March 2018

Meeting to highlight upcoming Farmers Market

Residents from Jeff Davis Parish and its surrounding areas can look forward to the return of a Jennings institution which has been around for a decade and a half.

A meeting is set for Thursday, April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Tupper Museum meeting room to discuss the upcoming Jennings Main Street Farmers Market.

Katherin Esthay, who started overseeing the market this year with her husband Jerry, said the previous owner passed it on to her due to her long association with the market.

“I guess it’s because I’ve been going all 14 years,” she said.

Momentum building for constitutional convention

LOUISIANA SPOTLIGHT

With continued struggles to stabilize Louisiana’s finances, lawmakers are turning more toward the state constitution, blaming its rigidity for years of budget woes. A growing movement aims to set the course for a constitutional convention to rewrite the governing document.

The convention legislation seems unlikely to make it through both the House and Senate this year amid competing visions of the scale of a convention, its participants and its goals.

Island paradise

VILLAGE IDIOT

My friends Ellen and Gary just got back from a cruise to the Caribbean. They were tanned and relaxed.

“You know you are in paradise the moment you step off the boat,” Gary told me. “As you get to the end of the gangplank, friendly native islanders in costumes with feathers and bangles start dancing to the music of a steel drum orchestra, right there on the pier. A photographer from the ship is right there to capture the exact moment you mingle with the natives.

Pet adoption aids society (and animals, too)

The ASPCA estimates that 6.5 million companion animals enter animal shelters in the United States each year. According to its most recent report, the Humane Society of America, around 82,000 cats and 35,000 dogs were taken into shelters in 2015.

Shurmur expects Beckham to attend Giants’ offseason program

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Giants coach Pat Shurmur says he expects Odell Beckham Jr. to attend offseason workouts when they start in April.

Trade rumors are surrounding the controversial star receiver and there has been strong speculation Beckham will hold out during training camp because he doesn’t want to play the fifth and final year of his rookie deal without a new contract.

Give Thai a try as an appetizer or snack

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Thai food is a favorite of many people. Unique, flavorful and often spicy, Thai cuisine can be a tasty addition to family menus. Whether you’re hosting friends or simply want to whip up a flavorful snack, the following recipe for “Steamed Mussels in Lemongrass and Basil” from Katie Chin’s “Everyday Thai Cooking” (Tuttle) is sure to please.

Steamed Mussels in

Lemongrass and Basil

Serves 4 as an appetizer or snack

1/2 cup Basic Chicken Stock (see below)

2 tablespoons minced lemongrass

Welsh Rotary Club welcomes guest speakers, visitors

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The March 22 Rotary Club meeting was interesting and informative as members learned about the Cardiovascular program at Jennings American Legion Hospital from (above, photo at right) Addie Guidry, RN, Cardiology Director and Mindy Hetzel, Foundation and Marketing Director.

Rev. Chandler Willis (above), received his new membership pin from Mary Gaudin, and three fifth graders (right), Addison Courville, Oran Ardoin and Cohen Cormier enjoyed the program.

Deadlines set for October livestock show

Deadlines for 4-H members and FFA members of Jeff Davis Parish who wish to enter into the State Fair of Louisiana Livestock Validations in October are coming up in two weeks.

Amy Welch, livestock agent for Jeff Davis Parish 4-H, said the dates are early each year because registering livestock is a multi-step process.

SLOW BUT LUCKY

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Mysterious train sparks speculation of Kim visit to Beijing

BEIJING (AP) — A mysterious armored train traveled from North Korea to Beijing and then headed back without revealing its key secret: Was Kim Jong Un on board?

Speculation about a visit to Beijing by North Korea’s reclusive leader or another high-level Pyongyang official ran high Tuesday amid talk of preparations for a future meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump.