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, D e c e m b e r 24, 2025
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A Taste of Christmas prepares shoppers Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Early holiday deadlines set Submissions for the New Year’s Eve edition is due Dec. 26. Share your holiday lights, party and celebration photos with us at ascension@theadvocate.com.
Need pecans cracked? The Arc of East Ascension is offering to crack pecans for 50 cents a pound. Drop off pecans from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1122 S. East Ascension Complex Blvd. in Gonzales. For information, call (225) 621-2000.
Food distributions set Ascension Parish’s commodity distribution is set for the second Tuesday of each month in Donaldsonville and the second Wednesday of the month in Gonzales. Distributions are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Frank Sotile Jr. Pavilion in Donaldsonville and the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd., in Gonzales, or the Donaldsonville courthouse, 300 Houmas St. Contact Layne Melancon at (225) 450-1006 or layne.melancon@fmolhs.org.
BY WENDY LOUP Contributing writer
A jolly good time was had by all who attended A Taste of Christmas on Dec, 13 at Duplessis Park in Gonzales. The event, hosted by Bearded Events and the Ascension Parish Recreation department, included nearly 100 vendors, food trucks and live music from Carly Goldberg and Landon Davis. Located near the park’s playgrounds, the event featured multiple children’s activities including inflatables and pictures with Santa Claus. Shaded by the oak trees, vendors offered homemade crafts, baked goods and Christmas décor for last-minute holiday shoppers. One of the main benefits to the annual event is the spotlight on Ascension Parish and local small business owners, Bearded Events owner Chad Brown said. “The attraction for vendors and attendees is seeing the community coming together,” Brown said. “The families have a great time, while supporting the small businesses which are the heartbeat of the community. “It’s an opportunity to serve, get
lenging,” Brown said. “I had to move certain things around vendor and food truck-wise due to commitment engagements.” Brown said even with the obstacles in organizing this year’s event was worthwhile. “For me, a Christmas event is special to the community for several reasons,” Brown said. “Families are enjoying a day of fun. The smile on kids’ faces as they approach Santa brings a lot of joy. “And seeing the community coming together to gather under the shaded trees while enjoying great food, shopping, and fun. This is most special because it gives people the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s society and enjoy the Christmas season.” For vendors, the day is a chance to showcase their talents. PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP Kellie Badeaux, of Kell’s Kreations, sold her decorated oysJamie Luke, one of the franchise owners of Salty Paws, a traveling ice cream truck featuring goodies for dogs participated Dec. 13 at A Taste of ter shell crafts and ornaments. Christmas. Dog-friendly ice cream, meat sticks and other treats were on Badeaux, of Reserve, has owned her small business for a year. Makthe Salty Paws menu. ing decorated oyster shells is a lengthy process that creates beauto know people and be supportive cause of rain, Brown and the rec- tiful decoupaged tree ornaments. “I get oysters from a local of our community.” reation department had to postThe event was originally sched- pone the event for a week. ä See TASTE, page 4G “Rescheduling was a little chaluled for Saturday, Dec. 7, but be-
MERRY & BRIGHT
Christmas lunch Country Kitchen, 615 E. Ascension St., is opening up its Gonzales buffet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 25 for a Christmas lunch. Visit countrykitchengonzales.com/ascension-community-christmas.
Gonzales Gun Show planned Buy or trade guns and browse the hundreds of displays of new and old guns, ammo, gun parts, books, knives, knife sharpening, coins, camouflage, and related items at discounted prices during the Gonzales Gun at Lamar-Dixon Center. The show is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 4.
Mardi Gras parade set The Krewe of Dville’s Mardi Gras Parade will roll at 2 p.m. Jan. 4, starting on Marchand Drive, turning on to Church Street, then Railroad Avenue and ending at Mississippi Street.
CARA’s House needs fosters CARA’s House Animal Shelter is in need of volunteers, fosters and adopters for the pets at its shelter. And if you’re missing your pet, don’t forget to call the shelter to see if it has been turned over. For information, visit www. carashouse.com. 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.
STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Riders on the city of Donaldsonville float toss candy and other goodies to the crowd during the Christmas Parade on Saturday.
Riders on the CF Industries float wave during the Donaldsonville Christmas Parade.
Donaldsonville celebrated Christmas with a nighttime parade Saturday through the city. Wanda August rode as Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus was Maj. Darryl Smith Jr. and the grand marshal was Ascension
ä Refer to other content in the paper.
Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre. The parade featured floats
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decorated with colorful lights and loaded with representatives from local businesses and clubs. Marching units and a bicycle group added to the festivities.
Ascension athletes well-represented on All-District lists Troy LeBoeuf
ASCENSION SPORTS
Well, high school football is over and the records are in the books. Ascension Parish is well-represented in the state All-District lists:
DISTRICT 5-5A First team
OFFENSE QUARTERBACK: Cooper Babin, St. Amant, senior RUNNING BACK: Jason Blackburn, East Ascension, senior
RUNNING BACK: Jourden Hickerson, St. Amant, junior TIGHT END: Brysten Martinez, East Ascension, senior WIDE RECEIVER: Jermichael Millen, St. Amant, senior OFFENSIVE LINE: Javaughn Matthews, East Ascension, senior OFFENSIVE LINE: Carson Lacomb, East Ascension, junior OFFENSIVE LINE: Carter Babin, St. Amant, junior OFFENSIVE LINE: England Phillips, Dutchtown, senior
RIGHT SAFETY: Jayden Ursin, East Ascension, junior MVP: Cooper Babin, St. Amant, senior DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE: Jeremy Whatley, St. Amant, junior DEFENSIVE LINE: Gabe Ford, Prairieville, senior LINEBACKER: Tony Miles, East Ascension, senior LINEBACKER: Anden Millet, St. Amant, senior DEFENSIVE BACK: DJ Schonberg, St. Amant,
senior DEFENSIVE BACK: Brycen Glover, Prairieville, sophomore DEFENSIVE BACK: Micah Levy, East Ascension, junior FLEX, JAVON JAVIUS, EAST ASCENSION, SENIOR
Second team
OFFENSE RUNNING BACK: Tahj Wallace, Prairieville,
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G