Sunday, December 21, 2014 The Lafourche Gazette

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Sunday, December 21, 2014

Lawmakers back Jindal plan to close $170M deficit BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan to use a mix of patchwork financing and modest cuts to close a budget deficit topping $170 million won approval Thursday from state lawmakers, who had only a few days remaining to rebalance the budget and avoid a special session.

Minor changes were made to the plan submitted last month by the Jindal administration. Some financing sources were swapped.

Agriculture department job cuts were scrapped. A cut to road maintenance work was eliminated.

Otherwise, the plan to rebalance the $25 billion budget for the fiscal year that ends June 30 stayed largely intact when it was approved without objection by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

“I feel comfortable with it,” said committee Chairman Jim Fannin, R-Jonesboro.

See Lawmakers Page 9-A

Social Security to increase 1.7 percent for 2015

Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 64 million Americans will increase 1.7 percent in 2015, according to the Social Security Administration.

The 1.7 percent cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that more than 58 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2015.

See Increase Page 9-A

MEETINGS

Port Fourchon budgets for a busy year ahead

Merry Christmas

MELINDA DESLATTE Associated Press

By: Doug Cheramie, II Contributing Writer

LAFOURCHE GAZETTE HOLIDAY HOURS: CLOSED, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 AND THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

Check out our special Holiday Greetings section filled with holiday messages and greetings from area businesses and individuals.

Study shows more abused kids die as officials fail to protect

HOLBROOK MOHR and GARANCE BURKE Associated Press

BUTTE, Montana (AP) — At least 786 children died of abuse or neglect in the U.S. in a six-year span in plain view of child protection authorities — many of them beaten, starved or left alone to drown while agencies had good reason to know they were in danger, The Associated Press has found.

To determine that number, the AP canvassed the 50 states, the District of Columbia and branches of the military — circumventing a system that does a terrible job of accounting for child deaths. Many states struggled to provide numbers. Secrecy often prevailed.

Most of the 786 children whose cases were compiled by the AP were under the age of 4.

They lost their lives even as authorities were investigating their families or providing some

form of protective services because of previous instances of neglect or violence or other troubles in the home.

Take Mattisyn Blaz, a 2-month-old Montana girl who died when her father spiked her “like a football,” in the words of a prosecutor.

Matthew Blaz was well-known to child services personnel and police. Just two weeks after Mattisyn was born on June 25, 2013, he came home drunk, grabbed his wife by her hair and threw her to the kitchen floor while she clung to the newborn.

Jennifer Blaz said a child protective services worker visited the day after her husband’s attack, spoke with her briefly and left. Her husband pleaded guilty to assault and was ordered by a judge to take anger management classes and stay away from his wife.

Missing the turn …

MONDAY, DEC. 22

VOLUME 26 NUMBER 10

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission plans for a busy year in 2015 as their projected budget for the coming year shows several construction and improvement projects slated for Port Fourchon and the South Lafourche Leonard Miller, Jr. Airport.

For 2015, the commission budget is expected to be $78.6 million, an increase of some 11 percent over the 2014 budget.

Over $28 million of the projected budget will be sourced from tenant rent in 2015, while $16 million is expected to come from grants and $4.3 million from ad valorem taxes. The bulk of the remainder is slated to come from accrued savings.

“We have an exciting 2015 planned as we work to meet the needs of our customer and tenant base,” said Commission Executive Director Chett Chiasson.

Among the projects highlighted for the upcoming year include bulkhead work at Slip C. A $28 million project will place over 5,400 feet of linear bulkhead at the slip.

A little over $1 million has been budgeted for beginning work on the dredging of Slip D. The eventual price tag on this dredging will run to some $15 million.

Over $3.7 million has been budgeted for drainage work as well as the elevation of Nolty J. Theriot road, a major thoroughfare in the port.

Some $1 million is planned for the placement of 18 mooring dolphins at the port, which will provide critically needed docking space for vessels. $2 million has also been budgeted in 2015 for the dredging of Bayou Lafourche adjacent to Port Fourchon. According to port officials, once this dredging work is complete, that segment of waterway will be turned over to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for permanent maintenance.

See Port Page 9-A

Versailles first krewe to announce 2015 royalty

See Abuse Page 3-A

LAFOURCHE PARISH FIRE DISTRICT #3 Board of Commissioners 6:30 p.m.

Fire Central 17462 W. Main - Cut Off

INSIDE

Arrests............................7-A

Calendar of Events.........2-A

Christmas Greetings........1-B Classifieds................6-A/7-A

Horoscopes...................6-A Lottery...........................2-A

News In Brief...................2-A

Obituaries.......................7-A

Surfin’ the Net.................7-A

Worship Directory...........8-A

Staff photo by Babs

This 18-wheeler couldn’t quite make the turn Thursday at the lift bridge crossing Bayou Lafourche in Larose. No one was hurt in the accident.

The Krewe of Versailles Carnival club held their announcement party Saturday, December 6 at the Larose Civic Center where the 2015 royal court was announced.

Reigning over Versailles’ 41st year will be King XLI Jerome Joseph Shields and Queen XLI Charlene Pierce Plaisance.

The Krewe’s tableau is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at the Cut Off Youth Center.

Versailles is set to parade at noon on Sunday, February 8 along the city streets of Larose with the theme of Once Upon a Time in Versailles.

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Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

438-7873 lafate-day @lpso.net This course is a prerequisite for those applying for a Concealed Handgun Permit from the State of Louisiana.

Calendar of Events News to Use!

Laf. Parish Council cancels Tues. meeting

The Lafourche Parish Council and Parish Administration announces the second regular meeting scheduled for December 23 at the Mathews Government Complex has been cancelled.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will take place at 5 p.m. on January 13, 2015.

Candlelight service to be held Christmas Eve

The South Lafourche Baptist Church, 17077 E. Main St. in Cut Off, will be having a Christmas Eve candlelight service with Christmas caroling on Wednesday, December 24, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Handgun training class to be held Dec. 28

A Concealed Handgun Training Course will be held on Sunday, December 28 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range, 3451 Hwy. 182, Raceland.

Cost is $110. Advance registration is required. Go to www.lpso.net/concealedhandgunreg.

For more information, contact: Lieutenant Lafate Day (985) 803-1062 or (985)

Baseball registration to begin January 6

The LCO 2015 baseball registration for all 15-yearolds will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following days: * Tuesday, January 6 at the Larose Civic Center * Wednesday, January 14 at the Larose baseball field * Thursday, January 22 at the Larose Civic Center There will be a $40 registration fee per player, (ask about family discount).

There will be a $10 late fee for anyone who registers after the January 23 deadline.

New league players must be at least 5 years old

by March 1st.

For more information contact Blaine Curole at 985-696-3592 or email lcoboysbaseball@gmail.com.

Follow LCO boy’s baseball on facebook or twitter.

SLHS Kiddie Camp to be held early January

All children, Pre-K through fifth, are invited to participate in Dancing With the Stars at the South Lafourche High School’s Tarponette Kiddie Camp.

Participants will learn a dance on Saturday, January 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the SLHS gym and receive a t-shirt and snack.

Participants will then perform on Friday, January 16th at the SLHS varsity basketball game at 7 p.m.

Cost is $35.

Volunteers needed for VITA program

4U Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) is currently recruiting volunteers to help prepare income tax returns for the upcoming tax year.

Volunteer tax preparers receive extensive training and are required to pass a certification exam before

NEWS IN

BRIEF

PSC won’t allow Jindal administration to sell its vehicles

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Louisiana Public Service Commission is refusing to turn over seven vehicles to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration to be sold at auction early next year.

The five elected members of the utility regulatory agency voted Wednesday for a resolution directing its staff not to relinquish the vehicles.

The Jindal administration planned to confiscate and sell them, along with 700 other state vehicles in a cost-cutting move. The administration said they aren’t used enough to justify continued maintenance costs and the sale could bring in up to $1.4 million.

But the PSC says the commission doesn’t have the money to rent cars and sale of its vehicles would hinder its work. It also objects to taking commission property, selling it and using the dollars to balance other parts of the budget. ___________

Thief fakes heart attack so friend can steal toys

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LAKE WALES, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a man faked a heart attack inside a Florida Wal-Mart store so his friend could steal toys.

The men — 30-year-old Tarus Scott and 27-year-old Genard Dupree — were arrested Tuesday on grand theft charges.

The Polk County Sheriff’s office says the men filled a shopping cart with a motorized power wheel Bar-

CALENDAR OF EVENTS / NEWS TO USE GUIDELINES

Due to limited space, community events submitted for publication will be published under the Calendar of Events / News to Use column for free twice ONLY. Any organization or club wishing to have their event published more than twice will have to pay a $10 fee each time the event is published after the two-time limit.

they can prepare taxes.

Training is available through the TaxWise Program, as well as self-paced online or printed training materials. Each year volunteers are needed to help deliver this service to our community.

For more information, contact 4U at (985) 6860812 or email us at ddhughes.4u@gmail.com. bie car, Leap Frog tablet and a Barbie Glam vacation house. They walked through the store together.

Video surveillance shows Dupree on the floor near the store entrance, clutching his chest. As concerned citizens checked on him, Scott walked out of the store with the cart. Once Scott was outside, Dupree got up and walked out. They left in a silver SUV, but deputies caught up with them. ___________

Louisiana casino revenue down 4.3 percent

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s 14 riverboats, four racetrack casinos and Harrah’s land-based casino brought in nearly $243.4 million in November.

That’s 4.3 percent worse than the $254.4 million the gambling halls won the year before.

State police released the November figures Thursday.

Lake Charles saw the biggest gain of any casino market in the state, up by nearly 5 percent to $43.3 million.

Baton Rouge’s casinos brought in nearly $21.7 million in November, compared with $24.1 million in November 2013, a 10.1 percent loss. Prior to this gains had been recorded for four month in a row.

Winnings in the New Orleans riverboat casino market were up .9 percent last month compared with the year before. At Harrah’s New Orleans revenues were down by 13.6 percent.

Shreveport-Bossier City was down by 10.3 percent. ___________

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Letters and Opinions

Don’t kick Santa across the yard, move on, give and celebrate Christmas

By Glenn Mollette Guest Columnist

This Christmas give somebody the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Actually be broad with your giving and generosity. We all need a lot of both.

For such a joyful holiday of cheer, giving and yuletide merriment there are certainly a lot of stressed out sourpuss faces and agitated people.

If you haven’t seen any of these you probably haven’t been to the mall or busy shopping districts.

People get tense over decorating, shopping, spending, and fitting into their schedules all the jolly dinners, gatherings and religious services.

You may have watched Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He becomes over the top stressed out when his Christmas lights don’t work and literally kicks, stomps and curses a blue streak across his yard.

It’s a funny scene.

Mostly because in some way we’ve all been there a time or two.

We go crazy at Christmas. Everything is totally and abnormally different from the rest of the year. We spend money, eat, cook, travel and over schedule more than any other time of the year.

By the time December 26 rolls around we’re sick of Christmas. We start making a list of New Year’s resolutions that include never doing some of the stuff ever again that we did at Christmas!

By the time the next Christmas rolls around we do it all over again and often worse than the year before. We promise and swear we are going to do things differently but as long as we are able we do it over and again.

Most of us enjoy giving if we can. We enjoy giving to the people we love. Christmas trees, decorating, eating and gatherings are all a part of the season. However, we become frustrated when

we lose sight of the big picture. The big picture includes looking around and beyond our Christmas pain.

Millions of people would simply be thrilled to have the problems that some of us have. Many people are in the nursing home and will never go to the mall again.

Some have a terminal disease and this may be their last Christmas. Others would simply love to have a house to decorate or someone to buy a gift for.

Celebrate Christmas this year. Give away some special gifts. Give gifts that money can’t buy or time cannot fade. Give love, give forgiveness and give some mercy. Extend these generously to yourself. If you can’t give them to yourself it’s impossible to give them to others.

The little baby that Christmas celebrates became a man and taught people that we should love God and love others as we love ourselves. Herein is part of the rub. Too often people stop loving themselves. Life becomes imperfect, we fail, get hurt or mad and we kick Santa or the reindeer across the yard. Unfortunately we stop there. We go into Ebenezer Scrooge bah humbug mode. We don’t get our groove back and miss out on some of Christmas’ most wonderful characteristics mercy and forgiveness.

The Christmas story is about a child who came to show us the way. He showed us how to love, forgive and be merciful. Some of the people in your life probably need it more than you know. Give generously and start with yourself.Â

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group, organization or this publication.  Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/GlennMollette.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Opinions expressed are strictly those of the letter writer and not of this newspaper. Letters should be brief and to the point. They must include the writer’s signature, address and daytime telephone number. Initials and pen names will not be accepted. Letters from the same writer are not published when they follow frequently upon another.

How about another Abuse Convinced he had Christmas truce? changed, his wife allowed From 1-A

By Arnold J. Oliver Guest Columnist

On the evening of December 24th a century ago, peace broke out in the most unlikely of places. In the blasted, putrid trenches of Belgium and France, soldiers fighting on the Western Front put aside their arms in what became known as the Christmas Truce.

Although World War I was then only a few months old, there had already been a million combat deaths.

Many soldiers were weary of the futility and horrific costs of the war, and thousands of them spontaneously stopped trying to kill each other.

The drama began on Christmas Eve, as German soldiers lit up their Tannenbaums (Christmas trees), put them on top of their trenches in view of the Allied troops, and began to sing carols.

From there, full-scale fraternization became widespread. Troops put down their weapons, climbed out of the trenches and met in no-mans-land to pray and sing and exchange greetings and gifts.

The cease fire continued into Christmas Day during which the dead were buried, toasts were exchanged and soccer games played.

The break in hostilities was actually a mutiny, not a truce. It was initiated by the soldiers themselves against express orders from military commanders.

In fact, the political and military leaders on both sides were horrified when the shooting stopped, and did everything they could to force a rapid resumption of hostilities. Dire threats of severe punishment were issued, and the news was suppressed.

But in spite of this, it took weeks for the fighting to resume in some areas. Lance Corporal Adolph Hitler, serving with the Bavarian Army, did not think much of the cease fire either.

The Christmas Truce is often portrayed as a singular event, and it is true that in the later years of the war there were few holiday cease-fires. But as the war ground on in its destructive stupidity, very large mutinies took place.

In the East, the Russian army disintegrated, the soldiers voted with their feet, and went home to make revolution. There were also large-scale mutinies among German and French troops,

weary of being fodder for cannons. Much of Europe, not just Russia, teetered on the brink of revolution.

In fact, military mutinies have been common throughout history. During the Napoleonic Wars entire British naval fleets rebelled over brutal treatment and sympathy with French republican ideals. Warships commanded by mutineers blockaded the port of London.

The United States armed forces have at times also rebelled, for a variety of reasons. During the Mexican American War of 1846 to 1848 an entire battalion of Irish immigrants went over to the Mexican side; and in the Civil War fraternization was widespread.

