Darlene Denstorff AROUND
Thecircus is coming to town
The Carden International Circus Spectacular is coming to town Saturday and Sunday at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.
For tickets,show times and information, visit visitlasweetspot.com/events/cardeninternational-circus-sept-14-15/ Clearbag rulesatgames
For middle school,freshman, juniorvarsity or varsity football games at local stadiums, only clear purses willbeallowed.
James E. LeBlanc, of the St. Amant Booster Club, announced on his socialmedia last week thatall schools are enforcing the clear-bag-only policy this season.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Mr.America bodybuilder: ‘There’s only onetruth’ TerryRobinson FAITH MATTERS
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
When Ascension Parish opened its first library 64 years ago, it was on Railroad Avenue in Donaldsonville.
Smith
Years removed from his bodybuildingfame as Mr.America in 1987, Pastor Don Smith now puts his full strength into building up the body of Christ “The truth needs to be spoken,” said the 71-year-old Smith, who leads Only One Truth Ministry out of his home in Prairieville. Through the years, Smith has thrived in the spotlight as an actor,appearing in commercials and establishing the clothing line Crazee Wear But sevenyears ago, he started Only One Truth to help open people’seyes, refute false doctrine and preach the truth of Christ.
“There’sonly one truth in the Scriptures,” he said. “There’snot 200 different truths, like we have 200 of what are called Christian denominations in the United States. And the truth is as Jesus said in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.’ Smith previouslyservedas
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Now,after major renovations, thecity’sMississippi Street library has reopened in astate-of-the-art building that Mayor Leroy Sullivancalls “a placewherehistory, knowledge and community con-
Prairieville’s Brody Creel (83) Talan Behrnes (53) and Braylon Williams (24) runonto the field as the Hurricane take the field for their first home game in the historyofthe school on FridayinPrairieville.
STAFF PHOTO BY
MICHAEL JOHNSON
vene.” With musicfromthe John Gray JazzQuartet floating across theair and Louisiana folk artist Alvin Batiste painting various scenes, more than 200 residents sampled everything Saturday from anew collection focusedonAfrican American authorstoa maker space with a3D printer
“This library is morethan just brickand mortar, andasyou can see if youwalk around, it is more
than all of the things that you see in this room,” Sullivan said. “Itisa testamenttothe rich cultural heritage of Donaldsonville and asymbolofour community leaders and thelibrary board’scommitment to learning, progress and unity.”
Upgrades to the library include 2,700 square-feet of additional space, study rooms,anaudiovisual recording studioand virtual reality headsets. In hisspeech, Sullivansaidthe building would
act as abridge between the city’s past and future.
“Our city has been shaped by the courage of those whocame before us from early settlers to civil rightspioneersand theirlegacy that brings us this moment,” he continued. “Today,aswerededicate this space …weare not only celebrating its physical renewal butour real affirmation of our
commitmenttoeducation, to fostering aculture of learning and to preserving our rich heritage for futuregenerations.”
Donaldsonville resident Shirley Brown said she thought the library,and especially themaker space and new technology, was a major improvement.
“I’m 32. When Iwas coming here to the library,wedidn’thave that opportunity.Wedidn’thavethat opportunity to learn how to make cutouts and 3D stuff,” she said. “… If your family couldn’tafford that …you had to go to other parishes.”
Library Board Chair Henry Schexnayder said that, despite challenges, the five-year project wasthe result of hard work from many officials, contractors and board members.
“Weare always trying toget more people to see what we do in our library,and as you can see by the people here today, it’sa lot more than books,” he said. “I would encourage you to bring family and friends here because once somebody goes to the library,they’re coming back, and they enjoy their visits.” He added that more than92,000 people have library cards in Ascension Parish. Last year,more than 340,000 people visited libraries in the parish.
JeannetteJefferson Collection
With the new library comes the JeannetteJefferson collection, named after aBlack Donaldsonville woman. Funded by the Goette family,the collection consists of books by African Americanauthors ranging from fictiontononfiction.
The library’s Jeannette Jefferson collection, named after aBlack Donaldsonville woman, consists of books by African American authors. Book topics include family life, culture, social justice, prejudice and everydaylife, and it’s split into children’s teen and adult.
Members of both the Goette and Jefferson familiesattendedthe ceremony,with people traveling from as far as Italy forthe unveiling. Ann Goette, who lives in Virginia, said it was away forthe family to give backtoher memory
“(Jefferson) lived most of her life under Jim Crow laws,and so she did not in her lifetime get what she deserved,” Goette explained.
“She was smart. She was wellread. She was well-informed. She’d read two newspapers aday,but she lived the life of apoor,Black person in the Deep South.”
Tanya GautierSmith, Jefferson’sgreat-granddaughter,said
that after Jefferson underwent life-threatening surgery at aNew Orleanshospital in 1958, shewas told she wouldn’tbeable to use her legs again.
