Jeremy Alford
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The recently held 10th annual Delcambre Boat Poker Run honored Elise Mencacci the 10-year-old daughter of Taylor and Amy Mencacci of Erath and the children of St. Jude's Baton Rouge Affiliate Clinic.
Elise is a survivor at St. Jude's Children's Hospital; she was diagnosed at the age of 3 years old and fought her battle for 2 years. She is now in remission.
Once a dream for a board member of the Delcambre Poker Run, Ben LeBlanc of Delcambre always had a passion for giving back proceeds and benefiting the children of St Jude's Hospital for this event. This year with the support and love for this event; we were able to donate 16,635.
On June 5, 2019 Elise and her family invited president of the Boat Parade Committee Marae Fontenot to an affiliated St. Jude’s Hospital clinic in Baton Rouge to present the donation. With great joy and proudness of Elise’s journey, Fontenot is delighted and humble to volunteer her time for such a great cause.
“Life is a wave, catch a hand” I cannot thank everyone enough who made this event possible and such a huge success. Life is a Wave, Thanks for Buying a Hand! Marae Fontenot, President of the Delcambre Boat Parade
ABBEVILLE – A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Beverly “Bodee” Guidry LeBlanc, 87, will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, July 5, 2019 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with Fr. Lois Richard officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville on Thursday, July 4, 2019 from 5:00PM until 9:00PM with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00PM. Visitation will resume on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 8:00AM until the time of the services.
A native and lifelong resident of Abbeville, Mrs. LeBlanc died at 5:30AM on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at her residence. She was at her happiest when surrounded by family and friends. She always fought to have her best life and will live forever in our hearts.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Leven J. LeBlanc of Abbeville; a son, Rick J. LeBlanc and his wife Cynthia of Kingwood, TX; a daughter, Darlene LeBlanc Duhon and her husband Michael of Abbeville; three grandchildren, John Michael LeBlanc, Dr. Nathaniel Duhon, and Lauren Pilecki, PAC, PhD; four great grandchildren, David Duhon, Katie Duhon, Bobby Duhon, and Baby Pilecki on the way; and a sister-in-law, Smokie Guidry.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Attea “Chook” and Editha Broussard Guidry; two brothers, Michael J. Guidry and Thomas Guidry; and a sister, Florine Broussard.
Serving as pallbearers will be Nathaniel Duhon, Michael Duhon, Brad Pilecki, John Michael LeBlanc, Randall Broussard, and Sidney Broussard.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to her angels, Cindy Broussard and Phyllis Gaspard; and Robin Broussard, and Louise Young with Hospice of Acadiana.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Acadiana.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337)893-3777 will be handling the arrangements.
The campaign aims to reduce cigarette butt leader by giving something for smokers to put them in rather than throwing them on the ground.
Keep Your Butts in Your Pants is a campaign aimed to reduce cigarette butt litter by distributing pocket ashtrays to smokers and encouraging them to properly dispose of the butts. Keep Abbeville Beautiful has recruited several convenient stores to partner and implement this campaign.
A cleaner Abbeville can be accomplished by raising awareness of the cigarette butt litter problem and distributing free pocket ashtray to smokers. This gives smokers an opportunity to do the right thing by using a pocket ashtray instead of littering the butt. It is Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s hope that after repeated use of the pocket ashtray that smokers will adopt this new behavior and it will become a habit resulting in a reduction of cigarette butt litter.
Cigarette butts remain the most littered item in Louisiana and across the globe. Dropping cigarette butts and cigar tips to the ground, putting them in planters, and disposing of them in waterways is littering. Littering cigarette butts and cigar tips is unsightly, costly to clean up, illegal and harmful to waterways and wildlife. In fact, 32% of litter in storm drains are tobacco products. Litter traveling through storm drains and water systems, end up in local streams, rivers, and waterways.
Interesting Facts:
Most cigarette litter occurs in the car or at transition points.
95% of cigarette filters are not biodegradable but the majority of smokers believe that cigarette butts are biodegradable.
Due to cigarette litter’s small size many view it on a different scale than other litter.
Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Inc. is the state’s anti-litter and community improvement organization focused on education, enforcement, awareness and cleanups. For more information please contact Keep Abbeville Beautiful at 337-898-4110.
