Zachary Post May 14, 2024

ZHS Choir Sings National Anthem at Alex Box Stadium to Open LSU vs. Texas A&M Game

Zachary Firefighter Receives Hero’s Honor

On Saturday, May 4th, the ZHS Choir’s Bronco Beat wowed a packed Alex Box Stadium with their rendition of the National Anthem. Back in November, at the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, guest speaker and LSU Head Baseball coach Jay Johnson, was so impressed with the ZHS Choir’s singing at that event that he invited them to sing at an LSU baseball game. The group said it was an experience they will never forget and thank Coach Johnson for the opportunity. The ZHS Choir is led by teacher Cierra Fountain. Members of the Bronco Beat who performed are Brennan Bankston, Julia Blanchard, Preslyn Bridge, Lauren Capello, Andre’a Condol, Gracie Dalferes, Mae Edel, David Gaines, Donalia Grimes, Selina Huang, Angel Jackson, Georgia Knight, Katherine McCrary, Marquis McQuirter, Tycen Smith, Evelyn Vargas, and Terrolyn Woodridge.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT

Celebrating Heroism: Zachary Firefighter, Captain Camron Thompson Awarded LFCA Edgar LeJeune Award! We are thrilled to announce that Captain Camron Thompson has been awarded the prestigious LFCA Edgar LeJeune Award for Heroism at the 2024 Louisiana Fire Chief’s Association Annual Conference! The Edgar LeJeune Award for Heroism is the most prestigious award given by LFCA. Since 2014, this award, named after the first president of the Association, has recognized the courage and heroism that is a proud tradition of the fire service. Presented at the Annual Conference, the award honors a firefighter for his or her expert training, professional service, and dedication to the duty displayed in saving a human life. Camron’s dedication to duty and bravery were on full display on March 22, 2023, when off-duty he rescued a little girl from drowning, showcasing quick thinking in a perilous situation. His actions reflect the highest standards of professionalism and exemplify the qualities that make him an outstanding firefighter.

Chief Judge John Michael Guidry Announces His Candidacy for the District 2 Seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court

Chief Judge John Michael Guidry announces his candidacy for election to the District 2 Seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court. The primary election will be November 5, 2024.

Chief Judge Guidry is in his 26th year as an appellate court judge on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. On January 1, 2023, he made history when he became the 15th Chief Judge on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal and the first African American to hold that position in the more than 100-year history of the court.

Prior to his election to the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge Guidry served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the

Louisiana State Senate. Chief Judge Guidry is also a former commissioner on the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission and the Greater Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport Commission. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Southern University Law Center and formerly served as an adjunct professor with the Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy on the Baton Rouge Campus of Southern University. Chief Judge Guidry is a 1983 graduate of LSU and a 1987 cum laude graduate of the Southern University Law Center District 2 of the Louisiana Supreme Court was recently redrawn by the legislature and now includes:

Avoyelles Parish; Concordia Parish; portions of East Baton Rouge Parish; East Carroll Parish; East Feliciana Parish; Iberville Parish; portions of Lafayette Parish; Madison Parish; Richland Parish; St. Helena Parish; portions of St. Landry Parish; Tensas Parish; West Baton Rouge Parish; and West Feliciana Parish.

John Michael Guidry

Miss Lucy at The Lodge: Educator and Fashionista! Happy 100th Birthday

By Lauretta CLark, daughter

“Miss Lucy,” as she is affectionately called, was born in 1924 in the Town of Port Allen, Louisiana. She was the youngest of three children, whose parents worked hard to rear them in a loving and Christian environment. Her father, Walter Pittman, worked at Cohen High School in Port Allen, and her mother, Laura Hawkins Pittman, was a homemaker.

During World War II, Lucy met the love of her life, Dr. Ledell D. Virdure, when her brother Walter arranged for the two to corre-

spond. In time they decided to meet; when he passed away in 2005, they had been married 58 years.

Lucy and her husband had three children—one son and two daughters—and seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and most recently a great-great grandson. Lucy will celebrate her 100th birthday this May at The Lodge at Lane in Zachary.

