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Feliciana Explorer • Tuesday, May 5, 2015 • Vol. 5, No. 18 • Published Weekly • Circulation 17,000 • felicianaexplorer.com • © 2015

EXPLOREREXPLORERFeliciana

Proud to be the Felicianas' only locally owned, managed, and staffed newspaper.

See CURRY on page 2

See SCHOOLS on page 4

Curry Pharmacy is Proud to Call Clinton Home

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“I try to make myself always available to the people of this par-ish, even after hours. Many custom-ers have my cell phone,” Wimberly Gayle, pharmacist and owner of Curry Pharmacy in Clinton, told the Feliciana Explorer. “When my husband Bradley and I made up our minds to buy the business from Mr. Huber, we knew that we were com-mitting our future to the people of the Clinton area.”

“I had worked for Mr. Huber long enough to know what it was like to be a small, hometown phar-macist. It’s not a job or just a busi-ness to operate, but being a home-town pharmacist is all about being available to serve your customers. Local people put their faith and

trust in their pharmacist to help look after their health; to get their prescriptions filled in a timely man-ner and to make sure the right medi-cation goes into their bottle in the right quantity.”

“There have been too many times to count that I have come back to the store after hours to fill a prescription so that a sick baby would have its medicine or for other folks who are sick and have new prescriptions to fill. Usually people who call me af-ter hours start out by saying, “I hate to disturb you, but we really need to get this prescription filled tonight.” My reply is always the same, if you think you need it tonight, I’m here to help you stay healthy.”

“Clinton is my hometown. I Curry Pharmacy is located at 10463 Plank Rd. in Clinton. They are a locally owned small business in the community. Their phone number is 683-8188 for any pharmaceuti-cal needs.

West Feliciana Schools Hire Two New Principals at MeetingSchool System Thanks Community for Outpouring of Support and DonationsBy PatRicia stallman

The April 28 meeting of the West Feliciana School Board be-gan with upbeat introductions, rec-ognitions and presentations.

First, Superintendent Hollis Milton introduced to the Board two new principals for the 2015—2016 school year: Principal Jovanka Ga-nes, West Feliciana Middle School, effective April 22, 2015, and Prin-cipal Andrea Mathis, Bains Lower Elementary, effective May 6, 2015.

CongratsPrincipal Jovanka Ganes: a

family of educators Principal Jovanka Ganes, who

has spent her entire career with West Feliciana schools, is from a family of educators. “My parents always stressed the importance of an education,” Ganes says, noting that both her father, Reginald Ga-nes Sr. (originally of Donaldson-ville, Louisiana), and her mother, Mildred Jackson Ganes (Jackson, Louisiana), taught for the East Fe-

Feliciana Tennis Classic Tournament organizers Miles Higgins, David Grant, Missy Higgins, and Kelly O'Brien presented the West Feliciana Middle School Parent and Teachers organization, The GaP (grandparents and parents), with a check for $9,137.46, saying, “We had no idea it was going to be so big!” The donation was the result of money earned from a tennis tournament presented by Richard's Honda. Principal Jovanka Ganes rose to address the presenters: “We cannot thank our, parents, grandparents, and community enough for their support. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The money will be used to help fund projects for West Feliciana Middle School teachers and students. Photograph by Patricia Stallmanliciana Parish schools until their retirement. Her mentors and role models also include her grandpar-ents.

“Anderson and Cloteal Ganes

of Donaldsonville, my paternal grandparents, sent all of their chil-dren to Southern University in Ba-ton Rouge, and all earned a degree in education. My maternal grand-

parents, Willie and Mamie Jack-son of Jackson, Louisiana, knew the importance of education; how-ever, they could not afford for all of their children to attend college, so they worked extremely hard for the three girls in the family to earn a college degree. They knew that their sons could learn a trade and have successful careers.”

Four of Principal Ganes’ five aunts were teachers (one of the four was assistant principal at Don-aldsonville Elementary School; the fifth aunt was a social worker).

Ganes’ sister, Nina Jones, teach-es fifth grade at Bains Elementary in St. Francisville.

The new principal’s husband, Ricky Chatman, is a social work-er and alternative school director for West Feliciana Parish schools, where her stepson, Ricky II, is a high school student.

Mrs. Ganes attended Jackson Elementary School and gradu-

2 Tuesday, May 5, 2015

DRY’S

CURRY continued from page 1

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grew up here and have lived here all my life except when I went to Pharmacy School in Oxford,” Wim-berly elaborated. (Wimberly didn’t exactly shout out that she went to Ole Miss but I knew what was in Oxford). “I’m Clinton proud. I’m living out the dream I had when I graduated from high school; go to pharmacy school, marry my high school sweetheart and come home and be the hometown pharmacist. I have a genuine interest in every-one’s health in our community.”

Wimberly graduated from the Pharmacy School in Oxford in 1994 as a Registered Pharmacist and returned home. On April 30, 2001, Wimberly and husband Brad-ley bought the pharmacy operation from Mr. Bill Huber that he had started in 1975 on Plank Road, lo-cated just south of the present lo-cation of Curry Pharmacy. Mr. Bill Huber had paid his dues as a young pharmacist under the tutelage of Mr. Curry at his Greensburg Phar-macy.

Curry Pharmacy’s new and im-proved website reads: “We've been serving the communities of East Feliciana Parish and the surround-ing areas since 1975. Our team of pharmacists has over 44 years of experience and our friendly staff will treat you like family. Here at Curry Pharmacy, we are dedicated to providing our customers with services that are customized to meet their needs.

Whether it’s prescription medi-cations or over the counter prod-ucts, we are here to answer any and all of your questions. If you haven't

taken advantage of one of our many services, call or stop by and see us today!”

“We have 22 employees either part-time or full time,” Wimberly explained. “One of our employees, Ms. Bernice Sanders, has been at Curry’s since it opened up in 1975. She is our friendly clerk and also makes fancy bows and other things out of fabric.”

“We have a number of Certified Pharmacy Technicians. A Phar-macy Tech, in addition to a lot of bookwork, has to have 600 hours of work under a Registered Pharma-cist. Then they have to pass a na-tional test. Once they have received their license, each year they must obtain 10 additional hours of con-tinuing education. Our Techs are well trained in how to help fill pre-scriptions and make our customers happy.”

Some of the Pharmacy Techs on staff at Curry Pharmacy either part-time or fulltime include Kris-ten Chasteen, Kelli Gayle, Sunny Brooks, as well as Wimberly and Bradley’s son Austin Gayle. Reg-

istered Pharmacists include Ash Jelks, Justin Prestidge, and Kelli Sterling who comes in on Mon-days from Felixville. Worth noting is the fact that both Ash Jelks, a 2011 graduate of the University of Mississippi, and Justin Prestridge, a 2008 graduate of University of Louisiana – Monroe, earned their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.

“We rotate yearly with McDon-ald Pharmacy in Jackson in filling prescriptions for the prisoners in the parish jail. We work with Gin-ger Hunt’s RKM Primary Care group on their 340-B program. We will soon have a mobile app in op-eration for ordering refills for pre-scriptions,” Gayle said.

Curry Pharmacy also offers Im-munization programs. “We can also offer to package a person’s medi-cine on a day to day basis to bet-ter help them keep up with taking their meds,” Wimberly added. “I’m proud of the machines that we have invested in to help make our opera-tion more effective and efficient.”

Flu Shots and Immunizations, Long Term Care Services, and Pri-vate Consultation are also available at Curry’s. An array of “Over the Counter” products are available such as pain medication, cold & allergy meds, vitamins, and first aid items. In addition to cards and gifts, they also offer a wide array of items including such as cosmetics, school/office supplies, infant care, bath items, greeting cards, candles, and jewelry.

“Of all the things we do here at Curry Pharmacy to help our cus-tomers, one of our most important is that you always get a genuine hometown, we care about you, hel-lo!” Wimberly concluded.

Wimberly and Bradley Gayle

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 3

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SCHOOLS continued from page 1

ated from Jackson High School in 1985. She is a cum laude graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, having earned a Bachelor of Science in 1988. Two years later, during her first two years of teach-ing, she added a Master of Educa-tion and 30 graduate hours, also from Southern. In addition, her certifications include: Educational Leadership, Provisional Second-ary School Principal, Provisional Principal, Guidance Counselor, Counselor in Secondary Schools, Parish or City School Supervisor of Instruction, Supervisor of Stu-dent Teaching, biology and math-ematics.

“Since its opening in 2000, I have worked at West Feliciana Middle School,” the principal says. “I love working with students who are this age. In fact, I taught the parents of many students who now attend West Feliciana Middle and some of the teachers!” Her path at West Feliciana began, however, as a high school mathematics and science teacher from 1988 to 1997. The following year she completed a counseling internship at Bains and Tunica Elementary Schools. From 1998 to 1999, she served as site coordinator for MathLink, a mathematics collaboration be-tween the West Feliciana Parish Schools and Louisiana State Uni-versity in Baton Rouge.

Then, in 2000, “the year the middle school opened its doors,” she served as its counselor. From 2006 to the end of 2014, her role was assistant principal.

