Flags, fireworksand family
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Arts Council plansvisual artclass
Art instructorDenaOlinde will teach childrento create theirown visual art, including clay building and drawing a pet. The classes are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Arts Council gallery in downtown Denham Springs. No experience necessary.All supplies will be provided. The program, for ages 8-11, is set for July 23-25. Cost is $35 and registration can be completed www.artslivingston.org/ product-page/visual-art.
Paint, collageand stitch
Retired art teacher Kathy Bourgeois will take 10 teens on athree-day art journey with paint, collage and hand stitching. You’ll begin witha stretched canvas,and using these three art techniques, you’llcreate your own masterpiece. No prior skills needed and all supplies included. The art class is from 1p.m to 3p.m. July 16-18 for teens ages 12-19. The fee is $50 and registration can be completed at tinyurl.com/3uxhuccf.
July artexhibit underway
Visit the Arts Council of Livingston Parish Gallery’sJuly art show is on display through July 31.
ä See AROUND, page 2G
ParticipantsinHammond’s Fourth of July celebration in ZemurrayPark
volunteers with the Hammond Knight Pathfinder organization.
Hammond celebrates Independence Day
BY VIC COUVILLION Contributing writer
Hammondcelebrated Independence Daystartingwith the ceremonial raising of ahuge national flag early in the morningand ending with acommunity celebration in Zemurray Park. Games, activities, food booths and afireworks displaywere part of theday’ssalutetothe nation’sbirthday.
choose
world.
Charles Salzer
Walker welcomes 4th volleyball coach in 4years
As the start of the high school volleyball season inches closer, Walker finds itself in the familiar, if unwanted, position of adjusting to anew head coach
The Wildcats will open the fall season with their fourth head coach in four years,five if you count Mina Williams’ stint as interim coach in 2022. The reasons for the coaching carousel are, for the most part, understandable, but there is no denying that Walker would like more stability
Which brings Walker to Jennifer Rivero, aformer head coach at Springfieldwho comes to the Wildcats after a one-year stint of her own at Loranger.Rivero will teach as well as coach at Walker as will her daughter,MollieHebert, a recent SLU graduate who will serve as an assistant coach
“I’vealways treated my program as family and Ithink our outlook is good,” Rivero said last week. “I think both of us coming to Walker showswe’re not just coming here to make aquick stop. We’re comingto stay and make adifference.” From the 2020 season to 2022, Rivero guided Springfield to three consecutive playoff appearances. The best mark came in 2022,when the Bulldogs reachedthe regional roundand finishedwitharecord of 20-19. Before that 2022 season,
ä See SALZER, page 3G
Members of theHammond FireDepartment and veterans of thenation’smilitary services hoistedthe flag early in the morning at thetallflagpole located near HammondSquare Mall. The flag raisingceremonywas sponsoredbythe Hammond-Ponchatoula Sunrise Rotary Club. The club hassponsored the flagraising ceremony for the past eight years.
Anew American flag measuring 20 by 30 feet was raised up the80-foot flagpole to the cheers and clapping of alarge
group gathered around the pole on awarm, muggy morning.
TheRotary Club dedicated theflagpole on July 4, 2016, and it has been alandmark in the area since.
TangipahoaParishPresident Robby Miller offered atribute to the nation’sfounders in remarks justbefore the flag was raised. Miller reminded his audience that despitechallenges to the nation over its almost 250-year existence, the United Statesstill stands as abeacon of hope to residentsaround the
“Because of the great nation thathas been built over all thesemany years people from all over the world wanttocome here. As citizens of the United States we enjoy freedoms that so many others around the world do not enjoy.Weare thankful today for all those who camebefore us starting with the signers of the Declaration of Independenceand passing throughthe years sincethat historic day,” the mayor said. Lalcy Landrum, represent-
ing the Hammond-Ponchatoula Sunrise Rotary Club traced the history of the flag and what it hascometosymbolize to the community. She introduced a group of Cub and Boy Scouts wholed the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. The day’sobservance resumed at 6p.m. when the party started in Zemurray Park. The most popular attraction in the park was the miniature train that has been chugging around
ELLYN COUVILLION
PHOTOSBYVIC COUVILLION
could
from anumber of food itemsbeing soldby
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
elections
The art inspired works for sale include various mediums such as watercolor,acrylic, mixed-media, oil, photography and hand thrown pottery The gallery is open from 10 a.m. until noon Wednesday through Fridayand from 10 a.m. until2 p.m.
Saturday
Campaign announcements
The Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate is publishing candidate prepared announcements forthe Nov. 5
Announcements must include the candidate’s age, political party and education. All announcements must be lessthan 400 words and received by July 19. Acolor photo of the candidate alsoshould be sent as ahighresolution JPG attachment. The statements will be run on a space availablebasis. For moreinformation, call(225) 603-1998.
Pets lookingfor homes
The Denham Springs AnimalShelter is looking for people to foster cats and dogs. The no-kill shelter,at600 Bowman St., Denham Springs, also encour-
ages residents to consider adopting apet; thefee is $60. Morethan200 cats anddogsneed homesorfoster parents. For information on fostering or adopting, call (225) 664-4472.
Farmersmarket
TheFourSeasonsFarmers Market is open from 8a.m. to noon every Saturday at the city parking lotat Hummel Street andRailroad Avenue.Fresh vegetablesand fruits are on sale from vendors.
Send newsand eventsfor Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@theadvocate.com by 4p.m.Friday or call(225) 388-0731.
Community news report
The LivingstonParish Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for Leadership Livingston Class of 2025.
In its 12th year,Leadership Livingston hashad almost 300 community leaders complete the program.
“Weencourage everyone considering this program to apply.Wewelcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and interests within the community.The program is designed to include abroad range of participants,” April Wehrs, Chamberpresident andprogram facilitator,said.
The 10-month program begins with aretreat in August followed by monthly daylong fieldtrips from Septemberthrough Maywhere participants will learn about different aspects of the parish. Theprogram and community projects are highlighted at agraduation ceremony in June.
Aside from hands-on learning experiences, Leadership Livingston also of-
fers participants achance to learn to workinagroup dynamic to make adifference in their community
There have now been more than 30 community projects which have been completed as aresult of the program, from playgrounds to special needssports fields, to Veteransand First Responders tributes, as well as projects benefiting school children.
Thevalue of the projects extends beyondthe project and spills over to the unique learning experience that can only be achieved by working in asetting with varying opinions, ideas, styles, and resources, anewsrelease said.
Participants acquire lifelong knowledge andlearn lessonsthattheydon’t even realizejustfrombeing part of this program. Applicationsfor the program are being accepted through July 16 and can be found on the home page of the Chamber’swebsite www.livingstonparishchamber.org. For more information call (225) 665-8155.
Acafeteriaisunder construction that will serve the students at AlbanyUpper Elementaryand AlbanyLower Elementary.
SCHOOLS
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classroom wingwill have four classrooms and student bathrooms.The costofthe two projects totals $7 million.
n Anew,$4.7 milliongym under construction at Live Oak JuniorHigh on OldLa. 16 in Watson will replace the previous one that was destroyed by firein2022. The new gym will have aregulationbasketball court, bathrooms, team lockers and a concessions area.
French Settlement ElementaryPrincipal Joshua Martin paints the last partof a robot design. In the centerisagame of hopscotch for the studentstoplay.
PHOTOSBYDAVID NORMAND
Volunteer Jillian Martin, left,and
Ahopscotch design was painted inside adolphin stencil design.
Teachers Ovina Forque, left,Laurie Martin, and volunteer Jillian Martin paint on one of the stencil projects June 26.
Walker had Riveroin its sights for ahire that eventually went to Tyler Dixon. Even so, the experience left an impression on Rivero.
“Walker reached out and talked to me about coming over (in 2022),” she said. “I did talk with them but Iliked what we had at Springfield at that point and Ididn’tfeel like it was agood time to make the move. This time it was the right time and I’m really excited about it.”
Renovations to Walker’s volleyball gym has limited the number of workouts Rivero has had with her team, but that will change this week. The team will work out and play in a handful of team camps before the end of the month
It’sall part of an adjustment process for the players and the coaches
“It’sachallenge anywhere when it’syour first year,” Rivero said. “For the seniors, Iknow Iwill be their fourth head coach.
Jennifer Rivero
For the younger players, I wantthem to know when they put timeinto this they’re going to see the same coach again
“We’vespent time with themthissummer and I thinkthey’re buyingin.”
Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports forthe Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer,emaillivingston@ theadvocate.com
Hammond firefighters assisted by armed forces veterans raise a flag at the community’s 80-foot flagpole located near Hammond Square Mall.
FLAGS
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the park on special occasions for about 70 years.
Children were invitedtoexpend some energy in four inflatables available on the grounds.
