COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE • MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • SLIDELL
ST. TAMMANY
N O L A.C O M
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T h u r s d ay, N ov e m b e r 28, 2024
DATA DIVER
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Proposal to build 80 homes along Bayou Liberty denied The Planning Commission recommendation now heads to the Slidell City Council BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer
The Slidell Planning Commission has voted down a developer’s request for the city to annex a 33acre parcel for 80 new houses. At the commission’s meeting on Nov. 18, neighbors of the proposed development, which would border the eastern bank of Bayou Liberty on one side and a strip shopping center along Northshore Boulevard on the other, spoke against the project, citing flooding and traffic concerns. The Planning Commission’s recommendation now goes to the Slidell City Council. Paul Mayronne, a lawyer for
PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Santa’s big plans in every St. Tammany community
Covington history comes alive in the work of Jack Terry BY DARREN COOPER
Contributing writer
Every community has good Samaritans. They are the people who serve quietly, without fanfare. They get things done outside the spotlight. Their work is as important as that of elected officials and non-profit leaders. They are the foot soldiers in the armies of compassion, empathy, grace. The St. Tammany Farmer sought out six of these people and will feature one each week through the remainder of 2024. We think these people, their stories, are reminders of the good things people do for one another. We’re calling them “Unsung Heroes.” But now is time to sing their praises. Jack Terry describes himself as an analyst. “You look at information and data and try to make it all make sense,” said Terry simply. But in Covington, Terry, 84, is a living, breathing repository of historical knowledge. He’s an integral part of the
“I am so thankful that the city supports these kind of research projects. It’s not like ‘oh yeah’ (whatever) when I ask these questions.” JACK TERRY, Covington resident, researcher and sharer of local history city’s Heritage Foundation and the popular History and Holly Homes tour. He’s largely responsible for the historical marker at Rutland and Columbia that notes Andrew Jackson’s stop in Covington before the Battle of New Orleans, and he says more historical markers are in the works. Terry has seemingly researched every home and name in Covington (like the Claiborne Courthouse) and loved every minute. “I am so thankful that the city supports these kind of research projects,” said Terry. “It’s not like ‘oh yeah’ (whatever) when I ask these questions.” The Covington City Council honored Terry for his tireless efforts at a recent meeting,
bestowing a plaque of appreciation. “Jack has not only a passion for history but also a passion for the truth,” Covington Mayor Mark Johnson said. “He uses persistent and tenacious research to prove or un-prove oral legends. His historical research on the Christmas home tour homes has been a wonderful gift for the city and for the homeowners.” Terry was born in New Orleans and attended St. Aloysius (now Brother Martin), graduating in 1958. He attended Tulane and got his master’s in nuclear engineering, then joined the Air Force and later went to work as a civil servant in Washington, D.C., for 30 years. After retiring, he and his beloved wife, Sandra, another New Orleans native, wanted to come back home, so they bought a house in Covington in 2009, then moved closer inside the city limits two years later. “I can remember when the only way to get here was over the five-mile bridge,” said Terry. “It would take half a day to
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Contributing writer
When it comes to Christmas in Louisiana, having just “12 days” isn’t quite enough. This is a state that loves a good party, and Christmastime is no exception to that. The calendar is practically bursting with options when it comes to filling up the season with holiday events. Each corner of the parish is ready to rock around the Christmas tree — or even the menorah if you’re in Mandeville. But what are this season’s best options? Here’s our top 12 picks to fill those days preceding the 12 days of Christmas. And don’t worry, none of these involve geese, or swans or French hens. We think. Olde Towne Slidell Christmas Golf Cart Parade, Nov. 30 Fun fact. Santa a is man of many vehicles, and in Slidell, he is expected to be rocking the golf cart this year in his special Krewe of Kringle. The Olde Towne Slidell Christmas Golf Cart parade returns at 5 p.m. and features a host of decked out golf carts. The route begins on Carey Street and travels through Olde
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Towne down First, Robert and Cousin streets, then to Erlanger Avenue before looping back down Second Street where it concludes at Guzman Street. This year’s parade will not coincide with Christmas Under the Stars. However, that event will still take place Dec. 6 through Jan. 2 nightly at Griffith Park from 6 to 9 p.m. For those who want to snag a photo with Santa, visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 or 7. Senior Citizen Holiday Luncheon, Dec. 2 The St. Tammany Parish Deputy Sheriffs Association will host a traditional holiday meal for senior citizens at the Castine Center near Mandeville. Doors open at 8 a.m., with a ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. and lunch at 10:30 a.m. The event will feature food, music and dancing for any senior in the community. Reservations are not needed, and the meal is free. Holiday of Lights at Koop Drive, Mandeville, Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 The 25th annual Holiday of Lights will again brighten up the
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A cart filled with Christmas elves in Folsom might make another appearance at this year’s traditional parade through the village.
PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY
Jack Terry
the developer, meanwhile, argued the proposed development, which would be a mix of preserved land and homes, met city flooding and traffic requirements and would suit the area. The wooded property is under the jurisdiction of the St. Tammany Parish Council. Parish Council member Arthur Laughlin had encouraged residents near the proposed development to speak out against it, even if they were not residents of the city of Slidell. Laughlin told the Planning Commission that he had placed a moratorium on development in the area to study flooding risk.
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