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, A p r i l 23, 2025
$1.00N
SUNRISE SERVICE
Popular Easter venue celebrates 38th year, new owners
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Hemingbough has become an Easter morning tradition, but the Rev. Chris Andrews hoped to bring a “tuneup” to the hearts of new and longtime attendees. The minister’s message of love and resurrection — from Romans 8 — encouraged listeners to affirm that nothing can separate them from God’s love. The 38th annual Hemingbough Easter Sunrise Service was Sunday in front of a near-capacity audience in the Greek Revival amphitheater. This Easter held a twist in the longstanding tradition as Arlin Dease, who has served as host for nearly four decades, has passed on ownership to Andrew LaCour and Mike Wampold. The Easter sunrise service draws crowds of more than 700 people, but it has been likened to having a group of friends over for a holiday gathering. During this year’s gathering, Dease introduced LaCour to his guests. Andrews, the retired pastor of the largest Methodist Church in PHOTOS BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Baton Rouge, was joined on the Media personality and author Leo Honeycutt offers the Scripture reading Sunday during the 38th annual Easter Sunrise Service. program by local media personality and author Leo Honeycutt, St. Francisville native and Southern University Director of Facilities Ken Dawson, vocalist Sara Locke, and a string trio St. Francisville native and Southern University Director of from Bella Facilities Ken Dawson sings ‘Thank You for Giving to the Musica. Lord.’ Hemingbough founder Arlin Dease offers greetings. The Greek Revival amphitheater and gardens just south of St. Francisville were established in the mid-1980s. Dease had previously restored Mount Hope and Nottoway plantations when he set out to create a new space with an Old World appeal.
The Rev. Chris Andrews welcomes the crowd. A couple attend the Hemingbough Sunrise Service.
Andrew LaCour stands after being recognized by Arlin Dease as one of the new owners of Hemingbough.
Carbon monoxide leak at aging jail forces evacuation BY AIDAN MCCAHILL Staff writer
A carbon monoxide leak at the West Feliciana Parish jail forced a full evacuation Saturday morning, sending at least one correctional officer to the hospital.
WEST FELICIANA The leak was discovered early Saturday after multiple inmates and staff reported feeling sick. Everyone inside was treated and evaluated by medical staff, according to a
this time,” Sheriff Brian Spillman said in the post. “We’re going to make sure everyone Facebook post from the West receives the proper care and Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Of- then we’ll address the facility. We have plans in place to relofice. “The health and safety of cate and are in the process of our staff and the inmate popu- initializing those plans now.” Spillman said the jail hasn’t lation is our main concern at
Water rising in area Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Several posts on social media have pointed to rising water in the Felicianas. Low water bridges may already be covered. The Friends of Cat Island Facebook page said, “The Mississippi River has a serious rise forecast. It will exceed 40 feet on the Baton Rouge gauge in the next couple of weeks. This will put the entire refuge under water with 15 feet-20 feet on large portions of the refuge.” Keep the water levels in mind as you travel the area and stay safe.
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received many upgrades since it was built in 1948. “This is an example of the daily problems we tackle with an aged and outdated facility. We, as a parish, need to seriously focus on a new and functional jail to provide for the safety and well being of
those we must incarcerate.” On Saturday, some of the inmates were relocated to another jail. Citing safety and security reasons, Spillman did not reveal the number of inmates being transferred, or where they will be temporarily housed.
West Feliciana Parish schools honor former educator Al Lemoine with plaque BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
Dozens of relatives and friends gathered April 15 to pay tribute to the late Rodney A. “Al” Lemoine, who served in a variety of roles with West Feliciana Parish schools over a 40-year period. Lemoine, 72, died June 22, while he also was serving as an alderman for the town of St. Francisville. When he retired, he was the school system’s supervisor of ancillary services. School Superintendent Hollis Milton and retired colleague Mary
PHOTO BY JAMES MINTON
West Feliciana School Superintendent Hollis Milton and retired educator Mary Margaret Jones unveil a plaque at West Feliciana Middle School on April 15, 2025, memorializing the late Rodney A. ‘Al’ Lemoine’s 40 years of service to the parish school system, including service at the middle school’s first principal. Lemoine also was serving ä See PLAQUE, page 3G on the St. Francisville Board of Aldermen when he died last year.