Winter 2020 River Parishes Magazine (Dec 2019)

River Parishes Magazine Winter 2020

Clara Radcliffe impacts generations of students JDog supports veteran employment San Francisco Plantation offers something for everyone Jared Butler finds collegiate success A Special Publication of L’OBSERVATEUR

www.lobservateur.com RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 1

985-652-7378 2 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Bienvenue!

Welcome Friends!

Welcome to the Winter Edition of the River Parishes Magazine. Winter is finally here, and it’s a great season to spend time in St. John the Baptist Parish, located in the heart of the River Parishes and South Louisiana.

We offer exciting creole flavor blended with heritage, culture and unique historical experiences. We are the home of New Orleans Plantation Country – a unique cultural blend that can only be experienced right here in the River Parishes. Getting here is easy, leaving here is hard!

Our charming community of St. John is filled with the scent of Creole and Cajun cooking. We’re famously known as the “Andouille Capitol of the World” for one reason – you’ll never forget our world-famous Andouille sausage!

Our history, cuisine, scenic roadways and culture make us a destination. Our lakes and waterways on both the East and West bank provide an abundance of fishing and hunting opportunities; the history of antebellum homes for tours and stops, in addition to the vibrant Cajun music, will provide you with a culture you’ve never experienced. We offer miles of walking and cycling paths atop the Mississippi River levee. A nature trail in Garyville is open for exploration. Check out our famous Swamp Tour and get an up-close view of Southern wildlife including the captivating creatures of the swamp – you just might end up holding an alligator! Are you coming by with kids?

Visit one of our spray parks – no charge.

Did you know St. John has hosted many feature films and television productions – utilizing our St. John Center, plantations, other historical landmarks and many areas throughout our parish. We are “Hollywood South”!

The River Parishes has everything you need for a day trip or a weekend stay. We have a wide range of overnight accommodations including plantation lodging, bed & breakfasts, hotels and more. Check out the New Orleans Plantation Country Guide for everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip here.

St. John the Baptist Parish and the River Region are economic drivers for our nation’s economy. We are home to nearly 45,000 residents and house some of the nation’s largest industrial partners, including the Port of South Louisiana, the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere. We are the I-10 connector between New Orleans to Baton Rouge and the entrance to I-55 North. St. John Parish is a great place to live, work and visit.

Check out our website www.sjbparish.com for just a taste.

Come discover a truly unique experience mixed with warm southern hospitality that you’ll never forget. We’d be glad to have ya!

See you soon, -Michael P. Wright St. John the Baptist Parish RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 3

Table of Contents WWII Veteran, 92, plans large-scale memorial~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 An unforgettable educator~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 JDog Junk Removal & Hauling supports veteran employment~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 14 There’s something for everyone at San Francisco Plantation~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 18 Jared Butler finds collegiate success~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 23

River Parishes Magazine NEWS EDITOR ~ Brooke Robichaux ADVERTISING ~ Christine Browning ~ Ronnie Luman ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ~ Gary Wayne Dupré GRAPHIC DESIGNER ~ Design2Pro CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ~ Lori Lyons 116 Newspaper Dr., LaPlace, LA 70068 • 985-652-9545

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WWII Veteran, 92, plans large-scale memorial Benny Robichaux tells his story

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By Brooke Robichaux

ESERVE – World War II veteran Bennett “Benny” Robichaux Jr., 92, has a grand vision of a walkthrough memorial incorporating waving flags, pedestals and promenades at the Southeast Louisiana Veteran’s Home in Reserve.

The plan has been years in the making, and Robichaux even constructed a ½ inch scale model depicting what will one day be among the largest veteran memorials in Louisiana. Depicted as a five-point star sitting on a compass rose, Bennett “Benny” Robichaux Jr. was born in 1927. At age 17, he the planned Veterans Liberty Memorial Park of Southeast Louisiana enlisted in the United States Military to serve his country during indicates veterans will travel anywhere to defend this country’s free- World War II.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 5

Benny Robichaux has always been skilled at building structures by hand. In 2018, he designed a meticulous scale model of the planned Veterans Liberty Memorial Park of Southeast Louisiana.

doms. It will be a location for the public to sit and reflect on the sacrifices made — a reminder that “all gave some and some gave all.”

If the memorial unfolds exactly as Robichaux envisions it, it will stretch 132 feet in diameter when complete. That’s only the beginning, or Phase One, as Robichaux calls it. Phase Two would develop the acreage around the front part of the home into a park with walking paths visible from Airline Highway.

“It will be a space for people in the community or for people who have loved ones living at the Veterans Home,” Robichaux said. “They can take them out and have a place outside of the interior of that home. As well as they are treated in there, it’s not enough to be cooped up in one place where you are basically married to everybody else who is in there. It would be like having 150 wives and husbands.”

Such a massive undertaking could span anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000+ for Phase One alone. Robichaux is adamant all of the money will be in the bank before the first slab is poured, even if it means he won’t be around to see the end result. What matters in the end is the pride it will bring the veterans who see it for generations to come.

Robichaux has always valued service above self.

He was born in 1927 and raised during the Great Depression, but it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Among the poverty, shortages and rationing were good neighbors committed to helping each other through hard times.

“No matter black or white, if you needed something and I had it and didn’t need all of it, I’d share it,” Robichaux said.

As a child, he and his friends would take aluminum pots to the movie house in exchange for free admission. Sometimes they went to the movies too often, and their parents were displeased to find several pots missing.

The movie house was the main source of news, which did not arrive instantly as it does today. Life felt simple.

Politics were an adult topic that Robichaux didn’t pay much mind to, though he could tell in those early days of World War II that the United States seemed divided on whether to fight or stay out of it.

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That all changed on December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

“Once that happened, everybody down to 15 years old wanted to go and kick their behind out of their chaps,” Robichaux said. “We didn’t know the politics of it. We just knew we wanted to give them some payback.”

At 15 years old, Robichaux was applying to — and being turned down by — any military branch he could get in touch with.

He started at the Marines induction office. They sent him home. The Army turned him down, and an attempt to join the Navy was equally unsuccessful. Even the Merchant Marines, which seemed to be taking anyone and everyone at the time, took a look at him and sent him back to his parents.

“When I look at my baby-faced pictures today, I know why,” Robichaux said.

Some of his 14- and 15-year-old classmates who already had full beards fared better, but Robichaux wasn’t so lucky. It didn’t help that his parents refused to sign the papers for him to enlist until he was 17, when the conflict overseas was de-escalating.

When he finally did enlist in the Armed Forces at 17 years old, the Russians were trying to expand into Europe. President Dwight D. Eisenhower put together a troop and declared the 17-year-olds joining the mission would only have to serve 18 months. After the year and a half was up, they would be free of any other military obligations.

Robichaux endured basic training and headed overseas to Europe.

His job was to drive a border patrol truck along the Austrian-German border, before the Berlin Wall was erected.

“My basic station in the little town of Salzburg. I was in the back country of the Alps, and the weather was very cold,” Robichaux Benny Robichaux, 92, is a member of American Legion LaPlace Post #383.

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Harold Landry and John Rome of American Legion LaPlace Post #383 watch as Benny Robichaux explains his plans for what will become one of the largest veteran memorials in the state.

recalled. In fact, it was so blustery and cold that he switched to working in auto repair.

There was always conflict between the different nationalities at the border, Robichaux said.

“People would migrate from the Russian zone because they wouldn’t get fed, and we would feed them,” he said. “By law, we had to bring back anybody who left back to the area they ran from. You would see a lot of the same faces come back.”

Since he wasn’t in life-and-death combat, it wasn’t too difficult to readjust to daily life upon returning home. Yet, the mental image of

starving people raiding garbage cans for food was hard to not think about.

Marriage and building a family was a welcome distraction.

Robichaux married in his late teens and went on to have seven children. The first marriage did not last forever, but it was a good 27 years lived without regret.

He built his first house at only 20 years old. His technical know-how made him the perfect fit for the refrigeration, air condition, oil patch and marine industries.

“I was always good with my hands,” Robichaux said. “I could figure out a problem and solve it without a whole lot of trouble.”

Robichaux stayed in business for 35 years and retired in 1986.

Around the same time, he married his second wife, Pat. The two recently celebrated 33 years of marriage, and together they have a wonderfully blended family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Robichaux has been involved in the American Legion since 1994.

He’s strived to keep the price of liberty at the forefront through working with children and the general public in a variety of service events.

It was during an American Legion LaPlace Post #383 meeting that Robichaux unveiled his plan for the Veterans Liberty Memorial Park of Southeast Louisiana. He’s previously built a memorial in front of the River Forest subdivision with the help of local Boy Scouts, though this project will take significantly more preparation and funding.

Brick sales are being incorporated into the memorial, allowing the project to pay for itself. There will be plenty of walls and spaces to expand brick sales and cover the cost of continued maintenance, Robichaux said. His hopes are that families will purchase bricks for their loved ones so they may one day visit the Southeast Louisiana

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World War II Veteran Benny Robichaux invites the public to help support the development of a new large-scale memorial at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve. Funds for construction and maintenance are being raised through brick sales.

Veterans Home and exclaim, “That’s my brick!”

Those who wish to support the Veterans Liberty Memorial Park of Southeast Louisiana can purchase a 4”x8” customized brick for $100. Additionally, 8”x8” customized bricks can be purchased for $200 each. Order forms are attached to the project brochure, available for pick-up at the L’Observateur office, 116 Newspaper Drive

in LaPlace.

Completed order forms can be mailed to American Legion Post 383, P.O. Box 281, LaPlace, LA 70069. To order online, please visit thatsmybrick.com/veteranslibertymp.

For questions, contact Robichaux at 504-487-0001 or at 2robys27@ att.net.

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An unforgettable educator Clara Radcliffe, 1st black teacher at AOL, impacts generations of students

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By Brooke Robichaux

APLACE — Reflecting on her 34 years in education, Clara Radcliffe can say without a doubt that she achieved what she set out to do as a teacher.

The goal from the beginning was always to make an impact on the lives of the children. That impact shines through in the decades-long friendships she has forged with former students who, to this day, look at Radcliffe and see their childhood role model. It reflects in wedding invitations, Christmas cards and gorgeous bouquets of flowers sent by children she taught decades prior.

Every school and every classroom brought new stories and unforgettable students, but perhaps the most tight-knit group was the first class of second graders she taught at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic School in 1985. It was a memorable year for Radcliffe, who had just become the first African American teacher

at an almost exclusively white school.

However, that is not where Radcliffe’s story begins.

Her first teaching job was at Cargill Elementary in Orleans Parish in 1979. While the principal and support staff were amazing, poverty was widespread, and students’ needs were great. The next school Radcliffe taught at was St. Leo the Great in New Orleans, and Clara Radcliffe was the first students there faced similar chal- African American educator at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic lenges.

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Radcliffe’s daughter, Andi Favorite, recalls her mother’s heart hung heavy with the troubles the children faced even when she was at home with family.

“I remember as a child, the needs in Orleans Parish seemed to be greater,” Favorite said, “The kids had a lot of family issues, and she got really close with a lot of the kids. I heard about kids in foster care and kids not having food. Some of them were hoarding food, and she was trying to get down to the root of why that was. That experience touched her heart a lot.”

Radcliffe was a listening ear for children inside and outside of her class, and she was passionate about helping them navigate every struggle, no matter how big or small.

“There are things that I know some children go through growing up,” Radcliffe said. “I don’t like kids to be picked on. I don’t like kids to tease kids or think they are better than other kids. That alone was enough to make me realize I wanted to teach and make that difference.”

Still, Radcliffe longed to come home to St. John the Baptist Parish.

It was a blessing when one of the nuns at St. Leo held Radcliffe’s job until she was hired at Ascension of Our Lord in LaPlace.

“I took a chance just applying,” Radcliffe said. “I didn’t think I would get hired. You never know; it was all white. Even though integration had happened, there were just three black students.”

Radcliffe will never forget the open house before the start of the 1985 school year. It was the biggest turnout she had ever seen.

“They had people against the wall, I guess because I was the new one on the block,” Radcliffe said. “It was so packed, it was unreal.

Everything turned out good, though.”

Clara Radcliffe and Andi Favorite reminisce on Radcliffe’s 34-year As with any new job, Radcliffe knew she would have her work cut career as an educator.

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out for her. Radcliffe hoped for the best and yearned to find a place where she fit in. That first year was sometimes rough.

However, Lorraine Brennan, principal at the time, played a huge role in easing Radcliffe’s transition to the new school. Brennan guided her, watched over her, and made sure she had every tool to be successful in the classroom. Another teacher, Ms. Stephanie, often checked in with Radcliffe to make her feel welcome.

“Mrs. Brennan was an excellent principal,” Radcliffe said. “She made sure that everything was okay, that I was comfortable, and that there were no problems. I had absolutely excellent students in my class that year. There were excellent parents, and they always had my back.”

Radcliffe taught at AOL through the early 2000s. After that first year, it seemed like all parents wanted their children in her class.

Favorite grew accustomed to people approaching her in public and recognizing her as Mrs. Radcliffe’s daughter. Even now, years later, those former students will call her and ask if she can put her mother on the phone.

Favorite cleaned out her mother’s storage and found 572 coffee mugs gifted to her by students over the years.

“Why did you count them?” her mother had asked. Favorite responded that it was mind boggling for someone who doesn’t drink coffee to keep that many mugs.

“At Ascension of Our Lord, it seemed like everybody loved her,” Favorite said. “She got that a lot from St. Leo as well, but, from Ascension, she still has kids she taught in 1985 sending her things about their children. They still reach out to her, which is amazing to me.”

One of the students from that very first year was Tyson Green. When

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he got married, he wanted to make sure his second grade teacher was a guest of honor.

“He had me marched in, which I wasn’t expecting,” Radcliffe said.

“He had someone escort me up front.”

Through all of life’s milestones, Green has shared his happiest experiences with his second grade teacher. They kept in contact even when he moved around the country during high school, and she was the first person he told upon being accepted into medical school.

“She was just amazing from the get-go,” Green said. “She was somebody that totally allowed me to come out of my shell. She’s influenced me all the way through my life. As an educator, she was everything you want your kids to have in a teacher. It was a very disciplined environment, but it wasn’t disciplined to the point where we were scared. We didn’t want to disappoint her.”

While some teachers have pre-conceived notions of students, Green said Radcliffe treated everyone with equal respect, from the smartest kid in the class to the one who struggled the most.

“She believes the good in everybody. It shows in everything she does,” Green said. “I’ve been in practice for 10 years in Lake Charles, I only hope that as a doctor treating my patients, that I come the slightest bit close to accomplishing what she’s accomplished in her life. I’ll always strive to be as good as she was at her job.”

Green sends Radcliffe annual Christmas cards showing his three handsome boys and the beautiful little black girl he adopted.

Another student from the 1985 class, a boy named Tommy Miller, sent Radcliffe flowers while he was in college at Baylor. Radcliffe was directing an oratorical contest at the school when she received the bouquet. The office staff was giddy because they had to keep it a secret all day.

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One year, a little girl in Radcliffe’s class took her out for a meal and a movie in honor of teacher appreciation day. Radcliffe fondly remembers how adamant she was about using her own money and making the day special.

Students showed up in droves to support Radcliffe when she had to lay her mother and father to rest.

“I’m not talking about one of two showing up,” Favorite said. “This was 20 or 30 kids who she hadn’t taught in years coming to a funeral.”

Radcliffe eventually returned to teaching in the public school system, where she retired around 2014. She encountered the happiest and most heartbreaking situations in her career, and she made sure to never let a child fall through the cracks.

