St. Tammany Picayune 09-09-2026

COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE • MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • SLIDELL

ST. TAMMANY

N O L A.C O M

Sideline action sparks football frenzy

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W e d n e s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 9, 2026

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Ground broken on new Slidell police HQ BY DAN LAWTON Contributing writer PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS

The Hannan Hawkettes leap high for the crowd at the season-opening football game against Northlake on Sept. 4.

BY ANDREW CANULETTE Staff writer

The opening day of every high school football season is one of the most anticipated events of the year in much of America, and south Louisiana is a hotspot for all that energy. Sure, the hardest-hitting action happens between the lines, but what fills the spaces between plays — the bands bursting brass highs and percussive lows into the night air, the cheerleaders shouting rally cries, spirited student sections stomping packed stadium bleachers — it’s a scene that’s replayed at St. Tammany Parish schools for 10 glorious weeks from the beginning of September and until the beginning of November (more if the team is having a banner year and making a deep run into the playoffs.) Here’s to a competitive, healthy and fun-filled year on (and around) the gridiron for each of our local teams, their families, fans, and everyone else who relishes the special moments under the Friday night lights. Football 2026 is here. Can you feel it?

ä See SLIDELL, page 4A PHOTO BY HERB GOMEZ

The Fontainebleau High Dazzlers are, well, dazzling during a break in the action in their school’s Sept. 4 game against Lakeshore High.

PHOTO BY MATT DOBBINS

New Lacombe Rotarians already lived lives of service Contributing writer

The president of the Rotary Club of Lacombe said chartering the fledging chapter there proved to be quick and easy since so many members of the Lacombe community already lived as Rotarians and without even knowing it. “People in Lacombe were Rotary members before they knew what Rotary is,” said new club President Gerrin Narcisse, a lifelong Lacombe resident. “Rotary is about service, about outreach and providing for people in need. The residents of Lacombe would give the shirts off their backs to help their neighbors, so starting a Rotary club was a perfect fit.” Narcisse learned about the principles of Rotary International during the organization’s district meeting last summer in Bay St. Louis,

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How low can you go? Or how high can you sky? Ask this Northlake Christian PHOTO BY JOSEPH TROMBATORE cheerleader who appears to fly about 12 What’s a football game without the school band there to raise feet in the air before nestling safely into spirits? Mandeville High answered the question loudly and the arms of her mates at the Wolverines proudly in the Skippers’ 35-17 victory over Salmen. football game against Hannan on Sept. 4.

BY KADEE KRIEGER

Slidell officials broke ground last week on the city’s new police headquarters, a $17.6 million project that will replace the department’s current home in Olde Towne. The new complex, which will be about 36,000 square feet, is being constructed on Robert Boulevard near the intersection of Fountain Drive. It will include the city jail, as well as additional meeting rooms and offices. “This is much more than just a building,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal at the Sept. 3 event. “This is an investment in our officers and their ability to serve, and most importantly, it’s an investment in the safety and future of our entire community.” He said the project should be completed by March 2028.

Miss., which he attended as a guest speaker to talk firsthand about the benefit of community sports. Narcisse is the assistant principal of Bayou Lacombe Middle School and the founding executive director of Bayou Lacombe Cardinals minor league football organization. “But as I sat and listened to the presentations and heard more and more about Rotary, I realized that this organization could benefit the Lacombe community and pull together so many people who are already service-minded,” he said. Narcisse returned home and began to spread the word about the idea of starting a club chapter in his home town, and by January, he had a group of nearly 40 charter members who officially launched the Rotary Club of Lacombe. The group pulled together repre-

PROVIDED PHOTO

Leadership team for the newly chartered Rotary Club of Lacombe are, from left, Marco Lazo, Trey Elfer, Jeff Bordelon, Shannon Bordelon, Ashley Ray, Deonne Batiste, Gerrin Narcisse, ä See ROTARIANS, page 4A Nichole Komorowski and Angelle Elfer.

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Phillips, Schultheis running to be mayor of Pearl River

BY JIM DERRY Staff writer

Two well-known members of the Pearl River Town Council will face off for mayor this November, and each say having an open-door policy will be part of the platform in their respective bids for office. Virgil Phillips, a No Party candidate, and Cheryl Schultheis, a Republican, are vying for the position, with the election being held Nov. 3 and early voting from Oct. 20 through Oct. 27. The winner will replace outgoing mayor Joe Lee, who has served since October 2021 when former Mayor David McQueen became ill and was unable to serve. McQueen died the following month, and Lee was elected to a full term in November 2022. He said he decided not to run for another term to spend more time with his family. He expects to continue working as a bus driver for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools. “This (mayor’s) job is so demanding, and I am about to be 62 years old,” Lee said. “I still drive my bus full time, and every day my routine is coming to the (mayor’s) office at 5 a.m., drive my bus,

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come back, drive my bus in the afternoon and then be back here again tomorrow morning.” The next mayor also will serve with a new police chief, as Jack Sessions also is not seeking reelection after two terms in office. Both Phillips and Schultheis say having a good relationship with the next chief — either Steven Ball or John Polk — will be highly important.

Schultheis was an owner of a plumbing business for more than a decade before getting into public service. She served as Pearl River’s town clerk under McQueen and briefly into Lee’s interim term before leaving her position to run for alderwoman. She now is in an administrative role for St. Tammany Parish, coordinating tasks across multiple facilities. She became a town alderwoman in 2022, her first foray into politics. Born on the U.S. Marine base at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, she moved to the New Orleans area early in life and graduated from Seton Academy, which closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 21 years ago. Schultheis said upgrading water and sewer lines across the area are among her top priorities, and she intends to pursue state grants and funds to reduce operating costs. She also said it was important to be able to listen to the concerns of those in

Contributing writer

Covington Mayor Mark Johnson has presented to the City Council his proposed 2027 budget, which includes a fund balance he called “solid but not bloated.” The City Council plans to hold public workshops to comb through the $33.7 million spending plan on Sept. 22 and Oct. 20. Both meetings will begin at 5 p.m. in the council chamber. The proposed budget for the upcoming year is slightly larger than the $32.47 million the council approved last November for the current year. A council vote on the 2027 budget is expected on Nov. 10. The proposed 2027 budget estimates approximately $29.7 million in operating expenditures and about $3.2 million in capital expenses. Another $779,034 is budgeted for debt service.

THE ST. TAMMANY ADVOCATE 321 N. New Hampshire Street Covington, LA 70433 PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY

Online at theneworleansadvocate.com/ community/sttammany

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Contributing writer

VIRGIL PHILLIPS PERSONAL: Born on Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss; lives in Pearl River. EDUCATION: Graduated from Pearl River High School and attended Southeastern Louisiana University. PROFESSIONAL: Small business owner (Virgil and Sons Lawn Care) and current member of the Pearl River Town Council. Phillips formerly worked at Lockheed Martin on the External Space Shuttle Team. POLITICAL: No Party

CHERYL SCHULTHEIS PERSONAL: Born on Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C.; lives in Pearl River. EDUCATION: Graduated from Seton Academy in New Orleans and attended Delgado Community College. PROFESSIONAL: Works for St. Tammany Parish as an administrative clerk and is a current member of the Pearl River Town Council. Schultheis formerly owned a plumbing company in Pearl River. POLITICAL: Republican the community. “I just believe in an open-door policy. We can’t be dismissive of the concerns of our citizens,” Schultheis said. “I don’t like the animosity between the police department and the town hall. That has to stop; it’s too much. We need to work together as a team, and that’s one of the main things I will focus on.” To get everyone on the same page, she says she would sit down with the new police chief and “establish some common goals,” and to make sure that when divisions arise between the police and the administration, the problems are quickly solved.

Mayor proposes a static Covington budget to council BY KIM CHATELAIN

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BY SARA PAGONES

Virgil Phillips

Cheryl Schultheis

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Two candidates want to be Pearl River police chief

PEARL RIVER

Phillips has spent nearly all his life in town and graduated from Pearl River High School in 1975. For the past 31 years, he has served as the public-address announcer at the home football games for his alma mater. He has served as an alderman under three mayors, including in an interim capacity in 2003 after incumbent Pat Walsh died. Phillips then won a runoff against Lola Monroe and left office during an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2010. He won his latest term in 2022. He currently owns a small lawncare service, Virgil and Sons. Before that, Phillips worked on the U.S. Space Shuttle External Tank Team at Lockheed Martin for nearly two decades. He is focusing his candidacy around working closely with the council, ensuring fiscal discipline and staying in communication with residents. He also now produces short informational videos on his Facebook page about goings-on around town, including one on a town hall and a Vietnam veterans memorial. “Outreach is important. You have to be readily available, you have to be transparent of what you’re doing and listen to the people’s concerns,” Phillips said. “You have to be able to work with the five people who sit alongside you on that council. There’s a misconception the mayor does what he wants, but he has to work to the will of the people.” Phillips also hopes to lead the way on upgrading the town’s sewer system and says, “I don’t mind knocking on someone’s door and telling them, ‘We’re small, but we’re mighty. We need help.’ ”

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“As both the City Council and administration strive to be fiscally responsible, the 2027 budget (projected revenue verse projected expenditures) is in the black,” Johnson wrote in his budget message to the council. “Per usual, there has been no deficit spending nor an increase in taxes.” Revenues projected for 2027 include $18.35 million in sales taxes, reflecting a roughly 4.5% increase from the current year. Ad valorem taxes are projected to come in at $3.75 million while licenses/ permitting fees and utility franchise fees are expected to generate $1.6 million and $909,000 respectively. An additional $2.2 million in assorted money, from sources such as intergovernmental fees, facility rentals, fines and forfeitures, and interest on city accounts, also is expected to flow into Covington’s coffers.

EDITOR

Andrew Canulette editor@ sttammanyfarmer. net

The city collected $34.60 million in revenue over the past year. Johnson admitted that with budgeted expenses projected at $33.71 million for 2027, the city appears to be “cutting it pretty darn close.” He said the city has a rainy day fund of $6.9 million, plus another $5.9 million in reserve, that could be used in the event of a hurricane or other costly event. Johnson described the emergency fund balance as “a nice cushion but not enough to initiate any large new projects. Our fund balance is solid but not bloated.” The mayor said the proposed capital budget for 2027 does not include funding for major projects. The pause in large publicly funded developments will allow the city to rebuild it coffers and to “strive for private sector quality work as opposed to public sector,” he said.

Pearl River voters will decide Nov. 3 whether a current member of the Pearl River Police Department or a longtime law enforcement officer who got his start in the department years ago will replace the term-limited current chief, Jack Sessions. Steven Ball, 60, and John Polk 39, are both Republicans whose careers include stints with fire departments and emergency management. Both cite a deep love for the small town of 2,743 residents as a key reason they are running to oversee the department of 11 full-time employees. Polk, who joined the force four years ago, currently holds the rank of lieutenant and supervises the night shift. Before that, he worked for fire districts 7 and 11 and the town fire department. Ball is a business owner who works part time as a special agent for the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, which is under the Louisiana Attorney General. Ball, who became captain and ultimately commander of the Sheriff’s Office reserve division, says that part of his resume best prepares him to be chief. “Managing 65 to 80 volunteers to do police work is much more complicated than managing full-time (employees) who work for pay,” Ball said. “One of the things I’m most proud of is we had 80 volunteers that could take over a shift and were trained up enough that they could fill that spot.” Ball said he will stress a return to community policing and wants officers to get out of their cars and interact with people. The department currently writes twice as many traffic tickets as Slidell, he said, and as he is campaigning, he said many people he’s talked to have a negative story to tell about encounters with police. He also wants to end what he described as an adversarial relationship between the department and the town government. “If you run a department that is fair, honest and open, eventually the adversarial stuff will go away,” he said. Currently, Ball said the department too often has only one officer on patrol, and he wants to make sure that there are at least two for safety reasons. He’s also calling for an end

JOHN POLK

STEVEN BALL

PERSONAL: Born in New Orleans, lives in Pearl River EDUCATION: Graduated from Foxworth High School, Columbia, Miss. Mississippi Fire Academy, LSU Fire Academy, Graduated Slidell Regional Police Academy. PROFESSIONAL: Pearl River Police Department, night shift commander and field training coordinator; captain St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 7. POLITICAL: Republican. WEBSITE: to the department’s SWAT johnpolkforpearlriverchief.com PERSONAL: Born in New Mexico, moved to Pearl River as a child. Lives in Pearl River. EDUCATION: Graduated from Pearl River High School; Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. PROFESSIONAL: Special agent with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (parttime) CAO and CFO of Octagon Companies. POLITICAL: Republican.

team, calling it an unnecessary expense for such a small department and wants to replace unmarked cars with high-visibility ones as a crime deterrent. Ball cites his experience, education and rapport with other agencies as pluses. Currently, the department has been criticized for having an arrogant attitude, he said. “I don’t like it, and we are running to fix it. Attitude comes from leadership, and arrogance trickles down.” Polk says that his four years with the Pearl River Police Department have given him a broad understanding of the entire department, and says his work with fire districts gave him experience in budgeting and payroll. “I have a lot of different leadership roles under my belt,” Polk said. He says his full-time status distinguishes him and that he often works as much as 100 hours a week, in part because he doesn’t want to leave an officer alone on the street. Polk’s priorities as chief would be training, staffing and crime prevention, as well as building a better relationship with town government. “Right now, it’s nothing but arguing back and forth,” he said. “They are constantly cutting our budget, and that’s

something that needs to be stable.” Polk wants sufficient staffing to have two officers on shift at all times, which he says is needed for safety reasons. He also wants more cross-training with other agencies and in-house training to save money. As for crime prevention, Polk said the department needs to continue focusing on narcotics enforcement. He wants to create an explorer program for youth to “give kids something to do rather than sitting idle,” and increase involvement in schools as part of prevention. Polk says traffic stops deter crime, and he points to the department’s high solve rate for crimes as a further deterrent. “We could do better to be involved in the neighborhoods,” he said. “When we’re visible and active in the community, people coming in with bad intentions are going to think twice.” He wants officers to do their job, but stresses the need for professionalism. “In the past we’ve had a bit of a reputation — being called jerks. My biggest thing is being courteous … because you are doing a job, you don’t have to be an ass about it.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A plea to remember our Fallen Heroes on Patriot Day As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I ask that everyone please remember the fallen heroes who stepped up since that day when 19 terrorists hijacked four American airliners ä Bells to ring in and crashed them into Twin Towers of the remembrance in the World Trade Center in Covington. PAGE 6A New York City, as well as the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 2 million U.S. military personnel have engaged in the Global War on Terror. More than 7,000 American service personnel have been killed — 144 of them from Louisiana. The St. Tammany Veterans Foundation, Inc./Heroes Farewell honors those who have sacrificed so much for us in the Global War on Terror. We have teamed with FL+WB Architects and designed a beautiful Fallen Heroes Memorial, located at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery near Slidell, adjacent to Camp Villere. The memorial consists of an engraved brick path, surrounded by gardens and a pair of benches that welcome visitors to a 4-foot pedestal supporting a 5-foot Fallen

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Soldier Battlefield Cross. There, plaques show the faces and names of the fallen heroes from Louisiana and an explanation about the Sept. 11 attacks and the ensuing Global War on Terror. We ask everyone to remember them all on Patriot Day (Sept. 11), to honor their sacrifice and to support the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the SELA Veterans Cemetery. People can do that in a variety of ways, including sponsoring items to give comfort during ceremonies at the cemetery, volunteering to help beautify memorials, or honoring a veteran with a personalized engraved brick or a Christmas wreath. For more information on the many facets of this cause and how to lend support, please contact us by mail at: St. Tammany Veterans Foundation, Inc./Heroes Farewell, P.O. Box 2001, Covington, LA, 70434. Anyone interested also can go online to heroesfarewell.blogspot.com for more information or call (985) 201-6261.

