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Kaplan catcher Owen Marceaux attempts to catch the baseball while a Lion player slides safely into home plate. (photo by Rosco Harrington)

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Trent Guidry started on the hill for the Kaplan Pirates. He pitched four innings against Covenant Christian on Monday.

Kaplan Pirates win two, lose one in three games

After winning two straight games, the Kaplan Pirates lost to Covenant Christian Lions 11-1 on Monday.
It was a scoreless game for two innings, and then the Lions scored four runs in the third, two in the fourth, and five in the fifth to seal the win.
Kaplan, who scored 19 runs in its two wins, was held to only one run off three hits.
Trent Guidry was the opening pitcher for KHS. He allowed six runs (one earned) over four innings, strikingout one and walking five.
Gage Guidry went 2/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on three hits.
The two Guidrys had a hit, along with Sabe David.
Kaplan falls to 4-9 overall and is No. 19 in the Non-Select Division III Power standings.
Covenant Christian improves to 8-4 and has a power ranking of No. 5 in Select Division IV.

Kaplan.................7
Breaux Bridge...0

On Friday, Kaplan beat Breaux Bridge 7-0 and came back on Saturday to whip Eunice 12-0.
In the win over Breaux Bridge, pitcher Aiden Gaspard held his ground and did not allow a single run, and only allowed one hit for KHS. He also struck out an amazing 15 Tigers.
Kaplan led 2-0 after six innings against Breaux Bridge. Reese Meaux doubled home a run in the first inning for KHS. Meaux finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Pirates blew the game open at the top of the seventh inning by scoring five insurance runs.
In that inning, Gaspard doubled, which scored a run, followed by Owen Marceaux’s 2-RBI single and Trent Guidry’s RBI-double.

Kaplan...12
Eunice....0

The Pirates scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back.
The Pirates scored 12 runs on only six hits, but Eunice committed four costly errors.
In the first inning, Marceaux singled home a run, and Trent Guidry also singled, which scored a run for KHS.
Luke Hebert hit into a fielder’s choice, but it scored two runs for Kaplan.
Pitcher Sabe David earned the win for Kaplan. He surrendered three hits and no runs in five innings of work.
Marceaux and Guidry had two hits.

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Erath head coach Jeremy Picard talks with players Tate Collins (6) and Carter Champagne. Collins had three hits and he drove home three runs on Saturday.

EHS nips Central LaFourche in bottom of seventh inning

The Erath Bobcats got back to their winning ways on Saturday, over the weekend, nipping Central Lafourche 6-5 in dramatic fashion.
With the score tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cade Francis singled home the game-winning run for EHS.
Erath (7-5) outhit Central Lafouche, 6-5.
Tate Collins had half of Erath’s six hits. He singled in the second inning, doubled in the third, and doubled again in the fifth.
He knocked in three runs and scored two.
Landen Derouen and Francis had two hits.
Jack Landry started on the mound for Erath, and he went 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits, one earned run,walked three and struck out two.
Kolin Rodriguez pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to earn the victory. He gave up one earned run, surrendered two hits and struck out.

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Abbeville goes hitless twice against Mamou

The Abbeville Wildcats dropped a double-header to Mamou over the weekend and did not get a hit in two games.
In the first game, Abbeville lost, 10-0, and then fell, 14-0, in the second game.
In the first loss, Mamou scored four runs in the first inning and two runs in the second for a convincing 6-0 lead. It added four more runs in the next three innings.
The Wildcats (4-7) did not get a hit in the first game and also committed three errors.
Braylon Himel started the game on the hill for AHS and he threw three innings and allowed four hits, five earned runs and struck out five. He also walked five.
Austen Reed pitched the final inning and allowed three hits and three earned runs.
In the second game, the Wildcats (4-7) also did not get a hit in five innings.
Ryan Thibodeaux started on the hill and pitched three innings and allowed only five hits and four earned runs for AHS.
Reed got the final two outs.
Of the 14 runs scored, only four were earned.
Mamou had 13 hits in two games and Abbeville committed a total of 10 errors.

