DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 4, 2024
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Book festival draws 1,000
Community news report
More than 1,000 people came together to celebrate their love for books and literacy during the ninth annual Livingston Parish Book Festival. First held in 2013, the Livingston Parish Book Festival is the Livingston Parish Library’s biggest single-day event. It was Nov. 9 at the Main Branch in Livingston. The event featured an author’s discussion, a book signing, live music, a wildlife presentation, concessions, balloon twisting, face painting, games, augmented reality and other activities. Headlining this year’s festival was Johnette Downing, an author, singer, musician, composer, illustrator and poet whose work is dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her mu-
sic and books. Another popular performance came from the Petite Princess Company, which provides family-friendly party entertainment across south Louisiana. The Petite Princess Company gave visitors a chance to interact with their Blue Pup and Orange Pup, based on the popular children’s cartoon series. To conclude the day, visitors enjoyed a wildlife presentation by Nature on the Geaux, which aims to foster a deeper connection to wildlife and nature through engaging and educational programs. Tanee Janusz, an environmental educator and skilled animal keeper for more than 25 years, presented a special “Creepy Critters” show featuring Nature on the Geaux’s “animal ambassadors,” which included snakes, reptiles, turtles and spiders, among others.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Children dance to a song with Blue Pup and Orange Pup from the Petite Princess Company during the Livingston Parish Book Festival on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at the Main Branch in Livingston. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Christmas Crusade collecting donations Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced the dates for Sheriff Jason Ard’s Christmas Crusade. Deputies are collecting donations across the parish and families in need of assistance with Christmas gifts can apply beginning Dec. 2. Toys will be delivered Dec. 20. Applications, accepted through Dec. 6 and Dec. 9-13, can be dropped off at 29225 Woodside Drive, Walker.
SLU Jazz Ensemble to perform The Amite Arts Council is sponsoring a Christmas Concert by the Southeastern Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Amite High Theater, 403 S. Laurel St. “This wonderful event is keeping with the tradition by the Amite Arts Council of offering the area a special Christmas event,” said Arts Council President Charley Vance Tickets are $5 and available at Amite City Hall or at the door. Vance added that veterans are admitted free. For more information, call Amite City Hall, (985) 748-8761.
PHOTO BY DAVID NORMAND
Members of the Kindness Keepers choir from Luke 10:39 Church sing carols during the Denham Springs Christmas lighting at the Old City Hall on Friday.
Denham Springs kicks off season with Santa visit, lighting of Old City Hall ä More photos from the event. PAGE 4G
The Kiwanis Lighting of the Christmas Tree is at 6 p.m. Dec. 12, and the Kiwanis Christmas Parade is at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. Denham Springs residents and businesses The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra kicked off the holiday season Friday with will play in the historic district at 6 p.m. the city’s annual Christmas lighting cer- by to listen to children’s Christmas lists. The event was part of the city’s Christmas Dec. 19, and a Christmas Alive show is at emony at old City Hall. Members of the Kindness Keepers choir in the Village, which continues Thursday 6 p.m. Dec. 22. For a complete schedule, from Luke 10:39 Church sang carols, and with the popular Chef’s Evening and Wine visit www.cityofdensprings.com or www. denhamspringsantiquedistrict.com. children wrote letters to Santa, who stopped Tasting, a ticketed event. Community news report
The Merriest Mile Tickets are on sale for the Merriest Mile drivethru Christmas light show, set through Dec. 31 at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds, 19869 Fairgrounds Road. Admission for a single vehicle with up to 8 people is $25 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. For tickets, visit themerriestmile.ticketspice.com/themerriest-mile.
Farmers market The Four Seasons Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the city parking lot at Hummel Street and Railroad Avenue. Fresh vegetables, fruits and handmade items are on sale from vendors.
Christmas parade dates Towns throughout Livingston Parish are planning Christmas parades on land and water. Here’s a list of parades: n Diversion Christmas Boat Parade: Dec. 7 n Albany Christmas Parade: Dec. 7
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Livingston libraries offer seeds to grow vegetables, flowers BY VIC COUVILLION
Contributing writer
The next time you’re at a library in Livingston Parish, consider picking up some vegetable or flower seeds in addition to books. Staff from the Livingston Parish Library System and members of Livingston Master Gardeners have combined knowledge of their respective fields of expertise to expand and enhance system-wide the seed exchange program that was launched earlier at only one of the library’s branches. Since early October vegetable and flower seeds are available to library patrons at all five branches of the library system. Earlier, the seed exchange program had its humble beginnings only at the Albany-Springfield Branch and the program was overseen by the library staff. Kyla Robertson, director of all library programs and events, said that while there was considerable interest in a seed exchange program, the library staff need exper-
PHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION
Kyla Robertson, right, programs and events director for the Livingston Parish Library System, holds typical packets of seeds that can be claimed by patrons of the library system. With her, from left, are members of the Livingston Master Gardeners, JoAnn Cook, Donna Holton and Kathy Kiloh. The gardeners have joined with library staffers to bring the seed exchange program to all five branches of the library system.
the knowledge and experience related to growing things; and they had volunteers who were willing to monitor the program in several ways,” Robertson said. Donna Holten, president of LivKnowledge, experience shared ingston Master Gardeners ex“The Master Gardeners helped plained that her organization has us in two important ways: they had assigned at least two, in some castise and additional assistance to expand the program throughout the library system. Answering the call to serve the program were members of the Master Gardeners.
es three, Master Gardeners to each branch where they can oversee the seed exchange program and offer advice on how to sort and label seeds brought to the library along with instructions on best gardening practices. The library has supplied racks where small plastic containers that hold packets of available seeds are made available. Each container includes printed information on the type of seed enclosed. Holten explained that identifying seeds is important so that those who choose them will know exactly what they are receiving. “There is more to seeds that meets the eye. For example, we don’t want to pass on seeds that might not be appropriate for our climate and growing conditions,” Holten said. “Those planning to plant also need to know the proper season for planting. What few people know is that we cannot pass on patented seeds and we know those seeds from others.”
ä See SEEDS, page 3G