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Good things come to those who wait.
Avery Franques had to play the waiting game when it came to completing her Girl Scout Gold Project, creating a little free library in Abbeville’s Godchaux Park.
She was ready to put it up in March. Then the COVID-19 pandemic changed that plan.
“I thought it was best to wait until things got a little better,” said Franques, 16, who is heading into her senior year at North
Vermilion High School.
That wait was set to end a couple of weeks ago. Again, Franques had to reschedule due to weather.
Finally, Franques’ wait is over.
On Tuesday, Abbeville officials and others joined Franques to cut the ribbon on the little free library. It is located near the 3rd Street side of Godchaux Park.
For Franques, it is not just a good thing at the end of this wait, it’s a great thing.
“I am so happy that it’s up,” Franques said. “I think it is going to be a wonderful addition to the park. A lot of people have already expressed interest.
“I am very excited to see where this is going to go.”
In Girl Scouts, the Gold Award is the highest level of achievement. It is the equivalent to the Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. A Gold Award Project not only helps better the community, but means something to the Girl Scout herself.
“It has to have a contribution to the community,” Franques said. “It’s supposed to improve our community, but it’s also supposed to be something that is close to your heart.”
Reading is certainly close to Franques’ heart.
“I have been an avid reader my entire life,” Franques said. “I love to read and want to be able to share that with others.”
The little free library allows people to take a book and return it later. There are books for all ages in the library.
“I especially hope that the little kids who come to play in the park will enjoy it,” Franques said. “They can play on the swing sets and the slides. After they are done playing in the park, they can pick out a book to take home to read.”
Franques asked that anyone who utilizes the library to practice social distancing and other measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I ask that people make sure their hands are clean,” Franques said.
Masks are also strongly encouraged by the Girl Scouts of America.
“As Girl Scouts,” Franques said, “we believe it is important to promote the wearing of masks. It is our duty to be role models of social distancing practices.”
Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza, who helped cut the ribbon for the library, is encouraged by Franques’ efforts.
“I think this is a great addition to the park,” Piazza said. “A lot of people come out here just to enjoy the sunshine. They can now grab a book and go sit on a bench to read.
“It is also great to see a young person interested in improving our community and our beautiful parks.”
Franques attended an Abbeville City Council meeting last August to seek approval to place the library in Godchaux Park. She also received the OK from the Friends of Godchaux Park, the group that serves as the caretaker of the park.
Donita Franques, Avery’s mother as well as her Girl Scout Troop leader, is proud of everything that Avery has accomplished.
“She has worked on this for a year,” Donita Franques said. “She has been in Girl Scouts since she was five. She has never skipped a year. She is diligent and she loves to read.
“That is her favorite thing to do.”
Franques’ effort with this project does not end with the library going up.
“I am going to maintain the library,” Franques said. “I am the main steward, so I will probably come twice a week to check on it. I will add books, if there needs to be books added.
“I will keep watch over it to make sure it continues and people have an opportunity to read.”
That is the inspiration Franques wants to people to take from this project.
“I hope this does inspire people to read,” Franques said.

As parents begin planning to purchase items for their child for the upcoming school year, there is a list of things they check off: book sack, paper, pencils, ink pens, composition books and now a face masks.
A new item on the list for parents to purchase is a face covering for third grade students and higher.”
“Face masks will be the new norm,” said Vermilion Parish interim superintendent Brad Prudhomme. “Parents should be looking at buying three or four to last for the school year.”
The Louisiana Department of Education released a set of guidelines for students, teachers, and administrators to follow for the upcoming school year.
One of those guidelines is to have students, teachers and administrators wear face masks throughout the day.
The guideline says face coverings should be worn in all school areas, including the classroom. When everyone arrives at the school, they will be advised to wear a face covering. The state did say if someone has trouble breathing, a face mask is not required.
Everyone who enters the school will have their temperature checked.
Face covers will be a requirement despite if Louisiana is in Phase 2 or Phase 3, said Prudhomme. As of today, Louisiana is in Phase 2 for another 28 days.
• If the state is still in Phase 2 when school opens, classrooms can be no larger than 25 (including the teacher) and students have to be six feet apart.
• Buses can only be 50 percent capacity in Phase 2 and 75 percent capacity in Phase 3.
• In Phase 2, there will be no physical contact in sports. The state has to be in Phase 3 for physical contact.
• In Phase 2, there will be no band. Band and vocal music can resume only in Phase 3.
The state is also requiring that school districts constantly clean high-touch areas throughout the day, including bathrooms and playground equipment.
“We developed this guidance by engaging experts on the virus - public health officials - and experts on what this guidance looks like when put into practice - school leaders and educators,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “We understand next year will be a new challenge for all of us as we educate through COVID-19. I have confidence in our collective talents to overcome these challenges. We will depend on each other for innovative ideas, best practices, and the promise of quality education for every child.”

It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Chris Granger announces his passing on June 23, 2020, at the age of 61.
Peter was born on May 28, 1959, in Maurice, Louisiana and was a resident of Maurice. He was the youngest child of six children born to Willie Granger and Hilda Trahan Granger. He attended Maurice High School. Over the years, his places of employment included Diamond Crystal Salt Company, Estorge Surgical Supply, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department, Intertrust, Inc., and Schlumberger.
Peter’s kindness and concern for others was boundless. He never hesitated to help others in their time of need. He was a very unselfish person, raising his two grandsons from the ages of 2 and 4 to adulthood. Peter was an avid fan of Elvis, and he enjoyed doing Elvis impersonations in his younger years.
His interests included cooking, gardening and sharing his harvest with family and friends. He also enjoyed music and sitting on his swing outdoors, which was his happy place.
Peter is survived by his wife, Nadine LaBiche Granger, daughter, Jenna Granger and her companion, Sherrie Mely, his grandsons, Ryan Granger II and Reece Landry, his brothers, Dr. Glynn Granger (Nancy) and Michael Granger, his sisters, Margo Granger Primeaux and Connie Granger Perry (Hank). He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Granger I, his parents, Willie Granger and Hilda Trahan Granger, his sister/godmother, Myrna Granger Stevens, his father-in-law, Harold LaBiche, his mother-in-law, Rita Reaux LaBiche, his brothers-in-law, Kenneth Primeaux, Robert Stevens, and Richard Trahan, and his sisters-in-law, Edwina LaBiche and Marina Granger.
Peter was devoted to his wife, Nadine, his children, Ryan and Jenna, and his grandsons, Ryan and Reece. He had an infectious personality and was the kind of person who made everyone happier with his presence.
Special thanks to Micah, Transplant Coordinator, at Ochsner Medical Center for his support and assistance, and also to the nurses that cared for him.
Cypress Funeral Home and Crematory – 206 W. Lafayette St. - Maurice, LA 70555 – 337-740-3123.

February 6, 1928 ~ June 23, 2020

KAPLAN — Funeral services will be held on June 27, 2020 at an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Kaplan, Louisiana honoring the life of John Elwood Herpin, 92, who died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph’s Hospice in Lafayette, LA. He will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend Palthasar Arrockia Doss officiating the services.
Husband to Marguerite and father to seven children, “TJ”, as he was known by his many friends and family, was born in Wright, Louisiana and delivered by his Aunt Eve. His mother and father, Enix and Sidney, died during his childhood, and he was raised by his grandmother, Noami Schexnider, and uncle and aunt (Grady and Gladys Schexnider, with their daughter Fayetta), who lived next door. Upon graduating from Kaplan High, TJ enlisted in the Navy, where he served at Pearl Harbor Naval base following World War II. Upon honorable discharge, he attended SLI in Lafayette, but he left his studies in 1949 to marry his wife, Marguerite Maraist. While raising their children, TJ worked for Jennings Production Credit Association (JPCA). Using the experience he gained there, he entered the field of oil and gas land acquisition, first in acquiring pipeline rights-of-way, and later mineral leases. He worked as a contract agent, and later independently after acquiring a reputation in the industry for his easy and reassuring manner in dealing with landowners. He also raised beef cattle with the assistance of his sons. He was a Kaplan city councilman with Mayor J.D. Hanks. He and Marguerite later moved to Lafayette in 1982, and he lived there until his death. He retired in 1984, and he and Marguerite enjoyed an active life, full of travel, exercise and family activities. Marguerite died in 2003, and he continued to be a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
TJ was a husband, father and grandfather, first and foremost. He loved to joke and laugh with his children, passing along to his family his great sense of humor. He and Marguerite loved Marguerite’s sisters and their families, and his close friends from Kaplan. TJ was the epitome of a family man and a great husband and father. He was always proud and supportive of his children, and his children were always proud of his example of hard work and dedication. He taught by his example of grace, tolerance and moderation in dealing with others, all reasons why he was a success in his chosen endeavor. He coached and attended his children’s events. He never indulged himself, putting his children and family first. He showed his children the value of hard work, the merit of manual labor, and he encouraged his children to pursue education. “Pops” loved his grandchildren. He was a spiritual person without flouting his religion, and led by example. He and Marguerite enjoyed the fruits of their labor in later life. They traveled to Europe and on cruises, with his in-laws and close friends. He swam, ran, played tennis, flew ultra-light aircraft, was an avid reader, and managed to attain a degree at ULL at the age of 74.
TJ is survived by his seven children: Johnny (Kaye), Michael (Cathy), Gabi (Bob), Jackie Maggio (Tommy), Sammy (Angie), Jimmy (Carla), and Susan Richard (Chris); 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Marguerite Maraist Herpin, his parents, Enix Shexnider Herpin and Sidney Herpin; and two brothers, Sidney and Royce.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home, Kaplan, Louisiana, on Friday, June 26, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 PM. Visitation will be observed at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 600 N. Church Avenue, on Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 10:00 AM until the service at 11:00 AM at Holy Rosary, and a graveside service at the Kaplan Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be John E. Herpin III, Thomas Herpin, Rex Herpin, Chris Richard, Steve Hanks, and Clay Theard, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Herpin, Brett Marks, Doug Weber, Clay Theard, Tommy Maggio, Timothy Hanks, Hubert Sonnier, Jr., Freddie Sonnier, Chad Lemaire, Robbie Overall, Mike Mastrantonio, Ben Lehrer, Alex Schlect, and Evan Bonnano.
The family would like to thank their father’s devoted caregivers, Tanna Lavine, Candace Charles, Agnes Kilchrist, Amanda Broussard; Bridgeway Hospice and nurse, Heather Mayard for their kind and compassionate attention; The Carpenter House of Lafayette and owner, Pat Mitchell; and, last but not least, his friend and companion, Margie Emerson.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee in the names of John and Marguerite Herpin.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Herpin family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.