And now: middle school prin-cipal, working for the students she

loves.Principal Andrea Mathis: the

first in her familyHer family’s first professional

educator, Principal Andrea Mathis credits her parents, John (original-ly of Clinton, Louisiana) and Cath-erine Smart Branch (of Slaughter) who now reside in Slaughter, for their focus on “a good education for their children.” Mathis, who attended Slaughter Elementary School, is a 1984 graduate of Clin-ton High School. The inspiration for her career choice? “I decided I wanted to make a difference when I observed my friend’s daughter stuttering. I knew then that I want-ed to make a difference in the lives of children. I am an advocate for learning and for ensuring that all children receive a quality educa-tion.”

Mathis earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Southern Univer-sity in May 1999, adding a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision, also from Southern, in 2005.

She sums up her career to this point as “seven years of adminis-trative experience and seven years of hands-on classroom teaching experience.”

As for those who have inspired her, she names “several profes-sional educators with whom I have worked during my career path…to name a few: Mary Nell Domi-nique, Mary Robvais and Berna-dine Simmons…women who have influenced me to become the ad-ministrator I am.” That administra-tor, who “believes in a quality edu-cation for all children,” recognizes that “community partners are our greatest assets” when one consid-ers their contributions to student achievement. She has learned well, she says, “the importance of col-laboration” within “a diverse com-munity” of students, faculty and those community partners, as well as the importance of implement-ing “research-based strategies to

achieve positive and sustained ac-ademic growth.”

Her husband, Leonard Mathis, is employed with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Her son, 15, “is currently enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.”

On the occasion of Superinten-dent Milton’s introduction of her to the School Board, Mathis said, “Thank you for this awesome op-portunity! I am so grateful.”

Teacher and World Explorer Nicole Means

West Feliciana High School Principal James Carroll introduced Social Studies Teacher Nicole, who earned one of only 35 slots nationwide in the 2015 Lindblad Expedition and National Geo-graphic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow program. She has chosen the Gala-pagos Islands as her destination for the summer educational program, which she praised as inclusive, “geared toward teachers of all dis-ciplines and grade levels.”

ThanksTennis Tournament donationFeliciana Tennis Classic Tour-

nament organizers presented the West Feliciana Middle School with a check for well over $9,000, say-ing, “We had no idea it was going to be so big!” Principal Jovanka Ganes rose to address the present-ers: “We cannot thank the parents and grandparents enough for all the projects they support. Thank

you, thank you, thank you!”Rocketkidz Foundation dona-

tionNext were members of Rocket-

kidz Foundation with a donation of $3,000. Susan Hayden and Will Jones presented the check to Coach Rob Odom for the physical educa-tion and athletic departments at West Feliciana High School.

School Board donation to Council on Aging

Giving back to the community, Superintendent Hollis Milton pre-sented a check for $936.99 to the Parish Council on Aging. Faculties and students at each school raised the money for the donation.

Family Service CenterMore giving back to the com-

munity: Milton noted that the Fam-ily Service Center at Bains Lower Elementary School prepared over 100 tax returns at no cost for Par-ish residents.

Entergy donationSuperintendent Milton acknowl-

edged Entergy’s gift of $1,500 for the middle school.

School Board: the salary freeze

Superintendent Milton recom-mended and the Board approved lifting the salary schedule freeze for teachers and staff. Ask the only important question—“What is best for the students?”—Milton said, and clearly top teachers mean a quality education. “Any organiza-tion is as good as the people who work in it,” he said. “If you lose competitiveness, you lose money anyway. If we pay our people what they deserve, our quality will con-tinue to be competitive.”

How competitive? Milton re-minded the Board that in 2014 West Feliciana’s graduation rate rose to 92.3 percent, third in the State. Further, in 2014, 73 percent of West Feliciana graduates went on to college, a rate that was sec-ond in the State. Noting that West Feliciana “tests all kids,” the super-intendent reported that ACT scores “are really beginning to look very, very good.”

The superintendent also re-minded the Board, “This is recruit-ing season. Teacher shortage drives up demand. Top quality folks make the difference of competitiveness.”

Though the decision to lift the freeze does not guarantee a con-tinuation of increases the follow-ing year, this year’s raise, which the first check in September will reflect, will move, from one level to the next, all employees except for 40 who have served over 25 years. In the name of fairness, Mil-ton said, his financial team and he will continue to search for a way to fund those employees as well.

Helen Davis explained that the increases will come from a one-time windfall revenue source and a Louisiana IV Grant.

