Zachary Post Jan 7 by Zachary Post

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Neil Weiner to Leave ZHS for Dunham School Zachary High School football coach Neil Weiner announced last week that he is leaving the team and school to become the new head football coach/ director of football operations at the Dunham School in Baton Rouge. Weiner leaves behind a Zachary program that finished 9-4 on the year and made a run to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs as a No. 10 seed before falling 49-34 to second-seeded Parkway, which made it all the way to state finals. In five seasons, Weiner was 34-23 at Zachary, leading the Broncos to the playoffs four times. He is 62-40 overall, including a five-year stint at 1A Catholic-Pointe Coupee. Dunham is a 2A Classification program as designated by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and had been pursuing Weiner since mid December. The Dunham School President Bobby Welch offered him the position on Christmas Eve.

Neil Weiner

“Neil seems to be the perfect fit for Dunham,” Welch said in a press release. “He is a proven entity when it comes to football, and his family has a long history with Dunham. His dad was a football coach for one of our predecessor schools, so they know our mission well. We are proud to have their family join ours.” During High School, Weiner attended Chapel Trafton, which was a predecessor school to the Dunham School. “We thank Coach Weiner for his hard work and dedication to ZHS and wish him well. We will immediately begin the process to find the next Zachary Bronco Head Football Coach. I am sure there will be many outstanding candidates for the position, and we will do our best to determine the best leader to continue to move the program forward,” Zachary Community Schools Superintendent Scott Devillier said.

ZHS Hosting Getting Fit In ‘14

The Zachary High School Library is hosting a GETTING FIT IN ‘14 program on Monday, January 13, from 2:45-3:45 p.m., and Zachary community residents are invited to attend! Trainers Lloyd Dempster and Kristi Cutrer from ANYTIME FITNESS will share tips and techniques regarding nutrition, improving eating habits, and developing an exercise routine; demonstrate safe and beneficial exercise routines; and host an exhibit table with information that participants can take with them that supports their New Year’s fitness resolution. Healthy snacks will be served and door prizes will be awarded. Space is limited to 30 participants. This program will help participants to set attainable goals and avoid breaking the most common New Year’s resolution of eating right and losing weight. To attend this “healthy” program, please register by email to christina. knight@zacharyschools.org by Thursday, January 9.

Zachary Residents to Provide Spiritual Guidance for the Angola Community By James Ronald Skains

“Warden Cain has done a wonderful job in bringing Christian opportunities to the offender population at Angola,” Henry Geter told the Zachary POST. “The B-Line Church on the Angola property with a fulltime pastor will help complete the circle by offering our services to those who live inside the gates and in the area.” The Samaritan Purse Organization, headed by Franklin Graham, built the B-Line Church building about 5 years ago. For 6 months, the Samaritan Purse organization provided a full time pastor for B-Line, a non-denominational church. However, the full time pastors at B-Line since that time have served short-term stints. All that will change once the Geter’s move into the church parsonage within the next couple of weeks. “It is very important in our opinion that the B-Line Church has a full time pastor living on site. We did consider

pastoring the church full time while still living in Zachary, but we knew in our hearts that would not work. Most people don’t realize how stressful it is working at a correctional facility.” “The stresses and challenges of working at a correctional institution are far different than those experienced when working at a plant that produces some type of product or equipment,’’ Geter acknowledged. “You are dealing with human beings in a controlled environment which can be the most stressful of jobs.” “With Connie and me onsite and holding church services at least every Sunday, we believe that we can help provide spiritual guidance that will give comfort to those persons dealing with the stresses and challenges of working at Angola and those living inside the gates.” Connie Jackson Geter grew up on the Angola grounds being the daughter of Estelle and Frank Jackson, both Angola Penitentiary employees. Con-

nie Geter pursued a management career with the LA Department of Corrections working in the Baton Rouge headquarters offices. Connie Geter rose through the ranks to Internal Auditor for Compliance for the Louisiana Prison System with American Correctional Association Standards. “I worked on the management staff of Secretary Richard Staldler’s team,’’ Connie Geter noted. “I worked for 37 years for the Department of Corrections plus growing up on the grounds of Angola. So I know the environment that people in corrections work and live in. It can be, oh so stressful!” “My mom and dad were very involved in the Tunica Hills Baptist Church as I was growing up. Tunica Hills is on the road going to Angola. Henry and I were married 41 years ago in the Tunica Hills Church. We are still very active in the church and will continue to be active, even with our full time commitment to the BLine Community Church.”

