SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
The
W atchman
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Leila Pitchford
|
W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 1, 2026
$1.00N
ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Get ready for school at luau East Feliciana Public Schools and RKM Primary Care are partnering to present the Feliciana’s Health and School Readiness Luau from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 25, at the East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road, in Clinton. School gear and supplies, drinks and treats, music and vendors, and water activities will be available while supplies last, all at no cost to families. Follow East Feliciana Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook for more event updates.
Community theater page set up A new Facebook page has been created called the Saint Francisville Theater Project. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61591454694249 to message the group if you are interested in participating.
Community market in Clinton The Clinton Community Market will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 4 in downtown Clinton on St Helena Street. Enjoy the local shops, restaurants and the Cruisin’ to Clinton car show. This market is free for vendors to set up. If you would like to be a vendor, send a private message to the www.facebook. com/Clintoncommunitymarket page.
Flag collection box put at library The West Feliciana Parish Library has received a retired U.S. flag collection box, donated by Rebecca Corkern at Woodmen Life. The box has been placed next to the flagpole and is a resource for proper and respectful disposal of worn or damaged flags. Woodmen Life is also donating a new American flag to the library.
Concerts to help build chapel In September, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is holding a concert series to raise funds for the Allen Correctional Center Chapel Foundation. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections with God Behind Bars will hold shows Sept. 18-19. Details will be release later, so check angolarodeo.com for information as it becomes available. To donate to the chapel project, visit paypal.com/ncp/payment/A66Y9R8FNUBYG. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
‘Uncle Sam’ Brian Gibbons is foot loose and fancy free during last year’s Independence Day celebration in Parker Park. FILE PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Landrum and Christina Logan have run Logan’s Farm for years and were selling fresh produce Saturday.
Longstanding market continues to flourish
“Here on Saturdays, we have a community market where you can sell anything including non-homemade. We have a little rummage sale, whatever you want to do. On Thursdays, it’s an actual farmers market, so it has to be homemade or homegrown, and we charge a little nominal fee.” FAYE RITCHIE, Farmers Market coordinator
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Contributing writer
The Farmers Market, rooted in West Feliciana Parish for 35 years, serves as a cherished cornerstone of the St. Francisville community, and recent updates prove they are only getting better with age. Driven by fresh seasonal produce and a highly anticipated schedule shift, the town’s local markets are experiencing a significant wave of growth this spring and summer. Coordinated by organizer Faye Ritchie, who handles everything from vendor inquiries to set up, the town features two distinct market experiences tailored to residents’ needs: n The Thursday Farmer’s Market: Operating every Thursday, the market is dedicated to homemade and homegrown items. In an effort to better accommodate working residents, organizers recently shifted its operating hours from a morning slot to 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The change has already proven to be a massive success, driving up afternoon attendance. n The Saturday Community Market: Gathering on the first Saturday of every month, the market offers a broader shopping experience with no strict restrictions on the types of goods sold. Note to local shoppers: the upcoming July community market is canceled to avoid a scheduling conflict with the nearby Myrtles Farmers
PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
John and Faye Ritchie man their farmers market station. Market. Ritchie credits the influence of Jesse Hoover and the market sponsors at the LSU Ag Center for the long-lasting market. She said the town of St. Francisville was phenomenal about providing the space at the site of an old barn at no cost. “Here on Saturdays, we have a community market where you
AMERICA
St. Francisville gears up for festivities and friends BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
The city of St. Francisville is ready to paint the town red, white and blue and hopes to have a few (thousand) friends join the party as the nation celebrates Independence Day on Saturday. This Fourth of July celebration is exceptionally special because it marks the nation’s 250th
ä See FESTIVITIES, page 3G
can sell anything including nonhomemade,” she said. “We have a little rummage sale, whatever you want to do. On Thursdays, it’s an actual farmers market, so it has to be homemade or homegrown, and we charge a little nominal fee.” The $50 yearly fee helps take care of operational costs. “We’re kind of laid back here, and we
feel like we’re a farmers market family,” Ritchie said. “We all get along so well, and it’s really good, and it’s growing. On Thursdays, we have people set up in the middle because we ran out of room from the surroundings. “We have a lot more people coming in, and it’s been really nice. But this market has been going on for about 35 years — different people, different vendors, but I think it’s something that the community really likes, and it’s a community service, and we’re always busier when we have the fresh vegetables.” Ritchie, the Pepper Jelly Lady of St. Francisville, is a living collage of the farmers market vendors. She has a strong local following after working at the LSU Ag Center Extension office for 32 years and she has been canning all of her life. Her daughters talked her into selling pepper jelly and a new career took off in her retirement. “I was familiar with everything anyway but growing up old school, you know, canning everything out the garden, when I retired and I wanted a hobby,” Ritchie said. “My girls talked me into doing pepper jelly for the first time and it’s just taken off and, and they tell me that I’m now
ä See MARKET, page 2G
Jackson Marshal’s Office gives awards BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Several certificates and plaques were recently given out to town of Jackson law enforcement officers, a board of trustees member and a town employee. These awards were given to recognize their past and ongoing efforts in serving the residents of the town. The awards’ presentation was in keeping with policies by Marshal Mitch Harrell — to keep
lines of communication open and to be transparent while serving and protecting the public. The marshal praised and recognized his team. The various awards honored the recipients’ achievements and actions — from completing additional training courses, to saving the life of a victim of a gunshot wound upon arriving at the scene, to supporting the efforts of a spouse, Harrell continued.
ä See AWARDS, page 2G