LIFE LESSONS
Dinosaurs come to life for theatrical performance on bullying
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
“No, I like you.” With those three heartfelt words coming from the innocence of a young girl, Alejandia Sutherland knew a message had been delivered.
Sutherland and Aidan Short had spent the previous 45 minutes at the Livingston Parish Library in Livingston on June 18 in an energizing, upbeat theatrical production. However, “Bullysaurus Rex” is not your typical children’s production but rather a theatrical experience that addresses the issue of bullying, which has become an increasing threat in all of society, especially to school age children.
“There are lessons dealing with bullying and why a bully might be mean,” Sutherland, a native of Louisville, Kentucky who graduated from SUNY Fredonia in Fredonia, New York this past May, said.
“And a lot of fun jokes for the children and parents.”
Sutherland said the lessons being brought to life through a Jurassic setting are important, noting that “probably everybody” has been bullied at some point.”
“I think that is something kids go through all of the time,” she said.
Sutherland and Short take on the roles of several pre-historic creatures. Short plays the role of Terri Dactyl, who is a victim of bullying by Bullysaurus Rex, portrayed by Sutherland, who also plays several other characters.
Bullysaurus Rex does everything “he” can to stop the other dinosaurs from
kindness to Terri Dectyl, who is the new kid on the block. The plot introduces other dinosaurs, all played by Sutherland, who are kinder and befriend Terri Dactyl. But Bullysaurus Rex takes Terri Dactyl
away from his home and he is desperate in trying to find his way back. Eventually, Bullysaurus Rex, through a transforming talk with Terri
ä See LESSONS, page 2G
Fire trucks built for specific needs around country
BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer
Nearly 350 welders, electricians, painters and other skilled workers toiled in an unassuming Livingston Parish assembly plant on a recent Tuesday, surrounded by the bright-red bodies of fire trucks that will soon be helping to save lives across the U.S. The 300,000-square-foot facility belongs to Ferrara Fire Apparatus, the Louisiana company — one of two, in fact — that produces custom pump trucks and other vehicles for local fire departments. It’s big business. Each
year, Ferrara produces hundreds of custom vehicles, priced from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million. “We say we build snowflakes,” said Chris McClung, vice president of Terex Fire Group, Ferrara’s parent company. “No two are the same.” Different fire departments have different needs. In cities, firefighters need more ladder trucks. In wilderness areas, fire departments need to be able to spray water onto wildfires while on the move. And Ferrara builds
ä See TRUCKS, page 3G
showing
Dactyl,
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Characters Grego-Saurus, left, and Terri-Dactyl, right, use audience members Amy Castillo, 6, Gunner Guerin, 5 and Eddie Thel, 7 in a scene during the Bright Star theatrical performance about bullying which was held at the Denham Springs-Walker branch June 17 in Denham Springs.
Characters Nanosaurus, left, and Terri-Dactyl act out a scene during the Bright Star theatrical performance about bullying
Ferrara worker Jessica Guidry, left, inspects a fire truck with a client from the Yonkers Fire Department during a tour of Ferrara Fire Apparatus on June 16.
STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
LESSONS
Continued from page 1G
comes to understand the pain she has caused others and changes her ways.
Although the entire 45-minute performance addresses bullying, the kernel of the production is embedded in that final dialogue It is a message Sutherland hopes the young children, who were of kindergarten age and younger, understand and establishes a foundation for their own future
“Now (the young people) know what bullies are, how to deal with them, how to understand them, where they are coming from,” she said. “Those are lessons that can help them through all aspects of life.”
Sutherland and Short began their summer odyssey in Kentucky, and their travels have taken them to libraries in Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and their most recent visit before Louisiana in Austin, Texas. She said the duo will spend two weeks in southeast Louisiana area, performing at libraries in Hammond, Kentwood, Amite and Independence before turning the dinosaurs south for performances in New Orleans and St Bernard Parish.
Once leaving the Bayou State, their itinerary includes stops in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois
“It’s really a great experience working with kids and working in libraries,” Short, a native of Ashville, California, said. “It’s really cool to meet all of the kids and librarians are wonderful people.
