SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
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W e d n e s d ay, M ay 6, 2026
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Benches installed near Clinton Library in memory of Leamenia Veal, former branch manager BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Children enjoy the new Ligon Playground at the Clinton branch of the Audubon Regional Library.
In an interview the day before the ceremony, Ligon acknowledged that over the years the Ligon family had been “patrons, neighbors, volunteers and landlords” at the library. She added that there were many other people, several organizations and the parish police jurors, who were instrumental over the years in
Two benches along the northeast side of the Clinton branch of the Audubon Regional Library’s new Ligon Family Playground offer more than a comfortable place to rest — they stand as a lasting tribute to the life and legacy of Leamenia Veal. The benches in honor of the late branch manager in Clinton were donated by the Clinton Is Home Foundation, a local cultural, civic and historical organization, to recognize Veal’s impact on her workplace and the community she served. The daughter of Gwendolyn and Jones Veal Leamenia Veal Jr., Leamenia Veal was a 2015 graduate of Northeast High School and earned her general studies degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2020. Her mother recalled that Veal “loved her job at the library and enjoyed being a part of it.” Gwendolyn Veal said children were drawn to her daughter, as were older patrons — a reflection of her genuine love for people and her warm, welcoming spirit. Described by her mother as tough and “full of joy,” Leamenia Veal fought courageously against cancer, which claimed her life at the age of 27. Despite her illness, she continued her education by completing coursework online, demonstrating remarkable determination and resilience. Library spokesperson Peggy Stafford also spoke of the Veal family’s strong faith and resilience. Stafford said that during a recent conversation, Gwendolyn Veal expressed
ä See PLAYGROUND, page 2G
ä See BENCHES, page 2G
PHOTO BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Ligon Playground open for activity BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
Contributing writer
The Clinton branch of the Audubon Regional Library has a new playground. On April 21, officials from across East Feliciana Parish, past and present library board members, library patrons and others from the surrounding community joined together with library staff to cut the ribbon on the Ligon Playground. They celebrated the new play area dedicated in honor of the Ligon family of Clinton. The special event opened with a welcome by Clinton Branch Manager Aubrey LeGette and was followed with a prayer by the Rev. Buck King.
Special announcement Just before the ribbon-cutting, Marsha Kemp, founding board member of the Clinton Is Home Foundation, talked about two donated benches situated at the northeast corner of the playground. She said the benches were placed there by Clinton Is Home in memory of Lamenia Veal, former Clinton Branch manager. The memorial reflects the special connection with children the young manager was known to have during the library programs she presented, Kemp said.
Ligon family praised Current member of the Audubon Regional Library Board of
Commissioners Martin Mcdiarmid said that if it were not for the ongoing efforts of the Ligon family over the years that the library might not exist. Mcdiarmid said the library system is “one of the best…in a rural community” and that “we should be proud.” He continued that by adding the playground to the spacious grounds at the library’s new location offers a great thing for the community — for they offer something for both the “mind and body” for families and their children. Carolyn Ligon, accepting the honor for herself and her late husband Leslie Ligon and the Ligon family, invited some of the children in the audience to join in with her family as they
cut the ribbon — officially opening the Ligon Playground. LeGette thanked all attending and reminded them of the informational flyers on hand about the upcoming tax renewal to support the library system.
Message to the community
SLU alumna, astronaut to speak at commencement Community news report Southeastern Louisiana University alumna and astronaut Hayley Arceneaux will address graduating students at two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16. Southeastern will confer approximately 1,200 degrees between the two ceremonies at 10 a.m. — College of Business; College of Nursing and Health Sciences — and 3 p.m. — Colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education; and Science and Technology. “We strive to expose our new graduates to exemplary role models through our commencement speakers,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “Hayley’s inspirational words of wisdom will be invaluable to the Class of 2026.” A pediatric cancer diagnosis at
age 10 did not put dreams on hold for Arceneaux. Her experience not only cured her but also reshaped her career aspirations. Now a physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she is giving back to the place that saved her life as a child. In a journey that has come full circle, she served as an ambassador for the hospital on Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth. In addition to serving as the medical officer on Inspiration4, Arceneaux made history in other ways, such as becoming the first person with a prosthesis, the first pediatric cancer survivor, and the youngest American orbital astronaut. Arceneaux was 10 years old and preparing to earn her black belt in taekwondo when one of her knees began to ache. A lump above her knee was diagnosed as osteosar-
coma, a form of bone cancer. Her curative treatment included a year of chemotherapy and limbsparing surgery, which saved her leg. Arceneaux now works at St. Jude caring for pediatric leukemia and lymphoma patients, fulfilling her long-held dream of returning to the hospital as a health care provider. When approached about the opportunity to go to space, Arceneaux reacted first with disbelief, then with enthusiasm. Family members, including a brother and sister-in-law who are both aerospace engineers, strongly supported her decision. Training for space consisted of six months of intensive preparation, including academic coursework, long hours in the spacecraft simulator, centrifuge training,
PROVIDED PHOTO
Southeastern Louisiana University alumna and astronaut Hayley Arceneaux will address graduating students at two commencement ä See ASTRONAUT, page 3G ceremonies on May 16.
East Feliciana Parish Extension Office to hold Master Gardener Class Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
The East Feliciana Parish Extension Office in Clinton will hold a Master Gardener Class beginning Aug. 12. The class meet on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and will conclude Nov. 18. The course fee is $200. Classes will be held at the East Feliciana Parish Extension Office, 4419 Idlewild Road, Clinton. The application is available at www. lsuagcenter.com/FelicianaMG or contact County Agent Jessie Hoover at jhoover@agcenter. lsu.edu or 225-683-3101. Applications are due to Hoover by June 26. The Louisiana Master Gardener Program is a volunteer development program offered by the LSU AgCenter. Master Gardener volun-
teers are highly trained and provide proven, research-based educational programs to Louisiana residents. Participants in the Master Gardener class receive 40-plus hours of horticulture training in topics such as: botany, plant propagation, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, soils, pesticide safety, lawn care, vegetables, fruits, herbaceous plants and more. Upon successful completion of the training and volunteering for 40 hours, participants will become Certified Louisiana Master Gardeners.
9 . It is free and open to the public for food and activities. Alumni from Clinton High, Jackson High, East High, West High, East Feliciana High, Slaughter Community Charter and East Feliciana Industrial School are especially welcome. The East Feliciana Unified Alumni group was established to support students within the East Feliciana Parish public school system, providing scholarships, sponsoring student athletes, covering fees, and engaging in various other initiatives.
East Feliciana Alumni Day coming
West Feliciana summer activities
East Feliciana Unified Alumni Association holds it annual Alumni Day and membership drive from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May
West Feliciana Parks and Recreation is
ä See AROUND, page 2G