River Parishes Magazine, Spring 2023

One the most celebrated traditions in the River Parishes is the Bonfires ontheLevyon Christmas Eve. The Bonfires guidetheway forPapaNoel andavarietyofstructurescanbefound duringthemonthofDecember.Pictured istheBonfirethatstandsyear-roundat the St. James Welcome Center located at 1094-1US-61inGramercy.Alongwiththe Bonfire,theWelcomeCenteroffersaSt. JamesMuseum,acoveredpavilion,nature walk and an information center for tourist destinations.PhotobyGeneFranques.

Nearly 70 years of compassionate care

St. James Parish Hospital opened in 1955 as part of a Hospital Service District. St. James Parish Hospital is a public, nonprofit, Critical Access Hospital that has transformed through the years to adopt to the ever-changing needs of the community. As we evolve, we always remain committed to our mission of providing excellent, quality and compassionate care.

Our Story

In the 1950s, the closest hospitals to St. James Parish were in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. David Reynaud—the namesake of the hospital’s medical

Written in May 1955: St. James Parish’s new and completely modern hospital at Lutcher was officially opened following dedication ceremonies attended by a record number of persons for such an occasion. Principal speaker at the dedication was Dr. William Frye, dean of the LSU college of medicine. Other speakers were Dr. Edward Grant, director of the Louisiana department of institutions; Dr. Ward Turner, chief of staff of the new hospital; W. Lee Grant administrator; Rodney P. Woods, Jr., representing Lutcher & Moore and David Reynayd, hospital board chairman, who was master of ceremonies. Built at a cost of $375,000, the hospital offers compete hospital and diagnostic facilities. The rooms range from $7.50 to $12.50. All hospitalization insurance policies will be honored. The telephone number of the new hospital is Lutcher 2512.

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plaza—was the mayor at this time. David saw a need to create access to healthcare in our community and spearheaded a campaign for a local hospital. He worked with government officials to create a Hospital Service District and secure necessary financing. Financing was approved at the time due to the threat of a nuclear attack.

The original St. James Parish Hospital was the first hospital designed by the chosen architects—the same group who went on to design the Superdome and eventually become an award-winning, globally recognized firm. David Reynaud, who we credit our existence to, was the original chairman of the St. James Parish Hospital Board of Directors—a position his son Wilbur now holds.

Since opening, St. James Parish Hospital has been accredited by the State of Louisiana. In 1993, St. James Parish Hospital received its first Joint Commission Accreditation of Hospitals which has been maintained ever since in both the hospital and laboratory. Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting high performance standards. In August 2001, St. James Parish Hospital converted to a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) as a result of the

Balanced Budget Act of 1997 which incorporated legislation that created Rural Hospital Flexibility Programs. The CAH Program helps support financial viability for rural hospitals to ensure adequate community access to high-quality healthcare in areas like St. James Parish. Since then, St. James Parish Hospital has continued to grow.

In 2008, we opened a new, state-of-the-art facility down the street from the original hospital built in 1955. We still call this location home today.

In 2012, we added a Progressive Care Unit which was designed with the layout and technology needed for sicker patients and opened David Reynaud Medical Plaza next to the hospital. Our medical plaza was built to offer clinic space for primary and specialty care physicians. In 2015, we purchased St. James West Bank Clinic in Vacherie in order to expand primary care services to residents on the west bank of the parish. Today, we employ primary care providers in both Vacherie and Lutcher.

In 2019, St. James Parish Hospital purchased land in Vacherie with plans to rebuild St. James West Bank Clinic in order to offer patients an upgraded facility with space to grow. This land includes additional acreage to offer new services. The hospital, parish government,

school system and local industries are working together to plan a space that can address wellness outside of typical healthcare and improve lives in our community. In 2021, we expanded our Medical Plaza which created a dedicated space and additional hours for St. James Urgent Care in addition to adding a new outpatient therapy center which offers cutting-edge technology and an experienced staff of physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Additional space in our medical plaza also allowed us to offer an on-site lab and x-ray services to make care more convenient for clinic patients.