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North Vermilion out scored its last 3 opponents, 39-1

The North Vermilion Patriots have outscored their last three opponents 39-1.
The Patriots beat Cecilia, 15-1, on Thursday, Beau Chene, 15-0, and again on Saturday, West Ouachita, 9-0.
North Vermilion improves to 9-3 and, as of Monday, is ranked No. 5 in the Non-Select Division II Power Point rankings.
North Desoto (10-2) is No. 1, and Pearl River (9-2) is No. 2.
In the win over Cecilia, Blaze Duhon drove in four runs to lead the Patriots.
He doubled in the second inning, scoring two runs, and he hit a home run in the fourth inning that scored two runs.
The Patriots scored at the bottom of the first frame thanks to two doubles, one hit by Cooper Petrey that scored two runs.
The Patriots scored five runs off three hits in the second inning. Jackson Romero hit a solo home run and Duhon doubled scoring two runs.
The Patriots hit three home runs by Duhon, Romero and Alex Landry.
Petrey hit two doubles.
Drew Durke pitched five innings, struck out five and allowed one earned run to pick up the victory.
In the win over Beau Chene, NV led 15-0 after only three innings.
Brock Broussard had three hits for NV.
Duhon threw three innings to earn the victory. He gave no earned runs, three hits and fanned six.
In the win over West Ouachita, Kevin Marix got the win on the hill after throwing a 3-hitter over three innings.
Blaze Duhon collected three hits. He hit a home run to right field in the fifth frame, doubled in the second and singled in the third inning.
With two hits were Avery Stutes (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and Petrey (2-for-4, 1 RBI).

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Here are the top three AHS finishers at regionals. (left to right) Coach Ronnie Cormier, Yasmeen Cormier (third place), Khandi Shuford (first place) and Melissa Mai (second place) and Coach Kamilah Todd.

Abbeville Lady Wildcats place fourth at regional powerlifting meet

Shuford voted outstanding light lifter

The Abbeville High Lady Wildcats Power Lifting Team secured a fourth place finish at the West Regional Power lifting tournament held last week.
Here is how they placed at Regionals.

• Khandi Shuford in the 123 pound class won the West Regionals and was also named the girls’ oustanding light lifter.
Here is how much she lifted at regionals.
• Squat - 365 pounds (New Regional and Composite State Record)
• Bench -185 pounds
• Deadlift - 390 pounds (New Regional and Composite Record)
• Total - 940 pounds (New Regional and Composite Record)

Melissa Mai in the 132 pound weight class was the West Regionals Runner Up.
Here are her totals.
• Squat - 315 pounds
• Bench -150 pounds
• Deadlift - 310 pounds
Total- 775 pounds
Yasmeen Cormier in 132 pounds finished third at regionals.
Here are her totals.
• Squat - 305 pounds
• Bench -135 pounds
• Deadlift - 315 pounds
• Total- 755 pounds

Here are other AHS lifters and how they placed in their weight class.
• Sarinity Wallace in 198 pounds. (5th place)
• Jaylie Williams in 97 pounds (6th Place)

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Good and Good For You

HIGH PROTEIN ALFREDO

INGREDIENTS

-3/4 cup refrigerated Alfredo sauce
-1 1/4 cups chicken bone broth
-3/4 cup of high-protein milk, such as Fairlife 2%
-1/2 tsp garlic powder
-1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
-Black pepper to taste
-8 oz protein pasta, such as Barilla Protein, prepared al dente
-1 (5 oz) can tuna
-1/2 cup peas and carrots
-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-Lightly grease 8x8” pan with nonstick spray.
-In a large bowl, whisk together Alfredo sauce, bone broth, milk, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
-Stir in cooked pasta, tuna, and peas and carrots until well blended.
-Transfer to a baking dish.
-Submerge pasta as much as possible.
-Sprinkle with cheese.
-Cover tightly with foil.
-Bake for 40 minutes.
-Uncover and bake until bubbling and lightly golden on top, 10 to 15 minutes.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Similar to above

