ONE DAY IN THE PAST
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Good food for a good cause
On Dec. 4, Denham Springs Main Street Association will present its 24th annual Holiday Chef’s Evening and Wine Tasting Event from 7-9 p.m.
Twenty-one area restaurants will serve samples of various dishes in shops located in the Antiques Village. A variety of wine samplings will also be available. Tickets are advanced sales only and are $35 per person Tickets may be purchased at bontempstix.com. Only 300 tickets will be sold. All proceeds benefit the Denham Springs Main Street Association. For more information, call (225) 667-7512, email info@ denhamspringsmainstreet org or visit www.denhamspringsmainstreet.org. Entertainment will be provided by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Children’s Choir and The Landford 10. Holidays kick off in Antique District
Get into the holiday season at 6 p.m. Nov 28 at the Lighting of the Old City Hall in Denham Springs. The following day, Nov. 29, shop in the city’s Antique District from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Merchants Christmas Open House.
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra plays at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 and the Kiwanis Club hosts the lighting of the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Dec. 11.
The Kiwanis Christmas Parade is at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and the city’s Christmas Alive is at 6 p.m. Dec. 14. Meet the Grinch from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Grinchmas in the Village. Free pet food pantry supports Louisiana families in need
Rescue Rehome Repeat of South Louisiana is launching a free pet food pantry throughout November to support pet owners in the Livingston and Baton Rouge areas who are facing financial hardship. Pet food and essential supplies will be distributed during scheduled adoption events this month.
The initiative is designed to help families keep their pets healthy and at home during times of financial instability. Supplies are available while they last and offered on a firstcome first-served basis.
To ensure orderly distribution, numbered tickets will be provided at the start of each event.
“Our goal is to make sure pets stay with the people who love them,” said Terri Dunlap, president of Rescue Rehome Repeat. “By assisting families experiencing a temporary setback, we can prevent animals from entering shelters and help keep pets where they belong at home.”
Full adoption event dates and pantry distribution times can be found at www.RescueRehomeRepeat.com.
Veterans Appreciation Day set in Denham Springs
A veterans program is set for 10 a.m. Nov 22 at Oaks Pavilion Park on Government Street in Denham Springs.
“Veterans Appreciation Day isn’t just a ceremony — it’s a sacred moment of remembrance, gratitude and unity,”
Brunett family opens farm for a step back in time when plows and wood-burning stoves were key
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
They come in large numbers, people eager to take a step back in time, long before smartphones, laptop computers and in some cases electricity or even gas-powered farm equipment.
For 50 of the past 52 years — two years were wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic the Brunett family in Loranger has opened the door to a past when plows were pulled by horses and not tractors, when biscuits were cooked on wood-burning stoves and wagon trains were the mode of transportation and not electric vehicles.
They come to see hogs butchered and then roasted, view with awe the wood-cutting contests, are amazed watching modern-day farmers wrestle with equipment dating to the Reconstruction era.
They dance to the music by a band that has performed every year at the Loranger event since the 1980s and join with others the popular horse pull, where a team of two horses pulls up to 10,000 pounds.
On the third weekend of October, usually around the time when fall offers at least a glimpse of cooler weather the Brunett family hosts Ole Farmer’s Day on its family farm in Loranger, providing an authentic glimpse into the past yet viewed through a modern prism.
“I think some people come here and don’t realize how hard the work was back in the day,” said Ethan Dunn, a member of the Brunett family who has worked at the event since a young age. “Simpler times were not necessarily easy.”
Dunn said five generations of the Brunett family have helped maintain the tradition, keeping alive an event that annually draws thousands of people.
“All of the family, the core group, puts this one,” he said, saying at least 20 family members are involved in setting up and managing the weekend
Also helping are about 50 staff members and up to 15 biscuit rollers who roll the goodies and then bake them in a wood-burning stove in front of long lines of eager buyers with big appetites.
Tommy Brunett said at 6 a.m. on Oct. 19 he
received call from a person who said he did not want to be charged an entrance fee but just wanted to buy the biscuits.
“They are that good,” Dunn said.
For Lamar and Lori Glaze, the biscuit tent represents the cradle of their marriage and is an example of the overall family atmosphere. It was in that same tent 26 years ago where they first met. A year later, they were married.
“The place really has a special meaning,” said Lori Glaze, whose grandmother started the biscuit tent 50 years ago.
“It’s a generational thing,” she said, explaining that five generations of her family, including two of her grandchildren, were manning the tent that day
“We take a lot of pride in it,” she said. “That is why I love doing it.”
Not far away Brian Lee was manually grinding corn on an old manual grinder, one that had been handed down by his father
Lee has carried on his dad’s tradition and has been in the same spot at Old Farmer’s Day for years.