LANE CARSON President, St. Tammany Veterans Foundation Inc./ Heroes Farewell

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✦ St. Tammany ✦ Wednesday, September 9, 2026 ✦ 3A

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Pearl River council will have significant turnover

TIM BENNETT

MATT DAIGLE

PERSONAL: Lifelong Pearl River resident. EDUCATION: Graduated, Pearl River High School. EMPLOYMENT: Tugboat captain POLITICAL: Republican

PERSONAL: Raised in Harvey and Marrero. Resident of Pearl River since 2003. EDUCATION: Graduated from Archbishop Shaw High School. Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans in business. Master’s degree in computer science. Law degree from Loyola-New Orleans EMPLOYMENT: Works for Entergy as a procurement and supply chain solutions analyst. Previously served as assistant town attorney and magistrate in mayor’s court for Pearl River. Reserve police officer in Pearl River from 2003 to 2013. POLITICAL: Republican. Ran unsuccessfully for Pearl River Town Council in 2010. WEBSITE: Daigle4pr.com

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Pearl River Town Hall will see five at large Town Council members elected Nov. 3, with a runoff Dec. 12 if necessary. BY DAN LAWTON

needed to determine a fifth council Court. member, that election will take place Daigle said that wealth of experience Dec. 12. makes him an ideal candidate for the Candidates for the Pearl River town council. ight candidates, but only two in“Being a judge, you really see some of cumbents, are running for five Town Council are: the things that people struggle with and seats on the Pearl River Town their needs,” he said. Council on the Nov. 3 ballot. Drain- Tim Bennett A Republican, Daigle currently works age and infrastructure were the two Bennett is a lifelong Pearl River main issues cited by the candidates, resident. A Republican and tugboat for Entergy as a solutions analyst. He many of whom have deep roots in the captain, Bennett said love for his said he hopes to bring some stability to small town. hometown motivated him to run for the council and help Pearl River balManaging growth was also a com- public office. ance growth while maintaining a smallA graduate of Pearl River High town feel. mon topic, with candidates emphasizing the importance of helping School, where he met his wife, Benlocal businesses thrive, supporting nett said his core issues are improv- Kristy Franatovich the police department, and ensur- ing the town’s drainage and making Franatovich was elected to the Town ing Pearl River remains a family- sure the town’s sewerage and water Council in 2022 and is one of two curservices are maintained. friendly environment. rent members seeking re-election. She “I guess I’m really just in it for the did not respond to requests for an inEach member of the five-person board is selected at large, or by love of the town and the communi- terview. all people in the town, rather than ty,” he said. Franatovich is a registered Republiby district. The five with the most can. During a 2022 interview, she said votes on Nov. 3 will be seated when Matt Daigle she was motivated to run for office afthe new municipal term begins Jan. Daigle, an attorney, has held a wide ter her car was burglarized and a gun 1. Pearl River also will have a new variety of posts in Pearl River over and other valuables were stolen. She mayor and police chief, with those the past two decades. He served as a moved to Pearl River from St. Bernard elections taking place Nov. 3, as well. reserve police officer, assistant town ä See COUNCIL, page 4A In the rare instance a runoff is attorney and a magistrate in Mayor’s Contributing writer

E KRISTY FRANATOVICH POLITICAL: Republican. Elected to first term on Pearl River Town Council in 2022.

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4A ✦ Wednesday, September 9, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦

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Continued from page 3A Parish after Hurricane Katrina, according to past media reports.

Kory Kingston Kingston said he was inspired to run when he realized that very few young people held roles in the Pearl River government. He is not KORY KINGSTON registered with a political party. Kingston said he and his PERSONAL: Born in Slidell, wife have deep roots in Pearl resident of Pearl River for 14 River, where they are raising years. their two children. EDUCATION: Attended Slidell A salesman in the autoHigh. motive industry, Kingston named drainage and the need EMPLOYMENT: Auto to help local businesses thrive dealership sales consultant. as key issues. He also wants POLITICAL: No Party to support the Pearl River Police Department. “I think what sets me apart is that I’m young, I’m hungry ence during her husband’s and I’m energized,” he said. time in public office as preparing her for serving on the Maria Lee council. “I have attended more Lee is the wife of current Pearl River Mayor Joe Lee, council meetings than anywho is not running for re- one else running, and I underelection. She said that help- stand the future needs of the ing her husband behind the town,” she said. scenes motivated her to carry John Masson on his work in Pearl River. A Republican, Lee said Masson, a Republican, said drainage and infrastructure he’s running at the request issues are her focus, along of many of his neighbors, with ensuring that Pearl Riv- who suggested that his backer grows sustainably. ground in mechanical engiLee is the co-owner of a neering would be an asset in video game store and has also addressing the town’s infrabeen a bus driver for St. Tam- structure issues. Originally from New Ormany Parish schools since 2014. She cited her experi- leans, Masson has lived in

MARIA LEE

JOHN MASSON

TIM MORAY

DUSTIN SHAFFER

PERSONAL: Born in Youngstown, Ohio. Pearl River resident for 30 years. EDUCATION: Graduated from Northshore High School in Slidell. Attended the University of New Orleans. EMPLOYMENT: Co-owner of a video game rental store in Pearl River. Bus driver for St. Tammany Parish schools since 2014. POLITICAL: Republican.

PERSONAL: Born in New Orleans. Pearl River resident for 31 years. EDUCATION: Graduated from Brother Martin High School; degree from the University of New Orleans in mechanical engineering; degree from Delgado Community College in machine tool technology. EMPLOYMENT: Retired. Previously worked as a plant engineer. POLITICAL: Republican

PERSONAL: Lifelong Pearl River resident. EDUCATION: Graduated Pearl River High School. Earned degree in drafting from Pearl River (Miss.) Community College. EMPLOYMENT: Operated his own plumbing business for 20 years. POLITICAL: Republican. Served on Pearl River Town Council for five years, the past four years as mayor pro temp.

PERSONAL: Born in Tennessee. Pearl River resident for 18 years. EDUCATION: Homeschooled EMPLOYMENT: Manager at an automotive shop. POLITICAL: Republican.

Pearl River for 31 years. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a plant engineer, a safety engineer and in similar positions. “I wore many hats. I had to work with municipalities and local governments to get things done,” he said. Masson said those experiences are particularly important in Pearl River, which he believes is falling behind on infrastructure issues, ranging from drainage to traffic.

Tim Moray

Moray has served on the town council for five years and is currently the mayor pro tempore. A lifelong resident of Pearl River, he’s operated a local plumbing business for the last 20 years. Moray said he feels the most important part of serving on the town council is helping the mayor make good decisions, especially financial ones. A Republican, Moray co-

chaired the town’s Fourth of July celebration, but he emphasized that it was the family he has raised in Pearl River, of which he is most proud. “My biggest achievement is being married to my beautiful wife and raising two children, who are both outstanding citizens in their own lives,” he said.

Dustin Shaffer Shaffer, a Republican,

has lived in Pearl River for 18 years. He said he was motivated to run by the acrimony he’s witnessed at town meetings between the town council and the police department. “I want to see a town hall that can work with the police department and a police department that can work with the town hall,” he said. A manager at an automotive store, Shaffer said he wants to make Pearl River a great place to raise his five children. He added that he believes the fact that he hasn’t been in politics before is an asset. “I think what sets me apart is that I’m just a simple country boy who is for the community,” he said.

