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, S e p t e m b e r 10, 2025
Crafty spirit
1GN
Sugarfield uses ingredients including cane, sugar and molasses sourced from Assumption Parish, to produce various rum, vodka, wine and other spirits in its Gonzales distillery.
Arts, crafts vendors join Sugarfield Spirts, Wine and Cider’s Summer Sips BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
With the fall season peeking around the corner, summer was ushered out Aug. 30 with Sugarfield Spirits, Wine and Cider’s Summer Sips event at its distillery in Gonzales. The wine, cider, bourbon and rum distillery welcomed attendees of all ages to shop with a dozen local food, arts and craft vendors. In partnership with Vaudeville Entertainment, Sugarfield’s summer sips event featured local artists, jewelry makers and food vendors. Sugarfield’s owner, Thomas Solatu, wanted to have an event that gives his patrons a chance to interact with local small-business owners. Soltau, a newborn and intensive care pediatrician, opened Sugarfield in 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. While many businesses PHOTOS BY WENDY LOUP did not survive the years
Briel Edmonds, executive creative director of Vaudeville Entertainment, draws henna lotus flowers on the arm of Wren Crochet, 5, of Geismar, Aug. 30 during the Sugarfield Spirits, Wine and Cider’s Summer Sips.
ä See SPIRIT, page 2G
Republicans push ‘real momentum’ on industry, education, crime BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer
Echoing a speech given by Gov. Jeff Landry two weeks ago in Donaldsonville, Republican representatives portrayed Louisiana as a state with forward momentum in industry, education and crime reduction during a “legislative road show” Sept. 3 in Gonzales. The event focused on an array of subjects, but it came amid rising pushback against industrial facilities by residents in the river parishes. Last week, former Vice PROVIDED PHOTO BY BAYOU ROSE PHOTO President Al Gore attended a rally Rep. Tony Bacala speaks during the Legislative Road Show in Gonzales. focused on phasing out the region’s
economic reliance on fossil fuels. Those who spoke, including Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, closely followed the message portrayed by Landry, who argued the state was on the verge of economic revitalization. “We have moved fast in 18 months, moving up in our national rankings and down in our insurance premiums. We are paying down debt and holding criminals accountable,” DeVillier said. “We are writing Louisiana’s comeback story.” The first in a series of nine sessions planned across the state, the Gonzales event at the Price
LeBlanc PACE Center was sponsored by the Ascension Chamber of Commerce, Baton Rouge Area Chamber and the city of Gonzales. It opened with a video that played before Landry’s speech in Donaldsonville. Produced by two powerful state political action committees — Senate President Cameron Henry’s Cameron PAC and DeVillier’s Foundation PAC — it opens by stating “there’s finally real momentum coming out of the Legislature and Governor Jeff Landry’s administration.” As a narrator describes various
ä See REPUBLICANS, page 3G
Sept. 11 commemoration ceremony planned Check out Ascension Parish football ougeLA. Ascension Parish First District 1 is holding a program Thursday to comDonaldsonville Free Clinic Saturday memorate the terrorists attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Residents can take advantage of The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. at vision, dental and medical services the district’s headquarters, 13192 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Airline Highway, Gonzales. the Lemann Memorial Center, 1100 The event will include remarks Clay St., Donaldsonville. from Parish President Clint CointEye exams, dental cleaning and ment and District Chief James E. Darlene fillings and free medical screening LeBlanc, a flag presentation, lunch Denstorff will be offered. No appointment is necessary. and an emergency equipment disAROUND Love Impact Coalition and West play. ASCENSION Ascension Parish Hospital are pre9/11 Heroes Run set senting the event. The 9/11 Heroes Run starts at 8 a.m. ‘Steel Magnolias’ hits the stage Sunday at River Parishes Community College. Ascension Community Theatre is To register, visit https://runsignup.com/ ä See AROUND, page 2G Race/LA/Gonzales/911HeroesRunBatonR
Week 1 results and what’s up next
passed for 113 yards and touchdown to junior Jacob Julien. Junior linebacker John Rob Daigle recorded 10 tackles to lead the defense. Senior Winners defensive end Christopher Anthens had 9 tackles and a sack. Senior Ascension Catholic 45, HL Bourgeois 40 Troy safety Shane Aucoin had 8 tackles The 1A Bulldogs got a victory LeBoeuf including two TFLs(tackles for loss) over 5A HL Bourgeois at home. Next: AC hosts Loreauville, ThursThe Bulldogs gave the new head ASCENSION coach, Taylor James, his first vicday SPORTS Donaldsonville 34, Assumption 13 tory. Senior running back Trevin SiThe Tigers pulled away in the secmon rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns. Simon made two key plays on ond half after leading 14-6 at the half. Sophdefense, tackling a HL runner in the endomore QB Skylar Garrison continues to get zone for a safety and intercepting HL quar- better with playing time. Garrison threw terback Logan Renfro to seal the victory. ä See LEBOEUF, page 4G Sophomore quarterback Greg Fernandez Let’s look at what happened during week one of of the high school football season in Ascension Parish.