But it was during the Vietnam War that resistance from inside the U.S. military was most consequential. By 1971 the U.S. military was nearly unable to function due to active dissent among all branches of the armed forces. Aircraft carriers could not put to sea, airmen declined to fly, and ground units did not engage. Disgruntled troops had as much or more to do with ending the war than the anti-war movement.

Upon reflection, it is incredible that crucial facts about our military adventures, such as GI resistance during the Vietnam War, are almost entirely absent from the news and history as it is taught. The topic is deemed inappropriate for young minds in our high schools and most universities, and has all but disappeared from the public consciousness.

One cannot but wonder how free our free society actually is.

The citizens of the world can hope for another spontaneous truce from the trenches. Perhaps one day we can realize the dream of President Eisenhower, who observed, “I think people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.”

Fitting words in a season of hope.

Arnold “Skip” Oliver writes for PeaceVoice and is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio. A Vietnam veteran, he belongs to Veterans For Peace, and can be reached at soliver@heidelberg.edu.

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AFTER

him to return to the home.

She said the next official contact between the family and Montana child services came more than six weeks later — the day of Mattisyn’s funeral.

The system also failed Ethan Henderson, who was only 10 weeks old but already had been treated for a broken arm when his father hurled him into a recliner so hard that it caused a fatal brain injury.

Maine hotline workers had received at least 13 calls warning that Ethan or his siblings were suffering abuse. The caseworker who inspected the family’s cramped trailer six days before Ethan died on May 8, 2012, wrote that the baby appeared “well cared for and safe in the care of his parents.”

Many factors can contribute to the abuse dilemma nationwide: The child protective services system is plagued with worker shortages and a serious overload of cases.

Budgets are tight, and nearly 40 percent of the 3 million child abuse and neglect complaints made annually to child protective services hotlines are “screened out” and never investigated.

Also, insufficient training for those who answer child abuse hotlines leads to reports being misclassified, sometimes with deadly consequences; a lack of a comprehensive national child welfare database allows some abusers to avoid detection by moving to different states; and a policy that promotes keeping families intact can play a major role in the number of deaths.

Because no single, complete set of data exists for the deaths of children who already were being overseen by child welfare caseworkers, the information compiled over the course of AP’s eight-month investigation represents the most comprehensive statistics publicly available.

But the number of abuse and neglect fatalities where a prior open case existed at the time of death is undoubtedly much higher than the tally of 760.

Seven states reported a total of 230 open-case child deaths over the six-year period, but those were not included in the AP count because the states could not make a distinction between investigations started due to the incident that ultimately led to a child’s death and cases that already were open when the child received the fatal injury.

The data collection system on child deaths is so flawed that no one can even say with accuracy how many children overall die from abuse or neglect every year. The federal government estimates an average of about 1,650 deaths annually in recent years; many believe the actual number is twice as high.

Even more lacking is comprehensive, publicly available data about the number of children dying while the subject of an open case or receiving assistance from the agencies that exist to keep them safe — the focus of AP’s reporting.

“We all agree that we cannot solve a problem this complex until we agree it exists,” said David Sanders, chairman of the federal Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities, whose members are traveling the country studying child deaths under a congressional mandate.

States submit information on child abuse deaths to the federal government

on a voluntary basis — some of it comprehensive, some of it inaccurate. In some cases, states withhold information about child deaths in violation of the terms of federal grants they receive.

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services says all states receiving grants under a prevention and treatment program must “allow the public to access information when child abuse or neglect results in a child fatality,” unless those details would put children, their families or those who report abuse at risk, or jeopardize an investigation.

Still, no state has ever been found in violation of disclosure requirements and federal grants have never been withheld, according to Catherine Nolan, who directs the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, a sub-agency of HHS. The information that states send the federal government through the voluntary system also is severely lacking.

A 2013 report showed that 17 states did not provide the federal government with a key measure of performance: how many children had died of child abuse after being removed from their homes and then reunited with their families within a five-year period.

When President Richard Nixon signed the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act into law in 1974, it was seen as a sign of federal commitment to preventing child abuse through state-level monitoring.

But in 1995, a board reviewing the subsequent progress issued a scathing report calling or better information and transparency and flagging “serious gaps in data collection.”

Nearly 20 years later — 40 years after Nixon signed the act — the AP found that many such problems persist. ___ The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap.org

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

3-A

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL RECEIVES GENEROUS GRANT FROM MARY AND AL DANOS FAMILY FOUNDATION

Recently the Family Foundation of Mary and Al Danos presented a check for $20,000 to Holy Rosary Catholic School Principal Scott Bouzigard. Mr. Al Danos and his family continue to offer dedicated support to the community and Holy Rosary Catholic School through their foundation.

This donation will pair with support from additional resources for the implementation of technology improvements the school is presently working toward.

Pictured are Scott Bouzigard and Al Danos presenting a donation to Holy Rosary Catholic School on behalf of the Mary and Al Danos Family Foundation.

Kelsey Gaudet, a cheerleader from West Marion Junior High was in the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration Parade at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL. Kelsey made NCA AllAmerican Cheerleader at the cheer camp she attended this summer. This holiday special will air nationwide Christmas morning at 9 a.m. on ABC. Kelsey is the granddaughter of Debbie Gisclair and the late Andy Gisclair, Glynn and Dorene Billiot, and David Gaudet, Sr. of Cut Off.

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Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Galliano Elementary’s 4-H officers attended their Executive Meeting recently at Central Lafourche High School. They learned all about doing their job as an officer.

Reporter: Alyssa Duet

Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School’s September Students of the Month are as follows: Back row (L-R): Henry Hlichal, Ella Myers, Astryd Schafer, and Eden Rodrigue; Middle row (L-R): July Cer, Jonnie Dufrene, Andrea Baxter, and Paul Hlichal; Front row (L-R): Bailee Thompson, Carrisa Duet, David Bourg, Katja Galjour, Kai Rogers, and Elizabeth Verdin.

Not pictured is Bella Young.

Pictured are Galliano Elementary students who wore jeans recently to help celebrate National 4-H Week.

Reporter, Alyssa Duet

Galliano Elementary 4-H Treasurer Matthew Alario is pictured helping Kindergarteners to their classroom before school.

Golden Meadow Lower Elementary School students have begun working on their Growing Up Fit Together grant project in which they chose to make class gardens. Students, along with the GUFTinstructors, have planted such things as broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers.

Students pictured are Jeremiah Allen, Jaylyn Rodrigue and Phenix Boura.

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ABOVE: Galliano Elementary’s 4-H officers Cohen Terrebonne, Parker Duet, and Kaitlyn Cosse, recently presented Dr. Lorraine with a nice plant for Boss’s Day.

Reporter: Alyssa Duet

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When it comes to family vacations, children remember what you do more than where you go. Explore Louisiana together.

Reporter: Alyssa Duet

Galliano Elementary sponsored a food drive during the month of November to help out our local food banks. Thanks to all who donated.

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Galliano Elementaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4-H and Beta Clubs recently participated in the Operation 2014 Christmas care package drive for our soldiers. They were able to collect over 75 bags of items.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

2015 Mitsubishi

Mirage

Stk. #15-002

2015 Mitsubishi

$

12,695

OUTLANDER $ SPORT Stk. #15T-040

44 MPG HIGHWAY

18,795

2014 Mitsubishi

LANCER

Stk. #14T-033

2015 Mitsubishi

$

15,895

OUTLANDER $ Stk. #15T-006

5-A

20,995

*SEE DEALER FOR COMPLETE WARRANTY DETAILS. ALL FACTORY REBATES TO DEALER. ALL OFFERS ARE PLUS TAX, TITLE & LICENSE. WITH APPROVED CREDIT. ON SELECT MODELS. SOME INCENTIVES MAY HAVE ENDED DUE TO PUBLICATION DEADLINE. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS

CLASSIFIED ADS

6-A

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

HOMES

House & Waterfront Property For Sale: 205 Ledet Lane, Larose. 1996 sq ft, 3 br, 2 ba home on 200x129 waterfront lot.

FMI go to zillow.com or call 985278-2903. _________________ Mobile Home For Sale: 16x80, 3 br, 2 ba, Larose area, garden tub, covered 2car carport, lot 117x270. $85,000.

FMI call 985-6651713, leave message if no answer. _________________ House For Sale: 3 br, 1 ba, new metal roof, Cut Off area. $88,000 or $15,000 down and take over note. FMI call 985-258-9140. _________________

BUILDING FOR SALE

Cabin/Office Building For Sale: Wood, foam insulated, self contained, tub, toilet, water heater, ac/heat, queen bed in loft, sleeps 4. $15,000.

Call 985-373-9153. _________________ Building For Sale: 17904 W. Main, Galliano. 2400 sq ft store w/lg. parking lot. Reduced to $69,000. To view property call 985-278-0697. _________________

FOR RENT

House For Rent: Fully furn., 3 br. 2 ba, executive home available for weekly or monthly rentals. Includes linens, kitchen equip., appliances, TV’s and all utilities, including internet & cable. Call 985-2781136 _________________ Mobile Home For Rent: 3 br, 1 ba, W. 41st St. in Cut Off. Partially furn., w/d, $1000/mth, $500/dep.

Utilities included. Call 985-258-3357. _________________

(985) 632-5858

Mobile Home For Rent in Lockport area. 3 br, 2 ba, all appl. included. $800/mth, plus deposit. Now taking applications.

Call 985-665-9538. _________________ Brick Home For Rent: Completely remodeled, unfurnished, 3 br, 2 ba, living rm, dining, lg. kitchen, carport, outside covered cooking area, spacious yard, quiet neighborhood, no pets, no smoking.

Larose, north of Intracoastal. $1200/mth, $800/dep. Call 985693-7040. _________________ Huge 2 br Apt. For Rent: Taking applications. All utilities pd., total electric, 10 ft ceilings, private parking, no pets, no smoking.

Ready soon. Call 985632-2158 or 985-5336212. _________________ Peterson Living Rentals, LLC 985637-4133 18122 Hwy. 3235, Galliano, 3.3 miles south of Wal-Mart and 1/2 mile north of Days Inn Motel.

Mobile Home & RV Park, New Laundromat & Convenience Store.

Convenience store open Mon. - Sat. 8 am - 9 pm and laundry mat open 24/7. Try out new drop off laundry service and be one of our many satisfied customers.

Lavanderia Nueva y Tienda Hispana. Se habla Espanol Camper Sales and Propane. Here from out of town and tired of paying high hotel prices and eating out all the time? Come be another satisfied customer. Starting at $150/wk with full kitchen and a yard so you can barbeque.

Available Now: Campers, camper lots, bunk houses, 2BR cabins, 1 - 2 BR Mobile Homes. Day, week, month. _________________

LA Carriers LLC is now accepting applications for

Inshore / Offshore Captains or Mates

A towing endorsement is required.

Full time or floater.

We offer competitive pay, 401K, Bonuses, Health & Life Insurance and much more.

Apply online or in person at 16849 E. Main St., Cut Off

Cote Blanche Connection Apts. For Rent: Hwy. 3161, Cut Off. Spacious 2 br, 1 ba, apt., full kitchen, w/d included, pets w e l c o m e d . $1000/mth. See pics at coteblancheapartments.com. FMI call Bill at 985-325-5626. _________________ House For Rent: 4 br, 2 ba, lg. lot, excel. cond., Cut Off area.

Ready to move in. $1100/mth, $900/dep.

Call Tammy at 985278-2620. _________________ Apt. For Rent: 3 br, 2 ba, huge yard, covered carport, water pd., pets allowed. $1000 /dep., $1000 /mth. Call 985-2271936. _________________ House For Rent in Larose: Newly remodeled, 3 br, 2 ba, w/d, $1000/mth plus deposit. Taking applications. Call 985-6934335. _________________ Apt. For Rent: 1 br, in Central Lafourche area. $400/mth plus utilities. Call 985-4388296 _________________ Apt. For Rent in Larose. 1 br, on W. 14th St. $600/mth, $600/dep. Call 985991-0053. _________________ Commercial Hwy. 1 Frontage Picciola Complex For Lease: 7 rooms, 2 baths, formerly Lafourche Podiatry Clinic. $1200/mth. plus utilities. Minimum 1-year lease. Call 985-855-4163. _________________ House For Rent: 3 br, 1 ba, carport, appl., $900/mth, $900/dep.

Also Apt. For Rent: 1 br, 1 ba, appl., $500/mth, $500/dep.

Cut Off area. Call 985637-0073. _________________

MERCHANDISE

55 gallon drums for sale with lid. $20 each. Call 985-2919490 FMI. _________________ Collection of Memorabilia For Sale: Hank Williams signed guitar, Fats Domino albums & the Moody Blues, Sean Peyton artist proof poster.

Call 985-373-9153. _________________ 200 Plastic Pallets For Sale: $10 ea. or $8 ea. for 15 or more.

Call 693-7229 FMI. _________________

Maintenance Position Available

365 Enterprises is seeking an individual with a strong work ethic and positive attitude to fill a position as a full time maintenance person in a smoke free work environment.

Requirements: General knowledge of maintenance, clean background, dependable transportation Benefits include: 401K, Health Insurance, Off Sundays, Paid Holidays, Paid Sick Days, Paid Vacations

Apply at 13559 West Main St., Larose, LA 70373 across from West 32nd St.

K-Mar Supply of Fourchon Floor Assistant

is now accepting applications for a Full Time

(Free transportation to and from work)

2002 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft-Tail For Sale: Dark blue, 20K miles, excellent cond. $11,000 firm!

Call 985-798-7494.

CROSBY TUGS LLC Accepting Applications for

QHSE Coordinator Full Time Position

Crosby Tugs is seeking a high energy professional who is self-motivated and reliable.

This position will require the ideal candidate to be available both during working hours and after hours in the event of an emergency. Applicant must have 5 years of experience in maritime safety.

2011 Montana, 3665 RE, leaving everything in it. All you need is your clothes. Letting B/W hitch & Yogi Bear membership go with it. Take over notes.

Call 985-665-4303. _________________

GARAGE SALES

New 2 U Thrift Store, located next to Domino’s & Tobacco Plus in Galliano. Open Tues. thru Fri. from 10 am to 4 pm. We accept donations. _________________

HELP WANTED

Lafourche Arc is looking for energetic, compassionate individuals to work flexible hrs. & days w / individuals w / disabilities who live in the lower Lafourche area.

Assistance with transportation, personal hygiene & household tasks is needed.

Agency will train. High school diploma, GED or 5 yrs pd related exp. required. Scheduling flexibility required. FMI contact Meka Williams at 985447-6214 ext. 120 or Gina Gaudet at ext.