Principals Andrea Mathis and Jovanka Ganes before their introduction to the West Feli-ciana Parish School Board. Mathis will lead Bains Elementary School, and Ganes, West Feliciana Middle School. Photograph by Patricia Stallman


Continued on Page 6

West Feliciana Library Opens Books on FinancesBy PatRicia stallman

During an April 29 interview, Glen-na Clark Fallin, Director of the West Feliciana Parish Library in St. Fran-cisville since 2011, explained how the construction of the new library in 2014 impacted its finances. In short, the li-brary’s financing is sound. To balance this year’s budget, however, requires a transfer of $60,000 from one library account to another to deal with unan-ticipated expenses associated with the new library. Fallin, therefore, appeared before the Parish Council April 27 to request authorization for the transfer. As one of the Council members said that evening, the number of LAMP ac-counts (Louisiana Asset Management Pool, Inc., accounts through the State of Louisiana) creates confusion for those who are not familiar with library financing.

Regarding next year and subsequent years, Fallin says, “We have always been able to revise our budget within the budget, and I anticipate that will be the case again next year, because we won’t be moving into a new building while continuing to pay rent for the old location, we won’t be setting up a new telephone system and 35 new comput-ers and using professional IT services to do so, we won’t be clearing land to pay for a playground that wasn’t in the budget, we won’t be building a court-yard, and we will know the costs as-sociated with the new building, such as electricity charges, which we have already taken measures to reduce.”

Regarding that playground, Fallin says that the equipment was located east of the new library on the land where the West Feliciana Parish Hos-

pital will build its new facility. The Jane Butterworth playground, which the Women’s Service League donated to the Parish in her memory, needed a new home. The Library Board moved to provide that home and allow the gift to continue engaging and benefitting children.

The history of the new library’s funding and costs

“West Feliciana OKs vote,” No-vember 9, 2011, by James Minton for The Advocate, documents that on November 8, 2011, the “West Felici-ana Parish Police Jury agreed…to call a March 24 bond issue and tax elec-tion for construction of a new parish library.” The Library Board asked voters “to approve issuing $3.5 mil-lion in bonds” to construct and furnish the new building and to landscape its grounds.

“We always knew,” Fallin says,

“that the cost estimate for the library was $4.1 million.” A tape of the No-vember 8 Police Jury meeting substan-tiates her recollection.

Claire Mott, vice president of the Library Board, who was present for the April 29 interview, added, “And we knew that the difference between the bond amount and the estimated total cost would be paid by funds we had saved by being under budget from 2003 to 2011.”

Director Fallin, countering any im-pression to the contrary, says that the library has “always worked within its budget except for costs related to the new building,” costs that the Board and she could not have anticipated. “We’re still under budget for the construction account and, at $3.96 million, we’re under the $4.1 total cost that the Board projected,” she said. “We’re over bud-get on our operating expenses because

we used some of the operating funds to pay construction-related costs. We have the money; it just needs to be transferred to balance the accounts.” The library is asking permission to transfer $60,000, though the projected shortfall is “projected to be $44,859 or even less,” Fallin said.

The costs that the transfer will cov-er include:

--$22,844 for the telephone system and computers, a cost that should have gone through the construction budget. The construction and related compa-nies, Fallin said, “didn’t want 30-day payments; they wanted immediate payment.”

--$19,120 for library landscap-ing. Of that total, $13,000 went to clear out the land to accommodate the Butterworth memorial playground. The Friends of the Library provided $20,000 towards the cost of the court-yard, leaving approximately $6,000 of the $19,120 total to be covered by the transfer of funds.

--$7,499.00 for utilities due to the architect’s underestimate of costs.

--$3,833.0 for professional services (the IT computer technicians).

That total is $44,859.00. The re-quest for transfer was for $60,000.

A community hubDirector Fallin, a librarian and

former lawyer, has focused her back-ground and contacts to create a library that serves everyone, from toddlers to teens, from those applying for employ-ment or government programs to those conducting genealogical research. “The library,” Fallin remarks, “helped and gave assistance to the PBS pro-

West Feliciana Parish Library Director Glenna Clark Fallin stands next to a work by the late Margie Blake, well known also for her stained glass pieces, examples of which also hang at the library. Photograph by Patricia Stallman


The

gram Finding Your Roots hosted by Dr. Henry Gates of Harvard, because one of his guests has a St. Francisville connection.” Like everyone else, she says, she will have to wait to learn the identity of that person.

Young children enter a child-size door to a castle where they can read, watch movies on a giant, drop-down screen, or just play. The Teen Room offers computers for schoolwork, a large screen for movies and video games, and tables for board games, such as chess. The director mentions as an aside that “one manufacturer will visit this summer to donate video games” for the teens.

Along the tour, she credits Pen-nington for a $10,000 grant that will fund supplies for the arts and crafts room. She points out the sewing ma-chine that a library patron donated. “A quilting club meets here too,” she says.

