Spring planting at community garden begins

Local officials and residents celebrated the start of the second year of planting spring crops at the Community Garden, next to the Swamp Pop Museum on Railroad Street Wednesday afternoon. After the opening ceremonies, children, assisted by adults, planted squash, okra, bell peppers, melons and other spring crops. Among the participants were Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, attorney Greg Vidrine and Evangeline Parish School Board Superintendent Toni Hamlin. The Rev. Darwan Lazard, pastor of Ninth Baptist Church; and Fr. Jason Vidrine, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Rev. Lloyd Antoine, pastor of St. Luke Baptist Church in Vidrine blessed the garden before planting began. As the children began preparing the garden for planting, and then planted the crops, they were guided by nutritionist Melody Coco and Stephanie Elwood, with Southern University. Coco said in the fall, cauliflower broccoli, lettuce, beets and turnips will be among the crops that will be planted in the fall.