ABITA SPRINGS • BARKER’S CORNER • BUSH • COVINGTON • FOLSOM • LACOMBE MADISONVILLE • MANDEVILLE • PEARL RIVER • SLIDELL
Farmer The St.Tammany
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S T TA M M A N Y FA R M E R.N E T
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 25, 2026
50¢N
152ND YEAR, NO. 20
Habitat St. Tammany West prevails for 45 years BY JESSICA SAGGIO Contributing writer
It’s been the best of times, and it’s been the worst of times, but Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West has always found a way to persevere for the past 45 years. “It’s a really big deal,” said Executive Director Terri Gage of the nonprofit’s milestone birthday. The organization, which was the first to pioneer the Habitat for Humanity mission in the state, has repeatedly overcome the odds. And even in a current housing market that Gage called “the worst” she has ever seen, Habitat, its volunteers and its home buyers are still pushing onward. As the organization celebrates its anniversary next week, it will host a community partners breakfast March 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the River Mill at Coquille and will feature a host of guest speakers. The
ä See HABITAT, page 2A
CARNIVAL 2026 REACHES PEAK WITH PARADES
Callahan fills Covington seat left by Peter Lewis BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer
The Covington City Council seat vacated earlier this month by Peter Lewis will be filled on an interim basis by John Callahan. The council held a special meeting Feb. 18 to approve a resolution appointing Callahan to the District A seat on the seven-member legislative body. Callahan served two terms in the Lewis City Council seat before being term limited in 2019.
ä See COVINGTON, page 2A
PHOTO BY BOBBY GILBOY
The Bogalusa High School drill major entertains the Mardi Gras parade crowd in Covington.
INSIDE
ä Bogue Falaya Parade delights in Covington on Mardi Gras. Page 4A ä Trailhead kicks off party after the parade. Page 5A ä Spotlight on promoter as Krewe Du Pooch prepares for upcoming parade. Page 5A ä Krewe of Bilge parade map. Page 5A PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN ä Scenes from the Mardi Gras parade in Folsom. Page 6A The fourth annual Krewe of Kidz Wagon Parade in Olde ä Krewe of Kidz Wagon Parade highlights family participation in Carnival season. Page 7A Towne Slidell rolls on Mardi Gras morning featuring decorated wagons, costumes and lots of families.
Lenten fish fries provide good food and fellowship INSIDE
BY SUZIE HUNT
Contributing writer
FILE PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Wayne Lobell is on the fish breading assembly line preparing for Lenten fries at Mary, Queen of Peace in 2025.
Ash Wednesday heralds the start of Lent. A delicious side benefit of the season is the return of the ever popular Fish Fry Fridays. The Lenten dinners aren’t just opportunities to close the kitchen at home for an evening and get a delicious meal. It is a chance to be in community with others, whether you’re the men’s club members conversing over the bubbling fryers or the diners sitting down with friends and family in front of a take-out boxes filled with strips of golden fried catfish and Cajun-smashed potatoes. These fundraisers are times to connect with friends and support a variety of causes. On the northshore, these events can
ä Area fish fry list. Page 2A ä Columnist Margaret Albert on timely
Lenten observance. Page 8A ä Labyrinth continues prayer tradition. Page 8A
be found on various church campuses. Northshore congregations in the Catholic Diocese of New Orleans alone host 15 locations offering variety in their weekly menus. All groups serve their take on fried fish and French fries. From there, the menu diverges. Diners can enjoy crawfish pies at Most Holy Trinity Church in Covington, soft-shell crabs at St. Anselm in Madisonville, and Mary, Queen of Peace Church in Mandeville offers a “Coop” special,
ä See FISH, page 2A
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featuring crabcakes, onion rings and hush puppies. These events are not limited to Catholic congregations. The Village Church — Lutheran in Lacombe and Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell also offer a fish fry dinner schedule during Lent. The food isn’t the only thing on the menu. Time spent preparing the week’s offering is also time spent in community. According to Louie Veillion Jr., president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church’s Men’s Club in Slidell, Fridays in Lent are a prime example. Many years working together is not only fun but has strengthened relationships within his church family. “There is a friendship forged between the three to four dozen guys
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