Maybe it’s the sigh of brakes from a yellow bus at the corner, or the sight of fresh crayon boxes lined up in the store. Or perhaps it’s just the sight of student athletes preparing for fall sports — something about these late Summer days can bring a shimmer of that old back-to-school feeling. Even those of us who haven’t seen the inside of a classroom in years can still remember, if only for a moment, that mix of excitement and jitters, the weight and potential of a new beginning.
In some ways, the first day of school is just like it’s always been: nervous parents, excited students and teachers making those last-minute changes to create the perfect classroom.
Parents, remember, odds are your kids are going to graduate from preschool, middle school and high school. They need your support. The Feliciana Schools are understaffed this year and are looking for people to help fill on the gaps. So, it’s a time for patience. Patience for your children. Patience for the teachers. For everyone of them, there are 30 students or more. Yes, your child is important. So are all the others.
Patience while driving: Slow down in schools zones. Expect back-to-school delays. Give that school bus plenty of space.
It’s time for you to do your part if you can. There is a shortage of teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff around the country.
So, if you have time to spare as a parent, as a grandparent, as a retiree, consider applying for one the thousands of open jobs or even giving your time as a volunteer.
And it’s time to support those teachers and school staff.
Teachers are special. For many of them, it is a calling. They do it to give our children a bright a future.
So, do what you can to make their important jobs a little easier by giving them a lot of respect.
So, get out there and make it a great year. And if you’re driving, stop for school buses. Every time!
Superintendent Milton’s Back to School Welcome: “Exciting News and Important Information”
As he prepares to welcome students on August 8, Superintendent Hollis Milton updates West Feliciana families and the community on facilities and safety improvements and new offerings at each school.
Dear West Feliciana Families and Community,
I hope this letter finds you well. As we approach the start of the 2024–2025 school year, I wanted to take a moment to reach out and share some exciting news and important information.
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS —We are grateful to our community for the improvements that we have made to our facilities in the last five years. Improved facilities lead to higher expectations, bring increased pride for our community schools, and, most importantly, demonstrate our collective investment in our students.
WFH S ATHLETIC FIELD HOUSE—We are extremely excited about our new Athletic Field House that will be completed in spring 2025. The enhancement will complement the improvements we made to our stadium with artificial turf and LED lighting in 2022. Our student athletes work very hard in the classroom, on the courts, and on the fields. This improvement will be another opportunity for our community to celebrate and cheer on the Saints as they compete and represent what is best about our small but mighty school system. The facility includes a state-ofthe-art locker room, a classroom and an exterior deck for spectators to watch the live action on Friday nights.
THE JULIUS FREYHAN SCHOOL RENOVATION —The renovation to the Julius Freyhan
“Places to Find Your Purpose”
East Feliciana Public Schools Superintendent Keisha Netterville welcomes students back to school, listing a few of the programs and opportunities they will once again enjoy.
To the Students and Families of East Feliciana:
Three years ago, our community came together to begin the work of #HomegrownPride, East Feliciana Public Schools’ five-year strategic plan. We’ve worked together, making clear plans, setting intentional goals, and monitoring our progress on those plans and goals. As a result, our teachers are delivering higher quality lessons, our students are taking smarter, more aligned assessments, and we are providing our students with more specific support based on the results of those assessments.
Because of this purposeful and collaborative work, student reading and math achievement in East Feliciana Public Schools is at an historic high.
According to the Education Recovery Scorecard (https://educationrecoveryscorecard.org/states/ louisiana/), while schools across the country experienced substantial learning loss in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisiana is one of just three states where 2023 reading achievement is exceeding 2019 reading achievement. In math, students across the country have made up only a third of their learning loss.
The Education Recovery Scorecard reports a different story in East Feliciana Parish: While students in other schools across the state and country lost reading and math learning during the pandemic, reading achievement remained constant and math achievement continued to increase in our schools.
In addition to improving academic achievement, we have created more opportunities for our students. This year, all of our second graders received water safety and basic swim-
See EAST FEL on page 5
“Silliman is On the Move!”
Leanna B. Cupit, head of school, looks forward to “new dual enrollment courses, new faculty faces, and the upcoming construction of a new building.”
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!
