DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE ARTWORKS THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, au g u s t 14, 2024
1gn
Albany High football coach has a plan for the season
Faced with the reality of replacing his starting quarterback and team leader from last season, Albany coach John Legoria has made some moves that will relieve some of the pressure on his players. The moves will place a larger burden on experienced players while giving new starters a chance to grow into their roles. Instead of structuring his team to rely on offensive production, Legoria shored up the Hornets defense. It didn’t hurt that most Albany’s 12 returning starters are linemen, and Legoria is ready to roll with the modified approach. Charles “We put our better players on deSalzer fense and we’ll try to play a little SPORTS ball control on offense,” Legoria said ROUNDUP last week. “We’re bringing in a new quarterback so we moved some guys that would be starters on offense to defense so we can shore that up.” The void at quarterback was created by the graduation of dual-threat veteran Aidan Casteel, who was the starter during each of Legoria’s first two seasons as Albany head coach. Among Casteel’s many accomplishments, he was named The Advocate’s player of the week last season after throwing for 193 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-6 week 3 win over Springfield. This year, the projected starter is sophomore Jake Milton and the focus will be different. Senior Ethan Hebert, a jack-of-all-trades who was an all-district linebacker last season, will also take some snaps in addition to seeing time at running back. “Its going to be two guys who have different skill sets, and they’ll probably split time,” Legoria said. “Ethan’s our best passer but he’s also our best runner. It just depends on what sets we’re in.” The defense will be anchored by a front four — Kane Tullos, Josh Robinson, Kalib Hiley-Smith and Josiah Shockley — that has already garnered praise from Legoria. “Right now, the defense is way ahead of the offense,” he said. “Our defensive front is really salty. They have the most experience and they’re going to be really, really good.” Albany will play four of its first five games at home. One game that won’t be among those is the traditional rivalry game with Springfield. The Bulldogs are now part of district 8-3A, so the game will take place in week 7 with the added layer of district implications. Speaking of district play, every member of District 8-3A reached the playoffs last season including nonselect Division III quarterfinalists Amite, Bogalusa and Pine. Albany, the only member that competes in non select Division II, will have a battle on its hands every week. Charles Salzer covers Livingston sports for the Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate. To reach Salzer, email livingston@theadvocate.com.
Big Lots to close four stores in Louisiana BY TIMOTHY BOONE
Business editor
Discount retailer Big Lots plans on closing more than 300 stores nationwide as it tries to deal with declining customer spending. The stores in Lafayette, Denham Springs, Bossier City and Natchitoches are set for closure, according to the Big Lots website. Fifteen other Big Lots stores in Louisiana will remain open, including two in Metairie and locations in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Covington, Hammond, Chalmette, LaPlace, Marrero and Slidell. Like other discount retailers, such as Conn’s HomePlus, Big Lots has been hard hit by inflation, which has reduced shopper buying power. According to a recent Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the chain said it has “substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The Ohio-based chain has nearly 1,400 stores across the U.S. It posted $1 billion in net sales during the first quarter, down more than 10% from the year before. Big Lots had a first quarter loss of $120.1 million in the first quarter, up from a nearly $118 million loss the year before.
PHOTOS BY VIC COUVILLION
Angela Davis and her children, Nolan and Anabelle, visit the Hammond Regional Arts Center on Aug. 2 to see the works of some of the area’s top artists. On display at the center is the 62nd annual Hammond Art Guild Open Judged Exhibition, a collection of 103 pieces.
Hammond exhibit features 103 pieces
BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
Art enthusiasts planning to visit the Hammond Regional Arts Center to view the 62nd annual Hammond Art Guild Open Judged Exhibition should plan to spend a considerable amount of time to view and study the 103 pieces of art crowding the walls of the center. On display are pieces including oil, acrylic and water color paintings, photographs, functional art and sculpture. A number of the artists who submitted their creations for the exhibition were among the large crowd that filled the gallery Aug. 2 for an opening night reception. The show hangs through Aug. 29. Melissa Griffin, executive director of the arts center, said the show “is an outstanding showing of the fine art created by members of the Hammond Art Guild and other regional artists. Through this exhibit, artists in our area are afforded the opportunity to showcase their creativity. The quality of the art on display is testament to the abilities of our local artists.” Griffin added, “The directors and staff of the arts center take pleasure in serving as a venue for the guild artists to show their works.” The show was judged by Carol Jane Myers, and winners in the various categories judged were recognized by ribbons attached to the honored entries. Marion Ochs, president of the Hammond Art Guild, said that the most recent showing of art created by guild members shows off the talent and creativity of area artists. “This exhibit demonstrates just how alive and active the visual arts scene is in Tangipahoa Parish. Our guild members stay busy working at their craft year-round and what visitors will see during this exhibition is just how gifted
Carolyn Howard and Eric Johnson, both members of the board of directors of the Hammond Regional Arts Center, welcome visitors for the opening reception of the 62nd annual Hammond art Guild Open Judged Exhibition. The exhibition will be on display through Aug. 29. our artists are. This is a celebration of creativity right here in our community.” Ochs said the art guild has been an organization dedicated to the fine arts for many years. She said about 100 members are active in the organization and that membership in the guild assists and supports the artists who participate. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month during the typical school year. At these meetings, art experts serve as speakers and guides and teach different techniques while offering suggestions and pointers. “We also critique the art created by our members, and positive critiques are an important part of growing as an artist. Our members share tips and suggestions with each other and we all grow as artists. At the same time, we forge friendships and just have a great time when we are together,” she said.
Ochs said the category “Fine and Functional Art” was added to the exhibit this year to spotlight art that goes beyond what is traditional art. Painting, she said, remains the mainstay of most artists active in the guild. She said that has been encouraging some of the artists to be more accepting of “modern art” and encourages them to explore more abstract painting. Besides fostering artists and assisting them in showing their works, the guild also hosts art classes for adults. The guild also works with students who are gifted and academically talented. Eric Johnson, a veteran board member of the Hammond Regional Arts Center who was busily assisting visitors to the exhibition said of the show, “This is one great collection of some really great art. There are so many things to see and appreciate at this exhibit that
ä See ART, page 2G
Women’s Leadership Conference, expo planned Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Tickets and sponsorships are available for the Livingston Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference and Expo, set for Sept. 5. To register, visit https://business.livingstonparishchamber. org/events/details/women-s-leadership-conferenceexpo-8577.
Walker’s gas safety survey underway Walker leaders are asking resident to take part in its Gas Safety Survey. The survey is a federal safety regulation, which judges the effectiveness of the
city’s safety programs. The city asks that customers and noncustomers because take the survey because “everyone on and around our pipeline needs to be aware of natural gas safety for their well-being,” city leaders announced in a Facebook post. To take part, visit https://s.blueottersolutions.com/ walker2024.
Author to sign her book at Cavalier House Books Livingston Parish librarian Amanda Jones is signing copies of her book, “That Librarian: The Fight
Jones
Against Book Banning in America,” at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs. “That Librarian” is the story of Jones’ fight against book banning in the small Louisiana town she was born and raised in and her unwavering commitment to defending intellectual freedom, a news release said.
ä See AROUND, page 2G