SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
West Feliciana playgroup survey available A short survey asking ideas for a better Butterworth Playground is available at forms.office.com/r/ UC0UDa27Qw. Submit responses by Nov. 30. Share this with other families, especially those who can give input on what ADA accessibility needs are a priority in the community.
Alumni Association support The East Feliciana Unified Alumni Association is holding its annual Plate Sale fundraiser Friday, Oct. 25 at McManus Volunteer Fire Station, 5270 La. 10, Jackson. Orders are $12 a plate with a choice of barbecue or smoked chicken with potato salad, baked beans, cake, roll and drink or a catfish plate with potato salad, sweet peas, cake, roll and drink. Walk up and presale purchases are available. To place orders or for information, contact Kenny Sanders (225) 2525801, Janice Armstead (225) 2443374 or Henry Taylor (225) 719-2625.
Learn about breastfeeding The ABCs of Breastfeeding will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 2 at Lane Regional Medical Center Board Conference Room, 6300 Main St., Zachary. Email or call Jamie Schmolke to reserve a spot: jschmolke@lanermc.org or (225) 658-6612.
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Fiber optic work breaks water lines WEST FELICIANA PARISH COUNCIL
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The West Feliciana Parish Council heard a report Oct. 14 on water system problems caused by ongoing fiber optic cable projects and decided to allow mobile homes in an additional zoning district. Parish President Kenny Havard told the council that two companies are installing underground fiber optic cable to extend broadband internet access to unserved areas of the parish. The
projects are funded with federal money administered by a state agency. The work has resulted in numerous water line breaks because the parish’s records on where water lines were installed over the years are inadequate. The breaks cause pressure drops in many areas, along with “brown water” when sediment in the lines is stirred, Havard said. He said the six parish water
system employees are “doing everything they can” to keep up with the fiber companies’ requests for utility locations and damage to water lines, “but it’s a free-for-all out there.” When the work is completed, the payoff will be broadband access to every home in the parish, Havard said. The council approved an ordinance allowing “manufactured homes,” or mobile homes, in ar-
eas that are zoned RA, or residential agriculture, increasing the number of zoning classifications where one mobile home per lot is allowed from five to six. Next month, the council is expected to consider a new zoning map that was introduced in June to accompany the revised parish land development code adopted last year. A move by council member Justin Metz to approve the new map in September with some
ä See COUNCIL, page 3G
Boo to-do
Yellow Leaf band schedule Visit tinyurl.com/txcr65k3 for the schedule of bands at the Yellow Leaf Arts Festival. Arts for All presents Yellow Leaf Arts Festival with juried artists and live music from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26-27. Conner Burns, a potter, is the featured artist. More information, www.artsforallwestfeliciana.com.
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Teacher Caroline Underwood Harrell talks about painting sky, water and the horizon and shows examples before demonstrating with paint during a Council on Aging art class.
Christmas parade sign-up Visit www.facebook.com/citcstfrancisville to sign up for the Christmas in the Country parade. Christmas in the Country in St. Francisville is set for Dec. 6-8.
COA classes bring budding artists together for more than just art lessons
Area Halloween information n The town of Jackson and JTEC invite goblins and princesses in the area to the annual Spooktacular Event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The event is held along College Street starting at the corner of Charter Street (La. 10). Any businesses or individuals interested in setting up a trunk to hand out treats should contact Bonnie Boyer at (225) 324-5083. n Be ready for a fun Halloween celebration at the East Feliciana Trunk or Treat event. Decorate your trunk full of treats, games and costumes on Lawyer’s Row in Clinton. This event is Friday, Oct. 25. Decorating begins at 8 a.m. The first bus from the schools will arrive at 9:15 a.m. RSVP at efchamberofcommerce@gmail.com. n Trick-or-Treat in St. Francisville is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
Pumpkin Festival The St. Francisville Farmers Market is held Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Upcoming theme dates include: Nov. 21 is Thanks & Giving Back event. Customers who bring in nonperishable food items, which will be donated to the food bank, will be given $1 tokens for purchases at the market. Dec. 19 is the Christmas reception. Refreshments will be available as well as a chance to shop for last minute gifts and holiday food. Santa will be on hand for photos.
Save the date n The 20th annual Feliciana Family and Friends Mardi Gras Parade in Jan. 25 in downtown Clinton. n The 90th annual 2025 LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show will be Feb. 11-18 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. n The Feliciana Wildflower Festival will be June 7 and the group is seeking applications for sponsors, vendors and guest speakers. Visit www.facebook.com/FelicianaWildflowerProject for information. n The Day the War Stopped is planned for June 7.
Send news and events for East and West Feliciana parishes to extra@ theadvocate.com by noon Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Jaycee Carter holds up her Oscar trophy while getting a hug from Pam Malara, who reads with Jaycee every Thursday, at the booth by the Bank of St. Francisville during Trunk-or-Treat at the West Feliciana Sports Park on Thursday in St. Francisville. ä More photos. PAGE 4G
St. Francisville celebrates Halloween early with Trunk-or-Treat The West Feliciana Sports
Businesses, groups and
Park was filled with costumed
organizations set up tents or
children and adults Oct. 17 for
decorated vehicle trunks for
its Truck-or-Treat celebration.
the event.
Painting classes are making it possible for some seniors to fulfill long-held wishes to learn to paint or to resume painting — to put favorite colors, shapes, images, memories and more onto surfaces that were once blank. Six of these senior students from the East Feliciana Council on Aging’s painting classes in Clinton said learning how to paint is nice, but developing lasting friendships is the bonus they’re receiving from the group. The youngest in the group is 62 and oldest is 90. They report that in each others’ company — an observed atmosphere of creative camaraderie — new friendships grew and others were strengthened. Six of the art students talked about what they’ve gained from the class.
ä See ART, page 2G
Community coven rides to address serious cause BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Contributing writer
A coven of modern-day witches has greatly rehabbed the image of witches while maintaining the importance of sisterhood, teamwork and strength. Sisters of the Traveling Brooms will further its cause Thursday, Oct. 24, during the fourth annual Witches Ride of St. Francisville. The annual ride was the brainchild of local consultant and dietician Stacey Verdicanno. The fundraiser supports area causes and serves as another draw to the St. Francisville tourism scene. Verdicanno’s organization includes event chair Megan D’Aquilla and committee organizers Aimee Cook, Maggie Hughes, Angelice Fried, Tracey Mascagni and Megbe Hughes. The 2024 ride is significant in that it marks the launch of the Purple House Foundation, a haven for women and children escaping domestic violence. Each ride has built both resources and momentum for the house. As “head witch in charge,” D’Aquilla helps balance the event’s celebratory theme with the serious goals of curbing do-
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MEGAN D’AQUILLA
The Baton Rouge BeignYays, a parade and event favorite, will perform Thursday during this year’s Witches Ride event. mestic violence. “The Witches Ride of St. Francisville is a true testament to women supporting women.” she said. “Each year, we come together in fun to make a difference and spread awareness about an important cause.” The witches are driven by the stories of women caught in the circle of pain and harm. This year’s ride is dedicated to Peggy
Beasley, a member of the community who suffered and died due to domestic violence. “In her memory, we are committed to raising awareness of how deeply domestic violence can affect our own community,” D’Aquilla said. “Through the Purple House Foundation, we hope to provide women like Peggy with a safe place to turn in times of need, of-
fering support and protection.” D’Aquilla said, while still in the early stages of development, the group’s goal is to have the safe house fully operational by next year’s ride. “Our community has rallied around this event, and we are deeply grateful for the growing
ä See COVEN, page 6G