Inaugural We the People parade rolls in Watson
The inaugural We the People Fourth of July parade rolled through Watson Friday
The nonprofit includes members of the Livingston Parish Republican Executive Committee, Livingston Republican Women, the Liberty Belles and the Livingston Young Republicans.
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Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community celebrate International Day
Community news report
On June 18, members of Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community attended the club’s annual International Day Celebration at the LSU Research Center in Hammond. Each year, club members select a country to highlight for the event, and this year they chose England as the featured country To kick off the activities, chair Susan Melancon directed a fun game depicting a trip to the Kentucky Derby, which was inspired by England’s famous Epsom Derby originated in 1780
Emma Sable, granddaughter to club member Gwen Domiano, was on hand to serve as Melancon’s assistant during the game. As is customary for both Derby races, members and guests, all donned hats for the event. The hats also fit right in for the next activity, which was a tea party Tea sommelier and owner
of The English Tea Room & Eatery in Covington, Jan Lantrip, was the guest speaker for the event. Lantrip talked about the history of English teas, the proper etiquette for teas, and the differences in the varieties of teas As part of her presentation, Lantrip brought an assortment of tea blends and flavors for the members to sample while she spoke. To aid her in the preparation of the teas, Lantrip was assisted by Dawna Kostrzewa deMoss.
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community is an all-volunteer arm of LSU Agriculture Extension Service. It consists of two chapters: Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community and Sunshine Ladies. For more information about TVFC local groups, email TVFC president Gloria Messenger at ggmesenger1@gmail. com or membership chair Sue Nelson at suenelson41 @yahoo.com.
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“The fields will be very similar in style, just different dimensions,” Walker Athletic Director Joey Sanchez said last week. “We’re wanting to get started before September so hopefully (the teams) will be on the field by Christmas.”
Walker will be the last of Livingston Parish’s Class 5A schools to have turf fields for both baseball and softball. The improvements will effectively have the Wildcats on equal footing as far as amenities, playability and plain old good looks.
Center field? An artist rendering of the new baseball field shows a spot Fogerty would be proud to roam In the middle of the field is a 60-foot-wide Wildcat logo, similar to the one in Wildcat football stadium, two-thirds of the way between home plate and the batter’s eye in dead center In addition to the field of play which will add a 12foot warning track along the outfield wall, the artwork also shows that both bullpens will have turf. Past the bullpens will be new
spectator areas down the right and left field lines.
Another feature fans should notice at both fields is the addition of LED lighting. The turf itself will provide quick relief from all of the rain that can wreak havoc on a baseball schedule. Walker has had to reschedule games because of field conditions, and even youth camps have been affected at times. Now, instead of needing days for the field to drain after a heavy downpour, it will have the capability of being playable in a matter of hours. Ready to play? Put me in, coach.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Pickleball franchise opening in Livingston
BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer
A national indoor pickleball court franchise is headed to Louisiana with its first location in Walker Pickleball Kingdom, which has courts in at least 10 states, is moving into the former Furniture Gallery building across the street from Walmart on Walker South Road, according to the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce. The site should open by the end of the year or beginning of 2026, according to the City of Walker
The business will house over a dozen pickleball courts. It will include individually fenced courts, a viewing area, a shop for equipment and a snack bar, according to the franchise website. The first Pickleball Kingdom opened in Arizona in 2022. The franchise began expanding across the country the following year, according to its website. It is now hiring for a general manager, according to the Walker location’s newly formed Instagram page.
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PHOTO Sue Nelson, Betty Bankston and Maureen Felder attend International Day.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
A float rider tosses a string of beads during the inaugural We the People Fourth of July parade in Watson.
Pat Loving waves as a float rolls by.
Bobbi Jo Guerin, right, hands an American flag to a spectator
A float rider tosses a string of beads during the inaugural We the People Fourth of July parade.
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Visitors are also able to use any of the Library’s resources. The library will announce its featured authors and special guests in the coming weeks.
Anyone wishing to secure a spot on Authors Row or Community Row can submit an online application by visiting www.mylpl.info/BookFestival. Applying does not guarantee acceptance; applicants will be contacted to confirm participation.
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/life-long-learning-livingston-center Register for a one-hour sound bath for relaxation program. This one hour class is designed to move energy gently and
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allows for a natural assist on the return to the boat launch.
Search for the rougarou
The name Tickfaw comes from the Choctaw language, potentially derived from a phrase meaning “rest among the pines” or more likely from a word meaning “place where wild animals shed their hair.”
The park has both relaxing pines and wild hairy animals. Rabbits and deer skitter along the piney forest trails, and evidence of the rougarou has been reported.
In fact, once a month, the park hosts a competitive search for this legendary half-human/half-wolf creature known for its creepy howling and transformative bite. Approximately 5 miles of trails wind through hardwood forests and cypress-tupelo swamps that were heavily pruned by Hurricane Ida in 2021. This loss of tree canopy has allowed for a thicker growth of underbrush where native plant enthusiasts will be happy to see a variety of flora such as the purple, bellshaped flower of the swamp leatherflower (Clematis crispa), the tall stalks of rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) and the wispy white flowers of the lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus).
In May the woods are covered in wild blackberries. Despite the loss of trees due to hurricanes and earlier years of logging, the park retains several old-growth cypress trees, including one known as the Grandma Tree, estimated to be 400-800 years old.
