The Ascension Advocate 04-16-2015

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ASCENSION MUSICAL JAM TAKES OVER LAMAR-DIXON EXPO CENTER ON SATURDAY ä Page 5G

THE ASCENSION

ADVOCATE

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THURSDAY APRIL 16, 2015 H

DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT • SORRENTO THEADVOCATE.COM

Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION

DDENSTORFF@ THEADVOCATE.COM

Light Lane Fest kicks off Saturday St. Mark Catholic Church’s annual Light Lane Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with food, music, rides and bingo. Saturday’s lineup includes a car show, jambalaya minipot contest, games, rides, food and music. Freestyle plays at 1 p.m., Krossroadz performs at 5 p.m., and Kenny Cornett and Killin Time takes the stage at 8 p.m. The kitchen and festival open at 11 a.m. Sunday. Kenny Fife and Bac Trac play at 1 p.m. and Na Na Sha performs at 7 p.m. The festival is on the church grounds at La. 621 and Roddy Road.

Jambalaya Pageants

Registration is underway for the Gonzales Jambalaya Pageants, set for May 2-3 at the Gonzales Civic Center. The Miss and Teen Gonzales Jambalaya crowns will be awarded May 2 and the children’s titles will be announced during a May 3 event, organizer Elise Tureau said. April 25 is the deadline to enter the pageants. Two king titles will be awarded for boys age up to 23 months old and seven titles will be given to girls up age 13 during the May 3 children’s pageant. Entry forms are available at www.jambalayafestival. org. For information, email elise.tureau@yahoo.com or call (225) 938-8716.

Dan Gill to talk gardening

Do you have a list of gardening questions about tomatoes, containers, citrus and ornamentals? Area residents will have a chance to get the answers needed when gardening expert Dan Gill, LSU professor of horticulture and author of regional gardening books, conducts a question and answer session on a wide range of gardening topics. Gill’s Gardening Jackpot — Free Plants and Information program will be at 6:30 p.m. April 21 at the Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales. The Ascension Parish Master Gardeners Association under the direction of the LSU AgCenter hosts the äSee AROUND, page 3G

Group brings events for special needs people

Gonzales’ Morgan Essery, 10, makes a catch during the three-day camp.

BY C.J. FUTCH

as much as anyone else. “She went to school when she was younger, but eventually, she aged out. Once you Lisa Westerfield’s adult daughter Katie loves to exit the school system, people tend paint and play basketball and wants to learn to play to think you’re doing OK. These are people with special needs that are golf. She wanted to get a job when she left high school, as diverse and personal as the indiher mom said, “but there just weren’t that many op- viduals themselves. They are not needy people. They are people lookportunities available to her.â€? Katie has Down syndrome, and along with many ing for enrichment, education and acother area residents with physical and mental challenges of all kinds, needs stimulation and opportunity äSee SPECIAL, page 4G cfutch@theadvocate.com

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING

BOOGIE

RAIN OR SHINE Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas set to perform 2 p.m. Sunday in Jambalaya Park

Boogie Men members Scott Schmidt, left, and Kate Mendelson perform on Sunday at the Gonzales Civic Center. The free concert was moved from Jambalaya Park to the civic center because of rain.

Monica and Michael Frederic share a light moment while dancing on Sunday. ä More photos, page 4G. Advocate staff photos by JOHN OUBRE

George Washington Carver Park celebrates reopening BY C.J. FUTCH

cfutch@theadvocate.com

Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING

From left, State Reps. Johnny Berthelot and John Schroder, Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux, State Sen. Jody Amedee and Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson happily await the start of ceremonies April 9 at a dedication of new basketball courts at Gonzales’ George Washington Carver Park.

The newly renovated George Washington Carver Park basketball court in Gonzales officially reopened April 9, with representatives from the New Orleans Pelicans and local and state officials there to celebrate the work. Funds for the project came from a donation by the Pelicans and proceeds from the Louisiana Legislature’s annual HoopLA charity basketball game. Sen.

Jody Amedee’s name was randomly selected out of the list of names of all legislators who participated in the game this summer, and he selected the court at George Washington Carver Park to be refurbished. The city of Gonzales also contributed funds to refurbish the court, located on West Toby Street. “This is such a privilege for not only the city of Gonzales, but for the many young men and women of our community who utilize this park,� Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux said.

“Recreation is a fundamental part of who we are as a city, and to see its growth in such a safe and friendly environment is a testament to how valued athletics truly are.â€? Arceneaux thanked Amedee and the Pelicans for “all of the hard work and consideration that has gone into making this a reality for our youth.â€? Pelicans in-arena emcee Nicole Collins hosted the court dedication event and mini-camp äSee PARK, page 2G

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