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Louisiana Trust launches historic cemetery database

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:44am

The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation (LTHP) announces the launch of the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries, a public database to increase awareness of historic cemeteries for their protection, maintenance and respect for those buried within them.
Starting with a list of approximately 8,500 cemeteries across the state for which the name and location is known, the program will rely on help from the public to provide photos and more information about the age, size, boundary, and condition of burial grounds. There is also an opportunity to share information about cemeteries which are not currently shown on the map, which may be abandoned or known by only a few people. In order for a site to be certified on the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries, at least one of the following conditions must be met:
• Must be 50+ years since the first burial; and/or
• Must contain the burial of a person of local, state or national importance by reason of civic, public, or military
service, cultural achievement or historical significance; and/or
• Must contain structures that are considered architecturally significant.
With the popularity of home DNA kits, digitalization of archives and records and genealogy programs like Ancestry and USGenWeb, people are discovering connections to their past which have been difficult or impossible to know before. The Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries offers the opportunity for people from around the country to learn where their ancestors in Louisiana are buried. This can lead to increased tourism as well as improved maintenance of historic cemeteries, once descendants learn about sites with a family connection. The database also has the opportunity to reduce damage to historic burials and added expenses and delays to construction projects like buildings and roads, when an unknown cemetery is discovered once a project is underway.
The website also offers a list of resources on cemetery legislation, conservation and documentation, as well as the meanings of symbolism most often found. Information is also available about the various types and replacement of damaged military markers. “We want this site to be a tool for the public to use for education and preservation of historic cemeteries around our state,” says Brian Davis, executive director for the Louisiana Trust. “We work in all 64 parishes and see historic cemeteries in all conditions from well-manicured, to abandoned to endangered. Cemeteries from cities to the coast and the information they tell about a community are under threat from erosion, storms and subsidence, like those in Leeville, in lower Lafourche Parish.”
To see which historic sites are in your area or to contribute information and photos about a historic cemetery, visit https://historic-cemeteries.lthp.org/. There is no fee for nominating a cemetery to be certified in the Louisiana Register of Historic Cemeteries.
The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1979 with the mission to advocate, promote and preserve historic places representing our diverse culture. It is the statewide historic preservation 501(c)3 non-profit organization, working in all 64 parishes and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about the Louisiana Trust and their work, visit LTHP.org.

Jim Bradshaw

Mean pig, gallant man, big fight

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:40am

Big Joe was a mean pig and a natural troublemaker who regularly got out of his pen in Eunice to ...

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Gueydan board member Anita Dupuis discusses the new community center rental rates with fellow board member John Suire. Dupuis opposed the increase in rental rates, casting the only dissenting vote.

Gueydan votes to raise sewerage rates, community center rental fee

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:37am

GUEYDAN — The residents of Gueydan will pay more for sewerage and to rent the town’s 9,000-square-foot community center. At ...

Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire, Alani Richard, Allison Broussard, both of whom are with State Farm, and Assistant Fire Chief Doris Langlinais promote Fire Prevention Week.

Abbeville Fire Department teams up with State Farm, National Fire Protection Association to promote importance of working smoke alarms

Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:35am

The Abbeville Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm® and the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to promote Fire Prevention Week™, October 6-12, and this year’s theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.™,” which aims to better educate the public about the critical importance of working smoke alarms.
According to NFPA, working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a fire by more than half (54 percent).
“Smoke alarms alert people in time to escape a home fire safely, but they have to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign highlights simple but critical steps people can take to ensure that the smoke alarms in their homes are installed, tested, and maintained properly.”
The majority of U.S. home fire deaths occurs in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
In coordination with NFPA, Abbeville Fire Department and local State Farm agent Tiffany Cardinale are encouraging all residents to actively support this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign by testing all smoke alarms in the home, making sure they’re installed in all needed locations, and replacing them when they are 10 years old. In addition, Tiffany Cardinale recently donated a toolkit of Fire Prevention Week resources to the Abbeville fire department which includes activities and information for children and adults, providing age-appropriate messages about smoke alarms and other home fire safety and prevention resources.
“Helping people manage the risks of everyday life is a fundamental part of our mission," said Apsara Sorensen, assistant vice president of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm. "Through our collaboration with NFPA and local fire departments, we are actively working towards increasing awareness about fire prevention."
The Abbeville Fire Department shared key messages for this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you.”:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or don’t respond when tested.
Fire Prevention Week is celebrated throughout North America every October and is the oldest U.S. public health observance on record. For more than 100 years, Fire Prevention Week has worked to educate people the risk of home fires and ways to minimize them. Local fire departments, schools, and community organizations play a key role in bringing Fire Prevention Week to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages.
To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work or you!” visit fpw.org. Additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators can be found at sparky.org and sparkyschoolhouse.org.

Win or lose, Trump completes comeback of the century in return to Butler with Pennsylvania all tied up. Can Trump secure Keystone State?

Tue, 10/08/2024 - 11:00am

On Oct. 5, former President Donald Trump historically returned to Butler, Pa. at the site he was nearly assassinated at ...

Letter to the Editor

Tue, 10/08/2024 - 10:56am

Dear Editor:

I recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington, DC, to advocate for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). It was one of the most impactful experiences of my life, and I am so grateful to ACS CAN for giving me the chance to represent my community and speak out for those affected by cancer.
As a breast cancer survivor, the discussions hit close to home. I was lucky enough to have access to transportation and the resources I needed during my treatment. However, I learned firsthand how many people in rural areas face significant barriers when it comes to accessing life-saving cancer care. It was eye-opening to realize how much more needs to be done to support patients in these underserved areas.
ACS CAN continues to fight for a future where no one ever has to hear the words, “You have cancer.” I am honored to have been part of their efforts and to contribute in a small way to making that future a reality.
I also had the chance to participate in the nationwide Hope Walk event, which brought together communities from across the country. Seeing more than 70,000 luminaria bags displayed in front porches, parks, backyards, and our nation’s capital was a powerful reminder of cance’s impact on all of us and the urgent need for continued advocacy and support.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer, and I encourage everyone to get involved and support this important cause.

Claire Broussard
Abbeville, LA