THE ZACHA Y
ADVOCATE& SUPPLIED & READY T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 5, 2026
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12TH YEAR, NO. 43
Council member proposes art, monument to create a ‘strong sense of place’ BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
Cities across the country have used placemaking to put themselves on the map, to give residents a source of pride and to reflect the community’s values. It’s a concept that involves putting public amenities and things like monuments in central spaces such as parks and even street intersections, creating a strong sense of place in an easily recognizable art installation. In Zachary, Council member Ambre DeVirgilio is encouraging her colleagues to think about how placemaking principles could be implemented across the city. She gave a presentation on the topic during the council’s July 28 meeting. A good starting point, she said, is the roundabout at the entrance to the Americana development, which is in her district. A well planned monument in the roundabout could serve as an attractive gateway into Zachary. Icons in other cities — like the bull on Wall Street in New York City or the Hollywood sign in the mountains surrounding Los Angeles — have become famous and are part of the fabric of those places. “It enhances the experience for all of us who live here,” DeVirgilio said. “It supports investment. When you look and do research on identity and communities and placemaking, there is an economic development component to it, and it leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.” In her research, she came across Carmel, Indiana, which has the distinction of having the most roundabouts of any American municipality. That city has commissioned “some absolutely phenomenal structures” to display in its numerous roundabouts, she said. DeVirgilio said she can envision placemaking artwork at other main intersections — such as Rollins Road at La. 964, Montegudo Boulevard at La. 19 and Plank Road at Main Street — and tying those pieces in with other projects like wildlife habitat gardens and walkability initiatives. It would be a great addition to local parks, too, she said.
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Zachary High School Band of Blue at the Back to School Supply Giveaway sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee on Aug. 1.
Students, parents welcomed to new school year with supplies, motivation
Community news report The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Zachary hosted its annual Back to School Supply Giveaway Saturday at the Zachary High School gym. The event provided free school supplies, sno-balls, refreshments and community vendor resources. It was open to elementary, high school and college students. Attendees were asked to bring at least one canned good to support the Zachary Food Pantry. On-site activities and services included free child ID card stations, community vendors, educational booths and support service representatives.
Police Chief Darryl Lawrence speaks to parents and students about safety during the school year at the Back to School Supply Giveaway on Aug. 1. ä More photos. PAGE 3G
Stick Rodeo is ready to ride
Sports, greater community loses special one in ‘Mr. Buddy’ Baudoin
The Wild West Stick Horse Rodeo is riding into town from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3. Bring the kids to compete in exciting rodeo events, including: Bronco Busting, Barrel Racing, Clown Act, Duck Chase (Ages 3 & 4 and Ages 5, 6 & 7), Dummy Roping, Buddy PickLeila up, Goat Tail Pull Pitchford and Flag Race. AROUND All gate proZACHARY ceeds benefit the Zachary Rotary Club, helping support projects and programs.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of the others” – Philippians 2:3-4. The Scripture above appropriately captures the life of James Joseph “Buddy” Baudoin Jr. who died last week at Warren 79. Brady “Mr. Buddy,” as ZACHARY most called him, SPORTS has been a fixture in Zachary athletics for decades. His Zachary journey began as he competed in football and track for the Broncos before graduating from ZHS in 1964. His love and commitment to ZHS athletics did not stop after graduation. He served on the “chain gang” for ZHS football games for over 40 years. I can still remember seeing him on the opposing team sidelines when his son, Scott, and I were playing football in the late 1980s. Yes, he offered words of encouragement and, when appropriate, words that needed to be said. Go to a ZHS boys or girls basketball, football or baseball game and Mr. Buddy was there. He was there to support ZHS athletics whether one of his six grandchildren or three children was playing or cheering, or not. The stories of Mr. Buddy’s exploits along the sidelines are
Pack the Trailer at balloon festival The Zachary Food Pantry is asking attendees to Pack the Trailer at the fourth annual Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival. People who bring three nonperishable food items are entered into that night’s prize drawing for a hot-air balloon ride. The event is from Aug. 14-15 at BREC Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway, Zachary. The festival opens at 4 p.m. each day and has free admission.
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The Wild West Stick Horse Rodeo is 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 3 in Zachary. Food trucks, BREC games, a photo booth, mechanical bull, and arts and crafts and other vendors will be on hand from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tethered balloon rides will be from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. The balloon glow will be at 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., weather permitting. On Friday, the 225 Jeep Club will be on site from 5:30 to 7 p.m. On Saturday, Zachary Cars & Coffee will be on-site from 4 to
5 p.m. On the entertainment stages, for Friday, a DJ will play from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Miss Zachary royalty will be introduced at 5 p.m. and Thomas Cain will perform from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For Saturday, a DJ will play from 4 to 5 p.m., the Lauren Lee Band will play from 5 to 7 p.m., and The Chase Tyler Band will play from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
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A little rain didn’t stop James Joseph ‘Mr. Buddy’ Baudoin Jr. from doing his job on the sidelines of a Zachary High football game.
legendary. Hard to tell how many times the officials kicked Mr. Buddy off the sidelines for heated disagreements with the opposing team coaches and players. I can confirm that he did not like Catholic High School and was summarily dismissed from his sideline duties after a heated exchange with Dale Weiner and his staff. When Weiner’s son, Neil, took over the reins of the Broncos program in 2009 there was definitely a discussion of
ä See BRADY, page 2G