“You can’t just tell a kid to go sit down. You have to find out what that kid needs, “ Radcliffe said. “You can’t push them to the side. You never made a lot of money, so you either have to love the job, or don’t go into it. You’re going to have some good days, bad days, and some ugly days when you want to cry. You have to show them love. I made an impact on those kids everywhere I went.”

Radcliffe currently works at a laundromat on Airline Highway, continuing the family business that once belonged to her father.

Tyson Green, one of the students from Clara Radcliffe’s first second grade class at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic School in 1985, keeps in contact with his favorite teacher by sharing photos of his four children.

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JDog Junk Removal & Hauling supports veteran employment

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The local JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise was newly established in August 2019.

APLACE — Telling a veteran “Thank you for your service,” is a wonderful gesture, but it does not address the unemployment rates that impact veterans across the country, according to Jack Keen.

Keen, a retired Army Major and Corps of Engineers Officer, enlisted in the Army as a teenager and went on to serve in Iraq, Israel and Jordan. Along the way, Keen learned the strength of the camaraderie soldiers find when they are bonded by a shared experience.

He understands how that brotherhood and sisterhood can seemingly disappear after a tour ends and the routines of daily life return. He knows that feeling can leave veterans rudderless and unsure of their next step.

That’s something he hopes to change.

Keen is the owner of the local JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise, newly established in August 2019 to service the Greater New

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Orleans area in Southeast Louisiana. The coverage area includes Orleans, Jefferson, Terrebone, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes, in addition to neighboring communities.

The national JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise strives to lower the national veteran unemployment rate until it is under the 1 percent threshold. As of 2018, national labor statistics held the veteran unemployment rate to 3.8 percent.

By November 2019, the Keen’s local JDog franchise employed five full-time veteran workers and one part-time veteran worker. There is still room to grow.

“All JDog services are veteran owned and veteran operated,” Keen said. “We are of value and service to our country. Saying, ‘Thanks for your service’ is wonderful, and we really appreciate that, but if you really want to help out veterans, hire them and utilize them. They want to be part of the community that they chose to fight to defend.”

Customers who are veterans also get a discount on JDog services, which are a perfect addition to the community as winter rolls into early spring-cleaning.

JDog specializes in residential and commercial junk and debris removal, which includes attic cleanout, garage de-cluttering, appliance removal, estate cleanout, light hauling and material debris disposal.

“We can do mattress and electronics disposal,” Keen said. “We also do demolition work. We can take things down, whether it is commercial, business or residential.”

Scrap metal, electronics and furniture are among the items that can be hauled away.

JDog team members don’t only specialize in hauling. They are also capable and dedicated laborers who can assist in demolition for reno-

vation projects, furniture assembly, storage container packing, moving appliances and furniture, loading moving trucks, swing set assembly and yard cleanup.

JDog is an eco-friendly company that strives to reuse, recycle, resell and repurpose items whenever possible. After junk is hauled away, less than 20 percent of the collected items go to a landfill, according to Keen.

In addition to working with residents, JDog donates collected items to several local charities. Customers can specify which local charity they would like their unwanted home or business items to go to for new use. In other cases, JDog team members will choose one of its partner veterans, children or family charities.

JDog can help clean up properties and prepare for estate sales.

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Above all, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling pledges to provide top-notch service.

“The motto of our company is that we ensure that our service is delivered in the military way, with respect, integrity and trust,” Keen said. “If they need us to be there at 9 a.m., we’re going to be there 10 minutes early.

We are fully licensed and insured to ensure our personnel are not fly by night.”

The JDog Foundation introduces another way to support men and women who made sacrifices for service.

JDog has contributed equally to the following Veteran funds: the Air Force Association, Navy League Foundation, U.S. Army Scholarship Foundation, U.S. Coast Guard Foundation and U.S. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Keen saw growing opportunity in the River Parishes and Greater New Orleans region, expanding upon the work of pre-existing JDog locations in Slidell, Baton Rouge and Prairieville. Increasing home values are a benefit of JDog services, according to Keen. He said junk removal services can make yards, garages and houses look pristine while removing neighborhood blight.

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling recently joined the River Region Chamber of Commerce to connect with neighbors in St. John, St. James and St. Charles parishes.

“A big part of what we want to do is support local businesses,” Keen said. “If we can help each other out as we have these larger companies coming in, and they seem to take a lot of the attention. The backbone of our community is always the small business owners, and we want to join in.”

Veterans who are interested in a JDog career can visit jdogbrands. com/about/careers/ or call 504-380-1621. For a free estimate, call 844-GET-JDOG.

Demolition is another service offered by JDog. Pictured is a project in New Orleans.

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There’s something for everyone at San Francisco Plantation

Weddings, festivals and house tours mark National Historic Landmark

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By Brooke Robichaux ARYVILLE – Historic tours that peer into the past, festivals that capture the present, and a charming Sugar Mill Pavilion where couples celebrate the future are all found on the scenic grounds of San Francisco Plantation in Garyville.

For Brooke Louviere, San Francisco’s Sugar Mill Pavilion was the perfect backdrop to start the rest of her life. In October 2018, she said “I do” to her husband, and they danced the night away under romantic twinkle lights. The wedding was large with approximately 450 guests, but the reception never felt cramped or overly crowded.

“It was accommodating to all of those guests,” Louviere said.

“They were very accommodating to our vendors as well. We had a live painter, a photo booth and the band. None of them had any complaints as far as space. Other than that, it was a very antique looking building, which is what we were going for.

