Welcome to Ascension

2019 Guide for Visitors, Newcomers and Residents

Ascension Parish

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

welcome to

A PUBLICATION OF THE GONZALES WEEKLY CITIZEN AND THE DONALDSONVILLE CHIEF Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

$

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL!

Exam, Cleaning and X-Rays

Excludes patients with gum disease.

Limited Time offer, some restrictions.

Meet our Team!

David M. Arrington, DDS

Chelsie

Elena

Derek Scardina, DDS

Mary

89

Melissa

Amy

Charmaine

Michelle

Toni

254 Value $

FREE take home Whitening with special

225.647.3301 2 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

1530 E. Hwy. 30 Gonzales, LA ArringtonFamilyDentistry.com

Welcome Home!

g for Generations Carin

At The Baton Rouge Clinic we have made it our mission to provide a comprehensive range of high quality medical services for every member of your family.

We’re here to help you during every stage of life – from crucial immunizations that help keep children well to easing the pain of arthritis through rheumatology services.

We have combined the latest medical equipment, technology and treatment options with a staff of highly skilled medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to caring for patients and their families.

On-Site Specialties and Services: Allergy Dermatology Endocrinology ENT

Gastroenterology Internal Lab & Radiology Neurology Optometry

Pediatric Neurology Pediatric Psychology Pulmonology Rheumatology

Surgery Urgent Care Urology

With 22 pediatricians, 39 internists, & numerous specialties… we have everything you need to keep you and your family healthy and happy.

7373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 769-4044 • www.BatonRougeClinic.com • Baton Rouge Clinic Urgent Care is open 7 days a week. No Appointment Necessary!

7479 Perkins Road - at the corner of Essen and Perkins | (225) 246-9997

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 3

From The Editor

Welcome!

It is with great pleasure and joy that I welcome you to Ascension Parish. In this guide we would like to preview highlights of what our booming parish has to offer.

First, there are three municipalities in Ascension Parish: The City of Donaldsonville, the City of Gonzales and the Town of Sorrento. All three are rich with a unique Louisiana culture and heritage. Moreover, Prairieville, St. Amant, Dutchtown, Geismar, Galvez, Lake, Darrow, and a few more places in the parish have much to offer from growing residential areas to some of the finest schools in the state.

For an idea of where we sit, Ascension Parish is about a 45-minute drive northwest of the Greater New Orleans area and just 25 minutes southeast of the Greater Baton Rouge area.

We are far enough away from the hustle of the big cities, but certainly close enough to visit.

If it’s fun and festivals that draw you to our parish, make no mistake that we know how to do that! And we know how to cook! Not everyone is aware that Chef John Folse is from Donaldsonville. By the way, heralded LSU Women’s Gymnastics Coach D-D Breaux is, too!

Annual festivals such as the Hot Air Balloon

4 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

Festival, Sorrento’s Boucherie Festival, Gonzales’ Jambalaya Festival and Donaldsonville’s Sunshine Festival add to the quality of life here.

The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center is spreading its wings and becoming one the premier Louisiana venues for sporting events, conventions, and high-profile concerts.

forward. Our schools continue to move incredible students to the next level of education and leadership in the world.

Moreover, the Capital Region Planning Commission suggested in 2017 that Ascension Parish is expected to grow from 110,000 to 185,000 people over the next 25 years. While this is largely a guessing game, it serves as evidence of one thing happening now: growth.

Furthermore, our communities are faith-based, and volunteerism is a way of life. If there is one silver lining of suffering through the rain that fell upon Ascension Parish in 2016, it is that our people have learned to trust one another again.

Growth means a healthy economy, where ideas are exchanged. When ideas are exchanged, big things are capable of happening.

Lastly, make no mistake, this is a hard-working parish with pride! But we have a strong sense of brotherhood and sisterhood that will carry us into future generations. Our men and women are steeped in tradition and capable of extraordinary things because through hardships they have acquired extraordinary character.

Come visit, and you’ll choose to be a part of Ascension Parish.

However, the past year was not perfect.

For instance, some neighborhoods are still rebuilding from the 2016 floods. The parish council has been working on how to mitigate new land development all year long, and that picture is getting clearer.

Plenty more is in the works for 2019. The right pieces are in place. It appears that our elected officials are dedicated to moving the economy

Blessings, Greg Fischer, editor, Weekly Citizen, The Donaldsonville Chief

Here at Marchand's, You've Got It Made!

Flooring

Kitchen & Bath

(225) 647-4076

Hardware

Framing & DĂŠcor

122 Sanders Street Gonzales, LA 70737 www.marchands.com Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 5

Welcome to Ascension Parish!

On behalf of the Council and my administration, I welcome you to Ascension Parish! You will find everything you are looking for right here!

Do you like history? Then you will enjoy historic Donaldsonville, the Parish Seat. And there are several historic sites, buildings, and antebellum homes throughout the Parish.

If you enjoy shopping, you won’tt want to miss Tanger Outlet Center, Cabela’s, and numerous other shops and shopping centers, from traditional mom-and-pops to national chains.

If you are looking for entertainment, Ascension offers a movie theater, bowling alley, night clubs, fine dining, and just about every national fast-food and casual-dining chain. Fairs and Festivals happen here all year long, and there is something for everyone at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center – concerts, rodeos, and hot air balloons.

Job opportunities are here, too. We are in the heart of the petrochemical manufacturing industry, with all of the support industries that service them. Ascension boasts one of the top-rated school systems in the state, as well as River Parishes Community College, which works in coordination with business and industry to train workers for the many jobs available.

You will find that Ascension is large enough to give you whatever you are looking for, yet small enough to retain that home town feeling. Suburban neighborhoods, rural pasture lands, gated and golf course communities; they are all here, waiting for you!

My staff and I are happy to welcome you. Give us a call and let us show you some Ascension Parish hospitality!

Kenny Matassa Ascension Parish President

Ascension Parish 6 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

Ascension Parish Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 7

Fire and Police Directory

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

FIRE & RESCUE

LAW ENFORCEMENT

1. Donaldsonville Fire Department Association 700 Lafourche Street, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-473-0664

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO)

2. Sorrento Volunteer Fire Station 8096 Main Street, Sorrento Phone: 225-675-8668 3. 5th Ward Volunteer Fire Station 39110 LA-22, Darrow Phone: 225-473-1960 4. Galvez-Lake Fire Department 16288 Joe Sevario Road, Prairieville Phone: 225-622-2490 5. St. Amant Fire Department 44465 Stringer Bridge Road, St. Amant Phone: 225-644-2225 6. 7th District Volunteer Fire Department 13337 LA-44, Gonzales Phone: 225-647-6928 7. Geismar Volunteer Fire Department 12171 LA-73, Geismar Phone: 673-3396 8. Prairieville Fire Department 14517 LA-73, Prairieville Phone: 225-673-6663 9. Gonzales Fire Department 724 W Orice Roth Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-644-5307

8 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

1. East Courthouse 828 S. Irma Boulevard, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-8340 Services Offered: Property Taxes, Pay Fines, Copy of Police and Accident Reports, Background Checks, Sheriff’s Sales, Forfeitures, Juvenile Division, Family Services including Domestic Violence, and Criminal Investigations Division.

2. Public Safety Center 13192 Airline Highway, Gonzales Services Offered: Collection of Evidence, Civil Papers, and Criminal Warrants 3. Patrol and Traffic Substation 15482 Airline Highway, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-8300 Services Offered: Patrol Captain (M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and a place to file police reports. Note: This location is not manned 24-hours-a-day.

4. West Courthouse 300 Houmas Street, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-473-8671 Services Offered: Property Taxes, Pay Fines, Copy of Police and Accident Reports, and Background Checks

5. Donaldsonville City Hall 609 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-621-8300 Services Offered: Patrol Captain (M-F 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and a place to file police reports. Note: This location is not manned 24-hours-a-day.

6. Jail 2384 Lemanville Cutoff Road, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-473-8674 Services Offered: Visitation (Certain Hours), Bartender, and Dancers Licenses.

7. Training Center 9094 S. St. Landry Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-8365 8. Range Complex 9134 S. St. Landry Road Phone: 225-621-8365 Services Offered: Public Shooting.

(The use of the weapons ranges are made available to the citizens of the parish on regular basis. The rifle range is open to the public year-round on the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., or safe shooting light.

Gonzales Police Department (GPD) 415 E Cornerview Street, Gonzales Phone: 225-647-7511 Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) 828 S. Irma Boulevard, Building 3, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-8360

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

Parish and CPEX looks to local students for direction

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor Ascension Parish Government and Ascension Parish Public Schools partnered recently to provide a unique educational experience to high school students around the parish.

CPEX, the government partner in creating a new master land use plan, made presentations on land use and zoning laws in front of high school juniors and seniors.

“It’s important to kind of think out of the box,” CPEX Director of Planning Janet Tharp said. “Downtown Donaldsonville has what we call all the bones of a place, all the great buildings and structure to be a more walkable community.”

Tharp took the reins to present ideas for growth and development to the students. This was followed by the same process parish citizens followed recently

at town hall meetings. Students looked at the best models available and were able to write sticky notes to add their thoughts on future land development.

“It was a public workshop showing them much like what we’re showing the kids in the classroom,” Jerome Fournier, Ascension Parish Planning and Zoning director, said. “I thought we had some really good feedback, and I thought we had some really good interactions with the population there.”

This was done to allow students to become better educated on the process work of parish government as well as stimulate discussion on where they would like to see future growth and development in the parish.

A session was held at Donaldsonville High School and Dutchtown High School.

“I think it’s a good exercise for us to participate in because we’re going

to be the ones who settle down with families and jobs more than the older people in the parish, so we should be the ones to determine what we want,” Hailey Junca, a Dutchtown student said.

A surprising note was that Dutchtown students wanted more development on the West Bank. They also showed interest in more industry and more rentals so they can live in Ascension Parish and commute to college. Donaldsonville students were concerned with transportation. They want development like shopping and walkable roads.