115. Applications may be completed at Lafourche Arc, 100 W. Main St., Thibodaux.

EOE, M/F/V/H. _________________ Coastal Janitorial Services Now Hiring Positions. 5 days a week. Call 632-5791. _________________

Lube rack technician Light mechanical skills needed.

Good driving record.

401K, 3 Weeks Vacation, No Saturdays, Uniforms, 7:30 - 5:30 See Richard to apply in person at Golden Motors • Hwy. 3235 in Cut Off

No Phone Calls Please E.O.E

(NAPA, Next Door to Truck Stop) Must Speak English!

CAMPERS

WANTED

Apply in person at 654 A.O. Rappelet Rd., Fourchon See Mario or Brandi • No Phone Calls Please!

Joan’s Discount Fireworks is open Dec. 15 thru Jan. 1.

We are located at 111 Industrial Park Road in Larose (going towards North American Shipyard). On Dec. 25 & Jan. 1 everything will be buy 1 get 1 free of original price, plus tax. Little Dynamite is buy 1 get 1 free for $4.

Some people said I wasn’t going to open this year, but I am. I’m local so please buy local!

Ms. Joan Callais. _________________ Forklift For Sale: Call 985-291-1876.

Weatherby Mark V $900, wood Monte Carlo stock .300 mag w/3x9x40 wide angle scope; rare antique xmas Budweiser mugs, 1980-1983 to 1990, asking $100 to $20 ea.; thread mill, $100, Weslo 10 speed w/display with lots of program w/papers.

Call 985-677-7777. _________________ New Frigidaire For Sale: 12000 BTU, 120 volts; window ac w/remote w/rolling cart for storage in carton $300. Call 985-4381350. _________________

WE NEED

YOU!

Daily Comet

The Daily Comet has openings in Lafourche Parish for newspaper route carriers!!!

Routes are a good second income for stay at home moms / dads, retirees or anyone else with a few hours of extra time daily.

Reliable transportation and a pleasant attitude for dealing with the public.

Call Linda or Penny for details:

448-7623

Now Hiring

Sales Clerk

Applications can be found online at

Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7-6, Sat. 7-5, Sun. 8-3

17771 Hwy. 3235 Galliano, LA 70354

Every Third Weekend (Sat. 7-5 & Sun. 8-3)

www.crosbytugs.com

or filled out in the main office.

(985) 632-7575

Crosby Tugs, LLC offers a competitive benefits package that includes: Excellent Pay, 401K, Bonuses, Health, Life, Dental, Disability & Cancer Insurances Equal Opportunity Employer

Hours Hiring For: Mon.-Fri. 12-6 Every Third Weekend

Apply Today!

Southern Guard Service, Inc. is now accepting applications for Security Guard positions. Apply at 109 W. 12th St., Larose.

Call 985-693-4316. _________________ Blanchard Cont. Inc. is hiring Certified Pipe Welders, Welder Fitters, Crane Operators, Mechanic & Riggers, 401K, short/long term disability, health, dental & life ins. Pd. vacation & safety bonus. Apply in person at 15444 Hwy. 3235, Cut Off. _________________ Joe’s Septic Cont. has Immediate Openings for Excavator /Backhoe Operator with CDL & Non CDL Drivers. Positions are top pay w/health, dental & vision. Must submit to drug screening!

Apply in person at 15344 Hwy. 3235, Cut Off. _________________ Jan Serve Cleaning personnel needed in Lafourche Parish. Call to apply at 985-798-5800. Resume preferred but not required. Submit resume to P.O. Box 143 Cut Off, LA 70345 _________________ Blanchard Cont., Inc. is hiring an exp. tug boat captain with a towing endorsement.

Full benefits included.

Apply in person at 15444 Hwy. 3235, Cut Off. _________________ Customer Service Rep. wanted for busy insurance agency, located in the South Lafourche area. Must be able to multi-task & possess adequate computer skills.

Please mail resume to Help Wanted, P.O. Box 390, Larose, LA 70373. _________________ Candlewood & Suites in Galliano is now hiring for Full Time/Part Time Front Desk Agents, Night Auditors, Housekeeping & Maintenance Engineers Must have reliable transportation and be able to work flexible hrs. All application must apply in person at Holiday Inn Express in Galliano.

No Phone Calls. _________________ Golden Meadow True Value is looking for Part Time Worker to work in shop & a Driver. Apply in person at 205 N. Bayou Dr., Golden Meadow. _________________ What’s Brewing is looking for Part Time Kitchen Help. Apply in person. No phone calls please. _________________ K&W Leasing, LLC is accepting applications for the following: certified forklift operators, certified riggers, yard hands. Apply in person at 160 A. Henry St., Golden Meadow, LA. 985475-4886 _________________

Driver Needed for Transportation Coastal Area. 24 hr. call, 7 days a week. FMI call Gurell at 1-888-7528747 or 337-267-1141. _________________ Bayou Inn is looking for a Part Time Housekeeper. Apply in person at 18608 W. Main, Galliano. (Near W. 200th St.) _________________ Salon U is looking for an exp. Cosmetologist or a licensed Esthetician. Contact Rosalyn at 985-696-4540. _________________ Looking for a Sitter to sit with an elderly lady, Part Time. $10/hr.

Call 985-258-8018. _________________

Applications are being accepted for the position of Seaport Maintenance Specialist for work in Port Fourchon. This position requires skills in the operation of some heavy equipment such as ZTR mowers, backhoe, road grader, front-end loader, dozer & tractor.

Knowledge of diesel engines is also preferred along with some skill in welding, carpentry, plumbing & electrical. Excel. benefits include 100% pd. family medical insurance & state retirement. Drug screen, physical and satisfactory driving record will be required. Applications may be obtained from the Greater Lafourche Port Commission office at 16829 E. Main St., Galliano by calling 985-632-6701, by accessing our website at www.portfourchon.co m or by emailing cindyd@portfourchon.com. Applications will be accepted thru Fri. January 30. _________________ Applications are being accepted for the position of Information Technology Support Technician.

This position requires skills in installing, diagnosing, repairing, maintaining, and upgrading personal computers, printers, scanners, mobile & network devices, and any other equipment under the IT department’s domain along with maintenance of some software applications. Additional IT skills are preferred for proposition growth.

Excel. benefits including 100% pd. family medical insurance & state retirement. A preemployment drug screen & some ongoing physical capabilities are required.

Applications may be obtained from the Greater Lafourche Port Commission office at 16829 E. Main St., Galliano by calling 985-632-6701, by accessing our website at www.portfourchon.co m or by emailing cindyd@portfourchon.com. Applications will be accepted thru Mon. Jan. 5. _________________

Jani-King Cleaning Services is looking for Cleaning Specialists. Call 985-4145249. _________________

Jambon Convenience Store has an opening for a PartTime Cashier. Apply in person at 20804 Hwy 1, Golden Meadow, LA 70357.

No Phone Calls. _________________

South East Plumbing Cont. is in need of a Plumbers Helper, at least 2-yrs. exp.

Call 985-696-0872. _________________

SERVICES

Dog Grooming at Pitre’s Feed & Seed. Call JoAnn Pitre at 696-2321. _________________ Concrete Work Forming, pouring & finishing – houses, buildings, driveways, patios, walkways, etc.

Call Glenn Hughes, Jr at 985-209-5552. _________________ Can Do Brick, Block & Stone Work.

Call for free estimates. Keith Thayer at 985-637-3569. _________________

LaBove Plumbing

LMP 7038 Gas • Water • Sewer 16844 West Main St. Cut Off, LA 70345 State Licensed & Insured We accept credit & debit cards.

985-991-1881

Trey LaBove, owner. _________________

Cajun Roofing & Carpentry, LLC Best Prices on the Bayou, Sha! I Guarantee! Metal, shingle and patch jobs, vinyl siding, cement board siding, painting, pressure washing, remodeling, wood, ceramic & laminate floors, counter tops, showers, sheet rock, cabinets, windows, doors, porches, decks, patios, custom shutters, additions, new construction and more!

Metal roof prices that can’t be beat. No job too big or too small.

State licensed & insured, 20 yrs. exp. Free estimates. Call Curtis J. Orgeron, Jr., owner at 985-397-6254 or email curtisorgeron @gmail. com __________________

The Leader in the Marine Terminal Industry

Currently Accepting Applications for

Mobile Crane Mechanic Job Requirements:

Account Manager

Apply in person at 14492 West Main St., Cut Off

106 9th Street Lot 1 Golden Meadow, LA 70357 www.chouest.com/cport.html

Must be able to lift furniture.

Excellent Pay, Advancement Opportunities, Health & Dental Insurance PTO, Vacation Pay, Holiday Pay & Sundays Off

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you feel amazing this week.

Your enthusiasm can be quite contagious, and many friends may come calling in the hopes that your good vibes rub off.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 You may have difficulty solving a difficult problem at work this week, Taurus. Take a methodical approach, and the solution will come to you before you know it.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Things may not have been going your way, Gemini, but there is still no reason for disappointment. You will find a way to bounce back from these setbacks in a few days.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Your presence alone is enough to impress people this week. Focus all of your energy on positive things, and you will accomplish quite a bit before the week is over.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, now is a good time to assess your health goals and make a few plans for the new year. It’s within reason to change your diet or start a new exercise regimen.

Fax: 985-693-8282

www.thelafourchegazette.com Top Notch Carpenter Isaiah Domangue Sheetrock, Flooring, Trim Work, Wooden Fences and Fence Repairs, Painting, U Call It, actually!

985-688-4053.

When you want it done right!

J & P’s Tree Service & Sawmill, LLC State Arbor’s License & Insured. Land Clearing, Dozer & Excavator, Tree Removal, Trimming, Stump Grinding, Demolition, Pile Driving. For Sale: Used pilings, pecky cypress, firewood, mulch, & dirt. Call 632-2540. _________________ Tim Harris Flooring Installation Services Carpet, vinyl, laminate, wood, ceramic, custom showers, painting, carpentry, sheet rock. Purchase floor anywhere, we will install. Manufactures warranty floors, not flooring stores.

Free estimates. Call 985-677-0474 or 985-677-2526. _________________ F.U.N. Parties!

To book a party call 985-633-2904. Ask how to win a free cruise. funpartiesinc.com _________________ We Do Redo Remodeling, Inc. Total Renovation & Add Ons! Kitchen & bathroom remodel, tile, vinyl siding, decking, etc, plumbing & electric wiring.

Call Marvin Thibodaux, Sr. at 985-2910953. ________________ GUIDRY CONTRACTORS Metal & shingle roofing, carpentry, new construction, painting, flooring, sheet rock, custom cabinets, decks, screened in porches, fencing, Bobcat excavation and clearing of trees, electrical and plumbing... we do jobs of any size!

FREE ESTIMATES Free pressure wash with any job. Oh wait!

Our prices are better than those other guys.

The best in the state!

Call Rory “Ro” Guidry, owner / contractor 985-258-8249 _________________

Evans Concrete Construction House Slabs, Driveways, Sidewalks, etc.

No job too big or too small. Call Leonard Evans at 985-6772959. _________________

Scott’s Coastal Windows **SPECIAL** Buy 8 or more windows and get 1 free!

Replacement Windows & Doors Repairs Free Estimates Owner: Nick Scott, Window & Door Installer, Licensed & Insured.

Call us Today!

985-278-0672 We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover & American Express _________________

Hate To Paint? Call Color Creation! Indoor /Outdoor painting.

New or old construction.

Reasonable rates. Call 985-2589591. _________________ Doug’s Pressure Washing & Painting Insured Commercial & Residential. Douglas A Plaisance, Owner / Operator.

985-637-8633 _________________

PETS

16844 W. Main, St., Cut Off. Lmp 7038. treylabove84@yahoo. com. 985-991-1881.

Credit & debit cards accepted. State licensed & insured. _________________

PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN Never found to fail. O most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me, and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this necessity; (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times) Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands (3 times) Say this prayer for three consecuritve days & then you must publish it and it will be granted to you. Grateful thanks.

Mindy _________________________

Currently Accepting Applications For

Service, repair, troubleshoot & inspect Manitowoc and Liebherr Mobile Cranes. Knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic systems and DC electrical systems a plus.

TWIC card required to apply.

Benefits Include 401-K, Health, Dental, Life, Vision and Disability Insurance.

Competitive pay

Now hiring a full-time

Office: 985-693-7229

Apply in person at the C-Port Personnel Dept.

Office in Fourchon or fax resume to 985-396-2500 E.O.E. M/F/H/V

Now accepting applications for

Warehouse Clerk Required: Valid Driver’s License

Excellent compensation and company benefits available.

Must submit to drug screening & physical exam.

Please contact Allen Berthelot at allen.berthelot @chouest.com E.O.E. M/F/H/V www.chouest.com

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Incredible efficiency this week has you zipping through your to-do list, Virgo. Enjoy some relaxation time once you have completed all your projects.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Work and family issues are on your mind, Libra. Find ways to balance work and family as best as you possibly can. Don’t be hard on yourself if you cannot manage everything.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, this week is a great time to complete projects that have been on your plate for quite some time.

All you really need to do is set your mind on them.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 You may feel rushed by external pressures, but it’s really up to you to set your own pace. If you keep a calm head, things will fall in place and you can complete your tasks.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 This week some people close to you need a little space. Honor their requests and show them some respect, Capricorn. Your relationships will weather the time apart.

Cleaning Technician Position

Experience preferred but not necessary

7&7 Work Schedule

TWIC card required

Benefits Include 401-K, Health, Dental, Life, Vision and Disability Insurance Apply in person at the Fourchon Office 106th 9th Street Golden Meadow, LA 70357 985-601-4907 E.O.E M/F/H/V

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, things are bound to move quickly once you put a plan in motion.

Get all of your ducks in a row to make a smooth transition. You may have to do some homework.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 You can probably have fun in any situation this week, Pisces. Your youthful exuberance will keep you busy and laughing.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS DECEMBER 21 Jane Fonda, Actress (77) DECEMBER 22 Chris Carmack, Actor (34) DECEMBER 23 Eddie Vedder, Singer (50) DECEMBER 24 Kate Spade, Designer (52) DECEMBER 25 Demaryius Thomas, Athlete (27) DECEMBER 26 Jared Leto, Actor (43) DECEMBER 27 Carson Palmer, Athlete (35)

OBITUARIES

JAMES HELMS James “Jim” Helms, 59, of Camden died on Saturday December 13, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock. Jim was born on August 13, 1955 to Roy and Jerri (Stroops) Helms in Oceanside, California.

Jim was a proud United States Marine who served during the Vietnam War. He was employed at Aerojet Rocketdyne as a Material Handler/Dispatcher.

Jim is preceded in death by his father and a brother, Gary Helms.

He is survived by his adoring wife of thirty years, Sharon (Richoux) Helms; one daughter, Stacy Bouzigard-Burson and husband Davin of Camden; two sons, Mark Bouzigard of Houston, TX and Matt Bouzigard and his wife, Marie of Houma; six grandchildren, Kasey McClain and husband Matt, Camille Richoux, Cohen and Sophia Bouzigard, Dylan and Abi Burson; and one great-granddaughter, Stella Kate McClain; mother, Jerri Helms; brother, Lee Helms; sister, Vicki Betts and husband Steve all of Camden; two sister-in-laws, Chris Brandon and husband John of Cut Off, and Carole “Ollie” Richoux of Walker, LA; and many loving nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers.

A memorial service will be held Saturday December 20th at 2:00 p.m. at Eagle Mills First Baptist Church with Bro. Chris Morgan officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorials be made in his honor to Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or OASIS Spay and Neuter fund of Camden. These two causes were dear to his heart; he was a crusader for Wounded Warriors and rescued many animals over the years.

Services are entrusted to Cremation and Funeral Services of Arkansas. Guests may register at www.arcremation.com. __________________

JUNE PITRE June Evelyn Marie Pitre, 81, a native of Montegut and resident of Cut Off passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014.

Visitation was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Montegut on Thursday, December 18, from 9:00 a.m. until funeral time. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the church cemetery.

She is survived by her nieces, Camille Callais Pitre Naquin and husband Gregory, Lea Marie Callais Najor and husband William; brother-in-law, Norman Joseph Callais; great nieces and nephews, Emilie Pitre, Mathieu Pitre, Camille Ana Najor.

She was preceded in death by her father, Camille Joseph Pitre; mother, Pearl Mary Picou Pitre; sister, Joyce Pitre Callais.

Dear Aunt June was loved by her family, friends and coworkers at Lady of the Sea General Hospital, where she worked as a nurse anesthetist from 1958 until 1992.

She brought joy and smiles to others with her infections giggles and helped heal countless wounds inside and out.

Samart-Mothe Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. __________________

GERALDINE BOURGEOIS Geraldine Benoit Bourgeois, 73, a native of Raceland and resident of Metairie, passed away December 13, 2014.

She was survived by her husband of 53 years Marvin Bourgeois; her daughter Margaret Bourgeois; her son Temple Bour-

geois and wife Tish; granddaughters, Adaline Bourgeois, Abigail Cantrelle, Isabel Cantrelle and Hallie Cantrelle; and grandson Jude Cantrelle Jr.; sister-in-law and husband Brenda and Leroy, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Eula and Lawrence Benoit.

She was a parishioner of St. Jerome Catholic Church of Kenner.

She loved her grandkids and her ladies luncheon group. She also enjoyed sewing, making quilts, and baking.

A Memorial Service was held at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 2400 33rd Street, Kenner on Thursday, December 18. Inurnment in St. Mary’s Nativity Cemetery in Raceland.

Arrangements by L. A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home, Kenner. __________________

TED ST. PIERRE A mass of Christian burial was held on Thursday, December 18 at 12 noon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cut Off for Ted. R. St. Pierre, 76, a native and resident of Cut Off, who passed away on December 14, 2014.

Visitation was from 10 a.m. till 12-noon service at the church with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

He is survived by wife of 53 years, Diana D. St. Pierre; son, Michael St. Pierre; daughters, Wanda A. St. Pierre, Mary St. Pierre Pellegrin and fiancé Brook Angelette, Kris M. St. Pierre Fanning and husband Mitchell; sisters, Barbara S. Plaisance and husband Douglas; grandchildren, Alyssa M. Pellegrin, Elizabeth Fanning and Rhett St. Pierre Fanning.

He was preceded in death by parents, Benny St. Pierre and Lucia Martin St. Pierre.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman and carpenter. He enjoyed talking to people. He was owner/operator of South Lafourche A/C. __________________

Obituaries are made available on our website immediately once they have been received.

WWW.TLGNEWSPAPER.COM/OBITUARIES

Arrest reports

The following information is based on reports from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. Those individuals have been booked with, not convicted of, the offenses shown. All accused should be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

DECEMBER 14, 2014 Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Ashley C. Picou, 23, Houma.

Driver must be licensed, sale/dist. or poss. of legend drug w/o prescription.

DECEMBER 15, 2014 Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Paul D. Collins, 51, Golden Meadow. Prohibited acts-doctor shopping (2 cts), prohibited acts obt cds by fraud/forgery (32 cts).

Laranza L. Thomas, 24, Thibodaux. Resisting an officer.

Billie Vizier, 37, Cut Off. SCDTP (felony), aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

Thibodaux Police Department Cortana Truehill, 19, Napoleonville. Theft (felony).

Harbor Police Joseph Moore, 45, Amite, LA. Fugitive of Livingston Parish.

DECEMBER 16, 2014 Thibodaux Police Department Jeremy P. Aizen, 27, Labadieville.

Fugitive from justice, contempt of court, false imprisonment, dab of a pregnant victim w/child endangerment.

Ernest N Tanoos, III, 25, Thibodaux. Contempt of court.

Nathan T. Robertson, 26, Thibodaux. Contempt of court (2 cts).

Gerdell Dorsey, 33, Gonzales.

Contempt of court.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Chadwick Hartsell, 28, Patterson.

Home invasion (felony).

Stevn P. Robinson, 46, Raceland.

Contempt of court, failure to register and notify as sex offender (felony).

Kaleb Verrett, 19, Raceland. Simple burglary.

Elisha Burnham, 20, Cut Off. Contempt of court (6 cts).

Harbor Police Troy Goodsell, 49, Brookeland, TX. Fugitive of Jasper County, TX.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

The following students were named South Larose Elementary School Students of the Month for October: Alayah Jenkins, Ellie Plaisance, Alexa Robert, Jude Bouziga, Michelle Navarre, Sabastian Rousse, Riley McKenzie, Ayla Guidry, Brooklyn Chenette, Kevin Sanchez, Miguel Galicia, Kaley Dalby, Kaden Griffin, Bethany Rushing, Isabelle Nguyen, Kristyn Guidry, Riley Guidroz, Heidi Tran, Dragen Rousse, Miori Leonard, Brayten Martin, Blayne Terrebonne and Heidi Luna.

Connor Chiasson, 4th grade 4-H Club member at South Larose Elem e n t a r y School, participated in t h e Lafourche Parish Sugar Illustrated Talk Contest and won 2nd place in Division 1 for grades 4-6 with his talk, “How much sugar is in your Thanksgiving dinner?”

Contestants designed a poster relating to sugar and/or seafood, presented a 2-3 minute explanation of the poster subject, and responded to questions from the judges.

Surfin’ the is comprised of cute, funny and at times heartwarming stories and photos that are found circulating the internet. Oftentimes there are no known authors of the material. The Lafourche Gazette does not take credit for the writings in this column. We’re publishing it to simply put a smile on our readers’ faces.

Anyone wanting to submit something for the column can email it to news@TLGnewspaper.com or drop it off at the office during business hours.

Voice From Above

A man was walking down the street. All of a

7-A

sudden he heard a loud voice say: “Stop! Stand still!

If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your

head and kill you.”

The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was astonished.

He went on, and after a while he crossed the road.

Once again, the voice shouted: “Stop! Stand still!

If you take one more step a car will run over you and you will die.”

The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him.

“Where are you?” the man asked. “Who are you?”

“I am your guardian angel,” the voice answered.

“Oh yeah?” the man asked. “And where the heck were you when I got married?”

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Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

What a Life!

By: Rev. Wilmer L. Todd Preparing for Christmas can bring out the best and worst in each of us There’s a story about a young couple who decided to sell their home. They hired a real estate agent to help them call attention to the positive aspects of their domicile.

The agent wrote an elaborate description of the young couple’s property and read to them for their approval. As he read it, the young couple listened intently.

“This is a charming little house,” he read, “with a cozy feel to it that will make you feel right at home.”

The real estate agent went on to extol the merits of the house, and when he finished, the husband turned to him and said, “Read it again, please.”

Then he glanced at his wife and they closed their eyes for the agent’s second reading.

When the agent had finished, the husband and wife looked at each other, then turned to the agent and said, “I don’t think we are going to sell. For a long time, I’ve been dreaming about such a place as you’ve just described. When you read that description, I realize that I was already living in it.”

His wife smiled in agreement.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone would do that for us – read to us all the wonderful gifts and graces in life that God has given us: our home, our health, our friends, our family, our faith, and our freedoms.

What a wonderful thing it would be if our eyes could be opened to the many blessings we have received.

Maybe we would be more appreciative and grateful for the wonderful life and blessings we already have.

During this Christmas time when we are busy buying new things for our family and friends, let us not forget God’s many gifts to us. Let us pause and give thanks for all the Divine Giver has bestowed upon us and our friends. Let us never take what we have for granted.

A reader sent me the following Christmas Ten Commandments: 1. Thou shall give your heart to Christ. Let Jesus be at the top of your Christmas list.

2. Thou shall prepare your heart for Christ. Don’t spend too much on gifts that are forgotten.

3. Thou shall not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shall not burden the salespersons, postal clerks, and merchants with petty complaints and demands.

5. Thou shall give yourself with your gifts. This will

increase their value a hundred fold, and those who receive them shall treasure them forever.

6. Thou shall not value the gifts you receive by their costs. Even the least expensive gift that is given in love is more priceless than any silver or gold.

7. Thou shall not neglect the needy. Share your blessings with those who are hungry or cold.

8. Thou shall not neglect your church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shall have the mind and heart of a little child. Unless you have the attitude and the openness of a little one, you are not ready to enter the Kingdom of God.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, hope, peace, love and faith with those around you.

The following is a prayer for this season: Lord Jesus, please forgive us for being so grumpy as we trudge through the never-ending tasks set before us during this holiday season. Restore the joy of this season to our hearts and help us to relax each day and make time for you, our one true Source of Joy. Help us to be the faithful, gracious, loving, giving and forgiving persons you would have us to be. Help us to remember our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate in this season of giving.

Amen.

If we have not included your church, or you would like to be a part of the Worship Directory, please call the Lafourche Gazette at 693-7229.

Charis Church

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Pastor Audie Crochet (504) 952-6603

Freedom Worship Center

17618 West Main - Galliano - 632-2109 Sunday Morning Service 10 a.m.

Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

Mid-Week Service - 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Roger Hunt

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

187 Oakridge Dr. - Golden Meadow Sunday School 9:15 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayers 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Bobby N. Duck - Pastor www.fbcgoldenmeadow.com

First Baptist Church of Grand Isle

129 Cedar Ln. - Grand Isle - 985-787-3410 Sunday Small Groups: 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship: 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday Kids Elevate: 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Youth Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Pastor John Boss www.fbcgrandisle.com

First Baptist Church of Larose 105 W. 16th Street - Larose

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Gary Hanberry, Pastor Res: 693-4891 - Church: 693-3258

New Mt. Zion Baptist Church 13841 East Main - Larose

Worship Service 7:00 a.m.

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Prayer Service/Bible Class Wednesday 6:30 Lord’s Supper: First Sunday 7:00 a.m.

Prayer Breakfast: Sat. before 1st Sun., 8 a.m.

Speaking Meeting: Thurs. before 1st Sun. 7 a.m.

Reverend Nolan Smith, Pastor

First Baptist Church 5545 Hwy. 1 - Lockport

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.

Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Kevin Celestin

Greater New Fountain Baptist Church 1859 Fontinelle - Lockport

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper Service: 2nd Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

Prayer Breakfast: 2nd Saturday, 8:00 a.m.

Bible Class Thursday 7:00 p.m.

Isrealite Baptist Church Hwy. 308 - Valentine

Worship Service 7:00 a.m.

Lord’s Supper, Second Sunday, 7:00 a.m.

Reverend K.W. Jackson, Pastor

South Lafourche Baptist Church 17077 East Main - Galliano

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Church 6:30 p.m.

Church: 632-4119 Shane Terrebonne, Pastor

Trinity Baptist Church

Crosspoint Church

16640 West Main St., Cut Off (Near South Lafourche Bridge)

Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Thursday Kids & Adults: 6:00 p.m.

Thursday Youth Worship: 7:00 p.m.

Pastor John Boss and Pastor Noah Blackburn www.crosspointgalliano.com (985-772-7400)

St. Mathews Missionary Baptist Church

Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter 446-3532

Call 693-7229 to reserve your spot on the Worship Directory.

314 East 74th St. - Cut Off

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Evening Prayer Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Rod King, Pastor - 532-2936, Res.

Please consider helping.

It's Christmas!

Time to feel the joy!!!

Merry Christmas and Blessings

This Worship Directory is made possible by these civic-minded businesses and individuals.

Please remember to thank them for their support.

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

195 Johnny Dufrene Drive - Mathews

Can’t adopt, but would like to help?

• Bring donations: We need money, towels, pet food, leashes, toys, pet treats • Bring human treats for workers (mmmm!)

• Walk dogs!

• Pet purry furries (kitties) • Give moral support!

We LOVE our volunteers!!!

Holy Rosary Catholic School is thankful to this year’s Altar Servers.

4th grade: Ridge Esponge, Kollin Kern, Justin Plaisance, Carter Theriot, Logan Torbert; 5th grade: Alaina Esponge; 6th grade: Luke Callais, Branden Ledet, Alexa Reed; 7th grade: Claire Babin, Isaac Callais, Jackie Trahan-DeJesus, Ben Robichaux; and 8th grade: Andrew Guidry and Joseph Pitre.

The school is very grateful to these students for offering their services to Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church and HRCS.

Hwy. 308 - Mathews

Sunday Worship Service 7:30 a.m.

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Services Prayer Service & Bible Study Thurs., 6-7 p.m.

Speaking Meeting/Testimony 2nd Sun. 7:30 p.m.

Lord’s Supper Every 3rd Sunday Reverend Roland J. Bradley, Sr.

Valentine Baptist Church 9334 Hwy. 308 - Valentine

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study: 10:00 a.m.

Bro. John Mooring

Bethel Baptist Church

122 Matherne St. - Grand Bois Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wed. Night Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Jimmy Autin

New Sunlight Baptist Church 452 St. Patrick Street - Raceland

Sunday School 2 p.m., Sunday Worship 3 p.m.

Prayer Service/Bible Class-Thurs., 6 p.m.

Testimony/Prayer & Praise, 3rd Sunday, 3 p.m.

Communion, 4th Sunday, 3 p.m.

Reverend Charles Hawkins Sr., Pastor

CATHOLIC

Our Lady of Prompt Succor 723 North Bayou Drive Golden Meadow

Saturday Mass 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

Reverend Henry Sebastian, Pastor

Our Lady of the Isle Grand Isle

Saturday Mass 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Mass at 8:00 a.m.

Rev. Peter Taile, Pastor

Our Lady of the Rosary

12911 E. Main - Larose - 985-693-3433 Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Masses 7:00, 10:00 and 5:30 Weekday Mass Monday thru Friday, 8:30 a.m.

Adoration Chapel open all day, everyday Rev. Ronilo Villamor, Pastor www.ourladyoftherosarychurch.net

Sacred Heart Catholic Church 15300 West Main - Cut Off

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m., Central Std. Time Saturday Mass 5:00 p.m., Daylight Savings Tm Sunday Mass 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: W.-Th.-F., 8:30 a.m.

Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m.

Rev. Wilfredo “Freddie” Decal, Pastor

Holy Savior Church

612 Main Street - Lockport

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Masses 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.

St. Anthony Church

333Twin Oaks Dr. - Raceland

Sat. Mass 6:00 p.m. - Sun. Mass 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Very Rev. Dean Danos, V.F. www.stanthonygheens.parishesonline.com

St. Hilary of Poitiers

333 Twin Oaks Drive - Raceland

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 7:00, 9:00 and11:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: Mon., Tues., Thurs., 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Nursing Home Friday Mass 7:00 a.m.

Rev. Benny Rebosura www.sthilaryraceland.parishesonline.com

St. Joseph Catholic Church 17980 West Main - Galliano

Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 7:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Weekday Mass: M. - W. - Th. - Fri. 7:00 a.m.

Tuesday 6:00 p.m.

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Larose Church of Christ 13379 East Main - Larose

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Bible Class 11:00 a.m.

Evening Services 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Class 7:00 p.m.

FULL GOSPEL

Lighthouse Worship Center 18082 Hwy. 3235 - Galliano

Sunday Schedule: 9:59 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Christian Education: 7:00 p.m.

Eno Dantin, Pastor Personas de habla hispana Bienvenidos

Mathews Full Gospel Temple Hwy. 1 - Mathews

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Service 11:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.

Open Door Revival Center

16164 W. Main St. - Cut Off. - 325-2456 Sunday Services 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Service 7 p.m.

Senior Pastor: Monty Duke Church Pastor: Darren Felarise Spanish Pastor: Marcos Ferriera

INTER-DENOMINATIONAL Community Bible Church of Lafourche 14757 East Main - Cut Off

Sunday Worship Service: 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Jemison III Pasor of Discipleship Robert Durbin Youth Pastor Robert Schwertz Phone: (985) 632-3077 www.communitybiblecutoff.com

Christian Family Center 11819 East Main - Galliano

Sunday Services 9:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Morris Hunter, Jr.

Bethany Community Fellowship Hwy. 1 & St. Ann Street - Raceland

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

Worship Service 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship When Scheduled Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.

Christian Fellowship Church 13581 East Main - Larose

Sunday Worship: 9:30 a.m.

Children’s Ministry, Spanish Translation Available, and Nursery Provided Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Discipleship Classes, Youth Ministry, Royal Rangers and Missionettes Scott Cheramie, Senior Pastor www.welcometocfc.com - online sermons

Community Fellowship

901 Barataria Street - Lockport Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays 7:00 p.m.

Reverend Carlos Nieves (504) 532-2992

Victory Life Church

1200 Crescent Avenue - Lockport

Services: Sun. 9:00 a.m. and Wed. 7:00 p.m.

Children’s Ministry and Nursery Provided Youth Service: Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Senior Pastor Danny Knight - 532-6561

Iglesia Evanbelica Christiana Espiritual

Golden Meadow • Cut Off • Larose • Mathews Member FDIC • All Full Service Bank • Equal Housing Lender

Crosby Boat Co., Inc. Keep Your Soul In Tow - Go To Church!

632-7575

GIS

GRAND ISLE SHIPYARD OILFIELD CONTRACTORS

We aid in the supply of a natural resource to our world - oil.

The Church aids in the supply of a vital resource to our world - God. Attend the church of your choice this week!

B & J Martin, Inc. Utility Boats Martin Quarters (985) 632-2727

13298 East Main - Larose

Tuesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Prayer Service 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Morning Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 6:00 p.m.

PRESBYTERIAN

Gheens Presbyterian Church Sunday Services 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday bible Study 6:00 p.m.

Doctor John Spaulding, Pastor

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

108 East 90th Street - Galliano

UNITED METHODIST

Golden Meadow United Methodist Church

18803 East Main - Golden Meadow Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Chris Thomas, Pastor

Memorial United Methodist

Hwy. 1 • Lockport • 532-6015 1917 So. Bayou Dr. • Golden Meadow • 475-7131 13086 Hwy. 3235 • Larose • 693-7188

Falgout Funeral Homes, Inc. Caring You Can Count On! Four locations to better serve the Bayou Region!

3838 Hwy. 1, Raceland • 537-5261 600 Church St., Lockport • 532-2317 Hwy. 1, Galliano • 632-6112 211 Westside Blvd., Houma • 876-5442

201 Central Lafourche Dr. - Mathews

Sunday School & Adult Bible Class, 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m.

Communion First Sunday at 8:30 a.m. www.mathewsmethodist.org

United Methodist Church of Grand Isle Oak Street - Grand Isle Sunday Service 8:30 a.m.

Chris Thomas, Pastor

PENTECOSTAL

New Beginning Pentecostal 13051 East Main Street - Larose Sunday Service 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Ronnie Melancon

First United Pentecostal

LA Carriers • 632-5858 16849 East Main Street • Cut Off, LA 70345

THERIOT, DUET & THERIOT, INC. Serving Lafourche Since 1957

Insurance Agents

• Marine • Life • Auto • Fire • Casualty • Notary Public 144 N. 1st St. • Golden Meadow Phone: 475-5126 • FAX: 475-7276

Voice

Central Lafourche Drive - Mathews Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Service 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 7:30 p.m.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Lighthouse Christian Fellowship 115 E. Central Avenue - Grand Isle

Video

COMMUNICATIONS MMUNICATION CATIONS viscom.net

985.693.0123

Internet Security

Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.

985-787-3453

Bethel Christian Ministries 107 East 123rd Street - Galliano Sunday School 10:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Reverend Nathan Hayes

LUTHERAN

Grace Lutheran Church 422 Valhi Blvd. - Houma

(Only Lutheran Church between Grand Isle and Kenner) Rev. Richard Rudnik Sunday Service 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School for all ages 10:45 a.m.

879-1865 - FMI Call Rev. Rudnik 879-1865 or Joelle Gerken (from Larose) at 693-3222.

MORMON

Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints East 57th St.

Bible Study: Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.

English Elders: 985-360-7501 Spanish Elders: 985-791-6561 www.mormon.org

Windshield Chips Repaired • Commercial • Marine • Residential

Hwy. 308 • E. 73rd St. Galliano • 632-6571

SPANISH

Iglesia Adventista del 7MO Dia 504 Seventh St. - Lockport

Viernes - 7:30 p.m.

Sabado - 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Pastor R. Prieto Phone: (504) 505-2642 or (985) 693-6946

Mision Bautista Hispana - Larose 105 W. 16th St. - Larose

Servicios Viernes - 7:30 p.m.

Domingo Escuela Dominical - 9:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.m Servicio De Adoracion Pastor Juan Morales 504-468-1300

Port From 1-A

In addition, $1.5 million has been budgeted for a deep draft study near C Port to determine the feasibility of dredging the area to a depth of 35 to 50 feet.

Additionally, some $1.2 million is slated to go towards the upgrade and repair of 12 rock breakwater jetties at Fourchon Beach that were damaged during Hurricane Isaac.

Improvements planned

for the airport in Galliano include over $3 million for apron expansion, which will allow for more aircraft parking as well as $2 million for a new terminal building.

An additional $1 million has been budgeted for three 200-feet by 60-feet box hangars for aircraft storage and maintenance.

Some $900,000 is also expected to be spent on a project to upgrade the pumping system at the airportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal levees.

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Lawmakers From 1-A

The deficit appeared when the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income forecasting panel dropped its projections for how much money the state is expected to receive from taxes and fees.

About $37 million in cuts will be made, mainly by not filling vacant jobs, reducing contracts and spending fewer dollars on travel and supplies. The rest of the gap will be filled with excess funds, like dollars from a tax amnesty program, insurance settlement, recent property sales and uninsured motorist penalties.

Across state agencies, more than 160 vacant jobs will be eliminated and dozens more wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be filled for the remainder of this budget year. The state will lessen spending on public school testing contracts and mentor programs for at-risk youth.

Nearly $4 million will be saved because Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voucher program that sends students to private schools with taxpayer dollars had fewer students than expected.

Health care contracts at state prisons will shrink. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it is a reasonable plan to go forward with,â&#x20AC;? said Legislative Fiscal Officer John Carpenter, the Legislatureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief budget analyst.

At least one set of modifications to make the plan work will be needed in the coming months, however.

The Jindal administration wanted to use some amnesty money and other sources of piecemeal financing that havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet been approved for spending by the Revenue Estimating Conference, the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forecasting panel.

Once the panel approves the spending, lawmakers will have to plug that money into the state health departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget within the next few months, or the department will have to make $45 million in cuts to comply with the budget revisions made Thursday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The funds are available. We need the recognition to spend them,â&#x20AC;? said Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols, the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top budget architect.

The Revenue Estimating Conference dropped the revenue forecast last month because of slumping severance tax and mineral royalties from dropping oil prices, combined with weak growth in personal income taxes.

Lawmakers are worried theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to make more cuts before the fiscal year ends. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the price of oil continuing to plummet, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably going to be back down this road,â&#x20AC;? said Sen. Mike Walsworth, RWest Monroe.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

December 31, 2014.

The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Laborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject

to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $118,500 from $117,000. Of the estimated 168 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2015, about 10 million will pay higher taxes because of the increase in the taxable maximum. Information about Medicare changes for 2015 is available at www.

Medicare.gov.Â

No Taxes On Living Room Increase From 1-A Increased payments to & Dining Room Furniture more than 8 million SSI Sale ends December 31st.

beneficiaries will begin on

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9-A

10-A

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

1-B

These next few pages are filled with special holiday messages and greetings from area businesses and individuals. Also included are recipes, tips for holiday entertaining and holiday stories for your enjoyment.

Who’s really the man behind the beard?

Every Christmas Eve, children go to bed eagerly anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. This merry gentleman is purported to visit the home of every good girl and boy, delivering gifts and cheer along the way.

Before the modern evolution of Santa Claus lived a very real and generous individual named Nicholas. In the third century, Nicholas served as the Bishop of Myrna in present-day

Turkey. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, believing that giving should be done secretly and sacrificially in Jesus Christ’s name rather than one’s own.

Stories tell of Nicholas paying the dowry for poor daughters to enable them to get married. He reportedly put coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him.

It is believed Nicholas helped to restore the hope

Merry Christmas &

Happy New Year

From our family to yours at AMERICAN REALTY

Panky and Barbara Christen, Boo Legendre, Lisa Plaisance, Kim Blanchard, Susan Derocher and Sarah Gisclair

200 Hwy. 3161, Suite 1, Cut Off • 325-7107

Panky Christen - Broker / Owner. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

of hundreds of people in his community, making him a beloved and revered Bishop. Throughout his ministry, Nicholas fervently shared his life and fortune with others.

Nicholas continued to be revered and commemorated by many Christians even after his death. His charity and unselfish works helped inspire generations of the faithful, and he eventually was named the patron saint of everyone from merchants to sailors to pawnbrokers.

No one really knows what St. Nicholas looked like. But in 2005, a forensic laboratory in England reviewed historical data and

photographs of the remains taken from St. Nicholas’ grave in the 1950s.

Researchers concluded that he was a small man, perhaps no more than five

feet in height, with a broken nose.

This image certainly does not fit with the robust frame and other imagery awarded St. Nicholas in more modern years.

St. Nicholas is believed to be the inspiration for Santa Claus, which was a name taken from the Dutch Sinterklaas, a contracted form of Sint Nicolass, or St. Nicholas.

Tales of the real St. Nicholas’ giving spirit were blended with a fictional personification by New York-based newspaper writers who blended the St. Nicholas name with the appearance of a Dutch town citizen.

The goal was to reach

out to the primarily Dutch immigrants living in New York at the time. This jolly elf image was given a boost by the publication of “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” which was published around the same time.

Eventually, the merry Santa Claus portrayal began to outshine the more accurate St. Nicholas version as a religious man, fostered by political drawings and caricatures that depicted Santa as a chubby sort in a red suit. That image prevails to this day.

Beneath the Christmas symbolism, the beard and the presents associated with Santa Claus lies a tale of generosity that originated with St. Nicholas.

Christmas filled with lots of folklore Superstitions and folklore have a way of patterning our lives – from avoiding black cats to walking around ladders.

Christmas is a time for cheer, but it also is filled with lots of folklore. The following “Christmas Magic” is courtesy of “Holiday Folklore, Phobias and Fun” (Outcomes Unlimited Press Inc.) by Donald E. Dossey, Ph.D. —If there is a full moon on Christmas, expect a poor harvest.

—If you do any household repairs on Christmas Day, the trouble will not be cured and even may get worse.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

—Hang a sprig of mistletoe over the door. It will chase away the evil spirits and bring good luck.

—If you were born on Christmas Day, your life will be a happy and healthy one.

—Keep your Yule log burning all night. If it goes out, expect bad luck.

—Eat plenty of pies at Christmas. It is believed to bring good luck.

May your home be filled with love and laughter, throughout the holiday and after!

Thank you for visiting us this year.

Southern Glass 632-6571

East 73rd Street, Galliano, LA

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PITRE’S

We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season, and your generosity is at the top of the list!

Best wishes and many thanks for your support.

Dr. Neil J. Maki and our own Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Sensations wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PHARMACY Blake, Tiffany, Addey, Loria and Laurie

2014/2015

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A visit from Saint Nicholas 2-B

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Creating a model for all future Christmas stories, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” by Clement Moore has become the centerpiece for many holiday traditions.

As no celebration would be complete without a midnight reading of the poem while children drift to sleep, the following is the text as officially published by Moore in The New York Book of Poetry, 1837.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter, Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash; The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave a lustre of midday to objects below; When what to my wondering eyes should appear But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer; With a little old driver, so lively and quick I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

'And the angel said unto them, &Fear not: 'Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, Unto you is born this day a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.(

˜Luke 2:11

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...And To All A Good Season

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“Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer! Now Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the housetop the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound, He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples – how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

Keep the magic of Santa alive

He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. - “A Visit From St. Nicholas” Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Santa Claus. Santa will forever be ingrained in the holiday season, serving as an endearing symbol of the season regardless of your religious affiliation.

Parents typically go to great lengths to ensure their children enjoy the holiday season. By keeping the magic of Santa alive, parents can add a special touch to the holiday season for their youngsters.

Children may become more skeptical of Santa around the time they turn 10, but there are plenty of ways to encourage this spirit to live on year after year.

- Read an uplifting story. The holidays are ripe with stories that tug at the heartstrings. Parents can take their children to the library and rent a Christmas tale or take home a book of holiday stories, reading a different one before bed each night.