FROM THE FILES OF THE FARMER 25 years ago Causeway officials are asking fishermen trawling along the bridge to stop throwing anchor hooks onto the new metal hangers that hold the fiberoptic electrical wires. “There is a real potential for tragedy, in addition to possibly damaging our new $16 million fiberoptics system,” said Causeway General Manager Robert Lambert. Lambert said fishermen simply want to anchor their boats with the shepherd-like metal hooks. The metal hangers, which are being installed along the side of the bridge, provide an excellent and sturdy mechanism for anchoring, Lambert said. Once the lines are in place, the fishermen will run the risk of cutting the line and getting a real shock. “There are 25,000 volts running through that line and then there is a real risk of electrocution,” Lambert said.

50 years ago The Marines have landed! That’s what Mrs. Donice Thompson of Bennett Bridge Road thought last Wednesday morning at 8:50 a.m. Her neighbor down the

SLIDELL

Continued from page 1A Fandal, who served as the city’s police chief until becoming mayor in 2025, said in a brief speech that he’s had discussions about building a new police headquarters for nine years. The department’s current home has been plagued by flooding, including damage from 5 feet of water during Hurricane Katrina. Slidell Police Chief Tommy Williams described how the current police headquarters has withstood “countless

ROTARIANS

Continued from page 1A sentatives of several other organizations, which are now working together to extend their reach. “The club is serving to amplify the voices of existing organizations. They are now helping each other under the Rotary banner,” Narcisse said. He said the club’s service projects started even before that first official meeting and have included blood drives, assisting elderly home owners with yard work, school

road thought her house was going to shake apart during the thunderous invasion. She looked out and saw that a Marine helicopter, the same kind that had been used in Vietnam, had landed in the nearby pasture, with smoke pouring from under the rear rotor. The craft had been on its way from Belle Chase to Memphis to pick up some training publications when a hydraulic line caught fire at 4,500 feet above St. Tammany Parish. “I looked around for pasture that didn’t have any cows or horses in it, and managed to get it down,” the pilot said after the emergency landing. Four men were in the craft, and from the Thompsons’ telephone, they called the Naval Air Base and asked for help. A second Marine helicopter came about three hours later and brought the part needed to repair the first. Children from families up and down Bennett Bridge Road lined up along the pasture fence to view the downed copter, and upon invitation of the pilot, went to the craft for a tour.

75 years ago Announcement was made this week to the Covington Business Club that the Louisiana Department of Highways has issued orders to the district engineer to change the route number on the highway from Chinchuba through Covington to Hammond back to its old designation of U.S. 190. Several months ago, the federal route was changed to run through Madisonville to Ponchatoula to Hammond, bypassing Covington, and the road from Chinchuba to Hammond via Covington was designated La. 7.

these pleasures by lack of opportunity. The trend southward and the publicity given to St. Tammany by the opportunity for investment and development has brought many strangers into our midst who are keenly alive to the value of these things.

125 years ago As neat and trim a yacht as ever slid off the ways into her native element was the new cabin sloop yacht, Dudley Selph, which was launched recently from the ways of John Sardy, at Madisonville, on the Tchefuncte River.

The Dudley Selph was built by Mr. Sardy, who in the framing of this beautiful little yacht, proved himself to be a fine mechanic and shipbuilder, as well as an excellent designer. The Dudley Selph is the first sloop yacht of that style and dimensions of which he has yet undertaken.

100 years ago St. Tammany Parish has suddenly awakened to the fact that its clear running streams, its picturesque woodland scenes, its fishing and hunting that delights sportsmen, is of more importance to the community than the filling in of idle hours by local people who have accepted these advantages of nature as a part of their daily experience and with none of the emotion awakened in those who have been deprived of

storms, floods and small electrical fires.” The project was primarily funded by the sale of up to $19.8 million in bonds. Those bonds will be paid off by a sales tax increase of just over one-third of a cent, which voters approved in April 2024. The ceremony had about 150 attendees, including roughly 50 children from Bonne Ecole Elementary. “This building is for you,” City Council member Trey Brownfield told the students at the beginning of his remarks. He urged the students to be part of the city’s future in public safety.

Brownfield described having early discussions about the project at the department’s current home, where the tiles were cracked and the floors were uneven. The new headquarters will be built by Voelkel McWilliams Construction, whose $17.6 million bid was the lowest of the 10 companies competing for the project. The groundbreaking culminated in officials donning hard hats and shoveling dirt as part of the ceremony. They were quickly joined by a gaggle of students, dressed in red shirts and navy blue shorts, who eagerly grabbed shovels and flung dirt into the air.

supply drives and back-toschool haircuts offered without charge, a community resource fair, and construction projects for those in need. In addition, the club received attention from other Rotary Clubs across the country when they installed emergency flotation devices at key points along Lake Road after the death of a Covington resident who drowned while attempting to save his granddaughter after she fell into the water on the west side of Lake Road. Club members worked with St. Tammany Parish Councilman Joe Impastato, along

with the state Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, to install the orange flotation rings, imprinted with the message “In Memory of Chris Rushing,” as well as the club’s name and Rotary logo. “We’ve done so many things already, and our goal is to stay vibrant and growing,” Narcisse said. “We’ve got the quality of people needed to make an impact on our community and make the world a better place.” For information about joining, look for Rotary Club of Lacombe, La. on Facebook, or call Narcisse at (985) 8692802.

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Former Lyon Elementary School leaders plead guilty violated any “crim- Barth, who pleaded guilty ly a first grade teacher at Mandated reporters failed to report abuse of a child neither inal laws of Louisiana” or to one, remain on adminis- Chahta-Ima Elementary

BY JIM DERRY Staff writer

A former principal and assistant principal of Covington’s Lyon Elementary School pleaded guilty on Sept. 2 to charges of failure to report abuse of a child. Lauryn Faciane, 50, the

former principal of Lyon Elementary, and Tonya Barth, 55, who previously served as the school’s assistant principal, each were sentenced to probation, according to District Attorney Collin Sims’ office. They were arrested in May under a state law that

requires all school administrators to report any suspected abuse or neglect to law enforcement. Police declined to release details about the underlying abuse cases. At the time, their attorney, Roy Burns, said his clients did nothing wrong and

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policies. “They were reasonable in everything they did,” Burns said in May. He didn’t immediately return a phone call for comment on Sept. 2. Faciane, who pleaded guilty to two counts, and

trative leave with pay, said Meredith Mendez, spokesperson for the St. Tammany Parish school system. In July, the School Board announced it had hired Ben Strohl, a former assistant principal at Lancaster Elementary in Madisonville, as Lyon’s new principal. Kaci Puglia, most recent-

School in Lacombe, was named assistant principal.

Jim Derry covers St. Tammany Parish, and has been part of The TimesPicayune staff for much of the past 36 years. Jim can be reached via email at jderry@theadvocate. com.

Get greauxing

State officials to talk Sept. 11 bells insurance on Sept. 9 Master Gardeners’ seminar Oct. 9 planned in in Mandeville Staff report Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and state Sen. Kirk Talbot, chair of the Senate Insurance Committee, will give an update on the state’s insurance market and discuss efforts underway to improve insurance availability and affordability at the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce’s Insurance Update Breakfast on Sept. 9 in Mandeville. The discussion will address challenges facing Louisiana’s insurance market and the regulatory and legislative efforts underway to strengthen it. Network over coffee at 7:30 a.m.; the program is from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. at the Beau Chene Country Club, 602 Beau Chene Drive. The session is planned to give northshore business leaders perspectives from both the state’s top insurance official and a key legislative leader.