On this day, he was grinding to make corn meal that can be used for a fish fry, or, as he said, “if you have a wife who knows what she is doing, you can make some cornbread and eat cornbread and milk.”
Lee said he still loves setting up the grinder and visiting with people he has known for three decades.
“It’s enjoyable to come every year but kids today ain’t into this,” he admitted.
Visitors are always within earshot of another longtime tradition, that being the popular band, The Fifth Wheel, playing on a stage strategically located in the middle of the site. The band has been the musical centerpiece at Old Farmer’s Day since 1982, an event Fred Burnthorn always enjoys performing despite
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Albany loses in round one of the football playo
The Albany football team made a trip to Brusly last week for a Division II nonselect first round playoff game, but for the Hornets, it was just another week where it was win or go home. Albany faced that scenario in week 10 against Bogalusa, when it came up with a 46-24 win that secured the
Charles Salzer SPORTS ROUNDUP
produced. “Bogalusa created some problems for our regular offense, and it was do or die,” Mikel said of his decision to use the elephant formation. “Everybody says (the Brusly game) is round one but its actually round two for us because if we don’t win last week
then we don’t get into round one. So, I wanted a tone-setter.” After a game-changing performance against Bogalusa, tonesetting is exactly what Albany got against Brusly The Hornets took the opening kickoff and held the ball for five minutes while running elephants. Albany hung around most of the first half, but eventually Brusly’s depth and talent won out as the sixthseeded Panthers pulled away in
Dust flies during Old Farmer’s Day in Loranger on Oct. 19 as a horse-drawn plow demonstrates how earlier farmers worked the land.
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
The hayride is always a popular event at the Old Farmer’s Day in Loranger, shown on Oct. 19.
EL EC TI ON 20 25
RESULTS FROM SATURDAY’S ELECTION
LIVINGSTON
Livingston Parish students earn National Merit Recognition
Community news report
Four Livingston Parish high school seniors have received recognition by the National Merit Scholarship program, including one student who has been named a 2026 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist.
Walker High School senior Collin Sprouse has been named one of 16,000 semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
As a semifinalist, Sprouse can continue to compete for one of 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly a total of $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title, according to the program’s news release.
Three other seniors Parker Mitchell, of Denham Springs High School; and Zach Braud and Elliot Perkins, of Live Oak High School earned National Merit Commended recognition. This distinction highlights exceptional academic achievements and places them among the nation’s
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the second half to post a 42-6
top-performing students.
“A much-earned congratulations goes out to all four high school seniors who took on the rigorous academic requirements to pursue a National Merit award, including scheduling and taking a series of nationally based tests beginning as early as middle school,” Superintendent Jody Purvis said. “And congratulations to their parents for supporting them through this process It is quite an honor just to receive a commendation, and a tremendous accolade to advance in the competition.”
“We certainly will be cheering for Mr Sprouse’s advancement in the competition, wishing him the best fortune to become a finalist next year,” Purvis added. Sprouse aspires to study
Despite the one-sided score, the game was a testament to the attitude that Mikel wants Albany to have. The Hornets showed up ready to play, and gave notice to a talented Brusly
THELIVINGSTON- ANGIPAHOA
THELIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA HE IVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA ADVOCATE DVOCATEADVOCATE
biology and nursing in college to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
He said he gained a passion for working in health care after founding KidCreations, a volunteer service organization that assembles and delivers activity bags to pediatric patients.
Sprouse holds a 4.2 GPA and a composite score of 35 on the ACT He is captain of the Walker High School soccer team and participates in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Mitchell plans to attend college to study atmospheric science and pursue a career as a meteorologist.
He said he hopes to develop scientific techniques to advance storm prediction methods to improve safety
squad they believed in themselves.
It all started the week before.
“We had a really good week of practice,” Mikel said. “I think our kids really
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA ADVOCATE
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Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com
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in natural disaster situations. He has sustained a 4.0 GPA through high school, and he has qualified for and competed in the National Beta Convention multiple times.
Braud plans to attend LSU and major in finance and accounting.
He is a 2025 AP Scholar with Distinction, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. He is involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including Beta, FCA, and volunteer work through Live Oak Church, the Food Bank, and World Help Organization.
Perkins plans to attend a four-year university and
wanted to play, and they did a great job of fighting for one more week. We talked about how the power of 42 (players) was greater than the power of 11. We saw that on our sidelines.
major in math or science but has left that open-ended. He would like to continue in band and music in career college. He is a 2025 AP Scholar with Distinction, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. He has taken an extremely rigorous course during high school, including four math and science classes beyond graduation requirements. He is involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including Beta, Talented Music, and esports, and is also actively involved in his church.