Large enough to serve, Small enough to care

Throughout our history we have remained focused on bringing more services home to you. Our 25-bed Critical Access facility offers an extensive range of inpatient and outpatient services. While comparable in scope of services to larger facilities, our hospital’s smaller size allows physicians and staff to provide quality medical services with a personalized touch. In addition, our central location attracts an experienced medical staff from other world-class organizations.

New Veterans Memorial Plaza honors Gold Star families

BY BROOKE R. CANTRELLE

Former St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre was brought to tears as he stood before the newly completed Veterans Memorial Plaza during a grand opening ceremony on April 5. He recalled the first veteran appreciation event held at the courthouse after he took office; only 10 people had shown up. This time, he looked out at a sea of people, many of them veterans or family members whose loved ones had paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was the culmination of a dream that had been years in the making, birthed from St. Pierre’s vision to create a space where veterans could be remembered and celebrated.

“I never thought I would live to see this thing complete,” St. Pierre said.

St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell and former Parish President V.J. St. Pierre cut the ribbon on the Veterans Memorial Plaza in April 2023.

Stationed adjacent to the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center in Luling, the Veterans Memorial Plaza honors all five branches of the Armed Forces. The site houses a Purple Heart Memorial, a POW/MIA statue, and Louisiana’s second Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

Major General Keith Waddell, adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, explained the origins of the Gold Star tradition. Service flags originally flown during

World War I included a blue star for every immediate family member who had served in the Armed Forces. When a loved one died, a blue star was replaced by a gold star, allowing members of the community to see the price that family had paid for our country’s freedom.

The Gold Star Family Memorial was created by World War II veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams, who passed away this past summer at the age of 98. Williams dedicated the last 10 years of his life to establishing the Gold Star monuments in as many communities as possible across the country.

The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in St. Charles Parish is made from black granite and bears the silhouette of a saluting soldier. The two-sided monument includes four panels that read Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice.

According to the parish administration, St. Charles Parish is home to more than 300 veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It’s also home to the Champagne family, declared “The Most Military Family in America” in Summer 2021.

Parish President Matt Jewell said the Veterans Memorial Plaza is a testament to the unwavering commitment veterans and their families have shown not only to their country, but also to the local community.

The Veterans Memorial Plaza is home to the second Gold Star Families Memorial in the state of Louisiana, the only one located outside of the state capital.

“The entrance of the Plaza is lined with bricks engraved with the names of veterans. These bricks remind us that our veterans’ sacrifices aren’t just a part of history, but are literally woven into the fabric of our community,” Jewell said. “It reminds us that our veterans are not just names on monuments, but real people who have lived and served in our community. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members.”

Jewell made a commitment to bring St. Pierre’s vision of the Veterans Memorial Plaza to fruition when he took office in early 2020. The process involved input from a newly created Veterans Action Committee consisting of members of the VFW, American Legion, and veterans who serve on the St. Charles Parish Council.

Councilwoman Marilyn Bellock served in the Coast Guard and has supported the vision for a Veterans Memorial Plaza since St. Pierre was in office.

“When (veterans) took off their uniforms, they became our educators, our first responders, our police officers and truck drivers and role models and elected officials and community leaders and entrepreneurs,” Bellock said.

Councilman Nicky Dufrene, who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, spoke of the importance of honoring the families who gave their sons and daughters voluntarily to serve this country.

“When you are in the military, you know where you are sleeping at night, but your mom doesn’t,” Dufrene said. Dufrene recalled that during his time in the service, his comrade’s mother, Brenda Fobb, published any correspondence she heard from the troops in the St. Charles Herald-Guide, whether it was journal entries or weather updates. It was her way of giving the community an idea of what their sons were experiencing.

Now, the Veterans Memorial Plaza will share those stories with future generations.