Our administration, faculty, and staff are eager to welcome students back to campus. Silliman has seen much growth and progress over the last few years, and this continues into the new term. From new faculty faces, to increasing dual enrollment courses for high school students, to the upcoming construction of a new building, Silliman is on the move. We are looking forward to the opportunities this year will bring and can’t wait to see what our students accomplish.
These are a few fast-approaching dates to keep in mind:
—August 7th–PreK4–6th grade parent meetings (individual times will be announced)
—August 8th–Meet the Wildcats, 6 p.m. in Holland Gymnasium
—August 9th–1st day of school! (half-day)
—August 11th–Back to School Praise and Worship Service, 5 p.m. in Holland Gymnasium
Silliman parents should monitor email messages for communication from the school as we approach August 9th, and check the website for information on dress code updates, supply lists, and other pertinent information.
THANK YOU, Silliman parents, for continuing to share your children with us. See you all very soon!
Sincerely,
Leanna B. Cupit, PhD Silliman Institute Head of School
School started in December 2023 after many years of advocacy by the Julius Freyhan Foundation, the West Feliciana Parish School Board, local representatives, including Parish President Kenny Havard, and the West Feliciana community. We envision the facility as a cultural arts center and shared space for operations of the school system, school board meetings, and student celebrations. I am truly grateful for the synergy between so many groups to not only bring this building back to life but to make a central place for our community to celebrate our passion for the arts. The estimated time for completion is January 2025.
ZERO EYES SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL SECURITY
CAMERAS —We are adding arti -
ficial intelligence to many of our security cameras. The software is designed to detect weapons and to alert our school resource officers, our school administration, and our safety teams. This state-of-the art detection system will improve our ability to not only detect a security threat but also enhance our sheriff’s department and our school administration’s ability to mobilize to protect our students and employees. The estimated time for installation and implementation is August 2024.
NEW CELLULAR
TOWER —We were able to install a cellular tower behind the new Bains Elementary campus. The new tower provides improved cellular service to enhance communication and safety at our schools. The tower will also improve communication for the sheriff’s office and the communities surrounding our schools.
NEW OFFERINGS AT EACH
SCHOOLBAINS LOWER
Bains Lower Elementary will incorporate an Imagination Station into our ancillary rotation for prekindergarten and kindergarten students. This new ancillary will provide children with several different multi-sensory areas and centers where they will be able to explore multiple centers each time they visit the Imagination Station, allowing them to use their imagination to solve problems, express creativity, and engage in thoughtful exploration.
BAINS ELEMENTARY
Bains Elementary will be offering Cross Fit to 5th grade students through their physical education classes as well as high-interest clubs as part of each student's ancillary rotation in grades 1–5. These clubs will range from Lego Club to Creepy-Crawly Nature Club to give our students the opportunity to explore hobbies and pick up new interests.
WFMS is excited to announce new offerings for students for the 2024–25 school year. We will debut a new social emotional program, Navigate 360, which is designed to build character, address
areas of need, and teach students the skills that are necessary to ensure success in the classroom and beyond. We are also adding a study skills curriculum for our 6th grade students to help them navigate a successful transition to middle school. Additionally, we are expanding the number of student interest clubs to include a Frisbee Golf Club, Gaming Club, and more!
WFHS will bring back the Student Council Organization so that students have a voice at the high school and student leaders will be involved in organizing activities such as Orientation, Open House, and Homecoming.
IMPORTANT DATES AND INFORMATION —As we prepare for the opening of school, below are a few items of interest and some important dates. The full school year calendar can be found on the home page of our website: www.wfpsb.org.
Important Information:
1. August 8 is the first day of school for all students in grades 1–12, and it is a full day for students. Bains Lower Elementary begins school on a staggered schedule to allow the younger
children time to adjust. Below is the schedule:
o August 8: Kindergarten Boys ONLY
o August 9: Kindergarten Girls ONLY
o August 12: Pre-K Boys ONLY; ALL Kindergarteners
o August 13: Pre-K Girls ONLY; ALL Kindergarteners
2. Uniforms and Supplies:
· All uniform and school supply information can be found on the school’s website and in the school’s handbook on our website at www.wfpsb.org.
3. Bains Lower Elementary and Bains Elementary will continue to offer before and after care this school year. The schools will send home more information.
4. West Feliciana Schools License Plates are now available at the Office of Motor Vehicles. For more information, please visit www.expresslane.org/vehichles/ plates or call the specialized vehicle unit at 225-925-6278 or 225925-6146.
