Early voting for the Nov.5 election runs through Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. until 6p.m.daily excluding Sundays.
Early voting willbeheld at the Oak Grove Community Center in Prairieville, and at the Registrar of Voters offices in Donaldsonville or Gonzales.
Trunk-or-Treat at ARC
The Arc of East Ascension is hosting atrunk-or-treat drive-thru from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,Oct. 23, at its Gonzales center,11122 S East Ascension Complex Blvd., Gonzales. For more information, call (225) 621-2000.
Tanger hostsHalloween fun
Tanger Outlets is hostinga Halloween party from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Friday Ghosts, ghouls, princesses and superheroes are encouraged to put on their favorite costume and come out for treats at Tanger’sHalloween party Earlyvoting continues throughOct.29
Arguably the best rivalry in Louisiana high school football lived up to its billing as St Amant edged East Ascension 17-12 Friday at Spartan Stadium.
St. Amant (4-2,2-1)stayed in the District 5-5A race andEast Ascension (3-3,2-4) dropped its seconddistrictgame Coming into this game, the series was tied at 22 withSt. Amant winning last yearat Spartan Stadium as well. When asked about this rivalry,St. Amant head coach David Oliver hit the nail on the head.
“You never know what you will see in this game, as Itold Coach Matherne of EA, expect crazy things to happen. Nothing surprises me being involved in this game during my time at St. Amant,”Oliver said.
St. Amant came out in orange jerseys for this game, as always, and happily accepted
ä See LEBOEUF, page 5G
After three days of competition, Jacob Mayer and Farrell Kilburn took home the Boucherie and Balloon Festival cracklin-cooking championship
The festival, hosted by the SorrentoLions Club, also featured ajambalaya-cooking contest, which was won by Jared and BrittanyWhite.
In additiontothe cooking contests, the festival included hot air balloons, music, food and games.
ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Booatthe Barn pairsHalloween
BY WENDYLOUP Contributing writer
Mechanical bullrides, apetting zooand pumpkindecorating were afew of themany agriculture-related activities offered Saturday at St.AmantHigh School’s15th annual Boo at the Barn.
The popular yearly event is hosted by thehigh school’sNational FFAOrganization club withsome of the proceeds going to theCatholic Daughters of Holy Rosary’s Thanksgiving food baskets.
Mandy Delaune, agricultural science teacher at St.AmantHigh and an FFAadviser, said theday helps students interact with the community and learn valuable lessons on giving back.
cause St. Amant hasgrown. Butwelike to offer rural activities like horse rides and agriculture-related types of things to do.”
Delaune said the event continues to evolve.
“Each year,weevaluate how we can improve on the event,” Delaune said. “Any time astudent wants to push to higherlevels and feats, we sit and look at how we can make theevent better
“Welike to add unique features each year
This year,weadded ascare houseand amechanical bull.”
The event offered morethan 35 different games andactivities, which areoperated by students. The Boo at theBarnalso featureda Catholic Daughters of HolyRosary bake sale, and adozen vendors offered shopping.
STAFFPHOTOSBYJAVIER GALLEGOS
Dozens dance on the floor as the Justin Cornett Band playsduring the Boucherie Festival at the Sorrento fairgroundsonFriday
Balloon pilotChad Hebert turns on the flames to inflate his hot air balloon as Betty Green looksup during the Boucherie Festivalat the Sorrento fairgrounds.
PHOTO
WENDYLOUP
Continued from page1G
Money made from the Boo at the Barn is dedicated to paying for the event itself and donated to the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary’sThanksgiving food baskets
“Last year we donated $2,000 to provide Thanksgiving meals to St. Amantfamilies,” Delaune said.
She praised the students’ involvementinthe event.
“Students manage various activities to make the Boo at the Barn asuccess,” Delaune said. “Those who like carpentry and welding helped make various tents and booths like the trick-or-treating street cutouts.
“They learned to puttents together.Even if they didn’tserve directlytoday,they’ve played some sort of role. It teaches them howtobeagoodcitizenand the kids love interacting with people. They learn what community service looks like and how to give back.” Debi Graham, with the Catholic Daughters of Holy Rosary, said the organization uses the Boo at the Barn donation to make annual Thanksgiving baskets. Those includeturkey,eggs, bread and sides for St. Amant families in need.
The Catholic Daughtershas provided baked goods forBoo at the Barnfor adecade, Grahamsaid.