INGREDIENTS

-2 tbsp vegetable oil
-6 skinless boneless chicken thighs, or half breasts
-1/2 cup teriyaki sauce, or Worcestershire
-1/2 cup Ranch/style salad dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or your favorite
-3 green onions, chopped - optional
-1/2 (3 oz) can bacon bits, or bacon you cook*
-6 tbsp

MISE EN PLACE

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
-Add chicken.
-Sauté 4 to 5 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
-Place browned chicken in a 9x13 pan.
-Brush with teriyaki sauce.
-Spoon on salad dressing, onions, and bacon bits.
-Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
One serving of this tasty casserole does have approximately 530 calories with only 7 carbs plus 26 grams of fat, but you get a whopping 63 grams of protein. This is close to a perfect recipe.
Your body needs some carbohydrates for energy, and proteins are essential for building muscles, bones, skin, hair, and blood cells. Proteins also aids in digestion, regulates hormones, and supports your immune systems.

*Boo always has cooked bacon in the fridge. He cooks a package of thick cut bacon in the oven in a pan fully lined with foil. After it cools, he wraps the bacon tightly in a ziplock bag and sometimes uses the bacon fat for cooking. He uses a couple of slices almost every morning as part of his breakfast.

CAJUN CABBAGE

My mother in law loved this

INGREDIENTS*

-1 large head cabbage, finely chopped
-1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
-1 lb lean ground beef*
-Salt and pepper to taste

MISE EN PLACE

-Gather all ingredients.
-Place meat across bottom of a large Dutch oven.
-On medium flame, stir ground meat frequently until slightly browned. Do not overcook.
-Add rest of ingredients.
-Stir until cabbage is settled in pot. It will loose more than hand of its volume as it cooks.
-Cover pot and stir until it simmers.
-Cook until cabbage is at your desired consistency. I do not like to have cabbage cooked until it’s all wilted.
*My mother in law called it “grind meat.”
I have it listed as “Cajun Cabbage” in my recipe file.
Ground meat and cabbage is one of the fasted hot meals to prepare. Once the meat is brown, the cabbage added to the hot ingredients will cook in minutes unless you have a large pot full of cabbage. I love cabbage and my mom cooked it often. When I cooked everyday, cabbage was usually a weekly meal.
I have a recipe that calls for these ingredients with adding 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes with juice plus 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. I’m sure this would be flavorsome, but the tomatoes would have to be cooked down before adding cabbage.
Cabbage cooks so quickly over a medium flame and should be added after your protein is cooked or almost cooked.

CRAWFISH BOIL SOUP

Looking over recipes for seafood dishes for Lent, I came across my recipe to make soup with the leftovers of a crawfish boil.
I think I shared this with you already, but it’s worth a repeat. It’s a free meal from leftovers.
After hearing about and eating the crawfish boil soup at the old John Folse restaurant in Donaldsonville, I determined the soup there was started with all raw ingredients and made into a tasty, just not boiled, soup. After our next crawfish boil, the leftover crawfish were peeled and deveined. The next morning, I brought in all vegetables from the outdoor refrigerator and started prepping the boiled vegetables. The onions were taken out of the foil and cut into slices. I took some of the skin off the potatoes. Two peeled potatoes were smashed with a fork to help thicken the broth. The rest of the potatoes were cut into bite-size cubes. With a little olive oil in the bottom of a large Dutch over, I sautéed the onions and the smashed potatoes. Don’t brown these vegetables, just warm them well for melding the flavors. I cut all the corn off the cobs and added all the vegetables to the pot, with enough water to cover the veggies. As the water came to a boil, I had the opportunity to eat all the corn left on all the cobs. The crawfish were added just long enough for them to be hot at serving.
The soup made with the ingredients that were boiled with the seasoning had a unique flavor after all were simmered together.
This can be as easy as you want. You can add the corn cobs to the soup just as they were boiled. The onions can be cut into chunks, and you can leave all the skin on the potatoes. The flavor will be the same. When my boys started adding carrots, I would add them to the soup also. Now they add mushrooms, asparagus, smoked sausage, and more, which I would NOT add to my soup. That’s too many flavors to mix together.