Encourage children to write their own positive stories of what the holidays mean to them and read them aloud to family and friends. The book “101 Ways to Keep the Spirit of Santa Alive: For “Kids” From 1 to 92” by John

Hagerman is a great way to get everyone in the house enthusiastic about Santa.

- Keep the magic flowing. Children who believe in Santa for an extra year or two often come from families that keep the magic of Santa alive.

In addition to the standard traditions of leaving cookies and milk out for the jolly old man, come up with new ways to evoke the essence of Santa. Spray peppermint air freshener around the tree and other places Santa is sure to visit.

Use a large boot to make a footprint in a plush rug.

Find a way to trigger noise on the roof to give kids the impression that Mr. Claus himself has arrived.

Extra measures to keep Santa alive can help everyone enjoy the holiday that much more.

- Take advantage of opportunities to spend time with Santa. Parents and children alike have many opportunities to spend time with Santa during the holiday season, including photo opportunities at the mall and personalized videos sent directly to youngsters’ email accounts.

Elf dolls and breakfast with Santa at a nearby restaurant are other opportunities to spread the magic. Make the most of these opportunities over the course of the holiday season.

- Spread some Christmas cheer. Santa’s job is to bring presents to the world’s children. Channel the notion that giving is better than receiving and spend time giving back to others as a family.

Schedule a day when you can distribute gifts at a senior center or arrange to bring gifts to a foster child.

Bake cookies and deliver cellophane-wrapped dishes to all of your neighbors.

These activities put the emphasis on giving.

Keeping the tradition of Santa Claus alive can help adults and children alike enjoy a more festive holiday season.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow, The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a round little belly That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose, He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle And always they all flew like the down of a thistle; But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

On this Day our Savior has been born Wishing our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thank you for your business!

Gaspard Collision Center

Wilbert, Wesley and Travis Gaspard and Family (985) 475-7878

Merry Christmas!

This holiday season, we’d like to acknowledge all the folks who’ve been so good to us this year, and wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year.

For your generous support, we are deeply grateful.

985-532-0113

Wishing all of our patients, a happy and safe Christmas holiday filled with a large measure of peace, joy, and merriment.

It’s an honor to serve you, and for your faith in us, we are truly grateful.

Tim Callais and the staff at

C l i n i c D ru g S t o re Golden Meadow

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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The Night Before Christmas … Cajun Style

By Robert “Bess” Cheramie

Twas the night before Christmas out here at the camp, the muskrats were hung outside on the fence.

The stockings were nailed by the stove on the wall, praying that Papa Noel would soon give a call.

The children were lying inside on the floor, and the

flies were all resting on top of the stove.

Pop in his undies and mom in her jams, had just taken out the yams from the pan.

The supper was cooking on the old wooden stove and the dogs were all howling at the moon in the cold.

Then I heard a noise from the bayou and trees, as I ran to the window and fell to my knees, and what to my wandering eyes did I see, a pirogue and eight tiny gators pulling my pal Papa Noel.

The pirogue was pulled by the gators ahead, when he cracked his whip on top of their head.

He called them by name as he made them to swim, pull Tophille, Tee Bill, Nonke Phil and Clotille, come on Gaston, Tee Pierre, Trosclair and Tee Daire.

To the top of the waves to the top of the waves, now splash away, splash away all.

As teams in hunting season fly, when they hear gunshots and they mount to the sky.

So up to the porch of the camp they flew, with a pirogue full of toys and Papa Noel too, and then on the porch I heard the gnashing and clashing of

Holiday Greetings

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To our loyal friends and customers, Thank You for your valued patronage.

From all of us at

Theriot, Duet, & Theriot

each gator’s teeth.

As I turned my head and looked around, down like a bomb, Papa Noel hit the ground.

He had a camouflage suit and a hat made of fur, and his boots were all full of mud and odeur.

He had a sack full of toys that hung from his back, and his cheeks and his nose was as red as his pack.

His mouth it was shaped like a bow, his beard it was white as snow.

And the smoke that came from his pipe, it circled his head and went out of sight.

His face it was broad and he had a little round belly that shooked when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He winked his eye, twisted his head to let me know everything was allwell. He did not talk, but to the stockings he walked and then as he toiled, he filled them all full of toys.

He placed his finger on the side of his nose, gave a nod, and off the porch he rose.

He sprang to his pirogue, to his gators gave a whistle, and away they flew like they were in a missile.

Seems I heard him exclaim as he flew away that night, “Joyeux Noel – A Tous Et A Tous Un Bon Soir.” (Merry Christmas to All and to All A Good Night).

Candy cane facts At this joyous ttime of year, The Burregi Family is happy to remember those who make the holidays special.

May your Christmas be filled with celebration and your New Year blessed with peace.

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Candy canes are very popular holiday treats and are often used to decorate Christmas trees.

But candy canes weren’t always the curved and colorful treats they are today. In the 1700s, candy canes were nothing more than straight white sticks of sugar candy used to decorate Christmas trees.

A choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral decided that having the ends bent to depict a shepherd’s crook and passing them out during church services would help keep children quiet.

It was not until roughly the 20th century that candy canes acquired their red stripes. Some surmise that the candy cane is shaped like a shepherd’s crook to represent Jesus Christ. Others say that it’s a “J” for Jesus.

Regardless of their shape, hundreds of thousands of candy canes are now manufactured and shipped for the holiday season each year.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Staff photo by Babs

The audience was treated to the musical sounds of the holiday season last Sunday in Holy Savior Church in Lockport during the live Christmas concert by the musical singing group Joyous Sounds.

The group has recorded their music on three CD’s and is available at the Lafourche Parish Tourist Center in Raceland, Creations by Connie in Lockport, Hoffman Music in Thibodaux, and LA Cajun in Southland Mall.

Tips to help cut down on holiday waste

The holiday season generates a lot of waste, and many things contribute to this excess of trash this time of year.

• Thousands of paper and plastic shopping bags end up in landfills after the holiday season.

Reusable cloth bags can limit the amount of bags tossed away, and users of plastic bags can recycle those bags at appropriate receptacles.

• Four million tons of waste is attributed to shopping bags and wrapping paper.

Recycling paper or looking for reusable items in which to wrap gifts can cut down on paper waste.

• Approximately 33 million live trees are cut down and sold in North America each year for Christmas.

If you use a live tree, be sure to recycle it so it can be turned into mulch instead of being sent to a landfill. Otherwise, consider buying a potted tree and planting it after the holidays.

• Nearly 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold and exchanged each year in the United States alone.

This many cards can fill a football field 10 stories high. One less card sent per person can save roughly 50,000 cubic yards of paper. Electronic greetings are another way to save paper.

• If everyone in Canada wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

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and a Happy New Year !

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Everyone here is fixin’ to have a great season and we want to wish you the same.

Merry Christmas and Thanks a Bunch!

name is definitely on it!

his little Santa is here to say, Hope you enjoy a great holiday

Best wishes to one, best wishes to all; Now go out and have a ball!

Here’s a wish to all of you from all of us for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

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To All Our Friends At Christmas

The list of people to whom we owe our heartfelt gratitude is long, but your

T

3-B

5878 Hwy. 1, Lockport • 985.532.5547

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

4-B

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Francis P. Church, the son of a Baptist minister, and a veteran editor of the The New York Sun for 20 years, who had covered the Civil War for The New York Times, wrote the following editorial some 112 years ago when asked if Santa Claus really existed.

The editorial first appeared in the The New York Sun in 1897, and was reprinted annually until 1949 when the paper went out of business.

Church’s editorial, “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” was an immediate sensation when it was published, and went on to became one of the most famous editorials ever writ-

ten.

Virginia’s letter to the Sun: Dear Editor— I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O’Hanlon 115 W. 95th St.

Church’s editorial reply: Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by 985.446.2877 www.valcharter.org

Wishing You All A

Safe, Warm and Knowledge-Filled Holiday Season.

A Christmas Prayer From

Sidney Triche, Jack Doverspike and Sydney Doverspike

Let us pray that strength and courage abundant be given to all who work for a world of reason and understanding. That the good that lies in each of our hearts may day-by-day be magnified. That we will come to see more clearly, not that which divides us, but that which unites us. That each hour may bring us closer to a final victory, not of nation over nation, but of ourselves over our own evils and weaknesses. That the true spirit of this Christmas Season, its joy, its beauty, its hope, and above all, its abiding faith, may live among us. That the blessings of peace be ours, the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confidence.

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their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.

There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies.

You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but

Eggnog always a holiday tradition

The holiday season is rife with tradition. From gift-giving to kissing under the mistletoe to spending time with family and friends, the holidays are a time of great tradition and family fun.

Another holiday tradition for adults only is the drinking of eggnog. No holiday party is truly complete without a batch of delicious eggnog. This season, ensure guests get their fair share of this holiday staple with the following recipe for “Excellent Eggnog” from A.J. Rathbun’s “Good Spirits” (Harvard Common Press).

Excellent Eggnog

Serves 8 8 large eggs, preferably organic 2-1/4 cups superfine sugar

there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. *** When controversal subjects had to be tackled on the editorial page of the Sun, those assignments were usually given to Church.

When he received Virginia’s letter on this most controversial matter he was burdened with the responsibility of answering it.

When he saw the childish scrawl in the letter asking “Is there a Santa Claus?”, he knew there was no avoiding the question.

He knew he must an8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 quart milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish 1. Separate the eggs from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency.

3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well.

4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters).

5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk, sugar and alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least three hours). You may also refrigerate it overnight if desired.

6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.

swer, and he must answer truthfully. And so he turned to his desk, and he began his reply which was to become one of the most memorable editorials in newspaper history.

Church married shortly after the editorial appeared and died in April, 1906, leaving no children.

Virginia O’Hanlon went on to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Arts degree at age 21.

She later received her Master’s from Columbia, and in 1912 she began teaching in the New York City school system, later becoming a principal.

After 47 years, she retired as an educator.

Throughout her life she received a steady stream of mail about her Santa Claus letter, and to each reply she attached an attractive printed copy of the Church editorial.

Virginia O’Hanlon Douglas died on May 13, 1971, at the age of 81, in a nursing home in Valatie, N.Y.

We’d like to express our gratitude to all of you for all of the good times we’ve shared together this year.

It’s always a pleasure serving you and we look forward to seeing you again!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

From the

The Balcony Gang

We Will be Open Christmas Eve and New Years Eve

Live music by Jordy and Megan Rousse.

Call for reservations.

Story Times for Children eBooks & eReader support Research Help Local Author Events School Visits Resume Assistance LEGO Tables & Robotics Digital Magazines Book Clubs & iPads Computers & Wi-Fi

The List Goes On...

Lafourche Parish Public Libraries offer numerous services for the whole family!

Happy Holidays Thank you for your support in 2014!

We look forward to serving you in the year to come!

Le Blanc Insurance Agency 11884 LA Hwy. 308 Larose, LA 70373 • (985) 693-4900

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Inspired holiday gifts from the kitchen make everyone happy If the best gifts come from the heart, certainly the next-best gifts come from the kitchen.

Culinary treats can be perfect presents for your foodie friends or just about anyone on your list.

Food gifts are especially perfect for friends, neighbors, teachers, and others for whom more elaborate gifts are neither expected nor required. What’s more, the possibilities are endless and can be adjusted for varying palates, allergies and preferences.

Here are several suggestions for serving up delicious holiday gifts this season.

Sugar Just about everyone looks forward to seasonal sweets, from Christmas cookies to jelly doughnuts

for Chanukah to benne cakes or sweet potato pie for the final feast of Kwanzaa.

• Rethink your cookies.

When it comes to culinary delights, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the basics.

But if you want to put a twist on tradition, consider some alternatives to the holiday cookie sampler, such as decorating greeting-card-sized cookies with personalized messages, filling decorative jars with all of the dry ingredients needed for your favorite cookie recipe or giving the gift of dough — three different kinds of cookie dough rolled into logs, wrapped in wax paper and tied at the ends with festive ribbons.

• Take a dip. Dipping store-bought confections

Cel eleb ebrrat atin ing g a Seas aso on of Bles esssin ing gs

From my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sharon Robichaux Guidry, Scott & Scotty, Lockport Councilwoman Division B.

Warm Wishes and Season’s Greetings to you and yours!

We look forward to working with you in the New Year!

Larose Civic Center Staff & Board Members

such as peppermint sticks, candy canes, candied orange peel, shortbread cookies, or even fresh figs in good-quality chocolate (a mix of dark, milk and white chocolate is even better!) will transform these everyday items into holiday-worthy gifts.

• Think drinks. Nothing takes the chill out of a cold December morning like hot chocolate — especially when it’s homemade.

Make your own mix with ground chocolate and sugar or package a highquality store brand in a festively decorated jar, then add some peppermint sticks, chocolate-coated spoons or homemade marshmallows to the mix.

• Have a jam session.

Handmade jams, preserves and fruit compotes are always appreciated.

Your creation can be accompanied by the recipe, some scones or great toasting bread, or even a decorative serving jam jar.

• Bark that’s as good as its bite. Chocolate bark is a delicious no-bake gift that’s so easy to make you’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long to try it.

Recipes are everywhere and you can customize the bark with your recipients’ favorite nuts, dried fruits and other tasty tidbits And spice For people who love to cook, great ingredients make exquisite gifts.

Think about giving your favorite foodie the gift of flavor in the form of spices, either from the bulk aisle at your favorite upscale grocery chain or a well-loved specialty retailer.

Since spices don’t stay fresh forever, your culinary connoisseur is sure to appreciate a new assortment.

For the more adventurous cooks on your list, consider purchasing a few special spices, such as saffron or vanilla — either the bean or a high-quality extract.

Spices can be purchased in small amounts and then presented in decorative airtight jars with handwritten labels.

Other options include

Holiday cookies are a culinary treat that nearly everyone can enjoy.

making and giving your own spice blends and purchasing whole spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, and presenting them along with the appropriate tool for grinding or grating them.

And everything nice Themed baskets of food will generate big smiles from everyone on your holiday list. Putting together an assortment of items for a particular meal or kind of cooking is as much fun for the giver as it is for the receiver.

Here are some ideas that are both simple and special.

• Breakfast basket. Fill a basket with homemade pancake and waffle mix and a bottle of real maple syrup, or go continental with a batch of freshly baked scones and a jar of lemon curd.

For the caffeine lover, two mugs, one filled with a favorite gourmet coffee or tea and the other packed with some homemade pastries or a jar of jam.

• Pasta basket. The centerpiece of this gift could be a jar of your famous spaghetti sauce, which is surrounded by a package of fresh pasta, a bulb of garlic and a wedge of Parmesan cheese.

• Pizza basket. Start with a package of homemade pizza dough, add a jar of pizza sauce or pesto made from the basil in your garden, then decorate the basket with a merry mix of cheeses and popular pizza add-ons, such as pepperoni, olives, olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and small packets of spices, such as oregano or red pepper flakes.

