Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Fireworks coming July 5
Walker’s Celebration in the Park and Fireworks will be held from 5 p.m. to dark July 5 at Sidney Hutchinson Park. Walker leaders invite residents and neighbors to join in “a grand display of American pride and community spirit” at its free, family-friendly event
Activities include an art and farmers market showcasing local talent, corn hole tournament, an All-American Jeep Show pie-baking contest and classic hot dog and watermelon eating contests, children’s activity area with family games and inflatables, a variety of food trucks, and live music from the I-10 Bound Band
A professionally choreographed fireworks display starts at dark.
Free general parking is available at 13750 Ball Park Road, Walker Classes planned at Southeastern Livingston Center
The Southeastern Livingston Center in Walker is hosting several classes in July For a complete schedule or to register for any program, visit https:// southeastern.nbsstore.net/lifelong-learning-livingston-center
A Mahjong class for beginners is set for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 14, 21, 28 and Aug. 4. Register online. Fee is $40
An intermediate digital photography class is set for 6 p.m July 22. Fee is $75.
Leadership Livingston accepting applications
The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Leadership Livingston Class of 2026. In its 13th year, the program has graduated nearly 300 leaders.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Leadership Livingston graduates 13th class
Community news report
The Leadership Livingston Class of 2025 celebrated its graduation June 1, at the Suma Hall Community Center, marking the completion of the program’s 13th year
A signature initiative of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Livingston has graduated 294 participants since its launch in 2012. This year’s class of 24 emerging and established leaders gathered with sponsors, alumni, chamber board members, and supporters to reflect on their journey through the program. Class representative Don McPherson, chosen by his peers, delivered remarks on behalf of the class He spoke about the lessons learned, the strong connections formed, and the many memorable experiences shared
ä See CLASS, page 2G
CHECKING OUT VISITORS AT THE LIBRARY
PARDS Soccer Club heads to national tournament
Zack Miller, director of the Parks and Recreation of Denham Springs Soccer Club, is quick to point out that it can be hard to find online information about U.S. youth soccer tournaments, but it doesn’t change the fact that his 18-under boys team has already had unprecedented success this summer Operating as an outlet for Livingston Parish soccer players who want to play year-round, PSC had one of its girls teams qualify for a national region tournament two years ago.
This year’s 18U boys team has done better than that by qualifying for the National President’s Cup championship, which will be staged July 11-15 in Tampa, Florida.
Community news report
Animal experts brought a variety of exotic wildlife to the Livingston Parish Library as part of Summer Reading Program events. Nature on the Geaux, which aims to foster a deeper connection to wildlife and nature through engaging and educational programs, presented an “Animals Around the World” show at all five branches June 10-12.
The hands-on adventure gave the public a chance to see exotic wildlife — includ-
ing snakes, turtles, ferrets, hedgehogs and lizards — at their local library
The shows drew hundreds of audience members who got an up-close view of fascinating creatures from across the globe while learning about their habitats, behaviors and unique adaptations.
The presentations were led by Tanee Janusz, an environmental educator and animal keeper for more than 25 years. Janusz provides a wide range of educational experiences for schools, universities,
See ANIMALS, page 3G
Reaching the nationals is an accomplishment in itself PSC will be one of eight teams competing in two brackets. There will be three guaranteed games in pool play before semifinals and a championship match conclude things.
So how did this happen?
For starters, the talent assembled represents the best athletes from Denham Springs, Live Oak and Walker or as Miller puts it, “It’s like the Livingston Parish dream team.”
This year’s team barely qualified for the Louisiana President’s Cup championship, which only takes the top six
ä See SALZER, page 3G
Longtime area musician inducted into Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame’s spring induction included a bass player who began his musical journey at 8 years old. Charley Moran, 69, is known around southeast Louisiana as a talented bass player, as well as an encouraging mentor to other up-and-coming musicians. “Music is the only thing I’ve ever known all my life,” Moran said. “I was very overwhelmed being inducted into the Hall of Fame because there are a lot of great musicians in there.”
Moran, who lives in Maurepas, has two adult children and recently retired from being Picou Brothers Construction Company’s construction project manager The induction ceremony was held March 16 at Manny’s Bar in Maurepas.
“I’m not good at public speaking,” Moran laughed. “But it was emotional for me to see a lot of musicians that I had played with there for the ceremony.” Moran’s musician father, Charles Ray Moran Sr., introduced him to music and guitar strumming.
“My first memories are sit-
ting on the bandstand with my dad while he played,” Charley Moran said. “I got my first sixstring steel guitar at 8 years old, but I couldn’t play it. My dad gave me one of his old basses.
“He taught me a few things and then the bass became my instrument.” What followed was decades of playing guitar and keyboard with numerous bands, including Mike LeBlanc and the Dreamers, Southern Boogie Band, The Bac Trac Band and the Kenny Fife Band. His love and appreciation
PROVIDED PHOTO
This hedgehog was one of several animals that library visitors learned about during a series of wildlife presentations held at all five Livingston Parish Library branches June 10-12. The animal demonstrations were led by Tanee Janusz, of Nature on the Geaux.
PROVIDED PHOTO
PARDS Soccer Club goalkeeper
PROVIDED PHOTO Charley Moran, 69, plays during his induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. ä See HALL, page 3G
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
in-state teams. After league play, PSC was rated sixth, and was then told it would need to win an additional match against the seventh place team to earn a spot in the state tournament.
PSC head coach Nikki Deshotel said the unexpected extra game lit a fire in her team that spurred her team to qualifying for regionals.
“When the LSA (Louisiana Soccer Association) came back and said we had to have a playoff that just pissed my boys off. The fire was lit,” Deshotel said. “We went to regionals and came out with a vengeance. We won every game except the last one, but the top two teams go forward to nationals.”
Anthony Paz was the offensive star scoring five of his team’s eight goals at regionals, but defense was a major factor PSC allowed only one goal in its first three games before losing
4-1 to the Huntsville Eclipse in the final.
Goalkeeper Tate Fuentes, and center back defenders Dillon Ott and Charles Fruge were other key players for PSC, which will finish up a threeweek break before next week’s
nationals begin. “The time off will help with injuries,” Deshotel said. “You don’t want too much time because we’re already on a really good streak and you don’t want that fire to burn out.” It sounds like Deshotel and
her team have a good plan.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Livingston Parish Library book clubs make selections for July
All Livingston Parish Library branches host monthly book clubs for adults, and each club features a different Book of the Month selection.
The book selections cover a wide range of genres and interests, all intended to celebrate the collective love for reading
Whether you’re a fan of gripping mysteries, heartwarming romances, or enlightening nonfiction, the clubs “got you covered with these selections,” a news release said.
For more information on a particular book club, call the branch.
Sunny Side Up Inspirational Book Club
10 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, at the Watson Branch July selection
“The Sea Glass Sisters” by Lisa Wingate About the book: From the bestselling author of “Before We Were Yours,” this is a gripping tale of personal struggle and unexpected alliances, in which three women will discover that sisterhood and the sea can change hearts, lives, and futures often in the most unpredictable of ways. Joyful Reads Book Club
10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, at the South Branch July selection: “Under the Southern Sky” by Kristy Woodson Harvey About the book: Two childhood friends
discover that love and family can be found in unconventional ways in this timely moving novel by the bestselling author Spine Tinglers Book Club
6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at the Watson Branch July selection: “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore About the book: This 2024 bestselling novel follows the disappearance of a 13-yearold girl at a summer camp in 1975.
Box of Chocolates Book Club
2 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch July selection: “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand About the book: A biography of World War II veteran Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in the Pacific Theater, spent 47 days
drifting on a raft, and then survived more than two and a half years as a prisoner of war in three Japanese POW camps.
ASB Book Club
10 a.m. on Monday, July 28, at the Albany-Springfield Branch July selection: “The Women” by Kristin Hannah About the book: From the celebrated author of “The Nightingale” and “The Four Winds” comes Kristin Hannah’s “The Women” — at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided.
Main Branch Book Club
10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, at the Main Branch (Livingston) July selection: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Reid Jenkins About the book: This historical fiction novel follows the life of the iconic and enigmatic Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo.