Communication between parents, teachers, and the school is vital to our students’ success. We encourage parents to stay connected as we partner to make the
2024–2025 school year another great year in West Feliciana. As always, we are grateful for the support of our community. Working together, we will continue our long history of success on behalf of our students. Go Saints! #UnitedWestFel #wearewestfel #gratefel
Sincerely,
Hollis Milton
ming lessons in partnership with the Americana YMCA. We continued to partner with East Feliciana 4-H to grow beautiful gardens at our schools. We continued to build out the pre-educator and pre-engineering pathways at East Feliciana High School, and students at EFHS participated in the statewide pilot of the environmental protection and sustainability pathway.
The EFHS English Department hosted a student-led winter poetry slam, and our talented theatre and talented art students, under the leadership of Dr. Eddie Elsey, hosted our inaugural “Showcase of the Arts” this spring.
The East Feliciana STEAM Academy expanded to serve students in grades 6 and 7, and will grow to serve 8th grade students during the upcoming school year. EF STEAM also hosted its second annual White Coat Ceremony to celebrate student mastery of the school’s aquaponics systems.
Students at East Feliciana Middle School earned high school credit, and several EFMS students were inducted into Beta Club. Our schools are not only places to achieve, but places to find your purpose.
Our schools, staff, and students continue to receive state and national recognition. Slaughter Elementary School was one of just a few schools statewide to receive the Louisiana School Physical Activity Award for promoting student health and well-being through a comprehensive school physical activity program. School bus driver Leo Brown was a statewide finalist for Louisiana Outstanding School Support Employee. District literacy coach Kimberly Coats and Slaughter Elementary School prek teacher Amber Hopkins were the two most recent educators from our district to be recognized as Louisiana Department of Education Exemplary Educators. Since the inception of the Exemplary Educators program, more recipients of the honor have been from East Feliciana Public Schools than any other district.
Jackson Elementary School’s high-quality implementation of the Ignite tutoring program earned plaudits in a publication from the national organization FutureEd. Students from East Feliciana Middle School and East Feliciana STEAM Academy made up the East Feliciana Tigers football team that reached the league championship and the East Feliciana Tigers track and field team that won the Sherman–Brown Invitationals in Woodville, Mississippi, where their coach, Darren Matthews, was named outstanding coach. East Feliciana High School finished fourth place overall at the Class 2A state track and field meet. And East Feliciana STEAM Academy student Khanye’ Ferguson received a special social media shout out from Pulitizer Prizewinning poet Jericho Brown for his performance of Brown’s poem during Black History Month.
We continue to invest in our future. We made physical plant improvements at all school sites, including a complete renovation of the stadium and track on the campus of East Feliciana High School.
We made strategic and sustainable improvements our salary schedule, moving the starting teacher salary in East Feliciana Public Schools from 11 out of 12 (bottom quartile) to tied for 3rd out of 12 (top quartile) in the Capital region. We also increased the base salary of support personnel by $3,000. This was all done without raising tax rates for our local citizens.
I want to be perfectly clear: There is still work to be done. While the results on the Education Recovery Scorecard reveal the incredible and intentional efforts of our students,
educators, and families, our average performance in reading and math still trails the national average. That’s why this year, we’re taking our plan to the next level; and whether you’re a teacher, a student, or a family member, we need your help.
In every classroom across our district, students will set individual goals for their performance in that course. And we will work to make sure we have standardized grading procedures across our district to ensure all students receive consistent, grade-level feedback from their teachers throughout the school year.
Starting in our English language arts and math classes, we’ve worked throughout this summer to identify which assessments will be included in our gradebooks. For teachers, this means no more guessing about what to grade. For students, this means knowing exactly what you’ll be graded on. And for families, this means being confident that our students’ grades in school reflects how well they’re learning what they need to learn in school this year
In some cases, this is going to be a change from how we’ve done things. But it is a change that will help our teachers be more intentional, help our families be more informed, and help our students take ownership of their learning. And with shared grace and patience, it is a change that will continue to drive student learning forward in East Feliciana Public Schools. East Feliciana, it’s time to take our #HomegrownPride to new heights!
Sincerely,
Keisha Netterville
Before the bell rings...