CPEX and the planning department are taking the students’ participation just as seriously as the adults, since as Junca pointed out, those people will be the ones living in the parish with families and jobs by the time the 20-year plan is fully in place.

St. Amant and East Ascension students also participated that week.

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 9

FOX ACRES

ACY

POTO

PA SAE'

Z BRAUD

CASEY BABIN

SAMUEL BABIN

WATSON GAUTREAU

TURRY

MR SCAT

ALEX

HUDGENS

RODDY

ADAM

AU AM

BE

CHANEY

BRYAN

ALEXANDER

NAQUIN

IRMA

PAUL MOINET

HOUMAS

PURPERA

ORMOND NOTTOWAY

DELATTE CRYER

ASHLAND

MEADOWOOD

SOUTHWOOD

KURT KUNDLER

REMY ROBERT

DIANE

SAN FRANCISCO

VISTA

SANDRA

ROTH

REYN

GARRETT SANCTUARY

NICKENS

BIENVILLE

VISTA

PARK

PECAN GROVEAUDUBON PLACE

MIRE

LEXINGTON

STACY

ARCENEAUX

HEMPSHIRE

LANOUX

SHIRLEY

AUGUSTA

NORA

RUTH

GAUDIN

RINGER

SOUTHLAND

PHILIPPE

CLAUDE FORSYTHE

A T QUINN

AMELIA

O'NEAL

LINEN

STEVE GAUTREAU BEAU

TWIN CIRCLE

44 IDA

SAMMY

PLEASANT

SHERMAN

DAPHNE

BULLION

PATRICIA

JANICE

ANITA

BARMAN

COOLIDGE CHARLES BURNSIDE

FELICITY

MARCHAND

PLEASANT

BROWN

GAUTREAU

NIKOL

ROSCOE MARCHAND

ROSEWOOD JENNY

CALVIN

OLEANA

QUIETT

ROPER

HODGESON

44

REINE

22

DOLLY'S

BO

N

ES M N JA ILSO W

A

ST N AN

70

L V

292 square miles Major Roads: Interstate-10, US Hwy. 61 (Airline Hwy.) LA Highway 30, 44

www.ascensionedc.com

Rail: Kansas City Southern, Canadian National, Illinois Central, Union Pacific

INFORMATIONAL DIRECTORY

M'S COVE

C

Darrow 37142 Hwy. 22 800-275-8777 Donaldsonville 301 Iberville St. 225-473-7498 Duplessis 39265 Hwy. 621 225-644-2694 French Settlement 16169 Hwy. 16 800-275-8777 Geismar 6223 Hwy. 73 225-673-5594

PR

ES

LE

Y

R

AU

TTJOHNSO N

AD

D AU BR

BERTRAND

PAUL RD

MELANCON

RR SH ENTO EL L

RE

RA IL RO

ES S

GE

PE CA OA N KS

N AI

POND

BR LEG

GAIL EVA

UX

M

SO

IG NA C

RT

PR

IE LL TU ND O M RAY TULLIER

DU

M NA

LAND AREA

BE

CY

ER FL NEST OY D

PA

LINE

Waterways: Mississippi River, Port of Greater Baton Rouge

BU

LEE

89

NGE

Telephone: AT&T, EATEL, Cox

FRA NK

VI AN VI

ROBERT

BL AN C I-10

30

H

EVA

TRANSPORTATION

AN

PERCY

M LE ER SL ED IE IT H

KE RS

CI PA TY RK

DR

Gas: Acadia Gas, Atmos Energy, Bridgeline, Cypress Gas Pipeline

WOODLAND TRACE

HN

DRY

LE BL

N BEA

70

JO

18

CY

INO LAT

A ANN IAN MAR

Donaldsonville - parish seat, Gonzales, Sorrento

EA

MA IN

IPPI

ON

OE

R

WINDOM MABILE

TE

AY

MARION WILFRED

BS

GUEDRY

LAN

MO NR

WE N

WALKER

VIC IO N

MA DIS

RA DIS E CH UR CH

PA

OU

JOHN TULLIER

L

TR AB

LE MISSISS

LE E

CE NT VIN ST

LH

22

MI LL

EL IZA BE TH NO LA N

NT

ST

ND

BR YA NT ST MC VINCE KIN LE NT PE Y YT AV IN

MA GI NN IS PA LM NA

JIL

LAURA

VE

CA

ER ICA

ED

AL EA SE

ST PA LO TR RE ICK TT AD

IA

DIVIS

CO

E

CL

FIR

SE

TH IRD

S

AM

GIN

UR TH

ILL

LS

RT

UT

MA PL

EN RD

ER GA

IA

AZ

EPH

VIR

AL

SOL

FR ON FIR T ST

FO LIS A

OL

EL OU SA

S

PE TE R

RD FO C AW CR LAN LEB

JOS

CH

ST

RV

D TH IBA

K E

OA

PIN

N

VETERANS

WA LTO

LE

E

A

G

IA

UR

AR

TH IRD

L BONN HAE IE MIC

M P EVANS

IBE

OP

CH

NOL

TIG

MAG

UD

BO

X AU

BO UD RE

N

ORI

PLIM

LA FO CH UR ET CH IM E HO AT UM CH AS AS RA ILR HO LE OA SS UM AR D AS D

MA GN OL IA MU LB ER RY

LP A

EL ON BA RC

CA TA

GE AN

ER RY

ER RIV

MU LB

OR

KS OA

MT D LAN OD

BUNN

NI

N

DIA ACA

L

LA M

AM AN T

EB Y

AMANDA SHELBI

LEROY LAMBERT

BELLEVUE

TOUCAN

LOUIS VILLENEUVE

OAK

ANNIE OAK

RONNIE BOURG EOIS

RUBY

941

HACKBERRY

BRITTANY

ER TO W BO YC E

AR D

UR CH

S

CH

OU SS

RN

BR

OL IVE

BU

WAR T

HOOD WO

ET

UX

MA RK

ON EA

ET

SIM

BES SON

RR E

GU EDR Y BELLINA

RO ND INA

D

MIL

K FRAN

ICA

LAN

GE RID OAK

Electricity: Entergy, DEMCO

Brittany 1830 E. Hwy. 30 225-644-0682

CLEMENT

MATHILDA

GEORGE FLAMINGO

ORCHARD

WI LL MA IAM RC S HA ND AL BE

SE CO ND

ENZO

ETTA CONC

VAT

SCHEXN AYDER

LP A

HELENS WAY LILLIE VALLEY O BA LE RN

EDNA

PEACH TREE

22

STE ADAM

DRY

REAU

LAN

GAUT

UT

IBA D TH

VINC

MEM

LINE NGE

MUNICIPALITIES

POST OFFICES

AVERY

POPLAR

IR TROXCLA

H

H

MELANCON

ST

JOSEPH

ND

7

UTILITIES

10 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

ST FRANCIS

N SO EM ER

MINVIELLE

MILDRED

JO WAYNE FLOYD

22 HW Y D OL

N RA YB OR

CO OP ER N S.

AN K AM ER

ER WI

RB BU

KR

RR DA PIE

T WY AT

WA

LAFOUR CHE RA ILR LE OA SS AR D D ST ST PATR VIN ICK CE CH NT UR CH

E

PIN

CA TA GA

MAG

1

INO LAT

ED NA MAGI NN LO IS MILL RE AM TTA ER D ICA NO LA N

RD EN IA NOL IA

LTO

N

S

A

RN

EL ON

BU

RC BA UR G BO

NT

HT

NIN TH

BAYOU

ASH

CO

UR BRIDG TH E

PARISH PROFILE

Air: Louisiana Regional Airport (local), Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Louis Armstrong Int. Airport (All within 45 minutes drive)