Our typical Louisiana weather has our cooking schedule not on schedule. We went to Pass Christian last week with a new table top grill (won as a door prize) that Boo planned to use for breakfast each morning. He also planned to grill steaks for our neighbors. All outdoors. With the coastal winds helping the temperature to feel lower and a huge thunderstorm Saturday night, we changed our plans to bacon in the oven with his breakfast eggs and leftover frozen vegetable soup instead of steaks night grill. He’s become a constant weather watcher. All of our plans are scheduled around the weather forecast. That’s usually alright with me, because I avoid outdoor time when it’s cold, when it’s hot, when it’s too windy, and when it’s too humid.

Jusqu’a la semaine prochaine!

billielandry@iosinces.com

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The North Vermilion Lady Patriots will be playing in the Division II Non-Select semifinals, starting at 8 p.m. in Hammond.

North Vermilion Lady Patriots face LaGrange in Division II Non-Select semifinal

Tonight, the North Vermilion Lady Patriots will compete in their most significant game in four decades at the University Center in Hammond.
The No. 3 Lady Patriots (26-3) will face the No. 2 LaGrange Gators (25-4) in the Division II Non-Select semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
The winner plays the winner of the No. 1 Sterlington/No. 4 Wossman game Saturday in the state finals.
The state tournament is being played in Southeastern Louisiana University Center, which seats 7,500.
North Vermilion last appeared in a semifinal basketball game during the 1986 season, marking a 40-year gap.
The two teams are well acquainted.
Last year, the Lady Patriots eliminated LaGrange in the second round of the playoffs with a 39-31 victory.
The teams also faced each other during summer basketball.
North Vermilion head coach Jack LeBlanc and LaGrange head coach LaKeem Holmes maintain a strong friendship off the court. Until recently, both teams competed in the same district.
However, tonight’s game carries significant importance for both teams.
North Vermilion is seeking its first basketball state title, while the Lady Gators aim for their second since 2020, when they defeated A.J. Ellender, 56-24, in the finals.
The teams employ distinctly different offensive strategies.
The Lady Gators focus on pressing, generating turnovers, and quickly advancing down the court to score layups or short jump shots.
In contrast, North Vermilion prefers a slower, half-court approach, emphasizing ball movement to find open shots.
“The best way to describe how we play is organized chaos,” said Holmes.
He refers to creating turnovers with a full-court press and quickly moving up the court for a fast layup. The Lady Gators rarely pass the ball around to find an open shot.
Coach LeBlanc, who has been the head coach of the girls for five years, emphasized that LaGrange is not the same team as last year. While they returned five starters, they also added a transfer this season. Freshman Zaliyah Harris is the newcomer on the team, who is not playing like a freshman. She is averaging around 13 points and seven steals a game.
Marleigh Alexis, the 5-foot-7 point guard for the Lady Gators, averages 12 points and about seven steals per game.
In last week’s 20-point playoff win over No. 7 Albany, three Lady Gators scored in double figures, demonstrating balanced scoring.
Alexis contributed 10 points and five steals, while 5-foot-6 Aniyah Guillory added 11 points and eight rebounds.
Zaliyah Harris scored seven points and five steals.
Aniya Guillory, at 5-foot-6, scored 11 points and collected eight rebounds against Albany.
“We have a lot of unselfish players,” said Holmes. “We get defensive turnovers and convert that to offense.”
Coach LeBlanc is aware that the Lady Gators plan to throw everything at them on defense in order to create turnovers.
“We work on the press every day in practice,” said LeBlanc. “They are not going to do something we have not seen.”
While the Lady Gators will push the pace, the Lady Patriots are expected to slow the game to limit LaGrange’s transition opportunities. North Vermilion averages approximately 49 points per game and has scored 60 or more points only four times this season. In contrast, the Lady Gators have reached 60 points in 12 games and 70 points in three games.
Coach LeBlanc stated that facing Northside and Ville Platte this season has helped prepare the team for LaGrange.
Entering tonight’s game, the NV roster is still not 100 percent healthy. Kenzie Marceaux, the MVP in district and parish last year, was questionble last week due to the flu. She is still fighting the flu bug.
Stevie Brasseaux will play post after averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Point guard Reagan Smith, who hit some big shots last week, is scoring a team-high 13 points and four rebounds a game. Ashtane Rose is also in double figures with 10 a game and five boards a game.

