DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
THE LIVINGSTON-TANGIPAHOA
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
AROUND LIVINGSTON
It’s a new year and many of our readers are setting resolutions to eat healthy, exercise and help others. I’m hoping 2025 is the year I get my new kidney. After years of dealing with the impacts of chronic kidney disease, it looks like things are at the point where a transplant is warranted. I’ve been on the list for 2 years, and fingers crossed everything will work out this year. My readers have been so supportive throughout my journey. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I’ll keep you updated on my progress. One thing that isn’t changing for me is my desire to share your stories. Please resolve to share those family and business milestones with us at The Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate and livingston@theadvocate.com. Here’s wishing you a healthy, safe and happy new year.
W e d n e s d ay, J a n u a ry 1, 2025
1Gn
Kiwanis food drive successful again
Darlene Denstorff
Happy New Year to all
|
BY VIC COUVILLION
participation in the food drive at selected subdivisions in the area. The notices invite potential donors to leave a bag or box of Continuing a long-standing tradition, the food items on their front steps for eventual Hammond Kiwanis Club once again suc- pickup by Kiwanians and the volunteers cessfully held a Holiday Food Drive provid- who join in the event. The notices remind homeowners that they ing 115 boxes of food items for needy famiPHOTO BY VIC COUVILLION lies in the community. will not be disturbed and that their donations This year’s drive was held Dec. 14. The will be picked up after 9 a.m. The Hammond Tyler Silewicz, left, and Hudson Cormier, members day was marked by mild temperatures and community responds with an exemplary of the basketball team at Trafton Academy, fill a box clear skies, a change from some food drives display of generosity. The crews assigned with food items at the annual Kiwanis Holiday Food to pick up the food begin their roundups and in the past. Drive sponsored by the Hammond Kiwanis Club. Club The club utilizes a plan that results in a within the hour food items are brought to a members and volunteers of all ages pitched in to huge collection of nonperishable food items ä See DRIVE, page 2G that starts with passing out requests for make the drive a big success once again. Contributing writer
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.
Pets looking for homes The Denham Springs Animal Shelter is looking for people to foster cats and dogs. The no-kill shelter, at 600 Bowman St., Denham Springs, also encourages residents to consider adopting a pet; the fee is $60. More than 200 cats and dogs need homes or foster parents. For information on fostering or adopting, call (225) 664-4472.
Learning center classes set The Southeastern Life-Long Learning Center in Walker is accepting students for upcoming classes. To register for the classes, visit southeastern. nbsstore.net/life-long-learninglivingston-center. Learn to speak Italian during an online class with the Southeastern Life-Long Learning program starting Jan. 21. The class, held on Tuesdays is $60. Register for ACT prep classes on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23. The class costs $195. Learn how to fly a drone at an introduction to drones class Tuesdays in January. The online class is $125.
PHOTOS BY DAVID NORMAND
Members of the Walker Baptist Youth group celebrate the true essence of Christmas with a live Nativity scene outside the Walker Parks & Recreation’s Community Center on Dec. 21.
NATIVITY SCENE CELEBRATES SEASON
ä More photos from the Walker celebration. PAGE 3G
Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 388-0731.
Four-year-old Grace LeBlanc feeds vanilla wafers to a camel near the live Nativity scene.
Jacket basketball off to hot start A fast start doesn’t always turn into a strong finishing kick so it’s no surprise that the Denham Springs boys basketball team is taking a measured approach to the first month of the new season. Heading into last weekend’s tournament at St. Louis Catholic, the Yellow Jackets were 13-0, a start that is slightly better yet similar to its beginnings the previous two years. The Jackets made the state quarterfinals last season, but were upset in the first round the year before. Preseason successes won’t guarantee postseason wins, a fact
said last week after a 61-24 win over Glen Oaks. “And if anybody should know about that, it’s him.” Sample’s Scotlandville teams almost always found a way to finish while advancing to their respective state championship games 15 consecutive years. Caballero’s SPORTS ROUNDUP team is only concentrating on what it needs to do this season, as that Denham Springs coach Kevin it should. Caballero is well aware of. “The two things we’ve been “A real good coach, (former preaching are staying healthy and Scotlandville High coach) Carlos focusing on ourselves,” Caballero Sample, told me a few years ago said. “Hopefully, with the closeat a tournament in December, ness of this group, if we can avoid ‘Coach, they’re not giving anyä See SALZER, page 3G thing away right now,’” Caballero
Charles Salzer
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Denham Springs coach Kevin Caballero cheers on his team during a 2023 game.