Ascension Advocate 03-25-2026

ON THE HUNT

Children search for Easter eggs on Saturday during the Hippity

16,000 eggs were spread across the park’s grounds for the hunt.

Easter Event

Hippity Hoppity Easter event includes 16,000-count egg hunt, arts & crafts, food, music

BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer

Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity

Easter event at the Youth Legacy Duplessis Park would have made the Easter Bunny proud by featuring a massive 16,000-count Easter egg hunt, pastel-themed décor and adorable dogs awaiting adoption.

The event, hosted by Ascension Parish Recreation and Bearded Events, included more than 100 vendors, food and musical entertainment.

The park’s massive oak trees provided shade while families relaxed, took pictures with the Easter Bunny and children jumped inside inflatables.

The afternoon also included the Easter egg hunt with colorful

plastic eggs spread across park grounds.

The Ascension Parish animal shelter — Cara’s House — featured seven dogs available for adoption. Of those seven, four went home with new families during the event.

“This is our first time being here, and we are hoping the dogs get a lot of exposure and get adopted,” said Natalie Albin, Cara’s House volunteer dog adoption coordinator

“This is a great opportunity for people who would not normally have time or be able to go to the shelter to come out and see the dogs’ personalities and interact with them,” Albin said.

Breeds for the dogs available for adoption were mixes including terrier, boxer, pitt and a

chow/golden retriever

A 4-year-old white Great Pyrenees named Meechum was adopted during the event.

For other vendors, their participation at the Hippity Hoppity Easter event was a prize like finding the golden egg.

First-time vendor McKayla Gautreau, owner of High Maintenance Freshies, was excited to display and sell her homemade car air fresheners.

“I have many styles and scents Anything you could want, I’ve probably got,” laughed Gautreau “They have a lot of funny sayings and slogans.”

Gautreau, who is based in Prairieville, has had her business for a little over a year

See HUNT, page 3G

SINSATIONAL

Film setting site of local celebrations

BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer

An alliance of film industry and cultural heritage groups circled the wagons on the eve of the Oscars that featured Ryan Coogler’s hit “Sinners.”

African American history museum reopens after 2 years

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

In a small building at the former Tezcuco Plantation in Burnside, a museum dedicated to the African American experience in the River Parishes launched 32 years ago.

The River Road African American Museum — now in Donaldsonville closed around two years ago to repair roof damage caused by Hurricane Ida. This weekend, the organization’s flagship building officially reopened its doors.

Standing before a gathered crowd March 14, Executive Director Darryl Hambrick announced the reopening before his sister and museum founder, Kathe Hambrick, cut the ribbon.

“We’re ready to reopen the doors. Are y’all ready?!” he said to cheers and applause.

The celebration kicked off March 13 and continued the next day with live music, a performance by the dance group GSmoove Steppas and artist showcases, including a talk by Geismar artist Malaika Favorite.

The museum charts African American history from slavery through the sharecropping and Jim Crow era and beyond. The organization also maintains a church memorial and a historic Rosenwald School, and it will soon begin restoration on a historic gathering spot in town.

Kathe Hambrick said the museum was born out of her desire to “tell the story of my people.”

“When I started this museum, I wanted to be a part of documenting oral histories and saving the artifacts of what’s left,” she said. “Industry has come into this area. The landscape has changed. The big 200-year-old oak trees, 400-year-old oak trees are no longer there.”

Darryl Hambrick said the day was a way “to celebrate the successes, the hardships, and everything that was endured on those plantations.”

“And to give hope to our community and let them know no matter what you go through, no matter what happens — a storm, COVID, slavery, death — there’s always hope,” he added. “If we can give that hope to the world, then we’ve done our job.”

holds a historic photo of an enslaved man from Louisiana during the reopening of the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville on March 13.

Community members reflect on past, future Various community members attended the events, including Odessa Johnson, 91, a former history and civics teacher at East Ascension High School.

