In acontinuing effort to upgrade Walker’swater system, the Walker City Council on Oct,14unanimously approved an ordinance that
clears theway forthe issuance of a$1.25 million loan that will fund improvements to one of thecity’s wells to treat aproblem with what is termed, “brown water.” In asking council approval for the loan,Chief of OperationsJa-
mie Etheridge said with the funds will be usedtotreat manganese withoutthe use of expensive water treatment chemicals. The manganese is not ahealth threat but does cause the discoloring in thewater Etheridge said the loan,specified
as aTaxable Excess Revenue Bond Issuance, will be retired through funds from the Louisiana Department of Health Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund. The loan will be forgiven withfunds from thestate’sfinancial assistance with
improving water quality
The city has been addressing problems with the brown water over the past several years and through funding fromvarious
See WALKER, page 2G
Darlene Denstorff
AROUND LIVINGSTON
Earlyvoting runs through Oct. 29
Early voting for the Nov.5 election ends Oct. 29. Voters can cast ballots through Oct. 29, excludingSundays,from 8:30a.m. to 6p.m In Livingston Parish, voters can go to 20400 Government Blvd., Livingston, (225) 6863054, or Denham Springs/Walker library branch, 8101 U.S. Highway 190, Denham Springs, wheredaysare limited.
DestinationSoutheastern
Interested in attending Southeastern Louisiana University?
Destination Southeastern is aprogram Oct. 29 at Southeastern Livingston Parishin Walker
The evening dedicated to sharing information with students and their families about everything SLU has to offer
The event, set from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will provide an overview of the campus, admissions policy,financial aid and scholarships.
To register,visit admissions. southeastern.edu/register/destinationslu.
BowWow Ween planned
Rescue, Rehome, Repeat animal rescue group is hosting Bow WowWeen fordogs from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Oct. 27 at 9360 Florida Blvd., Suite B, Walker
The event will feature adog costume contest at 1p.m. and achildren’scostume contest at 1:45 for children12years old and younger The Baton Rouge Corvette Club will host amini car show and craft vendors will sell their wares.
LibrarytoholdTrunk-or-Treat
Make the Livingston Parish Library one of your safe trickor-treating stops this year
The Library will host its Trunk-or-Treat from 6p.m 8p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Main Branch in Livingston, 20390 Iowa Street.
Show up in your costume, but don’t be afraid. Things won’t be too spooky at this all-ages, family-friendly stop.
Pumpkinpatch opens
St. Francis Episcopal Church is hosting apumpkin patch through Nov.2at726 Maple St., Denham Springs.
Stop by from 10 a.m. to 6p.m Monday through Friday,9a.m to 6p.m. Saturday and noon to 6p.m. on Sunday
Halloweenlight show in Amite
Take aride through aFree Holiday Light Show ThursdaySunday until Halloween night Full drive-thru Halloween show. Family-friendly,nogore, just mildly spooky.Lights interact with music received through your car radioon FM 100.9. The show is at 62127 La.1054, Amite. The show is from 5p.m to 10 p.m. Will be closed Oct 26. Halloweenparty Livingston Parish FireProtectionDistrict 9ishosting a fun event for children from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Oct. 31 at
ä See AROUND, page 3G
SoutheasternLouisiana University’s cheerleaders lead around of cheers as part of Railroad Roar,a celebration saluting homecoming week. Railroad Roar,held in Hammond’s downtown Railroad Park, wasone of several events surrounding the homecoming week of Oct.14-19 on and off the campus. The event was also putthe spotlight on the coming year-long celebration marking Southeastern’s100th anniversary.
RIP-ROARING GOOD TIME
and greet
visiting Railroad Roar,a celebration of homecoming week at SoutheasternLouisiana University
Railroad Park.
SLUhomecoming kicksoff with RailroadRoar
BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
Alumni and friends of Southeastern Louisiana University gathered in Hammond’s DowntownRailroad Park on Oct. 15 for Railroad Roar,asalute to the university’s Homecoming week, which wasobserved Oct. 14-19.
The party featured live music, cheering forthe Lions’ athletic teams, games and an opportunity to celebrate the bonds that the university and the city share.