Her childhood was spent enjoying her family and traveling on the Mississippi River ferry to Ready Street School and McKinley High School in Baton Rouge. She earned two

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When you call, be assured that one of our own locals will take care of you.

degrees from Southern University and A&M College, a Bachelor of Science in home economics and a Master of Science in educational administration. During her college career, she joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., which believes in fostering service, charity, scholarship, sisterhood, and finer womanhood.

Lucy started her career as a home economics teacher in Franklinton, Louisiana, where she led instruction for over 15 years. While there, she worked with the Washington Parish Free Fair committee to plan and implement the goals and objectives of the fair. She served as well on many state and national boards to improve the educational needs of children. Because of her passion for educa-

tion, many students learned cooking, baking, and sewing and received family development training.

In 1967 she moved to Baton Rouge with her family to become an associate professor at Southern University Laboratory School as well as a role model who holds Christian beliefs.

Lucy, her husband, friends, and family loved traveling to various locations, including New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Alaska, Hawaii, Chicago, Hiltonhead, Savannah, Memphis, and Mexico, to name a few. She loved meeting new people and exposing her children and grandchildren to the experiences she knew would make them well-rounded people and life-long learners.

As a role model for all, she loved making people feel that they could do anything if they kept God in their lives. She loved being a part of the United Methodist Church, where she participated in church and community activities. And she loved cooking, sewing, and dancing. She is still known for helping choreograph dance routines at parties and family get togethers. If you don’t keep the rhythm, she is always there to help get you on the beat.

Another key element of her life is dressing for success. She prides herself on being a “fashionista”: A complete ensemble requires that every detail of your attire—makeup, hair, jewelry, and shoe choice—must be exquisitely coordinated from your head to your toes. Even at 99, she is always making sure she is looking fabulous…and that does include a warm smile.

Ms. Lucy, my mother, is a phenomenal woman!

Lucy Pittman Virdure

In Our Wellness Community

Lane Receives Birth Ready Plus Re-Designation

Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC) has redesignated Lane Regional Medical Center as a Birth Ready + facility. This re-designation celebrates the hospital’s consistent healthcare improvement for perinatal health outcomes, the result of implementing clinical practices to promote safe, equitable, and dignified birth for all.

Hospitals receiving the Birth Ready + designation undergo a rigorous application and review process by LaPQC. Five areas of requirement include participation in collaborative learning, health disparity and patient partnership, policies and procedures, structures and education, and outcome and process measures.

“We are proud to once again re -

ceive designation as a Birth Ready + facility,” says Dawn Fuller, Director of Women’s Services at Lane. “Lane’s involvement and partnership with the LaPQC has increased our awareness of the new initiatives needed to continue providing the highest possible level of care for our pregnant and postpartum patients. Our facility

Apply Now for Lane’s Summer Nurse Tech Internship Program Deadline to Apply is May 27, 2024

Lane Regional Medical Center’s Nurse Tech Internship Program is designed to help student nurses transition from a senior level nursing student to a Registered Nurse.

Nurse Tech Interns will be paired with experienced RN preceptors for 6-weeks to increase knowledge and nursing skills needed to provide quality patient care.

Compensation:

• Interns will be paid $14/hour, plus shift differentials

Program Requirements:

• Must be a senior level student within 12 months of graduation (graduating December 2024-May

2025)

• Must be in good academic standing and provide a letter of recommendation from a clinical nursing instructor

• Must be able to attend orientation on Monday, June 19, 2024

• Must be able to work 36 hours a week for 6 weeks, beginning Monday, June 19, 2024

continues to implement changes and improvements that allow us to serve our patients with specialized maternal care and evidence-based best practices. We also remain focused on our quality metrics to provide compassionate and family friendly healthcare to every patient, every time.”

• At the end of 6 weeks, must work a minimum of 12 hours a month until graduation Application deadline is May 27, 2024. Call Brittany Casey at 225658-4263 or email bcasey@lanermc. org to apply.

Pictured L-R: Members of Lane’s Labor & Delivery team include Jessica Belue, Jamie Schmolke, Keith Elborne, Dawn Fuller, Joshua Best, Samantha Bland, Nikki Gautreaux, Kate Pinkston, Savannah Lewis, and Layni Reynerson.

