Most people know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and February is Black History Month. Fewer know that March is National Kidney Month, a 31-day awarenessraising, grassroots effort to spread the word across the country about the importance of kidney health, and one that’s important to my family.
My kidney journey started as a child. The pains and infections I endured for years resulted in kidney surgery at 13 to fix a kidney birth defect For the next 60 years, visiting urologists and nephrologists helped manage my lingering kidney issues. I always knew one day everything I was doing to preserve my kidney function wouldn’t be enough and dialysis and a transplant would be in my future.
The future is now I’ve been on the kidney transplant list for two years and have found a matching donor My transplant team is carefully watching my numbers and surgery could be this summer I inherited my kidney issues, but many people have kidney problems and don’t know March 18 will be celebrated this year as World Kidney Day, which highlights the importance of preventive interventions to avert the onset and progression of kidney disease. Please ask your doctor about your kidney health and if they find something take it seriously Thanks to a supportive family friends, co-workers and one special person — my donor I know I’ll be OK. Make sure you’ll be OK and ask about your kidney health.
Amateur radio license class
The Ascension Amateur Radio Club will host a free online class for anyone interested in getting their amateur radio license The classes will start at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks. Ham radio operators can provide emergency backup communications for local or state governments during disasters, maintain communications with families outside of effected areas or learn about electronics, computers, Ascension GOP Roundtable
Scott McKay, publisher of the internet political newspaper
The Hayride and RVIVR.com will be the keynote speaker at the March Ascension GOP Roundtable, sponsored by Ascension Republican Women. The Roundtable starts at 11:30 a.m. March 20 at the Clarion Inn, 1500 W. La. 30 in
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Parish finalizes food truck plaza at Gonzales courthouse
BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
A new type of court will soon be opening at the Ascension Parish courthouse in Gonzales While jury selection is still out for the vendors, officials say the food truck court will accommodate up to six trucks at one time.
The new plaza, which officials hope to open by summer, is in front of the courthouse on East Worthey Street. It will be open from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday And it is likely among the first food truck plazas in the country operated by a government agency, infrastructure director Ricky Compton said.
The plaza construction followed the Gonzales City Council’s passing of a food truck ordinance for the city last fall, which saw some residents concerned about competition with local businesses.
Years in the making
Compton said the plans stretch back to when the courthouse finished construction, and the clerk of court approached the parish government about designing a cafe in the building.
“When they have large jury duty selections or, you know, several court cases going on, they have a lot of people in that courthouse that need food,” he said.
The plan was shelved until the parish received American Rescue Plan Funds to finish landscaping.
But it really took shape after the Oct. 14 Gonzales City Council meeting, during which the council voted 4-1 to approve new regulations for food trucks. Those included permits for both the trucks and site-specific permits for
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Merry Market shoppers prepare for spring at Gonzales event
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Hints of spring were found at the biannual Merry Market at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
Shoppers were treated to 350 booths offering spring and Easter decorations, clothing and accessories.
The popular family-friendly event also included children’s activities and pictures with the Easter Bunny For the Ogea family, organizers of Merry Market, the fall and spring shopping extravaganzas have been a team effort for the past 25 years.
“The Merry Market this past fall had 12,000 attendees over two days,” said Anne Ogea, owner and producer of Merry Market.
The brisk rate of attendance is welcomed growth from the hum-
ble beginnings of the Merry Market, Ogea said.
Gonzales-based Fine and Dandy was one of the 350 vendors at this weekend’s spring Merry Market at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
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Snakes, lizards, tortoises star at reptile show
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
Long snakes, small lizards and large-shelled tortoises were the stars of the weekend HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
The popular event, held March 1-2, attracted around 80 vendors to the expo, according to HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show organizer Shawn Gray
Attendees were able to learn more about their own pets, as well as talk to breeders and other reptile enthusiasts.
“The expo provides animal education and information on how to care for the animals,” Gray said. “People can talk to breeders and others to find the right animal for you, instead of just purchasing on impulse. You can get the right information about the feeders, environments for the animals as well here.”
Gray said among the snakes, geckos and other reptiles, the bearded dragons are always a crowd favorite.
“The show features a variety of different sizes and types of animals,” Gray added. “We have a lot more than just big snakes.”
The ERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show travels around the state with stops throughout the year including Sulphur and Slidell.
“We keep ticket prices low, and this works out good for families who want to pack up their kiddos and have a day to shop. A lot of shows make you pay for parking and their ticket prices are high. Families end up having to pay
“We started small,” Ogea said. “We held church teas and Christmas parties. Then we grew and grew We originally held the markets in Baton Rouge and 10 years ago, we moved to Lamar-Dixon. We love Lamar-Dixon because they have so much to offer everyone. They are right off the interstate; they offer free parking, and they allow strollers.
