‐sard (Frieda); grandchil‐dren: Michelle Gonzalez, Katie Raiford (Taylor) Emily Artus, Sarah Dawsey (Cade), Carlie Felps Madisen Pippo (Kaleb), Bryce Artus and Ashlyn Artus; and great-grandchil‐dren: Alejandro Soto, Molly Artus, Elijah and Santiago Gonzalez, Axyl and Alyse Raiford Liam Oliver and Carson Dawsey. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents, John Harden Broussard Sr. and Lottie Elmara Cochran Broussard; her siblings Willie Broussard, Betty Broussard, Bonnie Vallet, and John Broussard; her granddaughter, Christina Artus; and her greatgranddaughter, Kaylee For‐cell. Visitation was held Sunday, June 2, at The Chapel at First Baptist Church of Covington, fol‐lowed by the funeral ser‐vice officiated by Pastor Waylon Bailey Interment is at Pinecrest Cemetery in Covington.

grandson, Joseph L. (Joey) Nuzzolill. Judith is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Bennett, Laura Lawlor Anne Favret; her daughter- in-law Karen Bennett; her grandchil‐dren, Nikki Joy Nuzzolillo Norvell (Michael), Daniel Louis Lawlor (Kayla), Abi‐gail Lillian Lawlor, Randall Leslie Bennett Jr., Christo‐pher Ernest Bennett (Amanda), Brian Louis Ben‐nett (Angelle), and Ronnie Scelson; her great grand‐children, Emma Grace Norvell, Sophia Nicole Lawlor, Diana Ellen Lawlor, Claire Althea Bennett Gabriella Noel Bennett, Laila Joy Bennett, Kayla Scelson, Cameron Scelson, Robert Scelson; greatgrandson Luka Jace Hege on the way, and many ex‐tended family members and friends Judith gradu‐ated from Chillicothe High School, and then went to Middletown Hospital and enrolled in their x-ray pro‐gram. She became a regis‐tered x-ray tech and spent many years at Middletown Hospital. Judith then be‐came an instructor shap‐ing young minds at Fort Hamilton Hospital in Ohio for several years. In 1969 Judith went to Boston to take summer classes at Northeastern University, where she met Ernest Ben‐nett (her late husband) and were married for 27 years Her career in x-ray spanned over 50 years, being registered with ARRT and LSRT and teaching at Delgado Community Col‐lege in New Orleans and teaching and later becom‐ing Program Director at North Oaks School of Radi‐ologic Technology in Ham‐mond. LA. Judy's interest included ﬁshing, garden‐ing, water color painting, WWII history cruises to Alaska, and spending time with family E. J Fielding Funeral Home were en‐trusted with the arrange‐ments.

Thomas “Tommie” David Clemons born July 11 1936, returned home to our Heavenly Father on June 2 2025. Tommie was born and raised on the White River in Casscoe, Arkansas, where he enjoyed “the best catﬁsh in the world” and played guitar in local bands during his youth Yearning for adventure and opportunity outside of Arkansas, as soon as he was old enough to enlist he chose to honorably serve our nation by joining the United States Air Force In 1959, after deployments to Texas, California and Germany, he found his way to Louisiana where he began a career in aviation support for the petroleum industry at the New Or‐leans Lakefront Airport By 1961, he planted roots in Slidell, Louisiana and even‐tually his experience in air‐craft mechanic services parlayed into an opportu‐nity to work for Chevron USA While his home base for Chevron was New Or‐leans his role involved ex‐tensive domestic and in‐ternational travel, and he remained with Chevron until his retirement. During his time with Chevron, he was building his family and was involved in various sports, church, and civic activities He was instru‐mental in developing the Slidell Junior Bowling Asso‐ciation, enjoyed bowling with family and friends at Lakeshore Lanes, and en‐thusiastically traveled across the southeastern United States for youth bowling tournaments as a bowling coach. Tommie be‐came involved in martial arts and spent a large por‐tion of his life devoted to teaching the principles and craft of karate and other martial arts With the help of family and friends (who would become lifelong friends), he developed karate schools in the New Orleans regional area, in‐cluding Southern Black Belt Academy, and traveled nationwide for karate tour‐naments. He was commit‐ted to physical ﬁtness and health and could often be found working out or play‐ing racquetball at Cross Gates During his travels he enjoyed scuba diving, snow skiing, snowmobil‐ing four wheeling and zip lining When his girls were school age he was in‐volved in parish life at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Genevieve in Slidell, where he volunteered his time talents and abilities, in‐cluding providing karate demonstrations at church fairs He was a member of the Slidell Elks lodge where the family enjoyed the swimming pool bayou and Bingo. In his spare time, he was an avid hobby me‐chanic, rebuilding count‐less motors at his home garage. He had several prized “toys” including a ’66 convertible Mustang, a Corvette, motorcycles and a snowmobile just to name a few His favorite