J J LANOUX

KATIE

PALMER

C GAUTREAU

SUSAN PLACE

FOREST BRAUD

WUNSTEL

MANDY

FIELD

ABE

BELL

GEORGE

CARLOS

SKY DARLA

EDWARD JOHN

RICHLAND

EDWARD

COMMERCE RUBY

937

PHILLIPS

PERTUIS

POND

AU D

MA IN

BR

SHIRLEY DYER

D

JEFF

HN

LE

BL AN C PAT

E IN PIP EL OW

HO FE N VO

CO N AN M EL A REN

GU EDR Y

EIG

TH

NY

BELLINA BUNN MA RK SIM ET ON EA UX

LA NE TENTH

FO

VE

EPH

SO

308

P 945

O ALT O

SE

EL EV EN

N

LOO

PAL

SHORT

SE

TH IRD

FIF TH

JOS

UV

EN

EI

R

TOWNSHIP

E

SIX TH

KAYTAIN CROSSING

TON

RIVER

AU

3 Miles

BEECH

RICHARD WAGUESPACK

1

D NAU REY

EVA

1.5

COLONIAL OAKS

KC

LA RUE

GRIFFITH

LEGACY OAKS

ERNEST BELL

VETERANS

OUTFITTERS

COOPER

MOLLIERE

MARY'S

TC SAVOY T BOY AYMOND

BOBBY MARCHAND

BEN ADA

POURRIER

ROD ANDERSON

SULLY

RAMBO

REINE M'S COVE

FRA NK ROBERT

LEE

DEBATE

ANNIE OAK

RUBY HACKBERRY OAK

941

ROBERT

BURNT CANE CALDWELL

AGNES MARIE

THOMASSIE

BUXTON

SAVOY

RIA TO

ST LANDRY

VERBA

LEON

MORGAN

ST AMANT PARK

BECO

TOOTSIE

TANNIS

PAULA

TRACY R AND V IRENE E DESLATTE

Tutz

ALEXANDER

RAPHEAL

WESTWOOD

NAS H

ST PAUL

KAY

SANDBOM

JULIET

DOUBLE M FAMILY

EASY BAYOU VIEW

BOUDREAUX

L KELLER

HARRY SAVOY

LANDRY

KYLE

ROBERT WILSON

CABELA'S TANGER

LIBERTY

C V HEATH

LEO LAMBERT

CYPRESS GOLD

PECAN TEMPLET ASH

ELLA

T-JEAN

ROUYEA

CAMELIA

EMILE

JC BUSTER

COUERON

GEORGE LAMBERT

DIPUMA

431

PEACH TREE

EDNA

PENO

RABBIT CROSSING

AIRPORT

ASHLEY

ISSAC VILLAR

BUBBA NICKENS

BECK

TOM

DAB

HEBERT

DI-D-BOP KERN

WAYNE STEVENS

PAUL MOINET

DELATTE

FAY JEFF

CRYER

KURT KUNDLER

HODGESON

CARTER

MORAN

IO

ESTIC

NO EL

CO

ALAR IC

TEZCU

JONATHAN

WATERFOR

44

CICERO

MAJ

BE

NG UE ZE RI

S SO LM HO HE N

C C'S

E ACRE S

DANA

AMIT

OOD

H H WILSON

PIN OAK

RAVENW

BILL MORGA N RIVER LANDING BEECHW OOD SUB'D OAKS

LOMAS

SHADY VALMON RODDY J T RODDY

BLANE

LONNIE

GEORGE

SLICK

DOEL MAYERS

JOE GAUTREAUX

ADAM TEMPLET

NIG MIRE

J B TEMPLET BI BI REID MELISSA HEIGHTS

EDGEWATER CHENE BLANC

LOUISA

OLD PECAN

B PHILLIPS

K JA KO

BE AU

AM

DENHAM

GUITREAU

MARRERO PIPELINE EJ

CHANEY

NAQUIN

MARTIN

REYN

BAYOU BREEZE

VISTA PECAN GROVE SANCTUARY

HOUMAS

PARK

KENNETH MICHAEL

AMANDA CHRISSY

HOPE JOHN WEST

GARCON

BOURQUE

A POIRRIER

GERRY KRAMER

SHE-LEE

DEE GAUTREAU

POTO

GEORGE ROUYEA

DECOTEAU

C J VILLAR BOURGEOIS

ETIENNE CRAWFORD

DELAUNE LAMBERT

RUTH

CLEO

Z BRAUD

LILLY

DEARVIEW

RODDY

MR SCAT ADAM BEAU ALEX

NICKENS

IRMA

DIANE

N ER SO EM

RR Y

G

RO

VE

GUY'S PLACE HIMEL

BLAKE

BUTTERFLY

HARDY

C KLAMP

MURYL

MCCONNELL

CHERRY CREEK AUTUMN

PENN

MARTY LOW

JOBOY

EVANS SUSIE'S

NYE

BOO

C K SMITH

LAZY OAKS WHISPERING OAKS STONEGATE MANOR GARNET

BRENDA

MIRE

BERT ALLEN

CEAZER

MARTIN MORAN

ST MARK'S

HILBERT YOUNG

LOBELL LEBLANC

OTT

O'NEAL

PA SAE'