League of Women Voters to host political forums League of Women Voters of St. Tammany will sponsor two forums for Abita Springs candidates running in the Nov. 3 election. They will take place Oct. 15 and 19 in the Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161 Level St. Candidates for Abita Springs Mayor and Town Council have been invited to participate, as have candidates in the Abita Springs-area’s School Board district In addition, during the “meet and

NEWS ROUNDUP

greet” portion of the mayor and School Board candidate forum, justice of the peace candidates will have a table available to meet with constituents. The forum for mayoral and School Board candidates Oct. 15 will start with a social and networking session at 5:30 p.m.; the forums start 6 p.m. The mayoral forum will begin at 6 p.m., and after a 10-minute break, the forum for board candidates will begin at 7 p.m. The forum for alderman candidates will take place Oct. 19, starting with a half-hour of socializing and networking at 5:30 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m. forum. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that doesn’t endorse candidates. It is an inclusive organization of women, and some men, that promotes an informed, active participation of citizens in the governmental process through education and advocacy. There is a statewide voter guide available at vote411.org in which all candidates in Louisiana have been given an opportunity to answer questions prepared by league members. Voters can check this guide for responses from the candidates. In October, there will be a link to the Public Affairs Research Council (parlouisiana.org) analysis of the 10 constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot. The league website is lwvofst.org.

Covington for six lives lost

Staff writer The St. Tammany Master Gardeners, in conjunction with LSU AgCenter, will hold its annual fall seminar, “Greaux Native: Plants, Bugs and People of the Southern Landscape,” Oct. 9 at the Castine Center (Pelican Park) in the Mandeville area. The 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. session will feature speakers who are subject matter experts; an array of native plants; and educational exhibits. Presentations start at 9 a.m. and will feature historian and writer author Elise Smith; horticulturist Jeff Wilson, the Mississippi State AgCenter coordinator; and Linda Auld, an experienced conservationist known widely as “The Bug Lady” in a nod to her understanding of beneficials. n Smith, a professor emerita in the Arts Department at Millsaps College, will share stories and insights from her latest co-authored publication, “Southern Women, Southern Landscapes: Cultural Reflections on the Garden, 1870-1970.” In it, she explores how women of the South found inspiration, identity, and purpose through nature during this period, while the changing landscapes of history, culture and society was shaping their lives, their creative voices and their gardens. n Wilson, also an associate professor of horticulture at Mississippi State University who holds a doctoral degree in agricultural science, is expected to discuss discovering how native plants and carefully selected nonnatives can work together to provide year-round beauty, ecological benefits and last-

BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

A mix of textures and shapes often characterizes native plantings. ing success in the Southern landscape. n Auld’s “Plant It and They Will Come” presentation will explore how correctly choosing plants can literally transform a garden into a thriving habitat for butterflies, pollinators and other beneficial insects. Drawing on decades of research and hands-on conservation, Auld will share the practical ways every gardener can help support the conservation of

beneficial insects across the state. Doors at the 63350 Pelican Drive venue will open at 8 a.m. for the start of table talks, vendor displays and book signings by the presenting authors. The $40 cost will include morning refreshments and beverages. For tickets and more info, visit https://www. stmastergardener.org and select “Events” at the top of the page.

A remembrance ceremony to honor lives lost during the 9/11 attacks in 2001 will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. at Covington’s monument to that event. A 20-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center in New York City is installed at the headquarters of St. Tammany Fire District 12 in remembrance of those individuals who perished in the attacks. This year’s observance marks the 25th anniversary of the national tragedy and is sponsored by the Wharton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. There will be a wreathlaying rite and a special bell ringing ceremony, said Wharton chapter member Bobbi Foster. “As we read the names of the six individuals from Louisiana who died at the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, a bell will toll after each name from the back of a fire truck with the assistance of firefighters from St. Tammany Fire District 12,” Foster said. St. Tammany Fire District 12 headquarters is located at 19375 La. 36. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Major Pearl River Watershed two-state sweep on Sept. 19 Staff report

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Harper Cameron stands on a bucket to get her rod over a railing at a recent Youth Fishing Rodeo at Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge in the Pearl River Watershed.

On Sept. 19, the Pearl Riverkeeper will celebrate its 10th anniversary Clean Sweep when some 400 volunteers join together in a massive effort to clean up area waterways. To date, the annual event has brought together more than 5,000 volunteers to remove 200,000 pounds of trash from the Pearl River watershed. This year’s big sweep will include 20 land- and waterbased locations from the Pearl River’s headwaters near Philadelphia, Mississippi, downriver through the Ross Barnett Reservoir, along the Mississippi-Louisiana border, and all the way to Pearl River in St. Tammany. The clean up spans 15 Mississippi counties, two Loui-

siana parishes and over 490 miles of river in support of drinkable, swimmable and fishable water. About 50 miles north of its mouth, the river forks into two, with the East River forming the border of Mississippi and Louisiana, and the West Pearl River situated entirely in Louisiana. The Bogue Chitto River is one of

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seven Louisiana designated natural and scenic streams that flow within the watershed, which also is home to the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge Pearl Riverkeeper is a resident-based nonprofit dedicated to watershed health. Sweep participants must register in advance at pearlriverkeeper.com.

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Fontainebleau High FFA in nationwide exchange

BY DARREN COOPER Contributing writer

At Fontainebleau High School, the FFA now also stands for Future Friends in Arkansas. Through the national FFA’s Chapter Connect program, the club at Fontainebleau has been connected with the FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) chapter at Wynne High School in Arkansas. The aim is for the chapters to design and implement a shared project that benefits both clubs and fosters a longstanding relationship between the two schools, with plans to meet in person at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October. Schools that apply and are accepted into the Chapter Connect program get a $5,000 grant to attend the national convention. The first Zoom meeting of the officers from both schools was held in late August. Fontainebleau FFA adviser Joshua Scott said there was a lot of discussion about a potential project, but nothing was finalized. He also noted that a bond formed quickly. “Wynne has about 8,000 people, and it’s probably very rural compared to Mandeville, but I think our kids saw how they were still just high school kids with a lot of the same interests and likes and dislikes,” Scott said. “I think the Chapter Connect program is a great opportunity for our kids.” At Fontainebleau, interest in the FFA program remains high. Scott said there were 50 students in the program last year and the organization holds a popular fruit tree sale around Mardi Gras, among other activities. Texas Roadhouse is also donating 10% of sales to the chapter on designated days when customers mention either FFA (it actually stands for Future Farmers of America) or Fontainebleau. FFA students have also attended poultry judging camp and are eligible for FFA scholarships. “I want kids to understand that just because we are learning about plants and animals, there are more opportunities than just having a garden at home,” said Scott. “Joining the FFA can lead to lifelong skills, like public speaking and career readiness. Our student who went to poultry camp wanted to go to veterinary school, but now poultry judging has become a big part of her life.” Scott, a Loranger native, said original plans for the grounds at Fontainebleau included a barn and a greenhouse. For now, he hopes to restore a chicken coop on campus for the students to get some real-world experience. “We have a lot of really good ideas coming,” Scott said. “The kids are talking about doing a pickleball tournament to do some fundraising, because at the end of the day, things are expensive. And we’re always looking to get the word out there for kids who maybe don’t have the same agriculture background, but who want to learn.” Chapter Connect is a chance to bring FFA kids together from across the nation. Scott will be leading a group from the entire parish, including Covington and Pearl River to the national convention. “At the convention, there are mixers and different activities for the kids to compete in and participate,” Scott said. “It’s kind of a way for them to network and get to know one another at a personal level and in a private group setting to develop those relationships.”

PROVIDED PHOTOS

The Slidell Noon Lions Club sent some $6,600 to the Thika School for the Visually Impaired in Kenya that was used to refurbish one of its old, deteriorated dormitories by adding a new roof, replacing ceiling panels, installing ceramic tiles around sink, shower and toilets, and do interior and exterior painting. The work was finished this past spring.

Slidell Noon Rotarians help school for the blind Staff report

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Chloe Ebert is examining laying hens at the FFA state poultry evaluation contest.