South Branch Bookies
5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, at the South Branch July selection: “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano About the book: Released in 2023, this emotional, heart-wrenching family drama was an instant bestseller and the 100th Oprah Book Club pick.
Geaux, on June
ANIMALS
Continued from page 1G
camps retirement communities, day cares, festivals and scouts across southeast Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.
The presentation from Nature on the Geaux was part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 3 This year’s program theme is Color Our World, highlighting the power art has to transform, uplift and connect us all. For more information on the Summer Reading Program, follow the library’s social media pages, visit a local branch, or visit www mylpl.info/SummerReading.
Continued from page 1G
for music, particularly playing alongside Louisiana musicians, made him a perfect choice for the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, said Associate Director Jason Broussard.
“Charley was recommended for nomination by musician Zydeco Mike Fredricks,” Broussard said. “The manner of how candidates are nominated varies. The executive director and Hall of Fame founder Mike Shepherd makes the final decision.” Broussard added Moran’s induction was based on several factors, including his successful career, as well as his enthusiasm for helping other musicians through the years.
“Charley has had a successful career in the Louisiana music industry for over 40 years,” Broussard said. “He has performed with many great Louisiana artists such as Van Broussard & The Bayou Boogie Band.
“In addition to his contributions to successful bands and studio work, Charley has been a mentor and has contributed to many artists throughout the years.”
Zydeco Mike, as well as Broussard, benefited from Moran’s encouragement.
The first time Broussard played the rubboard on stage, he nervously stood next to Moran.
“You’ve got good timing kid, you can play that thing next to me anytime,” Moran told Broussard.
“There are many artists who might not have been successful without Charley’s encouragement and support,” Broussard added.
Moran’s musical specialty is swamp pop, a blend of several genres including jazz, Cajun and R&B.
“Swamp pop makes you want to dance,” Moran said. “I play alongside people, and you can tell the person playing is playing out of feeling.
“Everyone plays with unique styles. In Ascension Parish, there are good drummers around Gonzales, and then you can play with another guy from somewhere else who has another style and is good at playing jitterbug. You can feel and hear the different styles.”
Moran’s musical career has included meeting famous singers and bands, such as Mickey Gilley and Little Texas.
“Opening for Little Texas was great,” Moran said. “This was before they made it big. Very few make it that far these days.
“I met Mickey Gillis for a fire department fundraiser The famous musicians are normal people like everybody else.” Moran has played with the Enuf Band for the past five years.
The band often plays at Manny’s Lounge as well as the Cottage Inn in Prairieville. For more information about the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, visit www.louisianamusichalloffame.org.
Tanee Janusz, of Nature on the Geaux, left, holds a lizard for young library patrons to pet during a wildlife presentation held at the Livingston Parish Library’s South Branch.
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A crowd gathers at the Livingston Parish Library’s South Branch for a wildlife presentation by Tanee Janusz of Nature on the
10.
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The Parks and Recreation Denham Springs boys 18U soccer team celebrates after qualifying for nationals.
Youth Ballet performs ‘Great Candyland Adventure’
Community news report
A local youth ballet took audience members to a world of sweets and enchantment during a June 6 performance at the Denham Spring-Walker Branch library
As part of its weeklong tour in the Greater Baton Rouge area, the BRBT Youth Ballet performed “The Great Candyland Adventure” in front of a packed house.
BRBT’s Youth Ballet includes dancers in fifth through ninth grades who are chosen each spring in citywide auditions. As they perform together, the young dancers receive professional-caliber training.
The performance by the Youth Ballet was part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 3. This year’s program theme is Color Our World, highlighting the power art has to transform, uplift and connect us.
For the latest Summer Reading Program information, follow the library’s social media pages, visit a local branch, or visit www mylpl.info/SummerReading.
Cutline (all photos)
Members of the BRBT Youth Ballet perform ‘The Great Candyland Adventure’ at the Livingston Parish Library’s Denham Springs-Walker Branch on Friday, June 6, 2025. This performance was part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 3, 2025.
For more information on this release, please contact public information officer David Gray at (225) 686-4108 or dgray@mylpl. info.