“We love the show being in Gonzales,” Gray said. “It is one of our most popular. We typically have around 3,000 to 4,000 visitors each day.” Gray started the show in 2017 to help the public learn more about animals.
“My involvement in reptile shows started as a fascination of reptiles,” Gray said. “I became
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PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Elisa Valera, owner of Elisa’s Cuban Coffee and Kitchen, hands Prairieville resident Blair Pucheu a bottled water Nov. 17 during the Oak Grove Primary Food Truck Festival. Elisa’s food truck can often be found in downtown Baton Rouge on weekdays.
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Heather Collier, of Collier’s Creatures, holds her 5-year-old albino pine snake Mac n Cheese on March 1 during HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
PHOTO
WENDY LOUP
AROUND
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Gonzales.
Doors open at 11:15 a.m.
A veteran of sports and political journalism and punditry McKay’s writings have appeared in national online publications, and he is currently a senior editor and podcaster (The Spectacle) at The American Spectator. McKay is the publisher of the Hayride, which offers news and commentary on Louisiana and national politics, and RVIVR. com, a national political news aggregation and opinion site. Cost for the lunch is $30 and can be paid in advance at paypal.me/ARW225. RSVP at (225) 921-5187 or email ARWrUS@aol.com
Petals for a Cause March 29
Tickets are on sale for the Gonzales Area Foundation’s Gala set for March 29 at Price Leblanc PACE Center
This year’s theme is Petals For A Cause. The evening raises money for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales. For information and tickets, visit www.gonzalesareafoundation.org.
OLOL Ascension renamed Our Lady of the Lake Ascension, part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, will become Our Lady of the Lake St. Elizabeth. The updated name aims to honor the original name while maintaining the connection to our Franciscan mission, a news release said.
The renaming will be officially done during a March 14 event at the Gonzales hospital.
Egg Your House fundraiser
Cara’s House volunteers are hosting a fun Egg Your House fundraiser in which stuffed plastic eggs are left in someone’s yard on Easter morning April 11 is the deadline to register for the April 20 “egging.” Packages are from $20 for 25 eggs to $85 for 150 eggs. Visit Cara’s House Facebook page for registration information.
EA FFA plans market
The East Ascension High FFA is hosting a farmers market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15 at the school, 612 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales. They will have vegetables, herbs, flowers, house plants, carpentry projects and preserves.
Outdoor Expo March 14-16
Louisiana’s largest fishing, hunting and outdoor show is set for March 14-16 at LamarDixon Expo Center’s REV Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales.
Bulls, Band & Barrels
Tickets are on sale for the March 15 Bulls, Bands & Barrels at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event will include bull riding, barrel racing and live music featuring Sammy Kershaw with Vincent Mason. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/yu83kp3e.
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
FOOD TRUCK
those hosting them.
The only remaining legal item is for the Ascension Parish Council to vote at its next meeting on its ordinances. At a January council meeting, Compton said all trucks will need a license from Gonzales to operate.
‘We’re not trying to hurt anybody’
Not all residents favor the changes At the October meeting, then-council member Johnny Berthelot voiced concerns about food trucks competing with local businesses
“I do have a problem with food trucks being permanent businesses. It’s not fair to people who rent space, who lease space and who pay taxes,” he said. “And now you’re going to have a competition that can come into Gonzales for minimal dollars.”
Melissa Thompson, a co-owner of the TexAna Taceauxs and More food truck, said her business wasn’t trying to compete with other local businesses.
“If you look at the businesses that are inside this city limit, there’s like maybe a handful of them that are actually small local businesses,” she said.
The Prairieville resident’s business has operated around the parish and beyond since 2023, setting up at the River Parishes Community College and at events for local restaurants.
SHOPPERS
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exorbitant prices before they even get in the door.”
Ogea said one area she would like to see continue to grow is the fall event’s Children’s Entrepreneurial Market.
Children between ages 5-17 can manage their own vendor booths and learn how small businesses function in a public setting.
“What makes our market different from other shows is we’ve always included children,” Ogea said. “We like for them to attend, and we especially like to see young girls become entrepreneurs.”
Because of the past success of the two-day November market, the 2025 fall market will be held for three days, rather than two.
A portion of the ticket prices are donated to The Sparrow Foundation in Louisiana. Last year, Merry Market donated $10,000 to the foundation.
The foundation helps victims of human trafficking and trauma, as well as facilitate specialized training for law enforcement, medical personnel and educators.