The Goal: “Healthy Mind, Healthier Body” An Interview with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner LaTosha Williams

By PatriCia StaLLmann

raChaL2743@gmaiL Com

225-721-5534

“Life can be hard,” says LaTosha Williams, “and there are times when you simply have to deal with what is in front of you.

“We want to listen to your story and find a way to help you, because you deserve a plan to lessen your burden. We will focus on a positive approach that is person-centered, an holistic approach that addresses both your mental and physical health, as I believe that when the mind is healthy, the body is even healthier!”

She adds, “And we will address your challenges at a speed that is comfortable for you.”

During an interview on March 18 at West Feliciana Hospital in St. Francisville, Williams—a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner since February 2022—explains that she joined the hospital staff in 2012 “as the registered nurse with the intensive outpatient mental health program.”

A conversation with Behavioral Health’s nurse practitioner reveals a person of containment and peace, and at the same time, an observer who pays her total attention to the person in front of her, encouraging and assisting with a word or a phrase. Though her focus is unwavering, her manner—accepting and non-judgmental—has a calming ef-

fect: She will understand. She will know what to say and what to do.

And though she helps lift the burden from the other person and shares it, the task does not appear to weigh on her. She models facing and dealing with the matter at hand with genuine interest and determination to contribute.

And should a person fail to hear her, she quietly repeats, without judgement, what she knows her listener needs to understand.

Strength and humility find balance in the quietness LaTosha Williams brings to a conversation.

The Present and the Path Williams, now the leader of West Feliciana Hospital’s Behavioral

Health Services, explains her work: “As a behavioral health provider, I diagnose and treat symptoms with medication. I serve as a listening ear, providing coping skills and motivational interviewing.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to LaMartha Elliott, Behavioral Health Services licensed practical nurse, and Crystal Steven, receptionist, for their hard work and dedication in assisting me with providing behavioral health services for the Feliciana community.”

She reports that this fall Catherine “Katy” Schurman, a licensed clinical social worker, will join the behavioral services team.

As for her own pathway to West Feliciana Hospital, Williams explains that she has “always been a caretaker by nature.” She pauses, then recalls the experience, during high school, that inspired her nursing career: the care she provided for her great grandmother, the late Rosie Lee Harbor.

“I love to lend a helping hand and take the load off of others when that is possible. I knew I wanted to be a nurse in 2003, when I was 17.”

Another family member—her aunt, the late Patricia Russell Livings—served as a role model, as she graduated from Southern University School of Nursing, which members of the medical community have long described as “the gold standard in nursing instruction.”

At Glen Oaks Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Williams

LaTosha Williams, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, leads the Behavioral Health Services Intensive Outpatient Program at West Feliciana Hospital. Photograph by Patricia Stallmann

participated in the medical magnet program for certified nursing assistant, later working for four years at Louisiana Guest House, a rehabilitation and assisted living facility, and then at Baton Rouge General Hospital while completing her degree as a registered nurse.

In 2011, she graduated from Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing.

By 2012, she had found her home at West Feliciana Hospital as the registered nurse for the Behavioral Health Services Intensive Outpatient Program, which sees patients with chronic mental illness. The next steps: in 2014, nursing supervisor, and in 2016, director of the intensive outpatient program.

By 2017, she had earned a Master of Science in nursing, with a concentration in nursing education, through the University of Phoenix. At that time, she joined the adjunct faculty at Southern University School of Nursing as a clinical instructor.

At the same time, making a full circle to her own first steps in health care, she began serving as program supervisor for AHEC (Area Health Education Center) in Region II, which includes high schools in West Feliciana, East Feliciana, and Zachary. The AHEC classes, she notes, took place at West Feliciana Hospital.

In January 2022, she earned post-certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from the University of South Alabama after completing 600 hours of clinical practice, 300 at Delhi Community Health Center in Delhi, Louisiana, under the supervision of

several psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, and 300 at Oceans Behavioral Health Hospital in Baton Rouge, under the supervision of Carol Murphy, MD, board certified psychiatrist. Murphy, she notes, serves as clinical director for West Feliciana Hospital’s intensive outpatient program.