To ensure that your gifts don’t go to waste, be sure to add instructions for storing and handling the food — especially those items that need to be refrigerated.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

On December 8th these children from the Golden Meadow and Grand Isle Methodist Churches delivered homemade Christmas cards and cookies and sang Christmas carols to the residents at the Broadway.

From left to right are Ryan and Halle Terrebonne, Owen and Parker Adams, August Murray, Adeline Adams, Ella and Mary Louise Murray, Abigail and Mackenzie Adams.

Can You Imagine

what raced through Mary’s mind when she was told that she would bear the Savoir of manking?

And He would be called Jesus, for He would save the lost and bring the world redemption for which He’d pay the cost.

And so He came, a tiny babe, a picture of pure love, to show us hope and mercy and grace from God above.

Now, can you imagine angels as they sing....

“Glory to the God most high and praise to Christ the King!”

Galliano Religious Supply House

18210 West Main - Suite 13 • Galliano, LA 70345 • (985) 632-3040

Wishing you a Merry Christmas …

Ashley E. Barrios, Agent 192 Highway 3161 Cut Off, LA 70345 Bus: 985-632-0988 TToll ooll Free: 888-223-0032

1101447.1

We ve enjoyed your visits during the year

And hope to see you to spread more cheer -

A homemade gift from the kitchen delights any recipient.

5-B

and a joyous New Year.

May the joy of the season make all your wishes come true.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

Joy to the World, The Lord is Come!

For one thing that we know is true,

Is we wouldn t be here without all of you!

So without any fanfare or further delay,

We d like to wish you all a great holiday!

Thank you for a wonderful year.

We look forward to working with you in the new year.

Cut Off Youth Center Staff & Board Members

Artwork by Damien Lefort, HRCS Alumnus

Keep CHRIST in Christmas!

Holy Rosary Catholic School

For many people, the holidays don’t end on Dec. 26 6-B

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Traditions of Three Kings Day Christmas celebrants realize that the holiday season does not end on December 26 or even January 2. For many people, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are merely a prelude to the real celebration to come on Three Kings Day. Three Kings Day, or Día de los Très Reyes, is celebrated on January 6 to honor the wise men who visited and brought gifts to Jesus Christ. Also known as the Epiphany, the holiday marks the end of the Christmas season for many

practicing Christians.

Very little is known about the kings, or magi.

These kings, who are only mentioned once in the Gospel of Matthew, are never named. The story says they hail from the “east” and are guided to the manger by a mysterious light in the sky.

They begin a journey to bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn king.

Unbeknownst to many, the popular song “The 12 Days of Christmas” actually

‘T is the Reason for the Season

Sending Christmas greetings and blessings for the new year to you and your loved ones.

Sandra Ingols, CFS

Ingols Financial Strategies, Inc. Financial Services Professional

110 Picciola Parkway P.O. Box 7 Cut Off, LA 70345 Office: (985) 632-7878 Fax: (985)632-6869 Email: sandra.ingols@lpl.com

Sandra Ingols is a Registered Representative of and securities are offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC

D ECK T HE H ALLS !

We’re displaying our holiday cheer To thank you all for stopping here!

And after the decorations have all come down We hope that you’ ll all come around!

Happy & Safe Holiday Wishes from Your Friends at ...

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marks the 12 days following Christmas, ending on the Feast of the Epiphany, and not the 12 days preceding Christmas Day. Many traditions are associated with the Epiphany.

Very similar to Mardi Gras traditions, celebrants in Mexico serve Rosca de Reyes, an oval-shaped cake that symbolizes a crown.

The cake has a small doll inside that represents baby Jesus and the hiding of Jesus from King Herod’s troops. (Herod ordered his soldiers to seek out and murder all male infants born in Bethlehem in retaliation of the prophecy that a messiah would come and become the new King of Jerusalem.)

Roscas can be made with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the jewels that adorn real crowns.

Whoever receives the plastic doll in his or her slice of cake is expected to throw a party on Diá de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day), which occurs each year on February 2.

Unlike in the United States, where gifts are typically exchanged on Christmas Day, much of the Latin community exchange gifts on the eve of January 6.

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Merry Christmas Each ooff us Each us aatt South South L Lafourche affoourch he Bank Bank w wish ish yyou ou and and yyours ours a ssafe afe and and jjoyous oyous Ch Christmas, ristmas, w with ith h hopes opes that that yyou ou find find yyour our ffondest ondest holiday holiday ddreams reams a reality. reality. We We aalso lso tthank hank yyou ou ffor foor the the privilege privilege ttoo bbee ooff service ser vice to to you you and and our our communities. communities.

Santa!

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In the spirit of the season, we’d like to wish all our friends and neighbors a happy, healthy and meaningful holiday season.

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The kings also were said to have distinct physical characteristics. Caspar, who brought the gift of gold, was the oldest and sported a long, white beard.

Middle-aged Melchior brought the gift of frankincense, while Balthazar, who brought myrrh, is believed to have been a darkskinned young man around the age of 20.

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Bring Your Little Ones To Visit

Puerto Rican children have been known to gather grass or straw in shoeboxes for the kings’ horses or camels.

Some families display carvings and artwork of the three magi atop camels.

Many celebrants participate in Three Kings Day parades and festivals. Family gatherings and parties that would rival other special holidays are common as well.

A special meal consisting of corn tamales and hot chocolate may be served, while others may enjoy black beans, picadillo and yucca.

While the Bible does not indicate how many kings visited Jesus on the Epiphany, based on the

Substitute these holiday favorites for healthier eating

Holiday gatherings often revolve around food.

Big dinners with the family might get all the attention, but even office parties or casual get-togethers can focus on food.

Unfortunately, many of these treats are loaded with fat, sugar and calories.

Try these tips to still indulge in the holiday spirit without packing on extra pounds.

- Instead of: a cracker with cheese Try: a plain reduced fat cracker - Instead of: egg nog Try: white wine - Instead of: cocktail meatballs Try: boiled shrimp - Instead of: fruitcake Try: dried apricots - Instead of: a slice of ham Try: a slice of turkey without the skin - Instead of: pumpkin or apple pie Try: a slice of angel

number of gifts offered, historians believe there were three. Historians and theologians believe these kings were Babylonians, Persians or Jews from Yemen.

In the Western Christian church, the kings go by the names of Melchior (a Persian scholar), Caspar (an Indian scholar) and Balthazar (an Arabian scholar).

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Don’t panic … these tips offer help for last-minute shoppers It’s December 21 and you’ve just barely made it through half of your holiday shopping list.

The panic may have set in that you just don’t have enough time to get everything done.

This is a common scenario around the holidays.

Shoppers have the best intentions to get their gifts early, but whether because of work obligations or social events, the task seems to get pushed further and further into December.

Soon many are staring down the calendar experiencing sweaty palms.

Many others may be putting off holiday shopping simply because of the current state of the economy and affordability.

For the scores of shoppers who consciously or

subconsciously wait until the last possible minute to shop, regardless of the reason, there are ways to survive and surprise friends and family with great gifts.

• Gift cards: They may not have sentimental meaning behind them, but gift cards are fast and easy.

Chances are you can run into a store and be out with a handful of gift cards in less than 15 minutes, depending on lines at the checkout counter.

Also, many supermarkets, bookstores and other retailers offer gift card kiosks enabling you to shop for different gift cards all in one place.

• Food and beverages: While everyone is heading to the mall in droves, you can be stepping inside

Thank you for being part of a successful year.

See you next season, at th thee th theeatre.

314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux 985-446-1896 thibodauxplayhouse.com

We may provide the heat for your home, but nothing warms our hearts more than thoughts of the many good folks we’ve had the privilege to serve this past year.

Ph: 632-6428

Mike Martin, Owner

Merry Christmas!

of a gourmet food or spirits store. Splurge on fine cheeses or that trendy bottle of liquor that a gift recipient has mentioned but not yet purchased for him- or herself.

• Magazine subscription: A magazine subscription is an easy fix as a lastminute gift.

Purchase one copy of the magazine at the newsstand and wrap it up nicely.

Put a note that a year’s worth of this periodical is on the way.

No one will suspect that the gift was a lastminute thought.

• E-certificates: Retailers like music or book sellers will e-mail a gift certificate code to the person of your choice on a selected date.

For those who are never without an e-reader or mp3 player, digital gifts could fit the bill.

• Gas card:

It may sound funny and tacky, but a gas card from a brand-name station is a universally acceptable gift for anyone who drives regularly. With gas prices the lowest they’ve been in months, having a pre-paid

Season s Greetings

gift card can go a long way.

Online retailers are also there to help last-minute shoppers.

Many online retailers guarantee in-time-for-Christmas shipping even on gifts ordered as late as December 23. However, overnight shipping charges will cost more.

But it’s all worth it to get the

item in time.

Waiting until the last minute for shopping can induce some anxiety. But knowing about easy gifts for procrastinators can take the stress out of this type of shopping.

SBL

Construction

& The Boura Family

Many people wait until the last minute for Christmas shopping. But there are still gifts and deals to be had.

Diabetics must learn how to enjoy their favorite holiday foods without compromising their overall health. else attending the party is diabetic and will appreciate having a healthy choice as well.

• Opt for fruit. Choose fruit over sweets at the dessert table. If you bring a baked good, consider recipes with reduced sugar or ones that use a sugar substitute.

• Control your portions.

Fill up your dish with healthy foods, leaving only a small spot for something indulgent.

• Test diligently. Now is the time to monitor your blood-sugar levels like a hawk. Monitor your levels more closely so you can see how holiday foods are affecting your levels and so you know if you need to make any adjustments.

• Rebound quickly. Experts advise that if you go overboard on a particular day, get back on your feet the next. Exercise, revisit meal plans and cut portion sizes.

Diabetics cannot stop monitoring their diets just because the holidays have arrived. With planning and diligence, it’s possible to enjoy the foods and flavors of the holidays without compromising your health.

2600 South Alex Plaisance Blvd., Golden Meadow (985) 665-1220

Peace. Love. Joy. Thanks.

With our most sincere gratitude and best wishes to all of you.

Have a Happy & Joyous Holiday Season.

Merry Monty Vegas

Mane Attraction Audrey Vegas

s a m t s i r Ch

Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness.

In the holiday style, we’d like to extend our warm wishes to all our customers and their families at this special time of year. Your friendship and support make doing business a pleasure for us.

We would like to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

May all the joys of a sweet, old-fashioned Christmas be yours.

Thank you for being such loyal customers.

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Where Price is Priority!

Jimmy’s Chevron Service Station

Hwy. 1, Larose Ph: 693-8183 Jimmy and Gerald

15101 Hwy. 3235 • Cut Off, LA •

(985) 325-1000

7-B

With warm wishes to our loyal customers in this Holy time of year.

Diabetics can still enjoy the flavors of the holidays Amid a season of sweets and special foods, it sometimes can be challenging for diabetics to maintain their dietary discipline. But eating certain foods in moderation can help people with diabetes enjoy the flavors of the holidays without compromising their health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, while another 86 million adults have prediabetes. One in four people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.

Managing diabetes is more than just avoiding candy and cookies. Foods with a lot of fat or those that are high in carbohydrates also can be problematic.

Such foods may not be so easy to avoid come the holiday season, but the following are a few tips to help men and women with diabetes maintain their health through the holidays.

• Anticipate foods. Certain foods are staples of the holiday season. If you anticipate potentially problematic foods, then you can develop a plan to avoid them or eat them in moderation in advance of arriving at a family gathering or holiday party.

• Eat a healthy snack.

Prior to going to a holiday party, eat something that will satisfy your hunger to avoid overeating once you are there.

• Ask about foods. Don’t be shy to ask the host or hostess about what will be served. This will help you develop a strategy that will fit with your meal plan.

• Limit alcohol consumption. Only drink in moderation and eat something beforehand to prevent low blood glucose levels later. Avoid drinks with high calorie mixers or ones packed with extra sugar.

• Bring a dish. Make something that is diabeticfriendly and bring it to the party. Chances are someone

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Kenley & Ruthie Danos

Aliza, Aleiya, Jacques, Alyana & Alexa Callais

17020 West Main St., Cut Off | 985-325-7327 416 Corporate Dr. Houma | 985-868-5280

8-B

Try these tips if you overindulge this year

Baby New Year symbolizes more than just a new start to a new year Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

People from around the world celebrate to mark the arrival of the new year. One New Year tradition that has survived through the centuries is that of Baby New Year and its image of a toddler wearing only a diaper, sash and top hat.

Baby New Year can be traced to 600 B.C. in Greece and Egypt. Historians note that Greeks believed Dionysus, their God of fertility and wine, was reborn every New Year as a

Good Old-fashioned Christmas Wishes We hope you and your loved ones celebrate a warm and happy holiday together. May health and good fortune follow you throughout the new year.

Thanks for placing your trust in us. We look forward to a bright future together.

Pat Barker Allstate Agency Pat, Angela & Stephanie P.O. Drawer 470 Lockport, LA

Ph: 532-5596

spirit of fertility and luck.

Greeks would celebrate with parades featuring a baby in a cradle to represent the birth of Dionysus.

Ancient Egyptians used a baby as a symbol to represent rebirth as well. The child symbolized the birth of the new year and the passing of the old one.

Over the years, the tradition of Baby New Year has taken on another meaning as well. Some people believe the baby begins as an infant in January and then quickly ages until he is elderly at the end of December.

Some stories even suggest Baby New Year ages until he becomes Father Time.

Early Christians did not like the tradition of Baby New Year, feeling it was a pagan celebration.

However, the Church eventually revised its standing when it saw how much people stood behind the imagery of a baby representing rebirth.

The Christian Church allowed members to celebrate the new year with a

Some gifts cost nothing at all Every holiday season, it’s hard to figure out a giftgiving budget. Always, there are the questions of what to spend on the kids’ gifts, how much on the inlaws, and do we send something to those distant cousins this year?

Believe it or not, many

Behold His Glory

and Rejoice!

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ACCOUNTANTS

&

baby, and it was believed the practice symbolized the birth and hope offered by baby Jesus.

Baby New Year symbolism has even been used for marketing purposes. Retailers realized the cherubic image would attract consumers, which is why it is now used to promote New Year’s sales.

But Baby New Year is more than just a successful marketing tool. Each year, many cities and villages name their own Baby New Year, which is the first child born on January 1.

Some attempts to name a Baby New Year for an entire country have been made, but there have been no official pronouncements, as so many children have been born around midnight on New Year’s Eve that it has been too close to call which baby arrived first.

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Lanny Boudreaux, Lana B. Rodriguez, Susan Lafont, Brittany Leboeuf, Gina Bourg, Jaimi Lefort, Natalie Jennings & Deborah Serigny

Season’s Greetings

of the most remembered and precious gifts don’t cost a dime.