A T QUINN

AMELIA

LINEN

J J LANOUX

COOLIDGE BURNSIDE

BRYAN BULLION

TURRY

PRIVACY TOM SAMMY

MARCHAND

STACY

SHIRLEY GAUDIN

RINGER

JOE SEVARIO

KELLY

CARPENTERS CHAPEL

EZ CO RT MAIN

ROYAL VILLAR

VIVIAN CELIA

AMY

REMY ROBERT

PALMER

C GAUTREAU

SUSAN PLACE

BROWN FIELD

IDA

MANDY CALVIN OLEANA BELL

LANOUX JOHN

RICHLAND

EDWARD

PHILIPPE ROTH

DARLA

VETERANS

COMMERCE

TANGER

CAJUN

PURPERA

S DUCRO

PARKER HEIGHTS

UE PERD

CREEK

ANNA

YOUNG

BG PARENT ORLEANS LOUSTEAU

COLE PATRICIA

MA IN

ANITA

PENO

GRIFFITH

FAMILY NASH

RAPHEAL

ABE SKY

ERNEST BELL

FEAST

44

WINBORNE ANNA BELLE

ERIC

MEADOWVIEW

FOUNTAINBLEAU RENNES

AIMEE

MEGAN

ACADIA

SHEREE SWEET PECAN

BRAUD

ACE

LEAH

CARO COMPOUND KC

C C'S

LA RUE

SANDBOM

JULIET

FOREST BRAUD

RODEO POE'S

DOOLEY BAYOU VIEW

BOUDREAUX ROBERT WILSON

ST LANDRY

ASHLAND

RUBY

SUMMERSET

RAG TOP

ISOM SANDRES

INDUSTRIPLEX

PASCAL

RICHMOND

A N WHITE DALE

TILLOTSON

AIKENS

TIGER HEIGHTS

P'VILLE IND

FOREST OAK

ROY ROGERS PALMETTO

DAIGLE BISHOP WOODS RAY BABIN

MARK

CALICE

RUE MAISON

FLEUR DE LIS

WRIGHT BABIN

HAROLD BERTEAU CALCOTE

ROOD

CHASE

BURNT PECAN DEPEN

J D BROUSSARD

CARIBBEAN

OAK MEADOW

TIGGY DUPLESSIS

MARTINIQUE

FERNAND

NAN

SHADY

MAEOLA

CONNER

EASY

SALMAN

EMERSON

IN TE PO E C M ER O M C

NORA

LAUREN LES CHENIER MCCRORY 1 SIMONE

DEERPATH WILLOW

WESTLAKE LONG LAKE

LA RONNIE N ES N EW EN D H O R IZ O N

930 OAK HILL BEAU JON

CHESTER DIEZ

POLO CLUB

LIZ

CORI

OREGON

PHIL L LANDRY

BABIN MILL MILL POINT

ADONICE

OIS E EL

FAUCHEAUX

OLD MILL

ALEX KLING

EAGLES WAY J AND D ELISAR R J KLING

CARRIE

SUGARMILL MILL HOUSE

73

RABBIT CROSSING

SILLS

RAYBON

ACADIA WAY

RIDGEVIEW

AYDEN

JAROD KIRSTEN

RAWLINGS

MCCALLUM

C MA NC HA

RIDGE

SHADOW RIDGE

OAK KNOLL DECK

HIGHLAND

OAK FIELDS

LEGACY HILLS CYPRESS SWAMP MOSS POINTE ALLISON TWIN OAKS ARCENEAUX

LOUIS WHITE

OAK COLONY

GAT EW AY O LO ER BRO U

SENECA HEMING WAY

GUIST

308

0.75

RL IN E

PAY

75

JOHN AIME AI

PAUL

70 U V

3089

312

0

TH

AR IR FF TO CEAS W

HM LAMBERT

HUNTINGTON

AY NW

U

SMOO

TOM DYER

CO

C

CHUTIE

STERLING

LN PAILLE ESTATES

EMMA

E

PENNY

0

N AI

LL VI

941

ROSE

M

N

E

N

FERGUSON GRAHAM

314

HO ANT

AN M LE

RN BO

ERTO

§ ¨ ¦

ST

O

BREW

BART

NORMAN DYER

AR SUG LE GAB EN LINE NGE EVA CE NT PLA

M

0

RE

N

CLOUATRE

E

AGE BOC

N

308 U V

E

RON

GRE

U V

BEA

ACK UESP

RY OM LAND

SI

HERRIN

SO

AI RL IN

10

CY

A ST EMM

WAG

TE-N S JULE

M USC O

ST

3089

RN

E ICH LA KE LA

RO BI N

CLOUATRE

GIARDINA

LD NA DO

CO TEXA

SCE

P 945

FIF SIX TH TH

N ICA

INO LAT

LOO

FO THIRD UR TH

BO

ST JOHN'S

£ ¤

CRE

MISSISS IPPI IBE RV ILL E

CL AY

EN

TH BE

ER

IO ST N

ED

IZA

IV R

NS

OL LS

EN

RIAL T INDUST AIRPOR

EW

NI CH

FR ON T DIVIS FIR

X LI FE

EL LOOSEMOO

N

H

BELLE HELENE

VALMOND

NORTHWOOD

PAN AM

SAM MARTIN

70

NT

TH

EVA VESTA

B

V

FIF TH

VE

SPILLMAN

VERNA

EASTBANK

JOHN MILTON

ED

S

L

SE

NIN

VAT

AR AL LE SUG ORI GAB MEM E EN ROS GRE MEL GE RID OAK D NAU REY

ET

NA

JU DE LI Z E CO TT ON

1

20

O

A

G

AN

944

TH

JO

31

SA

UR MO

FONTAN

TA

943 U V

TEN

BAYOU

TIFFANI

ROSEDOWN

ST

CAJUN

RANS VETE

MARK PIERCE ND

DENVER HURST

44 U V

JE HA NKI RR N NE IS S RN S ES

ANGELA

BERTRAND

MO

BA

NELSON

OAK ALLEY CITY PLACE

BONNIE

I-1

SPLIT LOG

JAMES AYMOND

6 93

GUEDRY

N

942 U V

LYNNE HAZEL

BORDELON

JEANSONNE

S

N Y BABI PERR

BO DU

ACOS

MILLIEN 943

FE RN

TE RA

JOHN ALAN

FABIAN CHUCK NEAL

Y

FL OY D

AU

1 U V

944 U V

VE

DAWN

ROME

OAK HAVEN GREAT HAVEN

EB

M UL

R DA

AD

I

MELANCON

A M NA PA

943 U V

MEDINE CASTRO KATIE

TH IRD

HAMILTON MEYLAN

HIDEN HAVEN

LA RR Y

CONWAY

C LAN

OW N

L

O RS OU

DENOUX

RIVER

CE

E

HE

LL

N

1 GOMEZ

SYBIL

TERRACE

MUSTANG

18

942

EL

E

RR TE

E

N

W

KE

BASS

VY D LE OR NF

L

ST

GRACE

ROGERS A

STA

CAL

S SIM

IN RL

BO

IN UD

RO

RS GE RO

GONZALE

AN

MARANTHA ACRES

M

22

JOE GUEDRY

BRADY

CR

KAREN

JOAN

ELIZABETH

PO RI RT HILL HOLLYVE R HI GH LA

DOE

EL

N HAL EVA

405

MC

SE CO FIR ND ST

MAPLES

PETITE

HO ME LITTLE CREEK

22 U V

DOC

YD HA

JR

LL HI

22

NOEL

FRANK NOEL

R

FRANK

1 U V

TE AL W

U V

RY

JEFF

0

AN

KER

PRESTON LANDRY

SHELLY HAYDEL

22 U V

GER ALD

N W O L O BR XY N HO W SC O D

CH

HO PE

EDNA LULU

ELREM

I-1

TULLIER

LA

BR

AR M

NEW

SANDERS WEBER

H HAYDEL RIFLE RANGE

LEB

TOLEDO

GA

75 U V

FITZ

RO AD

MCARTHUR

CITY PARK DOUGLAS

SILVERLEAF

VINDEZ

RD

S

IL

CORY

WEBER CITY

CALDWELL

FO

NU

JUPITER

RA

AN MAI T

JUNE JAMIE BY

CHURCHPOINT

PERTUIS ACRES

J R ESTATES CAUSEY WAY

PIERCE

MUDBUG

AW CR

VE

EY

TIN AR

PAUL

AVERY

AM

LL

ASCENSION ROOSEVELT

BLUEBIRD

RAYMOND

HUEY

NE

NEW RIVER

RAILROAD

JACQUELINE

22 U V

ST

ROSCOE

BANKER

PENN

61

NE ST

44 U V

TUSCANY

TN

N

WHI

PA TH

TERRY

SS

INE

SPARROW

JEANA

30

STERLING

BRITTANY

22 U V

S LE

405 U V

LA ND

941 U V

EL OY AV

HE AD

22 U V

CYPRE CAROL

BOOGIE

JONTREY

BAYOU NARCISSE

IRAH

CH

61

WORTHEY

J AND L

MI MI'S

£ ¤

EMMA

N

SWAN

LLE RO

N PLANTATIO DONALDSO

BA

C LEA SE

LAUREL RIDGE

RODNEY

TROXCLAIR

ER

S

QUEST

GR

CA NA L

ROBERT JR

TE BA

E DG

ERTO Y

Y ROCK

BREW V LUC

ER AY PL

DEN

PRESTON

APM AN

E

PICOU DOOT

935 U V

TOM DYER

M P EVANS

N LDSO DONA

OVIDE

CH CA

RS IO N

NEPO

OLIVER

FRIENDLY

RICHARD WAGUESPACK

ST JOHN'S

BOW

VE

RR AC

LESSARD

SWALLOW BAYOU

RE

N R LIE JU TAYLO

TE

SIDNEY

ORICE ROTH

NIECE

L'HUILLIER

I-1 0

LOOS EMOO

A

DI U

BPS

FONTENOT

RON

AC

431 U V

K

SOUTHLANE

R E RIVE

CREEK

EL L

STRINGER BRIDGE

THE LAND

PENNY

TOUCAN

M IL W

JIM BABIN

HELEN

TEAL

935 U V

TAYLOR SHEETS

LONE OAK

GRAHAM

10 § ¨ ¦

DORA

EZ

CARLTON PLACE

E

PAN AM

HOOPER

PEACH HAPPY

BART

DENVER HURST

BERNICE

934 U V

MAURICE BOURGEOIS

ROSE

CLOUATRE

ELIZABETH

BRIGN

TURBO

DAY GOLD PLACE

RIB

STACIE

TERRELL

RILEY

TABBIE

BA YO

RAY KELLEY

431 U V

CITY

E PAR

AMIT

K

JOSEPH

AMBER

ANDEROSSA

BUTCH GORE

JULIA

FARM

CAJUN BAYOU

B R SINGLETARY PRINCE

LANOUX

LAK

S

CORNERVIEW

PIROGUE

PITRE

IVY

GS BRIG

R DAIGLE

ER

TOM WATSON

CANNON

CYPRESS BEND

M AY

LAKE MARTIN

KELLER

QUALITY

JOHN MILTON

BO RN

COULEE

LEBEAU

RI

PETITE

EN

431 U V ROSSI PERCK

935 U V

M

VERA

SILVERLEAF

JI

DOGAN

CIRCLE OAKS 931

WEB ER

30 U V

D AND D

LOOP

431 U V

NE

KERNAN

GO

MAGNOLIA RIDGE

KE LA

SAN FRANCISCO

GREENBRIAR PALMVIEW ASHLAND

RIFLE RANGE

LAKE SETTLEMENT

MARGHERITA

NORWOOD

PEE WEE

TRICHE

ROSEDOWN

VINDEZ

PEAR TREE

X LI

PLEASANT

EVA

RVIEW

431 U V

ELMO CANNON LAKE HILLS SHIRLEY CANNON PINE CREST LAKE VILLAGE

OA

MAIN

FLOYD

429

NELSON

TIFFANI

VESTA

CORNE

MAC DEARMOND

TOMMY KING

STEVENS LA

PI

SYCAMORE

SUMMERFIELD SOUTH

LAKEWOOD ROUX MILLET

DELACERDA

ELWIN DUHE

DAWN

NEAL

SPILLMAN

LD

AR

TIGER LEWIS S SANDER

FE IE SS S JE SEAR

HAMILTON ROME

OAK HAVEN VERNA

T C NORWOOD

STONE HEDGE

R

GRACE

JAMES

ERFIE

LIVELY

HENDERSON BAYOU

IE JAM

OLE HOMESTEAD JAY

STEWART

WYNSTONE KEYSTONE

OAK RIDGE

TIMBERSTONE

PAILETTE MARTY

DA CE

FAIRCHILD

MAPLES

WEBER

SUMM

431 U V

CAP

SPELLMAN WALL

SNO SHEETS

CHURCHPOINT

J D HENRY

WORTHEY

LAKE

ERIN

A

RUDY JANILE BOOGIE

BAYOU NARCISSE

G

THELM

KEELY

CITY PARK

30 U V

ED

HENDERSON

934 U V

NA

FOX TROT

931 U V

BLACK BAYOU

BANKER

LULU JEFF

IN

E RD BO LA S AN EV

BERCEGEAY

TURO

DIXON

PINE LAKE

LOWES

TOBEY

TOBY

COONTRAP

CAL

WEAMS

WOOD HOLLOW

JOBY

621

TURO

TUCKER

MA RI

GREAT OAK GALVEZ OAKS

MOORE

CANNON

MAGAZINE

AI

H ST ON E

DIXON

COTTO ST CHARLES

SHAFTER LEBLANC PERSHING MIRE

DOYLE

JAMES

WESLEY HOWE GEORGE DUPLESSIS SHALOM CONIFER SHADOW CREEK LERO HOWE

WITEK

COTTO

LOWES

JACKSO N JOHN EALY TINY

74

FAIRCHILD

RT

BLAISE

WESLEY EVANS CHRIS

SHIRLEYVILLE

BEA

RIVERSIDE

SH RU

WI

S TE GA

E AIRI VIEW PR MN TU

K EE N Y CR HAVE OD WO LY BIL

E TL LIT AU

DD MU

E BL

44 U V

934 U V

NEE

44 U V

HOLLY HILL

HOUR

INT Y PO

E

SY

W AT

IDLE

AD

CH

ON PS ER G SIM IN NN MA AZ DI A HI NT CO ACE GR

AM

NN

NH

KE

DE

E OV

E NC

GR

ROSE

MEL

61

FICKLIN WELLS

WOLFCHASE

MILLIE

£ ¤

RAYMOND

AN BL

RT

E

HE

WILLIAMS

PIERCE

405 U V

11 - Benny Johnson

ZEOLA

KATHY ADELE

CORNERVIEW

NARVIE

CLEARWATER

DEMI MILLE COURTNEY LEE LAKEWAY COVE

MARCHAND DON LOU

PARIS

ORICE ROTH

OUTFITTERS

ZE

LL

K AR

10 - Bryan Melancon

FR EE

30 U V

BE

RAYCO SANDRES

CL

75 U V

9 - Todd Lambert

INDUSTRIAL

30 U V

CEMETERY

ASCENSION

FARM

LA KE

GLEN WILLIAMS

BARDEN

SIDNEY

MOODY

JADESTONE DEVALL

BERTVILLE

DEAN

VILLA

BAILEY

RILEY

0 I-1

8 - Teri Casso

YT BL

CO

7 - Chris Loar

LIA E AL LL

H ARMOND LULA HIDDEN POINT

E

RATCLIFF

SMITH HART

44 U V

NOAH

KATIE

L

10 § ¨ ¦

ELLEM

HANSON

CANA

KLING

ANDERSON

N

RR

SAM

BULL RUN

OLD HICKORY

CROSS CREEK

E

O

TE

CREEKSTONE

MERRITT EVANS

TOBEY

E

933

FOX RUN GERMANY

COONTRAP

GL EA

BESS

GARDEN

SYCAMORE

LELIA

LD BA

GALVEZ FAIRMONT

WILLIAM FICKLIN

MITZI

N

42 U V

CAUSEY

ROY'S

UG FR

PS

N

ETHEL

WOODRUN

BO

OR

HUNT

MYRTLE

CHATEAU

POCORELLO

TOMMY MOORE

TUCKER

LIVELY

AN

O M

PS O

N

TH

M

LM EL

SHARPER AM

SO

SP

LI

TH O

CO

EN EV

W IL

6 - Randy Clouatre

RIVER

OR RB

CAL

ING KL

ST

5 - Dempsey Lambert

BABIN

COTTON PATCH

NEW

HA

RIVERGATE