Over 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools nationwide entered the
We saw that not only in the things they did but the words they were saying. It was 42 strong fighting for each other.” Even in defeat, that fight was evident against Brusly
2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors.
The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.
To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. In February, finalists will be notified.
For information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, including requirements for a student to be eligible for the program, visit www.nationalmerit. org.
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Elliot Perkins, of Live Oak High School
Parker Mitchell, of Denham Springs High School
Zach Braud of Live Oak High School
Collin Sprouse, of Walker High School
Lani Traylor Noah Lindsey
SLU Lab School students named Tangipahoa Parish students of the year
Community news report
Two Southeastern Louisiana University Laboratory School students have been named Tangipahoa Parish School System District Students of the Year Fifth grade student Lani Traylor received the honor for elementary school students, while eighth grade student Noah Lindsey received the honor for middle school students.
“I’m immensely proud of our students and the entire Lab School family,” said College of Education Dean Paula Summers Calderon. “The principal and the amazing faculty at the Lab School have a unique ability
of encouraging and supporting these young students.” Lab School Director Stephen Labbe said the students were selected because of their commitment to academics and community involvement.
“We are extremely proud of our Students of the Year,” said Labbe. “Lani and Noah exemplify the qualities we value most here at the Lab School — dedication to academic excellence and a genuine commitment to serving their community Their hard work, leadership, and character make them truly deserving of this honor.” For more information about the Lab School, visit southeastern.edu/labschool
SNHU announces summer 2025 dean’s, president’s lists
Community news report
Southern New Hampshire University has named its summer 2025 dean’s list and president’s list.
The summer terms run from May to August.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list. Area students included: Walker: Kristy Ashcraft and Erica McDowell Livingston: Makenzie
Ware
Fluker: Sebrina Innocent.
Area students also were named to the Summer 2025 president’s list.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Local students include:
Walker: Destinee Lawrence and Griffin Walley Livingston: Tricia Simeon
French Settlement: Kristy Matherne Denham Springs: Olivia Loupe, Hayden Stanley, Samantha Vest-Mtsko, Yolonda Williams, Kaytlyn Arthur, Jordan Wheeler, Elizabeth Bunch, Carly Westmoreland, Jennifer Stevens and LaShawn Brogdon
Tickfaw: Jonah Zieske
Samara Scott: Springfield Ponchatoula: Taylor Jones, Morgan Wallace, Jessica Perry, Ginger McKinney, Brittany Malone, Raychelle Bordelon and Lachandra Mack
Maurepas: Brandy Guedry
Independence: Jessica Laird
Hammond: Lacy Weedman, Ferin Peoples, Katerina Moore, Dylan Schiffman and Kevin Stimage
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults.
SLU hosts AI program Nov. 20
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Computer Science is hosting the third of the fall Industry Connect Distinguished Lectures at 4 p.m. Nov 20.
Scheduled in the Envoc Innovation Lab, located in room 2026 in the Computer Science and Technology Building, the free lecture is titled “Build Fast, Plan Carefully: A Field Guide to the Risks and Rewards of GenAI in Enterprise Software Development.” Strategic Analytics Director at North Oaks Health System Kevin Fussill will serve as guest speaker
A Ponchatoula native, he has worked at North Oaks Health System for 17 years after earning his bachelor’s degree in computer science
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organizers said in a news release.
This year’s theme, “Thanksgiving of Praise,” is to remind residents “that freedom is never free — and gratitude is more than a feeling.”
The event is dedicated to veterans who served, active military, Gold Star families and first responders. Live music by Dennis
Students learn about vaping dangers
Community news report
Two LSU student-athletes recently joined members of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office to point out the dangers of vaping to sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High.
Attorney General Liz Murrill’s outreach team presented the students with visual displays and take-home handouts providing facts about the dangers and costs of vaping, a news release said. They shared research that shows vaping is highly addictive and can damage the lungs and proper brain development of youth.
LSU baseball player Eddie Yamin and LSU gymnast Courtney Blacksmith worked with the presenters to ask the students questions and engage with them in discussions about peer pressure and the need to set healthy priorities.
“Our students were able to take away a lot of good information from the presentations, and it was a message they needed to hear,” said DSJH Principal Justin Wax. “We have seen vaping become a growing health concern in our community over the past few years, as many children are now vaping by the time they enter middle school.”
“So, we were encouraged to get the call from the AG’s Office asking to come to our school with their anti-vaping message, and we applaud our college athletes for joining in on this effort. I think it will make a difference,” Wax said.
Renee Roberts, director of outreach for the Louisiana Department of Justice, said her team is partnering with athletes at Louisiana colleges and universities to go into middle schools across the state to deliver their antivaping message through three station presentations.