“They are some of the kindest and sweetest people I have ever met in my life.”
Sutherland said she was offered the role after a large call for auditions from several theater companies, including Bright Star Theatre, a nationally recognized professional touring theater company based in North Carolina. She called the audition a “cattle call,” but was thrilled when offered the part.
“This has been super fun,” Sutherland said. “I have spent every summer working with kids in Louisville at summer camps.”
Both performers agree the gig offers a brief respite from their academic pursuits and for Sutherland now her professional aspirations. Having earned her music/ theatre degree, Sutherland plans are to return to Louisville to find a job to earn enough money to eventually move to Chicago audition for as many parts as she can.
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
In addition, Denham Springs Merchants Association is showing their patriotism by displaying their Fourth of July decorations in the Antique Village
“I will cattle call every audition,” she said.
Sutherland said what has been most rewarding is the joy she sees in the faces of the young people, and of course, the one
The downtown merchants are hanging banners to display the faces of our local military heroes. The Geaux Seven Chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America organized the display
Walker plans Fourth of July celebration
Music, food trucks, vendor market, kids village and fireworks are on tap July 4 as the city of Walker celebrates Independence Day
The festivities kickoff at 2 p.m. and the fireworks are planned for dark at Sidney Hutchinson Park.
Springfield celebrates 4th on June 28
Springfield Fire Department is the place
girl who befriended Bullysaurus Rex
“That was so sweet,” she said. They are all so sweet and so precious.”
Short, a rising sophomore at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, said this summer gig is his first big acting job which has opened his eyes to new places.
He said he has enjoyed Louisiana with one caveat.
“The humidity is tough; perk of the job,” he said with a laugh.
to celebrate the Fourth of July at 4 p.m.
June 28 with a kids’ parade, music, watermelon see-spitting contest, food, fireworks and more activities.
The day starts with a kids parade, music by Thomas Cain, a DJ and other entertainment. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets to the celebration.
Heritage Camp for kids
Register your child for Heritage Kids’ Camp on July 20-22 at the Albany Hungar-
Bright Star Theatre specializes in literary, curriculum and character-education based performances that are at home in any space. Annually, the touring theatre serves nearly 1,400 audiences in schools, theaters, libraries museums and more across the country.
For more information on Bullysaurus Rex or Bright Star in general, contact Bright Star Touring Theatre at (336) 5587360.
ian Presbyterian Church. Children ages 4-12 can take part in arts and crafts, kifli making and learning Hungarian words, dances and traditions. The camp is hosted by the Arpadhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association. For information, call Connie Olah at (225) 573-1400.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 603-1998.l
Audience members watch the Bright Star theatrical performance about bullying
Character Bully-saurus talks to kids about bullying
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Audience members react to the characters during the Bright Star theatrical performance about bullying at the Denham Springs-Walker branch June 17 in Denham Springs.
for seemingly everyone.
On a recent visit, fire departments from more than a dozen states and one Canadian province were represented.
Founded in Louisiana in 1988 by Chris Ferrara, the custom fire truck manufacturer was acquired in 2017 by Wisconsin-based Rev Group, which produced about a third of all the fire apparatus sold in the United States and reported more than $1.8 billion in sales last year
After the deal went through, Rev Group moved the production lines of a former competitor, KME, into the Livingston Parish Ferrara facility Then, earlier this year, the Rev Group completed a merger with Connecticut-based industrial and specialty equipment manufacturer Terex Corp. in a $3.2 billion deal.
The result is a manufacturer with a big piece of a niche market, all based in the unincorporated town of Holden. And a second fire truck maker US Fire Apparatus, founded by Chris Ferrara after he sold to Rev, operates next door
Marrying a fire truck
Building fire trucks is time and labor-intensive Long before the first component hits the production line, a team of engineers creates a digital model of the finished truck as envisioned by the customer Figuring out how to realize a customer’s vision can be an early challenge.
“When they’re buying the truck and making the specs for it, sometimes they’ll come in there with unrealistic things that they’re asking for,” contract administrator Amy Willis said. “So they’ll have to call the engineers downstairs and all sit together and really discuss whether it is physically possible or not.”