“Connie and I have wanted to pastor a church for several years but the right opportunity did not present itself until the B-Line Church was in need of a fulltime pastor,” Geter elaborated. “We firmly believe that God is leading us to this fulltime ministry opportunity.” “There are several churches and people who are helping us to develop a fulltime ministry at the B-Line Church. The First Baptist Church in St. Francisville where Joel Williams is pastor, is our leading sponsor for B-Line. Also, the LA Baptist Convention is being very helpful in getting the ministry up and running at B-Line. Larry Badon with the Convention was the first to call me about B-Line needing a full time pastor.” Geter himself has been an electrician for more years than he wants to count. He spent 18 years with Dow Chemical, 17 years with the former TIMBEC (now KPAQ) in St. FrancisSee B Line on page 8

Zachary POST Tuesday, January 7, 2014

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P.O. Box 1637 Zachary, LA 70791

Phone (225) 654-0122 Fax (225) 208-1165 Email stories and photos to info@zacharypost.com Published Tuesdays 52 weeks a year Publisher & Editor Daniel Duggan Graphic Designer Tina Adams Account Executives Georgiana Walls Ashley Evans Contributing Writer James Ronald Skains New Year Historian Calla Duggan Minecraft Hackmaster Chandler Duggan The Ginger Avenger Cecelia Duggan Stunt Man in Training Colton Duggan

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The following statement is an unedited submission sent in by a candidate running for office in this year’s Zachary City Election. The Zachary Post offers each candidate an opportunity to introduce him or herself to the voting public at no cost. The submission of a statement is entirely voluntary and each candidate may submit one time. As such, the printing of these statements does not represent an endorsement of the candidates by the Zachary Post.

Ben Cavin Announces Candidacy for Zachary City Council District 4 To The Residents of District 4: As a lifelong resident of Zachary, I have seen our city experience great growth. I have witnessed first-hand the tremendous effects that this growth can have on the quality of life for our residents. Whether it be from a quality education that is second to none or the addition of quality jobs from the ever expanding industries in our region, our city has a lot to offer to people from every walk of life. I believe in the continued excellence of the city of Zachary through smart growth that works for everyone while honoring the history and traditions of our great city. I also believe in a strong quality of life for all residents by focusing on low taxes, and making sure that our city government works for the community in a responsible and cost effective way. Because of this, I have decided to announce my candidacy for the City Council of Zachary in District 4. I know that we can continue to grow our city through hard work and smart planning. We can also make Zachary a better place for all residents by ensuring that our education system remains the best in the state, and ensure that a strong focus is placed on those organizations that serve the less fortunate in our community such as the Zachary Food Pantry and the Council on Aging. I have worked first hand with these groups as a board member of the Rotary Club of Zachary. I have also served as a board member for the Regional Arts Council of Zachary, which promotes the arts in our community, and routinely volunteer both in the planning and execution of community events and fund raisers in the Zachary community. To achieve the continued smart growth of our city, this position requires someone with experience. I am presently an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for Landmark Bank in Zachary. This position provides me with extensive experience in business development, and community outreach. Presently, I also serve on the Zachary Chamber of Commerce as a board member, and previously as the chair of the Chamber’s Ambassador Council, which serves the business community of Zachary. I have a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University and an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University. I am also currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and will graduate in May of 2015. I believe my business experience and strong work ethic will make me an asset to the City Council. As a graduate of Zachary High School, I have always considered Zachary my home. If given the opportunity, I hope to continue to serve my community as an elected member of the Zachary City Council.

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ZHS Drama Students Spend Holidays Performing

Theatre Baton Rouge’s Production of A Christmas Carol - Joe Havard (Tech), Emily LeBlanc (Performer), and Tony Collins (Performer)

ZHS Junior, Abbie Gayle appears in the 2013 season of ABC Family’s Ravenswood.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Zachary POST 3

Zachary POST Tuesday, January 7, 2014

John Hendry Insurance Has Grown with Zachary By James Ronald Skains

“The first time I came to Zachary was in 1970,’’ John Hendry, longtime insurance agency owner told the Zachary POST. “I remember distinctly how bad the two lane roads were, with potholes and ruts in the blacktop.” “My boss at the Louisiana Companies asked me to go up to Zachary and take a look at the town in regard to managing their office in Zachary. When he told me that as manager I would be making $1,100 a month plus commission, I made up my mind that sight unseen, Zachary was the place for me.” “I was only making $485 a month at the time plus a little commission,’’ Hendry recalled. “That was 43 years ago. Zachary was still a very small town in 1970.” Although Hendry has achieved success in the insurance industry, insurance was not his first choice, nor his second choice for a chosen occupation. “From the time I was a teenager, all I wanted to truly do was rodeo,’’ Hendry acknowledged. “My dad had 180 acres down on River Road south of LSU and ran some cattle. I was always out there practicing my roping. Calf roping was my first love.” “I also wanted to ride bulls and attended Jim Shoulders Bull Riding School in Henrietta, Oklahoma in 1965. Jim Shoulders had been