re count‐less motors at his home garage He had several prized “toys” including a ’66 convertible Mustang a Corvette, motorcycles and a snowmobile just to name a few. His favorite pastime was spending quality time with those he loved While Tommie had no trouble having fun with family and friends, he was no stranger to the salva‐tion of Jesus Christ. Later in life he attended church services at various Christ‐ian churches in the Slidell area and unquestionably accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior. Pre‐ceded in death by his par‐ents, William Clemons Lot‐tie (nee Markham) Clemons Cowan and Man‐ual Cowan, siblings Jimmy Clemons (Shirley) and Lucy Clemons Bronson (Bob) Fox (Bill), and daughter Tom‐mie Dare Marie Clemons Tommie’s legacy will be cherished and kept alive by surviving daughters Jacki Grady (Michael) and Kellie Bell, their mother Flo Mat‐tei Clemons grandchildren Patrick Grady, Rainbow Laurant (Elson) Casey Meitzler (Eric), Robert Bell (Michelle), Ryan Bell Kas‐sadi Bell (Josh and Bear Hamilton) and greatgrandchildren London Maliden (Miles), Crimson Hawkins Rizer Meitzler and Lyla Bell. He was also looking forward to the up‐coming birth of his newest great-granddaughter Maia Bell. Additionally, Tommie is survived by many nieces, nephews, godchil‐dren, cousins and ex‐tended family members as well as an incredible host of friends, whom he con‐sidered “chosen family” The family wishes to ex‐press sincere gratitude and appreciation to the en‐tire staff at Summerﬁeld Retirement Community where Tommie made his home for the past 4 years Additional thanks to his Ochsner healthcare team and Passages Hospice Honaker Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements.

In Loving Memory of Lee Ann (Rust) Cosgrove It is with deep sorrow and much love that we an‐nounce the passing of Lee Ann (Rust) Cosgrove who after a long 5-month battle with cancer, departed this life on May 30, 2025 sur‐rounded by family and friends Born on September 9 1963 in Slidell, La, Lee lived a life defined by com‐passion, unwavering strength and boundless devotion. She was the heart of her family - a steady, quiet force who gave everything she had to those she loved, never ask‐ing for anything in return A selfless soul, Lee spent her life caring for others often putting her own needs aside to ensure those around her felt loved and supported. Her hands were never still - always cooking, cleaning, working, giving - always doing something to make life easier for someone else She gave of herself freely, never seeking recognition but always earning re‐spect She was a person of integrity, a tireless work ethic and remarkable re‐silience. Whether it was at work, at home or in offer‐ing words of comfort dur‐ing difficult times, she led by example and did her best in all she did. Above all she was a devoted mother, grandmother and wife. Her family was her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment Her love shaped many lives and her wisdom will remain a guid‐ing light for generations to come. Lee is survived by her husband, Richard Carl Cosgrove, her son Dalton Cosgrove; her daughter Scarlett Cosgrove (grand‐son Elliott Pena), her step‐son Dustin Cosgrove (grandson Dylan Cosgrove, grandaughter Mia Meyer) as well as Chris Rust (brother) and many nieces nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins A communityminded person, Lee served in many capacities for vari‐ous organizations: St Tam‐many Chamber of Com‐merce- 2011 & 2013 Ambas‐sador of the Year, 2016 Out‐standing Member of the Year, 2010 Member of the Month; a founding member of the Pope John Paul II High School Alumni Associ‐ation, and its' President 2005-2007; Edward Jones and BNI member 2007-2009, Regional Leader 2007; Leadership Northshore Class of 2012, Alumni of the Year 2016; National Associ‐ation of Women in Con‐struction Rookie of the Year 2017, Woman in Con‐struction of the Year 2023 and Chapter President 2024-2025. She volunteered for multiple groups as well, including the OZONE Music Foundation. at Honaker Fu‐neral Home were entrusted with the arrangements

merce- 2011 & 2013 Am as‐sador of the Year, 2016 Out‐standing Member of the Year, 2010 Member of the Month; a founding member of the Pope John Paul II High School Alumni Associ‐ation, and its' President 2005-2007; Edward Jones and BNI member 2007-2009 Regional Leader 2007; Leadership Northshore Class of 2012, Alumni of the Year 2016; National Associ‐ation of Women in Con‐struction Rookie of the Year 2017, Woman in Con‐struction of the Year 2023 and Chapter President 2024-2025. She volunteered for multiple groups as well including the OZONE Music Foundation. at Honaker Fu‐neral Home were entrusted with the arrangements