Fontainebleau students recognized for performance in welding competition are Dustin Smith and Mason Paterson, both in the Class of ‘26, with Louisiana Area 4 Vice President Bob Bourgeois.

PROVIDED PHOTO

You never know what will come up during a Bogue Falaya River Sweep. During a previous sweep, volunteers recovered a shopping cart in the river’s edge.

Vounteers needed to sweep litter from Bogue Falaya River Staff report Keep Covington Beautiful needs volunteers to help carry out its annual cleanup sweep of a stretch of the Bogue Falaya River on Sept. 26. Volunteers are asked to sign up by Sept. 22 at info@keepcovingtonbeautiful.org/. Willing volunteers are invited to bring their canoes & kayaks to the Bogue Falaya Park Boat Launch at 9 a.m. Paddlers will then collect litter from the river between the U.S. 190 bridge and the 4th Avenue/Menetre Boat Launch. All trash collected will be unloaded, sorted and categorized at the park, where landbased volunteers will help unload and cat-

egorize the litter. Canoes and kayaks are available to volunteers from Canoe & Trail, and must be picked up and returned at The Chimes, where volunteers will also help sign in the paddlers. Text (504) 233-0686 to reserve one. KCB will provide trash bags, gloves and litter grabbers, but volunteers should bring their own drinking water. Snacks and water will be available in the park for volunteers and paddlers after the cleanup. Prizes will be given for the most unusual and the worst items collected, as well as for the most litter collected overall. Follow Keep Covington Beautiful and its projects on Facebook or contact them at info@keepcovingtonbeautiful.org/.

In 2025, the Slidell Noon Lions donated $6,600 and three Braille tablets to Kenya’s Thika School for the Visually Impaired, a project that satisfied two Lions International missions to step up its long fight against blindness and to be more involved around the globe. Incoming Slidell Noon Lions Club President Dan Ferrari strongly encouraged the club, after his visit to Kenya last year, to make donations to the Thika School. The club and its supporters managed to send $6,600 that was used by the school to refurbish one of its old, deteriorated dormitories by adding a new roof, replacing ceiling panels, installing ceramic tiles around sink, shower and toilets, interior and exterior painting. The work was completed this past spring. Ferrari urged the club to donate again this year to fund more improvements to the school itself, which was not adequate or in good repair. In response, the club put up $2,000 from its treasury and 17 members and member friends donated the rest in order to wire another $6,650 (and send another three tablets) to the school’s manager, the Kenya East Territory Salvation Army, in late June. Penina Mutuku, the school’s head teacher, chose to expand the undersized student dining facility with the second Rotary donation, but unfortunately, it was not enough to complete the expansion. This project is deemed critical, as visually impaired students carrying hot food in an overcrowded facility risks burning themselves and one another. In July, the club was notified that the Kenyan government has now designated the Thika School as a “Center of Excellence” and committed the equivalent of $23,000 for infrastructure improvements that, along with the Slidell Noons Lions’ donation, should easily cover the cost of the dining hall expansion, plus other infrastructure improvements, Ferrari said. The Slidell club was formally recognized for its support of the school by the District Governor of Louisiana

Slidell Noon Lions Club President Dan Ferrari last year got a firsthand look at a deteriorated dormitory for blind students at the Thika School in Kenya. The club responded with a donation that covered the cost of repairs. District 8N last August and again this May. In addition, the past president of Lions Clubs International congratulated the club for “exemplifying global service” through its partnership with the East African school, calling it a “prime example of traveling with purpose” and working with passion across borders to “to make the world a better place.” Slidell residents encouraged by the club to support its fundraising efforts, including Tuesday and Thursday afternoon bingo, the Second Saturday Pancake Breakfast, its annual Touch a Truck event and venue hall rentals. With funds raised from these activities, the club said good work can continue.

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Dionysus picks a gem as grand marshal BY SUZIE HUNT

Contributing writer When Ruby Anderson trades the wagon-sized float she used in last year’s Olde Towne Kids Mardi Gras Day Parade for the lavish Krewe of Dionysus grand marshal float on Jan. 31, the precocious 7-yearold will be making local Mardi Gras history as the krewe’s first female grand marshal. “She has an amazing personality and is always smiling. We first saw her when she was a model at the Hugs4Kids fashion show, and we were blown away,” said Dionysus treasurer and bingo manager Andy Frisard. In the past, the krewe had selected as parade grand marshal a young man who faced challenges with a can-do attitude. When the krewe voted to go co-ed earlier this year and welcome women members, Frisard remembered Ruby’s smile. “We got some video from the fashion show of Ruby on the runway and sent it to the board. They thought she was great, and we knew who we wanted for our next grand marshal,” Frisard said. While at Whispering Forest Elementary School, the second grader loves art, time in the library and

throw she ever received was a giant stuffed tiger. “It was almost as big as she was,” said her mom, Alyssa Anderson. Ruby will have plenty of special throws provided by the krewe to toss along the parade route, Frisard said. The spunky redhead will be sharing her float with parents Ty and Alyssa Anderson, cousins Emery Schoonover and Aiden Brooks, and her aunt, PROVIDED PHOTO Cheyenne Brooks. BY ALYSSA ANDERSON “We do our best to make the parade an incredible Ruby Anderson, recently tapped as grand marshal of experience for our grand the 2027 Dionysus parade, marshals. We love to see the joy in their faces on displays the special Mardi parade day,” Frisard said. Gras-themed manicure she “One of the reasons we paraded in 2006 after sported during last year’s Hurricane Katrina was Carnival festivities. Ruby because our grand marloves a good party. shal, Christopher Condon, was so looking forward to recess. She’s been known the parade. He was really to race down the halls at someone special. Although school in her wheelchair he passed away about five with its colorful wheel year later, his parents told spokes. She also likes us his krewe jacket was hanging out at her cousin’s one of his prized posseshouse. sions.” “We can play on the For now, Ruby is looking swing and the trampoline forward to going to the and ride our bikes,” Ruby Dionysus ball on Sept. 12 said. in her new golden yellow Ruby is looking forward dress and just having fun. to tossing some special Ruby will be the krewe’s throws to the crowd on pa- 22nd grand marshal when rade day because she likes the parade rolls down Slidell’s traditional parade to receive them herself when she’s watching floats route in 2027 to the theme of “Road Trip.” go by. She says the best

PHOTO BY SUZIE HUNT

The 2027 Krewe of Dionysus Grand Marshal Ruby Anderson is surrounded, from left, by her krewe sponsors, Andy Frisard, Nettie Balsamo and Victoria Sharp, and her parents, Alyssa and Ty Anderson.

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Steve Anderson and Jan Biggs of the Steve Anderson Band, longtime house favorites at the Abita Springs Opry, will open the first show of the fall season Sept. 19.

