SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 15, 2026
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EAST FELICIANA
Police Jury looking at drainage along La. 964
Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
Celebrate food and wine
The St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival, a weekend-long celebration of the culinary culture of Louisiana and Mississippi, is Nov. 13-15. The eighth annual festival will again bring together acclaimed chefs, open fire masters, wine pairings; craft beer, spirit and cocktail tastings; and live entertainment. Tickets went on sale July 15. Visit www.stfrancisvillefoodandwine.com.
Retired teachers to meet The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association invites all retired teachers and school staff to attend a free meeting as it creates a functioning retired teachers’ group in the area. A meeting will be at 2 p.m. July 28 at West Feliciana High School Auditorium, 8604 U.S. 61, St. Francisville. The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to protecting and enhancing benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana. For more information follow LRTA on Facebook or visit lrta.net.
Get ready for school at luau East Feliciana Public Schools and RKM Primary Care are partnering to present the Feliciana’s Health and School Readiness Luau from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25 at the East Feliciana STEAM Academy, 9414 Plank Road, in Clinton. School gear and supplies, drinks and treats, music and vendors, and water activities will be available while supplies last, all at no cost to families. Follow East Feliciana Public Schools on Instagram and Facebook for more event updates.
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER
Jason Kennedy and his two young assistants help new and old customers shopping with Kennedy Family Farms on a recent Saturday at the Farmers Markets at The Myrtles.
TO MARKET The Myrtles offers new taste of tourism
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
St. Francisville is widely celebrated for its oak-canopied roads and deep-rooted heritage. At the heart of this community lies one of its most storied landmarks: The Myrtles. Long known for its fascinating history and culture, the historic plantation is drawing in visitors with a vibrant new attraction that celebrates local commerce and agriculture — its seasonal farmers market. Now in its second year, this bustling market brings a fresh, community-centered energy to the historic grounds, bridging the gap between Louisiana’s past and its living, local present. The market has experienced remarkable growth; a recent June 11 event hosted 29 vendors, marking its largest turnout since its inception. The organizers maintain strict standards to ensure an authentic experience for visitors. They are actively seeking produce vendors and farm goods, handcrafted artisanal products, woodworking, metalworking, and leather goods. Mass-produced or pre-assembled items are discouraged.
An engineer gave the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury recommendations July 6 for correcting drainage issues in two residential developments on La. 964. Jurors said they will consider applying for state or federal grants to ease drainage woes in Feliciana Crossing and the largely undeveloped Duncan Ridge subdivision to the south. One of the recommendations from engineer Michael Slovensky of Quality Engineering and Survey will require coordination from East Baton Rouge Parish officials because water from the area flows south into the neighboring parish. The drainage channel leading out of the two developments is small and choked with vegetation, and it also flows through a private drive’s culvert that is smaller than the ones upstream. As Slovensky and Feliciana Crossing resident Gary Shotwell pointed out, two culverts under La. 964 allows a large amount of storm runoff to enter the Duncan Ridge development from the east side of the highway, adding to the drainage problems. The engineer said the parish’s subdivision ordinances need updating to prevent future problems such as the ones observed in the study, and he said his firm would be willing to help the jury rewrite the regulations. As an example, if the ordinance had required an off-site drainage analysis, the projects would have been built differently, Slovensky said. The study, which includes photographs, is available for review at the Police Jury office in Clinton.
ä See DRAINAGE, page 2G
Myrtles gardener Nancy Hartman mingles with farmers market visitors while she oversees the lush vegetation on the historic ä See MARKET, page 2G grounds.
FELICIANA SPORTS
Community theater page A new Facebook page has been created called the Saint Francisville Theater Project. Visit www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591454694249 to message the group if you are interested in participating.
Flag collection box at library PROVIDED PHOTO
The West Feliciana Parish Library has received a retired U.S. flag collection box, donated by Rebecca Corkern at Woodmen Life. The box has been placed next to the flagpole and is a resource for proper and respectful disposal of worn or damaged flags. Woodmen Life is also donating a new American flag to the library.
Noah Shotwell deadlifts in excess of 650 pounds during the national competition in Omaha, Neb.
Slaughter High powerlifter to compete for world title
Concerts to help build chapel In September, Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola is holding a concert series to raise funds for the Allen Correctional Center Chapel Foundation. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections with God Behind Bars will hold shows Sept. 18-19. Details will be released later, so check angolarodeo.com for information as it becomes available. To donate to the chapel project, visit paypal.com/ncp/payment/A66Y9R8FNUBYG. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
BY RICHARD MEEK PROVIDED PHOTO
Seniors celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with a party at the East Feliciana Parish Council on Aging.
Seniors celebrate 4th of July with flag-waving fun BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Patriotic flag-waving, friendly fellowship, food and fun were on the agenda at an early 250th birthday celebration July 2 at the East Feliciana Council on Aging. More than 80 COA members from across the parish gathered at the Jackson site. The tradi-
ä More photos from the COA celebration. PAGE 4G
occasion. In addition to the colorful red, white and blue decorations, several paintings and a quilt painted and made by COA memtional party festivities included bers were on display. Music was provided by DJ Dedoor prizes, a pre-meal snack of nachos and a fundraising raffle. selles. The musical grand finale in between the music, dancing was the performance of “God and prizes, Director Cyndi Mc- Bless the USA.” Many in the auManus shared historical facts dience joined in singing and wavand quotes commemorating the ing flags.
Contributing writer
Following a junior season cut short by an injury, Slaughter High School powerlifter Noah Shotwell refocused and set lofty expectations for his senior campaign, most notably winning the state championship. A bit of senior bravado? Perhaps, but Noah’s coach and father, Justin Shotwell, had a stern message for his son. “I told him, ‘I have to be your coach, and I will not be soft on you,’ ” Justin Stotwell said. “He said, ‘I’m ready.’ ” But neither could anticipate the type of success awaiting Noah, a high school career that will culminate halfway across the globe in
ä See COMPETE, page 2G