The library includes three meeting rooms with televisions and SKYPE capability, where individuals who tele-commute “can hook up and converse with their employer.” Other uses: a bridge club and a Spanish club meet in one of the rooms.

The Home School Cooperative also meets at the library once a week to provide academic and social activ-ity for home-schooled students.

The library study room provides space where the Veterans Administra-tion counselor meets with veterans.

Even the lobby at the library’s entrance provides space for larger groups; on April 29, 60 people from Bains Lower Elementary gathered there for a teacher appreciation event that the parents had sponsored. Off of the lobby is a room that offers stand-ing room for up to 160 or seating for smaller groups, and off of that room is a kitchen complete with a convection oven, a microwave, a refrigerator and an icemaker.

Her “pride and joy,” Fallin says, pointing out equipment in a corner of the main library, is the microfilm reader, scanner and printer. “It is so advanced that you can scan microfilm by one word, such as, in genealogical research, a family name,” instead of cranking a small wheel to search every recorded line.

A community project“We’re fortunate to live where we

live,” Fallin says, “because the people here are very giving.”

Throughout the library stand or hang the donations of its supporters and patrons. Local artists, including Murrel Butler, Yolanda D’Aquilla and the late Margie Blake, have donated everything from paintings to photo-graphs to stained glass pieces. In the meeting room off the lobby awaits a Yamaha keyboard instrument that can play strings, percussion and even a marimba. The gift, Fallin says, is from Darlene Reaves. That prompts her to mention her hopes for basic music classes for children this summer.

Near the rows of computers in the central room stands a world globe that the Peters family donated in memory of Jeane Peters of the Lake Rose-mound Inn. The computers rest on rectangular tables that Prison Enter-prises created. “We have the largest prison in America,” Fallin notes. The inmates built as well the end panels for bookshelves and the magnificent cir-culation desk just past the lobby.

And of course, the Butterworth playground outside offers physical ac-tivity to balance the academic work.

In St. Francisville, pride is well placed in the library and all it offers, in all those who consider the library their own and contribute to its beauty and versatility, and in the director and the Library Board of Control, who have created this gift out of many gifts.

The new West Feliciana Library. Photograph by Patricia Stallman

Daisy Troop Works on “My Best Self” Patch

Members of Bains Lower Elementary Daisy Troop #10099 met with Layne Langley, LSU AgCenter Area Nutrition Agent, to earn their “My Best Self” Patch. During the presen-tation, the girls learned about the MyPlate food groups and worked in teams to design their own MyPlate, easily creating “balanced” plates. The Daisies also played MyPlate and Exercise SpinZone. They spun a wheel that landed on a food group and had to se-lect a food that was part of that particular food group. They enjoyed the physical activ-ity part, which had had them doing exercises depending on where their spinner landed. After the activities, the Daisies made peanut butter faces with flavored rice cakes, peanut butter, bananas and raisins. For more information about Daisy Troop #10099, contact leaders Anna Pate or Earlisha Whitfield or co-leaders Anita Sadler and Alaina LaCour at Bains Lower Elementary. If you would like more information about nutrition programs conducted by the LSU AgCenter, contact Layne Langley at 225-635-3614.


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Slaughter Elementary and Pre-K Entertain at Grace Rehab Center

Slaughter Elementary Pre-K students recently visited Grace Health & Rehab with a Spring Time performance. Everyone was entertained by the children singing Easter songs. The Residents would like to thank the students, teachers and parents for the refreshments and the gifts made by the children.


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Clinton Marks Confederate Memorial DayBy Beth Dawson

This ceremony took place April 26 in Clinton at the Confederate Cemetery. Master of Ceremony Dewey DeLee of Clinton planned the program, which included his reading aloud General Robert E. Lee’s “Farewell Address” to his army the day after the South’s sur-render to General William Tecum-seh Sherman.

Headquarters, Army of North-ern Virginia, 10th April 1865.

General Order No. 9After four years of arduous ser-

vice marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and re-sources.

I need not tell the survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to the result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valour and devotion could accom-plish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the use-

less sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfac-tion that proceeds from the con-sciousness of duty faithfully per-formed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remem-brance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

— R. E. Lee, General, General Order No. 9

Lee delivered his “Farewell” on April 10, 1865, the day after his sur-render.

After the memorial program in Clinton, DeLee invited all in atten-dance to join him at his home on St. Helena for supper. He had prepared a feast: beef stroganoff, brisket, bar-becue chicken and wild hog with all the trimmings and over a dozen des-serts.