That’s right! You don’t have to open your wallet, present a credit card or even visit the ATM. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwaanza or any other season; these are gifts of our shared human spirit.

The Gift of Attention spans all ages and is most appreciated by young and old. And it is a gift that returns, from the wisdom learned when we listen to the very young and elderly.

The Gift of a Compliment can be given at any time and can lift the spirits of those who anonymously help us during the holidays. A simple “Thank you for your good service” can do wonders for the spirit of that checker or gift-wrapper who helps out.

The Gift of a Visit to a distant relative, shut-in or perhaps just a neighbor can mean the difference between a holiday with cheer versus one with loneliness.

The Gift of a Smile, when delivered with honesty, lifts the spirit of another immediately.

To prepare a full-charge, dynamic smile, all that’s required is seeing that person in front of you as a person like yourself.

The Gift of a Favor can mean more than any other gift. Offer to help a senior neighbor with their holiday shopping or engage the children in helping to trim their tree.

The Gift of Love transcends all others, as we realize during the holidays how much our love for each other is the greatest gift we can receive and give as well.

Throughout the year, many people look forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve with family and friends.

While these times can be joyous, they can also provide the opportunity to drink more than usual, which can cause the onset of a hangover headache.

According to a survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation (NHF), 92% of survey respondents noted that they have experienced a hangover headache.

To help avoid or lessen the suffering associated with hangover headaches that often accompany these annual festivities, the NHF offers some advice and a headache-free drink recipe.

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Try to sip your drink slowly. Mixed drinks containing fruit or vegetable juices will probably have less effect that straight alcohol.

Avoid red wine, which contains naturally occurring chemicals called congeners. Forty-one percent of survey respondents listed red wine as the type of alcoholic beverage that most frequently causes headaches.

Congeners are more common in red than white wine.

Also, it is advisable to reduce the actual number of alcoholic beverages you consume.

Spend time catching up with an old friend at the snack table with a soda or glass of water.

Eat some honey.

Honey supplies fructose, a sugar that helps the body metabolize alcohol, is rich in vitamin B6 and can reduce hangover symptoms.

Two tablespoons of honey on a cracker or piece of toast, before or after drinking, may prevent a hangover.

Tomato juice, another good source of fructose, also allows the body to burn alcohol faster. The sugar in fruit and fruit juices may also reduce some symptoms of hangover, so consumption of these products can be beneficial.

Drink fluids containing minerals and salts.

Liquids rich in minerals and salts offer relief from the dehydration caused by alcohol consumption.

A cup of broth or bouillon, for example, will replace fluid and will not cause nausea. In general, replacement of fluids with beverages, such as sports drinks or water, is helpful.

Drink a cup of coffee.

Caffeine may provide some relief in alleviating the headache symptoms and decreasing the duration of pain. The caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor and eases the dilated blood vessels.

Consider drinking a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up the next morning.

fen.

Take

ibupro-

While aspirin is okay, ibuprofen is typically less irritating to the stomach and can also ease the pain of hangover headache.

Alternate nonalcoholic beverages with alcoholic beverages.

Drinking one non-alcoholic beverage between each alcoholic beverage reduces overall alcohol consumption and helps replenish fluids.

An easy way to achieve this is asking for a glass of water in addition to your alcoholic beverage of choice when ordering a drink at the bar.

Eat greasy food before consuming alcohol.

While it is wise to be health-conscious and avoid too much of these foods in general, this is a situation

where eating fatty foods may be helpful.

If consumed prior to drinking alcohol, these foods help line the intestines, which causes alcohol absorption to take longer.

In other words, a burger or burrito before your beer or Bloody Mary might be beneficial.

The NHF suggests the “Champagne Fooler,” a headache-free recipe, for this festive time of year: 1 1/3 cups apple juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice 12 ounces club soda Chill four glasses. Mix together apple juice and lemon juice. Add club soda and stir gently to blend.

Pour into glasses and serve immediately. Yields four servings.

M ERRY C HRISTM AS FRO M ALL O F US AT

13990 W.Main St.- Larose - 985-693-3001

May this holiday season be filled with miracles for you and those you love and may the coming year bring the promise of everlasting peace on earth.

Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year to All! Thank you for your kind support!

Roy Baudoin Furniture & Appliances

Hwy. 1, Lockport 985-532-5353

Hats Off To You at Christmas

Thank you for choosing us!

At this special time of year, we’d like to express our gratitude to this great community that we are fortunate to serve, along with our sincere best wishes for a very merry and bright holiday season to all!

“Cajun Banking Served Just The Way You Like It!”

Member FDIC

www.sbtcajun.com

Equal Housing Lender

Festive cocktails make for easy holiday hosting (StatePoint) Hosting a holiday party? You may have an array of hors d’oeuvres, a savory entrée and delectable dessert planned, but if you are looking to really wow your guests, consider creating a few signature cocktails for the occasion.

As more spirits brands introduce limited edition holiday flavors into their seasonal repertoire, spicing up holiday entertaining is becoming a lot easier and a lot more delectable.

For example, Pinnacle Vodka has brought back two seasonal flavors for the holidays, including Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie and Pinnacle Peppermint Bark.

“We love the excitement these flavors create, especially around the holidays when great cocktails and food are the center of attention,” says Jason Dolenga, senior brand director of vodka at Beam Suntory,

makers of Pinnacle Vodka.

Alongside your dessert course, consider serving up these sweet cocktails: Dessert Table • 1 part Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie Vodka • 1 part DeKuyper Crème De Cocoa Dark Liqueur • 1 part half and half • Combine ingredients in a mug and serve.

Peppermint Cocoa • 1 part Pinnacle Peppermint Bark Vodka • Hot Chocolate • Prepare hot chocolate, pour into a mug with Peppermint Bark Vodka. Rim the mug with crushed peppermint candy. Garnish with whipped cream and cherries.

For recipes and information on incorporating more of Pinnacle’s 40 fun flavors into your seasonal cocktail creations, visit www.PinnacleVodka.com.

What’s that on aisle two’s shelf?

Could it be a little elf?

Can it be in aisle three, a reindeer or two, or possibly three?

What’s in-store, but in aisle four?

I saw Santa Clause himself!

And what’s all that good cheer in my cart?

It must be Christmas at the mart!

With Best Wishes For A Happy Holiday Season From All Of Us At...

Golden Meadow Lockport Larose

As we wrap up yet another year, we’d like to acknowledge all the individuals—customers, neighbors, associates, and friends, who have made doing business here such a pleasure for us.

You’re always welcome here, and we look forward to the privilege of serving you again soon.

James Matassa

985-532-0936

This holiday hosting season, take your parties to the next level by serving up some extra festive cocktails.

Mistletoe, a staple of holiday decor, has a deep history

Chances are, holiday revelers will find themselves underneath the mistletoe at least once this holiday season. While they might know what to do when that time comes, they might not know the history of that plant above their heads.

Especially sacred to Celtic Druids, mistletoe was believed to bestow life and fertility, while also protecting against poison and serving as an aphrodisiac.

Mistletoe would later take on a more political meaning, as the ritual of cutting the mistletoe came to symbolize the emasculation of the old king by his successor.

Nowadays, mistletoe is typically hung in doorways or entryways from one room to another.

This tradition can also trace itself back several centuries to the Middle Ages where branches of mistletoe were hung from ceilings to ward off evil spirits.

Throughout Europe, mistletoe was placed over doorways in the house as well as the stables as a means to preventing the entrance of witches.

The tradition of kissing underneath the mistletoe likely stems from the belief that mistletoe bestows fertility and is often associated with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, a period of merrymaking that pre-dated Christmas.

History also suggests that mistletoe was a symbol of peace. In Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace. When standing underneath the mistletoe, enemies could declare a truce and spouses could end any marital turmoil with a kiss.

Happy Gardens Restaurant in Larose wishes you and your family a safe & happy holiday season!

We appreciate your business!

Happy Gardens Restaurant 13960 W. Main St., Larose

985-693-4494

The Law Office of Jeray Jambon Jarreau, LLC 985-691-6112

9-B

Regifting can be ‘Green’ if done the right way Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

The practice of regifting has been the butt of many jokes throughout the years.

Some people are known to be serial regifters, and family and friends dread exchanging gifts with these people.

However, is it tacky or trendy to give away the items received that can’t be returned or put to good use?

Regifting in a sense is recycling of merchandise that may otherwise end up in the garbage.

Individuals who are serious about making strides to protect the environment say that regifting is being “green.”

Done with finesse, regifting can be a handy and happy holiday experience. Done the wrong way, however, it is a recipe for family feuds or awkward situations with friends.

According to one survey, 78 percent of Americans feel that it is acceptable to regift some or most of the time.

Here are some ways to handle regifting in a tactful manner: • Regifting should not simply be a method of pawning off items that are detested or ugly. Only regift items that will have utility for someone else — even if they do not fit into your lifestyle.

For example, duplicates of personal appliances or too many baby outfits in one size can be passed on to another.

• If you’re interested in recycling, regift for the right reasons. Let the recipient know that you’re concerned about saving the planet and are passing on this “new” item to him or her to be environmentally responsible.

• Do not regift items that have been previously used — even if you saved the foam and other packaging material.

A recipient will not appreciate a pair of pants that have the tags removed and have been laundered twice.

• Do update the wrapping paper on regifted items. It is still a gift after all. It is tacky to simply

pass the gift on as is.

Also, by not changing the wrapping paper, you run the risk of leaving a gift tag or card in place with your name on it instead of the new recipient’s.

• Do not regift outdated items, even if the tags are still in place. It will be an obvious regift if you’re giving away a tie-dyed concert T-shirt from 1999.

• Don’t regift items that are standard holiday “safe” gifts and ones the recipient probably doesn’t want anyhow. These include boxed cologne or perfume sets that feature knock-offs of designer fragrances, scarves and gloves, bootleg DVDs or video games, random books, or other items that can be purchased from a street vendor.

• It’s not a good idea to regift food items, either. You run the risk of the food having gone stale. Plus, food gifts — unless purchased for a foodie with specific culinary interests — tend to be tacky to begin with.

How many sausage and cheese baskets does one

person need?

• Be sure to regift to a different social circle. That means if you have something from a work friend you may be able to pass it on to a family member. If there is any chance of the previous gift-giver seeing his or her gift used by another person, avoid regifting.

• When all else fails, and Aunt Betsy’s gifted cross-stitch bath towels adorned with unicorns will not be appropriate for anyone on your gift list, consider selling them. Chances are someone on popular auction sites will want items up for regifting.

After all, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Roy & Kyle’s Body Shop

601 Buchanan St., Larose 985-798-5889

Thank you for your suppor ortt!

We look forward to serving you in the new year!

Roy, Rainell, Kyle, Lance & Bubba

At the close of another year, we gratefully pause to wish our entire community peace, health & happiness this Christmas & throughout the new year.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Midnight Mass holds special meaning to many Christians 10-B

Sunday, December 21, 2014 THE LAFOURCHE GAZETTE

Christmas is one of the most celebrated dates on the Christian calendar. Commemorating the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ is only surpassed in importance by the celebration of Easter, a time when Christians remember Christ’s sacrifice of life for His people.

Christmas is often celebrated with much joy and fervor all around the world, with exchanges of gifts and special acts of charity all

month long.

One component of the Christmas celebration that has long been tradition and holds special meaning to celebrants is the Midnight Mass.

Churches all around the world hold four different Christmas celebrations, including three masses and a Christmas vigil.

The Midnight Mass is perhaps the most cherished.

Mass, a Christian liturgical rite that often involves

the sacrament of the Eucharist, may begin prior to midnight and include Biblical readings that focus on the story of Christ’s birth depending on the church.

At midnight on December 24, carols may be sung and church bells may ring to signify the birth of Christ as December 25 arrives.

In Israel, a procession takes place from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. In the Catholic Pope’s home of Vatican City, the Pope himself heads the Midnight Mass and people in large numbers pray for

peace among mankind.

Many theologians say that the Midnight Mass evolved from individuals making pilgrimages to Israel and the actual birthplace of Christ.

Because the Bible states that Jesus was born at night and in a manger, to fully immerse oneself in the story and the liturgical significance of the moment, a Midnight Mass seems the best place to achieve these goals. The darkness and the gentle hush that nighttime provides helps set the scene and enhance the spiritual component of Christmas.

As we wrap up another year, we wanted to let you know just how much your support means to us, and wish you all truly memorable holiday season.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories you’ve given to us this past year.

From David and Melissa at

Leblanc’s Wrecker Service 105 West 1st St. • P.O. Box 134 Larose, LA 70373 985-693-3731

As we prepare for the holiday season, We’re filled with joy and you’re the reason!

All the very best to our loyal patients and neighbors!

Teche Electric Supply

Wishing You Much Joy and Harmony at Christmas.

Allied Shipyard

Golden Meadow & Fourchon

13372 W. Main, Larose (985) 693-4155

4777 Hwy 1, Raceland (985) 537-5512

5550 Hwy 1, Lockport (985) 532-6800

393 AJ Estay Rd., Port Fourchon 985-396-4775

712 S. Bayou Dr. Golden Meadow 985-475-5080

Chiropractic wellness clinic Arcement-Matherne Chiropractic Clinic, LLC

We Wish You a The entire staff at Physical Therapy Specialists wishes you and your family a happy and safe holiday season.

Now that itʼs Christmastime Thoughts of friendship come to mind.

It warms our hearts, we know itʼs true, When we think of folks like you!

Cajun Pecan House Claire Hargis, PT, OCS “Your One-on-One Physical Therapy Provider”

693-7300

With you in Mind at

Christmastime

May all your hopes and dreams come true this magical time of year.

We value your patronage and look forward to serving you again.

Merry Christmas from Brent and Velvet Guidry and Staff

632-2337

Thinking of You!

Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you. Many thanks for your generous support this past year!

Reed, Nanette, Edwis, Barbara, Vickie, Don, Elaine, Sue, Nancy, Evelyn, Raleigh, Denise and Gorris

www.callaisofs.com

15344 Hwy. 3235, Cut Off, LA

985-632-5592

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and the peace of His love at Christmas and always.

The

Happy Holidays From

Callais Office Supply

From the Family & Staff at

14863 West Main Cut Off, LA 70374 985-632-5626

Crosby Tugs Family 17771 Hwy. 3235 Galliano, LA 70345 985-632-7575

Happy Holidays!

To our valued customers, employees, friends and family.

God bless you this Christmas and all through the year!

Kris Gaudet

Insurance & Financial and Greater Lafourche Port Comission Seat C

14863 W. Main St., Cut Off, LA 70345 (985) 632-6049

16849 East Main Street • Cut Off, LA 985-632-5858

Our sincerest thanks to our amazing advertisers, who have allowed us to distribute The Lafourche Gazette, free of charge, to our loyal readers for nearly 50 years.

Thank you and God Bless You,

The Legendres and Staff