Two years later, on January 1, 2024, Williams began leading Behavioral Health Services at St. Francis Cypress Rural Health Clinic, which is part of West Feliciana Hospital.

The Inspiration

In addition to her great grandmother and aunt, those who inspired her to pursue nursing included L’Tanya Russ, “a Southern University nursing school graduate I met when I worked at the Baton Rouge General. When the responsibilities of family, work, and school grew challenging, she motivated me to complete Southern’s nursing program. There was never a moment she wasn’t there when I needed her.

“And Sherry Banks—a boardcertified psychiatric mental health registered nurse, who had earned a Master of Science in nursing—encouraged me to get my master’s. Jill Elias, who earned a master ’s in social work and is a licensed clinical social worker, motivated me to earn post-certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.”

Further, for 12 years, while working in her various roles at the intensive outpatient program in West Feliciana, Williams has served as the nurse for Dr. Murphy, who spends one day a week with

the program in St. Francisville.

“She has always been a mentor and a positive inspiration. While I was a student in nurse practitioner school, I had the pleasure of completing 300 clinical hours under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Murphy, an experience that has been meaningful in my nurse practitioner career. She always reminds me that she is a phone call away.”

Another major and continuing inspiration, Williams notes, is Lee Chastant, West Feliciana Hospital CEO, “who has supported me since I started working here in St. Francisville.

“When I approached him about becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner, his response was that he saw my further training as ‘a great opportunity for the hospital.’

“Mr. Chastant has supported me since I arrived; he is an integral part of my being here. I find his commitment to serving the community in line with what my goal has been. I am very grateful that I work for a facility that understands community needs and desires to fulfill them.”

Her parents, a banker and an educator, have also encouraged her continuing achievement.

And her greatest inspiration: “My husband and children…they have allowed me the time to fulfill my educational and professional goals.”

She also mentions her over-15year membership in a Baton Rouge church, quoting her “favorite Bible verse”:

“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not into your own understanding. In all of your

ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Since joining the Rural Health Clinic,” Williams says, “I have seen children ages 5 and older… as well as adults who are experiencing family and marital issues, work conflict, anxiety, depression, loss and complicated grief, and forgetfulness and changes in memory. We have also worked hard to help our patients lessen the burdens of ineffective coping, anger, phobias, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorders, and psychosis.

“And we see people after their hospitalization for mental health concerns.

“I have seen positive changes in our patients’ lives; I’ve seen a lot of positive outcomes. That is my goal.

“And that is the true inspiration for everything we do at West Feliciana Hospital.”

When mental health professionals treat the entire person, “both mentally and physically,” she repeats, a positive outcome for mental and emotional difficulties is more than possible. That is the ongoing goal of an holistic approach to health care: Improvement. An ongoing series of positive outcomes. A healthy and hopeful “path to wellness.”

Publisher ’s Note : To make an appointment with LaTosha Williams, please call 225-784-6300, option 3. The fax number is 833449-5707. Referrals are not required, and the hospital accepts most Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans.

Who’s Ready for Spring?

Springtime awakens the child in all of us! It brings longer and warmer days with more time to spend outdoors. It also brings seasonal allergies.

At Lane Pediatrics, we are here to help you and your children get the most out of spring. From wellness exams to seasonal allergies and illnesses, we’ve got your springtime wellness covered. Our team is experienced in caring for newborns, toddlers and teens. So enjoy the outdoors and trust Lane Pediatrics to keep your little ones healthy.

Our Services

• Newborn Wellness Checks

• Well-baby Exams

• Developmental Screenings

• Preventative Checkups

• Immunizations

• School & Sports Physicals

• Primary Care Services

• Flu Shots

• On-site Laboratory Testing

Dr. Heintz

Dr. Tijani Dr. Sapkota

EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS CALENDAR EVENTS

EVENTS CALENDAR

May 14, 2024

Please submit calendar notices to: rachal2743@ gmail.com.