Stanley Roberts Hobart, a devoted family man of Waldheim, LA passed away peacefully at home on June 6 2025. Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Joy Lynn Dutsch Ho‐bart, his daughter, Stephanie “Stevie” Brevé (Nelson), stepsons Weller Jay” Huhn (Maria) and Glynn Huhn (Julie), and stepdaughter, Nancy Jo‐hansen (Erik), along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought great joy to his life. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Favret, a child lost shortly after birth, his brother Russell, sister Mar‐ion, and parents Clarence and Ruth Shurtleff Hobart Stan was born in North Amherst, MA and gradu‐ated from Amherst Col‐lege. He served for two years in the army sta‐tioned at Camp Leroy John‐son in New Orleans where he met his first wife and settled there. He began a career as a research chemist at Southern Re‐gional Research Center where he worked until his retirement. He was active in his church and enjoyed gardening golfing, wood‐working and his nightly glass of wine on the back porch Known for his quiet strength and humor as well as his healthy ap‐petite, he left a lasting im‐pact on everyone he met His memory will live on in the lives he touched. E.J Fielding Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

McBurney, Dr. Donald Barrie 'Don'

Dr Donald “Don” Barrie McBurney, age 81, died on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Don was predeceased by his only sister Karen (McBur‐ney) DeRosier and his par‐ents John Barrie and Mar‐jorie May (Freyou) McBur‐ney Don was born and raised in Jennings La. and graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1964 and from Louisiana State University Medical School in 1968. He com‐pleted his internship at Charity Hospital in New Or‐leans and subsequently volunteered to serve two years in the U.S. Navy, functioning as a ﬂight sur‐geon with the rank of lieu‐tenant. His primary duty was caring for pilots sta‐tioned stateside during the Vietnam War at South Wey‐mouth Naval Air Station in Massachusetts During that time, Don also learned to ﬂy and earned his pri‐vate pilot’s license To complete his residency in radiology, he trained and completed rotations at Charity Hospital in New Or‐leans Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia He completed his residency and began his practice at Ochsner Clinic in Metairie Louisiana In 1977, he tran‐sitioned to private practice at St. Tammany Parish Hos‐pital and Highland Park Hospital in Covington, Louisiana. In the late 1980s, he was recruited back to Ochsner to develop new radiology departments across southeast Louisiana —including Baton Rouge Hammond, and Covington. After a long and successful career, he retired in 2011. He and his wife split their time between their home on the North Shore and a beloved mountain cottage in Highlands, North Car‐olina until 2021 when they chose to return to Louisiana. Known through‐out his life as a kind and intelligent man he loved fect his swi

his practice at Ochsner Clinic in Metairie, Louisiana. In 1977, he tran‐sitioned to private practice at St. Tammany Parish Hos‐pital and Highland Park Hospital in Covington Louisiana In the late 1980s, he was recruited back to Ochsner to develop new radiology departments across southeast Louisiana including Baton Rouge, Hammond, and Covington After a long and successful career he retired in 2011 He and his wife split their time between their home on the North Shore and a beloved mountain cottage in Highlands, North Car‐olina until 2021 when they chose to return to Louisiana Known through‐out his life as a kind and intelligent man, he loved perfecting his golf swing and strategy and was proud to have been a scratch golfer for much of his life. He and his family enjoyed watching horse racing, baseball, and golf together He was grateful to have watched the 2025 Kentucky Derby with his wife and two of his three daughters at his side. Don is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Dawn Marie (Pumilia) McBurney; his three daughters Leanne (David) Truehart, Susan (Timothy) McNicholl, and Ashley Adams; his three grandsons; and a menagerie of granddogs and grandcats. E.J Fielding Funeral Home was en‐trusted with funeral arrangements.

Linda

Linda Jean Palmisano –April 5th, 1953 to May 17th, 2025. Linda J Palmisano of Slidell, LA, passed away on May 17th, 2025, at Slidell Memorial Hospital at the age of 72. Linda was the beloved Wife of Billy D Palmisano Sr. mother of Michelle Y Alfred (Ken‐neth) and Billy D Palmisano Jr. (Jennifer) She was the daughter of the late Carl and Violet Co‐zine. Sister of Larry Cozine (Margot), and the late Allen Cozine and the late Sylvia Ervin (Michael). She was also survived by 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren A native of California and a registered nurse Linda will be missed by all. Arrangements were entrusted to Honaker Fu‐neral Home