Railroad Roar,acommunity gathering that paid tribute to the “roar,” of Southeastern’smascot, Roomie the Lion, was jointly sponsored by the SLU Alumni Association, the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce and the HammondDowntown Development District.
The event drew acrowdofsupporters forthe university,aninstitution that will observe its 100th anniversary throughout 2025. The university wasfounded as HammondJunior College in the fall of 1925 with only afew students. It has growninto a university that now counts about 14,000 or morestudents ayear The Open Range Band provided musical
ä See ROARING, page 2G
TEAMSBRING ALITTLEHEAT, ALITTLESPICE
Denham Springs Main Street holds its firstchili cook-off
Chili reigned as king Saturday at thefirst Denham Springs Main Street Chili Cook-off.
The competition featured 20 teams.
The team of Shawn Bradyand Steve Bernard took home first place, and the Larry Gill family team was second.
The Krewe of Bras Moi Chu, withAmy Bennett as head cook, along with John DuPont and Kurt Ardoin was third.
The Tasters’ Choiceaward went to Trey Miller withTnC Creations.
ä More photos from theevent. PAGE 3G
Hammond Police Chief Ed Bergeron takes the time to meet
young Ellie Goelz and Tori Robillard whowere
The Oct. 15 event was held in Hammond’s
PHOTOSBYVIC COUVILLION
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
MaryMadrigal, left, gives her husband,Juan Madrigal, ataste of chili during the
firstHot &SpicyDenham Springs Main Street Chili Cook-off Saturday. Twenty teams competed in thechili cook-off.
SLUnames Alumnusofthe Year
Community news report
Nationally recognized lawyer,negotiator and legal strategist Calvin C. Fayard Jr.has been selected as the Southeastern Louisiana UniversityAlumni Association 2024 Alumnus of the Year
A1965 graduate of Southeastern, Fayard will be honoredatthe Alumni Association’sannual awards evening Oct. 18 during Homecoming Week.
“An Alumnus of the Year is someonewho not only
embodies the core values of Lion pride, excellence, caring, andservice, but also goesabove and beyond in their commitment to making adifference,”saidVice President of UniversityAdvancement WendyLauderdale. “This year’srecipient, Calvin Fayard, exemplifies these qualities in everyway His unwavering dedication to Southeastern is unparalleled.”
“Calvin has not onlybeen asteadfast supporter,but has also played apivotal role in shaping the future
of ourinstitution. His generosity,vision, and leadership havepaved the way for countless students to achieve their dreams,” Lauderdale said. “The transformational opportunities he has created are atestament to his belief in thepower of education and his desire to leave alasting legacy.Calvin Fayard’s impact on our community will be felt for generations to come, and we are profoundly grateful for his contributions.”
Anative of Springfield, Fayard is anationally
known trial attorney,know for hisnegotiation and settlement skills. He majored in agronomy while at Southeastern, went on to graduate from LSU Law School in 1969, served in the Louisiana Air National Guard until 1974, and also served as an elected delegate to the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention.
In addition to practicing law,Fayard serves the U.S. Diplomatic Consular Corps as Honorary Consul to the Principality of Monaco for Louisiana, Mississippi and
Alabama. He is also recognized for his support of educational and community causes, particularly in the parishes of Livingston, Tangipahoa and Orleans. Fayard was instrumental in the return of footballto Southeastern in 2003 and the opening of the Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center in 2005, served as president of the Southeastern Alumni Association in 1979, and was the recipient of the Golden Ambassador Award in 2000. Fayard Hall, located in the center of campus, is named in honor of his late mother and father
TheUniversity RV,a newcustom-built recreational vehicle donated to SoutheasternLouisiana University wasondisplayatRailroad Roar,partofahomecoming week celebration in Hammond’sRailroad Park.Friends and alumni of the university were afforded the opportunitytotour theRV, avehicle that will be used for recruiting, merchandizing the UniversityBookstore, and otheroutreach endeavors.
ROARING
Continued frompage1G
entertainment throughout Railroad Roar.Southeastern cheerleaders led chants and cheers for the university’sathletic teams. Visitors were invited to explore the University RV,acustom-built recreationalvehicle that will be used for multiple university endeavors.