NOW: Register for Zachary schools summer camps. 1) ZHS Wrestling: June 17–20, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., ages 6–14, cost, $125 per wrestler; $25 siblings discount. 2) ZHS Baseball: June 10–13, 9 a.m.–noon, 5–14 years old, $120. 3) ZHS Agriculture Camp: July 15–19, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., 5–10 years old, $150. 4) Lady Broncos Volleyball and Basketball: June 10–12, kindergarten–seventh grade, $110 for one or $200 for both. 5) Volleyball: 8 a.m.–11 a.m., Basketball: noon–2 p.m. 6) Cross-country: June 24–27, first–sixth grade, 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m., $100. 7) Boys Basketball: May 27–31, Ages 4–14, 8:30 a.m.–noon, $110. 8) Rollins Place Elementary Arts and Science: July 8–12, completed first to fourth grade, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., $180 by May 2 or $200 after May. Visit zacharyschools.org/summer-camps/ to register.

Tuesday, May 14: “The Art of Storytelling” workshop at the Audubon Regional Library’s Clinton Branch, 11023 Bank Street. The library invites adults 18 and over to discuss memoirs and storytelling at 1 p.m. Listen to others’ stories and find your own voice. Come ready to share your life stories with neighbors and friends. To sign up for one of the eight openings, stop in or call 225-6838753. For more information, visit our webpage at www.audubonregional.net.

Thursday, May 16: “Conversations and a Pair of Teeth” at 6 p. m., Afton Villa Gardens, will “showcase the history of the property as told through actor portrayals of those who have lived there.” Visit devan@visitstfrancisvillela.com, as more information will come soon.

Thursday, May 16: At Zachary Branch Library, 1900 Church Street, teens interested in architecture and engineering can create something cool out of cardboard with Makedo cardboard construction tools. Time: 4 p.m. For more information, call 225658-1840.

Friday, May 17: West Baton Rouge Museum’s May Historical Happy Hour features: Ed Willis and Blues 4 $ale! Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Place: The Juke Joint stage near 6th Street on museum grounds, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. This FREE event is open to the public. Ed Willis is bluesman from New Orleans who has been playing music since he taught himself as a child. Along with bassist Charles Barker and drummer James Clark, Ed formed the band Blues 4 $ale in 2002. They’ve since appeared at the Bay Harbor Festival in Bay St. Louis, the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival in New Orleans, the Voice of the Wetlands, the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival, and regularly at New Orleans venues Vaso, Bamboulas, 21st Amendment, and 20/90, and have toured across the U.S., Europe, Canada, and South America. For more information, visit www.WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.

Friday, May 17: “Evolution of the Revolution” art exhibit. This month’s Historical Happy Hour at West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen, does double duty as an opening for the art exhibit, which will be on display at the museum from May 18 to August 25. This fascinating multi-media installation—presented by the California African American Museum and created by Surreal Box Cinema—features huge, colorful photographs depicting key moments in Black history, and is the product of collaboration between photographers and set designers Lynn Rossi and Nichelle Evans. The exhibit will be open to the public during Historical Happy Hour. Bring blankets, folding chairs, and liquid refreshments of choice to enjoy an outdoor performance by Ed Willis and Blues 4 $ale. For more information, visit www.WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.

Saturday, May 18: Birding at Burden, “a birdwatcher’s dream come true. During a twohour guided tour led by birding specialists through the birding loops at Burden Museum and Gardens, birdwatchers may glimpse northern mockingbirds and ruby-throated hummingbirds, seven different woodpeckers, waterfowl, wading birds, and a variety of resident migratory songbirds. Time: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Place: 4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge. Capacity: 15. Fee: $10. Register at Eventbrite.com.

Sunday, May 19: Cajun Jam with the Cajun French Music Association, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen, led by special guest Shannon Lejeune! Musicians may join in informally to play traditional Louisiana songs. We encourage all who play acoustic instruments (no amps, please), as well as the fiddle, accordion, guitar, washboard, triangle, and double bass, to attend and take part. Refreshments are welcome. This FREE event is open to the public. For more information, visit www.WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.

