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LAFAYETTE – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, along with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, granted an official pardon to Emile the Crawfish during the 4th Annual Pardoning of the Crawfish event.
This year’s celebration was held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette next to Cypress Lake, a 2-acre habitat in the middle of campus for native irises, alligators, turtles, birds, and fish. Started in 2017 by Lt. Governor Nungesser and held on the first Tuesday following Mardi Gras, this unique event celebrates crawfish season in Louisiana and across the Gulf South.
The lucky crawfish was named Emile, in honor of J. Emile Verret, who served as Louisiana Lieutenant Governor from 1944-1948 and was a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1905, then called the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. J. Emile Verret was first elected to the Iberia Parish School Board in 1912, serving as president from 1914-1943, when he ran for Lieutenant Governor. Verret ran second to Earl K. Long in the first primary, but defeated Long in the second balloting to become the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.
“Here in Louisiana, we are the largest domestic producer of crawfish producing about 150-million pounds a year. It’s a delicacy in our state and peak season runs now through Easter. So what better way to celebrate our culture and heritage than to grant Emile his freedom before he ended up on a tray in a restaurant or a backyard boil,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “And in true Louisiana fashion, we had to have a party complete with music, food, family, and friends. No matter where you go in Louisiana, you can find something that will Feed Your Soul, from our culture and arts to our cuisine and history.”
In keeping with tradition, Barry Toups of Kaplan, Louisiana, caught and selected the guest of honor for his reprieve. Emile the Crawfish was then transported by police escort onto the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus where he was the king of his own parade to his regal habitat next to Cypress Lake. Lt. Governor Nungesser then bestowed the official pardon upon Emile, delivering an official proclamation to the University to mark the event.
“I want to thank Lt. Gov. Nungesser and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board for bringing this pardoning ceremony to the University again this year,” said Dr. Joseph Savoie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette president. “UL Lafayette is always happy to celebrate and support the state’s aquaculture industry. Seafood is vital to Louisiana’s economy. It’s culinarily essential. It’s culturally significant. And above all else – it’s just so good to eat!”
Following his pardoning, Emile was transported to Palmetto Island State Park outside Abbeville, Louisiana, where he was released to live out the rest of his days burrowing in the mud and making the state park his new home.

January 8, 1926 ~ March 3, 2020

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2020 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Helen Bourque Bertrand, 94, who died Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Abbeville General Hospital. She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Father Donald Bernard officiating the services.
Helen was a Christian woman of very deep faith. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She was a self-taught “Folk Art” artist. Helen enjoyed music, dancing, singing, and playing both guitar and piano. She also loved flowers, gardening, and all animals.
Helen is survived by two sons, Sidney “Lee” Bertrand and his wife Dora of Abbeville and Steven Bertrand and his wife Deborah of Abbeville; three daughters, Glenda Richard and her husband Edgar of Carencro, Peggy Ramke and her husband Allen of Abbeville, and Jackie Pedigo and her husband Chris of Abbeville; one sister, Bernice Hebert of New Iberia; ten grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and loyal companion, her dog, Scruffy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney “Bee” Bertrand; her parents, Arteuse Jim Bourque, and the former Bertha Dubois; brother, Preston Bourque; and three sisters, Edna Bourque, Marietta Bourque, and Ruby B. Primeaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Thursday, March 5, 2020, from 2:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 pm; Friday, March 6, 2020 from 8:00 A.M. until 9:45 A.M. when the procession will depart for the church.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the excellent care Helen received at Abbeville General Hospital, emergency room staff, and the respectful, generous, and attentive care given to our mother by Vickie Nunez.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

Vermilion Parish is ripe for investment and the board of Vermilion Economic Development Alliance is excited about the work they’re doing in all areas of the parish. To help provide vision and direction for the staff and programming is the organization’s 15-member board representing Vermilion Parish cities, towns, and government organizations as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
The Town of Gueydan has a long-standing reputation of embracing its identity, supporting its local merchants, and being a beautiful backdrop for the many travelers and sportsmen that visit Vermilion. The Vermilion Economic Development Alliance works with the town’s administration on a range of projects like infrastructure improvement, community outreach, and celebrating the diverse businesses that call Gueydan home. That relationship is strengthened by Gueydan’s appointment to the economic development board, Anita Dupuis.
Anita is an active member of both Gueydan and the parish as a whole. In addition to serving on the Alliance board, Anita is an elected member of the Gueydan Town Council. She volunteers with the parish’s 4-H program, serves on the Maltrait Memorial Catholic School Advisory Council, and is a member of both Gueydan’s Museum & Cultural Arts Society as well as the Gueydan Chamber of Commerce. She is attuned to many of her community’s needs and extends her support, not only through her volunteer efforts, but also through her profession.
Anita has served as the Principal of Gueydan’s own Jesse Owens Elementary since 2009 and represents her community as the Vice President of the Vermilion Principals Association. With all her knowledge and enthusiasm, Anita brings a valuable perspective to the board.
Anne Falgout, Vermilion Economic Development Alliance’s Executive Director, reflects on Anita’s involvement, “To have an appointment so engaged in the community they represent is a luxury. To then have them as an active participant in what we do, is invaluable! We have a great synergy with Gueydan and the lines of communication are wide open. We have been spending more and more time there and we are learning about how we can positively impact their efforts.” The Alliance looks forward to strengthening their Gueydan connection through thoughtful programming and more collaboration.
“Gueydan is open for business,” adds Anne, “and we’re excited to have Anita on board to help us tell their story.”
For more information about the Alliance, its board, and its projects for 2020, visit www.developvermilion.org.