Cenny Qiu, Dr. Leanna Cupit, and JoAnna Cornette. Photograph provided by Leanna B. Cupit
Superintendent Hollis Milton and his Border Collie, Bailey, look forward to welcoming the students back to a new school year! Photographs provided by Hollis Milton
Superintendent Keisha Netterville and Track and Field Standout Herman Batiste, a 2024 graduate of East Feliciana High School, visit the "completely renovated stadium and track" on the campus of East Feliciana High School. Photograph by Patricia Stallmann
EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS CALENDAR
July 23, 2024
Please submit calendar notices to: rachal2743@gmail.com.
TUESDAYS: The Rotary Club of St. Francisville invites you to join the members weekly at West Feliciana Parish Library for one hour on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. to find out how you can become a member and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our community, and in ourselves. You will meet interesting people both local and from around the world sharing their wealth of knowledge during our meetings. Breakfast is served. For more information, visit stfrancisvillerotary.org or rotary. org.
NOW through Sunday, September 1: Registration for flag football at West Feliciana Sports Park—preseason practice is September 9 through 20, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; games are September 23 through October 31 at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. To register, visit www.wfprec.com. Fee: $75.
Tuesdays, July 23 and August 13 and 27: Clothes Closet. Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Blessed by Grace, a non profit, and the East Feliciana Drug and Alcohol Awareness Council invite the community to visit the Clothes Closet in the EFDAA Council office, 12080 Marston Street in Clinton. Please use the side entrance. This is an opportunity for those in need to find essential items. For more information, please call
225-663-0696.
Tuesday, July 23: Audubon Regional Library welcomes Schoolhouse Safari. This fun filled, hands-on interactive encounter includes an educational demonstration and meeting a total of a dozen animals. Guests will get a chance for a Q & A with the handlers and have the option to take an individual photo with one of the animal ambassadors. Schoolhouse Safari will be in Jackson at 10 a.m., in Clinton at 12:30 p.m., and in Greensburg at 3 p.m. In Clinton: 11023 Bank Street; call 225-683-8753. In Jackson: Jackson Square Plaza, 2637 Highway 10; call 225-634-7408. In Greensburg: 6108 Highway 10; call 225-435-7135.
Twice monthly at noon: OLLI
(Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), Felicianas Chapter Lunch Club, invites all who are ages 50 and over to join a friendly group of OLLI members to socialize and share ideas while enjoying a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Register the Monday before the luncheon by clicking https://ce.lsu.edu/olli/ under the Feliciana chapter or under Field Trips. July 24: Petra Café in St. Francisville; August 7: Sonny’s in St. Francisville; August 21: Community Grocery in Woodville, Mississippi. For more information, email ollifelicianasmembership@ gmail.com.
Wednesday, July 24: Crescent Circus, 11 a.m. at the West Feliciana Parish Library, 5114 Burnett Road, St. Francisville. Nathan and Morgan bring you over a decade of experience working together across the country and overseas
to deliver audiences unforgettable entertainment. With international award-winning magic and circus arts featured on The Tonight Show, the Crescent Circus fuses magic, circus arts, and comedy to create an entertaining experience the whole family will enjoy. The Friends of the Library funded this FREE event. For more information, please call 225-635-3364.
NOW through September: Pop Up Art Exhibit featuring works by Elaine Erikson and Ronnie Collins at the Julien Poydras Museum and Art Center in New Roads. A grant from the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area funds this collaborative project of the Arts Council of Pointe Coupee and the Pointe Coupee Historical Society. Erikson’s painting of a pair of ducks in a marsh setting, “Fulvous Whistling Ducks,” won the 2022–2023 Louisiana Duck Stamp Contest. She lives in the historic district of St. Francisville, where she is active with Arts for All and the Yellow Leaf Festival. Ronnie Collins, of Jennings, Louisiana, is a well known muralist, having painted murals across the country for the past 30 years. Place: 500 West Main Street. Times: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Mindy LaCour at 225638-6575 for additional information.
Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday, July 25: On Wednesday, Crescent Circus will visit the Jackson Branch of Audubon Regional Library at 1 p.m. On Thursday, it will visit the Clinton Branch at 10 a.m. and the Greensburg Branch at 1 p.m. Husband-wife duo Nathan Kepner and Morgan Tsu-Raun fuse magic,
circus arts, and comedy to create an interactive experience that will have your audience on stage and becoming part of the show! In Jackson: Jackson Square Plaza, 2637 Highway 10; call 225-634-7408. In Clinton: 11023 Bank Street; call 225-683-8753. In Greensburg: 6108 Highway 10; call 225-435-7135.