April 12, 1970 - June 26, 2019
Graveside services will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery honoring the life of Chad Duhon, 49, who died Wednesday, June 26, 2019. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Chad was a man of few words, but you always knew what he was thinking by his facial expressions. He was a selfless man, who loved spending time with his family, camping, sitting around the campfire listening to classic country, boiling crawfish, and relaxing on the beach. Chad was always making people laugh with his wittiness and charm, he had a way of cheering people up by simply being in his presence. Chad was employed at Baker Hughes.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Liz Duhon of Maurice; daughter, Madisyn Duhon of Maurice; son, Tate Duhon of Maurice; parents, Jimmy Duhon Sr., and Jane Duhon of Abbeville; grandmother Juanita Leblanc of Abbeville; brother, Jimmy Duhon, Jr. and fianceé, Christine Bertrand of Broussard; sister, Michelle and husband, Duane Martin of Youngsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chad was proceeded in death by his maternal grandparents, Paul and Pauline Faulk; and paternal grandfather, E.J. LeBlanc.
Memorial gifts and flowers for the family of Chad Duhon may be sent to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Office at 8700 Maurice Ave. Maurice, LA.
February 16, 1951 - June 25, 2019
ABBEVILLE — Michael Wayne “Black” O’Bryan, Sr., passed away at his residence in Abbeville, LA on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.
He was born on February 16, 1951 to Jesse O’Bryan, Sr and Lillian Milliman O’Bryan.
He is survived by his daughter, Michelle O’Bryan and his son, Michael O’Bryan, Jr, and his brothers: Ray O’Bryan and his wife, Pat, Jesse O’Bryan Jr. and his wife Angelle, Randy O’Bryan and his wife Corrina, and Kenneth O’Bryan.
Black O’Bryan was raised in Abbeville, LA, near Perry, where his family homesteaded for several generations. As a youth, he played baseball, ran track, and played drums for the school band. In 10th grade, his peers voted him as class favorite. His involvement and outgoing personality developed lifelong friendships with his peers in the community.
As a teenager, he was a horse jockey and raced locally and around Morgan City. As a young man, he began a career in the Oilfield, following in his father’s footsteps. When the Oilfield slowed in the 80’s, he started painting houses, and continued until a few years ago. He also worked for the Russo’s at Robie’s, and loved socializing with their loyal customers. He enjoyed making the elderly ladies laugh when they walked through the doors!
The last several years of his life, Black worked for, and was part of the family at Chauvin Chiropractic Clinic. He loved Ms. Sandra and Ms Tina. He fondly referred to Dr. Chauvin as his best friend.
Doc, many thanks for all you’ve done--especially towards the end. You were there when he needed you most. We love love you!
He loved nice vehicles and took pride in every one he owned--from his classic corvette convertible to his Chevy truck. Many in Abbeville knew him by his truck and smiled and waved when they saw it.
Black had a big personality and big smile. He was determined to make a friend everywhere he went--even hospitals. His health was declining, and he passed away due to natural causes, with a smile on his face.
All who knew him loved him.
Please join us to celebrate a memorial service at Southern Soiree’s Event Center located on 601 East Jane Street, Abbeville, LA on Saturday, July 6, 2019. The doors will be open from 2 p.m. until.
Jeff Crouere
At the Democratic Party presidential debates, several of the candidates mentioned Russia as our country’s greatest threat, citing their attempts to influence the result of the 2016 presidential election. This obsession with Russia has infected the entire Democratic Party, including their elder statesman, former President Jimmy Carter.
Ironically, when Carter served as the nation’s 39th President, Jimmy Carter was a disaster on both domestic issues and foreign policy. He left the economy in shambles and our military in disarray.
In his dealings with the Soviet Union, Carter was a total weakling. As the communist nation expanded their sphere of influence around the world and invaded Afghanistan, Carter’s toughest response was a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Surely, Communist General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev laughed hysterically when Carter penalized our Olympic team more than the Soviet Union.
Today, the Soviet Union is history, thanks to the courageous leadership of Carter’s successor, Ronald Reagan, who rebuilt our military, restored American leadership and bankrupted the Soviet Union.
A similar approach has been used by President Donald Trump. He is in the process of rebuilding a military that suffered greatly during the Obama administration. Trump has also armed the Ukrainians, boosted the NATO alliance and twice bombed the forces of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Furthermore, Trump has unleashed our energy industry and for the first time in 75 years our nation is a net exporter of oil. Thus, he has challenged the Russians both militarily and economically. Obviously, he is no puppet of Vladimir Putin or a pathetic leader like Carter who was pushed around by our adversaries.