“I have a button that says, ‘Teach Black History,’ ” she said, pointing to a button on her shirt. “I don’t think we should exclude any history at all because we are a human race. All people belong to that race, and so I think that we should teach history from all backgrounds.” Johnson, who grew up in Prairieville, discussed the lengths she had to go for an education when she attended Lowery High School prior to school desegregation.

“There was no Black high school on the east side of the river I had to catch the five o’clock bus in the morning, go to the bus station, stay there until it got light, and then caught a street bus,” she said. From there, she and other students were dropped off at the Mississippi River, where they caught a ferry and then walked through Donaldsonville to the school.

“I wanted to get an education. I did not want to work in a place where I had to cook, wash for other people and what have you,” she said. “So I’m happy; I’m blessed that I was able to

See MUSEUM, page 4G

Veterans Memorial Park pavilion renamed in memory of

Y. SPENCER

PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP

Hoppity

at Duplessis Park.

Sabine McCalla, a singer featured in the movie ‘Sinners,’ performs at the River Road Juke Joint event March 14 in Convent.

PHOTO BY FRANCES

STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS RRAAM Executive Director

Darryl Hambrick

All district boys basketball team named

Ascension Parish was well represented in the 2026 Ascension Parish All District Boys Basketball team announcement.

District 5-5A

First team: Dwayne Mitchell, East Ascension, junior; DJ Schonberg, St. Amant, senior; Curtis Joseph, East Ascension, junior; Jermichael Millien, St. Amant, senior; Ethan Bell, Dutchtown, senior

Co-MVP: Mitchell

Defensive MVP: Mitchell

Honorable Mention: Dutchtown, Caiden Watis; East Ascension, Roshaun Munson, Gavin Rann; St. Amant, Kaleb LeBlanc, Kaven Taylor, Chandler Keller; Prairieville, Mason Armstrong, Dillard Warner

The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Feb. 26-March 5: FEB. 26

MCGEACHY, CONRAD: 10511

St. John Church Road, Folsom; 39; failure to appear-bench warrant CARRIER, DEZREIONNA

JOSHYA: 430 W. Keller St. Church Point; 23; theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

JOHNSON, TREVOR

DAQUAWAN: 1707 Joseph St., Donaldsonville; 18; distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, illegal carry of weaponscrime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance

JOHNSON, TRAVIS DEMON: 1707 Joseph St. Donaldsonville; 20; distribution/possession with the intent to distribute Schedule V controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids

FEB. 27

FELTON, SHANE: 2824 S Burnside Ave., Gonzales; 27; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

THOMAS BRENTON TAYLOR: 202 S. Magnolia Drive, Donaldsonville; 29; possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, carnal knowledge of a juvenile, indecent behavior with juveniles

GAUTREAU JR., ERNIE J.: 12178 Elva Drive, Baton Rouge; 47; failure to appear-bench warrant, theft less than $1,000 FULLER, SONYA DARCEL: 910

N. Burnside Ave Gonzales; 53; driving on roadway laned for traffic, hit-and-run driving GIBSON, KENDRICK KENDELL: 3038 La. 1 S Donaldsonville; 43; simple battery GIPSON, KEZ QUINTEL: 509

AROUND

Continued from page 1G

District 8-1A

Troy LeBoeuf

ASCENSION SPORTS

District 7-3A

Donaldsonville First team: Quinnton Dabney, senior Second team: Donald Brown, senior; Skyler Garrison sophomore; Isaac Rodrigue, sophomore Honorable Mention: Jaden Phillip and Zaylon Phillip All Defense: Isaac Rodrigue and Zaylon Phillip Coach of the Year: Lionel Gilbert

First team: Dylan Spansel, Ascension Christian, senior; Trevin Simon, Ascension Catholic, senior; Kamryn Schexnayder, Ascension Catholic, senior; Trevor Russell, Ascension Christian, senior Second team: Greg Fernandez, Ascension Catholic MVP: Spansel

Honorable Mention: Ascension Christian, Gage Mixon and Leron McDowell; Ascension Catholic, Jacob Julien