The 10th Louisiana executes a three-round rifle volley. Photograph by Beth Dawson

Wilson Native Jacob Zahorchak Awarded LSU University College’s

Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship

LSU University College presented its annual “Celebration of Excellence” Spring Awards program on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at The Club on Union Square. Univer-sity College awarded $74,000 through 64 undergraduate student scholarships, seven LSU faculty teaching awards, two graduate teaching assistant awards, and one LSU Advisor of the Year Award. Jacob Zahorchak was awarded the LSU University College Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship. Zahorchak, a sophomore majoring in Pre-Mass Communication with an Overall 3.7 GPA, joins an elite group of scholarship recipients. Jacob, son of Russell and Renee Zahorchak, is a home school student from Wilson, LA. The Tiger Athletic Foundation Scholarship is generously provided through the sup-port of the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation. It is awarded to full time students enrolled in University College having completed a minimum of 15 hours of college level work and earned a 3.25 or higher GPA. “Two important components of student retention are the opportunities to reward students for their academic achievements and to recognize outstanding teaching in the classroom. University College is pleased to have generous donors that allow us to offer scholarships to students who have demonstrated a com-mitment to their college studies,” said Paul Ivey, executive director of LSU University College. “Our ‘Celebration of Excellence’ ceremony allows us the opportunity to pub-licly recognize these young scholars.” University College salutes all of these deserving individuals and expresses our gratitude to donors for their continued support. Univer-sity College Scholarship Selection Committee included Erin Anthony, Robert D. Bond, Marvin Borgmeyer, Lonnie J. Dore, Paul Tweedy and Mary Grace Wolcott.


Battling the Rain at Jackson CrossroadsBy Beth dawson and catheRine Bonham Ja-cocks

For 24 years, the Living History As-sociation of Jackson has sponsored the ladies’ tea that takes place in conjunc-tion with the Battle of Jackson Cross-roads historic re-enactment. This year, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, the first day of the two-day event, the Feli-ciana Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsored the tea for the Living History Association.

Catherine Jacocks, who served as chair for the fourth year, says, “In or-der to attend the tea, ladies must come dressed in period costume. They make a lovely gathering, from simple day dresses and straw hats to elaborate gowns and bonnets. I dress as my great-great grandmother, Catherine Stirton Oman, who arrived in 1863 from Edin-burgh, Scotland.”

Beth Dawson, who also contributed to the annual event, reports, “I dressed as my grandmother might have dressed. She was Hannah Jane Bethea from Dil-lon, South Carolina. Her husband, a doctor, walked all the way home from Appomattox” after the War.

The tea took place at Centenary State Historic Site, where Violinist Vanessa Mendel performed Southern period music and Kari House, Admin-istrative Assistant at Port Hudson State Park, taught the ladies how to make their own old-fashioned bath salts us-ing scented oils, spices and herbs. Mendel reports that she played various songs from the Civil War era, the most popular of which was "Ashokan Fare-well" from the PBS series The Civil

War. Jacocks notes that “each lady went home with her choice of scented salts, along with a souvenir Louisiana cook-book donated by Beth Dawson.” Daw-son provided as well the ingredients for the bath salts.

The Living History Association, Dawson says, “paid for the supplies and all the food.”

The group also toured the Centena-ry State Historic Site dormitory wing.

Jacocks prepared and served “an as-sortment of sandwiches: pimento and green olive cheese, cream cheese with black olives and walnuts, and deviled ham egg salad—all like my mother used to make. Also offered were co-conut cookies and miniature coconut muffins baked by Joyce DeLee Hill.” Tea and raspberry lemonade added the finishing touch.

Rafe Stewart, chair of the annual

event, says that although rain drove away some re-enactors and visitors, a good crowd of stalwarts attended the event on Highway 68. Re-enactors playing the roles of Union and Confed-erate soldiers hailed from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Each year, Ethel Baptist Church provides food for purchase to raise the money that funds summer church camp for its young members.

Marty and Ed Ernewein of Jefferson, Louisiana, at-tended the Battle of Jackson Crossroads in period costume. Photograph by Beth Dawson

Confederates charge the hill. Photograph by Beth Dawson

Kari House, Administrative Assistant at Port Hudson State Park, taught the ladies how to make their own bath salts. Photograph by Beth Dawson


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

Baby Boot Camp Launches Summer ProgramBy ashley evans

Blaine Imhoff has always been interested in fitness. She has a Masters in Recreation Therapy. Once she became a mom, she wanted to find a way to be home with her baby as well as bring in an income. She also wanted a good way to stay active and struc-tured. After hearing about Baby Boot Camp, she became inter-ested in the franchise and started taking classes in Baton Rouge. Blaine now has her own franchise of classes in Zachary. She also serves St. Francisville and the Greenwell Springs/Central area.