Monday, May 20: Heirs Property and Succession Planning Informational Meeting. Location: Prevailing Word Christian Center, 6529 LA-1, Innis, Louisiana 70747. Time: 6 p.m. Veteran attorney Jonathan Reynolds will provide an educational presentation on the history and dangers of and solutions to the inherited ownership structure commonly called “Heirs Property.” Pointe Coupee Parish has the second highest unresolved heirs property issues in the state. Having a clear title is the key to qualifying for financial assistance from many government agencies and is necessary to build generational wealth. This event is sponsored by Pointe Coupee United Together in conjunction with Louisiana Appleseed, AARP, and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. For more information, please contact Angela Miller at 502-240-8895.

Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, June 11: Dress Drive. The Slaughter Civic Club asks for donations of formal dresses suitable for bridesmaids, prom, or homecoming. The civic club will sell the dresses at its Back to School Bash, with all proceeds benefitting the Town of Slaughter and community events. Please drop off your dresses from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Delaney at 225-301-5734 or Adele at 225-931-2470.

Third Tuesdays—May 21: 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 225-663-0696.

Friday, May 24, 2024, at 2:30 PM Audubon Regional Library Jackson Branch: Family Movie Day. Pop in at 2:30 p.m. for a family friendly movie. Afterwards, get creative with a craft session perfect for everyone! For more information, please contact your local branch. In Jackson: Jackson Square Plaza, 2637 Highway 10; call 225-634-7408. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/audubonregional.

Saturdays, May 25; June 8 and 22: 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. 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.

Tuesday, May 28, 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, May 29: The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center mobile unit will provide free breast and skin cancer screenings and distribute colorectal cancer screening kits from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Audubon Market, 5452 Live Oak Centre Drive in St. Francisville. To determine eligibility, to make an appointment, or for more information, please call 225-425-8034 or visit marybird.org/services/get-screened.

Friday, May 31, through Saturday, June 1: The Ninth Annual Walker Percy Weekend in St. Francisville presents “Walker Percy and the Speculative South.” Tickets are available at: bontempstix.com/events/the-2024-walkerpercy-weekend-5-31-2024. Guests may attend only lectures and panel discussions or may add, at additional cost, the Progressive Front Porch Bourbon Stroll and the Taste of Louisiana Supper.

ONGOING through May 31: An Exhibition of Recent Work by Lynn Wood at Backwoods Gallery, 11931 Ferdinand Street in St. Francisville. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call gallery owner Joe Savell at 225-721-1736.

REGISTER NOW: Arts for All “Summer Art Camp 2024” with Angel Mcgee, for ages 7 through 14, will take place June 10 through 14. The camp “will teach students lots of great art skills and will offer unique, fun projects: drawing while using many different mediums, portrait sketching, sculpting with a variety of products, watercolor painting, charcoal drawing with a twist, weaving, and MORE! Fee: $150 for the week. Contact Lynn Wood at birdmancoffeeshop@gmail.com to sign up.

ONGOING: SIX Hiking and Biking Trail Locations in the St. Francisville area, dawn until dusk: 1) Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area offers five hiking, biking, and ATV trails. Location: 18 miles north of St. Francisville off Highway 66. 2) Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge offers two hiking and Nature trails and three ATV trails. Location: 7 miles west of St. Francisville off of Creek Road. 3) Mary Ann Brown Preserve offers three hiking trails. Location: 8 miles southeast of St. Francisville off of Highway 965. 4) West Feliciana Parish Sports Park offers one hiking and biking trail. Location: 3 miles north of St. Francisville off of Highway 61. 5) Clark Creek Natural Area (in Mississippi, but close to St. Francisville) offers one hiking trail 25 miles north of St. Francisville off of Ft. Adams Pond Road. 6) Audubon State Historic Site offers one Nature and birding trail 6 miles southeast of St. Francisville off of Highway 965. 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 that trails are open following the April 20 storm. NOW through Friday, May 31: Application Period for Master Gardener Classes, August 1 through November 7 at the West Feliciana Parish Extension Office, 10032 West Feliciana Parkway in St. Francisville. The fee is $200. Master Gardener volunteers receive over 40 hours of horticulture training in botany, plant propagation, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, soils, pesticide safety, lawn care, vegetables, fruits, herbaceous plants, and more! Application forms are available from Horticulturist Jessie Hoover, jhoover@agcenter. lsu.edu or 225-683-3101, or at www.lsuagcenter. com/FelicianaMG.