The memorial was the vision of former St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, a 78-year-old Vietnam War veteran.

“As parents, grandparents, and great grandparents, we can bring our loved ones and talk about what it means to serve this great country and the experiences we encountered during our time in the service,” said Bobby Laverne, the first St. Charles Parish resident to have served as state commander for the VFW. “If we, the veterans, don’t tell our young ones our stories, then they will not understand how this nation has maintained its freedom throughout history. It is not something that can truly be taught in a classroom or through a textbook.”

Education and awareness were also part of St. Pierre’s vision for the memorial.

“As young people come and visit this memorial and learn about the sacrifices, they will be inspired. They will be reminded of the importance of giving back to their country

and community,” he said. “This memorial is also a reminder of the importance of serving our veterans when they return home and transition back into civilian life. It is up to us as a community to support them and to help them succeed.”

The Gold Star Families Memorial was generously donated by the Hue family. To them, it represents a legacy left by Lyndon Hue, a St. Charles Parish resident who was killed in a terrorist attack during a peacekeeping effort in 1983. Lyndon’s sister, Jill Stolz, spoke about the impact his death still carries, 40 years later.

Looking toward the memorial, she said, “The house that we grew up in, the restaurant that we grew up in, my grandparents’ house, they no longer exist. They are empty lots in Des Allemands. This is our legacy.”

A large crowd was in attendance for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.

Ponchatoula Traditions

BY CRISTIE ANN ADDISON

Iwas asked to write an article about the Traditions of Ponchatoula, and being from the South, traditions are a huge part of my life, from Birthdays and Holidays to Anniversaries. Traditions are something that we base our lives around. In Ponchatoula, there are many traditions within this tiny community. Each year fills with events, such as Strawberry Festival, Gumbo Cook-offs, Pageants, Parades, etc. Eight thousand people live in the town, and within this community are plenty of organizations with their own particular traditions that not only help the community but bring it together as a whole. One such organization is the Strawberry Festival Board, with their Strawberry Festival Ball announcing their Queen and King, Strawberry Parade, unveiling the strawberry poster each year, and the one and only Strawberry Festival, one of the largest in the state.

Upcoming Events

June 3

• City Wide Yard Sell from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m

July 22

• Christmas in July from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

August 26

• Buds and Suds from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Strawberries are a staple here in Ponchatoula thanks to the traditions of our Strawberry farmers who tend to their land and then sell this delicious fruit as their ancestors did years ago. Farmers will sell Strawberries on the side of the roads, at local grocers, and at big festivals. We wouldn’t be Strawberry Capital if it weren’t for the traditions from our farmers and workers.

Come to Ponchatoula and make your own traditions. You can’t wake up without your morning coffee and mouth-watering breakfast at Paul’s Cafe while enjoying the outside scenery from Monday-Saturday 7:00 AM- 2:00 PM. Then head to Trails End Antiques to find their newest yet oldest collection of vintage finds, open seven days a week. On your way around town, say hello to our friends at Toula Title and take a picture at their Selfie bench, then walk across the street and take a photo with a giant strawberry statue open MondaySaturday. When daylight fades, go to J Rockers House of Soul for traditional home-cooked southern food with music on the side—open from Wednesday-Thursday 4:00 PM - 9:00, Friday and Saturday, 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM.

We live surrounded by Traditions passed down to us from generation to generation, and they will continue as long as we keep our traditions alive. Next time you’re in town, take a minute, absorb the old buildings, the shops, restaurants, and the people in town, and think of what made this town what is today, Traditions.

For more information on events, shopping and dining in Ponchatoula, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce at 985-386-2536 or chamber@ ponchaotulachamber.com

The Andouille tradition

BY LORA LUQUET

LaPlace, Louisiana calls itself “The Andouille Capital of the World,” but how did the little River Parishes town become known for a sausage?

Andouille was created through combining the French and German culinary traditions that merged in the River Parishes. Now, andouille exists as a point of pride for the LaPlace area and even has a festival named in its honor.

