DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON
Krewe of Denham Springs rolls Saturday
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 12, 2025
krewe One of the
The Krewe of Denham Springs rolls Saturday through Denham Springs. The parade starts at 3 p.m. at Denham Springs High School and ends at Veterans Boulevard. This year’s theme is “The Greatest Show.”
Krewe of Diversion parade The 30th annual Krewe of Diversion Mardi Gras boat parade floats starting at noon Feb. 22. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Registration will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Manny’s, and the cost will be $35 a boat.
PROVIDED PHOTOS BY BARCLELL STUDIO
ABOVE: Krewe of Denham Springs King Scooter Keen leads a secondline Feb. 1 during the krewe’s Mardi Gras ball. LEFT: Keen and his wife, Kay Keen, are crowned king and queen.
Denham Springs celebrates 45th annual ball Community news report The Krewe of Hullabaloux transformed North Park Recreational Center on Feb. 1 into a big top circus tent for this year’s theme, “The Greatest Show,” as the Krewe of Denham Springs celebrated its 45th annual Mardi Gras ball. The big top tent-themed event was filled with circus enchantments and silhouettes, creating an air of mystery for the elegant night, a news release said. Guests were greeted with tables draped in black tablecloths. Each krewe decorated its own tables and the Chase Tyler Band performed. The ball was planned by ball
The Krewe of Denham Springs board of directors Crowned the new king and captains Shane and Gretchen Morgan, with the Krewe of queen for 2025 were Maurice “Scooter” and Kay Keen. The Hullabaloux. Outgoing royalty are 2024 Keens have been members of King David and Queen Mary ä See BALL, page 2G Stringfellow.
Masquerade Gala planned The Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce is planning a Masquerade Gala on March 28 at Carter Plantation in Springfield. The gala includes live music, casino games, prizes and silent and live auctions. For tickets, visit tinyurl. com/88f6trkf.
DSHS Athletic Hall of Fame The Denham Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame and title sponsor Hood Dental Care are accepting nominations for its next class of inductees through March 31. Hall of Fame nomination guidelines are available on the high school’s website at www.denhamspringshs.org or by picking up a copy at the school office. For information, contact Julie Jacobsen at julie. jacobsen@lpsb.org or (225) 405-6838.
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. Send news and events for Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes to livingston@ theadvocate.com by 4 p.m. Friday or call (225) 3880731.
“I could not do research without tears sometimes, but at other times, there was joy in finding out the many noteworthy accomplishments of so many who came before me.” ANTOINETTE HARRELL, author, archivist, genealogist and research expert
Historian highlights largesse of Black residents BY VIC COUVILLION
Kroux of Barkus The Walker Parks and Recreation Department’s fourth annual family-friendly Mardi Gras-themed Bark in the Park and Kroux of Barkus pet parade are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in Sidney Hutchinson Park. The half-mile parade will begin by the amphitheater and follow the walking path in the park. Kroux of Barkus will start at 11 a.m. This year’s grand marshal will be an adoptable pet representing the Walker Animal Shelter. Registration is free. Donations will be accepted benefiting the Walker Animal Shelter. Bark in the Park will continue until 2 p.m. The activities will include live Cajun/ zydeco music with the band Capital City Cajuns, art and food vendors, and petthemed booths, including a professional photographer for pet portraits. For a pet or vendor entry form, call (225) 665-3755 or email parksandrecinfo@ walker-la.gov.
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he Krewe of Roux celebrate Feb. 1 at the Krewe of Denham Springs ball.
Contributing writer
Antoinette Harrell, author, archivist, genealogist and research expert presented the results of her years of study on the history of African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena parishes Feb. 1 with an informative address for members of the Edward Livingston Historical Association. Harrell’s talk at the Main Branch of the Livingston Parish Library System in Livingston put the spotlight on dozens of Black residents who made significant contributions to communities on the northshore over the past several decades. While her focus was on the individuals, she also delivered messages about the importance of learning and preserving the history of families, too. “When we forget, or erase history, we erase ourselves,” she said in her lecture. “We must speak to the elderly in our lives and listen to their stories, seek out pictures with historic relevance and preserve the information we discover. This is important if we are to better understand our world today.” Harrell said she came to the realization of the importance of exploring and preserving stories from the past about 34 years ago when she decided to study the history of her own family. Her early dabbling with history and genealogy led her to an extended study of the entire community. “I soon discovered that there was not a lot of information about African Americans because many had not kept records or photos of their lives in days gone by,” she said. “But through work and talking to people, I began to learn all about some of the outstanding African Americans who made significant contributions that enriched the lives of residents of this area.” After enumerating the names and expanding on the lives of significant Black residents, she dis-
ä See HISTORIAN, page 2G
High school wrestlers ready for state tourney The Baton Rouge wrestling tournament held two weeks ago provided a sneak peek of sorts for Livingston Parish as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s state tournament unfolds Charles this week in Bossier Salzer City. SPORTS As a sport that has ROUNDUP its season at roughly the same time as basketball and soccer, high school wrestling can get overlooked at times. Still, just like the other sports, wrestling requires dedication and skill along with technical proficiency to succeed. That was on display at the Baton Rouge tournament for Live Oak, Walker and Albany with multiple athletes having a strong showing
Walker had a pair of girls reach the finals in their respective divisions — Willow Dixon at 100 pounds and Isabella Ramsey at 107. Live Oak was represented by Laken Griffin, a finalist at 132 pounds, and Ava Payne, who won at 152 pounds over Baton Rouge High’s Olivia Maxie with a pin at 4:54. Albany sophomore Savanna Camarata Camarata won the PROVIDED PHOTO 132 pounds division outscoring BaThe Walker High School wrestling team is preparing for the state ton Rouge High’s Emerson Winkle 18-1 to earn a technical fall. It was tournament this week. the second win for her at the city tournament. in the boys and girls competitions. is the first year the LHSAA will The girls competitors were parhave a sanctioned girls division at ä See SALZER, page 3G ticularly noteworthy because this the state tournament.