Troy LeBoeuf can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate. com or on Twitter @ Troyleboeuf

Catadonna St., Donaldsonville; 32; state probation violation, two counts contraband defined-certain activities regarding contraband in penal institutions prohibited, criminal conspiracy, manufacture/ distribution/possession with the intent to distribute Schedule I controlled dangerous substance LECOMPTE, IAN JUDE: 15103 Beau Jon Ave., Prairieville; 23; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

PHILLIPS, JOSHUA DENNEY: 17330 Marselleis Blvd., Prairieville; 42; failure to appearbench warrant

FEB. 28

RICHARD, JASON ANDREW: 1005 Peytavin St., Donaldsonville; 53; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, bicycles-front lamps/rear lamps/ side and rear reflectors, resisting an officer, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance SPROLES, BAILEY JOHN: 43453 Mary Lane, Sorrento; 26; resisting an officer, simple battery, domestic abuse battery SPIKES, MONIQUE: 2253 La. 70, Donaldsonville; 35; maximum speed limit, violations of registration provisions, switched license plate, security required, registration of sex offenders, operating while intoxicated-first

WHITE JR., CURTIS: 15054 Braud Road, Prairieville; 42; theft less than $1,000, tampering with surveillance/ accounting/inventory/or monitoring systems

FEATHERSTON, MICHAEL V.: 25045 Plantation Ave, Denham Springs; 39; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction LAVAL, PAMELA L.: 238 NW 3rd St., Reserve; 71; driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-first

MARCH 1

WADE, MORGAN TAYLOR: 2150 Kleinert Ave, Baton Rouge; 31; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles,

Dutchtown Farmers Market planned

If you live across the parish, visit the Dutchtown High FFA Plant Sale and Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

following vehicles, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, operating while intoxicatedfourth or more

TURNER, JOSEPH HERSCHEL: 12049 La. 73, Geismar; 55; possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, illegal carry of weaponscrime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of heroin, security required, operating vehicle while license is suspended, signals by hand and arm or signal lamps, maximum speed limit, possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, obstruction of justice/ all others, traffic-control signals, reckless operation, no passing zone, driving on roadway laned for traffic, aggravated flight from an officer, tail lamps

COLAR, LAJORDAN DEMYKAL: 1727 S. Park Ave., Gonzales; 32; failure to appear-bench warrant

SOUTHALL, DASHA PERCY: 240 Dville Village Circle, Donaldsonville; 30; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

MARCH 2

SANTOS DURAN, ANGEL: 35510

Preston Lane, Donaldsonville; 21; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana more than 14 grams, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia

SANTOS DURAN, IVAN: 35510

Preston Lane, Donaldsonville; 19; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana more than 14 grams, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia

JOHNSON, QUENTIN LACHARLES: 594 N. Pine St., Gramercy; 46; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, turning movements and required signals, operating while intoxicated-first DAVIS, DESHAWN: 801 Swan

in the school’s greenhouse, 12165 La. 73, Geismar Vegetable plants, flowers, herbs, succulents, carpentry projects and other activities are planned.

Riverside Farmers Market set

Stop by the Riverside Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 45020

Donaldsonville coach Lionel Gilbert

Ave., Baton Rouge; 34; theft less than $1,000, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

PARKER, TARON RONWICH: 14483 Summerset Drive, Gonzales; 19; assault by drive-by shooting, aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, two counts of first-degree murder

OCTAVE, KAVIS JAMEL: 1901 W. Worthey Road, Gonzales; 18; assault by drive-by shooting, aggravated criminal damage to property, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, two counts first-degree murder

MORRISE, JOSHUA ETHAN: 18058 Wood Haven Drive, Prairieville; 20; two counts failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, disturbing the peace/language/ disorderly conduct, criminal trespass/all other simple assault

BENEDICT, LUKE JAMES: 263 Church St, Donaldsonville; 23; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, security required, careless operation, operating while intoxicated-first

MARCH 3

LEE, TIESHA: 10615 Airline Highway, Gonzales; 28; park operating curfew, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), distribution/ possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance

SMITH, CHARLES DERRELL: 10475 Fauburg Circle, St. James; 38; failure to appearbench warrant, possession of firearm by person convicted of domestic violence battery fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, park operating curfew, distribution/possession with intent to distribute

Manny Gautreau Road.

Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), distribution/possession with intent to distribute

Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), distribution/possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance

JACKSON, RUBEN FAIZON: 5030 Brown Ext., Darrow; 22; state probation violation, failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, no seat belt, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies

GARCIA, ISAMAR LOPEZ: 4231 Weber City Road, Gonzales; 24; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, misrepresentation during booking, driver must be licensed, resisting an officer, evidence of motor vehicle liability security contained in vehicle, display of temporary registration license plates

SCIONEAUX, KYLER JAMES: 134 Evangeline Drive, 101, Donaldsonville; 31; operating vehicle while license is suspended, false certificates, two counts failure to appearbench warrant, resisting an officer

NASH, OTITLE: 4930 Virgilian St., New Orleans; 70; residential contractor fraud over $25,000

KIM, MOSES Y.: 17950 Airline Highway, No. 933, Prairieville; 32; obscenity, battery of a police officer, disturbing the peace/drunkenness

TARVER, JOHN: 72521 S. Lewisston Road, Kentwood; 53; bank fraud, identity theft

BIKA, ROBERT: address unknown; 42; monetary instrument abuse, bank fraud

MAGHEE, LAQUNNA C.: 10504

La. 22 No. 15, St. Amant; 43; disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct, exploitation of elderly persons or persons with infirmities, identity theft

CAIN, LEAARON: Cornerview

The day will include free photos with the Easter bunny, an egg race, three-legged race, sack races and other activities. Donations will be accepted for the Tunnel To Towers Foundation.

Gun show coming to Gonzales

The Gonzales Gun Show is Saturday and

Road; 27; probation violation

JONES, TYREZ PHINESS: 10504 La. 22 No. 27, St. Amant; 18; disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/ disorderly conduct, domestic abuse battery-child endangerment

MARCH 4

DUPATY, CONWISER: 135 Dorseyville Lane, Belle Rose; 47; failure to appear-bench warrant

WESLEY, DARONTI ANTONIO: 2600 Martin Luther St., Lutcher; 26; home invasion (damage to property), three counts, violations of protective orders, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling NOHRA, GEORGE T.: 24867 Kendalwood Road, Baton Rouge; 69; possession of fentanyl, driving on roadway laned for traffic, possession of heroin

MARCH 5

DILLON, MICHAEL ANTHONY: 2328 St. Nick Drive, New Orleans; 22; fugitive-other state jurisdiction

PRESTLY, KEASLEY D: 8370 S St. Landry Ave., No.46, Gonzales; 37; interfering with a law enforcement investigation, resisting an officer

ALVEREZ, KYNGSTON L.: 8370 S. St. Landry Ave., No. 46, Gonzales; 18; driver must be licensed, stop signs and yield signs, traffic-control signals, driving on roadway laned for traffic, maximum speed limit, reckless operation, illegal possession of stolen firearms, handling of machine guns unlawful, aggravated obstruction of a highway of commerce, aggravated flight from an officer FOSTER JR., THOMAS C.: 14030 Adam Arceneaux Drive, Gonzales; 65; criminal trespass/ all other GRAY, KENDELL LESTER: 2136 N. Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge; 36; fugitive-other state jurisdiction, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), simple assault

PROVIDED PHOTO

Dylan Spansel

PROVIDED PHOTO BY SHOTS BY MASON

Dwayne Mitchell

THE ASCENSION ADVOCATE 40444 Cannon Road Gonzales LA 70737 (225) 388-0215

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY Online at theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/ascension/

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Darlene T. Denstorff

ddenstorff@theadvocate.com

OFFICE: (225) 388-0215 CELL: (225) 603-1998

RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125

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Continued from page 1G

“I’ve come to this market before as a normal shopper, and my goal then was to be at this event this weekend,” Gautreau said. “When I got the opportunity to do that, it was surreal and a bit emotional for me.