Following the advice offered by John Adams 248 years ago, festival goers enjoyed the most importanttreat of theday,viewing what Adams called “luminaries” —fireworks that sparkled and boomed in the nighttime sky.The finale to the long day of observances of the nation’sbirthday brought together severalthousand who reveled in the opportunity to enjoy another Fourth of July
Students at SoutheasternLouisiana Universityrecently wonaStudent Production Emmy Award from the National Academy of TelevisionArtsand Sciences Suncoast Chapter The award recognized the liveESPN+ presentation of theSoutheasternvs. LSU Women’s Basketball game in Nov. 17. Chase Gispert, left, servedasthe play-by-playannouncer,while Natalie Kelly was the coloranalyst for the game.
SLUstudentswin Emmy forbasketballbroadcast
Community news report
For the second year in a row,the SoutheasternLouisiana University student staffofthe Southeastern Channel are the recipients of aStudent Production EmmyAward for Best Live Sporting Event by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Suncoast Chapter The award recognizes the production of the live ESPN+ presentation of the Southeastern vs. LSU Women’sBasketball Game on Nov.17, 2023. The game was an unusual midweek matchup between defending national championsLSU and2023Southland champions the Southeastern Lady Lions. The contest featured the return of LSU coach Kim Mulkeyto the court where she played high school basketball, as well as the unannounced absence of NIL star Angel Reese.
Southeastern Channel OperationsManager Steve Zaffuto said all camera
and control room positions were students’ responsibility,aswereall pregame research, producing, and writingtasks that included graphics coordination and production.Featured oncamera talent were also graduate or undergraduate Southeastern students.
Students contributing to the award-winning broadcast from included Kendrick Allen, of Harvey; Eric Brignac, of Gramercy; BoglarkaCsordas, of Hammond; Jules Dormain, of Denham Springs; Mackenzie Fletcher,ofMadisonville; Carson Fryou, of Ponchatoula;Alexis Genovese, of Husser.Alsocontributing were Chase Gispert, of Madisonville;Jermaine Kelly Jr., of Bossier City; Natalie Kelly,ofIndependence; Ian Nicoll, of Mandeville; Emmbre Perry,of Chalmette; Brendon Smith, of Baton Rouge; and Joliette Vincent, of Thibodaux. Zaffuto said, “The level of professionalism evident in thecontest vs LSU would not have been possible with-
LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOAADVOCATE 10291Hwy.190,Walker, LA 70785orP.O.Box 309, Walker,LA70785 (225) 388-0215 PUBLISHEDEVERY WEDNESDAY Onlineatwww.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/ communities/livingston_tangipahoa/
Darlene T. Denstorffddenstorff@theadvocate.com OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998
COMMUNITY NEWS REPORTER Leila Pitchford livingston@theadvocate.com (225)388-0731
or lettersby 4p.m.Friday. EMAIL: livingston@ theadvocate.com FAX: (
615-1166
out the assistance of additional staffers who helped produce the Southeastern vs.Nichollsfootballgame the night before.”
Those students included Lucas Hill, of Baker; Wade Jones, of St. Amant; Daniel McClain, of Independence; and Anuraj Pant, of Hammond.
Bounce houses are apopular activity at the Fourth of Julycelebration held in Hammond’sZemurray Park.
on the hot, muggyevening
PROVIDEDPHOTO
PHOTOSBYVIC COUVILLION
Dakota Mount, from left, Lacy Gomez, Karson Mount, Teegan Gomez and Crystal Countryman, the lemonade vendor,spend time at Lemonade Crew’sbooth where aglass of cold lemonade was awelcome treat
Livingston Parish LibrarywelcomessoundsofDrumLifeperformance
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Community news report
Music lovers of all ages dove into the rhythm of Drum Life, featuring Johannes Quilitz, during Quiltz’stour of the Livingston Parish Library in early June.
Quilitz has been leading interactive drum circles at libraries, schools, festivals, and other venues formore than 15 years. Quilitz entertained hundreds of library visitors during his tour of the system June 5-6. But this wasn’tjust adrumming show —itwas adrumming experience. During the interactive show, attendeesgot to play adrum or a hand-held percussion instrument.
The Drum Life performance was part of the Livingston Parish Library’s2024 Summer Reading Program, which runs through Aug. 4. This year’stheme is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
To view the library’scalendar of events for summer,visit www. mylpl.info/SummerReading.
Shell in Louisiana is shaping thefuture of energy. With morethan 3,000 menand women across the state,weare working everyday to reduceemissions,while increasing efficiency in our operations
Ourtomorrowdepends on what we do today.Together, we are powering progressfor abrighter future. Louisiana is wherewelive and we’reproud to call it home
Quilitz, of Drum Life, standing,performs at theLivingston Parish Library’sAlbany-Spring
6.
TODD Health and Safety Manager SHELL GEISMAR