With such a pitiful record as President, it was comical to learn what Carter said during a “human rights conference” on Friday morning in Virginia. In an event televised on C-SPAN at the Carter Center with his Vice President Walter Mondale, the former President told moderator Jon Meacham that Russia placed Trump in office. According to the misguided former President, “If fully investigated, it would show that Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election and he was put in office because the Russians interfered …on his behalf.”
This is nonsense for Putin did not want Trump to win. A strong nationalist like Putin clearly favored Hillary Clinton, who did not promise to rebuild our military or our energy industry. As Secretary of State, she offered no resistance when Russia started meddling in Ukraine and other countries. She wanted to “reset” the relationship and expressed a desire for Russia to succeed. In fact, her boss, former President Barack Obama, famously promised that he would have “more flexibility” after his re-election campaign to make deals with Putin on “missile defense.”
While Obama de-emphasized missile defense to placate the Russians, Trump has bolstered this vital program. It is just another one of the many ways that President Trump has placed “America First” and strengthened our national security.
Despite all the accusations about Russia colluding with the Trump campaign and administration, Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his team of Hillary-loving, partisan Democrat attorneys found no evidence that the President or any member of his team colluded with Russia to influence the result of the 2016 election.
The Mueller report should have ended the Russian collusion narrative, but Democrats like Jimmy Carter will not stop peddling the fiction. In response to Carter’s allegation, President Trump said that it was a “typical talking point” of Democrats. He also noted that Carter was a “terrible President” who is mostly “forgotten” today. Trump claimed that he won the election not due to Russia, but because he “campaigned better, smarter, harder than Hillary Clinton.”
The real Russian collusion occurred with Hillary Clinton. She paid for a dossier on Donald Trump that was compiled by a British spy with the help of Russian sources. In effect, it was Russian disinformation that was used to attack a presidential candidate and spy on his campaign.
Prior to her role in approving the sale of Uranium One to an agency controlled by the Russian government, Hillary’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, cashed in with a $500,000 speaking fee in Moscow and spent time meeting with Putin. Also, her foundation benefited from $145 million in Russian donations linked to Putin.
Obviously, Hillary Clinton was compromised and weak in her dealings with Russia, while Trump has offered the completely opposite approach as President of the United States.
Despite the lack of evidence produced by a $40 million two-year witch hunt, the Trump/Russia narrative is frequently espoused today by Democrats, such as former President Carter. While the Democrats and their allies in the media continue to promote the discredited theory, hopefully, the American people are tiring of constantly being told a lie.
Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and his award winning program, “Ringside Politics,” airs locally at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and at 10:00 p.m. Sundays on PBS affiliate WLAE-TV, Channel 32, and from 7-11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990-AM & www.Wgso.com. He is a political columnist, the author of America's Last Chance and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on www.JeffCrouere.com. For more information, email him at jeff@jeffcrouere.com
Aidn Brousard represents the Police Jury on the VEDA board.
We’re at the halfway point of 2019 and the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance is hard at work carrying out its plan for the year. To help provide vision and direction for the staff and programming is the organization’s 15-member board. The board members represent Vermilion Parish cities, towns, and government organizations as well as the Chamber of Commerce.
Aidan Broussard, one of the four Vermilion Parish Police Jury representatives, is an Abbeville native and currently resides in his hometown with his wife Devin. Aidan isn’t new to the public life; in fact, he’s been a public servant for several years since he graduated from UL Lafayette. His work history includes the Abbeville City Marshall’s Office, 15th Judicial Attorney’s Office, and now the Vermilion Parish Clerk of Court’s office. Aidan has also been an educator and director at Vermilion Parish schools.
As an active member of the community, Aidan is tuned in to the needs of Vermilion Parish residents. He is a connector and collaborator and brings a young perspective to the Board of Directors that is important to keeping programming and methods relevant.
Vermilion Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Anne Falgout hopes Aidan’s involvement inspires other young leaders to step up and serve. “In order for Vermilion to be a great community today and in the future, we need our existing officials and community members to be engaged with the next generation of thinkers and doers. Aidan is a thoughtful and committed citizen and he takes a seat at the table with a fresh perspective on how we should best carry out our services. We’re so happy to have him as part of the team.”
For more information about the Alliance, its board, and its plans for 2019, visit www.developvermilion.org.