Abita Springs Opry opens season with some favorites BY SHEILA GRISSETT

ABITA SPRINGS OPRY

lifelong, self-taught Abita resident, and performing with him will be well-known northshore-based player and The Abita Springs Opry WHAT: Opening show of the vocalist Jan Biggs. “Steve will open its fall season on fall season possesses the pure natural Sept. 19 as it intends to go talent to perform classic forward, with a mix of clas- WHEN: Sept. 19; music country songs perfectly. ... sic country music, blue- 7 p.m.-9 p.m.; doors open Together, they project gengrass, down-home Louisiana 5:45 p.m. fiddling, Cajun and some WHERE: Abita Town Hall, uineness and warmth that New Orleans jazz. draws the audience and sets 22161 Level St. The music will be played the bar for acts that follow,” in four sets by four separate WHO: Steve Anderson Band, Abita Opry President and groups of musicians who classic country; Gina Forsyth producer Bryan Gowland bring their own genres, styles and The Copper Roosters, said of the pair. and unique personalities to bluegrass; Jonno and Gina Forsyth and The Copthe Opry stage in the historic per Roosters play the secKatie Frishberg, Louisiana Abita Springs town hall. As ond set. And if there was an Americana; and Molly Reeves Abita Springs Opry Hall of the season unfolds, different of musical guests will per- and her New Orleans Jazz Fame, Gowland said Forsyth would be in it. “She has been form each show. Band on our stage perhaps more But whatever is played at HOW MUCH: All seats $20. than any other musician,” the Opry will be roots music Buy in advance from Kathy he said. “She is well-known that helps tell the stories of and recognized as being one people who create the cul- Armand at (504) 214-7777 of the best fiddle players in ture of the northshore and or get at door on first-come/ Louisiana. Her latest effort, greater New Orleans area. first-served basis. Line starts the Copper Roosters, is a Preserving roots music by forming as early as 5 p.m. to bluegrass band, and since performing it and sharing it buy tickets. Gina leads it, we know it will is the Opry’s mission. be great.” If music rules inside the WHAT ELSE: Before the show, Jonno and Katie’s third set hall, outside the front door, buy gumbo, hot dogs, ice of “Louisiana Americana” food is king — specifically, cream, homemade baked features well-known Cajun food prepared and sold be- treats and beverages sold music man Jonno Frishberg. fore every show by nonprofoutside in the yard by local Now performing alongside its invited to attend the Opry. wife, Katie, the two have In the front yard, the groups nonprofits. After the show, will sell a range of familiar musicians often jam across the branched out to also perfood, from gumbo and hot street at Abita Brew Pub. form other Louisiana music dogs to Abita Springs-made styles, as well as traditional ice cream and homemade baked goodies. At- Cajun. Fishberg has previously performed tendees can enjoy a meal or snack before at the Opry with Bayou DeVille. Wrapping the show will be Molly Reeves going inside, and the nonprofits keep their sales’ proceeds, either for their own good and her New Orleans Jazz Band. While she has performed at the Opry many times as a works or to donate to a local charity. side player with other bands, Gowland said Back to the music the Opry is thrilled to welcome her back in Leading off the Sept. 19 show be the Steve her new role as band leader. He’s so confiAnderson Band, a longtime Opry house dent of the band, it was selected to close out band and audience favorite. Anderson is a the show. Staff writer

ST. TAMMANY LIBRARY

Create in a Makerspace or attend a library Garden Fest

BY JACKIE RIECKE Contributing writer

The St. Tammany Parish Library has just celebrated the official opening of its first Makerspace and is busy putting finishing touches on an upcoming garden workshop that will focus on the fall growing season. Discovery and imagination are no strangers in the library, and when patrons are ready to take the leap to create, the new Makerspace work center in the Madisonville branch is ready for them, filled with equipment and tools for artmaking and crafting, including 3D printers and a laser engraver. On Aug. 22, with great fanfare and excitement, Library Director Trevor Collings, alongside library staff, held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Madisonville branch Makerspace, then gave guests a tour and shared cake and lemonade. It is the first branch in the library system to have a Makerspace, but it won’t be the last. The Slidell branch will next welcome its own Makerspace when planned renovations are completed. Visit sttammanylibrary.org/makerspace

to learn more about this new resource. Up next, the library and St. Tammany Master Gardeners will host their joint Garden Fest on Sept. 12 at the Covington branch from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In past years, the fest was held in spring, so this year will provide a great opportunity to promote fall gardening, which is a rich growing season in south Louisiana that lots of people don’t realize. At this free event, there will be guest speakers, table talks and children’s activities. Andre Olagues will host two lectures, “You thought you knew hummingbirds“ and “Plants that are most attractive to hummingbirds in the Deep South,” while from the LSU AgCenter, Will Afton will promote autumn green thumbs with his talk on “Growing Tips for Fall.” Other table talk topics will include bromeliads, starting plants from seeds and insect pollination. Attendees will also be offered light refreshments, activities and an opportunity to win door prizes. This event is free and open to the public. Interested in learning more about gardening? Visit sttammanyli-

brary.org/gardening to get started. Another event coming up at the Madisonville branch will be an author’s talk with retired Coast Guard chief petty officer, journalist and author Judy Silverstein Gray discussing her book, “Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind” at the Madisonville branch, 1123 Main St., on Sept. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cowritten with Taylor Baldwin Kilan, the book shines light on the events that unfolded when American soldiers went missing during the Vietnam War and a small group of military wives became their advocates and champions. Gray’s military and public affairs work gave her a front-row seat and perspective on this era of history and the advocacy work done by this group of military spouses. The author will present via Zoom, and patrons may participate either online or at the branch. Visit bit. ly/4x2I8XY to register online.

Friends events The Friends of the Slidell Library will hold their Second Saturday Special Sale on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m. at the Slidell Library, 555 Robert Blvd. This month’s sale theme will be cookbooks. The first concert of the free Friends Fall Concert

series will be held outdoors at the Pearl River branch on Sept. 16 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the Nat and Kat Cajun String Band. The next Friends of the

Library of West St. Tammany’s Used Book Sale will take Sept. 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their new address, 321 W. 29th Ave., in Covington.

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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS ON STAGE

HEAVENLY: “Xanadu, the Musical,” a campy comedy filled with light, love, gorgeous costumes and a familiar soundtrack by Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra, runs Sept. 18 through Oct. 4 at the Evangeline Theater in Mandeville. Follow the beautiful Greek Muse Kira, who descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California. She is on a quest to inspire the struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time — the first Roller Disco! But, of course, Kira falls in love with the mortal, prompting her jealous sisters to take advantage of the situation. Chaos erupts. Based on the 1980 movie by the same name. Directed by Emily and Gordon Carmadelle; music direction by Brandi Lopez; and costume design by Jayna Young. Cast includes Kira/ Clio (Meagan Harris); Sonny Malone (Nicci Wright); Danny McGuire (Jeffery Edwards); Melpomene (Andi Carroll); Calliope (Patty Blanchard); Euterpe (Becky Schmalz); Terpsichore (Patricia Lacoste); Erato (Sara Fontenot); Urania (Marli Freas); and Thalia (Barrett Baumgartner). Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m., at 2635 N. Causeway Blvd. Reserved seats, $32, at www.evangelinetheater.com/. WHO: Oh, the things you can think when Dr. Seuss’ best loved characters cavort and collide on stage at Slidell Little Theatre during “Seussical,” the colorful musical showing for one more weekend through Sept. 13. Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty bring to life Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude and so many more Seuss characters. Travel with them to the Jungle of Nool and the invisible world of the Whos. Scott Sauber and Christina Kelly co-direct the 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows at the 2024 Nellie Drive theater. Tickets $25 and $35 at slidelllittletheatre.org/. FOUR OF THEM: “Four Old Broads” opens Sept. 11 at the Cutting Edge Center of the Arts for two weekends of shows through Sept. 20. The namesake “old broads” are led by former burlesque queen Beatrice Shelton (Kimberly Mueller) who wants to vacation aboard the “Sassy Seniors Cruise through the Caribbean” with her BFF, Eaddy Mae Clayton (Teresa “Ms. Tee” Augustine), if she will stop praying and start cruising. Then there’s Maude (Suzette Songy Ferrari) who’s soap obsessed and planning her funeral, and new resident Imogene (Lisa Baradell Castro), who’s suddenly losing her memory — or not. Rounding out the cast at Magnolia Place Assisted Living is erstwhile ladies man Sam (William Saussaye), a retired Elvis impersonator; evil nurse Pat (Sandy Wolsefer); and sweet new nurse Ruby Sue (Heather McLemore). Veteran actor-director Sara Pagones directs this comedy, assisted by Michael Tanner. Shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the 767 Robert Blvd. theater in Slidell. Tickets $32 to $38 at cuttingegetheater. com/events-tickets. FAMILY: “Vanya and Sonia and Marsha and Spike” is a Tony Award-winning comedy by Christopher Durang that mixes character names and themes from Anton Chekhov plays

LIBRARY MUSIC: The first concert of the free Friends of Slidell Library’s Fall Concert series will be held outdoors at the Pearl River branch from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 with the Nat and Kat Cajun String Band.

