DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
SPRING AHEAD
Set clocks forward Sunday, March 9
ADVOCATE T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Petals for a Cause March 29 Tickets are on sale for the Gonzales Area Foundation’s Gala set for March 29 at Price Leblanc PACE Center. This year’s theme is Petals For A Cause. The evening raises money for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Gonzales. For information and tickets, visit www.gonzalesareafoundation.org.
Egg Your House sign-up Cara’s House volunteers are hosting a fun Egg Your House fundraiser in which stuffed plastic eggs are left in someone’s yard on Easter morning. April 11 is the deadline to register for the April 20 “egging.” Packages are from $20 for 25 eggs to $85 for 150 eggs. Visit Cara’s House Facebook page for registration information.
EA FFA plans plant sale The East Ascension High FFA is hosting a farmers market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 15 at the school, 612 E. Worthey Road, Gonzales. They will have vegetables, herbs, flowers, house plants, carpentry projects and preserves.
Outdoor Expo March 14-16 Louisiana’s largest fishing, hunting and outdoor show is set for March 14-16 at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center’s REV Center, 9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales.
Bulls, Band & Barrels coming Tickets are on sale for the March 15 Bulls, Bands & Barrels at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event will include bull riding, barrel racing and live music featuring Sammy Kershaw with Vincent Mason. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/ yu83kp3e. Merry Market in March 8-9 A spring Merry Market is March 8-9 at Lamar-Dixon Center, Gonzales. Admission is $10. is the ultimate family-friendly shopping indoor and outdoor market at Lamar Dixon. Come shop over 350 booths with Shoppers can check out the clothing, home décor, jewelry, food, toys and decorations on sale. For more information visit www. merrymarket.shop.
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W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 5, 2025
LaLa Regeria Field gets new life City, parish, state work on project
Community news report Donaldsonville Mayor Leroy Sullivan recently accepted the keys to the historic LaLa Regira baseball field from Ascension Parish government leaders. The brief ceremony at the field marked the transfer of ownership of the west bank baseball field that many once called “a small Wrigley Field,” Sullivan said. The LaLa Regira Baseball Field holds a special place in the hearts of many in Donaldsonville, Sullivan said. Named after former longtime mayor Lawrence “LaLa” Regeria Sr., the field has been home to Ascension Catholic’s baseball teams, the Grays semipro team, Donaldsonville High School and the American Legion Baseball team. The transfer represents a significant step in preserving and enhancing the facility’s legacy, a news release from Ascension Par-
PROVIDED PHOTO
Attending a ceremony turning over LaLa Regira Field to the city of Donaldsonville, from left, are Mayor Leroy Sullivan, Parish President Clint Cointment and Rep. Ken Brass. ish Government said. As part of this transition, Ascension Parish Government secured $400,000 in funding from the Parish’s Lighting District to install new field lights, ensuring that evening games and community events can continue safely. Additionally, $133,000 from the
Parish’s general fund has been allocated to renovate and upgrade the grandstands. “This investment is about more than just a baseball field — it’s about supporting our youth, strengthening our community, and building a brighter future for Donaldsonville,” said Ascension
Parish President Clint Cointment. “Working alongside Mayor Leroy Sullivan and his administration on this project has been an honor, and I look forward to seeing the impact this complex will have under their leadership.” Cointment and Sullivan said the revitalization of the field was made possible thanks to the efforts of state, parish and city leaders. “I am also deeply grateful to our state legislators for their efforts in securing capital outlay funding, ensuring that what we are handing over today is not just a facility but a lasting asset for our citizens, athletes, and fans for generations to come,” Cointment said. “This was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” Sullivan said. The new lights have been installed and work should begin soon on the demolition and rebuilding of the grandstands. “So many greats from our area started their baseball careers at LaLa field,” Sullivan said, adding that he hopes a new generation of ballplayers can use the field.
LIFE IN THE RODEO
St. Amant High School student Addy Faulkner, 15, said the Southeast Louisiana High School Rodeo Club has taught her life lessons about helping to support others. Faulkner, and her 18-year-old horse, Bariah, participated in barrel racing, pole bending and team roping during this weekend’s club rodeo.
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
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Ascension Community Theatre enters 25th season Board President Delaune reflects on importance
Trip to Greece planned The Donaldsonville Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a trip to Greece June 1-9. The nine-day trip includes stops in Athens, Santorini, Pelponnese, Poros, Hydra and Aegina. The cost is $3,799. For information, call (225) 473-4814. Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate. com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday.
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BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON
Dustin Delaune at the Ascension Community Theatre
As president of the board of directors for Ascension Community Theatre, Dustin Delaune, 28, assists in all aspects of the organization. Delaune first stepped into the role in 2018 and now oversees the Gonzalesbased nonprofit’s 25th season, which began this week. Delaune, who was born and raised in Gonzales, aims for the organization to produce a combination of shows that audi-
ence members want to see and cast and crew members want to create. The theatre aims to put on shows that leave audiences learning something new about life or themselves. How did you get involved in theater? There is a performing arts academy called Center Stage in Gonzales. Around the age of 8 or 9, my grandmother enrolled me in one of their musical theater classes. From there, it just skyrocketed into all things theater. I was in theater in high school, and then my theater teacher actually was the one that introduced me to ACT. What do you love most about theater?
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