A multisensory experience
If explorations in the wilds of the park don’t turn up a rougarou or provide the thrill of encountering a live snake among the blackberry vines, visitors can
prepare the body and mind for a relaxing journey into sound. The class starts at 10 a.m. July 23. Fee is $25 and participants are asked to bring yoga blanket and pillow
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.
Leadership Livingston is a 10-month experience that starts with a retreat in August and includes monthly field trips from September to May Participants learn about key areas of the parish and work in teams on community improvement projects. The program concludes with a graduation in June.
Applications are open through July 15. Apply at www.livingstonparishchamber
stop at the Nature Center for a multi-sensory experience with dangerous critters.
Large and small aquariums provide a close-up look at a variety of snakes, turtles, fish, and even a thick, ferocious tiny-toed amphiuma.
A touch table gives visitors hands-on opportunities, like being able to feel the inside of an alligator’s jaw, while the “Listen and Learn” kiosk helps visitors identify the sounds made by less visible park animals like the upland chorus frog. Displays tell the story of the park’s ecosystems and the various peoples who have interacted with them over the years.
Camping and glamping
The park provides two separate campground loops with 30 RV sites on one and 20 tent sites on the other including a centrally located comfort station. Occasional flooding renders several tent sites unreservable, and most of the sites are not well-shaded.
A primitive “group camping” site known as the Atakapa Scout Area is available for tent camping, though not readily found via the park’s online reservation system. This partly shaded open camping area accommodates up to 40 people and features a sand volleyball court, five covered picnic tables, an established fire ring surrounded by a semicircular bench and a nearby fishing pond
The space is designated “primitive” since it’s a short hike to parking and restrooms, but it would be a fun place to camp for those willing to rough it a bit Priority is given to scout and youth groups, but others interested in reserving the site should contact the park directly for availability.
Tickfaw State Park is one of eight Louisiana state parks that at one time offered a glamping option featuring an elevated wall tent with a built-in restroom, purportedly managed by Tentrr, which filed for
org or call (225) 665-8155 for more information.
Farmers Market Saturday
Four Seasons Farmers Market opens every Saturday morning at 116 North Range Ave., Denham Springs. The event includes fresh produce and crafts items. For more information, call (225) 366-7241 or email thefourseasonsfarmersmarket@gmail. com.
At the library
The Livingston Parish Library offers a long list of classes and activities throughout the summer Check out events at the Denham SpringsWalker Branch by calling (225) 686-4140 or visiting www.mylpl.info.
Thursday, July 10, 10:30 a.m., Bilingual Storytime: La hora del cuento bilingue (ages 0-8). Join the library staff for a fun and interactive bilingual storytime. Perfect for children and caretakers, this special program combines stories, songs and activities in both Spanish and English. Kids and caretakers will enjoy the vibrant tales and learn new words in two languages, fostering a love for reading and cultural exchange.
bankruptcy in early 2023. According to Park Manager Joel Davis, state parks have recently been given the go-ahead to remove the unusable eyesores that have been occupying prime campsites.
Davis is excited to see these dismantled so the
park can regain use of these areas. Visitors need to bring their own fancy accoutrements if they want the glamorous camping experience at Tickfaw State Park or when making reservations, simply choose one of the 14 furnished, climate-
Thursday, July 10, 6 p.m., Adult Writers’ Club (ages 18+): Are you looking for a friendly writer’s atmosphere? People to share ideas with? Feedback for your latest writing project? The library’s book club focuses on support, helping each other, and having fun. All genres and all levels, from novice to pro writers, are welcome. To join, contact Lee Cline at lcline@mylpl.info.
Thursday July 10, 6 p.m., Heat Shrink Charm Necklace (ages 13-18): Did you know you can make your own heat shrink jewelry? Come explore this method of art using blank heat shrink paper and take home a necklace. Registration is required. Monday, July 14, at 10 a.m., Tri-Parish Ballet (all ages): Experience the artistry of dance as Tri-Parish Ballet presents a youth performance at the Livingston Parish Library Young dancers will take the stage, bringing stories to life through graceful movement, delightful costumes, and fun choreography This enchanting performance is a celebration of talent, dedication and the magic of ballet.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
controlled cabins with screened porches or the “group camp” option, which is a larger cabin that sleeps up to 52 in dormitory-style accommodations.
Whether staying for a day or a few nights, in a tent or a cabin, alone or with 51 of your close friends, Tickfaw State Park is a good place to explore the beauty of South Louisiana with a hint of danger lurking in the flora.
Know before you go
n Canoes are available onsite for $25 per day 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and must be returned by 4 p.m.
n Kayaks are available on-site to rent from Merry Green Marvel. Call Steve at (608) 632-6325 for details.
n The small boat launch can handle flat-bottomed boats up to 14 feet with
small outboard motors permitted. A mud motor like Gator Tail is recommended to navigate fluctuating water levels.
n Get your fishing license if you plan to fish. A typical catch includes largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish and blue catfish.
n The splash pad is routinely closed 8 a.m. to noon Mondays for maintenance and cleaning. Soft sole water shoes are recommended.
Upcoming events
n Children’s Story Hour is hosted from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the last Saturdays of each month for ages up to 12 at the Nature Center n The “I Found the Rougarou” Contest is held on the second Saturday of each month.
PHOTOS BY CATHERINE S COMEAUX
About five miles of trails wind through hardwood forests and cypress-tupelo swamps at Tickfaw State Park in Livingston Parish.
In May, the woods in Tickfaw State Park are covered in wild blackberries, along with swamp leather flower