Paul Bourgeois, Jr.
ABBEVILLE – District 7 Police Juror Paul A. Bourgeois, Jr. (R-Abbeville) announced this week he is running for re-election to the Vermilion Parish Police Jury to continue serving his community.
Bourgeois is currently serving his second term on the Police Jury. The election is October 12.
“During my two terms in office I have worked with public bodies and organizations across Vermilion Parish to strengthen and broaden economic development, embrace coastal conservation, preservation and restoration, support educational initiatives and improve our infrastructure,” Bourgeois said. “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Gravity Drainage District Two, Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), City of Abbeville and Police Jury personnel to improve drainage and flooding issues. I will continue to serve my community’s needs and help reach our potential as a vibrant, thriving parish.”
Bourgeois served on the Police Jury’s Economic Development Committee, as well as the Finance, Coastal Restoration & Protection, 911 Communication District and General Needs Committees. He also served on the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance (VEDA), Vermilion Parish Comprehensive Resiliency Plan, and LSU Agricultural Center Building Committees.
Bourgeois has recently retired after 21 years, where he served as the Director of Dual Enrollment with the Louisiana Community & Technical College System, South Louisiana Community College. He is also an active member of the community, having served as President of the Rotary Club of Abbeville and the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce. As an avid hunter and fisherman, coastal conservation has played a vital role in his civic involvement, and he has held several leadership positions with a local nonprofit, including securing grant funding and matching corporate dollars for reef restoration. Bourgeois was also involved with the Louisiana/Vermilion Recovery Authority, Chairman of the Education/Workforce Committee, Economic Task Force and Development Task Force.
Bourgeois’ educational volunteerism is equally as important as his years of civic service. He has participated in secondary educational initiatives such as the Pupil Progression Plan Committee, Vermilion Parish Elocution Contest, High School Speech Judge, 4-H Leader, Science Textbook Adoption Committee, Vermilion Parish Student of the Year and the Greater Acadiana Regional Jump Start Graduation Pathway committee. Additionally, he has participated in post-secondary initiatives like the South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) Scholarship Review Committee, SLCC Search Committee and the SLCC Career EXPO Committee.
Bourgeois is a graduate of Bogalusa High School, Northshore Community and Technical College and Southeastern Louisiana University (Bachelors of Science, Industrial Technology). Before joining the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, he worked in production for Unocal for 20 years. Bourgeois is married to the former Sarah Rester. They have four daughters, three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren.
Bourgeois looks forward to sharing his ideas with the voters of District 7 and asks that you please vote to “re-elect” him as your Police Juror for District 7 on October 12, 2019.
Paid for by
Paul Bourgeois
ERATH — The 83rd Annual Erath 4th of July Celebration starts today in downtown Erath.
Organizers have a big show planned for all those who attend. This year’s festival is packed with fun for all ages.
Everyone is invited to Erath for great food, music, and carnival rides and games. Admission to the fairgrounds is always free with no gate fee.
The festival begins on Sunday night - the first of three ride bracelet nights.
Festival goers can ride all the rides they can handle with the purchase of a $25 bracelet. Bracelets will be honored from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. The carnival rides continue on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. On Thursday, July 4th, the carnival rides will run from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with ride bracelets being honored from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The carnival rides will continue to 10:30 p.m. with the purchase of individual tickets.
This year’s music is sure to delight music lovers of all ages and get you dancing on Broadway Street.
DJ Wesley LeMaire and Wesbound gets the party started each night. He will play all your favorites from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Louisiana Red get things warmed up starting at 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Charley Rivers brings his Louisiana country music show to the stage, beginning at 10 p.m. These two bands are sure to have you dancing the night away. The band Three Thirty Seven brings their high energy show to downtown Erath on Thursday, July 4th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
On Thursday, July 4th, there will be activities for all ages. The 19th Annual Fun Run 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk will begin on the Erath High School Track at 7:30 a.m. The water fights between the area fire departments will begin at 9 a.m. in downtown Erath. Cajun Carnival Rides will operate from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. At 5 p.m., the annual 4th of July Parade begins. This year’s parade will be led by Grand Marshal Terry Lancon. The skies of Erath will be lit up by the giant fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m.
The organizers invite everyone to come out and celebrate our nation’s independence at this family friendly festival. For a complete schedule of events, please visit the organization’s website – www.erath4.com.
318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022
219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548