SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 12, 2025
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LOUISIANA GEM Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Wildflower Project committee meeting ahead of festival The Feliciana Wildflower Project & Festival is holding a committee meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at 11321 Old South Drive in Clinton. The festival is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 in downtown Clinton. Visit www.facebook.com/ FelicianaWildflowerProject for information.
Volunteers preserve more than tree BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer
The Friends of Cat Island volunteer to dedicate their time and energy to protecting Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, 13,000 acres of federally protected land in West Feliciana Parish — and most well-known as the home to the national champion bald cypress tree. The Friends of Cat Island work to preserve this hidden gem, educate others and make it accessible so anyone can experience it’s
distinct flora and fauna. The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is a bottomland hardwood forest — different from the surrounding St. Francisville upland hardwood forest. “The ecosystems are worlds apart,” said William Daniel, St. Francisville native and president of the Friends of Cat Island. “It’s just such a rich environment down there with wildlife and vegetation.” Old growth cypress trees populate the island along with hundred-year-old oak
trees. Because Cat Island is a river-bottom hardwood forest, the refuge is subject to flooding — which has some surprising upshots. The annual flooding has preserved native habitats with very few invasive plant species, and it has also prevented human development. The Friends of Cat Island organization began in 2001 but lost momentum until members re-established the group in 2015. The 501©(3) nonprofit has been active
PROVIDED PHOTO
Friends of Cat Island board President William Daniel assists West Feliciana Middle School students Antonia Wilkinson and Reagan Johnson ä See TREE, page 2G in taking a soil core sample.
Former band director to speak East Feliciana’s Unified Alumni Association is holding a Mardi Gras Gala at 7 p.m. March 1. Former Clinton High and Southern University band director Lawrence Jackson will be the speaker. Tables seat eight and cost $300. Individual tickets are $40. Attire is formal. The event is at the East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road, in Clinton.
Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society members of all ages line up for a dance.
Feliciana dog parade St. Francisville Krewe de Canines presents Rollin’ on the River Dog parade on Feb. 22 at Parker Park. Registration opens at 2 p.m., and the parade rolls at 3 p.m. Parade entry fee is $25. Stuffed animal entry fee is $10. Sponsors are welcome. All proceeds go to the West Feliciana Animal Humane Society. For information, visit krewedecanines.com or contact jpmalara@gmail.com or (225) 721-0782.
Walk in the Park coming A Walk in the Park, with live music, crafts and art, is set from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8 in Parker Park in St. Francisville.
Home and garden event The Feliciana Master Gardeners and St. Francisville Beautiful will hold the St. Francisville Home & Garden Stroll on May 10. Proceeds from the open house, garden tours and afternoon workshops go to 4-H scholarships, school gardens and other community projects.
Twirl
back time
ABOVE: Four pairs of Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society members demonstrate a dance from the Regency Period at a Jane Austen event recently at the Audubon Commemorative Site. RIGHT: Visitors join the members for a lesson on the dance floor.
Group shares passion for dancing styles of years’ past with classes, educational events BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
PHOTOS BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Mammograms in Jackson Woman’s Hospital’s mammography coach is offering 3D mammograms Feb. 25 at East Feliciana Primary Care, 3050 Charles Drive, in Jackson. Physician’s orders are required and appointments are strongly encouraged. Call (225) 634-3517 to schedule. Visit www.womans.org to see other locations and times.
Polo event returns The Azalea Polo Classic is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 at West Feliciana Parish Park, 10226 W. Feliciana Parkway, in St. Francisville. The event benefits the West Feliciana Historical Society. Event tickets are $125 per person and include admission to the event, hors d’oeuvres, house wine and beer and prepared cocktails. Must be 21 and older to purchase event tickets (18 and older to attend the event). General admission tickets went on sale Feb. 1. Visit www. azaleapoloclassic.com for information.
Save the date n Feb. 15: Enslaved Life at
Rosedown n Feb. 22: Writers & Readers
ä See AROUND, page 2G
ABOVE: Members of the Lagniappe Historic Dance and Pastime Society teach guests to dance. RIGHT: Roxanne Struppeck, dance mistress, invites visitors to be brave enough to get on the dance floor.
Dancing is fun — good for the body and soul — and shows courage? Studies show that physical exercise, like dancing, is beneficial as is the accompanying mental exertion for the brain, like learning and remembering the steps. Then there’s simply the chance for romance. Some agree with Jane Austen (whose 250th birthday will be celebrated this year), who says in “Pride and Prejudice,” “To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” Look at the popularity of recent period movies and the series “Sanditon” and “Bridgerton” — with scenes of dance and romance — for example. As for the courage mentioned above, dance mistress Roxanne Struppeck said it is needed for the
ä See DANCING, page 2G
Search begins for East Feliciana Parish manager who did not attend the Feb. 3 hearing and vote on a new subdiPolice Jury extends development moratorium in, meeting, has said March 27 will vision ordinance.
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury is looking for a new parish manager. The Police Jury voted Feb. 3 to advertise for parish manager applicants and to extend a moratorium on new residential subdivisions. Jurors received Parish Manager David Amrhein’s resigna-
tion letter at their snow-delayed Jan. 27 meeting but took no action then to look for a successor. Juror Richard Oliveaux voted against accepting Amrein’s resignation, saying he felt the former Zachary mayor had done more for the parish than any other manager since Amrhein took the job in February 2024. The jury will accept applications from candidates for the post through March 13. Amrhe-
be his last day. Anyone applying for the job must be a resident and registered voter in East Feliciana at the time they apply. John “J.R.” Rouchon, who once held the post, said he will apply for the job. He is now employed in the parish coroner’s office. With a six-month moratorium on new subdivisions set to expire, the jury decided to extend the moratorium through March 31 while it prepares for a public
The Planning and Zoning Commission has been working on new development regulations for months, and commission Chairman Josh O’Quin said the document has been approved but needs some editing work. Rouchon, who is a commission member, said he is going through the ordinance to look for formatting errors. The commission voted to allow
ä See MANAGER, page 2G