“The donation from Merry Market has been incredible for us,” Sparrow Foundation Director Alliece Cole said. “We work with children as well as adults who have been trafficked, and the donations help us to provide direct services to those in need.”
The foundation works alongside 35 other agencies within the state and helped serve 2,600 people last year
An expansion to the Merry Markets in the 2024-25 season has been the addition of the outdoor pavilion for additional vendors and food trucks.
Olivia Michael Designs, located in Metairie, took advantage of an outdoor vendor spot to sell beaded coin bags, jewelry, clothing and other accessories.
“This is our first year here,” Olivia Michael Designs owner Aimee Crimmins said. “I’ve heard other vendors speak highly of the event, so I wanted to participate.
“This spring market is a good idea because it will attract people because there are not a lot of spring shows People need to shop for Easter and Mother’s Day.”
Another vendor who traveled to
“We support all the local people at the farmers market and stuff like that,” she added. “Like we’re not trying to hurt anybody, we’re just a
I can travel around.”
participate in the spring Merry Market was Alb Butzke, owner of Alb Butzke Lamps. Based in Cypress, Texas, Butzke creates custom lamps out of any-
thing and everything.
“I take an item I’ve found and turn it into a lamp,” Butzke said.
“I go to antique shows, pawnshops, garage sales and even dumpsters to find the items.”
His lamps range from $125 to $300 and include items such as guitars, musical instruments and cameras.
Butzke has been making his specialized lamps for 25 years.
“It’s really an addiction I have,” Butzke laughed. “I love finding new pieces.”
For more information about Merry Market, visit https://www merrymarket.shop/.
small local business ourselves, but the only thing that’s different between us and a brick and mortar is that
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Food truck vendor Texana Taceauxs & More serves tacos to the attendees at Downtown Live at the Gazebo. Pictured are the owners, Melissa Lutz and Mike Lutz with their helper Hayden Thompson.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
Items from Creative Soul Designs and Kathryn Ann Art were on display Saturday during the spring Merry-Market at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center
Lamps made from musical instruments are one of Alb Butzke Lamps’ bestsellers. Butzke, of Cypress, Texas, was one of 350 vendors at this weekend’s Merry Market.
Olivia Michael Designs owner Aimee Crimmins traveled from Metairie to participate in the spring Merry Market.
Registration dates set for kindergarten, pre-K
Community news report
Online prekindergarten applications for the 2025-26 school year opened on March 1 and in-person kindergarten registration will begin March 25 at school sites, Ascension Public Schools announced
“Enrolling young children in school lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and success,” said Ascension Public Schools Supervisor of Early Childhood Education Moquita Winey. “We encourage parents to register as soon as possible to help us provide the resources and support needed for a successful school year ahead. Registration for pre-k, Head Start and kindergarten ensures that every child has the best possible start to their educational journey.”
Prekindergarten registration is set from March through May at ascensionearlychildhood.org/admissions.
Those applying for pre-K must be 4 years old by Sept. 30, and those applying for Head Start must be 3 years old by Sept 30
Families looking to register in Ascension’s publicly funded early childhood programs including Head Start, public school pre-K, and community-based Type 3 Early Learning Centers must apply online and upload all required documents in order to be considered for eligibility.
Parents may also apply for publicly funded birth to age 4 seats located in community-based early learning centers through the same application portal.
Early Childhood seats are publicly funded and are dependent upon available federal and state funding, which limits open availability in each program. The completion of an application does not guarantee placement. Students are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Kindergarten registration is from March 25-28 and March 31.
Tuesday, March 25, 9 a.m to 12 p.m.:
n Lakeside Primary
n Lake Elementary
n Sorrento Primary
n St. Amant Primary
Wednesday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
n G.W Carver Primary
n Gonzales Primary
n Pecan Grove Primary
n Duplessis Primary
n Central Primary
Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
n Dutchtown Primary
n Bluff Ridge Primary
n Bullion Primary
n Spanish Lake Primary
n Galvez Primary Friday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
n Donaldsonville Primary
n Oak Grove Primary
n Sugar Mill Primary
n Prairieville Primary Monday, March 31, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
n Appointments available upon request
Children entering kindergarten should be 5 years old by Sept 30. Parents or guardians must present the following documents to the school for enrollment:
n Child’s birth certificate
n Social Security card (requested)
n Up-to-date immunization/shot records (requested)
n Proof of residence (gas or electric bill showing service address)
Parents of students who attended a public pre-k or Head Start program the year before do not need to submit documents, but will still be asked to provide an updated proof of residence.
