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Mrs. Travis Matthew Maricle

Miss Megan Victoria Simon marries Mr. Travis Matthew Maricle

Mon, 12/02/2019 - 10:22am
Couple exchanged vows at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan, Louisiana

Miss Megan Victoria Simon and Mr. Travis Matthew Maricle were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at six o’clock in the evening at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan, Louisiana. Father Mark officiated the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Maverick Victor Simon of Gueydan, Louisiana.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Doyle of Kaplan, Louisiana and Charles Maricle of Oakdale, Louisiana.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, selected a beautiful gown designed by Sottero and Midgeley. The trumpet silhouette gown was made of ivory lace over a matte lining. The illusion sleeves framed the plunging sweetheart neckline with the train finished in beaded ivory lace. Her dressed featured lace motifs that followed her curves and the relax fit was accented with beaded lace motifs over tule. To complete her ensemble, Megan wore an elegant cathedral veil finished with lace.
As her something old, she used her grandmother’s 100 year old black onyx oval shape ring. She borrowed her aunt’s mother of pearl rosary, that was placed in her boutique of cream and plum roses, eucalyptus, silver dollar eucalyptus, and other greenery.
Delaney Vallo, high school friend served as maid of honor, Mikayla Simon, Annie Simon, Aunderia Hanks, and Brittany Price, sever as bridesmaids.
They wore a floor length V-neck plum dress with a full lace box dice and trumpet sleeves.
Cole Sevin, friend of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen included, Jordan Simon, Robert Collins, Travis Merrill and Josh Patin. Ushers included Josh Trahan and Troy Martin. Travis, the groomsmen and the ushers wore grey suites with plum ties.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Mrs. Patricia of Kaplan.
Following the wedding nuptials, a reception was held at the V Arena in Kaplan which was beautifully decorated with Cream and plum roses, golden tea lights, and assorted greenery.
The bride selected for her wedding day a three tiered amaretto flavored wedding cake that featured strawberry and buttercream fillings and was accented with cream flowers. The groom selected A muffin tower with assorted blueberry and chocolate muffins.
A rehearsal dinner was held on Thursday November 21, 2019 hosted by Josh and Kitty Trahan of Kaplan. Following their return from a wedding trip to the Bahamas, the couple will reside in Kaplan, Louisiana.

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Tobi Dartez, Hailee Wiggins and Andrea Nogel serving lunch at the Christian Service Center.

The Joy of Giving

Mon, 12/02/2019 - 9:39am

Have you ever met someone who was generous and miserable? Or have you ever known anyone who was selfish and happy? Probably not.
There is a common characteristic in happy people. They give. They look out” for their neighbor. They look for someone who they can help, bless, support, etc. In giving, they find joy.
The Christian Service Center would like to thank all of their supporters and donors who contribute to our community in a variety of ways. Below is a list of thoughts about the joy of giving.
"No one has ever become poor by giving.,” said Anne Frank
When I read God's Word, I have no other choice than to share the blessings I have been given with those around me. I know that I am called to share and give with a generous heart. When I do this I feel I am sincerely part of my community , state, and world. It takes me out of myself and focusing on bringing others relief and happiness. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7
Each time I have been given a portion of what I have been blessed with, I receive such joy and warmth in my heart. I know I am fulfilling a purpose for which I was put on this Earth. I get back not only a smile and "thank you", but peace and happiness that does not fade.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

“Giving to those in need is one thing that has always left lasting satisfaction and never regret in my heart. Helping someone when they might be down hasn't always been monetarily. Sometimes I have just listened to a person who is confused or needs an ear and they are so appreciative and I leave the encounter with an unexplainable joy in my heart. The irony is that there has never been a tangible gift I have received that has left me with the sustaining pleasure and joy inside the way that giving to others does. Giving to others is the best gift I have ever given myself.”

Retired Teacher and Christian Service Center volunteer

“Giving back to God involves TRUST, or another word… FAITH. We are asked to stretch our faith and, in this way, grow spiritually. Sacrificial giving is about being good stewards of what actually are all God’s gifts. Stewardship is NOT fund-raising. It’s our gift back to God. Generously, not grudgingly. “For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:6)”

Rev. Louis Richard

“As a kid growing up, my dad used to always tell my siblings and I, “You can’t out-give God. He is perfect love and a total self-gift, you can’t out-give perfect love.” Of course, we thought my dad was a total cheese ball at the time, but the lessons of those years have stuck with me and now I find myself saying the same thing. Witnessing the community rally time after time, giving of themselves...giving of their time talent and resources to help meet the needs of our brothers and sister in the poor is truly remarkable. The common threads are always love and joy. Giving engenders gratitude. Gratitude yields love and joy. Once again, we see the Gospel has it right, “For it is better to give than to receive.” Acts 20;35

John Listi
Director of Evangelization, St. Mary Magdalen

“We love our donors! A donor came in today with a check. She and her friend had a fundraiser and donated all the proceeds to our Center. Evangeline Bread donated 100 hens with the trimmings to bless some of our families for Thanksgiving. Walmart provides bread, meat, and desserts 3 times a week to help keep our pantry full. Our schools are so awesome with the students lovingly donating food to our community. Costco and Second Harvest Food Bank are important sources of donations as well.”