St.Amant High School’sBoo at the Barnfeatured atrick-or-treating street withwood houses built by FFAstudents. SophomoreTaylor Graysonwas oneofthe students passing out candy.
The charity also coordinates with area schoolsfor cannedgood donations to add to the Thanksgiving baskets.
“Last year,weprovided 50 baskets,” Graham said. “It really feels like we connect directly with the community by giving the baskets and participating in the Boo at the
and
35 agricultural-related
Barn event. “This is so fantastic for the students and teaches and trains them to do so many things of use. You can see the pride on theirfaces.” Emily Rhoads, ajunior at St. Amant HighSchool,worked with the petting zooand children’s games. “I love working at Boo at the Barn,” Rhoads said.“Ilovethe fall weather,and this event brings alot of people together and it’s just all good things today “Being in FFAgives me asense of responsibility and it’sgreat getting to do some fun things for school while having agood time.”
Nathan Blank, 8, of Gonzales, rides amechanical bull.
PHOTOSBYWENDYLOUP
St. Amant High School’spopular Boo at the Barnannual event was heldSaturday. The dayfeatured more than
games
activities for children.
STAFF PHOTOSBYJAVIER GALLEGOS
Balloon pilots light their burners at the same time on cue during the Boucherie Festivalatthe Sorrento fairgrounds on Friday.
LandryLanglois,7,smiles upon seeing her freshly painted face by artist Patricia LeDoux.
Ally Bhramayana, 7, shoots bubbles from her bubble gun at her grandpa, Joseph Forbes.
Rick Pellissieo dances with Ida LeBlanc, in white, and RubyCointment, in black, during the Boucherie Festival.
Phillip Gullo holds the ropes back as pilot Chad Hebertinflates his with flames alongside Betty Green.
Cracklins vendor Tamil Thackersmiles as she chats with customers
Vendor Jeff ‘Zip’ Mayerportions out cracklins andbags them during theBoucherie Festival
Adewumi Anwajoye places fluorescent light bulbsinboxesduring the Household Hazardous Materials Collection Dayatthe Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
Residentsdispose of oldTV, appliances,tires
BY WENDYLOUP
Contributing writer
Keep Ascension Beautiful, Ascension Parish government and Volunteer Ascension hosted the biannual Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day Oct. 5at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
The popular event helps residents dispose of assorted hazardousmaterials such as paint, tires, televisions, batteries and appliances. Volunteers, businesses and Louisiana state agencies partneredtoproperly collect and dispose of hazardous materials.
AROUND
Continued from page1G
Volunteersdispose of paint Oct. 5during the biannual Ascension Parish
Music, sweet treats and prizes will be available. Parents, show yourTangerApp and your kids will get to choose from some special treats.
NewFallFestplanned
Gonzales is planning itsfirst Fall Fest on Oct. 27 at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center. The event will include music, food,games, pumpkins and arts and crafts. Halloweenatthe WagCenter
The Ascension ParishSheriff’sOffice is hostingits annual Booand the Badge Halloween event from 5p.m.to8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the WagCenter in Donaldsonville To take part or for more information,call (225) 621-8851 or (225) 264-6792.
Trick-or-Treat in Sorrento
Bring the children out to theSorrento Community Center,7471 Main St., from 6p.m. to 8p.m. on Halloween night for games and goodie bags. TheSorrento Volunteer Fire Departmentwillservehot dogs andchips
Drive-thru Halloweenstop
The Galvez-Lake Volunteer Fire Departmentishostinga drive-thru Halloween event from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Oct. 31 at thestation, 16288Joe Sevario Road, Prairieville. Gonzales park closes forrenovations
Kidz Kove Discovery Park,onCornerview Road, will be closed indefinitelyfor
renovations. No reopening date was announced.
Tankproofcollectingdonations
Tankproof, anonprofit providing free swimminglessons and helping those in need,iscollecting donations for the Dec. 7 turkey giveaway set for Dec. 7atMeylan Park in Gonzales.
A$100 donation can purchase four turkeys. To donate, call (225) 939-0931 by Nov 29.
ChristmasCrusade applications open
Theprogram provides Christmas toys for children through age 12. Applications are available at the sheriff’s offices in Gonzales, Donaldsonville and Prairieville. Nov 22 is thedeadline to submit an application. For information,call Sgt. Misty Turner at (225) 621-8827.
Blessing of thegraves
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church is holding blessing of the graves services at 11 a.m. at its cemetery near the church on Oct. 26 and at 12:30 p.m. at the Lake Chapel.
MerryMarketplanned
TheMerry Market is coming Nov.9-10 to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.Morethan 400 boothsare planned for the shopping event. For more information, visit www merrymarket.shop.
Contact Darlene Denstorffbyphone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5p.m. Friday
If you do not mind dentists watching and learning as your dental implants are placed, then you may qualify for significant savings on your implants & dental work.
RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125
Vehicles line up to drop off various hazardous materials.
Household
Tina Sylmon organizes hazardous materials labels.
ThebusinessofHalloween
Ascensiontrunk-or-treatgrows more in fifthyear
BY WENDYLOUP Contributing writer
Pirates, witches and “Toy Story” characters were among the thousandswho wove their way through the mazeoftreatsOct. 12 during fifth annual Small Business Owners of Ascension’s Trunk-or-Treat.
The event brought in 4,108 participants, according to event coordinator Chad Brown.
Nearly 80 Ascension Parish small businesses passed out candy and other items on Cabela’sParkway in Gonzales.
The event also featured a haunted bus, various demonstrations and activities,as well as the Ascension Christian High School marching band’sperformances.
“This was abig turnout even with it being the same day as East Ascension High School’s homecoming (dance) and abig LSU home game,” said Brown, owner of Bearded Events. “People like coming to this one because of the timing before Halloween.”
“This is our fifth year. Each year has gotten bigger and bigger.Westarted this during COVID when there was no place for trick-ortreating.”
During those years, the event set up each trunk-ortreatbooths following the pandemic social distancing rules, Brown said. Brown coordinates the event withthe help of a Facebook group of Ascension Parish small-business owners.
While the children receive candy and other treats, the event is an opportunity for Ascension small businesses to promote their services.
“We love participating,” said St. Amant’sCrystal Vest, ownerofCrafty Shack of Ascension. “We’ve doneit for the past four years.” Vest, whose St. Amant business makes custom T-shirts and offers home crafts, said she signed up for this year’sevent immediately after last year’sevent because business slots fill up fast.
“This trunk-or-treat is the biggest one because the parking is easy,the time for the trunk-or-treat is early during the day,and the advertising is big,” Vest said. Event co-coordinator Jordyn Bercegeay,ofPreferred Loans, credited the event’spopularity to amutually beneficial role.
“This is apopular event because of the treats given out, including not only candy,but also business couponsand other items,”
Bercegeay said. “Thisisa great event for local small businesses. This helps get their namesout andgive information about their ser-
vices offered.” Balloon Creations by Mia Downer Myieshea Dillon’s business, located in Geismar,provides balloon deco-
rations, including columns and garlands.
“I love this community and reaching out and giving back,” Dillon said. “It’s fun
seeingtheir costumes and Halloween is agreat holiday for children to dress up. This event is huge, and during my first year participating, Iwas overwhelmed with howmanychildren came out. It was alot of fun.”
For this year’scostume co nte st, par tic ip ants scanned QR codes or emailed costume photos to enter.Facebook voters will
choose the winner.
Bercegeay said the prize list included goodies from area businesses, including gas and grocery gift cards, membershipsand free meal coupons.
“Coordinating this has been good for us because we aregivingbackand helping the community,” Brown added. “For the kids, it’s afun outletfor them in a safe environment.”
Noah Brignac,7,ofGonzales, receives goodies from ChanningChestovich, 8. Also pictured are AshlynBrignac, left,and HaileyChestovich,owner of Precision Aesthetics.
Balloon Creations by Mia Downer Myieshea Dillon features a‘Beetlejuice’theme at her booth.
Macie Williams, 10, and Lenox Weatherford, 6, both of Gonzales, stand in the sunshine during Saturday’sSmall Business Owners of Ascension’sTrunk-or-Treat.
MatthewTortorich, left, Jordyn Bercegeay, both with Preferred Loans, and Bearded Events owner Chad Brown are part of Saturday’sSmallBusiness Owners of Ascension’sTrunk-orTreat in Gonzales. Brown was the coordinator of the event, along with co-coordinator Bercegeay.
Gators,Spartanscelebrate rivalryweek
The hype was real last week during rivalry week in the anticipation of the football game between East Ascension Spartans and St. Amant Gators.
In St. Amant, who won the Friday night football game, the school was coveredin orange—that’shunter’sorange as they hunt for Spartans. The Gators wonthe annual golf tournament that raisesmoney for the two schools and was victorious in the freshman and junior varsity games. Across Airline Highway at East Ascension, the Spartans held Gator Hater games during each lunch shift and had the PreGame pep rally Oct. 17 with food, competitions and fireworks Studentsalso took part in a ‘gator hunt’ Friday morning, which turned the hallways in aswamp where students could find gator toys. Another pep rallywas held Friday at the end of the school day.
the 15-yard penalty for an illegal uniform.
The Gators took the ball first and quarterback Cooper Babin hit wide receiver Timothy Johnsonona 77yard pass. Johnson was knocked out at the 3-yard line, and two plays later, running back Tyree Williams scored to make it 7-0 Gators.
East Ascension fumbled on their first offensive play and Williams added his second touchdown and a14-0 lead for the Gatorsbefore some of the fans settled in their seats at apacked Spartan Stadium.
East Ascension would score right before the half when quarterback Cade Gautreaux found slot receiver Jason Blackburn for atouchdown. The Spartans went for two afteranoffsides penalty by the Gators but were stopped. St. Amant led 14-6 at the half.
The second half was a defensive struggle with some turnovers sprinkled in by both teams. St. Amant took a17-6 lead on a27-yard field goal by Jace Fierro in the fourth quarter.East Ascension responded with atouchdown catch from Gautreaux to wide receiver Justin Oubre. The two-point conversion was no good and the score stood at 17-12.
The Spartans got agift when St. Amant fumbled at its own 22-yard line setting up late drama. The St. Amant defense was able to getastop on fourth down as Gautreaux’spasswas incomplete in the end zone.
The Gator defense played outstanding, and coach Oliver was certainly proud of that unit. “Weleaned on our defense tonight, our offense had some turnovers, and our defense was able to stop them in crucial moments,” Oliver said.
Babin continued his outstanding play this season with his arm and legs, including acrucialthirddown conversion on a scramble and completion
“Wetrust Cooper Babinto make good decisions with
John 0
n East Iberville 33, Ascension Christian 8
WEEK 8SCHEDULE
Thursday n Prairieville hosts Denham Springs
n Ascension Catholic hosts North Iberville
Friday
n East Ascension hosts Teurlings Catholic n St. Amant hosts Live Oak
n Dutchtown at Walker
n Donaldsonville host St. James n Ascension Christian at White Castle
MIDDLESCHOOL SCORES,STANDINGS
n Central 12, Dutchtown 7
theball, hehas played well this season, you see him maturing,”Oliver said
The Gators will host Live Oak at the Pit, while East Ascension will step out of district play and face TeurlingsCatholic, who is undefeated,at home. After aweek of friendly competition between the two schools, both fan bases can catch their breath for at least 360 days.
WEEK 7SCORES
n St. Amant17, East Ascension12
n Dutchtown 27, Denham Springs 13
n *The Griffins move to 6-0 and3-0 in district play
n LiveOak 39, Prairieville 3
n East Feliciana 28, Donaldsonville 14 n Ascension Catholic53, St
n Bluff 22, Lowery 6
n Gonzales 30, St. Amant 0
n Galvez 26, Lake20, in 2OT’s
n Galvez 6-0, Prairieville 5-0
n Gonzales 3-2 n Lake2-3
PROVIDEDPHOTO
Ascension student Aubrey Weeden pumps up thecrowd during apep rally
PROVIDED PHOTO
St. Amant High students prepare signs to decorate the school’shalls during rivalryweek.
St.Amant Homecoming courtannounced
It’sHomecoming week for St. Amant High.
Aparade is setfor Thursday, with apep rally at ThePit.
The queen and court will be presented duringhalftimeof the football game.
The court includes Alexa Foster,Asia Williams, Faith Bateman, JuliaHaddon, Patricia Wilson, Sarah Gonzales, BellaBabin, Addison Robert, Camryn Accardo, Kaylee Broussard, AvaVicknair,Jillian Martin and Claire Clouatre.
ShellinLouisiana is shapingthe future of energy. With thousands of Shellmen andwomen across thestate,weare workingevery daytoreduce
The St. Amant High Homecoming court, standing from left, includes Camryn Accardo, Kaylee Broussard and AvaVicknair; and seating,Jillian Martinand Claire Couatre.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY TIM BABIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Named to the St. Amant High Homecoming court, standing from left, are Patricia Wilson and Sarah Gonzales; andseated, Bella Babin and AddisonRobert.
The St. Amant High Homecoming court, standing from left, includes Alexa Foster and Asia Williams;and seated, Faith Bateman and Julia Haddon.