The first presentation station provides information about the cycles of addiction and how false advertising is utilized by some e-cigarette companies. They show samples of vapes that are disguised to look like toys and cartons of milk, and they share information on how “tobacco-free” vapes contain harmful synthetic nicotine that is more addictive than tobacco.
At the second station, students learn about the effects of vaping on the body They explain how vaping can harm the brain, heart and lungs. For example, nicotine exposure in young brains can damage receptors, changing the way their brains process information; thereby lessening their ability to learn and causing them to have disruptive behavior Damage can also be caused by other ingredients in vapes, including nickel, lead, tin, weed killer, formaldehyde and other toxins.
The students also learned alternatives to vaping to cope with peer pres-
sure and anxiety Students and team members talk about appropriate responses to peer pressure and healthy alternatives to relieving stress.
Students are given an Anti-Vaping Jr Agent Field Training Manual that provides information from the sessions in a fun, comic-style presentation.
“The message is being well received, and in many instances, the teachers and school administrators are asking for even more resources they can share with their students and parents.
from Southeastern In his current role, Fussell leads organizational efforts in enterprise analytics and data science, systems integration, and custom software development His team’s innovative work in the field of AI and predictive analytics received national recognition for their design and delivery of real-time, predictive clinical decision support and early intervention technology, now utilized by many health care facilities around the country to save lives and improve patient outcomes. To be added to the RSVP list and receive all event details, email industryconnect@southeastern.edu For more information, contact the Department of Computer Science at (985) 549-5740.
Calmes and his daughter, Jennifer, will join a guest speaker
A free meal will be served. Save the date
The holiday festivities continue when the Kiwanis Club of Walker’s Christmas on the Bayou Parade on the Amite River rolls Dec. 6
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 3880731
Members
Alli McGuinness, standing right, along with LSU gymnast Courtney Blacksmith, present information on the dangers and costs of vaping to sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High School.
We have made additional resources available through the Department of Justice website, and we are working with other programs and state agencies to add even more options,” Roberts said. Funding for the Attorney General’s statewide educational campaign comes from a $10 million settlement with ecigarette company Juul Labs. The funds can only be used for youth vaping prevention and cessation efforts, the release said.
PROVIDED PHOTOS
LSU baseball player Eddie Yamin shares information about the advertising strategies of vaping companies to target youth with sixth graders at Denham Springs Junior High School during a recent anti-vaping outreach presentation.
of the Attorney General’s Outreach Team Courtney Mounce, standing left, and
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losing his brother who was a fellow band member, years ago.
“I recognize most all of the faces,” said Burnthorn, who typically plays continually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. without taking a break, although he did concede “we are getting kind of old.”
This past October, the event even added homesteading classes, where people learned about growing their own food, baking their own bread, keeping chickens for their fresh eggs and perhaps having a cow for fresh milk.
“During COVID people could not find eggs or meat so there has been a big shift in our community to grow your own food,” said Dunn’s cousin, Kristen Burnett. “Most of it is a hobby but we have that available to our community and to teach those things is valuable.”
Despite the thousands of people who gather, the event is family friendly and safe but Thomas Burnett remembered with a chuckle years ago when toward the end of the day a bit of trouble brewed. He said in those early days a still was set up in the woods that was used for making moonshine.
“About time for closing they stated coming out of those woods, all stumbling, somebody gets mad and the next thing you know they start fighting,” he said.
“Some people said their best memories is the moonshine and it was actually down a little trail into the woods,” Dunn said. “They tried to make it authentic.”
Today the still is gone but a half century of memories remain.
“This is home; people I know, faces I recognize,” Burnthorn said. “Some people I don’t see but here once a year and they come up and talk.”
Burnthorn said he has played at weddings or other special events for three generations of the same family he originally met at Old Farmer’s Days.
Nunn, standing nearby, nodded his approval. For him, the annual event more about family and keeping alive a tradition, as evidenced by the numerous families who set up campers to visit with friends despite living less than two miles from the farm.
“We insist on maintaining the family atmosphere,” said Debbie Brunett, Tommy Brunett’s wife.
“I am most proud of just the fact tradition is important to me and I think the fact we can keep this alive is what I am proud of,” Dunn said.
Editor’s Note: Not long after Old Farmer’s Day, Brian Lee suffered a medical emergency and died.
Email Richard Meek at livingston@ theadvocate.com.
Older saddles and other farming equipment on display
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Farmer’s Day in Loranger on Oct. 19.
Fred Burnthorn, lead singer of The Fifth Wheel Band, plays during the annual Old Farmer’s Day in Loranger on Oct 19. An
Lamar Glaze takes out a hot batch of homemade biscuits baked on