It definitely met our expectations.”

Location was a huge factor in selecting a wedding destination, according to Louviere. She yearned for something classy and close to home. San Francisco Plantation was meaningful to her because of its connection to her family and community.

“My dad does a lot as far as cooking at the festivals they have there through his work at Marathon, so it was kind of special for

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Some brides choose to have ceremonies outdoors under the gazebo.

The country chic Sugar Mill Pavilion is illuminated with romantic twinkle lights.

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Guests enjoy a fun-filled reception at the Sugar Mill Pavilion, located at 2646 Highway 44 in Garyville.

us to have it there,” Louviere said. “It’s a very beautiful location to have a wedding, and we enjoyed it a lot.”

San Francisco Plantation director Kim Fontenot wants to bring awareness to the multifunctional Sugar Mill Pavilion, a 6,000 square foot structure nestled alongside centuries old live oaks. Authentic and country chic, the barn also provides a venue for private meetings and celebrations.

Some brides choose walk the garden path leading to the gazebo for an outdoor ceremony surrounded by fountains and starlit trees.

Others choose to celebrate the ceremony and reception indoors, according to Fontenot.

“The Sugar Mill Pavilion is decorated and ready to go,” Fontenot said. “All you have to bring in are your table decorations and your linens. Just minor things like that. All of our weddings have been very successful, and our brides have been very happy. We really strive to do the very best for our brides.”

The Pavilion features a stage perfect for live music. Sets of rustic, wooden doors provide a frame for a cake backdrop and the entry to the pavilion. Guests will see stunning greenery before they walk into the barn, which features a large dance floor centered under festive white organza drapery and twinkle lights.

“We constantly are updating the pavilion and adding more deco-

San Francisco bride Kayln Martin Edler dances on stage.

Jim Keller and the 360 Catering team are a staple at wedding receptions.

20 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

rations,” Fontenot said. “We have stage lighting now and a sound system for corporate events.”

San Francisco weddings support small business by partnering with several local vendors. Wedding cakes by Cora of LaPlace, local photographer Ricky Songy and Jim Keller with 360 Catering have all

The 17th annual Frisco Fest will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March 7-8, 2020.

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contributed to dream weddings. Next year, Keller’s daughter will be married at San Francisco Plantation.

For more information and for pricing, please call 985-535-2341 or email is sanfran@rtconline.com. A brochure is available at sanfranciscoplantation.org.

- FRISCO FEST A wedding comes just once a lifetime with good fortune, but Frisco Fest is a celebration that can involve the entire family every year.

This year marks the 17th annual Frisco Fest, and Fontenot said guests will have a chance to experience historic plantation tours, enjoy a hot meal and support the talented artists of the community.

Frisco Fest will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7-8, 2020 at 2646 Highway 44 in Garyville. More than 100 crafters will be present and ready to display their unique works of art. The day also includes an open car show, 25- and 50-mile bike tours, and 5K and 1-mile fun runs.

Food vendors are selling chicken and Andouille gumbo, smoked sausage poboys, jambalaya, pulled pork sandwiches, cracklin and much more.

Admission is $5 for the festival (ages 12 and under are free) and $10 for San Francisco Plantation house tours (ages 6 and under are free).

“We are a non profit organization, and this is our largest fundraiser of the year,” Fontenot said. “It helps to fund the plantation. We’ve done many improvements because of the festival. That includes everything from adding bathrooms to the back area along the Sugar Mill Pavilion to adding electricity to the grounds. We have great sponsors with the industry along the river.”

Industry partners also sponsor the race and the run.

The Tour De’ San Francisco travels down the historic River Road, passing numerous churches and plantations. The early bird application deadline is Feb. 1, 2020. Check-in time is at 7:30 a.m. March 7. The police-escorted tour takes off at 8 a.m., and lunch will be served at 11 a.m. Admission is $25 by the early bird deadline and $30 after the deadline. This price includes admission to the Frisco Fest craft show, lunch and a Dry Zone fitted T-shirt.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 21

The annual Frisco Fest run will also travel River Road, utilizing the top of the levee. The entry fee for both the 5K and the fun-run are $20 before Feb. 1, 2020, and $25 after. Children 12 and under get into the race free, and there is only a $10 charge for kids to receive a Dry-fitted T-shirt.

T-shirts, food, cold beer and free admission to browse crafts and entertainment are included in the admission. All sign up sheets, including those for food and craft vendors, are available at sanfranciscoplantation.com

Guests can hear wonderful live music at Frisco Fest.

22 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

For more information, call the plantation office at 985-535-2341.

“We have very devoted vendors who come out and do beautiful work,” Fontenot said. “We really want to share that with everyone in our parish and the tri-parish area.”

San Francisco Plantation’s roots trace back to 1827, when free man of color Elisée Rillieux began buying tracts of land and slaves to establish a sugar plantation. Only three years later, he sold the property to Edmond Bozonier Marmillion and his partner Eugène Lartigue for an impressive $100,000.

The plantation passed through only three owners before it became a nonprofit and earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

With hand painted ceilings and faux marbling, the house became so distinctive and ornate that it inspired novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes to write “Steamboat Gothic.” From some angles, the house is reminiscent of the riverboats that strolled down the Mighty Mississippi.

The design was so elaborate that second owner Edmond Bozonier Marmillion was burdened with enormous debt. He declared that he was “sans fruscins,” which translates to “without a penny in my pocket.”