FRANCINE

30 U V

07

74

GEISMAR

30

4 - Daniel Satterlee

KE LA

MINDI

ANGIES

MCDANIELS

3 - Travis Turner

S RE

GLORIA

LE UB

Y

KARA SUSAN

DO

74 U V

RY

EAS

Y OAK ALLE

2 - Kent Schexnaydre

RY

TER BIG

1 - Oliver Joseph

DUKE EVENT COBBLESTONE SUE JOHN

TROY

621 U V

61

JOE

Representative Name

ID

TUPELO

RE

REDBUD CAMBRE

£ ¤

RB

THAIS

COTTON FIELD

HOLLY JOSH BROWN

HA

K

LOUIS

WOODLAND

DUPLESSIS

ROUSSEL

KAPELLE

JO

COUNTRY

ZILDA

OA

ABBY JAMES

PATTY

JAMES

E TON AYS GR SILVERSTONE

SKI SIDE LAKESHO

KAREN

N

929 U V

AL

MADISON

BRADBURY BAYRIDGE

SE RO

621 U V

WAY

EADS

MISSIO

OAK PLAZA

933 U V

LAKEPOINT

LORENA

EL

MINDY

C BRAUD

INEZ

ALISE

GREGG

WEST

929

TODD

QUAIL CREEK

M

THE BLUFFS

WRENWOOD

PROVE NCE POINTE OTTE SOUTHWOOD VILLAGE HILLSID E

BIG OAK

CREST WAY

CYPRESS

FRANKLIN

LEVERN STAFFORD

929 U V

RYAN

NA

928 U V

IA

Y AN LB TA NA

PARISH BOUNDARY

AR

CITY LIMITS

FIFE

AMALFI

ST MARIE PRAIRIE PARK QUIET LAKE NORRIS TRAILS

10 § ¨ ¦

OAK PARK

OAK PATH

BALMORAL

ELLIOTT

ION

MISTY OAK

LA ROCHELLE RONDA

DARVILLE DAME EAST

GG LE

GU

D

POST OFFICE

IE MAR BARBARA 42

PARKER

LAKELAND

HENRY

73 U V

OD

MILLER CHARL

VESTA

KLEINPETER

AC

AR

ALICE BRAUD

RIVAULT

MILLER

STREETS

SEAGUL

CHARLESTON

STAFFOR D LAKEVIEW

Legend

IO

C

SS

ON TT DU

61

GWO

SH

HA NC MA

Y OR CR MC E RV SE RE TRAIL D OL OLD D AR SS OU BR

LIVE OAK

O

£ ¤

LON

CA

N

RONALD

CHENIER

E

MONTICELLO

PAILLE

WHITE

OC

DAVID

VA

III

ITA

CARLIN

AB

F UF BL

COV

10 § ¨ ¦

BE

ER

N

MARKET PLACE

HEATH

FELICIAN A

K RO W VIE EAN

BE RO

CH BA FA

OU

NORTHLAKE

N

928 U V

BR

B

N SO

EB W

61

FER JEF

£ ¤

P

OWE

GE E E RID AC PIN C PL HA

T EA TR

SHADOW

N

OLD

DY

NC MA

D OO

AM SW

JU

W GE ED

K HY OC OT N BR TIM LEE KATH

RE

10 § ¨ ¦

HN

OW

K

JO

BR

OW

INS

OA

KE LA

ITH

BR

ON RK

D

K

TI TA

OA

K OA

PE

E OV

SM

S

AN

IN

D RE

PL

S TE TA ERT LB GI ON TI TA

ATOR ALLIG

U BAYO

RK

ES

AN PL

A LI

ASCENSION PARISH, LOUISIANA

K GR

WELSH

PE

NO AG M

427 U V

OO

A NN G AI DO CR D OO W LE N AP A M LL NA D VI EN OL PE BR HO CKAY MA

KW OA

61

SH

OA

D AR SS

COUNCIL DISTRICTS

OU

D. D R. AN KL OA

£ ¤

CAMP

BR

Date: 10/6/2015

ROOD

Information

Information Gonzales 1706 S. Burnside Ave. 225-647-9715

EATEL, Phone: 800-621-4211 Electric:

Maurepas 23839 Hwy. 22 225-695-3104

DEMCO, Phone: 225-622-2549

Prairieville 15655 Airline Hwy. 225-673-8100

Garbage:

St. Amant 44473 Hwy. 429 225-644-3133

Entergy, Phone: 800-368-3749

Acadian Waste Disposal Service, Phone: 225-744-6400 Allied Waste, Phone: 225-675-8021

Sorrento 8213 John LeBlanc Blvd.

225-675-2722

Dale’s Garbage Service, Phone: 225-647-6061

LIBRARIES

Innovative Waste Systems, Phone: 775-2350

Donaldsonville: (Main) 500 Mississippi St., Donaldsonville, Phone: 225-473-8052

Waste Management, Phone: 800-654-0489

Dutchtown: 13278 Highway 73, Geismar, Phone: 225-673-8699 Gonzales: 708 S. Irma Blvd., Gonzales, Phone: 225-647-3955 Galvez: 40300 Highway 42, Prairieville, Phone: 225-622-3339 ASCENSION PARISH HEALTH UNITS 1024 S. E. Ascension Complex Boulevard, Gonzales, Phone: 225-644-4582

Gas:

Cox Communications, Phone: 866-342-5269 or 225-615-1000

Louisiana Regional Airport 6255 Airport Industrial Blvd, Gonzales, Phone: 225-717-2077 Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) 9430 Jackie Cochran Dr., Baton Rouge, Phone: 225-355-0333 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) 900 Airline Drive, Kenner, Phone: 504-464-0831

828 S. Irma Blvd #205, Gonzales, Phone: 225-621-5780

Gonzales Utilities, Phone: 225-647-2841

300 Houmas Street, Donaldsonville, Phone: 225-473-7906

Louisiana Gas Service, Phone: 225-673-4602

TOURISM, FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Telephone:

Bell South, Phone: 800-557-6500, 800-557-6000

Cable:

AIRPORTS

Entergy, Phone: 800-368-3749

HOSPITALS

UTILITIES

Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries 2000 Quail Drive Baton Rouge, Phone: 225-765-2800

VOTER REGISTRATION

EATEL, Phone: 800-621-4211

St. Elizabeth Hospital 1125 E Hwy 30 Gonzales, Phone: 225-765-8872

Department of Motor Vehicles 413 Williams Street, Donaldsonville, Phone: 225-925-6146 302 E. Ascension Street, Gonzales, Phone: 225-647-9725

Donaldsonville, Phone: 473-4247

901 Catalpa Street, Donaldsonville, Phone: 225-474-2004

Prevost Memorial Hospital: 301 Memorial Drive Donaldsonville, Phone: 225-473-7931

LICENSES

Ascension Parish Tourism Commission 6967 LA-22, Sorrento, Phone: 225-675-6550, tourascension.com Lamar Dixon Expo Center 9039 S St. Landry Avenue, Gonzales, Phone: 225-450-1009, www.lamardixonexpocenter.com

Water: Ascension Water Co., Phone: 225-675-5644 Diversion Water Co., Phone: 225-673-8560 Gonzales Utilities, Phone: 225-647-2841 Parish Utilities of Ascension, Phone: 225-473-7603

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 11

Infrastructure Director William Daniel addresses Gonzales Rotary

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor William Daniel became the Infrastructure Director of Ascension Parish in 2017. He spoke to the Gonzales Rotary Club about the current state of drainage in East Ascension.

Daniel was introduced at the luncheon for having over 35 years of experience in government and in the private sector as an engineer. From 2010-17 he served as Public Works Director, Environmental Service Director and also Chief Administrative Officer in East Baton Rouge.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak here today for an involved group of people who want to work for the betterment of Ascension Parish as much as I do,” Daniel said.

Daniel began the presentation lightheartedly saying that he is no a public speaker but rather “just an engineer.” This is obviously a joke because Daniel served three terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives.

His current responsibilities include the Department of Public Works, transportation, and utilities.

“I’m here to talk about drainage, and after 2016 what could be more important,” Daniel said. “I was in East Baton Rouge Parish. It’s probably the most single defining event of my entire life to have to go through that.

I’ve never seen anything as heartwrenching. And gut-wrenching, when you’re absolutely unable to do anything to help, and you know the water is coming. It’s a horrible feeling.”

Drainage in Ascension Parish is no easy feat. That is why the East Ascension Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 1 exists. It is a board that consists of East Ascension Parish Councilmen and

12 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

women.

Daniel presented a powerpoint slideshow to rotarians with Assistant Drainage Director and Operations Manager Ron Savoy’s assistance, consisting of 26 slides. Watersheds, pumping stations, and river basins were all shown comprehensively in a series of maps.

Functionality of the Bluff Swamp Basin, the Henderson Bayou Pumping Station, the Marvin Braud Pumping Station, and the Sorrento Pumping station were all touched upon.

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

Daniel explained that currently the Bluff Swamp Basin is being upgraded with something known as the Fish Bayou Control Structure. It was stated that the proposed upgrade includes two 12’x12’ box culverts with sluice gates.

Moreover, these gates will remain normally open until water on Bayou Manchac reaches 4 feet and rising.

This mechanism should reduces flood duration by six to seven days during a 100-year flood event. Construction is anticipated for mid to late 2019 contingent on permitting.

The next project discussed was the Laurel Ridge Levee Extension. This is an approximately 4.5 mile levee to protect residents of Ascension Parish from riverine flooding of Amite River. It contains seven outfall structures which allow internal storage and gravity drainage of system.

The Laurel Ridge project was held up because of concerns from Livingston Parish. A permit was issued on January 31. The project is currently in final design and ROW Acquisition.

Construction is also anticipated for mid to late 2019.

Daniel reported that it looks like Ascension has come to terms with Livingston on this issue and that it will

materialize.

Lastly, the New River Channel Improvements Project was presented.

It is a major maintenance project designed to improve the conditions within the New River Channel to provide additional storm water storage during storm events. The project area consists of the 2.7 mile section of New River from the confluence of Smith Bayou to the existing New River control structure.

Drainage funding was also touched upon. Capital projects are funded with a half-cent sales tax. Maintenance Projects, on the other hand, are funded by Property Tax Millage.

“We have to start thinking of flood protection as regional,” he said.

“Because if we don’t look at it from a regional standpoint, there’s not enough money that East Baton Rouge has, Livingston Parish, or Ascension Parish has to protect themselves by themselves.”

Daniel also spoke on how simpler Public Works needs are addressed. His department is pressed for manpower for all the calls they get. He has begun to prioritize projects based on safety needs first, and then in terms of how many people will be helped.