Baby Boot Camp is an innova-tive stroller fitness program that helps moms regain or enhance pre-pregnancy fitness levels and meet the physical challenges of parent-ing by emphasizing strength train-ing in a supportive environment.

“We offer a challenging work-out that doesn’t require hiring a personal trainer and a babysitter or a gym membership. Baby Boot Camp’s goal is to balance the fit-ness needs of new moms with their desire to spend time with their baby,” says Blaine.

Baby Boot Camp’s most popu-lar stroller fitness class, Strollfit, is a 60-minute class format for mom and baby. Strollfit classes cater to all fitness levels: preg-nant moms, new moms recovering from pregnancy, and conditioned moms with one or two stroller-aged children. To participate in classes, moms must be at least 6 weeks postpartum (8 weeks for a cesarean section) and have re-ceived verbal clearance from their physician to resume physical ex-ercise. Pregnant moms must re-ceive written clearance from their physician twice during their preg-nancy, depending on when they begin attending Baby Boot Camp classes. Blaine herself is expect-ing baby number 2.

“Every class is a total body

workout of strength and cardio intervals ending with abdominal work and a cool down. We interact with our kids during the workout and keep them engaged by sing-ing, counting, blowing bubbles, and reading books.”

Blaine offers Strollfit classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:15-10:15am at Zachary Youth Park with alterna-tive locations announced due to weather. Evening Classes are also offered on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45-6:45pm. Upon sign-ing up for Baby Boot Camp, new members will receive a kit which includes a stroller bag, resistance bands, and all the basic equipment needed to attend classes.

“Don’t’ let the word ‘Baby’ scare you, all ages and moms are welcome and don’t let the words ‘Boot Camp’ intimidate you ei-ther. We work at our own level. With modifications, the workouts can be as challenging as you want them be. It is not a competition.

It is a very supportive group. We also have a group called Stroller Friends which is free to all moms in the area. It is a social network

for moms and playgroup for the kids. Some activities that we have had are an Easter egg hunt and we decorated cookies for Valentine’s Day. I am so thankful for all my clients. I have made some great friends and so has J.P.”

Baby Boot Camp of Zachary, St. Francisville, and Greenwell Springs will celebrate its one year anniversary in August. As the business continues to grow, Blaine hopes to add more classes, such as nutrition classes and stroller yoga.

For the summer, Baby Boot Camp is offering a Teacher’s Spe-cial which is discounted for three months. “I just want to show ap-preciation to our teachers who work so hard all year and would love to have them join us for the summer with their little ones or without,” says Blaine.

The first class is always free. For more information or to regis-ter for a free class, call (225) 939-1615, visit: www.babybootcamp.com, or Facebook: Baby Boot of Zachary, St. Francisville, and Greenwell Springs.

Pictured from left to right is: Lindsey and CJ Treuil, Courtney and Cooper Lormand, Blaine and J.P. Imhoff and Johnan and McKenna Garcia. Not pictured: Brittney Heine, Cassie Treuil, Jana Watson, Lauren Foster, Pamela Moran and Reagan Goza

SEND IN YOUR MILESTONE [email protected]

Elizabeth Fallon Williams of St. Francisville, and Cassen Lou-is Lasyone of Central, will marry Sunday, June 21,2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Magnolia Mound Planta-tion in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The ceremony will be conducted by Minister Joseph Law of Port Hudson Baptist Church.

The bride-elect is the daughter of Richard and Samina Williams of Baton Rouge, and Anita and James Griffey of St. Francisville.

Her fiance’ is the son of Jerry and Susan Lasyone of Central.

He is a heavy equipment op-erator for National Services and is currently a part of the Murphy Canal Reconstruction Project in Harvey, Louisiana.

The couple currently resides in Central, Louisiana.

Williams and Lasyone to wed June 21 Parkman Named Medical Director of FASTLane Urgent CareAllison Parkman, M.D. has been

named Medical Director of FAST-Lane - Urgent Care by Lane Regional Medical Center, located at 19900 Old Scenic Highway in Zachary. Park-man was previously the Supervising Physician at FASTLane.

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Dr. Parkman graduated from the Uni-versity of Chicago, earned her medi-cal degree from Medical College of Ohio, completed her Family Medi-cine residency training at the Baton Rouge General, and completed her Urgent Care Fellowship training at University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio.

She is a board certified Family Medicine Practitioner with more than seven years of Urgent Care and Fam-ily Medicine experience, and she is currently a member of the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Parkman resides in Zachary and enjoys jogging, playing soccer and tennis, and watching football and basketball. She also volunteers as Super-intendent of Christian Education at the Way of Holiness Ministries Pastored by Willard F. Nixon.