Saturday, June 1: The Inaugural Feliciana Wildflower Festival in Downtown Clinton (during the Clinton Community Market) and Downtown Jackson and surrounding areas will include education for kids and adults alike, entertainment, food, discussion panels, shopping, and fun activities for kids that include making wildflower crowns. Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taking part: USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Pheasants Forever, East Feliciana 4-H, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Southern University AgCenter, Wisteria Alliance, Maypop Hill, McKowen Farms, H Mercantile, The Green Door at H Mercantile, the Galvez Distillery, and many more educational institutions and businesses. The Wildflower Photography Contest is under way. For more information on the contest or to sponsor the festival or volunteer, please email felicianawildflowerproject@gmail.com. More information can be found at Facebook.com/ felicianawildflowerproject.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY | CLASSIFIEDS

Suit No. P-108989, Section “26”, of the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, has filed a Petition for Authority to Sell Succession Property in order to sell the Estate’s interests in following described immovable property for no less than THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00), pursuant to the cash offer in the same amount from Cecil Graves, or for the highest offer or in the best interests of the Estate, all as subject to approval of the said Court at a hearing set for June 19, 2024 at 9:30 a.m., of the following described property: One (1) certain tract or parcel of land, together with all buildings and improvements thereon and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, situated in SECTIONS 67 AND 68, TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 3 WEST, West Feliciana Parish, State of Louisiana, bounded on the West by Highway 61 Bypass, on the North by Ruiz, on the East by Caspers Creek, and on the South (then) by Rosedown Plantation, containing approximately 48.413 acres, more or less, and being more particularly described according to a map thereof made by Raul S. Gonzalez, C.E. and Surveyor, dated April 10, 1972 and entitled “Map Showing Survey of a 50.29 Acre Tract as Found on the Ground and Located In Sections 67 & 68, T-3-S, R-3-W, St. Helena Meridian, West Feliciana Parish for Theodore G. Solomon” and being a portion of that property acquired by Chapman L. Sanford by Act of Exchange with Theodore G. Solomon, recorded in Conveyance Book 63 at Page 536 of the conveyance records of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

LESS AND EXCEPT:

1. One (1) certain tract or parcel of land, together with all of the improvements situated wholly or partially thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and advantages thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, situated in the Parish of West Feliciana, State of Louisiana, located in Section 68, T3S, R3W, G.L.D., containing approximately 0.473 acre, and being more particularly described in that sale document from Chapman L. Sanford to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the Hwy. 61 Bypass, recorded as Original Document #89746 in Conveyance Book 153 at Page 884 of the conveyance records of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

2. A certain tract or parcel of land, together with all buildings and improvements thereon and all rights, ways, privileges, servitudes and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, situated in Sections 67 & 68, T3S, R3W, GLD, Parish of West Feliciana, State of Louisiana, containing 1.403526 acres, more or less, bounded on the North by, now or formerly, Robert L. Ruiz, on the east and south by the remainder of Tract “B”, and on the west by U. S. Hwy. 61, and being more particularly described as “TRACT C” on a plat of survey by John M. Bankston, Jr., PLS, dated November 6, 2005, entitled “Map Showing The Removal of Tract “C” from Tract “B” of the Mrs. Camilla Bradley Truax and Mrs. Helen Bradley Callicott Property Located in Section 67 & 68, T-3-S, R-3-W, G.L.D., West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana for The Highlands Bank” (now the site of the Investar Bank).

The above-described property of the Estate of Chapman L. Sanford contains approximately 48.413 acres, more or less.

Attorney for Succession: Gregory E Bodin, LBRN 18802 – 450 Laurel Street, 21st Floor, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801 Telephone: 225.381.7000 Facsimile: 225.343.3612 Email: gbodin@bakerdonelson. com