Ascension Public Schools hosts EMS Day

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor Dutchtown High School hosted an event on Wednesday, October 10 for students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program.

Representatives from Acadian Ambulance, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the State Fire Marshal, Baton Rouge EMS, the Prairieville Fire Department, and the Louisiana National Guard were giving students demonstrations and hands-on training opportunities.

Over 200 students from St. Amant, Dutchtown, East Ascension and Donaldsonville high schools are enrolled in the EMR program and were present at the event.

“Ascension Parish has 209 students in

the EMR program,” Ronald Harper, the program organizer said. “We have two EMS days, one in the fall and one in the spring. This one is large agency, touch, feel, and move. In the spring it will be more case report, skill practice-more like lets wrap this up and polish our skills.”

The EMR program is a credentialing program for upperclassmen and women that gives students the opportunity to walk away with a license as an emergency medical responder.

“People like firemen, policemen, lifeguards, athletic trainers, industrial workers all usually get this credential to work in concert with their regular job,” Harper said.

Students in the EMR program may prepare themselves to go to work in an ambulance, as a tech in an emergency room or towards greater levels of the medical field.

“This is about year 10 for this day,” Harper said. “Me personally, this is year seventeen in Dutchtown. We started off with just me and Prairieville EMS. We said hey, let’s do something cool.”

They began to invite all the representatives that currently participate in the EMS Day. “It’s not really a career day, but it shows them what each [group] does as first responders,” a member of Baton Rouge EMS said. “They’re learning some of the very basic stuff that paramedics learn.”

But Harper is giving students the opportunity to work one step further.

THANK YOU!!

WE’RE CELEBRATING

Best All Around Restaurant Best Steakhouse BEST OF AscensioN Best Desserts 2018 WINNER

Ascension Publication’s Official People’s Choice Awards Brought to you by Since 1920

FINALIST IN...

BEST SEAFOOD, COCKTAILS, FINE DINING

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 13

Welcome to Donaldsonville!

In 2013, Donaldsonville rebranded itself to become home to industry. Donaldsonville re-emerged as a quality home to the movie and television industry.

Donaldsonville didn’t just welcome the movie business though. Also, the petrochemical industry saw the completion of CF Industries $2.1 billion-dollar project.

PHOTO BY TIM BABIN

As a city of tradition, history, and industry Donaldsonville welcomes all. The City of Donaldsonville serves as the Ascension Parish seat, home to the Ascension Parish Courthouse.

The city is also home to the annual Sunshine Festival, the Avenue Stroll, Juneteenth and the River Road AfricanAmerican Museum.

“Respecting Our Past and Building Our Future” is our theme.

We are a historic community with a past we will not forget but we also have a vision for our future. I invite you, your family, friends, and future residents and business owners to explore all we have to offer.

--Mayor Leroy Sullivan

City of Donaldsonville 14 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

City of Donaldsonville Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 15

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

Private Babin, veterans honored at Louisiana Square

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor Donaldsonville American Legion, VFW, and citizens showed their support on Sunday, November 11 for veterans of the United States military at Louisiana Square.

But in honor of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, one private in particular, Mr. Bennett Babin, was commemorated.

Before the program began Jay Lemann and Regina Mistretta saw that all who attended had a poppy pinned on their clothes to symbolize Armistice Day, or the end of WWI. Desiree Nailer performed a beautiful, powerful rendition of the National Anthem. This was followed by an opening prayer.

Next, Jay Lemann read the history of the poppy and the poem that the tradition stems from “In Flanders Fields,” written by John McCrae during WWI and published in 1918.

The story goes that the Canadians held off the Germans for 17 days of intense fighting, and during the battle 16 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

on May 2, 1915 McCrae’s close friend Alexis Helmer was killed. McCrae wrote the poem the next day on the back of an ambulance. Poppies grew on top of men’s graves.

“Serving in the military and serving in combat, it’s certainly a day that we cherish, and it’s certainly wonderful to see the communities that still come out and support veterans on Veteran’s Day,” Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Bobby Webre said.

“And today I understand that the Donaldsonville VFW is going to honor Mr. Bennett who died in WWI.” “This is probably the first ceremony of this kind that’s ever been held here in Donaldsonville,” American Legion Commander Lawrence Landry said.

After Lemann read “In Flanders Fields,” John Beck made a presentation of letters written by Private Babin to the (then) editor of The Donaldsonville Chief, presumably founding editor Linden E. Bentley.

“Arrived safely in this beautiful, sunny country,” the first letter reads. “Had a grand trip over and enjoyed it very much. Count on us to do our part.”

That was dated March 26, 1918.

On June 18, 1918 he wrote The Chief again: “Dear Mr. Bentley, Well I am in the trenches at last. You would think at times there was no war, and then all at once it sounds like hell has broken loose. The cannons roar and you can hear the shells overhead whistling by, and would think that everyone would fall and burst right next to you . . . We get our daily mail in the trenches and and it surely makes a fellow feel good to get news from home.”

Beck also read some original poetry, which he gave to the attending Babin family. The family was also presented with the death certificate of Private Bennett Babin.

Michael Babin, a great-nephew of Private Babin, is currently an actor based in California and was meeting some relatives in Donaldsonville for the first time. He recently visited his great uncle’s grave in France. He shared a photo that was taken.

“I took that picture,” he said. “I was able to visit the grave about a month and a half ago. The letters were very touching and made me smile. It’s the first time I’ve seen his face.”

Historic Donaldsonville Tour Sites Whether taking a walking or driving tour of historic Donaldsonville, there is much to observe and appreciate in the city. The following is a guide to various buildings and attractions in the downtown historic district.

• CHURCH of ASCENSION of OUR LORD CEMETERY c. 1775 (pre-Civil War)

• LEMANN BUILDING c. 1877

• STATE CAPITAL c. 1830-1831

• CRESCENT PARK c. 1806

• ST. PETER’S CHURCH c. 1866

• BELL HOUSE c. 1860

• MISTRETTA GROCERY STORE c. 1850

• ASCENSION of OUR LORD CATHOLIC CHURCH (present church) c. 1875-1896

• HISTORIC FORT BUTLER c. 1863

• BITTERSWEET PLANTATION c. 1850

• ST. VINCENT’S INSTITUTE c. 1845

• THE MAURIN HOUSE c. 1879

• ROSSIE’S c. 1938

• THE LANDRY HOUSE c. 1870

• MATASSA STORE c. 1892

• EPISCOPAL CHURCH of the ASCENSION c. 1870

• THE SIMS HOUSE c. 1877

• SLAVE HOUSE c. 1870

• PARISH COURTHOUSE c. 1889

• CABAHANOSSE BUILDING c. 1890

• POST OFFICE c. 1808

• GIAMBRONE “ROW” HOUSES c.

1880, 1900

• CYPRESS CAFE c. 1870 • RAILROAD CAFE c. 1850 • THE GRAPEVINE CAFE c. 1925 • ACE HARDWARE c. 1850 • LOUISIANA SQUARE PLACE DE LA LOUISIANA c. 1806 • FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH c.

1844

• RODRIGUE RESIDENCE c. 1882

• TRUE FRIENDS BENEVOLENT SOCIETY HALL c. 1883 • BIKUR CHOLIM JEWISH CEMETERY c. 1856

• GUINCHARD RESIDENCE c. 1775 • POIRIER RESIDENCE c. 1866 • WARRICK HOME c. 1870 • BANK of ASCENSION c. 1896 • ELKS LODGE c. 1912 (Benevolent and Protective Order 0f Elks 1154) • ASCENSION BANK BUILDING c. 1892

• PROTESTANT CEMETERY c. 1856 • ST. CATHERINE of SIENNA CATHOLIC CHURCH and RECTORY c. 1926

• MASONIC TEMPLE c. 1890

graugnard inc.

Serving this area since 1890 DONALDSONVILLE

FURNITURE & APPLIANCE STORES

MAIN STORE:

622 Railroad Ave. • Donaldsonville

(225) 473-8532

WAREHOUSE SHOWROOM:

3135 Hwy. 1 South • Donaldsonville

(225) 473-7717

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 17

Bluesman Chris Thomas King gives blues history lesson in Donaldsonville

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor The River Road African American Museum in co-sponsorship with the City of Donaldsonville hosted blues artist and historian Chris Thomas King on October 7.

The event was held from 5:30 p.m. to sunset at the Rosenwald School building, located at 511 Williams Street.

However, the event ran a little later than expected because the audience was interested in what King has to say about the history of Blues music.

Namely, King says that it was born in Louisiana, contrary to the perhaps more popular notion that blues music comes primarily out of Mississippi.

“The word ‘jazz’ has no meaning,” King said. “The word ‘blues’ is very powerful.”

King pointed to American bandleader

King Oliver, born in Aben, La. in 1881.

“When King Oliver’s Orchestra called their song ‘Dippermouth Blues,’ he was saying something. He wasn’t talking about Jazz,” King said.

King also pointed out that the origin of the Blues genre comes from the French expletive “Sacrebleu,” which translates into “damn it.” Blues music, which today in mainstream culture is often associated with sadness or gritty electric guitar, was never that to begin with.

Taken from the official press release: “Chris released his first album, ‘The Beginning’ in 1986 and it was certainly the beginning for the man who recently stirred up controversy with an appearance on TEDXLSU titled, The Blues Was Born in Louisiana, not Mississippi. The top-hat-wearing musician is also an actor who was featured in the 2000 crime comedy, Oh Brother How Art Thou. He has

Leroy Sullivan, Sr. MAYOR

Welcome To Our City Donaldsonville is a treasure trove of history.

Lauthaught Delaney, Sr., Commissioner - Dist. 1 Raymond Aucoin, Commissioner - Dist. 2 Reginald Francis, Sr., Commissioner - Dist. 3 Rev. Charles Brown, Sr., Commissioner - Dist. 4 Brent Landry, Commissioner - Dist. 5

phone: (225)

473-4247 • fax (225) 473-0630 www.donaldsonville-la.gov

18 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

several other films to his credit, but Blues is where his heart and soul exuberates from live stages around the globe.

