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ain Street event
(Photo Courtesy of Downtown Ponchatoula Revitalization Program)
Getting festive in
Downtown Ponchatoula
Two events this Saturday
Special to The Times
The Downtown Ponchatoula Revitalization Program is hosting two events this
Sat-
urday, December 12. Last year, the program hosted their first everSweet
Treats on
Main Street, an event that brought over 1,000 people to downtown.
Due to the COVID-19
pandemic, program di-
rector, Faith Allen, has
had to modify the event
to make it more COVID-
friendly. Instead of hand-
ing out sweets at each
Shep, eyen‘t goers will have
the Opportunity to win one
big Sweet Treats basket!
Anyone who spends $10
or more at a dewntown
shop will be entered to
win the gift basket, which
was generOusly donated
by Berry Town Produce!
In addition, throughout
the week, Allen will share
some favorite treatswreci-
pes from last yea'f’so you
can make the desserts in
the comfort and safety of
your, own home. Sweet
Treats on Main Street is
scheduled for this Satur-
day, December 12 from
10a.m.— 4p.m.
During the modified
Sweet Treats on Main
Street, the Downtown
Ponchatoula Revitaliza-
tion Program will also
Hickory Street
histor I .
be hosting a chalk walk
called Deck the Streets
from mam-11.29111- This
is a" FREE event. How-
ever, Allen is asking that
participants pre-register
on the program Facebook
or website to reserve their
spot. All participants will
receive a cup of chalk
and a map of designated
chalking stations. Busi-
nesses have offered spaces
in front of their shop for
children to create their
art. Allen will be stationed
at the Ponchatoula Infor-
mation Center near the
Country Market distribut-
ing chalk cups.
“If you know anything
about Ponchatoula, then
you know we are passion-
ate about Christmas! Be-
tween our Lighting and
other holiday events, Pon-
chatoula residents and
visitors always come out
to celebrate Christmas!
However, COVID-19 has
impacted how we cele-
brate this year. Yet, this is
not stopping us from cele-
brating in a safe way! Our
2020 Christmas Lighting
was a huge success! It may
have not looked the same
as past years, but we still
had a great turnout. We
are hoping that these two
events will do the same.
Both Sweet Treats and
Deck the Streets will al-
low for social distancing.
We ask that people' still
follow the current safe-
. ty. .measures that are in
place. Come out and cel-
ebrate the holidays safely
in Downtown Ponchatou-
la!”, said Downtown Pon-
chatoula Revitalization
Program director Faith
Allen.
Editor and
Pubfisher
hospitalized with
coronavirus
'YEAR NUMBER 10 50
By JIM PERRI
Historian and Educator
(Part four in a Series)
Continuing our stroll down East Hickory Street, we
have came to the southeast corner of that street and
No . h Fifth Street. _
0 our right, fac1ng
Street is the offices
of the Benson Dermatol-
bgy Clinic located in the
former home of Edwin
S. and Beatrice Fannaly
Tucker. This well-known
residence was renovated
after Dr. Robert W.‘ Ben-
son acquired the property
and modified the building
Ji Perrin .
to suit the needs of his Educator and historian
and author
practice.
- ., ,, chief law enforcement of-
Edwm Spencer Ed ficer d_d h. father Ed
Tucker, Jr., served for as 1 Is
win S. Tucker, Sr. Marshal
.seat with 62% of votes.
Times Report
Times Editor and Publisher Bryan T. McMahon
was taken via Acadian Ambulance on Saturday night
to North Oaks hospital after complaining of breath-
ing problems.
The publisher has tested positive for COVID-19
but as of publication time was doing much better and
in good spirits saying, “Le Lowry, North Oaks and .
Acadian Ambulance have done a wonderful job in
taking care of me.”
' Please keep up with The Times for updates.
.
Runoff election results
By BRIANNA ELLIOTT
Times Reporter
November’s election resulted in several runoffs.
The results of Saturday’s elections are in.
Luke LetIOW emerged 61% of votes and winning
the Winner of the Fifth the Seat_
Congressional District The Consohdated
An nontraditional tradition
Hundreds of residents flooded the streets on
Friday night to enjoy Ponchatoula's Christmas
lights and shop. Despite the lack of the tradition-
al lighting ceremony, residents were enthusias-
tic about supporting local merchants during this
unprecedented time. (Times Photo by Brianna El-
liott)
vs
OUR PUNCHA TOUZLA
By OLE HARDHIDE
The Alligator
Wshing
Pmchpeniiy
the Pubsher a
1G GET WELL &
599%“ recovery
7?
Can you escape ?
Matthew Barattini, the owner of The Escape
Warehouse, stands with his team preparing to
meet with locals during the Christmas Lighting
on Friday Night. Although the lobby is not com-
plete, the team is excitedly finishing preparations
to open in early 2021. (Times Photo by Brianna
Elliott)
Ponchatoula's latest source
decades as Ponchatoula’s
. 985
1, Email. ads@ Ponchatouiacom
or visit us at ‘
www.Ponchatoulaccmiptimes
cllr'k subscribe
8-1-2877
Ed Tucker (called Chief
of Police Tucker after the
town of Ponchatoula was
officially a city) in his re-
tirement years continued
to work with his daughter
Gloria Tucker Heitman
McCarthy, in their opera-
tion of a home nursery and
floral shop which they had
started about 1940;
Looking across Hickory
street at the opposite cor-
ner we see the law offices
of Parker Layrisson. This
attractive structure, prob-
ably constructed in the
early 1920’s, was the long-
PLEASE SEE PAGE 3
Lance Harris received
38%. Incumbent Pat
Farris emerged Victo-
rious in a tight runoff
against Charles “Bert”
Deliberto for Hammond
City Marshal.
Voters in District 1
also elected a represen-
tative for the Louisiana
Public Service Commis-
sion. The November 30
election resulted in the
run-off between the top
candidates: Eric Skrmet-
ta, who received 30% of
‘votes, and Allen Borne
Jr., who won 24% of
votes. The run-Off result-
ed in Skrmetta receiving
Drainage District No. 1
proposition for a tax re-
newal passed with 65%
of voters saying “yes” to
the renewal of the 5 mills
ad valorem tax. It is es-
timated that approxi-
mately $2,207,626.33
will be collected each
year and used to acquire,
construct, improve, and
implement a Compre-
hensive Master Drainage
Plan within the district.
The Parishwide Prop-
osition for a 1 cent sales
and use tax for four years
also passed with 62% of
the population voting
“yes” for the tax renewal.
of family entertainment
By BRIANNA ELLIOTT
Times reporter
Ponchatoula’s latest addition for family entertain-
ment is opening its doors in 2021! The Escape Ware-
house, located at 400 SW Railroad Avenue in Poncha-
toula, will begin booking games as early as January
2021.
Matthew Barattini, a
Ponchatoula resident, want-
ed to bring a source of enter-
tainment to the city, as there
are very few family-centered
activities available to locals.
The Escape Warehouse
will initially offer one escape
room Within the building,
hosting 6-8 players. Barat-
tiniandhisteamplantoadd
a scenario every 3-4 months
after opening. The partici-
pants Will be thrust into an
immersive experience and
given 60 minutes to find
their way out of the room.
They will also have a mo-
bile unit available, which
hosts three lO-minute es-
cape rooms for 3-4 partici-
pants available for parties
and other events.
QiiD