a champion bull rider on the rodeo circuit for several years back in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. He had a son, Marvin Paul who could ride the hair off bulls, but he never really liked the rodeo life so he worked at the bull riding school.” John Hendry won numerous awards, trophies; belt buckles and first places in his calf-roping career that ended in 1976. Hendry won the calf-roping competition at the Angola Rodeo in 1969 when outside cowboys were still allowed to compete. “My second choice for a career was to go to Dental School so I majored in Chemistry and Zoology at LSU,’’ Hendry, a Baton Rouge Lee High graduate in 1962, elaborated. “I wasn’t able to get into dental school so I had my eye on a pharmaceutical rep job, but that was taking some time to develop. “A friend of mine told me that I couldn’t be a calf roper all my life so I should get a real job. There was an ad in the paper for an insurance salesman with a company that my friend had connections with, so I went in for an interview. I couldn’t imagine myself going into people’s home at night trying to sell them life insurance. They assured me that the job wasn’t like that and I would be working mostly during the day.” “In 1980, the Louisiana Companies wanted me to move into Baton Rouge and go up the corpo-

John Hendry at his office on Main Street.

rate ladder in management,’’ Hendry explained. “I certainly didn’t want any part of corporate management or having to live back in Baton Rouge at that time, so I made them an offer to buy the Agency.” The John Hendry Insurance Agency on Main Street in Zachary now has 9 full time employees. Two longtime employees are Bonnie Hunt with 30 years and Paul Owen who have 27 years of service with the Hendry Agency. “I couldn’t imagine how well

the insurance agencies had it back in my early days in the business,” Hendry pointed out. “There were numerous insurance companies writing business in Louisiana. We were making 20-30% commissions in those days whereas today, if we make a commission of 10-12% on new business, we are very fortunate.” Paul Owen, Hendry’s longtime associate and agency manager, echoed Hendry’s sentiment in the changing world of the insurance industry. “20 years ago there

were numerous companies writing multi-lines of insurance in the state. Some have merged with other companies but most have just stopped writing coverage in Louisiana.” “Multi-line companies would write their clients homeowners insurance, as well as insurance to cover their vehicles and boats, and then write them life insurance policies,” Owen noted. “Now there are just a few multi-line insurers writing coverage in Louisiana. This makes it much more difficult to take good care of our client’s insurance needs.” “Paul is absolutely correct,” Hendry interjected. “It’s difficult to keep our clients with the best coverage at the lowest cost when there is not much competition be-

tween companies writing business in Louisiana.” “With all the automation due to computers, it’s taken the personality out of the business. Years ago, an agency could go in and actually talk with the underwriters if he had a special situation. Now it is everything by the book. However, we still do our best to still give that personal service here at the Agency level.” The Hendry Agency does have a very active state of the art website that is very user friendly, but implies that personal service is just a phone call or click of the mouse away. The POST asked Paul Owen about the effect, positive or negative, that the Affordable Care Act would have on the insurance indus-

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Zachary POST 5

try. “We actually try not to think about it. From what we know and are seeing now as enrollment gets started, we don’t see any positive benefits for the industry. It seems like the Affordable Care Act was designed to fail. This could be a disaster for the industry as healthcare coverage would evolve into some type of government program instead of true private insurance.” After giving up calf-roping many years ago, the lanky John Hendry became a dedicated runner. He qualified for both the Boston and New York Marathons. A couple of years ago, Hendry had to cut back his running due to a calcium build-up in Hendry’s body. The concluding question was: “Do you still keep up with professional calf-roping and bull riding?” “My grandson, Michael also wanted to be a bull rider,” Hen-

W NO

dry noted. “I carried him out to a school in East Texas. He won a few junior bull-riding events before giving it up and concentrating on running. He won 3 state championships in one day, the 800 meter, the 1600 meter and the 3200 meter races.” “But to specifically answer your question, yes, I do keep up with the ropers, the bull riders, and the bulls. There have been several great ropers and riders from Louisiana.” Writer’s note: Perhaps, if a young John Hendry, when interviewing for an insurance producer position, had not impressed his interviewer as someone who could sell insurance, there might have been another great roper and bull rider from Louisiana included in the legends of the rodeo arena.

EN OP

Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Welcomes Vicki Z. Munson-Whetstone, MD Family Medicine Now Accepting New Patients Vicki Z. Munson-Whetstone, MD received her medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans. She completed her internship and residency training in family medicine at Baton Rouge General Medical Center. Dr. Munson is Board Certified in family medicine. Dr. Munson specializes in treating medical conditions in patients ages 16 and older, including the common cold and flu, diabetes, hypertension and other common ailments. She is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group – Zachary Clinic 4242 Hwy 19, Suite C, Zachary, LA • (225) 286-8100

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Zachary POST Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Doomed Historic Tree Has New Life as Eagle Art Sculpture

Zachary Chainsaw Sculpturer, Burt Fleming (pictured left) is adding details to the eagle art sculpture at the 100 year old decaying tree. The plaque from the tree commemorating the soldiers of our community who fought during the World War will be preserved. A ceremony will be held on Arbor Day, January 17th at the site.