“Chris enjoys quiet time at home with his family in Prairieville when he is not on the road. Hear about his soon to be released book, Sacre’ Bleu: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Its Culture There.”

The event had to end because the lights were dim. The Rosenwald School venue has the potential to host great special events like this one, which was free of charge, in the future. But it is in need of a facelift. Museum Founder Kathé Hambrick and Director Darryl Hambrick were both on hand asking for donations and for volunteers to help finish the school building.

Contact the River Road African American Museum at 225-474-5553 for more info.

“We Do It All” • Automotive Glass • Frame Repair • Body & Paint Repair • Brakes • Suspension Repair & Alignments • Tires & Wheels • A/C • Engine Diagnostics • 24 Hour Towing • Truck & Car Accessories

225-473-6495 415 Division St. • Donaldsonville, LA 70346 www.donaldsonvilleglassandbody.com

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 19

Welcome to the City of Gonzales!

Welcome to Gonzales, Louisiana, conveniently located between the capital city of Baton Rouge and the fun and originality of New Orleans.

Gonzales is known as the “Jambalaya Capital of the World.” It is famous for its annual Jambalaya Festival, which was first held in 1968. Stephen “Steve” F. Juneau came up with the idea for the Jambalaya Festival and served as the first president of the Jambalaya Festival Association.

Our area is home to some of the South’s most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions, many steeped in our rich history.

There are no fewer than a dozen antebellum homes within a short drive, numerous restaurants all featuring original cuisine and boutique shops along with an outlet mall.

So, if you’re looking for “a great escape,” or wanting to relocate, we’re sure you’ll agree when we say, “Gonzales, Nous avons tout!”

--Mayor Barney Arceneaux

City of Gonzales 20 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

City of Gonzales Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 21

PHOTO BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK

Cancer patients or caregivers walk every Thursday for health

BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK @dariangshark Studies have shown that walking outdoors helps improve blood pressure, boosts mental health, and also reduces the risk of cancer.

Since November of 2017, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has hosted a walking group every Thursday for patients that are battling cancer, as well as their caregivers. The walking group is a part of a survivorship program, which began in October 2017.

“The main purpose for doing the walking group is to help form connections and promote exercise,” Rachel Mumphrey, Survivorship Coordinator, said. “We’ve had people meet in these groups that end up helping one another. Petronilla Neal and Keri Champion stood by one another in support while receiving chemo and even put together a basket of things one might need while going through that treatment. Many of them have been like family.”

FULLSERVICE SERVICE DMV FULL DMVOFFICE OFFICE TITLE TRANSFERS (SALE & DONATION) TITLE TRANSFERS (SALE & DONATION) DUPLICATE TITLES & REGISTRATION RENEWAL STICKERS/LICENSE PLATES SURRENDERED DUPLICATE TITLES & REGISTRATION RENEWAL LICENSE PLATES IN OUR OFFICE STICKERS/LICENSE PLATES SURRENDERED NO WAITING IN LINE AT DMV! LICENSE PLATES IN OUR OFFICE NOYOUR WAITING IN LINE AT DMV! LOST DRIVER’S LICENSE OR ID?

WE CAN HELP THERE TOO! NO WAITING. LICENSE/ID/HANDICAP LOST YOURDRIVER’S DRIVER’S LICENSE OR ID? RENEWAL AND DUPLICATES

WE CAN HELP THERE TOO! NO WAITING. DRIVER’S STUDENTS! LICENSE/ID/HANDICAP WE CAN CHANGE YOUR AND PERMIT TO DRIVER’S LICENSE! RENEWAL DUPLICATES BRING YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, ROAD SKILLS TEST, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE STUDENTS! LETTER, PERMIT, A PARENT AND YOUR SMILE. WE CAN CHANGE YOUR PERMIT TO LICENSE! FULLDRIVER’S SERVICE NOTARY BILL OF SALE, DONATIONS OF VEHICLES & REAL ESTATE, AFFIDAVITS, BRING YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SOCIAL SECURITY WILLS, POWER OF ATTORNEYS, SMALL SUCCESSIONS, AND MUCH MORE. CARD, ROAD SKILLS TEST, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ALL SCHOOL AND RESIDENCY AFFIDAFVITS NOTARIZED LETTER, PERMIT, A PARENT AND YOUR SMILE. WILDLIFE & FISHERIES PROCESSING FOR BOATS/MOTORS - SALES & DONATIONS

FULL SERVICE NOTARY

COME SEE US! SAVE THE WAIT IN LINE

One of the walkers, Rochelle Marchand, was celebrating her 70th birthday while on the walk on October 4.

Marchand had uterine cancer, then cervix cancer. In December, she will have been battling it for five years. She has a great grandson, Gabriel, that is three.

BILL OF SALE, DONATIONS OF VEHICLES & REAL ESTATE, AFFIDAVITS, WILLS, POWER OF ATTORNEYS, SMALL SUCCESSIONS, AND MUCH MORE. ALL SCHOOL AND RESIDENCY AFFIDAVITS NOTARIZED

“I have to be able to keep up with him when I help take care of him. I believe that he was my blessing after I was diagnosed with cancer, because he gave me more to fight for. I want to be able to be there for him, and I hope he grows to be a godly man.”

WILDLIFE & FISHERIES PROCESSING FOR BOATS/MOTORS - SALES & DONATIONS

Marchand can’t make every walk, because she also has an auto-immune disease, but has lost 47 pounds from walking on her weight loss journey.

Not all patients that attend the walk are Mary Bird patients, and Mumphrey said, “All cancer patients are welcome, wherever they may receive treatment from. As long as they are a cancer patient or a caregiver.”

The walks begins at 9 a.m. at the Jambalaya Park in Gonzales and ends around 10 a.m. every Thursday.

22 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

COME SEE US! SAVE THE WAIT IN LINE

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

Locals provide balloon pilots landing help

BY GREG FISCHER @Ascension Editor The funny thing about the hot air balloon rides is that they do not steer themselves. Some of the ride is inevitably spent on figuring out when and where to land.

Things like trees, power lines, active streets, and domestic and farm animals are all things that need to be avoided when figuring out where to land.

One of the coolest things about the Ascension Hot Air Balloon Festival is the annual ride that balloon pilots take early Saturday morning before the big day of the festival. But what makes it cool, other than a bunch of balloons floating in the sky over the parish is the local support.

From high in the sky, balloon riders can look down over the landscape and

see friendly people waving up towards them, watching the sky, and even taking pictures.

When pilot Fred Poole landed Saturday morning he was greeted with a group of five women and five boys who had followed his balloon for quite a while. They were traveling in a large van. Poole’s balloon is aptly named “Shadow” because it is black with a ring of multicolored flags on the side of it.

“We thought it was the Darth Vader balloon because it was black,” one of the women said after the balloon landed.

It is not uncommon for people to track the balloons and approach the pilots after they land to help them pack the balloon and take photographs.

In this case, the boys took turns jumping onto the 600-pound balloon

envelope to help pack it away, after helping fold it. Poole offered the women, and the owner of the property that Shadow landed on Champagne as a custom.

He told the balloonist’s prayer, “The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with his warm hands. You have flown so high and so well, that God has joined you in your laughter. And he has set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth.”

After this, he initiated his riders, who happened to be the editorial team from the Weekly Citizen and The Chief, by dousing them with water.

To all who participated in the Ascension Parish Hot Air Balloon Festival last year, the Weekly wishes to extend a hand of gratitude for making it one of the best weeks of the year.

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 23

Welcome to the Town of Sorrento!

Welcome to the Town of Sorrento, Louisiana, incorporated in 1956 as a village. In 1963, with a population over 1000, Sorrento became a Town.

Today, Sorrento is a quiet town with a population of 1500. Located in Southeastern Ascension Parish, there is easy access to I-10 and US 61 (Airline Hwy.) and the Sunshine Bridge.

Sorrento is a growing community with a new community center and a proposed recreation facility. We are currently in the early stages of expanding our sewer system.

Sorrento is served by a progressive Volunteer Fire Department with a class 4 rating.

The Sorrento Lions Club is the sponsor of the Boucherie Festival held every October.

The future of Sorrento looks bright with new businesses and houses. There is easy accessibility to the Petro Chemical industry, the Mississippi River and Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

--Mayor Michael Lambert

Town of Sorrento 24 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

PHOTO BY GREG FISCHER

Town of Sorrento Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 25

PHOTO BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK

Sorrento Primary kicks off Kids Heart Challenge

BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK @dariangshark Three, two, one, challenge accepted!

Children at Sorrento Primary accepted the Kids Heart Challenge to help improve their health while also raising money to help support the American Heart Association on October 8.

2018 was the 40th celebration of the challenge with AHA, and Melissa Mitchell, the Youth Market Director, said, “I challenge the students to all register so they can receive a Heart Hero wristband.”

Some students received a wristband the previous year, which was lime green. This year, it is a teal color. The wristbands are a sort of memorabilia for the students. They are also given a sticker with the Ruby character on it that they can color, and then bring to life on the mobile app.

26 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

All of the kids automatically receive the Heart Hero wristband when they register. After that, they can win other prizes. For example, when they receive their first online donation, the child will earn the Finn character. Finn is a reminder to be a warrior for strong and giving hearts. Oscar reminds them to watch for hidden sodium, which is earned after raising $20 dollars.

Sprinkles reminds them to be active for at least sixty minutes every day, and is rewarded to them after raising $35 dollars. There is also a character called Ruby, who encourages colorful plates, Splash, who says to avoid sugary drinks, and Fiery, who says to avoid tobacco.

By accepting the Kids Heart Challenge, the children are now helping to volunteer with the AHA and are encouraged to teach others about heart health during their

journey.

A fourth grader named Mack Hudson was awarded with a certificate for raising $380 dollars last year, making him the top student. According to Melissa Mitchell Sorrento Primary has raised $190 dollars since the challenge has started. Money that is raised goes towards supporting AHA. Some fun facts about the heart: Laughing reduces stress; Your heart beats 115,000 times per day on average; The heart is about the size of two baseballs, or both your hands balled into a fist.