Derenbecker joins North Oaks Cardiology
Community news report
Dr Robert Derenbecker, a fellowship-trained and board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist, is joining North Oaks Cardiology on July 1.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the community I grew up in. As a cardiac electrophysiologist, I’m bringing a muchneed service to Tangipahoa Parish and North Oaks Medical Center for the first time,” Derenbecker said.
As a cardiac electrophysiologist, Derenbecker specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex heart rhythm disorders, including
atrial fibrillation, conduction-system pacing and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. He is certified in echocardiography by the National Board of Echocardiography and in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
to restore a patient’s normal heart rhythms and improve quality of life, often with a single procedure, is incredibly rewarding.”
“With rapid advancements for mapping the heart and AI integration, cardiac electrophysiology is an exciting and ever-evolving medical specialty that fuels my passion for innovation and problem-solving,” Derenbecker added. “The ability
Derenbecker completed a clinical cardiac electrophysiology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and a cardiovascular medicine fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, where he served as chief fellow from 2022 to 2023 and was recognized as Best Research Fellow in 2022.
His internal medicine residency was completed
through the Osler Medical Training Program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He earned his medical degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans. Professionally, he is a member of the American College of Cardiology, American Medical Association and the Heart Rhythm Society North Oaks Cardiology is in the North Oaks Clinic Building at 15813 Paul Vega, MD, Drive, Suite 403, in Hammond. To schedule an appointment with Derenbecker, call (985) 230-7350.
South Live Oak Elementary receives Louisiana Physical Activity Award
Community news report
South Live Oak Elementary’s physical education program has been honored by state leaders for championing health and wellness through an inclusive physical education program.
The Louisiana School Physical Activity Award was presented to South Live Oak Elementary by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ashley Bond, the school’s physical education teacher, was recognized by BESE for her leadership in the school’s efforts at a May ceremony at the Louisiana Old State Capitol. Bond developed a physical education program that focuses on physical activity, healthy choices and wellness. Her program encourages family engagement through at-home fitness challenges for students and after-school family activities, allowing parents to participate in physical activities with their students.
“South Live Oak is proudly leading the way in student fitness, wellness education and schoolwide movement culture,” BESE stated in its award presentation. In the state’s presentation, South Live Oak’s program was described as “innovative” in its approach to promoting lifelong fitness, noting that students are introduced to healthy food choices through a Pick a Better Snack Program, while programs like Mileage Mondays, the EZScan Running Club and Wellness Wednesdays teach healthy habits and track progress with fun incentives. Special events at the school include Jump Rope for Heart, the March of Dimes 1-mile walk, and a Color Run. Community and family involvement is possible through kickball tournaments, fitness challenges, family nights and after-school clubs.
The program supports all students with adaptive strategies and guidance from APE teachers.
Doyle High student wins book award
Community news report
Candace Shaidaee, an instructional coach at Southside Elementary, Denham Springs, has been awarded a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Fellowship for the 2025-2026 school year, making her one of 12 educators in the nation selected for the program. The NIET Fellows Program is a one-year opportunity for teacher leaders in K-12 school systems. The program is designed to provide teacher leaders with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place within and beyond their school and district.
“We are very proud of Candace. She is an excellent example of the hard work and dedication the teachers and staff of Southside Elementary give every day to meet the needs of our students,” said Southside Elementary Principal Laura Williams. Throughout the yearlong fellowship, July 2025 to June 2026, Shaidaee will take on a variety of responsibilities by engaging in multiple types of professional development.
She will maintain her employment as a full-time district employee while par-
ticipating in program activities throughout the year All travel costs associated with the required program travel will be covered by NIET, and she will receive a $7,500 stipend from NIET for her participation.
“I
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Members of the BRBT Youth Ballet perform ‘The Great Candyland Adventure” at the Livingston Parish Library’s Denham Springs-Walker Branch on June 6. This performance was part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program which runs through Aug. 3
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South Live Oak Elementary Principal Amy Savage, from left, South Live Oak Elementary teacher Ashley Bond and Livingston Parish School Superintendent Jody Purvis attend the BESE award ceremony at the Louisiana Old State Capitol.
Derenbecker
Candace Shaidaee