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Shown after execution of the Full Requirements agreement are, from left, front row: Wayne Vidrine, Kaplan Electrical Foreman; Randy Campbell, Kaplan Councilman; Roslyn White, Abbeville Mayor and LEPA Vice Chairman; Mike Kloesel, Kaplan Mayor; Jason Willis, St. Martinville Mayor and LEPA Chairman; Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft, Vidalia Mayor and LEPA Secretary/Treasurer; Kishment McCloskey, Kaplan Utility Committee Member; Claude Huntsberry, Kaplan Public Works Director; and Kevin Bihm, LEPA General Manager.

CITY OF KAPLAN MAKES LEPA ITS NEW ELECTRICITY PROVIDER

The City of Kaplan has signed on as a wholesale electric customer of the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA), effective June 1, 2026.
The Kaplan Council voted to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA at its February meeting, and the LEPA Board of Directors then approved the agreement at its Feb. 19 meeting. Kaplan is the 15th municipality to become a Full Requirements Member of LEPA, meaning that LEPA serves as its wholesale electricity provider. The other 14 Full Requirements members include Abbeville, Erath, Gueydan, Jonesville, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Minden, Natchitoches, New Roads, Rayne, St. Martinville, Welsh, Winnfield and Vidalia.
Kaplan has been a long-time member of LEPA, but made the move to a Full Requirements Member because of LEPA’s very competitive power rates to its Full Requirements Members. “I am truly honored to be part of such a respected organization and to work alongside all of you in our shared commitment to providing reliable, affordable electric service to the citizens we proudly serve,” said Mayor Mike Kloesel.
LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm noted, “With the addition of the City of Kaplan, LEPA is now providing wholesale power to 15 Louisiana municipalities, the most LEPA have served in its history. This is a responsibility we take very seriously, and the addition of Kaplan further meets our mission to provide stable electricity at the lowest possible cost to our member municipalities.”
LEPA was created by the State Legislature in 1979 as the joint-action agency for the State of Louisiana. LEPA’s current membership is comprised of 20 cities and towns that own their electric distribution systems. The member cities of LEPA include Abbeville, Alexandria, Erath, Gueydan, Houma, Jonesville, Kaplan, Lafayette, Minden, Morgan City, Natchitoches, New Roads, Plaquemine, Rayne, Ruston, St. Martinville, Vidalia, Vinton Welsh and Winnfield.