All of Sorrento Primary is participating, as well as a few other schools in the Ascension area. If your school isn’t participating, or you’d like to participate separately, you can visit http://american.heart.org/ kidsheartchallenge/.

Boucherie Festival has something for everyone

BY GREG FISCHER @AscensionEditor The 37th Annual Boucherie Festival was held at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center October 12, 13 and 14. Friday night may have drawn the biggest crowd with musical performances by Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition and later on, Don Rich.

The festival has grown much since its beginning in 1981. It features several big attractions for children, a pageant, a custom car show, continuous live music, and even a maritime ropethrowing competition. But the true reason for the festival, the Cracklin Cooking Contest, will always be the main draw.

The Sorrento Lion’s Club puts on the festival each year. President Ray Prado said that over a ton of cracklin was produced by this year’s cooks, and all of it was packaged and sold to festival attendees.

Last year’s Cracklin Champion was the team of Kobe Thacker and helper Joey Cornett. Twenty teams competed, according to participant Carter Williams. Williams was a helper for Zip Mayer’s team, a former champ who also made it to the finals with six

other teams.

bands played behind them.

“We made it to the finals with Cracklin,” Williams said. “We cooked 60 pounds-a-day, and we cooked for three days. If you won before, you can cook in the Champ of Champs. All the past champions, the best-of-the-best cook on Friday. Most people only only get to cook Saturday and if they make it to Sunday.”

“That was awesome,” Prado said.

“They brought a good little crowd for them, and only a few of them were local. They had people from West Virginia, Florida--they came from all over the U.S. to come compete in that.

This is our second year partnering with Kenny Brown. He loves it because he can tell participants they’re going to get some good cajun cooking when they come compete.”

The cracklin cooking competition is an all day affair. Judging is unanimous and goes off of things like size, look, and color. The Boucherie Festival includes a jambalaya cook-off as well.

This year’s champion was the team of Tyler Bourque and helper Jake Avrill. The cooks stationed their big pots underneath a hangar at Lamar Dixon. A big screen TV playing the LSU football game sat at one far end on Saturday.

“Twenty-five hundred bags of cracklin were packaged,” Prado said. “We had a good turnout of cooks, and people were excited.”

This year’s new maritime throwing competition drew participants from all over. They competed by throwing heavy rope from the “boat” to the “dock” while people danced and

But although the Boucherie was successful, Prado said in the future he would like to see the festival move back inside the city limits of Sorrento.

He spoke about opening a discussion with the Ascension Parish School Board to try to get the civic center back in operation.

The building has not been in use except for storage since the flood. If not the actual building, maybe they will get the Boucherie Festival moved to the grounds outside.

Lastly, the festival theme this year was to honor those in service. The official poster featured a cartoon pig in camouflage saluting the armed forces.

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 27

Ascension Parish Public and Private Schools PUBLIC Ascension Public Schools 1100 Webster Street, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-391-7000, 225-257-2000 APPLe Digital Academy 38606 LA-22, Darrow Phone: 225-391-6850 Ascension Head Start 603 Lee Avenue, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-474-2750 Central Middle 14101 Roddy Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-2500 Central Primary 41469 LA-621, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-7700 Donaldsonville Primary 38210 LA-3089, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-257-2600 Donaldsonville High School 100 Tiger Drive, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-391-7900 Duplessis Primary 38101 LA-621, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-8100 Dutchtown High School 13165 LA-73, Geismar Phone: 225-391-6200

Galvez Primary 16093 Henderson Bayou Road, Prairieville Phone: 225-621-2444 G.W. Carver Primary 11310 Legacy Oaks Lane, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-6800 Gonzales Middle 1502 W. Orice Roth Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-621-2505 Gonzales Primary 521 N. Burnside Avenue, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-6700 Lake Elementary 14185 LA-431, St. Amant Phone: 225-621-2470 Lakeside Primary 16500 LA-431, Prairieville Phone: 225-391-7750 LeBlanc Special Services Center 611 N. Burnside Avenue, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-7211 Lowery Elementary B, 2389 LA-1, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-257-2500 Lowery Middle A, 2389 LA-1, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-257-7550

Spanish Lake Primary 13323 Bluff Road, Geismar Phone: 225-391-7650 St. Amant High School 12035 LA-431, St. Amant Phone: 225-391-6000 St. Amant Middle 44317 LA-429, St. Amant Phone: 225-391-6500 St. Amant Primary 44365 LA-429, St. Amant Phone: 225-391-7950 PRIVATE Ascension Catholic Elementary 618 Iberville Street, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-473-7486, 225-473-8540 Ascension Catholic High School 311 St. Vincent Street, Donaldsonville Phone: 225-473-9227 Ascension Christian High School 14408 East Academy Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-622-2800 Ascension Christian Elementary & Middle School 10473 Airline Highway, Gonzales Phone: 225-644-3110 St. Theresa Catholic School 212 E. New River Street, Gonzales Phone: 225-647-2803

Dutchtown Middle 13078 LA-73, Geismar Phone: 225-391-7800

Oak Grove Primary 17550 Old Jefferson Highway, Prairieville Phone: 225-621-2360

Dutchtown Primary 13046 LA-73, Geismar Phone: 225-621-2380

Pecan Grove Primary 1712 Pecan Grove Avenue, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-7450

East Ascension High School 612 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales Phone: 225-391-6100

Prairieville Primary School 40228 Parker Road, Prairieville Phone: 225-391-7400

Louisiana Technical College, Ascension Campus 9697 Airline Highway, Sorrento Phone: 225-675-5397

Galvez Middle 42018 LA-933, Prairieville Phone: 225-621-2424

Prairieville Middle School 16200 LA-930, Prairieville Phone: 225-621-2340

River Parishes Community College 925 W. Edenborne Parkway, Gonzales Phone: 225-743-8500

Sorrento Primary 42211 N. Park Drive, Sorrento Phone: 225-391-6900

28 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

St. John Primary 15208 LA-73, Prairieville Phone: 225-677-8238 BUSINESS / VOCATIONAL

COURTESY PHOTO

Attendees shovel dirt to kickoff construction of the primary school.

Ascension Parish holds groundbreaking for future Bullion Primary School

BY DARIAN GRAIVSHARK @dariangshark Bullion Primary School will be welcoming its new students during the Fall of 2019 into the Bear Cubs family.

The groundbreaking that was originally set to take place on July 31 took place on August 14, due to the weather forecast. Despite the change of date, though, the groundbreaking was a successful one.

In 2016, upgrading schools within the parish was approved, and Bullion Primary School is a part of that process. Along with Bullion, many other developments will be underway as part of this improvement.

David Alexander, the Superintendent

of the Ascension Parish School Board, was the main speaker at the event and gave great insight on the significance of the up and coming school.

Elizabeth Stafford, the Director of Primary Schools, was also at the groundbreaking. She was excited to be there and to be a part of the growth taking place within Ascension.

“Bullion will be the first two-story primary school on 12 acres of property at more than 82,000 square feet,” Alexander said.

“We best serve students with a closeknit environment, which is what we plan to provide at this new primary school,” said Stafford. “The children who will be entering in the Fall of 2019 will set the standard for Bullion for years to come, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.”

This leaves plenty of room for future students to join the primary school, especially with the growth of Ascension Parish.

“We know we aren’t perfect, but today’s excellence is tomorrow’s mediocrity, so we will always strive to be our best and do the best in our parish,” Alexander said.

The future Bear Cubs of Bullion Primary School will have a lot to look forward to entering this new school in Fall of 2019, and many can’t wait to see what the children have to offer.

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 29

DON’T SKIP A BEAT...

A whole house generator will get you the peace of mind you need to help ensure that your lights stay on, your air conditioner keeps you comfortable, your refrigerator and freezer cool, your TVs, stereos, computer and mobile phones keep you connected, informed and entertained!

FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED • BONDED INSURED Serving Greater Baton Rouge Since 1956

SERVICE IS OUR SPECIALTY • Repairs/ Service Calls

• Standby Generators

30 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019

• Tower Construction

• Parking Lot Lighting Repairs

Helping to Feed A Hungry World CF Industries, one of North America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of agricultural fertilizer products, is proud to be a member of the Donaldsonville community. For over fifty years we have been warmly welcomed by our neighbors in Ascension Parish. That closeness is deeply appreciated and is one of the factors that makes conducting business here a pleasure.

We are committed to honoring the friendships and partnerships we have formed through these years by developing the natural resources found here (water and natural gas) in a responsible manner.

Equally important, we value the “people resources” of the area. The strong work ethic of our employees at Donaldsonville is an invaluable trait. Without it the company could not have experienced the success we enjoy today.

Maintaining goals for an exciting future in Donaldsonville

We are committed to operating at the highest Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards, investing in the protection of employees, the community, and the environment while maintaining our position as a leading producer and supplier of high‐quality, low cost fertilizer.

We personally say “Thank You” to all of our employees who contribute their skills, knowledge and time to work safely to make a quality product.

“Pictures”

We also thank the citizens of Donaldsonville and the surrounding communities for the support and trust you have placed in us.

Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019 31

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

LIFESTYLE BUNDLE INTERACTIVE SECURITY + HOME AUTOMATION

NOW ONLY

$

40

PER MO.

WHEN BUNDLED

 24/7 professional security monitoring  Remote access to control security and automation features via the Alarm.com app.  ProVideo Basic featuring 1,000 video clips  FREE equipment includes a main touchscreen panel, security key FOB and the choice of (1) motion detector or glass break sensor and (1) thermostat or camera.

Call 621-0111 or click eatel.com today!

Pricing reflects discounting when combined with another EATEL service. Stand-alone pricing for any HomeIQ monthly plan is an additional $5. Equipment for burglar, fire, carbon monoxide and flood monitoring is required. Contact your homeowner’sinsurance company for eligible discounts. Service provided by SJI, LLC, d/b/a EATEL, 913 S. Burnside Ave., Gonzales, LA 70737. LA License #F2065

32 Welcome to Ascension Parish 2019