Volunteer from the Christian Service Center

“We are blessed to be a blessing. All that we have belongs to God. He has blessed us expecting us to be good stewards over everything He has blessed us with.”

Local volunteer from the Christian Service Center

“He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:30
“To give to others simply means I have to let something go that I have whether time, talent, treasure. Giving brings joy because the act of of letting go or decreasing allows God to enter into my life and uses my time, talent, treasure to further His Kingdom and to bring joy to others. By giving,I decrease and make room for God to use me. Less me, More God, More Joy!”

Volunteer for the Vermilion Women's Resource Center

“Philippians 2:7 “but He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant...” Just as our Lord humbled himself for us, so to, when we humble ourselves and serve others, we are imitating Jesus. Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!”
Drew David of the Sheriff’s Office

“Serving others puts a joy in my heart that that is unmatched by anything else. I am able to see everyone as a child of God.”

Andrea Noegel

“Giving and serving is a true way to see Jesus in all His glory!”

Tobie Dartez

“It is not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, that is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.”

Karen Molbert

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Juvenile wanted for escaping last week arrested Sunday after vehicle chase in Vermilion Parish

Sun, 12/01/2019 - 8:55pm

According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Drew David, at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 1, Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the juvenile who escaped custody last week.
As deputies attempted to stop, the suspect he began to flee in the vehicle. A pursuit ensued with the Sheriff’s Office being assisted by the Abbeville Police Department. The pursuit went from U.S. Hwy. 167 to west bound on La. Hwy. 14.
According to David, it was at this time that the suspect eluded one deputy, and slammed into another deputy’s unit. The suspect fled on foot and was captured shortly after. The suspect was taken into custody along with a female passenger. The suspect was also taken to the hospital as a precaution.
As of Sunday afternoon, it appeared the injuries the deputy sustained were not life threatening. David said the deputy was alert and awake.
Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office PIO Drew
David advised that the juvenile suspect in custody will be facing multiple traffic and criminal charges in connection to both the escape last week and Sunday’s chase.
David stated that, “due to the suspect being 17 years of age, and considered a juvenile, that only certain information may be divulged. We are mandated by law to release only information allowed, which depends solely on the nature of the charges.”
The Vermilion Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Abbeville Police Department, Kaplan Fire and Police Departments, Acadian Ambulance, and the Louisiana State Police for all of their efforts and support in this incident.

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Photo by Bruce Schultz/LSU AgCenter
LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant agent Mark Shirley checks a dipnet for young crawfish while a combine harvests a second crop of rice on a field at the South Farm of the AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station near Crowley. Shirley is studying how crawfish production is affected by harvesting a second rice crop.

Study looks at second-crop rice, crawfish production

Sun, 11/24/2019 - 8:43pm
Bruce Schultz, LSU AgCenter

CROWLEY — An LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant agent is studying the effects of crawfish production following a second crop of rice.
Mark Shirley is conducting the study requested by farmers who want to know to what extent harvesting a second rice crop will affect their crawfish.
“These days, rice farmers are trying to get every bit of value out of their crawfish crop in addition to their rice crop,” Shirley said.
The study, funded by the Louisiana Rice Research Board, will try to determine how food for crawfish, habitat, water quality and crawfish populations are affected by harvesting a second rice crop.
The project is underway at the South Farm of the LSU AgCenter H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station.
On one 7.5-acre field, an initial crop of rice was harvested in August. The field was then flooded, but no second crop was harvested. On the second 7.5 acres, the first crop was harvested in August and the second crop was cut Nov. 19 with several inches of water flooding the field.
Rice straw from harvesting a second crop will decompose in the flood, Shirley said. That usually results in lower water quality because dissolved oxygen will be removed from the decomposition, reducing the amount of food available for crawfish in the spring.
“So it’s a question of how much damage do you have by harvesting the second crop,” he said.
The field with the second crop was left flooded for the second harvest because draining it would have killed most of the crawfish, he said.
Some farmers have asked about the possible benefit of using a stripper header on a harvester that leaves more of the plant intact and could have less impact on water quality. Further study may be done to explore that alternative, Shirley said.
Shirley is optimistic about the upcoming crawfish season. Cooler temperatures and rain in October provided needed moisture that allowed adults to emerge from their burrows.
“Conditions for crawfish are actually looking pretty good,” he said.

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Linda Mire Hebert

Sun, 11/24/2019 - 8:28pm

November 27, 1943 - November 08, 2019

ABBEVILLE — A Memorial Mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church for Linda Mire Hebert, 75, who passed away Friday, November 8, 2019 at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
Father Donald Bernard will officiate the mass.
She will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Angela Francois. and Kristina Thibodeaux; brother, Godfrey Mire and wife Sonia; sisters, Carol Romero and husband Weston, and Peggy Tollett and husband Leonard; grandchildren, Jason Clement and wife Meisha, Hannah Thibodeaux, and Ava Thibodeaux; great grandchild, Parker Clement; and great step-grandchild, Kimberly Theriot.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Mire and the former Maggie Harrington; and nephew, Weston Romero Jr.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret, Abbeville, on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 10:00 AM until time of service.
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.

