December 2019

DON'T STOP BELIEVING

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On a hot, muggy early August afternoon, Jennings High School Head Football Coach Rusty Phelps sat in his office with me to do our annual preseason look at the upcoming football season. However, it was a little different this year, mainly because the Dogs had so many new faces taking over new roles on both offense and defense. Phelps continued to look over his roster as we went through each position, ensuring he got each name right and didn’t miss anyone. His words as we got about halfway through said it all though.

Dakota Allen Chaisson

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Funeral services for Dakota Allen Chaisson, 22, of Lake Charles were held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at 11 a.m.

A gathering of family and friends was held at the funeral home Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, from 8 a.m. until the time of his service at 11 a.m.

Dakota was born in Lafayette on Sept. 16, 1997, to Kenneth Durgan and Tracee Chaisson. He was called from this earthly life on Nov. 29, 2019.

Betty Barousse Briggs

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Betty Barousse Briggs, 92 and a lifelong resident of Jennings, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, Dec. 5, 2019, in Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home after battling advanced dementia for several years. She was a resident of the home for nearly five years and her family is extremely grateful to the attentive and loving care provided by its entire staff and that of the private sitters in the last year of her life.

Una M. Richard

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It’s with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Una M. Richard announces her passing from this life on Dec. 6, 2019, at the age of 101.

Funeral services will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Jennings Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., with Reverend Paul Nugent and Reverend Rod LeJeune officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at the funeral home beginning today, Sunday, Dec. 8, from 4-9 p.m. The family requests that visitation resume Monday, Dec. 9, from 8 a.m. until the time of her service at 10:30 a.m.

Winter Wonderland

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Volunteers came together to transform the Lake Arthur City Hall into a Winter Wonderland.

Other local businesses and groups have also decorated trees to fill the building with holiday spirit.

Free Holiday Bash offered for local children

WELSH - New Faith Tabernacle Church will once again provide a free activity for local children from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. The event is specifically for those between the ages of 5 and 17.

“We will host a free holiday bash at the church,” said activities director Kelly Mock. “Food and drinks will be served at no charge to those who attend.”

The evening will be spent decorating Christmas trees and stars for holiday ornaments to take home.

Foundation encourages families to adopt this holiday season

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BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) is aiming to bring holiday hope to homeless pets across America with its Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope event. On December 14, BPF will support over 120 shelters by offering reduced-fee pet adoptions.

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters - Holiday Hope event will include shelters in 25 states, including the following 3 organizations in Louisiana:

• Iberia Parish Rabies Control

• Louisiana SPCA

• Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter

‘Tis the season

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Down the Rabbit hole

Little me adored this time of year. The lights, the music and the tree decorating all gave me a feeling of warmth deep down in my little Punky Brewster soul.

Today I can appreciate the lights because I love a good sparkle. The music is fine as long as it’s instrumental. The tree? Well, I already have too many things around my room collecting dog hair.

What I do miss is that giddy feeling that used to carry me through this month. And do you know what has caused me to lose my holiday spirit?

Working in the service industry.

Key Club Donates to CADA

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For the second year in a row, the Jennings High School Key Club donated canned goods and turkeys to Communities Against Domestic Abuse.

Bell’s Palsy shares symptoms with having a stroke

Ask the DoctoRs

Dear Doctor: Our dad’s left eye and the side of his face started to droop suddenly, and it seemed like he’d had a stroke. The doctor says it’s actually Bell’s palsy. What is that?