“It is a pleasure and a privilege to serve this region and be part of the excellent healthcare team at FASTLane,” says Parkman.


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ClassifiedsPrime multi acre residential homesite in the heart of Zachary. Country living in the City! Ready to build your dream home. Brokered by Monte Real Estate 225-658-1515. Listed at $69,000 with 100% lot financing available through Brandy Westmoreland at Guaranty Bank.For Sale or Rent. 2 BR/2 Full bath. 3151 Quiet Land in Jackson. Call (225) 603-4463.Immediate opening for manufacturing co-ordinator to create work orders, schedule and track production. Exceptional com-puter skills a must. Resumes to [email protected] Home for Sale. 3BR/2BA. $129,900. 100% Loan WAC. Seller to pay up to $5,000 closing cost. Buy pre-construction. Pick your colors. Great starter home! GREAT DEAL! Call (225) 773-3855.2BR/2BA Mobile Home for Rent on private lot. Central School District. $750/month. Security Deposit required. All ap-pliances included. W/D. No Pets allowed. Call (225) 954-0655.Cecil Graves Autoplex looking for Certi-fied Ram/Chrysler/Jeep Service Tech. Fill out application in person at 7245 Hwy 61 north in St. Francisville.Fantastic Sams is looking for fun, ener-getic hair stylists for their Zachary and Central locations. Great opportunity for advancement! Send resumes to [email protected], apply in person at 5810 Main Street in Zachary, or call 225-235-2471 to schedule an appointment.Drivers: Drive The Best. Drive Maver-ick. Dedicated Flatbed Run Now Open – Home Daily!!! Must live within 35-50 mile radius of Hammond, LA & be willing to commute daily. $.39-$.40/mile starting pay. Average $55k plus per year. Home daily & Weekends. Excellent Benefits & Top of the line equipment. Class A CDL, 21 yrs old & 6 months of OTR/Driving Experience Req. 1-800-289-1100 or visit www.drivemaverick.comRoom for Rent in Zachary. Cable, inter-net, and all utilities included. Furnished. No smokers. Call Betty @ (225) 654-9900.Regional Runs Available. Choose the Total Package: Auto Detention Pay after 1HR! Weekends Home! Regular Frequent Home Time, Top Pay Benefits; Monthly Bonuses & More! CDL-A, 6mos Exp. Req’d EEOE/AAP 866-326-2679 www.drive4marten.com19’ DuraCraft Hydrolift center console aluminum boat w/trailer. 115 hp Yamaha motor w/power trim. Great white 24v mo-tor guide. $4,500 firm. 225-266-5297.5th Annual Plant Sale. Saturday, May 9, 8am-2pm. 15424 Beaubois Drive in Zachary. Lilies, Ferns, Bromeliads, and Succulents. All Proceeds benefit American Cancer Society. Great Mother’s Day gifts!GARAGE SALE. Baby boomers retir-ing, downsizing, and moving. 2450 Brush Creek Court in Zachary. Saturday, May 9, 7am-noonDrivers, CDL-A: Home EVERY Week-end! ALL Loaded/Empty Miles Paid! Ded-icated Southeast! Or Walk Away Lease, No Money Down. 1-855-747-6426For Sale: 2003 Ford F350 4x4 XLT 7.3L Diesel. Excellent Condition. Must Sell. $12,800 OBO. 225-772-5296.FOR SALE, Quality commercial pines-traw rolls, and good condition. RxR Cross ties call for price 225-772-5296FOR SALE. 1992 Chevrolet Pickup truck. Cheyenne, 6cyl, A/C, Auto, Cruise, Radio, 152K Miles, New tires, Clean, Runs good. $2,500. neg. Call (225) 287-6668.FOR SALE. Double wide manufactured home. 28 x 48. 3BR/2BA. Located 4 miles south of Zachary. Pantry, laundry room, linen closet. $65,000. Call (225) 341-9756.Cross Creek Cowboy Church. 21160 Plank Rd, Zachary. Sundays 10:30. Come as you are, 225-721-0333. Facebook.com/CrossCreekCowboyChurch.NOW HIRING @ AMERICANA YMCA CERTIFIED LIFEGUARDS, SWIM INSTRUCTORS, AQUATICS SUPERVI-SORS, HEAD SWIM COACH Positions available at other YMCA locations across Baton Rouge area. Apply today! Mini-mum Age 16+. Flex schedules. We can train you! Great opportunity! Nice commercial building for sale or lease in Zachary. Up to 3,600 square feet avail-able now and total building square feet of 8,097. Call 817-789-0985.

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