There are many family-owned restaurants in the area that offer authentic andouille sausage, frozen, hot, and in both traditional and home-created dishes. In order to showcase the many ways in which authentic andouille can be enjoyed, the River Parishes Tourist Commission has created an andouille trail for visitors.

“It was to give direction to travelers, so instead of you calling the tourist commission and asking where you can get andouille, we give you a wide variety of places to visit and eat and buy andouille. It’s just kind of a guide to follow,” Executive Director Jay Robichaux said.

The andouille trail includes 34 locations, including locations that offer shipping. “We have Bailey’s, we have Jacob’s, we have Spuddy and Vacherie. They all just created kind of their own version of andouille,” Robichaux said. “Like any other sausage, like if you buy smoked sausage at one location and go to a different location, there’s a little bit different variety.” For many of these small businesses, the art of making andouille is a family tradition. “My great great grandfather had the idea of selling his (andouille) commercially. He was one of the first in the parish to

Home Away from Home in Ponchatoula

This quaint one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage was built in 1964. It sits along the railroad track just three (3) blocks from historic downtown Ponchatoula.

Available through airbnb. Scan for more information.

Editor’s Note: This story was written in the first quarter of 2023.

The Andouille Festival is part of St. John traditions. Pictured is the Teen Andouille Queen, Rylee Moore.

do so,” Holly Lions, fifth-generation owner of Jacob’s World Famous Andouille said. “He and his wife opened Jacob’s General Merchandise Store, and that was right along the River Road. They did that back in 1928 where he would sell and make his andouille all by hand.”

According to Lions, the demand for “authentic” andouille outside of LaPlace is real.

“I consistently get phone calls when we do ship orders and most of them will be from out-of-town people that say hey, I can’t get andouille anywhere out here and the stuff in the store is no good. Can you please send some to me? And that’s almost every single phone call,” said Lions. Most of Jacob’s World Famous Andouille’s customers are long-time regulars, but sometimes during the holiday season, people will come through following the andouille trail. “People that come on the andouille trail, they also wanna see how andouille is made. That gives us a chance to take them to the back and actually show them the process that we do, and that’s a really fun and exciting thing to do,” Lions said. “You can see their smile light up and their face light up whenever they walk into that smokehouse, even though their eyes might water from the smoke a little bit.”

If visitors eat at five locations on the andouille trail and bring in their receipts to the tourist commission, they can receive a prize.

“You can mail them in or you can drop them off at our office and you get our wooden spoon,” Robichaux said. “The coveted wooden spoon.”

According to Lions, one good thing about the andouille trail is the focus on how to eat andouille.

“A lot of people hear the word andouille and their only two thoughts are jambalaya and gumbo, and although those are our two most popular dishes that people make, there are so many things you can do with andouille because it’s very versatile,” Lions said. Whether you have never had andouille before, or it is a staple in your kitchen, making and eating andouille will continue to be a River Parishes tradition.

“Once you have andouille that’s actually made and smoked in your backyard, you’ll never eat it out of a grocery store again,” Robichaux said. “You have to have it made by hand, smoked in a true smoker for a long time, and it’s an unbelievable taste.”

To discover the andouille trail or learn more about the history of andouille, visit andouilletrail.com.

Andouille is incorporated in many local traditions such as being cooked with crawfish.

It’s Good to Be Queen!

Louisiana Strawberry Queen LI Kirstin Drozd You

June 3, 2023 at 10:00am

Strawberry Festival Building 313 North 6th Street

Ponchatoula, LA 70454

Louisiana Strawberry Queen LII Pageant

Ponchatoula Strawberry King LII, 2024 Strawberry Blossom, 2024 Strawberry Grand Marshal Coronation

June 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm

Ponchatoula High School Auditorium 19452 LA-22

Ponchatoula, LA 70454

For

information www.lastrawberryfestival.com

Dr. Dylan Poche, Family Practice Physician, sees patients in Lutcher.