A fire truck chassis begins with a pair of steel frame rails. It arrives pre-drilled before they are moved onto the chassis line, where workers add axles and, eventually, the engine and transmission.
Across the floor on a parallel production line, truck cabs take shape. They arrive as raw, unfinished metal boxes before metalworkers cut out custom compartments and windows. They’re then painted (usually red), coated and wired as they travel across about a dozen stations, each worker adding to the complicated array of components.
Meanwhile, in the welding area, workers build the parts for the truck’s body and pump-house frame — the components of the truck that sit behind the crew riding in the cab before the pumping units themselves are assembled on their own line.
Next comes the “marriage,” as a crane lifts the finished cab and lowers it onto the chassis. The married unit then undergoes a test drive and functionality check before the pump and body are added and the vehicles move to the final assembly line
The collection of more than a dozen water tanks of various capacities resembling large black Tetris pieces that sit in an outdoor lot speaks to the bespoke nature of the production process. And one of the final steps of the process demonstrates why each truck needs its own plan.
To test out the pumps, workers hook them up to an underground water tank But sometimes that is insufficient for high-flow industrial units that can pump more than 3,000 gallons per minute. In that case, Willis said there’s a backup plan.
“We actually throw a hose over into the pond and it sucks up the water from there because it takes so much. It’ll shoot water completely across the entire pond,” she said. “You can
actually see the water level of the pond go down.”
Time and money
Over its nearly 40 years in business, Ferrara has delivered more than 6,000 fire trucks, developing a particular expertise in the high-flow pumps that come in handy when fighting industrial fires.
“The fires are just so massive, they’re so big, so the more water you got, the more you suppress it,” said sales director Jason Louque.
The company also builds ladder trucks, which involves a somewhat different production process, and it sometimes starts with a truck from Ford, Peterbilt or another major manufacturer and then adds the necessary firefighting equipment.
Fire trucks have always been expensive and they’ve always taken a long time to build — especially fully customized ones. But in recent years, they’ve taken longer and cost more than ever before.
Demand slowed during the Great Recession as local governments cut costs.
Private equity roll-ups later consolidated the industry, which led to some complaints from firefighters unions and class-action lawsuits alleging anticompetitive practices. Manufacturers have denied those claims and say the reason for rising prices has everything to do with rising production costs and regulatory requirements.
The coronavirus pandemic is another factor It disrupted supply chains and sent federal pandemic relief to local governments, cutting supplies and boosting demand at the same time.
“It’s insane,” said Louque, a 32-year company veteran. “When I first started, you could get a commercial pumper for $90,000. We can’t buy a chassis for that now.”
According to McClung, the most complex trucks can
take up to three years to pro-
duce, though more common pumpers and tankers take about a year Ahead of its merger with Terex, Rev had a sales backlog of $4.4 billion about two years for fire and emergency vehicles. “We’ve been working through that post-COVID,” McClung said. “We’ve made a lot of headway We’ve increased our throughput by
almost 50%, by the end of this year, post-COVID.”
Email Jonah Meadows at jonah.meadows@ theadvocate.com.
A fire truck’s pump system is inspected during a tour of Ferrara Fire Apparatus.
A worker welds the framing of a fire truck.
A team of workers gather to work on the pump panel of a fire truck.
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Worker Edgar Barrera, top left, cleans the windshield of a fire truck while another worker cleans the interior of a compartment during a tour of Ferrara Fire Apparatus on June 16.
Purvis named Louisiana Superintendent of the Year
Community news report
Livingston Parish School Superintendent
Jody Purvis has been named the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Superintendent of the Year for his “leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to public education,” a news release said
The award was presented during the association’s annual conference in Lake Charles.
“I am greatly honored to receive this award from my fellow state superintendents,” Purvis said.
In accepting the award, he thanked the central office team, school leaders, teachers and staff, “who are the real champions of our school system.”