Friday, July 26: Hunt A Killer from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Feliciana Parish Library, 5114 Burnett Road, St. Francisville. To figure out who killed Katie, you must reconstruct her path along the boardwalk on the day she died, and work out what secret she discovered that ultimately led to her death. Uncovering the crimes perpetrated by the other boardwalk employees will lead you to the identity of Katie’s true killer. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Register online at https://westfeliciana-la.whofi.com/ calendar/event/103765. For more information, please call 225-6353364.
Saturday, July 27: Arts for EveryBody: Houma Nation Basket Weaving. Members of the Houma Nation will demonstrate palmetto basket weaving and share their culture. 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church Street, Zachary. Sponsor: The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.
Saturdays, July 27 and August 10 and 24: Greater Baton Rouge Model Railroaders will exhibit its model train collection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3406 College Street in Jackson, behind the Republic of West Florida Museum.
EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS CALENDAR
No admission fee. For further information, or to book space at no charge for a birthday party, please email maczilla1@bellsouth.net or call 713-858-9251.
Saturday, July 27: A monthly Children’s Drawing and Painting Workshop for elementary and middle school students. Instructor: Ms. Shaun. Time and place: from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. This FREE workshop will continue on the fourth Saturday of each month. All art supplies are provided, but space is limited and advanced registration is required. To register, please call the West Baton Rouge Museum at 225-336-2422 or visit www.WestBatonRougeMuseum. org.
Tuesday, July 30, and the Last Tuesday of Every Month at 6 p.m.: Free yoga (all levels) at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. Please do not eat beginning one hour prior to class, and please remember to bring a yoga mat. Classes convene in the Brick Gallery; please enter through the courtyard or the gravel driveway. For more information, visit www. WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.
Wednesday, July 31: Audubon Regional Library’s End of Summer Party. Join us for fun and games while we celebrate the end of summer. A balloon artist will be in Jackson at 10 a.m., in Clinton at noon, and Greensburg at 2 p.m. In Clinton: 11023 Bank Street; call 225-683-8753. In Jackson: Jackson
Wednesday, July 31: The TMM Project (The True Mission Matters Project), 11 a.m. at the West Feliciana Parish Library, 5114 Burnett Road, St. Francisville. Get ready for our latest interactive program that takes viewers on a tour through some of America’s most coveted arts and music scenes throughout history, featuring live musical instruments such as the flute, keyboard, acoustic guitar, saxophone, and triangle and inspired by the states of California, New York, and Louisiana. Get your boarding passes ready for our TMM Adventure Tour 2024! The Friends of the Library funded this FREE event. For more information, please call 225-635-3364.
Saturday, August 3: Wags & Whiskers Gala 2024 will benefit, for the ninth year, the West Feliciana Animal Humane Society. Includes live music, delicious food and a cash bar, as well as a silent auction. Time and place: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Mallory, 5747 Commerce Street in St. Francisville. General admissions tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children. Sponsorships come with complimentary tickets: Pick of the Litter: $150–$299; Bark at the Blues: $300–$549; Yowl at the Moon: $550–$799; Finally Home: $800 and above. Visit bontempstix. com for tickets.
Monday, August 5: Scholarship Night. The East Feliciana Ministers Conference, Dr. B.G. King, Sr.,
Scott Haynes Manager
president, and Pastor R. Freeman, vice president, will hold its annual scholarship night at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 6670 Highway 412E, Slaughter. For more information, please call 225-654-6854 or visit pinegrovebc1@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, August 6, and Wednesday, August 7: REVIVAL The East Feliciana Ministers Conference will welcome Pastor John Bowman of Beech Grove Baptist Church on Tuesday and Dr. Gerard A. Robinson, Senior, of McKowen Missionary Baptist Church on Wednesday to lead the revival at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 6670 Highway 412-E in Slaughter. Pastor Bowman is also president of the Emmanuel Baptist Church Aid Association. Dr. Robinson, Sr., is first vice president of the East Baton Rouge Ministers Conference. For more information, please call 225654-6854 or visit pinegrovebc1@ yahoo.com.
Saturday, August 10: Join us for the East Feliciana Community Wide Back to School Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road in Clinton. We’ll be giving away free backpacks, school supplies, food, and resources! Giveaways are first-come, first-served, and both the children receiving the supplies and their parent or guardian must be present. For more details, please contact us at 225-663-069.