SAVE THE DATES

PROVIDED PHOTO BY LEYLA HEKMATDOOST

The Muses are relaxing in all their glory on Mount Olympus (City Park), but they’ll come down to the Evangeline Theatre stage in Mandeville for the Sept. 18 opening of the musical ‘Xanadu.’ They are, from left, Barrett Baumgartner (who also plays Hermes), Patty Blanchard, Marli Freas, Becky Schmalz, Meagan Harris, Sara Fontenot, Patricia Lacoste and Andi Carroll. with modern family comedy about middle-aged sibling rivalry, regret and aging. Its eccentric characters and emotional family dynamics play out on stage Sept. 10-Oct. 4 with 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. curtains. Set in a Pennsylvania farmhouse where a pair of middle-aged, unmarried siblings, Vanya and Sonia, live a quiet, repetitive life until their glamorous, movie-star sister, Marsha, arrives unannounced for a visit, bringing along her much younger, boyfriend, Spike. Then there’s an aspiring young actress named Nina and a cleaning woman/soothsayer named Cassandra who predicts doom. How could this all end? Co-directed by Anna and Von Turner; general admission tickets, $28.29; seniors and military, $22.94; and children, $17.59, all inclusive, at 19106 Playmakers Road in Covington.

ART

NEW SHOW: The Lacombe Art Guild will hold its fall art show, “Brushstrokes and Beyond,” Oct. 23-25 at the Abita Springs Town Hall, 22161 Level St. An awards reception will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The show is free and open to the public, as is the reception to meet the artists and see ribbons awarded. Artists 18 years and up can submit original work through midnight Oct. 2. All the art exhibited must be for sale. The Guild supports art and artists throughout the northshore. Find out more about the Guild and details of submitting work for the show at www.LacombeArtGuild.com.

MUSIC

IT’S TIME: Voodoo Gumbo opens the fall season of Mandeville Live! free Friday concerts from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18. This is a highenergy, five-piece party band that plays a mix of funk, blues, soul and crowd favorite rock numbers and pop covers, from Grand Funk Railroad and Bruno Mars to Journey and Lady Gaga. Concertgoers are invited to bring lightweight chairs and blanket for seating, but no ice chest or eats from home. Food and beverage vendors will be at the Mandeville Trailhead to keep folks fed and hydrated. SOUL: Al “Lil’ Fats” Jackson will deliver a city-sponsored OnStage performance at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in Covington’s Fuhrmann Auditorium. This soulful New Orleans rhythm & blues singer is a proud torchbearer of the musical legacy of Fats Domino. Jackson will perform some of the best-loved Domino numbers, as well as other New Orleans’ classics from the likes of Frankie Ford and Huey “Piano” Smith. Get show tickets at Bontempstix.com or at Covington City Hall. BEGINNER BLUEGRASS: A free slow jam is set from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on

COMMUNITY GUMBO

Northlake Preforming Arts Society’s Music Director Kenya Lawrence Jackson gives a smile to her choir during an April performance. FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Sept. 14 (every second Monday) at the Abita Springs Pavilion, 22049 Main St. (Bring a chair for yourself.) The NSTMS-hosted session welcomes musicians new to jamming

FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN

Visitors shop the art for sale and consider the silent bid items offered at a previous Lenda Dean Memorial Art Festival.

FUNDRAISERS ART FEST: The 14th annual Lenda Dean Memorial Art Festival at St. Michael’s Church/ School in Mandeville is Oct. 23-25, Friday through Sunday. The fest was originated to support local artists and raise money to help with needs at St. Michael’s. All weekend, local artists and makers will exhibit their creations for sale. Also, on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the festival holds a wine and cheese reception with music director Allison Kenning’s talented piano students performing; a $5 donation is recommended. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., shop the bake sale & the food trucks starting at 11 a.m. And on closing Sunday, a continental breakfast starts at 9 a.m., with raffle drawings to win prizes donated by some of the exhibiting artists and makers. Bring in canned goods for the Samaritan Center and get free raffle tickets. Events in the church Parish Life Center at 4499 Sharp Road. HEROES: Heroes Who Cook 2026, the year’s biggest fundraiser for Hope House and the abused children they tend, takes place Nov. 1 on the roof

of the Justice Center Garage at 601 N. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Covington from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The goal is $300,000. The heroes are local figures and the cooks they team up with from local restaurants. The teams will compete to turn out the best dish of the day for gala guests. But until then, teams will raise money for Hope House by holding specials and promotions. Also, the public is now donating to Hope House by “voting” for their favorite team — $1 given to Hope House equals one vote the team the voter selects. In addition to sampling the night’s food, event patrons will also be treated to complimentary beer, wine and cocktails; music by Groovy 7; live and silent auctions. Get tickets at cachopehouse.org. SAFE HARBOR: Safe Harbor’s annual 2026 fundraising spectacular takes place Sept. 19, and its superhero candidates are on the nonprofit’s website for residents to review and decide where their votes (donations) will go. The Real Superheroes of Safe Harbor Gala will be held at 7 p.m. in The Harbor

SING: The 31-year-old Northlake Performing Arts Society opens its 2026-27 season with a pair of Great American Songbook concerts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 11. Each will feature songs showcasing great American music from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and beyond, including the songs of unforgettable Duke Ellington, hits from Broadway, and music performed by famous American “crooners.” Concerts on the Covington High School Performing Arts Center stage at 73030 Lion Drive, with the choir led by NPAS Music Direct Kenya Lawrence Jackson and accompanied by NPAS pianist Elizabeth Messina Floyd. Tickets for those 13+ are $20. Get them, or season tickets, online at NPASsingers.org/, or in person at Downtown Drugs in Covington or C&C Drugs in Mandeville. The nonprofit community choir draws most of its singers from St. Tammany Parish; all are volunteers who pay their own expenses to rehearse and perform. Ticket sales help cover production costs and choir overhead.

Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., near Slidell, complete with a live auction, a silent auction, live music and the chance for guests to connect. Every dollar directly benefits Safe Harbor’s mission of providing essential services and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their children. For tickets or more info, contact a.santos@ safeharbornorthshore.org or call (985) 626-5710, ext. 201. Visit safeharbornorthshore. org/real-superheroes-of-safeharbor to review the superhero candidates and vote for a favorite(s) by donating to Safe Harbor. THE WALK: The Alzheimer’s Association will hold its 2026 Northshore Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 26 at Lakeview Hospital, 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., near Covington.Community members, companies and organizations are encouraged to join as soon as possible at alz. org/louisianawalk (choose northshore). The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

and playing with others, as well as those who want to practice at a slower tempo. Get more session details and see the jam’s opening set list at nstms.org/bluegrass.html/.

WATCH: A birding class for beginners includes four weekly lectures, followed by a bird walk, and even binoculars for the classes at Coquille Park, 13505 La. 1085, near Covington. The 8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. lectures on Sept. 22 and 29, Oct. 6 and 13 are taught by experienced birder Jane Patterson. Register at https:// www.eventbrite.com (search for Beginning Birding). For more, email Patterson at president@braudubon. org/. FEDS: The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association’s Slidell chapter meets at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at Aldersgate Church, 360 Robert Blvd. Speaker Audrey DeAgano, with Arena Collective, will discuss estate planning and successions. The Lunch Bunch will meet to eat at 11:15 a.m. at Pearl’s Seafood Restaurant, 502 Gause Blvd. Anyone interested in lunching can notify Lynn Brooks at (504) 4959764, or contact chapter President Cindy Arsenaux at (985) 646-2296 or carsen01@hotmail.com.

10A ✦ Wednesday, September 9, 2026 ✦ St. Tammany ✦

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