Looks like another beautiful day coming. Pretty chilly but the sun is shining and my phone says high 70s with low 80s the rest of the week. I would love to get out and walk on the levee but have to participate in an event in Napoleonville that the parish hospital is putting on—a Halloween Bash I think it’s called. There is no reason why the Friends of the Library need to be there but we, the board, try to be present at as many things as possible, just to show our face.
Fortunately for us, the FOL, the parish library director Leonore Carter is very easy to work with and welcomes the Friends in their support. Hasn’t always been that way.
A strong Friends of the Library group can make a big difference if they so choose. I’ve read the history of the Assumption Parish Library and now that I think of it, maybe I should read the history of the St. Martin Parish Library, also. Assumption Parish wasn’t big on books for a long time. Education wasn’t a priority in the old days. But that changed. I’m wondering what it was like in St. Martin Parish.
Sadly, from what I hear, libraries everywhere are not prioritiy anymore. Too many other ways of communication. TV, computers, phones, and all the rest. Yet a library still provides a lot for many people. I know that’s where I go when I have phone problems or want to find a particular book.
The Belle River Community Center is a busy place these days with renters and yoga and Food for Seniors and election. The walking trail is almost always in use until well after dark at times. There was a guy practicing his putting on one small section of the yard one day. And a lot of people meet there, car pool, walk the trail, sit on the benches and of course, use the bathrooms. It’s really the only place to make a short stop between Belle River and Stephensville unless you know someone to use their yard.
Now that I don’t drive after dark anymore, I depend on the generosity of friends to get places in the evening. On my road, Levee Hwy, there are no streetlights and really no lights at all except house windows which aren’t too visible. People who have dropped me off at my house after dark have had trouble seeing my driveway so I finally bought two reflective triangles - orange and yellow - and have them mounted on short stakes which are pounded into the ground on either side of the drive. I now have discovered that both markers are set too far back from the road and you can’t see them until it’s almost too late to turn. I had thought if I put them too close to the road they’d get run over but I now realize I have to move them a bit closer. At least by the mailbox. If that gets hit the signs won’t be of much use anyway.
When I first put the signs out, my dog had a terrible time. She would stand in the yard, barking at them and even now circles warily around them. But they do help. Now I just need to stand my mailbox upright. It is leaning a bit.
I think I am ready for the Nov. 3 election Those propositions are terribly hard to understand but I’m sure of most. I guess we’ll see how things work out.
Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@
gmail.com.