“From her hospital bed, Jeanette prayed to the patron saint, Saint Jude, promising that if she walked again, she would do agood deed in his name,” Smith said. “Jefferson lived to walk and even to dance again. She also kept her promise to Saint Jude. The Goette family was her good deed.”
Ann Goette said Jefferson showed up at the Goette family’s door one day and promised to cook dinnerfor the family every night,
whichshe diduntil thefamily moved. But even later in life, she made sacrifices to help them.
“My mother got sick, terminal cancer,and Jeanette came back to Donaldsonville. Every morning, she caught the ferry,caught aride with someonewho worked at Shell, and went to our house, stayed there all day,helping to take care of our mother,” she said. “…And then aboutsix or sevenmonths later, my father got sick, she returned, and she did the same thing.”
But Goette added that her family didn’treturn the selflessness. To her,the collection was away of making amendsfor the past.
“One of us lived in Italy.One of us livedinBoston. None of us came to visit her when she was sick, and we didn’tgotoher funeral,” she said. “And so, Ithought,ifthere’s ever,ever any way …Iwould do something to honor Jeanette.”
Carrie Goodall, Ascension Parish Library’sassistant director for collections, said the collection is split into children’s, teen and adult sections.
“It’sall current titles, fresh perspective. And so, some of the themesare family life,culture,history,social justice, prejudice and racism, legacy and contribution, self-empowerment andeveryday life,” she said.“ …There’s an emphasis on the Deep South, but it does extend beyond the South.”
She added that some of the collection has already been in circulationatthe Study Commons at the Hickley M. Waguespack Center,a satellite campus on the southern end of Donaldsonville.
“They have alot of programs for youth over there …some of the kids who live on the other side of town can’tnecessarilymakeit over here,” she said. “…The kids there were asking formore books with kids who look like them in it. And they wanted thebooks that are in this collection to be over there so they could check it out.”
And Donaldsonville resident Lori Templet gave some of the highest praise, saying she was“shocked” by the new building.
“This is the most innovative library in AscensionParish …I’ve been across the river to the libraries and stuff, and there’snothing compared to this one,” she said. “ …I think it’ssoinnovative,and I think it’sabeautiful place.”
Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher.cartwright@ theadvocate.com.
OPEN HOUSEPUBLICMEETING
The John Gray Jazz Quartet welcomed attendees to the rededication ceremony of the Donaldsonville library Saturday.
Duplessis Road Widening (US61– LA 73): StateH.013850 GermanyRoadWidening(US 61 –LA44):State H.013793
ASCENSION PARISH
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TheAscension Parish Government,incoordinationwiththe LouisianaDepartmentofTransportationand Development (LADOTD),isconductinganopenhouse public meetingfor theproposedwideningimprovement projects on Duplessis Road (US61– LA 73)and GermanyRoad(US 61 –LA44)
Thepurpose of this meetingistogiveinformation andobtain inputfrominterestedparties. RepresentativesfromAscension Parish,designconsultants,and LADOTD will be availableto answer questionsand discussissuesrelated to thetwo projects.Various stations will be setuptodisplay informationfor each respective project.
Attendeesmay submitwritten comments at themeeting Comments canalsobemailedtothe AscensionParishGovernmentatthe address shownbelow.Commentsmustbe posted marked by September26, 2024,tobeincludedinthe transcript of this meeting.
Thepublicmeeting will be held on: Thursday,September 12,2024 5:00-7:00PM SugarMillPrimary School 39319Germany Road Prairieville, LA 70769
Should yourequire specialassistancedue to adisabilityto participateinthispublicmeeting,pleasecontact theAscension Parish Government by mail at theaddress beloworby telephone at 225-450-1021atleast five working days priorto themeeting
AscensionParishGovernment Communications Division 615EastWorthey Street Gonzales,LA70737
Outside food and drinksalso will notbe allowed in stadiums
“I’m trying to prevent someoneparking far away and making it all theway to the gate,thenhaving to return to their vehicle,” LeBlanc said.
insurancetopic at Roundtable
Louisiana Deputy Commissioner of Insurance Ron C. Henderson will be the speaker Thursday at the Ascension GOP Roundtable,sponsoredbyAscensionRepublican Women.
The roundtable starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30 in Gonzales AgraduateofSouthernUniversityLaw Center in Baton Rouge as well as Southern University at New Orleans, Hendersonservesasdeputycommissionerwith theOffice of Consumer Advocacy and Diversity for the LouisianaDepartment of Insurance.
He also overseesthe Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which assists over 70,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state. The lunch is $30. Guests can preregister at paypal.me/ARW225. Reservations are requested. A$5room fee will be collected for those not dining. RSVP:(225) 921-5187 or email: ARWrUS@aol.com
Fall seed giveaway Saturday River Road African American Museum
is holding afall seed giveaway and gardencleanupday from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 14. For information, email info@riverroadaam.org.
Drag Brunch raises moneyfor cancer
Help raise money for the American Cancer Society at Boots the House Down Drag Brunch at The Cabin and Courtyard. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday For tickets, tinyurl.com/uf7v9mav
VolunteerAscensionplans masquerade UnveilingHope AMasquerade Gala for a Cause fundraiser starts at 7p.m. Sept 26 at ThePrice LeBlanc PACE Center
Theevening is afundraiser for Volunteer Ascension. Tables and sponsorships on sale. To register,visit https://tinyurl. com/yc3229dr
Mark youcalendar
Oct. 5: Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day,Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
Oct. 12: Fall Market at Chatagnier Family Farm, food, crafts and petting zoo.
Oct. 18-20: Sorrento Lions Club’sBoucherie and Balloon Festival on Airline Highway in Sorrento.
Dec. 7: Christmas Stroll in the Park: Craft vendors, food trucks, photos with Santa andthe Grinch. Duplessis Park.
ContactDarlene Denstorffbyphone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5p.m. Friday
know the truth. They’ve been lied to for so long over various doctrines that’s sending them to hell.”
an associate pastor at another church. After several disagreements with the senior pastor over doctrine, Smith left to found Only One Truth. He said church leaders were deceiving members, allowing them to believe they can live an “unrighteous” lifestyle and still go to heaven.
“They were not blameless. They were not pure. They were not holy.They are not qualified to even be in the position, and Irealized that myself,” he said. “When Icame out of that false church, that really made me feel likethismessage needed to be preached to people in the world. They need to
Smith’sspiritual journey began at age 19 and he was ordained in the ministry at age 22.
“I had such ahunger to study God’sword and tobe close tohim and walk with him,” he said.
About 10 years later, Smith was in Brazil when the Lord impressed upon him about the dangers of false doctrine from various denominations.
“The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Why don’tyou start listening to me and stop listening to them,’” Smith said.
He had planned asolo mission trip to Brazil, but he had to cut it short when God wanted tominister to
him.
“When Igot there, everybody spoke Portuguese, and Icouldn’tfind anybody to help me,” he said. “I realized what Iwas there for.I was there for God to speak to my heart.”
He aims to help others walk in truth and have the kind of loving relationship with God, which he richly enjoys.
“I fell so love with the Lord that He’sall Ithink about night and day.I’m just emphatically in love with him,” Smith said. “I try to teach people how to have that relationship with God.”
For more information on Smith and Only OneTruth, go to www.onlyonetruth.net.
Contact Terry Robinson at terryrobinson622@gmail. com.
to publication.
Prairieville cheerleader Sydney Jacque performs acheer in the second quarter of thegame.
an answer to atrivia question
one day: Who scored the first touchdown in Hurricane history?
Wallace scored in the red zone and the crowd went absolutely nuts. Ihad theprivilegeofwatching the game from the beautiful press box, calling the game for REV with Jeff Porche. Porche is ahistory teacheratPrairieville and talked about how special the schoolwas.
“The kids had their first pep rally today.Itstarted alittle slow, but they really got intoit and showed someschool spirit,” Porche said. “This football team is young in many spots,but they will play hard for the coaching staff. They will be fun to watch.”
Principal Randy Lovingcame uphalftime to talk about what it meanttohave the openinggame in their new stadium.
“This is surreal for sure, the amount of work that my admin-
Prairieville wide receiver Branson
ThriveAcademy in the first quarter
istration team,faculty and staff hasput in is immeasurable,”
Loving said. “Winning in sports as abrand-new 5A program is certainly important, but the real measureofsuccesswill come from the growth of all of our programs.
“Our academic instruction is amonth into theschool year.We
will be getting some data soon for Prairieville High School for the first time ever.How exciting is that?”
As Iwatched the coaching staff on the sideline, thetraining staff, managersand support staff work as one unit, it was clear that this operation is ready for big time football.
The band, cheerleaders and dance teambraved the elements to provide support forthe team, they did it with so much pride and spirit.
The Hurricanes will soon be into district 5-5A play with its parish rivals, St. Amant, Dutchtown and East Ascension. Add in LiveOak, Denham Springs and Walker as well.
Those battles won’tbeeasy for this youngfootball team, but rest assured,the Hurricanes will be ready andnoexcuses will be made.
As theclock hit zero to end the game, Iwatched the crowd come to its feet and applaud the history they just witnessed. The Hurricanes shook hands with Thrive and headed back to their sideline for another first, the alma mater
Everyone stayed standing as the band played and it was like time stood still forthat moment, another first and another memory.
Waking up on Saturday morning, the players will have film to watch, corrections to be made and preparation fortheir next opponent —all firsts forthis group.
The rain did stop as Iwalked to the parking lot. Looking back at the stadium forone last time mademerealize, “you were apart of something special.” Memories were madefor many, what afitting night at Hurricane stadium
Troy LeBoeufcovers sports for theAscensionAdvocate. He canbereached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@ theadvocate.com or on Twitter @ Troyleboeuf.