“Their hard work and commitment to excellence are what make a positive difference for our students every day. I am proud to say I
New Doyle boys basketball coach preparing team for next season
It has taken a little longer than originally expected, but new Doyle boys basketball coach Gregg Morris will finally get a chance to watch his team perform in summer league action this week.
The Tigers planned on getting in Parkview Baptist’s league last Thursday, but the messy weather that slowed down everyone’s week caused that day’s entire schedule to be scrapped.
Not to worry Doyle will be in action this week, and the opportunity for Morris to see his players perform in game settings is important. Doyle held its yearly tryouts earlier this month and, while the Tigers roster was filled out, there are still decisions to be made regarding placements for varsity and junior varsity
“We have our summer rosters set, and we have some guys that we’re looking at to transition to the varsity roster for the regular season,” Morris said last week “A lot of these guys have played basketball together for years. They take coaching very well and the kids have bought in to what we’re trying to do.” Doyle basketball’s Facebook page listed 18 players, seven who will be upperclassmen, as having made the team Among those were Cooper Yuratich and Daniel Rau, two key players from last season, when Doyle went undefeated in district 8-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the Division III nonselect playoffs before finishing 27-6. So far, Morris likes what he has seen “Its been very refreshing to see where these guys are and where the program was left,” he said. “There’s been a lot of support with the administration, and they’ve really welcomed me and my family We want to run a family-oriented program and they’ve shown me they support that.”
Ford and Bailey named LSWA all stars
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association released its 2026 all Louisiana softball selections last week, and they included a pair of Livingston parish standouts. Former Albany standout Brilee Ford was named to the first team while Walker’s Lainee Bailey was a second team pick. Ford, who made the team as a first baseman, hit .360 for Southeastern Louisiana and was second on the team with 39 RBIs. She was a key contributor for a Lions team that won its first Southland Conference regular season title as well as its first at-large berth in the NCAA tournament Bailey was the top pitcher for LSUAlexandria which finished as runner-up in the Red River Athletic Conference and earned a berth in the NAIA playoffs. Bailey pitched a team-high 145.0 innings, and had a 19-7 record with a 2.17 ERA. Ford was a junior while Bailey competed as a senior
work with such dedicated and caring professionals who support my vision for a better system,” Purvis said.
Purvis is serving in his third year as superintendent. He has worked for the Livingston Parish Public School System since 1998, starting as a teacher at Springfield High and Denham Springs Freshman High. He advanced to assistant principal at Southside Junior High and Springfield Middle before serving as principal of Springfield High and French Settlement Elementary
Purvis was appointed supervisor of high school instruction for the district in 2012, then later became assistant superintendent In that role, he coordinated educational programs, opened Livingston Virtual, and created the district’s Strong Start Plan for returning to operation following the COVID-19 pandemic. He was appointed superintendent in 2024.
Livingston Parish Public Schools
Superintendent Jody Purvis receives the 2026 Louisiana Superintendent of the Year award from the Louisiana School Superintendents’ Association
Executive Director David Claxton during the LASSA annual conference in Lake Charles.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Rescue Rehome Repeat launches ‘Food Trucks & Fido’ event to support
Community news report
Rescue Rehome Repeat invites the community to eat local, shop local, and help save lives at its inaugural Food Trucks & Fido event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 31, 2026, at 9360 Florida Blvd., Suite B, Walker
Admission is free.
The event will feature local food trucks, artisan vendors, live music, sweet treats, and the opportunity to meet adoptable puppies and dogs. Rescue Rehome Repeat has more than 85 puppies and dogs in foster homes, all cared for by dedicated volun-
teers while awaiting their forever families.
A South Louisiana nonprofit, Rescue Rehome Repeat specializes in rescuing some of the community’s most vulnerable animals, including neonatal puppies requiring around-the-clock bottle feeding, pregnant dogs and other critical-care cases with nowhere else to turn.
Admission is free.
