By Renee Allemand
Crews around the parish are working hard this summer on some new beautification projects,they’re also getting a fringe benefit.
You’ve already read about local college and high school students who have been tasked with repainting the parish’s 2,216 fire hydrants. It’s a win-win situation for the parish and the students, who are using the extra cash to help fund their educations.
The job isn’t only making the hydrants a bright fire engine red. It’s also making these important components of our infrastructure more visible. And as crews make their way to each hydrant, they’re able to inspect them for any mechanical or other problems.
The St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services is getting into the act as well by helping administer a federal Green Space Grant along with St. James and St. John parishes.
The grant funds the nationally recognized Tri Parish Youth Restoration Program, according to MauryaGlaude, Community Services director. The program and its crews will complete beautification projects around the parish, but education is another aim.
Within in the last three weeks, workers have toured the parish to learn about household energy conservation. They’ve also drawn up plans for their projects, including safety strategies and horticultural planning. Crews will also be studying how light and certain insects affect the plants they are planning to work with. They’ll be developing partnerships with local businesses as well as learning life skills such as self-development and mentoring.
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The second time’s the charm for St. Charles’ Relay for Life event. Participants originally gathered at the West Bank Bridge Park on March 29 to pay tribute to those who have battled cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society.
But a late afternoon rainstorm changed those plans.
Now, organizers are planning a shortened, indoor do-over Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Landry School gym, located at 108 Tiger Circle off River Road in Hahnville. The public is invited to attend.
Activities will include “Deal or No Deal” competitions, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” a potato relay and a hula-hoop contest, and winners will receive various prizes. The event will also include the previously cancelled luminary and survivor ceremonies.
All are encouraged to enter the Salad Toss and Sweet Arts competitions. Salads will be judged at 8:30 p.m. and cakes or sweets will be auctioned off in a silent auction that ends at 10 p.m.
Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, Jr. serves as honorary chair of this year’s Relay for Life event.
For more information on the St. Charles Relay, visit www.events.cancer.org/rflstcharlesla or contact Joey Rando, American Cancer Society Development Representative, at (504) 219-2294 or Joey.Rando@cancer.org.
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Challenger Baseball players will be the stars of the show on Government Access Channel 6 starting this week. Tune in to see video of the league’s final game of the season, featuring our parish’s most special athletes and their buddies.
The three-and-a-half minute video is available anytime on the St. Charles Parish You Tube channel, www.youtube.com/stcharlesgov.
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Don’t forget about this year’s Independence Day Celebration to be held at the West Bank Bridge Park July 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at dark, and they’ll be food, fun and music for all to enjoy.
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