Saturday, August 10: The Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival is BACK for the 2nd year with NINE hot air balloons, balloon tether rides, balloon glow, concert by the
Chase Tyler Band, food trucks, a kids zone, local craft vendors, and more!. Time and place: noon to 9 p.m. at BREC Zachary Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Highway, Zachary. Find more information on downtownlivezachary.com or email downtownlivezachary@gmail.com.
Saturday, August 10: The Dead of Locust Grove. Join us in visiting Locut Grove Plantation Cemetery, one of the many historic cemeteries in Louisiana, and learn about its inhabitants. The plantation, once owned by Luther Smith and Anna Davis Smith, sister of Jefferson Davis, became the final resting place for many figures important in the early history of Louisiana. Experience history through figures like Sarah Knox Taylor—the daughter of President Zachary Taylor and short-lived wife of Jefferson Davis—who died at Locust Grove Plantation. See the grave of Major General Eleazar Ripley, one of the earliest generals of the young country, who invaded Canada during the War of 1812. After one of the largest battles in Canada, he was known as The Hero of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. Locust Grove State Historic Site will be open this day free of charge. Please keep in mind that the park has no facilities and no site staff. Time and place: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bains-Ristroph Road off Highway 10, St. Francisville. For more information, call Audubon State Historic Site at 1-225-635-3739.
Saturday, August 10: Help Create Happy Tales for Happy Tails! Is there room in your home and your
heart for one more? Stop by Happy Tails dog adoption day at Tractor Supply, 7327 Highway 61 in St. Francisville. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. But no need to wait! Call or email Michelle Hamilton, Happy Tail Rescue, for details about the dogs now looking for homes: 225245-4123 or thehappytailrescue@ outlook.com.
Sunday, August 11: Pine Grove Baptist Church, Dr. B. G. King, Pastor–Teacher, invites you to our 169th Church Anniversary. Theme: Celebrating the Faithfulness of God (1 Corinthians 15: 58). Special Guest is Pastor Geoffrey Sykes of Greater New Hope Baptist Church, Zachary, and Greater St. Mary Baptist Church, Plaquemine. Address: 6670 Highway 412-E, Slaughter. For more information, please call 225-654-6854 or visit pinegrovebc1@yahoo.com.
Saturday, August 17: ART AND IDENTITY—AUDUBON AT OAKLEY, 1821. This program will examine John James Audubon’s brief but impactful sojourn at Oakley Plantation. Using the museum, Oakley House, and nature trails, we will briefly trace Audubon’s trajectory from his birth on a Caribbean sugar plantation to his arrival in America and, eventually, West Feliciana. Though Audubon’s time at Oakley was brief, it was significant, for upon leaving Oakley, Audubon would exchange his identity as a failed businessman for that of one of early America’s most luminous artists and celebrities. Audubon’s story tells us much about social and economic fluidity in Republic-era America, as well as the elasticity of personal identity during this period. We will incorporate readings from his journal where
appropriate. Time and place: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 11788 Highway 965, St. Francisville. For more information, call Audubon State Historic Site at 225-635-3739.
Saturday, August 17: Jazzy Nights in the Felicianas. Join the East Feliciana Drug and Alcohol Awareness Council for the eighth annual Jazzy Nights on August 17. Time and place: 6 p.m. at East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road in Clinton. Tickets are $50 and include music, food, door prizes, a silent auction, and more. For further details, and to buy tickets, please call 225-663-0696.
Third Tuesdays—August 20: The East Feliciana Drug and Alcohol Awareness Council Monthly Meeting takes place at the East Feliciana Public Health Unit building, 12080 Marston Street in Clinton. Time: 5 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. Please use the side entrance. For more information, please call 225-6630696.
ONGOING: WFHS Athletics
Summer Youth Camps dates and contact information: 1) Strength and Conditioning—Throughout the summer, Monday through Thursday, 9:30–10:30 a.m., 7th and 8th graders, co-ed, Saints Stadium, littlej@wfpsb.org; 2) Cheer—July 29–31, 9 a.m.–noon, pre-K–5th grades, WFHS Gym, howsenl@wfpsb.org; 3) Dance— August 10, 8 a.m.–noon, pre-K–5th grades, WFHS gym, estepj@ wfpsb.org. For information and to register, visit West Fel Royal Blue Club on Facebook.
ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 25: “Evolution of the Revolution” art exhibit at West Baton Rouge
Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. This fascinating multi-media installation, the product of collaboration between photographers and set designers Lynn Rossi and Nichelle Evans, features huge, colorful photographs depicting key moments in Black history. Presented by the California African American Museum and created by Surreal Box Cinema. For more information, visit www. WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.
ONGOING: SIX Hiking and Biking Trail Locations in the St. Francisville area, dawn until dusk: 1) Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area, 2) Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, 3) Mary Ann Brown Preserve, 4) West Feliciana Parish Sports Park, 5) Clark Creek Natural Area (in Mississippi, but close to St. Francisville, 6) Audubon State Historic Site. For more information, visit StFrancisvilleLa. com, come by the Historical Society Museum at 11757 Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville, or email Devan@ visitstfrancisvillela.com. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPORTS PARK TO BE SURE ITS TRAILS ARE OPEN FOLLOWING RECENT STORMS.
Friday and Saturday, September 6 and 7: Stop and Shop the Choctaw Trail Weekend, 25 Mile Garage Sale from Clinton through Jackson to St. Francisville along Highway 10. For vendor opportunities in Jackson, please contact Ginger Goudeau at 225-933-4911.
KIDS’ MEALS: 1) EVERY TUESDAY: Audubon Regional Library is distributing 5-Day Meal Boxes at the library’s branches in Clinton, Jackson, and Greensburg. Please contact your nearest Audubon Regional Branch for information. 2) EVERY FRIDAY:
The West Feliciana Parish Library on Burnett in St. Francisville is distributing 7-Day Meal Boxes. For information, visit Information/West Feliciana Parish Library/United States.
MARKET DAYS
Thursdays, July 25 and August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29: St. Francisville Community Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9961 Wilcox Street in St. Francisville. Call Claudene Cockrum, 225-715-3597, or Faye Ritchie, 225-245-1752, or email jritchie49@bellsouth.net.
Saturdays—August 17, and September 21: “Pop-Up Tent Community Market.” Host: St. Francisville Tractor Supply. Time: 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Tractor Supply parking lot, 7327 Highway 61. All products are welcome. No vendor fee at this time. Please contact Krista at Tractor Supply, 225-635-2223, if you plan to set up in June.
Saturdays—July 27 and August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31: Zachary Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lee and Main Streets. Contact zacharyfarmersmarket@gmail. com.
First Friday, August 2: Jackson Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the town hall gazebo on Charter Street (Highway 10). Contact Ginger Goudeau at 225-933-4911 or ging130@yahoo.com.
First Saturday—August 3: Clinton Community Market Day, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. along St. Helena Street (Highway 10) in downtown Clinton. Contact hmercantilellc@gmail. com.
Experience Labor Workers
Needed in the Felicianas call 225955-7584
EXPLORER EXPLORER
Personal helper needed , some duties driving to doctor appointments , errands, as well as some light work . Call (225) 955-7584
COMMERCIAL LENDER
BANK OF ZACHARY – Education: Bachelor’s Degree of 7+ year professional equivalent; Experience: 5+ years in banking, financial services and/or business development; Job Requirements: Maintain a high level of confidentiality. Reliable transportation necessary. Current NMLS account. Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Effectively prioritize, multi-task and work independently. Strong understanding of Microsoft Suite, Outlook, and Adobe Pro. For a full Job Description, see our careers page at www. bankofzachary.com EE)/AA/M/F/ VETERAN/DISABLED. Send all resumes to hr@bankofzachary. com
MISCELLANEOUS/ ITEMS FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 1957 John Deere 420 – 2 Cylinder Gas Engine Tractor. ANTIQUE VALUE! Good Condition. Package deal: Bushhog, Discs, Hillers and Middle Buster. Cost $6,000. Contact Donald @ 225-278-1126
Now accepting enrollment for Summer and Full Time Care. A nurturing and safe environment for children to socialize, learn and grow. Also provides breakfast, lunch and two healthy snacks. Hours are 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information: 225-721-0715
Cross Creek Cowboy Church. Sundays breakfast 9:30, service 10:30. 21160 Plank Road, Zachary. Come as you are. Crosscreekcowboychurch.com
I will pay cash or your junk cars and remove any scrap metal. Call (225)276-4273.
