Crazy Talk:
We get many press releases here at the office but we don’t have room to run them all, especially if they are not directly linked to Evangeline Parish.
However, some of these press releases are interesting and for worthwhile causes, such as this release about a campaign to save Louisiana’s wetlands.
“The America’s Wetland Foundation today launched a three-month long contest for Louisiana’s school children designed to increase awareness of the importance of saving Louisiana’s wetlands.
“The art, photo and essay competition, entitled ‘Keep Your Eye on the Prize,’ will encourage students across the state to consider the value of Louisiana’s coastal wetlands to their own lives, their state and their country.
“The competition is being coordinated with schools and the LSU AgCenter, sponsor of the Youth Wetlands Week, March 31, to April 4. Louisiana students will learn lessons about Louisiana’s wetlands and some will participate in wetland renewal projects at neighboring wetland sites. The 21 Americorps members of America’s Wetland Conservation will coordinate education and volunteer events statewide.”
The contest, in which students, grades four through 12, can submit an essay on why coastal wetlands are important or artwork or photos depicting the importance of the wetlands, began February 15, and will continue through May 15.
There will be nine winners named at the end of the contest and each will receive a $500 grant for their classroom/school to be used toward a wetlands restoration project.
For more information on this worthwhile project, or to enter the contest, visit www.americaswetland.com/contest.
Another item of note, at least I thought so, was the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association’s Youth Outdoor Journalism Contest.
This contest is sponsored by Safari Club International with support from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
This contest also includes essay and photography categories and is intended to spur interest in outdoor journalism in the youth of Louisiana. All entries must be postmarked no later than April 25, and winners will be announced 45 days after that date.
The essay contest is broken up into age groups, with seniors consisting of 14-18 year olds and juniors consisting of 13 years old and younger. The subject of the essays should be about personal experiences related to the outdoors and between 300 and 1,000 words in length.
The photography contest is open to all contestants, 18 years old and younger. Photos accepted are original, unpublished photos in color or black and white in sizes of four-by-six inches, five-by-seven inches or eight-by-10 inches. All photos should be mounted on an eight-by-10 poster or mounting board.
First place winners will be published in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries magazine. First place winners will also receive $200 in cash. Second place winners will receive $150, third place will get $100 and honorable mention will receive $50.
All entries must be sent to LOWA, Advocate Educational Services, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821. The entries must also include the contestant’s name, age, school, home address and telephone number at the top of the first page of the essay or attached to the back of the mounting board of the photos. Participants that want to have their entries returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope.
In more local news, a large Fuselier International Invitational Reunion is being held June 27-29, at Cajun Palms RV Resort in Henderson. Registration fee is $5 for little cousins five to 18 years old and $10 for adults.
Coordinator of the reunion Johnny M. Fuselier said, “I came up with this idea of an international event about two years ago. The seed that grew in my mind started from an observation. Taking photographs of Fuselier tombstones for genealogical purposes in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Mamou, I realized some of the Fuselier graves were in need of attendance and maintenance.
“The next step was a natural progression. When a man discovers a problem, he naturally seeks a solution to correct it. My first idea of a solution was to call all Fuseliers in the local telephone directory and ask for their assistance in cleaning the clan tombs.
“The ultimate solution of my fertile mind came up with this solution. Why not have a Fuselier reunion!”
Resort fees are discounted for campers and cabins, but it must be stated up front that you are with the Fuselier Reunion to receive the discount. For additional details, visit www.fuselierfamily.com and www.cajunpalms.com.