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Alice Simon Girouard

December 25, 1939 — February 11, 2026

KAPLAN — Alice Girouard, a devoted wife, mother, nurse, and community servant, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on February 11, 2026. Her life was defined by faith, service, and an unwavering commitment to those she cared for-both at home and throughout her community.
A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend Mikel Polson was held at 1 p.m., Monday, February 16, 2026, at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church. She was laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery.
Alice is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Rustum Ernest (Ernest) Girouard, Jr.; her children, Rustum (Rusty) Ernest Girouard III and his wife Camille of Lafayette and their son Nicholas, Yvette Day and her husband Terry of Frisco, Tx, and their son Luke, Steven Girouard and his wife Kathy of Lafayette and their children Maddie and Ian, and Wayne Girouard of Youngsville and his children André, Maya, and Tate; her sisters, Gloria Comeaux of New Iberia and Deanna Hayes of Lafayette.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Easton Simon and the former Pauline Harrington; and one brother, Carl Simon.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana and Senior Helpers.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan (337) 643-7276.

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Hollins “Marcel” Meaux

August 13, 1940 ~ February 22, 2026

Hollins Marcel Meaux, referred to as “Marcel” or “Pops,” was born on August 13, 1940, in Kaplan, LA, to the late Rev. Hollins Meaux and Thelma Cobb-Meaux. He was born during high water, a time when most families worked in the rice mills. Hollins entered eternal rest surrounded by his devoted granddaughter Kahdijah and beloved son-in-law Roger.
Marcel received his education through the Kaplan and Abbeville School District. He was exceptionally smart, especially in the area of mathematics. As a teenager, Marcel worked in the home of a nearby family who owned a telephone company, caring for their disabled child, doing cooking, lawn mowing, and whatever they asked. He had an extensive hat collection and almost always had one on.
On January 17, 1958, at the age of 17, he joined the Army and stayed in for 23½ years until he retired in 1981. Once retired from the Army, he began his studies at Hudson Valley Community College. While a student, he received a phone call from the Watervliet Arsenal for employment as a machinist. He paused his studies and accepted the position. He spent the next 17½ years in civil service, working not only as a machinist but also as a missile tech, engineer, administrative supervisor, and ammunition specialist. Later, he reached out to an advisor at Hudson Valley, took his remaining two courses, and was granted his associate’s degree.
Throughout his Army career, he traveled to many places, including Iran, Italy, Thailand, Germany, where he had his daughter Fran, and Okinawa, Japan, where he had his son Anthony. He eventually settled in Albany, New York, where he met the love of his life, Clarrissa G. Meaux. On November 28, 1975, the two were married, and through this union he embraced two stepchildren, Robin Moore and Alvin Wimbush.
He, along with his wife, often traveled back to his hometown via long road trips to visit family. During the summers, Kahdijah and Ciaus would join them. He was a dedicated member of the Troy Amateur Radio Association (TARA), and his handle was N2YQW. He took great pleasure in volunteering on Field Day with his close friends. He would also spend every Sunday and Monday morning having breakfast with his friends, either at McDonald’s or at Don and Paul’s Diner in Waterford.
He will be received by his wife, Clarrissia G. Meaux; his parents, Hollins Meaux and Thelma Cobb-Meaux; and his brothers, Joseph S. Meaux and Phillip Meaux.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Francella Haynes (Alvin) of Opelousas, LA; his son, Anthony Meaux of Houston, TX; his stepdaughter, Robin Moore (Roger); and his stepson, Alvin Wimbush, both of Albany, NY. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Kahdijah Austin, Ciaus Simmons-Meaux, Peyton Fisher (Johnathan), Isaiah Meaux, Elijah Meaux, and Amayah Haynes; one great-grandson, Shiloh Austin, and another great-grandson on the way. Also surviving are his brother, Harold Meaux of Houston, TX; Marie Broussard of Kaplan, Louisiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026,at Bethany Baptist Church, 59 2nd Street, Albany, NY 12210.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Bethany Baptist Church.
Interment will follow the funeral service at Memory Gardens Cemetery & Memorial Park, 983 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Albany, NY 12205.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to S.L. McLaughlin Funeral Home, Albany, NY.

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Vermilion Today

Abbeville Meridional

318 N. Main St.
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337-893-4223
Fax: 337-898-9022

The Kaplan Herald

219 North Cushing Avenue
Kaplan, LA 70548