SoutheasternLouisiana University President William Wainwright, second from left, wasbusily engagedwith meeting the manyvisitorsattending Railroad Roar,one of theeventsthat were part of homecoming week at the university.With Wainwright were Yazmyn Smith, left, D’AaryStimage, and Dean Morgan and Connie Davis, staff members atSoutheastern.
WALKER
Continued from page1G
state andfederal agencies hasbeenable to steadily improve the city’s watersupply City policies changed
At the same meeting, thecouncil changed its standard operating procedure for disaster pay for nonexempt employees by awarding extra pay at arate of 1.5 times the employee’shourly rate during emergencies.
Etheridge said the increased paywill be awarded to an employee called to duty during an officially declared emergency He explained that all employees willbe notifiedwhen an emergency has been of-
ficially declared.The start date and time of theemergency period will be shared with the employees, he added.
“We owe it to our workers to adequately compensate them when they are called out at times of emergencies. Our workersrespond inemergencies not matterthe time of day or night or weather conditions and we owe it to them to reward them for their willingness to work when called upon to do so,” he said.
The council also approved changes to the city’s Employee Handbook as it pertains to funeral and bereavement leave time.
Under theupdated policy,employees may be granted two days of bereavement leave with pay in the event of the death of an immediate family member or their spouse’s immediate family member
Also newinthe policy is aprovision that
Tamara Danel and her granddaughters, Hadley and SofiaBrock, are wearing SoutheasternLouisiana University colors as theytakeabreak from participating in Railroad Road, heldinHammond’s Railroad Park as partofHomecoming week at the university.Danel, an SLU alumna, was active in the Student Government Association during her undergraduate years.
allows employees four hours of bereavement leave with pay to attend the funeral of a fellow regular employee or retireeofthe city,provided that such absencefrom duty will not interfere with normaloperations.
Christmasparadecanceled
Following the resolution of agendaitems, Mayor Jimmy Watson announced that Walker will not hold aChristmas Parade this year.Hesaidthat with the manner in which Walker’smainthoroughfares are laid out, parades are problematic because major routes have to closed.
In place of aparade, anumber of holiday events have been scheduled for Sidney Hutchinson Park,the city’s main recreation venue. The first such eventwill be achildren’sparade and Christmas in the Park celebration from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. on
Dec. 7. He said the paradewill be a“whimsical event featuring battery-powered vehicles, wagons andgolfcarts parading along the park’sscenic walking trail followedbyvisits with Mr.and Mrs. Claus and other activities.”
On Dec. 14 from 4to6 p.m. ameet-andgreet with the Grinch and the Whoville cast will be at the amphitheater and the “Grinch” movie will be shown. Concessions will be available. Finally,onDec. 21, acelebrationhonoringthe “true essence of Christmas,” with alive Nativity scene at the Community Center will be held from 2to4 p.m. Christmas caroling led by local churches will follow He said that more details will be shared as theprogramsdevelop.Council member Scarlett Major said that the city will again sponsor ahome decorating contest.
Calvin Fayard
PHOTOSBYVIC COUVILLION
SLUContemporaryart galleryexhibitsworks by Liga Spunde
Community news report
Southeastern Louisiana University’sContemporaryArt Gallery is presenting asolo exhibition by Latvian artist Liga Spunde titled “Episodes about not Knowing.”
Curated by Maija Rudovska, the exhibition is open throughNov.13.
The exhibition features aLatvian character,among other characters, and emphasizes the lack of stability behind thecurrent conditions in which we live,said Contemporary GalleryDirector Cristina Molina. The sometimes clichéd nature of the characters, created by Spunde, symbolizes a collective stateofmind in times of uncertainty,where we tend to fall back on archetypes, often adopting clichéd thoughts and feelings, she said.
“Liga Spunde makes multimedia installationswherepersonalnarratives are closely intertwined with carefully constructed fictions. The interpretation and use of recognizablecharacters serves as an extension of herpersonal experiences, while tappinginto general truths and accepted tropes,” Molinasaid “Usually,the content of the work determines the physical form of the conception, so avarietyof media, techniques and materialsare usedinher unique installations.”
Spunde has participatedinvarious solo and group exhibitionsand art projects internationally at the
will be open throughNov.13.
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea, andInternational Studio & Curatorial Program, New York. Rudovska is acurator, art critic andeducator.She holdsanM.A. in art history from the ArtAcademy
of Latvia in 2009 and has completed postgraduate studies in curating fromCuratorlab in the Konstfack University College of Arts, Craftsand Design,Stockholm, Sweden.Currently she is aPh.D. student at the Estonian Academy
of Arts,Tallinn, Estonia. Additional programsare planned at the gallery in conjunction with the exhibition. Anne-Liese Fox and Spunde will present character building through writing and movement Oct. 24, at 11 a.m., and
RobertsJansons will presenttexture and pattern making Nov.1,at 9a.m.
Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 8a.m. until5 p.m.,and Friday from 8a.m until 12 p.m
AROUND
Continued from page1G
Manny’sBar,19706 La. 22, Maurepas.
Bring your cars, trucks or tents and help the MaurepasFire Department and Manny’screate afun evening forchildren. Veterans DayCar Show set
First Baptist Church in Livingston is hosting its second FBC Livingston Veterans Day Car Show Nov.9 Jambalaya, hamburgers, hot dogs and concessions will be sold and games and inflatables will be available for children. Preregistra-
tion is $25 through Nov. 7 and $30 theday of theshow Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. For information, visit fbclivingstonla.churchcenter.com/calendar/ event/168686185.
Veterans Dayprogram Veterans wishing to take part in Denham Springs High’sVeteransDay program are invited to register by Nov.3byemailing. jeri. frazier@lpsb.org.
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishestolivingston@ theadvocate.com by 4p.m Friday or call (225) 3880731.
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOAADVOCATE 10291Hwy.190,Walker, LA 70785orP.O.Box 309, Walker,LA70785 (225) 388-0215
DarleneT.Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998 DISPLAYADVERTISING JUSTIN LEWIS CELL:(504) 615-1166 Justin.lewis@theadvocate.com M–F,8 A.M.–5 P.M. DEADLINE: 5p.m.Fridayprior to publication.
Comprehensive Parenthood Support: From conception(includinginfertility andadoptionoptions)to early childhood stages (daycare, preschool, etc.), andvital topics in between, such as maternityphotography,managingpostpartum depression andanxiety, pelvic therapy, andgrief andloss services.
EducationalSessions: Participateinsessionsonvital topics forchild developmentand effectiveparenting,tailoredtosupport youthrough everystage of your journey. Topics that will be discussed will be:
• Your Birth Outcomes presentedby AmyLinn, APRN,CNM
• PostpartumDepression presentedby Dwan Mabry, MD
• Inductions: Why, When,and What to Expect presentedby KaylaBurkhardt,MD and Amanda Deadmond, MD
PROVIDED IMAAGE
SoutheasternLouisiana University’s ContemporaryArt Galleryispresenting asoloexhibitionbyLatvian artist Liga Spunde titled ‘Episodes about not Knowing.’ Curated by Maija Rudovska, the exhibition
tant and Gonzales native JovinWebb yDenham Springs Main Street Chili with Webb
PHOTO
Elliot Crosby, front right, and his wife, Taylor Crosby, chili to their kidsJames Crosby, 2and Alice Crosb
South of 16 chili team member Rick Harvey stirs apot of chili during the first Hot &Spicy Denham Springs Main Street Chili Cook-off on Saturday.
The Livingston ParishLibraryispartnering with Family Resource Group to make sure area children havewarmsocks this winter Held everyyearduringthe holidayseason,the Sock It to Me! Holiday Sock Drive takes place in the Greater Baton Rouge area, includingEast Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, Pointe Coupee, Iberville andWest BatonRouge parishes, anews release said. Socks are the most requested itemat homeless shelters, accordingtoFamily Resource Group.
WVFC makes SAFE donations
Community news report
Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Communitymet Oct 2atthe BBQ Station Restaurant in Independence.
Hostesses for the meetingwere
Maureen Felder,Sue Nelson and Susan Melancon. Followingthe business part of the meeting, members put individually written cards and personal hygieneitems into gift bags, which weredelivered to Southeast Advocates for FamilyEmpowerment in Hammond by WVFC secretary Gloria Messenger,and members, Julie Desselles and Sharon Miano.
The mission of SAFEistopromote social change by providing services that empower battered and abused individuals and their dependent childrentoachieve safe,violent-free lives, anews releasesaid.
WVFC is one of two groupsin the parish wide organization, Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community.The other group is The Sunshine Ladies. TVFC is affiliated with the statewideorganization, LouisianaVolunteers for Family and Community.Tangipahoaisone of 14 parishes that belong to LVFC. Tangipahoa Volunteersfor Family &Communityisthe allvolunteerarm of the LSU Ag Center Extension Service. For more information about TVFC, contact Nelson, at suenelson41@yahoo.com or Messenger at ggmessenger1@gmail.com
“TheSock It To Me! Sock Drive is an easy andimpactful wayfor thecommunity to cometogether and help those in need,” Family Resource Groupsaidina statement. “With the ongoing support of local businesses, schools, churches, libraries, universities and civic organizations, we collect thousands of pairs of sockstodistribute to childrenand adults facing hardship.”
This year’ssock drive runs through Dec. 6. The 2024 goal is to collect 50,000 pairs of socks.
To ensure donations stay in theLivingston Parish community, all sockscollected by the LivingstonParish Library will be do-
nated to TheFamily Village,aLivingston Parish-based nonprofitorganization.
Foundedin2018, TheFamilyVillage provides necessities to children who have been separated from their homesinatraumaticevent.The itemsare provided free of chargetochildrenofall ages, ranging from newborns to teenagers andyoung adults.
On average, TheFamily Village serves more than five children per day
“At The Family Village, our missionisto provide essential supportand resources to childreninneedwithinour community,ensuring they have thenecessitiestothrive,”
The Family Village states on its website. “Weserve children in foster care, those at
risk of entering fostercare, and those who have experienced traumaticeventssuch as naturaldisasters, domestic violence or the loss of aparent.
“Throughour comprehensive case management and our boutique-style clothing closet offering everythingfrombedsand bedding to clothing, formula,and diapers, we strive to meet theindividualneeds of each child.”
More informationonThe Family Village can be found at www.tfvwalker.org. Visit any branch of the Livingston Parish Library during normal business hours to donate new, unused pairs of socks in any size
Powering Progress
Louisiana is at the forefront of Shell’s energyevolution.
“For nearly acentury, theU.S. Gulf Coasthas been centraltoShell’s business and theU.S. energy supply. By investinginour Louisiana assets,we arelowering emissions and supplying thenextgeneration of energy.”
EMMALEWIS
Shell Senior Vice President U.S. Chemicals&Products
ShellinLouisiana is shapingthe future of energy. With thousands of Shellmen andwomen across thestate,weare workingevery daytoreduce emissions,while increasing efficiency in our operations
Our tomorrowdepends on whatwedotoday. Together,weare powering progress fora brighterfuture. Louisiana is where we live and we’reproud to call it home.
|#PoweringProgress
GatheringOct. 2are members of the Wednesday Volunteers for Family andCommunity,from left, Ethel Giless, Ann MarieKenny, Maureen Felder, Karen Moran, Jamie McDonald, Susan Melancon, Gloria Messenger,Donna Bouterie, Sharon Miano, Betty Bankston, Julie Desselles, Millie Meyers, Jean Johnson, PamVillagran, guest Gail Calderone, Jean Hebertand SueNelson.
PROVIDED PHOTO
WednesdayVolunteers for Family and Community packing giftbags, from left, are Ethel Giless, Donna Bouterie, PamVillagran, Ann Marie Kenny, Jamie McDonald, Sue Nelson, Susan Melancon, Jean Hebert, Sharon Miano, Karen Moran, Betty Bankston JulieDesselles, Gloria Messenger,Jean Johnson, Guest Gail Calderone and Maureen Felder
