DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE 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, J u ly 2, 2025
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Ascension couple wins Farm Bureau award
Community news report
Fourth-generation farmers Frankie and Mallory Sotile, of Donaldsonville, have been named the 2025 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award Winners. The award is the highest honor given by the Louisiana Farm Bureau to individual farmers each year. The Sotiles won the award during the organization’s 103rd annual convention at the New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street on Thursday during the organizational awards. The young sugar cane farmers will now go on to compete for the national title in January at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California. The Sotiles represent both deep roots and fresh vision.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Charley Moran, 69, plays during his induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU
Frankie and Mallory Sotile on their farm outside of Donaldsonville.
“The fertile farm ground we farm on is due to the river,” said Frankie Sotile. “And, you know, I think one big challenge we face is industrial plants moving in. They
ä See AWARD, page 2G
RETRO WRESTLING
Longtime area musician inducted into Louisiana Music Hall of Fame BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame’s spring induction included a bass player who began his musical journey at the age of eight years old. Charley Moran, 69, is known around southeast Louisiana as a talented bass player, as well as an encouraging mentor to other upand-coming musicians. “Music is the only thing I’ve ever known all my life,” Moran said. “I was very overwhelmed being inducted into the Hall of Fame be-
cause there are a lot of great musicians in there.” Moran, who lives in Maurepas, has two adult children and recently retired from being Picou Brothers Construction Company’s construction project manager. The induction ceremony was held March 16 at Manny’s Bar in Maurepas. “I’m not good at public speaking,” Moran laughed. “But it was emotional for me to see a lot of musicians that I had played with there for the ceremony.” Moran’s musician father, Charles Ray Moran Sr., introduced him to
music and guitar strumming when he was 8 years old. “My first memories are sitting on the bandstand with my dad while he played,” Charley Moran said. “I got my first six-string steel guitar at eight years old, but I couldn’t play it. My dad gave me one of his old basses. “He taught me a few things and then the bass became my instrument.” What followed was decades of playing guitar and keyboard with numerous bands including Mike
ä See HALL, page 2G
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
The VHS Wrestling event featured crowd favorite referee George ‘Red Shoes’ Strong, far right. The crowd chanted ‘Red Shoes’ during the Juice Jennings and Chaz Spencer Adams’ match. ä More photos and
story. PAGE 3G
Donaldsonville Independence Day celebration set Ascension School Board appoints Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Celebrate Independence Day in Donaldsonville with the annual July 3 event presented by the city’s Downtown Development District in Crescent Park. The event, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., includes music by Big Frank Lil Frank, fireworks and vendor booths. Vendors can call (225) 473-4814 to register a booth.
at Fred’s on the River, on La. 431 in Prairieville. True Spin plays from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Woman’s Hospital brings breast imaging to Ascension Parish Woman’s Hospital’s mobile mammography coach is stopping in Gonzales July 7. The coach makes mammograms more
Fireworks show at Fred’s on the River
ä See AROUND, page 2G
Check out the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
AUTOs
MOTORCYCLES WATERCRAFT
RVs ATVs
TRAVEL TRAILERS TRACTORS
interim member for District 2 Community news report Brent Gautreau takes his seat as the interim District 2 Ascension Parish School Board member July 1 after recent board approval. Gautreau Gautreau was appointed after the current board mem-
BOATS
LAWNMOWERS
Normal credit and collateral value standards apply. For loans (Auto, Boat, RV, Motorcycle, ATV, Tractors, and Lawnmowers) refinanced from other financial institutions. Will refinance loans 3.0% less than your existing interest rate. Interest rate floors apply. Real estate, unsecured loans, and credit cards are excluded. Restrictions and limitations may apply. May require direct deposit/payroll deduction for the special rate. *To qualify for $100 CASH, refinancing loan must be $20,000+; does not include under market dealership offers such as zero percent financing. Limited time offer. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Equal Housing Lender. Member NCUA.
ber resigned. He will serve on the board until a special election for the position is held on Oct. 11. “We were fortunate to have several strong candidates express interest in this interim role, and
ä See MEMBER, page 2G