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Karen Ann Bertrand

Sun, 11/24/2019 - 8:27pm

ABBEVILLE — Memorial Services for Karen Ann Bertrand,66, will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday November 26, 2019 in David Funeral Home of Abbeville with Deacon Tim Marcantel officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery.
Visitation will be in David Funeral Home of Abbeville Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time.
Karen, born in Abbeville and a resident of Thibodaux, passed away Tuesday November 19, 2019 in her residence. She attended Nicholls State University. She retired from the state of Louisiana Special Children’s Service.
She is survived by her mother Georgia Lee Bertrand of Abbeville, her brother Mark Bertrand and husband Peter Pierce of San Rafael, CA and her godfather C.J. Bertrand of Abbeville.
She is preceded in death by her father Hugh Jim Bertrand.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Lupus Assoc. or the American Heart Assoc.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home of Abbeville is in charge of arrangements. 2600 Charity Street Abbeville, LA 70510 (337) 893-3777.

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Paul “Lonnie” Leon Legè

Sun, 11/24/2019 - 8:25pm

December 3, 1937 ~ November 1, 2019

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, December 2, 2019 at St. James Chapel Catholic Church in Esther, honoring the life of Paul Lonnie Leon Legè, 81, who died Friday, November 1, 2019 at his residence. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Lonnie was a 1955 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School. While at Mount Carmel, he was a member of the “Iron Dozen” football team. He worked for the National Audubon Society as a manager of Rainey Wildlife Sanctuary for 33 years. Lonnie was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife, Valla Broussard Legè; two daughters, Denny Mouton and Susan Hebert; three sons, Ricky Legè, Jude Legè, and Patrick “Blue” Legè; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; brothers, George Berton Legè, Robert Leland Legè, and John “Chop” Barry Legè; and sisters, Nettie Legè Detraz, and Cheryl Legè Elbers.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Paul “Pierre” Leon Legè and the former Emilie Veazey; son, Bobby Joseph Legè; sister, Brenda Ruth Legè; brothers, Wilton Ray Legè and Arnold “Pete” Legè; and sister-in-law, Margaret Legè.
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.

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New cohort of whooping cranes received Tuesday (Nov. 12) at White Lake WCA.

Eleven juvenile whooping cranes arrive at White Lake

Fri, 11/22/2019 - 9:24am

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and partners took another step in re-establishing the state’s whooping crane population Tuesday (Nov. 12) when it received 11 juvenile whooping cranes.
The cranes were received Tuesday at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WLWCA) near Gueydan. Once the new arrivals are released into the wild they will bring the Louisiana population to nearly 80 cranes.
Of the new arrivals, six juvenile whooping cranes came from the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin and four cranes were hatched and reared at the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans, part of the Audubon Nature Institute.
LDWF and Audubon Nature Institute have been longtime leaders in whooping crane conservation in Louisiana and are continuing to expand their partnership with the goal of developing a self-sustaining population of whooping cranes in Louisiana.
LDWF and Audubon are committed to the long-term growth and stability of the whooping crane population. That commitment is supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Cameron LNG, Coypu Foundation and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.
The 11 whooping cranes were placed into a holding pen at White Lake WCA for observation as they acclimate to their new home. They’re expected to be set free from the release pen after several weeks.
“We’re so pleased that our Louisiana whooping crane population continues to increase,’’ LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said. “We’re well on our way to bringing back a beautiful bird that once could be seen throughout the coastal prairie of southwest Louisiana. And we thank Chevron and our other corporate partners, Audubon and our LDWF biologists who continue to work tirelessly in this process.’’
Montoucet said he also appreciates the cooperation of private landowners in southwest Louisiana who have seen cranes take up residence on their land. “We thank them all and look forward to the continued partnership,” he said.
Since 2011, Chevron has invested in LDWF’s whooping crane reintroduction project. In addition to Chevron’s financial contributions their employees have also given volunteer hours.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Audubon Nature Institute on whooping crane restoration and repopulation to ensure this endangered species is thriving for generations to come,” said Leah Brown, Corporate Affairs Manager for Chevron's Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
The Louisiana flock began in 2011 when 10 whooping cranes from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland were released at White Lake WCA to develop the non-migratory flock. This marked a significant conservation milestone with the first wild whooping cranes in Louisiana since 1950.
Anyone encountering a whooping crane is advised to observe the bird from a distance and to report the sighting to LDWF ( http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/webform/whooping-crane-reporting-form ). Whooping cranes are large-bodied, white birds with a red head and black facial markings. Birds measure a height of five feet and have a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet that makes them very distinctive. In flight, whooping cranes display black wing tips anda fully extended neck and legs, which extend well beyond the tail. For more information about the project please visit LDWF’s website: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife/whooping-cranes and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lawhoopingcranes/
Anyone witnessing suspicious activity involving whooping cranes is advised to call the LDWF’s Enforcement Division at 1-800-442-2511 or use the tip411 program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the "LADWF Tips" iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. Citizen Observer, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.

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