Overtime, the name evolved to St. Frusquin and then to San Francisco Plantation.

Tours of San Francisco Plantation recognize the lives and the labor of the former enslaved through restored living quarters, a schoolhouse building, a museum and a slave inventory.

“Hopefully soon, we are going to release a book about the plantation from the letters that were written in the 1850s and 60s,” Fontenot said. “We have an author that has written the book. It is going through the publication process.”

Jared Butler is making headlines and racking up honors as a sophomore point guard for the Baylor Bears.

Jared Butler finds collegiate success

By Lori Lyons

R

ESERVE – Jared Butler was hungry.

Like most kids coming home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday, Butler couldn’t wait to get home, get some hugs and get some good food.

The latter wasn’t happening, though.

“It smells so good in here,” he said. “My momma won’t let me in the kitchen though.”

For Butler, the few days at home in Reserve were well-deserved after a whirlwind few weeks on basketball courts across the country. The 6-foot-3 former Riverside Academy Rebel now is making headlines and racking up honors as a sophomore point guard for the Baylor Bears.

An All-Big 12 honorable mention and All-Freshman Team player last year with 21 starts and appearances in all 34 games, Butler continues to shine this season. The Bears opened 5-1, with wins over Central Arkansas,

Baylor Bears point guard Jared Butler, a River Parishes native, recently earned MVP honors at the Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament and was the Big 12 Player of the Week.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 23

#o u t h e r e , w e g r o w t o u r i s m .

Texas State, Ohio, Villanova and Coastal Carolina, all in large part thanks to Butler.

He scored 22 points in the team’s 87-78 win over Villanova, the last game before the holiday break, 10 of those points coming in the final six minutes of play. It was the fifth of six games in which Butler led the team in scoring and it came shortly after he earned MVP honors at the Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament and was the Big 12 Player of the Week. Butler scored 19 points against Ohio and 12 against Coastal Carolina. That had him averaging 19.3 points per game heading into December.

“It’s definitely been a blessing to be at Baylor,” said Butler, a business major. “It’s a place that found me and, you know, one of those places that, if you’re there, you’re supposed to be there. The people here are great and basketball is always fun, especially when you’re winning. It’s just been great.”

Butler’s path to Baylor wasn’t exactly straight. As a Riverside senior, Butler faced the tough choice of picking just one college for his future out of the slew of offers he received. A two-time All-State selection at Riverside, he helped the Rebels win three state championships, begin-

Tourism employs more than 2,440 local citizens.

Visitors spend more than $171 million annually.

Tourism pumps more than $7.7 million dollars of local tax dollars into our economy. visitnopc.com

24 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Jared Butler was a two-time All-State selection at Riverside Academy, where he helped the Rebels win three state championships, beginning when he was an eighth grader.

ning when he was an eighth grader.

In his senior year, Butler averaged 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists and three steals to earn Player of the Year honors in the New Orleans metro area. He visited Baylor. He committed to Alabama. He decommitted. He signed. He enrolled. Then, in August of 2018 he transferred to Baylor, following a path forged by former Reserve Christian star Demond “Tweety” Carter and Riverside’s Ricardo “Rico” Gathers.

“It’s a very long story, Butler said of his road to Baylor. “Let’s just say it’s divine that I’m at Baylor because Tweety Carter and Rico went there. It’s very divine that God made my steps to go to Baylor.”

He also has become friends with Cara “Moon” Ursin of Destrehan who helped the Baylor women’s team win the national title earlier this year.

“It’s cool to have other people from the same area,” Butler said.

But despite how he got there, Butler said he is living his dream.

His advice to other would-be-college athletes is to find a school that is the right fit.

“I didn’t know where I was going to end up, but I definitely knew that I wanted to go to a program where I would leave my name and my legacy,” he said. “The biggest thing is try to find the best people you can. Try to find coaches that actually care about you and actually care about you as a person, because there’s going to be time when you’re not playing well, when you’re not playing at all and you’re going to need somebody to care about you. That’s really big. And find a place that fits you. Baylor is a Christian school and that’s real important to me.”

Local Flavor St. John Parish

Bailey’s Andouille 513 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9090 Bec’s At the Lake 105 Gary Rd., LaPlace 985-224-8172 Belle Terre Country Club 111 Fairway Drive, LaPlace 985-652-5000 Best Wok Chinese Restaurant 530 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9989 Buddy B’s 2788 River Road E, Garyville 985-535-3663 Cajun Grill 135 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-4745 Chili’s Grill & Bar 1820 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-1227 Chinese King 1036 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-651-7888 Church’s Chicken 1601 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2089

Dragon Garden 140 Belle Terre Blvd., Ste E., LaPlace 985-652-7250

The Jambalaya Shoppe 150 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-5747

Rotolo’s Pizzera 3503 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. B, Reserve 985-536-3503

Dunkin Donuts 1334 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-9244

Kobe Japanese Steak and Sushi 506 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8880/652-8853

Ruby Garden Chinese Restaurant 3101 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-653-8700

Donut Hole 421 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-651-4001

Mabile’s Restaurant

El Mexicano 1036 W. Airline Hwy # 123, LaPlace 985 652-4250 El Paso 1900 US-51 Ste D, LaPlace 985-618-3313 Fatty’s 186 Museum St., Garyville 985-535-5555 Frenier Landing 113 Dottie Lane, LaPlace 985-224-2178 Frisco Deli 1113 W. Airline Hwy,, LaPlace (985) 651-7745 La Carreta of LaPlace 107 Carrollwood Dr., LaPlace (985) 651-9991 LaPlace Frostop 411 Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-6361

“Home of the Best Roast Beef in Town!”

