SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Family dance planned in West Feliciana The third annual Fall Family Dance Denim & Diamonds is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 7 at the West Feliciana High gym. Cost is $15 a person. The event is for families of pre-kindergarten through fifth graders. A DJ, concession, games and photo booth will be on hand. Register at tinyurl. com/5n7vmmfd. For questions, contact estepj@wfpsb. org.
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
|
W e d n e s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 3, 2025
$1.00N
BRUSHES AND BEATS
Learn about saving seeds in Clinton Audubon Regional Library in Clinton is opening a seed library. Jessie Hoover of the East Feliciana LSU AgCenter will speak at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Clinton Branch, 11023 Bank St., about how to save seeds from flowers, fruits, vegetables and other plants. Patrons are encouraged to bring labeled seeds for the new library.
Community market coming The Clinton Community Market is set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 6 on St. Helena St. Vendors, local shops and local restaurants will be available.
Cat Island hosting bird event Friends of Cat Island announced its third annual Fall Migration Birding and Nature Walks will be Sept. 6. The bird walk is from 6 to 10 a.m. The nature walk is from 8 to 11 a.m. Both walks will be about 3 miles. The exact location on the refuge will be based on refuge conditions at the time. Experts will be there to assist with species identification. This event is free but register by contacting either William Daniel at (225) 7210090 or epewhd@icloud.com or Jesse Means at (225) 9366529 or jesselmeans3@amail. com. Specify what walk you want to do: the birding walk or the nature walk.
Meet the veterans Clinton is Home is hosting a Meet the Veterans event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Green Door at H Mercantile., 12408 St. Helena St., Clinton.
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
The Art House shows the power of its versatility during a group jam session held July 12 with the backdrop of an art gallery, frame shop, and the wood crafting of Tommy Fry.
Frys’ venture a diverse art buffet BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
Home is where the heart is. Following suit, the newest gathering for the arts isn’t a center or a studio, it’s a house. The Art House, a blending of visual and performing art, is a new place in an old space connecting creative, but diverse souls. Singer-songwriter/wood artist Chris Fry and visual and instrumental artist Cheri Fry are the faces of the Art House, which Chris Fry operates with business partner Davis Havard, chef and owner of the Oyster Bar on the local river landing. All three are known figures in St. Francisville, but the Art House was born more of providence than planning. Cheri Fry
Singer-songwriter Chris Fry performs in the newly opened Art House, a multipurpose venue and gallery he opened with his wife, visual artist Cheri Fry. was finishing an art show at happened. “Really, it was one of those the previous Backwoods Gallery owned by artist Joe Savell things,” Cheri Fry recalled. when something “spontaneous” “When I had a show here in Oc-
tober, and Joe featured me as the guest artist, he told me he was tired and ready to retire.” Cheri Fry was finishing a 30year career with Livingston Parish schools as a speech pathologist and had retirement dreams of her own, but Chris Fry, the businessman at heart, was excited about the potential. “Was it a rash decision?” she said with a chuckle. Havard, a St. Francisville native, knew plenty about breathing new life into old space. He helped restore the flood-battered Oyster Bar into a popular dining spot that often features live music. The Art House multitasks. It is an art gallery, live music venue and event space that also offers custom framing, art classes and more. Cheri Fry is an accomplished
ä See VENTURE, page 4G
SU Ag Center to host canning and preserving workshop
East Feliciana kicks off football season with experience, looking to improve
The Southern University Ag Center will host a fruits and vegetables canning and preserving workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 11 in Room 157 of Pinkie Thrift Hall on Southern University’s campus. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of food preservation and canning. Participants will learn how to safely preserve seasonal produce, trends in food preservation, and the essential equipment. During the workshop, participants will prepare fruit, pack a jar, and receive a jar of preserves to take home. The workshop is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. To register, visit form.jotform. com/252096036998066.
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
Bicycles sought Bicycles — new, used, any condition — can be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday at the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office CRT building, 9946 West Feliciana Parkway, St. Francisville. All donated bicycles will be refurbished by Angola inmates to be distributed in the community. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
School Board President Milton Coats, right, cuts the ribbon with assistance from Vice President Kelly O’Brien at the new West Feliciana High athletic field house.
West Feliciana School Board celebrates new athletic field house President Milton Coats and Vice President Kelly O’Brien, with fellow board members, School and community leaders cut the rib- staff, parents and community members bon Thursday on the West Feliciana High cheering them on. Following the ribbon-cutting, guests were School’s new athletic field house. The ceremony was held at the conclusion invited to tour the facility, which features a of the school’s annual Meet the Saints event, weightlifting room, athletic training space, where fall athletic programs are highlightä See FIELD HOUSE, page 3G ed. The ceremony was led by School Board
Community news report
East Feliciana welcomes 11 starters back from a team that finished 5-5 overall, 3-3 in District 8-AA a year ago. Tigers coach Darius Matthews listed returning lettermen as defensive back/wide receiver Ryan Moore, quarterback/strong safety Markus Cannon Jr., middle linebacker/defensive end Kayden Wilson, running back/ linebacker Makyle Cannon, Ke’Shuan Toney and running back/linebacker Alanthony Gibbs. PHOTO BY DAVID THOMAS JR. Top newcomers include Aiden John- East Feliciana freshman son, Derigez Park- return man Elijah Causey er, Patrick Miller, takes the opening kickoff Kobe Clarke and and moves up field to Khayne Ferguson. Matthews said get the Tigers started with he added Southern great field position during University alum jamboree play. and former Washington Commanders defensive back Danny Johnson to his staff. Also new on the staff is Lindsey Gibbs. “We need to improve our physicality, discipline, speed and effort,” Matthews said. “And we also
ä See FOOTBALL, page 2G