I read in the paper, the Teche News, that of all the St. Martin Parish schools, only 3 showed improvement in the percentage of students achieving Mastery in grades 3-8 in ELA, Math and Science and I’m proud to note that Stephensville Elementary was the best of the three. Stephensville Elementary and Pierre Part Elementary, both the best of the best in their respective parishes are, at least around here, and are considered local schools. I don’t suppose you could call them “family” schools, but in a sense that’s what they are. The center of their communities, almost like a family. They are both strongly supported by the local communities. Whatever. Congratulations to Stephensville Elementary, the principal and all the staff and faculty.
Despite the heat, the Belle River boat landing seems a busy place lately. Lots of sport fishermen. I have seen no sign of this in the spillway, but I can say that for the first time in years, people are catching blue crabs in Belle River. So far, I’ve seen only little crabs, probably not legal size, but it’s exciting to see any crabs at all. Many years ago, and I don’t recall how many, I fished for crabs in Belle River catching nice, big Blue Crabs. I don’t remember if the crabs were being caught in the spillway at the same time but the ones in the river were beautiful.
Someone has put traps in the river right in front of my house. I assume they’re for crabs but all I’ve seen is the large, styrofoam floats, quite a few pretty close to the middle of the river. I probably have just missed the fisherman, but have not seen anyone run those traps in several days. I don’t know any rules for crabbing but sort of thought a fisherman should ask permission before putting a trap right in front of someone’s house. I’m only saying that because whoever put these traps out never asked me if it was ok and a friend who has a camp right here had planned to put his own traps out with my permission, and now the space is occupied. A river I suppose belongs to everyone in this case.
Anyway, it’s nice to know that there are crabs in the river again after all these years. Maybe they’ll get bigger.
It is so miserably hot lately. I take the dog to the landing for a little exercise but don’t stay long. She pretty much just sniffs about a little then lays on the concrete pavilion floor where it’s a little cooler.
My sister in Michigan says it is hot there also and my Tennessee daughter says the same at her home.
Oh, I heard on NPR that Louisiana has some of the highest home insurance rates in the country. A newscaster said the cost of insurance was probably going up and many people could have to pay $14,000 to get any insurance for their home. I assume that’s a big house, He also said the number of people who were dropping their home insurance was increasing by a large quantity.
I watched some of that TV show on Hurricane Katrina and NOLA. It was pretty awful. The mess In the Superdome with thousands of people sheltering there was horrible. And on the overpass. It showed one woman who was forced to leave her home at gunpoint even though she insisted her house was high enough and wouldn’t flood.
More hot weather ahead then maybe some rain. I welcome both in case one brings the other.
Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@ gmail.com.