• Fresh Po-Boys • Seafood Muffaletta • Finger Sandwiches • Vegetable Trays • Plate Lunches • Italian Muffaletta

985-651-2893

1124 W. Airline Hwy. • LaPlace, LA 70068

Ming’s Akari 1400 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3335 Momma Jo’s 2917 Hwy 51, Ste A., LaPlace 985-224-2666 McDonalds •4297 U.S. Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-652-5171 •1608 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2600 •5387 W. Airline, Hwy, Garyville 985-535-2710 Petra’s 10363 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-8888

Sam’s Southern Eatery 1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-1677 Sicily’s 214 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-7010 Subway •357 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8700 •1616 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-4822 •2701 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-479-7827 •1900 Hwy. 51, Ste. B, LaPlace 985-652-9699 TNT Seafood 405 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-6312 Waffle House •4304 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-6111 •1922 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-212-7473 Wayne Jacob’s Restaurant 769 W. 5th St., LaPlace 985-652-9990

Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 3017 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-651-0300

Zaman Mediterranean Cafe 1502 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-5566

Pirouge’s Cafe 719 W. 10th St., Reserve 985-479-7800

ZoraChristina 2003 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3673

Chung’s Heavenly Sweets 607 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-7987

Gator’s Den Old Highway 51 South, Manchac 985-386-7902

Citylicious Donuts Café 113 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-224-8335

Guidry Goody’s 3595 W. Airline Hwy., Reserve 504-606-1185

Connie’s Grill 1462 LA-44, Reserve 985-536-3256

Huddle House 4325 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-1800

PJ’s Coffee 1808 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-764-7573

Clay’s Cafe 975 B Cambridge, LaPlace 985-359-6848

IHOP 220 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-4468

Popeye’s Fried Chicken 1603 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-3030

Da King of Wingz 1721 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 225-558-1492

Jacob’s Andouille 505 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9080

Raising Cane’s 123 West Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-4701

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 25

St. James Parish Bonnie’s 2827 Hwy 20, Vacherie 225-624-0402

Popeye’s 982 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060

Cajun Kitchen 13322 U.S. 90, Boutte, Ste. Q 985-785-2405

Howling Pepper 109 St. Rose Avenue, St. Rose 504-466-1944

Sandwich World Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060

Catahoulas 12713 Hwy 90, Luling 985-308-0013

IHOP 14099 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013

Spectacular Tubers 1665 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-5600

Chow’s Garden 1955 Ormond Boulevard Ste, I, Destrehan 985-725-2488

J’aime Le Cafe 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 100, Luling 985-308-0394

Café Perique 234 East Main St., Gramercy 225-869-1774

Daddy’s Fried Chicken 15683 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743

China King 849 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-2000 Chuck Lee’s Chinese Kitchen 10560 Hwy. 70 W., St. James 225-473-3050 Creole House Cafe 3409 Hwy 3125, Paulina 225-859-3333 DJ’s Grille 21060 La. Hwy. 20, Vacherie 225-265-7600 Golden Grove Restaurant 935 La. Hwy. 641, Gramercy 225-869-1212 Grand Point Truck Stop Casino 3415 La. Hwy. 3125, Paulina 225-869-6960 Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 114 N. Airline Hwy., Gramercy 225-869-0899 Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar Serving Authentic River Road Cuisine In An Historic Place 2082 W. Main St., Lutcher Open 225-869-8900 Lunch: Mon- Fri 11 am - 2 pm Dinner: Thurs-Sat 5 pm - 9 pm CLOSED Sundays

DiCarlo’s Food and Spirits 10 Villere Dr., Destrehan 985-764-6868 Subway 10850 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6100

Donut Land 13592 River Rd, Ste 6, Destrehan 985-307-1000

Taylor’s Express Truck Stop 964 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-1734

Dot’s Diner 12179 U.S. Hwy. 90, Luling 985-785-6836

Tod’s Catering 2180 S. Albert St., Lutcher 225-869-7000

El Paso Mexican Grill 12895 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. A Luling 985-331-1984

St. Charles Parish Ace’s Soul Food Diner & Lounge 15805 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743 Anita’s Smokin’ Steak Burgers 13145 U.S. 90 Ste. B, Boutte 985-785-2220

Oak Alley Restaurant 3645 La. Hwy. 18, Vacherie 225-265-2151 Pizza Hut 1665 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6151

26 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

Le Poulet Fou 13299 Highway 90, Boutte 985-308-0288 Little Tokyo 13371 U.S. 90, Ste. A, Boutte 985-331-0887 Lovecchio’s Deli 29 Apple St., Norco 985-725-5683 Mariano’s Italian Eatery 12371 Highway 90, Ste. A Luling 985-785-7777

Frostop 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. H Destrehan 985-725-1116

McDonalds 3009 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-1021

Fujiyama Japanese 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 150, Luling 985-785-8168

Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts 13505 Hwy 90, Ste A, Boutte 985-308-0146

Grumpy’s 14984 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-2083

Avocados Mexican Grill 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 140. Luling 985-785-7694