“To be in a business with a great community in Ascension Parish and have Chad Brown with Bearded Events approve you as a vendor you know you’ve made it.”

Gautreau said the Easter event provides a chance to get to know others in the community

“You meet people in the community, like while shopping at Walmart,” Gautreau said “In a normal world, you don’t really get to interact with people much. But here, you can talk and get to know people in our community and make connections.”

For more information about Ascension Parish Recreation, visit www.ascensionparish.net/recreation. Bearded Events can be found on Facebook. To find out more about the animals available for adoption at Cara’s House, visit www.carashouse.com.

If thethoughtofsitting in a dentist’s chairmakes younervous, you’re notalone.Whether you’re dealing with

abad gag reflex, orjustneed

Families relax under the Youth Legacy Duplessis Park oak trees.

PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP

Miss Kitty’s Yard Pieces’ Easter-themed signs were some of the items for sale during Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity Easter Event at Duplessis Park. The event hosted by Ascension Parish Recreation and Bearded Events, featured more than 100 vendors.

McKayla Gautreau, owner of High Maintenance Freshies, displays her car air fresheners. Gautreau, of Prairieville, began her business a year ago with a goal to participate as a vendor

Meechum, a four-year-old Great Pyrenees, right, and Merola, a pitt mix, stand with Cara’s House Volunteer Dog Adoption Coordinator Natalie Albin during Saturday’s Hippity Hoppity Easter Event. Meechum was one of four dogs who were adopted during the event.

Kathe Hambrick, founder of the River Road African American

Research Center,

MUSEUM

Continued from page 1G

help many students.”

visitors Chabry

Thomas Durant, a former museum board president and LSU professor, said he’s seen the organization grow from its 1994 origins across the Mississippi River into a group that maintains multiple historic buildings and online exhibits.

“We expect to be around for as long as this community is here, and we hope that the next generations will continue this legacy and also contribute to its growth and development,” he said.

Local officials also made appearances, including former state representative Roy Quezaire and current Ascension Parish Councilman Oliver Joseph. Donaldsonville City Council Chair Charles Brown Sr stopped by and thanked the Hambrick siblings for the work they’ve done to build and sustain

Inclusive Louisiana communications representative Samille Ganges offers insight into the mission and activities of her organization March 14 at the River Road Juke Joint event held at their Hub headquarters.

Continued from page 1G

The critically-acclaimed movie, which received a record 16 Oscar nominations, was partially shot in Donaldsonville. The March 14 juke joint experience featured live entertainment and a traditional fish fry The Rolling on the River Alliance fuses several disciplines to connect River Parishes residents with opportunities in Louisiana’s film industry

and executive director of

her

A look at the recreation of a kitchen comprised of antique kitchen appliances

Chabry marks gets emotional while reading a placard about Donaldsonville musicians that mentions her grandfather

STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS

Museum

the Amistad

left, chats with

Marks, center, and

husband, Jay, right, during the reopening of the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville on March 13.

A display on Solomon Northup

A painting is displayed alongside Jim Crow era signs during the reopening of the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville.

Sabine McCalla, a singer featured in the movie ‘Sinners,’ performs at the River Road Juke Joint event.

Organizers in the Rolling on the River Alliance greet participants Saturday during the River Road Juke Joint. They are, from left, Alaina Dunn, of the COOL Cooperative, and Joy Banner, of the Descendants Project.

A documentary filmmaker captures footage at the River Road Juke Joint event.

Dancer Courtney Ross provides entertainment during the River Road Juke Joint at the Hub, a site run by Inclusive Louisiana.

Area residents watch ‘Sinners’ Saturday at the Hub.