Refurbishedparkhosts Veterans Dayceremony
BY WENDYLOUP Contributing writer
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
November Ascension GOP Roundtable set
Ron C. Henderson, deputy commissionerfor the Louisiana Department of Insurance, will be the featured speaker at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at theNovemberAscension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women. The Roundtable is at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30, in Gonzales. Agraduate of Southern University Law Center as well as Southern University at New Orleans where he holds aBachelorofScience degree in criminal justice, Henderson serves as deputy commissioner with the Office of Consumer Advocacy &Diversity for the Louisiana Department of Insurance. Cost for the lunch is $30. Make advanced paymentby visiting paypal.me/ARW225. Reservations are requested. A $5 room fee will be collected for those not dining. RSVP: (225)921-5187 or email arwrus@aol.com.
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Nearly 200 people joined the Nov.11Ascension Parish Veterans DayCeremonytohonor those who served in the military
The annual event, held at theAscension Veterans Memorial Park in Gonzales, featured anthems, guest speakers, presentation of the colors and apassingofthe flag ceremony.
Ascension Veterans Memorial Park Association Chair Shelby Ballard gave welcoming remarks and said theflag currently flyingatthe park has flown at thenation’sCapitolbuilding. U.S. Rep. Garrett Graves, R-Baton Rouge, donated theflag. Theevent’s audience included various city and state officials,including Ascension Parish Government ChiefofStaff
ä See VETERANS, page
Shane and Pamela Martinez’sjambalaya cooks in apot Nov. 9during the VFW 3693 Jambalaya Cook-off contest. LayneGautreau, of theJambalaya Festival Association, judged the cook-off.
Cooksvie forVFW Jambalaya Cook-off crown
Isabella Herrin, 8, and LawrenceHerrin, 6, of Ponchatoula, pose Nov. 11 for pictures during This, That &More Indoor Flea Market’sKangaROOS for St. Jude. This, That &More raises moneyfor St. Jude’sbysponsoring events, as well as abooth with proceeds goingtothe foundation.
Troy LeBoeuf
ASCENSION SPORTS
ACHS loses in Division 5 volleyball semis, Dutchtownfalls
The ACHS volleyball team advanced to the D5 semifinals with astraight set sweep over Riverside, before losing to No. 2Westminster Christian in the semifinals at theCajundomein Lafayette. Middle hitters AvaLandry and Kaylee Brown led theoffense against Riverside along with libero AvaBright. AscensionCatholic(25-14) and Westminster battled in Set 1with a25-20 victory and a1-0 lead. Westminster would then take control in sets 2and 3enroute to asweep back into the Division 5finals against Country Day for the third year in arow The Bulldogs, under coach Janelle Leonard, lose asenior class of nine, but return some key pieces and should make another run in 2025.
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G
PHOTOSBYWENDY LOUP
Greg and BrandyStone stand near their simmering pot of jambalaya Nov. 9during the VFW 3693 Jambalaya Cook-off. Greg Stone said the keytogood jambalaya is frying the meat to therightconsistency and taste.
BY
WENDYLOUP Contributing writer
JSt. Amant resident Beau Carman, 1, takes photos Nov. 10 with Arson, ababykangaroo.
BY WENDYLOUP
Contributing writer
ambalaya cooks gathered their recipes,pots andenthusiasm Nov.9 atthe VFWPost3693 cook-off in Gonzales. Adozen cooks stirred pots full of seasoned pork and sausage. Jambalaya Festival Association Judge Layne Gautreau awarded first, second and third place to cooks’jambalaya with the best taste, texture and tenderness.
Bart and Selena Himel won first place; AdamGautreau was second; third place went to Robert “Hoss” and Brett “Hoss Fly”Reine. What makes agreat jambalaya? Cookssharedtheir ideas of what is needed in a competition jambalaya.
Bart Himel,who has won severalawards for his jambalaya,said the overallappearanceand flavor are the key to agood pot. Shane Martinez, owner of St. Amant’sKrazy Kajun Cookware,said aperfect amount of flavor makesa good batch of jambalaya. For Greg Stone, the key to good jambalaya is frying themeat to the right consistency and taste.
Baby kangaroos Gloria and Arsonreceivedlotsofpetsand hugs from children Nov.10during This, That &More Indoor Flea Market’s popular Christmas fundraiser KangaROOS forDream Day Foundation. The eventgaveparticipants theopportunityto take photos with the baby kangaroos foradonation to the Dream DayFoundation. Valerie Toney,ownerofToney Whitetail & Rouxs, is aboard member forthe foundation and has brought alongher kangaroos forThis,That& More’sfundraiser forseveral years.
PHOTOSBYWENDYLOUP
Members of VFW3693 participated in the Passing of the Flag ceremony, along with Retired NavalChief Petty Officer
Michele Unitas.
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
Shane and Pamela Martinez participateinthe contest. Shane Martinez,owner of St.Amant’sKrazy Kajun Cookware, said aperfect amount of flavor makesa good batch of jambalaya.
Selena and BartHimel wait for their pot of jambalaya to finish steaming.BartHimel,who has won several awards for his jambalaya,said the overallappearanceand flavor is the keytoagood pot.
Gonzales residents Greg and BrandyStone prepare apot of jambalaya
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
VFW Post 3693 Jambalaya Cook-off first placewinners Selenaand BartHimel prepare aplate for Jambalaya Festival Association JudgeLayne Gautreau. Adozen cooks entered the Nov. 9contest.
STEM Dayset
The Ascension Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is holding aSTEM Day from 9:30a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 7atthe Ascension Parish LibraryGonzales branch. NASA engineer Karen Lee Vander will lead the hands-on activities To register,visit linktr.ee/ ascensionalumnae Pancakes andSanta
n VFW Post 3693 is hosting afree pancake breakfast with Santa Nov.30at thepost hall on Churchpoint Road. Bring your camera to take aphoto with Santa, who arrives at 10 a.m. Doors openat9 a.m. Center Stage for Performing Arts Academy’sStar Musical Theatre Company to perform.
n The Danse DifferenceCompany is hosting aPancakes withSanta and Christmas Market from 9a.m. to 11:30 Nov.30at 12320 La. 44 Gonzales.The event is afundraiser for the Danse Difference competition team. Tickets are $15 per person or $50 for a family of four.The Christmas market continues until 1p.m.
LEBOEUF
Continued from page1G
Dutchtownand coachPatrick Ricks entered the tourney as the 6seed and lost to the No. 2seed, Mount Carmel, three sets to two, for the second year in arow
The Griffins lose some top talent in Southeastern signee Cadie Kusy and UNO signee Ania Anderson. They do return some key pieces and should make adeep playoff run in 2025.
Playofffootball
Division 1nonselect:
n Westgate28, St. Amant 20 n Walker 41, Dutchtown 27
n Division 3nonselect:
n Donaldsonville34, Baker 18
The Tigers advance as the 17th seed and will travel
Trip to Greece planned
The Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce is planning atrip to Greece, June 1-9. The nine-day trip includes stops in Athens, Santorini, Pelponnese, Poros, Hydra and Aegina. the cost is $3,799. For information, call (225) 473-4814.
Reducedadoptionfees
Cara’sHouse is offering reduced adoption feeonall dogs that have beenspayed or neutered.Visit theshelter from 5p.m.to8 p.m. Thursdays andpay $30to adoptadog.
Tankproof collecting
Tankproof, anonprofit providing free swimming lessons andhelpingthose inneed,iscollecting donationsfor theDec. 7turkey giveaway at Municipal Park on Meylan Street in Gonzales.
Theevent,from 11 a.m. to noon,ishosted byTheBrosFreshand Shayla Washington and4 Skyz Da Limit A$100 donation can purchase fourturkeys. To donate, call (225) 939-0931 by Nov.29.
Crusadeapplications
The program provides Christmas toysfor children throughage 12. Applications are availableatthe sheriff’s offices in Gon-
to top-ranked St. James onFriday.The two teams met earlier thisseason in adistrict game won by St. James. Ascension Catholic, the No. 2seed in D4 select,had abye and willface Opelousas Catholic on Friday at Floyd Boutte Stadiumin Donaldsonville. This will be the fifth time theteams willplay in the last three seasons.
Middle school boysbasketballscores: n Galvez 31, St. Amant16 n Central 58, Prairieville 27 n Lake37, Bluff 25 n Lowery 38, Gonzales 36 n Dutchtown open
Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@ hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.
THEASCENSION THE SCENSION ADVOCATEADVOCATE DVOCATE THEA
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zales, Donaldsonville and Prairieville. Nov.22isthe deadline to submit an application.
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Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.
com or ddenstorff@ theadvocate.com. Deadline:5 p.m.Friday
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Lucy Cason, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Undersecretary John Phillips and Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre.
Retired Master Sgt. Tanya Whitney,the ceremony’s guest speaker,has received numerous local, state and federal accolades and awards in her 28-year military career Whitney is alsoavolunteer cross-country and track and field coach for St. Amant High School.
“I come from along lineof men and women who have served our country in war and peace since the American Revolution,” Whitney said. “I am the cousinofseveral veterans, the auntofa veteran, the daughter of a veteran, the mother of aveteran, the wife of aveteran, but most importantly Iam proud to say Iamaveteran
“My being here today is not areflection of myself as asingle entity,itisareflection of the men andwomen whohaveserved before me and withme. They have
DayFoundationboard
Toneyholds babykangaroos Gloria left, and Arson during the annual St.Jude fundraiser at This,That &MoreIndoor Flea Market in Gonzales.Toney, owner of Toney Whitetail &Rouxs, assistswith various fundraisers for the Dream DayFoundation, including Fishin’ Galore and Field of Dreams Softball Tournaments.
for St. Jude at Gonzales’ This, That &More Indoor Flea Market on Nov. 10.
the welfare of our brothers and sisters, past, present and for
the future.” Claire Taranto, 12, who attends Prairieville Middle School, sang the national anthem as wellasthe anthems for each of the military’s branches. Veteransinthe audience stood to be recognized while Taranto sang. “This ceremonywas one of the most specialthings that has ever happened to me,” Taranto said. “It’ssuch an honor to have done this.” The event included apassing of the flag ceremony with members of the VFW 3693 and retiredNaval Chief Petty Officer Michele Unitas. Ballard said the ceremony is a“changing of the guard from the old guys to the new guys.” VFW 3693 Post Adjutant Jared Nolen thanked Home Depot fora$13,000 grant to refurbish the Ascension Veterans Memorial Park. The
Powering Progress
BROOKS Sr.Technical Specialist, Healthand Safety SHELLGEISMAR
“For nearly acentury, theU.S. Gulf Coasthas been centraltoShell’s businessand theU.S. energy supply. By investinginour Louisiana assets,we arelowering emissions and supplying thenextgeneration of energy.”
EMMALEWIS
ShellSeniorVice 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.
PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP
RESPONDING COMMUNITY’S TO OUR NEEDS
DO YOU KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES?
INCOME SUPPORT HOUSING
HEALTHCARE FOOD ACCESS
ThroughUnitedWay 211/CAUW,Capital Area United Way provides apathway to stabilityfor familiesand individuals facing some of life’smostchallengingcircumstances
Whetherit’srentalassistance, jobtraining, or connecting people to food pantries andhealthcareresources,211’s comprehensivesupport networkmakes alasting impact on thelives of thousandsacrossour 10-parishservice region
211 is an easy-to-remember telephonenumberthat connectsindividuals in need to informationabout critical resourcesintheir localcommunity
CallerData& TopNeeds percentagesamongst theUnited Way211/CAUWnetwork:
Total211 Calls: 29,858
TotalCrisisContacts: 3,809
TotalCareCoordination Contacts: 371
•30% -Housing
•16% -UtilityAssistance
•13% -IncomeSupport &Assistance
•7%- Food &MealAccess
•6%- Healthcare Needs
Additionally,access to reliabletransportationisa major factor in aperson’sabilitytoobtainnecessary resources. Many individualsand familiesoften requireassistance with multiple needsfromthe listoftop needs.
HOW YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MAKE ALASTING IMPACT
HOUSING
Affordable Housing /Eviction Prevention /Utility Assistance
•83,241 guestnightsofshelter provided
•320 homeless clientsreceivedlegal services
•2,586 individualsprovidedwithcase management support.
•714 individualsbenefitted from $68,564 of emergencyfunding
•285 familiesreceivedemergency fundsand case management
INCOMESUPPORT
Employment Services /Job Trainings /Financial Assistance
•6,317 taxreturns were completedvia VITA volunteersand MyFreeTaxes bringingin $7,769,641 dollars
•656 individualsgainedemployment
•283 individualsimprovedtheir employment status
• 126 individualsobtainedfinancialcoaching increasing knowledgeofpersonalfinance
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Access to HealthyFoods /Local Food Pantries /Hot Meals
•1,950 families were connected to 39,000 lbsoffresh producethrough CAUW’s United We Feed,FREE producedistributionprogram
•Anadditional $223,355 in freshfruits& vegetables provided throughcommunity partnerships
•7,982 households received food assistance through community partners
HEALTHCARE
Behavioural Health /Mental Health/Affordable RX
•2,588 individualssaved over $291,616 dollars thanksto SingleCare prescription discount cards
•1,874 children& youthreceivedservicesfor abuse including668 provided with case management, 580 referralsfor therapyand otherresources and 526 receivingcriminaljustice support
•1,801 mental health services received
•1,908 varioustherapeutic services received for childrenand youth.