Happy Gardens II 15264 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-3888

Bamboo Garden 13491 U.S. 90, Ste. 6, Boutte 985-785-9929

Honeydoux Cafe & Bakery 13100 River Rd, Ste 130, Destrehan 985-305-0050 Hong Kong 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. D, Destrehan 985-725-9099

Bei Jing 12895 U.S. 90, Ste. D, Boutte 985-331-8885

KrisAl’s Cafe 10326 Airline Dr. Ste B, St. Rose 504-468-2005

Fatty Shack 13527 River Road, Ste. A Luling 985-308-0983

2082 W. Main • Lutcher, LA

225-869-8900

Jae Flem Catering 2243 Paul Maillard Road, Boutte 985-331-5263

Ormond Plantation Restaurant 13786 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-8544 Oyster’s Pearl Grill & Cafe 1057 Paul Maillard Road, Luling 985-785-6242

•13001 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-331-1786 •12715 U.S. 90, Ste. 120, Luling 985-785-3999 •12609 Airline Drive, Destrehan 985-725-1108 •1955 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-9444 •15632 River Rd., Norco 504-469-8864

Trey Wah 124 Longview Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1147

St. Rose Tavern 14466 River Road, Destrehan 504-469-8864 /985-725-3133

Sushi Cafe 13899 River Road, Ste. A, Luling 985-308-1003

Victoria’s Restaurant 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

Sub Express 26 Apple St., Norco 985-764-9922

Take Away Donuts 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

Subway •613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 200, Luling 985-331-2257 •14130 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-9818 (in Wal-Mart)

Taste of Tokyo 1972 Ormond Blvd., Ste. E-2, Destrehan 985-764-1818

Pam & Dale’s Seafood 14620 River Rd, New Sarpy 985-764-3112

Sonic Drive In 12557 U.S. 90, Luling 985-331-0099

Pizza Hut 12439 Hwy. 90, Luling 985-331-8380

Sports Pub & Grill 3001 Ormond Blvd., #B Destrehan 985-331-0099

P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans 150 Ormond Center Court, Ste. T, Destrehan 985-764-7573 Popeye’s Fried Chicken •116 Longivew Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1231 •13210 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-1377 Seafood Pot 14386 River Rd., Destrehan 985-725-0053 Southern Latte Cafe 50 Wade St., Ste. 1, Luling 985-308-1472

St. Rose Driving Range & Sports Bar 10362 Airline Dr., St. Rose 504-466-0411

Truck Farm Tavern 11760 River Rd, St. Rose 504-699-0099 Uchi Sushi and Hibachi 3001 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 785-307-1080

Voodoo Grill 100 James Drive East, St. Rose 504-464-1880 Waffle House •14173 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-758-6499 •10384 E. Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-467-1522

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 27

Deanna Anders Martin celebrates with her grandson, Briggs, on her wedding day at Cypress Lakes Country Club in Destrehan.

One-year-old Eleanor Frederick watches over baby brother Sebastien.

N

Cain Dufrene, Chief of Operations for the St. John Office of Fire Services, speaks during the groundbreaking of the West Bank Public Safety Complex.

The Riverside Academy Band shows off holiday spirit.

Sadie Harper sings the National Anthem for the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The West St. John Rams and the St. James Wildcats came ready for a battle during the 2019 Railroad Classic football game.

28 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre and Councilman Lennix Madere break ground on a new public safety facility construction.

P

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson visits St. Charles Catholic High School for the debut of the new stadium.

.

Kailee Ocmond, Lilly Frey and Cierra Lackert get ready for homecoming.

Javon Butler speaks at Choice International Ministries in LaPlace during a service honoring St. John the Baptist Parish leaders.

Parish President Natalie Robottom receives flowers.

Riverside Academy senior Alexus “Lexi� Johnson signs a letter of intent to play softball at Southeastern Louisiana University.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 29

Blues Madness Band performs at the 46th annual Andouille Festival.

Miss Andouille Queen Heather Roussel gets a kiss from her parents.

Jenna Necaise and Mandi Lee Sweeney open the 2019 Andouille Pageant.

Winners of the St. John Industrial Group Art Contest were Zachary Henry, Katherine Cox, Daruis Antoine Davis Jr., Jorge “JD” Gomez, Emme LeBlanc, Byron Pilgreen, Anthony Bruno, Veronica Matherne, Taylor Duhe, Kimberly Deras, Tristen Saijas, Lay’la Alshishani, Alaya Howard, Ariel Davis, Mackenzie Ory, Marcus Knight and Theron Gross.

30 ~ RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE

S L

J l i

Tori Lynn’s School of Dance marches in a parade.

Santa visits children attending WeeCare at First Baptist Church in LaPlace.

Seniors from local Council on Aging centers visit Da King of Wingz in LaPlace for a free holiday meal.

Senator Ed Price is happy to announce safety improvements for motorists on the West Bank.

Judge Madeline Jasmine speaks about the accident that claimed the life of her niece during the ribbon cutting of a new traffic signal at the intersection of 3127 and 3213.

The Little League World Champions from River Ridge ride in the Norco Christmas Parade. Two of the team members, Marshall Louque and Reece Roussel, reside in the River Parishes.

Russ Wise, appearing as Santa Claus, arrives in style on a helicopter.

RIVER PARISHES MAGAZINE ~ 31