Future events:
• What: Food Trucks & Fido. When: Friday, July 31, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Where: Rescue Rehome Repeat, 9360 Florida Blvd., Suite B, Walker
• Admission: Free Features: Food trucks, local vendors, live music, family fun, and adoptable dogs For more information, contact Terri Dunlap at
“Food Trucks & Fido is about bringing the community together while raising awareness for homeless animals and the lifesaving work that happens every day behind the scenes,” said Terri Dunlap, president of Rescue Rehome Repeat. “We hope families will enjoy great local food, support small businesses, and maybe even meet their newest four-legged family member.”
DEMCO’s Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program students celebrate
Community news report
Participants in DEMCO’s Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program, a leadership and educational program for ninth- and tenth-grade students, were honored during a recent banquet.
Family members joined DEMCO leadership to celebrate the ambassadors’ achievements following five months of leadership development, cooperative education and community service.
During the event, DEMCO presented awards to ambassadors who demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, initiative and commitment to cooperative values throughout the program.
Dedric Wallace, of Glen Oaks Magnet High School, received the Ambassador Impact Award, which recognizes the ambassador who best represented the cooperative’s core values of leadership, engagement, positivity, and connection with others, a news release said.
Benjamin Klein Jr., of West Feliciana High School, received the Cooperative Spirit Award for exemplifying teamwork, collaboration and enthusiasm.
Kylee Juarez of Central Private received the Emerging Leader Award in recognition of significant growth and leadership development throughout the program.
Rishawn Sanders, of Liberty Magnet High School, received the Community Service Award for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to serving others.
“We are proud of the growth these ambassadors demonstrated throughout the program and the way they represented the cooperative through their leadership, service, and commitment to helping others,” said Rhowanda Vessel, community relations coordinator
As part of the program, YCAP students prepared 200 care packages for residents and later personally delivered them during a visit to Central Guest House Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on March 28. Ambassadors also spent time playing bingo and visiting with the senior citizens.
“Projects like this help young people understand the impact cooperatives can have in the communities they serve,” said Chanon Martin, manager of member and community engagement. “Concern for Community is one of the seven co-op principles explored throughout the program, and this service project gave ambassadors the opportunity to put that principle into action.”
The Class of 2026 Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program participants included
Jada Brown, of Baker High School; Kylee Juarez, of Central Private; Dedric Wallace, of Glen Oaks Magnet High School; Rishawn Sanders, of Liberty Magnet High School; Braylon Washington and Cirrus Guerrero, of Walker High School; and Benjamin Klein Jr and Leah Hugg, of West Feliciana High
School. Applications for DEMCO’s Class of 2027 Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program open Sept. 1. The program is open to ninthand tenth-grade students attending school within DEMCO’s seven-parish service area.
Patriots RV Resort in Satsuma plans opening, concert, fireworks
entertainment options, including fishing, pickleball, lazy river, kiddie pool and an adult-only pool with swim-up bar A centrally located lodge features refreshments, including Sheri’s bar, and food trucks will be on location at the amphitheater
2. The July Fourth concert, set for 11:30 a.m. will feature performances by Chloe Harrison, Madelynn Johnston and headliners Shawn Allen and Titanium Rain. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will speak to attendees at 1 p.m The resort also offers a variety of family
“Our resort is designed to offer a premier, state-of-the-art entertainment destination where luxury meets family fun in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Patriots RV Resort manager Hope Courtney The resort features 91 full hookup RV and camper sites, as well as 12 furnished twostory cottages. Each RV and camper site has a 20-foot concrete pad with easy pull-through or back-in options.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Doyle’s new boys basketball coach Gregg Morris, left, with his family son Glaser foreign exchange daughter Elya, wife, Katelyn, son Julian and infant son Jett
PROVIDED PHOTOS
DEMCO Youth Cooperative Ambassador Program participants prepare refreshments for residents at Central Guest House Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center during their community service project, from left, Kylee Juarez, Leah Hugg, Cirrus Guerrero, Benjamin Klein Jr., Jada Brown, Dedric Wallace, Rishawn Sanders and Braylon Washington.
Attending the DEMCO YCAP student ambassadors Class of 2026 end-of-year banquet, front row from left, are Benjamin Klein Jr., Leah Hugg and Jada Brown; and second row, Rishawn Sanders, Braylon Washington, Cirrus Guerrero and Kylee Juarez.