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Milestones

Tuesday, January 7, 2014 Zachary POST 7

Births • Engagements • Weddings • Awards Obituaries • Anniversaries • Reunions

James Flynn Reeves

IAC Avondale District Boy Scout Troop 472 Honors Their Three Newest Eagle Scouts

Storm and Hailey (Zahorchak) Reeves of Slaughter, La. are delighted to announce with lots of love the arrival of their first little angel, James Flynn Reeves born on 30th October 2013. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 1/2 inches long. Proud Grandparents are Russell and Renee Zahorchak of Wilson, La., Wendy Reeves of Denham Springs, La. and Edwin Reeves of Forrest City, Ar. Great Grandparents are Jim and Virgie Ford of Wilson La., Frank Zahorchak of Monroeville, PA. James and Barbara Reeves of Rayville, La. and Eva Singleton of Dubach, La. Also, Great great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Reeves Sr. and Mrs. Mary DeMoss, all of Tallulah, La.

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The Avondale District with Istrouma Area Council, Boy Scouts of America Troop 472 honors their three newest Eagle Scouts. Andrew R. Albritton, G. Calmer Dighton, and Nicholas T. Gosselin joined the ranks of the Eagle Scout, the highest rank a youth Boy Scout can earn. Becoming an Eagle Scout takes time and dedication. The Istrouma Area Council and the Avondale District would like to add their congratulations to those of Troop 472 to these three fine young men. Anyone interested in joining Scouting, should contact Jacqueline Moore at (225) 719-0698 or jacqueline.moore@scouting.org to join in the fun. Photo left to right-Andrew Albritton, G. Calmer Dighton, Nicholas Gosselin

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Zachary POST Tuesday, January 7, 2014

B LINE

continued from page 1

ville, and 7 years as an electrician at Dixon Correctional Center before retiring in November of 2013. “We’ve had so many spiritual mentors during our journey through life,” Geter, who has been a church pianist for 50 years in various churches in southeast Louisiana, pointed out. “One is particular is Dr. A. L. Palmer who at age 94 is still preaching. Another is Dr. Horn who was at Satsuma Baptist church at one time. He is now the president of the LA Baptist Convention.” “Also, Dr. Statham with the Henry Wallace Ministry that is part of the LA Baptist Association has been very helpful with the B-Line Community Church. Warden Cain as always has been wonderful to work with. Our service schedule for B-Line will be at 9 AM and 6:30 PM on Sunday and 6:30 PM on Thursday night.” “Another person who has been very helpful is Diane Norris from Pitkin. She is Warden Cain’s niece. She has brought her Vacation Bible School group over to B-Line to hold Vacation Bible School with us for a couple of years.” “We plan to be moved out of our house here in the Copper Mill subdivision in Zachary to the parsonage at BLine within the next two weeks,” Connie Geter acknowledged. “It is going to

be tough to downsize to a 1,300 square foot parsonage house. My biggest concern was what to do with our grand piano but our daughter Amber, solved that problem by taking the piano.” The Geter’s have one daughter, Amber Geter Thorne, who lives in the Woodlands, Texas area with her husband Neal, and the 3 Geter grandkids, Jackson (age 11), John Henry (age 8), and the granddaughter, Tallulah, who is less than two years old. “God puts people together for His reasons,” Geter emphasized. “I grew up a little north of Woodville, Mississippi. When Connie and I were courting, our routine was to go out on Friday night and then on Sunday we would go to her home church, which was the Tunica Hills Baptist church.” “Now, after a 40 year career in other fields, we are culminating our ministry career by going back to Connie’s home turf at Angola. God always puts people in positions for his purpose, but only opens the door when he deems it time. It is time for Connie and me to walk through the doors of B-Line Community Church.” Writer’s note: If enthusiasm and preparation are the keys to a successful ministry at B-Line, the Geters certainly have plenty of both. God bless you, Connie and Henry, and keep you encouraged and enthusiastic with your ministry at B-Line Community Church.

Lane Auxiliary Holds Christmas Luncheon

The Lane Regional Medical Center Auxiliary held their Christmas Luncheon Friday, December 13, in the Academic Athletic Center at Zachary High School. Auxiliary President Liz Owen and President-elect Pauline Rushing welcomed guests, including Lane Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Randy Olson; Chief Financial Officer Mark Anderson; Marketing Coordinator Delores Sutton; and Zachary Community School District Career and Technical Education Program Supervisor Tim Jordan. Phyl Scruggs, a long-time Auxiliary member, was also recognized as a special guest. In lieu of their usual Christmas gift exchange, Auxiliary members brought donations for the Zachary Food Pantry.