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www.ponchatoula.com/ptimes
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Remembering Robert
Marie Troyer places an ornament on the Jaycee's remem-
brance Christmas Tree in honor of her late husband, for-
mer City Attorney Robert Troyer. The Ponchatoula Poetry
:Society purchased ornaments for its co-founder Troyer and
for member the late Terry Ann McMahon. (Times Photo)
Hanging an ornament for breast cancer victim
is police chiefs honor
Police Chief Bry Layrisson stepped in to place ornaments
on the Jaycee's remembrance Christmas Tree in memory of
a local citizen felled by breast cancer. The chief's mother
has been waging a successful battle against breast cancer.
(Times Photo)
Remembering "Grand Ma-Ma"
Jaycee Christina Rusca assists Lucas and Anna Maria
Sanchez as the children place an ornament on the remem-
brance Christmas tree in honor of their grandmother, the
late Terry Ann McMahon. The ornament was provided by
the Ponchatoula Poetry Society. (Times Photo)
Clubs celebrate Christmas
Special to The Times
Ponchatoula Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs had their annual Christ-
mas party at O'Donnell's Restaurant.
The crowd was festive and Morris, a long time volunteer
enjoyed the music of Eddie Ve- in the city, was awarded a spe-
atch who was accompanied by cial plaque, presented by Pon-
Malcolm Lanius. chatoula Rotary President Wil
Prior to the meal, Mrs. Addle Richardson and Kiwanis Presi-
I I
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010
I
Zabbia Administration gets
clean audit report
Auditors found the City of Ponchatoula in compliance with all
state and federal requirements, the people's finances in order, au-
ditors told the Ponchatoula City Council.
"This was a pretty intense
audit, especially with the fed-
eral funds involved," said May-
or Bob Zabbia, referring to the
huge haul of federal grants he
and his staff attracted, thus
saving the city from financial
disaster in the form of drasti-
cally reduced sales tax income
attributed to the recession.
Instead of layoffs and a lack of
city progress caused by the na-
tional economic crisis, construc-
tion crews are busy on a num-
ber of projects in Ponchatoula
addressing city infrastructure:
drainage, sewerage, sidewalks
and signage- all paid for with
state and federal grant money
won by the administration.
Police Chief Bry Layrisson
sweetened the news at Monday's
City Council meeting with news
of a police grant worth $116,000
over three years to help pay the
salary of an additional officer.
In closing comments at the
end of Monday's meeting Coun-
cilman Vergil Sandifer praised
Zabbia on the "clean" city au-
dit and, in concert with fellow
council members, wished every-
one a Merry Christmas.
In his final comments the
mayor lauded the service of
veteran police officer Mike
McAlistair who is retiring. He
also commended the city's mer-
chants and Chamber of Com-
• imerce on a super successful
Celebration of the Lights and
other downtown Christmas cel-
ebrations.
Ponchatoula Lions Club gifts police and
firefighters with Christmas hams again this year
(Times Photo)
dent Dianne Crim. The plaque
recognized "Miss Addle" for her
many community contributions
over the years; she was also
recognized for her baking abili-
ties. She provides pecan pies
for the annual Kiwanis/Rotary
Thanksgiving dinner for senior
citizens.
After dinner, Tom Fry was
presented a plaque as Rotarian
of the Year. Fry worked tireless-
ly on coordinating the weekly
speaker program as well as
having a constant presence
whenever there was a Rotary
function.
Angelique Daigle was award-
ed the "Addle Morris Commu-
nity Service Award" for her ef-
'forts in many activities in the
'community.
29th YEAR
NUMBER 11 50 CENTS
Judge Kuhn named AOH Member of the Year
Louisiana Ancient Order of Hibernians Member of the
Year Judge Jimmy Kuhn (left) and AOH President Dr.
Martin Kearney are pictured at Sunday's Christmas party.
(Times Photo)
OUR PONCHATO ULA
By OLE HARDHIDE
The Alligator
Though I hate, just hate, to admit it, Ole Pinchpenny the Pub-
lisher has a point. The most painless shopping (and guys, for you
that means last minute shopping) can be accomplished in Our
Ponchatoula best of all.
His series on the Ponchatoula Country Market was spot on. It is
Santa's Workshop South. And the prices can't be beat. The same of
course can, and should, be said about the entire Antique City.
I ask you, what is the point of shopping at a big box store identi-
cal to the ones all over the country where the people you are gift-
ing do their shopping? Here we sit on shop after shop of the most
unique gifts in the nation. And our great restaurants offer gift cer-
tificates which, if you are intending to purchase a wildly flapping
chicken for your favorite alligator, just can't be beat.
I mean, do you think Wally World offers quilling? Ruthie Berner
does, at our Country Market, where you can also purchase excel-
lent examples of fretting, which would leave the folks at Dillards
scratching their heads if you asked to see some samples.
The Landry Family turned out to wish Paradise (now that's a
name for a music-centered tavern in the middle of downtown) a
Happy First Birthday: Mary Ann, Cherry, Ronald "Pooka," Der-
rick, Karen and Becky, to name just a few.
Terry Perrin (Junior and Senior) keep Our Ponchatoula hum-
ming, toe tapping, singing and serenading.
Germany wishes it had the beer selection available at The Pon-
chatoula Pub, which is a good thing, except on nights like Friday
when at least three separate police checkpoints were doing a brisk
business, in town. Suds lovers, move into town and learn how to
walk.
Congratulations to Microters Renee Brown who coordinated a
chauffeur service for her guests on New Years Eve.
But let's get through Christmas first! Ole Pinchpenny must
have got some dust in his eyes the day he said goodbye to grand-
children Lucas and Anna Maria as they boarded a jet for Venezu-
ela for Christmas. Sure, Brendan and Landis' Felicity can get the
Irish smile going again.
She's not old enough yet to march out of the Ponchatoula Cato,
jab an imperious finger in the air an intone "Taxi" like she was in
Paris, France, like her cousin Anna Maria, but give her time.
The Ole Hardhide family is scattered all over the swamps so, if
you are lucky enough to have yours with you, hold them tight, and
wish them and I am wishing you, a very Merry Christmas.
o:
