LeilaPitchford
AROUND ZACHARY
Snow was quitea show
The snow was an amazing break to our regular days.Hope it was beautiful at your home and that all are safe.
Spring is on the way.It’sthe busy time for Zachary.Please keep us in mind as you plan events. Let us know in time to post them for othersto attend andpleasesendusphotosof the event. Contact zachary@ theadvocate.com.
Dogparadeset
Must Luv Dogs willhold Pawdi Gras 2025 on March 4in downtown Zachary.The theme is Space Paws.
Barkinthe Park is from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Parade rolls at 2p.m. For information and to register for the parade, costume contest or as avendor,visit www.mustluvdogs.org.
Lane hasbreastfeeding class
Carnes
Lane is holding afree breastfeeding class from 10 a.m.to noon Feb. 8in the board conference room at Lane Regional Medical Center, 6300 Main St., Zachary Registered nurse Kiara Carnes with Baby Lane Labor &Delivery Unit will the discuss the ABCs of Breastfeeding, including: n Appeal of Breastfeeding and Why It’sImportant n Best Breastfeeding Positions n Common Challenges with Breastfeeding
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Weather wreaks havoc on Zachary sports
Let it snow,let it snow,let it snow Needless to say,Zachary was living in awinter wonderland most of last week as an arctic blast brought the white stuff and freezing temperatures. Here’salittle bit of what goes on behind the curtain of Zachary sports during aweek that was severely limited in opportunities to watch, Zachary sports. Generally, on Sundaynight Iplan the following week’sarticle by pontificating on the sports world, spending some time reviewing the schedule for Zachary athletics during the week to see what my live viewing opportunities may be and always checking the weather
ä See BRADY, page 4G
Snow blanketsZachary in rare snow dayexperience WONDERSofWINTER
Community news report Zachary was blanketed in snow on themorningofJan.21.
Mayor McDavid applauded citydepartmentsfor keepingthe city safe during thewinter snow event
“The city of Zachary handled the historic snowstormexceptionally well, with approximately six inches of snow blanketing the area,”Mayor David McDavid said. “I credit ourteam of dedicated city department heads who, inanticipationofthe rare winter snowfall,met beforehand to create a solid plan
“OurEmergency Preparedness
Director Ty Stephens worked alongside the incredible teams frompublic works, thefire department,police department, parks department, purchasing department,and utilities maintenance to keep our cityrunning smoothly,” he added. “Despite the rarity of snowfall in our area, proactive measures were taken to ensure public safety. For instance, early on, thecity secured twopalletsofsalt by travelingtoHouston,Texas,which allowed us to pre-treat and brine the roads ahead of the storm.” After thesnow subsided in the
ä See SNOW, page 2G
Marchers facedropping,pre-snowtemperatures as theytravelthe streets of Zachary
AZacharystreet blanketed in snowinthe early morning of Jan. 21.
The dream of the Rev MartinLutherKing Jr.has become arelay activity in Zachary as faith, community and elected leaders shine King’slight to anew generation of young people being taught the tenets of nonviolence solutions paired with a love-based advocacy forthe poor and underprivileged in American society
ary Jan. 20, even as dropping temperatures began to herald the onset of arecord snowstorm that blanketed the region the next day Taking the last possible outside showofsupport, leaders and other marchers huddledclosely while singing and chanting the slogans madefamous during the nation’scivil rights movement. Themarchdestination, New PilgrimBaptist Church, was the site of the annual MLK commemoration
on Jan. 20 in acandlelight walk honoring slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr ä See MLK, page 3G
when it came time for avote, the council couldn’tagreeonananswer —leadingtothe matterbeing tabled.
BY OLIVIA MCCLURE Contributing writer
When should Zacharyleaders stick to thecity’srulesabout how big signs outside businesses can be —and whenisitOKtobend them? That question was at thecrux of adiscussion at the City Council’s Jan. 14 meeting, whererepresentatives of adermatology clinic requested awaiver allowing them to enlargean existing sign that is alreadybiggerthan allowed. And
Renaissance Dermatology and Aesthetics, located on OldScenic Highway,has a45-square-foot sign. It was grandfathered in when thecity adopted its currentUnified Development Code, or UDC, which limits the area of signs in neighborhood commercial zones to 35 square feet Now,the dermatologypracticefaces adilemma: It recently opened anew clinic on its first floor called CareSouthDermatology The owners wanttoadd the Care-
Local andstate officials joined civil rights advocates for amarch through Zach-
South logo to theexisting Renaissance sign, which would enlarge it by about 3square feet.
The council, which has approved waivers before, was split on what to do in this case. “I have concerns about why we aren’tsticking to the rules,” said council member Ambre DeVirgilio, whose district includes the clinic.“There doesn’tseem to be an extenuating circumstance, and Iget that it’sonly 3feet. But 3feet is 3feet. And what is the point of havingcertain measurements in the UDC if we’re not going to abide by them?” DeVirgilio moved to deny the
waiver, and council memberBrandy Westmoreland seconded. Council members James Graves and Jennifer Landry voted against themotion, saying they hadno problem with amodest increase in the sign’ssize. With council member John LeBlanc absent, the council found itself tied, whichnormally would cause the waiver request to fail. Instead, the council chose to table the matter and take it up for consideration again at alater meeting. Members said they’ll use the time to look back over theirnotes on howprevious sign waiversituations werehandled.
Warren Brady
ZACHARY SPORTS
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
PHOTO BY SONYAGOSS
Ethan Livous, 7, has fun in the snowmaking asnowangel.
BY
SNOW
Continued from page1G
evening,the publicworksdepartment, led by Wayne Day,worked to de-ice bridges and main roads using amixture of salt and sand.
“Their efforts extended beyond the norm—they madespecial tripstode-ice Lane Regional Medical Center to ensure emergencyaccessand even cleared the parking lotatRouses, helping residents grocery shop safely once the streets were deemed safefor travel and thecurfew was lifted,” the mayor said.
The utilities maintenance department also stepped up by implementing proactive measures, such as fueling city generators and placing barricades, to enhance safety throughout the storm,the mayor added. “Thanks to their hard work and foresight, our city wasabletoreopen quicklyand without major issues.”
The only significant challenge we encountered was abrief gas outage in theClairmontSubdivision, but crews resolved the issue promptly,McDavid said.
Throughout the storm, the city’s public information officer,the
Zachary Police public information officer,and the fire department kept residents well-informed with regular updates via Facebook and Text My Gov,hesaid. Meanwhile, the utilities maintenance department, led by Jeff Johnson and Lionel Lawson, monitored gas and water pressures city-wide during the extreme low temperatures, which dropped to 7degrees.
“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and teamwork displayed by our city departments. Their commitment and preparationmadeall the difference in keeping our city safe and operational during this unprecedented winter event,” McDavid said.
No basketball was playedJan. 25 as snow covers the ground at this Zacharybackyard.
The Livous Family enjoythe 2025 snowday.AkeriyonLivous with her son, Ethan Livous, 7, and and mother,Laura Livous takeaphoto to document the snowfall.
Footprints appear in the snow on aZacharystreetJan. 21 as neighbors begin to ventureout towitness the rare accumulation of snow.
Abackyard is turned into awinter wonderland,
Acar covered in snow
PHOTO
SONYAGOSS
Haleigh Goss,13, and Marcus Doherty, 13, throwsnowballs Jan. 21 in Zachary.
Snowfalls on aZacharyhome.
ZacharyMayor David
Edward Jones financial adviser and Zachary community leader Thomas Scott pulls double duty as organist during the MLK commemoration program.
ZacharyPolice ChiefDarrylLawrenceoffershis perspective to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr
program where racial and denominational lines were blurred and the messages emphasized the importance of love and unity within acommunity
Zachary United Methodist Church pastor,the Rev. Austin Rinehart, offered the opening prayer after reflecting on King’s teachings andthe significance of love in healing, bridging divides and building connections.
“It’sabout love —itheals alot of wounds,” Rinehartsaid. “Love conquers divides andbuilds bridges instead of walls. He said it’ssimple —ifany of us want to be great, all we need is aheartfull of grace and love.”
The MLK Committee’sefforts to lift the young people of the community highlighted the recognition of the 2024 MLK Scholarship recipients and the organizations that helped fund the scholarships. BrysonBarton, the writerofthe
PHOTOSBYFRANCESY.SPENCER
Guest speaker Louisiana Supreme CourtJustice John Michael Guidry addresses the crowd gathered Jan. 20 during the annual MLK commemorationprogram
highest-scoring essay,said his research into King’s life helpedinspire his future aspirations as he alignshis values and priorities by the example laid by the slain civil rights leader
Louisiana Supreme CourtJustice John Michael Guidry,the keynote speaker,was the first African American judge to serve as an associate justice on theLouisiana Supreme Court and held numer-
ous other positions.
Guidry carries the baton of King’slegacy in manyareas. A deacon and teacherinhis own church, he was apassionate orator who often seemed more preacher than high court judge in his argument that the attendees adopt the mission and methods espoused by King. “He never grew weary in his well-doing,” Guidry said. “He didn’tfaint, and in due season, he was able to reap the harvest.”
It is important to honor King, not as agod to be worshipped, but as aworker leaving an example to follow.Guidry acknowledged that King knew that miracles were coming that he might never see, but he had ajob to do. “He knew, as aman of faith, that faith without works, is dead,” Guidry said.
The Supreme Court justice left aclear verdict —dreamers are doers. “Wewant to think thathe wasjust somewhere dreaming,” Guidry said. “Dr.Kingwas more than adreamer; he was adoer of the word and traveled over 6 million miles‘helpingsomebody along the way.’”
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She will answer questions about breastfeeding, plus more To reserve aspot, call (225) 658-6612 or email jschmolke@ LaneRMC.org.
Booksand music with Kids’Orchestra
In celebration of Black History Month and Carnival, Books &Music will feature the book “Freedom in Congo Square,” by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie. Many scholars believe that the music kept alive in New Orleans’ Congo Square (now Louis Armstrong Park) helped pave the way for blues, jazz and rock and roll. Children will learn the Creole song “Eh la bas” and the New Orleans Bamboula rhythm. They will practice some African dance moves and try plugging their name into Shirley Ellis’ “The Name Game” song. The event will be at the Zachary Branch Library at 11 a.m. Feb. 1. Visit www.ebrpl.com for other places and dates.
BunnyHop coming
The Zachary Rotary Club is hosting the Rotary Bunny Hop 2025 on March 22 near Lee and Virginia streets. The 1mile run and walk is at 8a.m. and the 5K run/walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Register at runsignup.com/ Race/LA/Zachary/ZacharyRotaryBunnyHop.
Sneakerball
The Baker Area Sports Association and city of Baker Recreation Department will hold a Mardi Gras Masquerade Sneaker Ball at 9p.m. Feb. 8atthe Baker Municipal Center Auditorium, 3325 Groom Road. Attendees must be 21 or older.Food and a DJ will be on hand. The event is bring-your-own-alcohol. For information, call Gerald Collins at (225) 205-4652 or Terika Dunn at (225) 302-2435. Visit eventbrite. com for tickets, which are $40 or $320 for atable of eight.
Send news and events for the Zachary area to zachary@ theadvocate.com by noon Fridayorcall (225) 388-0731.
Bryson Barton, student recognized as the writer of the highest scoring MLK essay, reads his work
McDavidoffers encouragement to
ZacharyUnited Methodist Church pastor the Rev. Austin Rinehartspeaks of the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr
The Rev. Derrick Williams, pastor of the host church NewPilgrim Baptist Church, welcomes participants at the gathering
BRADY
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If you have not been there yet, there is an incredible Zachary athletics website —zacharyathletics.org —put together and maintained by assistant football coach Hunter Crowder Crowder,aZHS graduate and former stud offensive lineman for the Broncos,is in his seventh year at ZHS and in addition to his website and other socialmedia duties coaches defensive line and specialteams.
If you had an opportunity to watch and listen to the ZHS football broadcastlast year that for the firsttime in over 20 years had audio and video, you can thank coach Crowder and his team of student volunteers. Crowderalso relayed that Sharon Ventura provides photos for the website “literally whenever Iask,” which really adds to the quality Youcan find news, rosters, schedules, etc. for all ZHS and NMS sports.
We mournthe passing ofDr. ThaisEgydiaPerkins, who left us on January16, 2025, at theage of 67 Thais,a native andlifelong residentofLouisiana,lived withher husband Will Perkins forthe last 25 years at theirhomeand small farminZachary.The daughterofWilsonand Celia Krebs, Thaisand Will weremarried on June 1, 1974, andcelebratedtheir 50thwedding anniversary lastyear. Dr.Perkins re‐ceiveda Bachelor of Music degree from Loyola Univer‐
Perusing the scheduleon Sunday,Jan. 19, there was also consideration of the horribleweather expected to start on Monday.That rules out sports like soccer, which is played outdoors
At the time ofwriting, the ZHS girls soccer team is 8-10-1 with a#24 power ranking thatputs them in the mix forthe playoffs
TheZHS boys soccer team is 5-10-2 with a#32 power ranking thatputs them on the bubble
The ZHSwrestlingteam was scheduled to compete at the Ken Cole Invitational in Lafayette, which is way too far for yours truly. The finals are held on Saturday night, which makes deadlines problematic, and I have previously been stuck on I-10 near Whiskey Bay coming back from the tournament.
Irecently covered the ZHS boys basketball team and the ZHS girls matchup was intriguing, so Iplanned for aJan. 24 trip to the “HavocHouse” for ahome game against Edna Karr
The ZHSgirls (17-3) are currently ranked third in
sity,a master’s degree fromSoutheastern Louisiana University,and a PhD in pianoperformance fromLSU.Her prolific teachingcareerbegan whenshe foundeda music schoolinCovington and continued at Southeastern and Southern University She became affiliatedwith the DeBose PianoCompeti‐tionasa judgeand coordi‐nator during hertimeat Southernand wasa pas‐sionate supporterofthe program afterher retire‐mentfromthe university. After yearsofproviding music instructionfrom their home studios, she and her husband pur‐chaseda houseonChurch StreetinZachary in 2012 and foundedthe Music TreePreparatory School which operated until 2021 Dr. Perkinslived alifededi‐cated to music, touched manylives,and shewillbe missedbymanySouthern Universitystudentsand by the facultyand students of The MusicTree. Thais’ tal‐entsand passionfor life extendedwellbeyond music. Sheand herhus‐
Non-Select DivisionIand areriding asix-game winning streak.During that streak,coach Tami McClure’s Broncoshave averaged over 70 points agame andheld their opponents to 44 points agameonaverage. Edna Karr (20-3) is currently rankedsecondin Select Division1 andisona two-game winning streak. Lastyear ZHS went down to NewOrleans andput it on Karr winning 71-42. The Cougars coming to Zachary for revenge this year had all the makings for anail-biting classic,orsoIthought on SundayJan. 19. The ensuing days of snow andcold were wonderful for the kids andteachers. My wife teaches kindergarten at Northwestern Elementary andeach dayatabout the same time she would announcetomethat“we areoff anotherday.” When we reached Thursday, I knewthe repercussions of anothersnowday because if there is no school, there are no athletic activities.
She gave me thatlook at about4 p.m. on Thursday andthenverbally said the
band founded Port Hudson Organicsnot long after movingtoZachary.They workedinpartnership –Will growingproduce and tending bees andThais nurturing alltypes of herbs and flowers –tosupply local farmers’ marketsand fuelthe farm-share pro‐gramtheyoperatedfor several years. Theirfarm and residencebecamea destination of note forna‐tureenthusiasts andwas includedinthe “100 Things toDoinLouisiana”list. Thais is survived by her husband;two sons,Aaron and Ian; onedaughter, Thais;fourgrandchildren; and twolovingsisters, Cassandra Krebsand Celia Krebs.Thais wasa bril‐liant,kindand generous soul, with agiftfor teach‐ing andnurturing children ofall ages.A memorial ser‐vicewillbeheldather homeinMarch.Inlieuof flowers, donationsare en‐couragedtothe DeBose Piano Competitionatde‐bose.org/national-pianocompetion/donate
horrible news thatschool andthus the ZHS vs. Edna Karr matchup would not take place on Friday. Call this week awashfor live action reporting. Ihave reached outtoMcClure andshe is trying to geta reschedule with Karr Returning to the Zachary Athleticswebsite,there is promise fornextweek. The ZHS boys basketball team will be on the road spending their time down in the NewOrleansareawith East St. John(Jan.28) andShaw
Jan.31. The ZHS girls basketball team will be home against Central Jan.31. TheZHS wrestling team will be in Gonzalesfor the Baton Rouge CityChampionship Jan.31and Feb. 1, andthe ZHS indoor track andfield team will be at McNeese Feb. 1. The NorthwesternBraves girls and boys basketball teams will be at Denham Springs Jan. 29 and home against Central on Jan. 30. A quick look at the extended
forecast indicates that Zachary will be in the 60s and 70s next week with achance of rain, which should be great weather to watch the seventh and eighth grade girls and boys Braves basketball teams or ZHS girls basketball team beat Central …in agym. I’mnot taking any chances. Warren Brady covers sports forThe Plainsman. He canbecontacted at zachary@theadvocate. com.
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CLASSIFIEDS WORK
Perkins, Dr.Thais Egydia