Mandatory kindergarten registration
Louisiana law requires that prior to a child entering first grade in a Louisiana public school, they have attended a fullday kindergarten program, a news release said
“This means that 5-year-olds are mandated to attend kindergarten,” the release said. A parent can defer kindergarten for one year if one of the following is true:
n The child has not had their fifth birthday prior to the first day of school
n The child is enrolled in a pre-K program. For more information about the Ascension Early Childhood Ready Start Network and eligibility process, visit ascensionearlychildhood.org. For more information about kindergarten registration and Ascension Public Schools, visit AscensionSchools.org.
Ascension Public Schools to host Special Education Resource Fair
Community news report
The Ascension Public Schools Special Education Department and Special Education Advisory Council are hosting the Promoting Access and Connections Resource Fair for families of special education students from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 13 at the Gonzales Civic Center
“This event is dedicated to providing valuable information, resources, and connections for students and families in Ascension Parish who receive special education services,” said Special Education Director Adrina Million. “Our goal is not only to equip families with the support they need but also to strengthen the sense of community by fostering meaningful connections and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders who service our students.
Our resource fair will also have fun and engaging activities for students. We are looking forward to seeing all of our families at this special event.”
The event is includes: n Comprehensive information provided from Early Childhood to PostSecondary education n All-inclusive activities for kids, including meetand-greet sessions with Spider-Man, Disney princesses, members of high school athletic teams and clubs n Food and comfortable experience for all attendees. The Promoting Access and Connections Resource Fair will showcase resources supporting individuals with disabilities. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with behavioral providers, receive advocacy assistance, consult
with lawyers and financial planners, explore camp and recreation options, and connect with transition and independent living service providers, according to a news release.
Special education students and their families are invited to join this informative and engaging event
This is also a great opportunity for parents and guardians to connect with other families of special education students in our district while engaging with school administrators, special education teachers and staff.
The goal of the event is to empower families with knowledge about available resources and foster connections within the community
For more information about Ascension’s special education programs, visit AscensionSchools.org/SpecialEducation.
interested in how the genetics work. It’s similar to people’s love of dogs and cats. The reptiles sort of suck you in.
“For people who have a phobia of snakes and reptiles, a show like this gives you the opportunity to face your fears in a controlled and safe environment.”
Helping people get over their fears of snakes is one of the goals of Collier’s Creatures.
Heather Collier and her mother, Erika, participated in the expo to promote their family-owned Denham Springs business, but also to educate the public about snakes and geckos.
“Owning snakes all began for me with my albino pine snake ‘Mac n Cheese’,” Heather Collier said “I just fell in love with him.
“One of the reasons we started the business was to talk and surround ourselves with other animal people I always knew I’d be working in some capacity with animals.”
Collier’s Creatures eventually win over most children at birthday parties
“It can be a mixed crowd,” Collier said. “About 75 percent of the kids say, ‘Let me hold it and pet it’ and the other 25 percent do not want to be around the snakes.
“Usually by the end of the party, we’ve gotten them to pet a snake and leave not being terrified of them. Seeing their faces and the kids saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m holding a snake’ is a lot of fun for us.”
The Hood family, owners of Louisiana Snake ID, were on hand to educate attendees about the harmless snakes people often find in their yards.
“We try to give a voice to the snakes that are often killed by homeowners,” Kevin Hood said. “We want to get the right information out there about snakes. We think of ourselves as ‘snake myth busters.’”
Kevin, his wife, Rachel, and sons, Landon and Kyler, live in Hammond, but travel across the state to speak at schools and libraries about snakes.
“A lot of people have received bad information about snakes,” Kevin Hood said. “They have a lot of fears. We try to help dissipate those fears.”
“So many people are afraid of snakes based off television shows and movies,” Rachel Hood said, “Those places are capitalizing on that fear.”
The next HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show in Louisiana is April 5-6 at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell. For more information, visit www herpshow.net.
Meet America’s Favorite Fisherman at the Louisiana Sportsman Show.JimmyHoustonhad such agood time at the2024 Show,thatheis returningin2025. Jimmyand his boatwill be at theshowMarch 28-30! On Saturday and Sunday,the Wetland Watchers
HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show featured more than 80 vendors.
PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP
The Hood family owners of Louisiana Snake ID attended the HERPS Exotic Reptile & Pet Show to provide education about snakes and other reptiles. Pictured, from left, Kevin Hood, Landon Hood and Rachel Hood.
Four-year-old Taylor Hunter, left, and his sister, Lauren, 2, both of Independence, pet Taz, an 8-year-old tortoise.