Betsy Margaret Pretlove Rizzuto, born June 10, 1929 passed peacefully from this world at her home in Covington on May 24, 2025 after nearly 96 years of a well lived life Those who shared her life enjoyed her quick wit and her delight in the company of friends during her numerous par‐ties and game nights. She paid great attention to de‐tail with good effect in all her endeavors and with her intrepid spirit she forged ahead through every challenge and ad‐venture life had to offer Proud former member of the Krewes of Juno, Shangri-La and Amor A na‐tive of New Orleans, then Chalmette she retired to Lumberton, MS and was the proud former owner of the Very Berry Farm. She eventually sold the farm and settled in Slidell, LA Faithful, loving wife of the late Henry G Rizzuto for 64 years. Mother of Debora R Hadeen David R. Rizzuto (Pamela Navo Rizzuto), Nancy R. Love (Kenton Adler), Darren P. Rizzuto (Jamie Thomas Rizzuto) and the late Henry Michael Rizzuto Sr Grandmother of Sabrina R. Matlin (Jim Molle), Lauren E. Rizzuto (Matthew Fairman), Henry Michael Rizzuto, Jr., Rachel E. Rizzuto (Danny Yoerges) Ethan G. Puzarne, and Kris‐ten E. Rizzuto. Great grand‐mother of Clementine Yoerges and Lucille Yoerges. Sister of the late Henri L.R. Pretlove Jr (Bobby), William James Pretlove, Sr. (Jimmy), and Arthur Charles Hugh Pret‐love Sister-in-law of James Rizzuto (Nancy) Germaine Duhe Pretlove, and Frances Gagliano Pretlove Daugh‐ter of the late Agnes (Nessie) Reid McClymont and Henri Lionel Robert Pretlove, Sr. Aunt to nu‐merous nieces and nephews throughout Louisiana, Texas, Califor‐nia, Florida and Pennsylva‐nia. Faithful friend and partner of the late Frank A L. Ferroni. The family ex‐tends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to LaQuadra

years. Mother of Debora

Hadeen David R. Rizzuto (Pamela Navo Rizzuto), Nancy R Love (Kenton Adler), Darren P Rizzuto (Jamie Thomas Rizzuto) and the late Henry Michael Rizzuto, Sr. Grandmother of Sabrina R Matlin (Jim Molle), Lauren E Rizzuto (Matthew Fairman) Henry Michael Rizzuto, Jr., Rachel E Rizzuto (Danny Yoerges) Ethan G Puzarne, and Kris‐ten E Rizzuto Great grand‐mother of Clementine Yoerges and Lucille Yoerges Sister of the late Henri L.R Pretlove, Jr (Bobby) William James Pretlove, Sr (Jimmy), and Arthur Charles Hugh Pret‐love. Sister-in-law of James Rizzuto (Nancy), Germaine Duhe Pretlove, and Frances Gagliano Pretlove. Daugh‐ter of the late Agnes (Nessie) Reid McClymont and Henri Lionel Robert Pretlove, Sr Aunt to nu‐merous nieces and nephews throughout Louisiana Texas, Califor‐nia, Florida and Pennsylva‐nia Faithful friend and partner of the late Frank A L Ferroni The family ex‐

Carol Sue “SuSu” Gra‐ham Schexnaydre, 77, of Slidell, Louisiana passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Slidell. Sue as she was known, was born, April 1, 1948, in Amite, Louisiana to A.C and Wanzie Graham In 1971 She married Ronnie Schex‐naydre and resided in New Orleans. In 1976 the couple moved to Slidell. She was preceded in death by her parents A.C. & Wanzie Gra‐ham; by one brother Mike Graham; and two sisters, Shirley Dykes, and Nell Rick. She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Schex‐naydre; two children Melissa VanGeffen (Cory), Jason Schexnaydre; three grandchildren, Karis VanG‐effen, Brady VanGeffen Farrah VanGeffen; broth‐ers Ray Graham, C.A Gra‐ham, Rocky Graham, Joe Graham Dennis Graham; sisters, Georgette Fontenot, Debbie Smith, Kaye Graham, Tammy Ben‐nett, Candice Crowe; nu‐merous nieces, nephews and other relatives In her younger days, Sue worked as a supervisor at Western Union in New Orleans for 20 years. Later, she man‐aged a hair salon for 20 years while also working as the secretary for the Slidell Youth Soccer Club and had many other jobs throughout her life. Out‐side of work, Sue lived for her children and grandchil‐dren, she was a great cook, loved gardening collecting antiques, and spending time with her family & friends Her favorite song was “You Are My Sun‐shine” which she sang many, many times to both her kids and grandkids Sue never hesitated to help and always put others ﬁrst. Her selﬂess love will never be forgotten and we are forever grateful for her Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA