Ron Sovine Outstanding Citizen

Being a part of the community means more than just living it, according to Ron Sovine, this year’s Outstanding Citizen of Jeanerette. Sovine will be honored by the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce along with other achievers in the community on Feb. 6 at the Ward Eight Recreation Center.

Although Sovine did not grow up in Jeanerette, he found Jeanerette to be the perfect community for him when he moved to it in 2001.

“It’s historic and on the Teche,” he said. “I like waterways. I’ve always lived in a small town even when I lived in Dallas and Houston. I never liked big cities.”

 Shortly after becoming a resident, he decided to take an active role by helping in the community through his volunteer efforts.

 “I would like for Jeanerette to grow and be a better place to live. I like to do what I can to make that happen,” Sovine said.

Sovine said he was honored and humbled to be chosen as Jeanerette’s Citizen of the Year but added that “there’s a lot of deserving people in this town.”

He encourages everyone that lives in the community to help it grow and become a better place to live. Sovine has many goals for the city which he hopes to help it achieve.

“I want to see Jeanerette become a Main Street community,” he said. “I want to see the historic district become a thriving economic entity. I would also like to see Jeanerette go into the 21st century with Wifi and available free hot spots down Main Street.”

Sovine said that Jeanerette was the perfect place for citizens to live and work because of its location between Lafayette and Morgan City.

 “It’s an ideal location for people who work,” he said. “People who are used to commuting 20 to 30 miles would find Jeanerette attractive. It could be a bedroom community because property is inexpensive.”Growth of the city, is something that city leaders should address and become more aggressive on to grow the city’s tax base, Sovine added. He also said that Jeanerette is ideal for small businesses.

 “Jeanerette has a lot of walk up customers and people that don’t drive. Small businesses whose main emphasis is walk up customers would capture those that want to shop locally,” Sovine said.

Sovine has been an outstanding member of the community serving in various organizations for many years. His inspiration and drive has led the city to expand towards historic preservation and economic development. Sovine has recently been one of the organizers of the first Jeanerette Live community event to bring recognition to the city along with a bonding of the civic, public and nonprofit organizations. His achievements have included serving as a certified local government coordinator for the City of Jeanerette.

Sovine also serves as chairman of the Jeanerette Historic Advisory Commission where he has been a commissioner since 2005 to aid in the preservation efforts of the Historic District.

Sovine has served on the board of directors of the Jeanerette Bicentennial Park and Museum for over two terms where he has helped the museum with technology and also worked towards the development of the new Historic Jeanerette Walking Tour.

Sovine is also a dedicated member of the Jeanerette Landmark Society where he has served on the board of directors since 2011 and has held the office of treasurer. He is also serves in the Jeanerette Historic Preservation Foundation and can often be seen helping at many fundraisers for various non profit organizations.

Sovine is currently employed as an I.T. Consultant for the Oil and Gas Industry and was employed as an I. T. Professional by Atlantic Richfield Company.

Sovine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science degree in computer science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Woodlawn High School of Baton Rouge and is married to Elizabeth Bourgeois Sovine. The couple has three children and two grandchildren.

Signpost to Freedom

The Jeanerette Museum is hosting a public film viewing of the one hour documentary, Signpost to Freedom: The 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The film, produced by  Louisiana Public Broadcasting, recounts the circumstances and events that led to the nation’s first large-scale boycott protesting segregation and then examines its impact on the evolution of grassroots civil rights activism across the country during the early years of America's Civil Rights Movement. For more information on this free film viewing, contact the museum Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 337-276-4408, visit their webpage at www.jeanerettemuseum.com.

State Museum Exhibit Arrives

The Jeanerette Museum is hosting the traveling exhibit, The World Will Move: Civil Rights & Public Transportation in Louisiana 1860s-1950s from Jan. 26 through March 20. The exhibit from the Louisiana State Museum uses vintage photographs, prints, newspaper articles and artifacts to tell the story of African Americans who challenged discrimination on streetcars, steamboats, trains and buses.

Museum Opens Time Capsule

Jeanerette Museum Board Chairman Andre Rosamond and Vice Chairman Gail Garcia hold the time capsules that were dug up during the museum's celebration, Yesterday's Tomorrows held on November 9, 2014.
The time capsule had been buried for 10 years. The museum also opened a local exhibit, Jeanerette Through Photos, 1900-2000. The exhibit remains on view at the museum. Also during the day, the museum celebration included music by Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue.

Museum Dedicates Presentation Room

Museum Dedicates New Room
The Jeanerette Museum recently dedicated its new Presentation Room, connected to the annex building. The new room will be used to host local exhibits, talks, and other presentations. On hand for the ceremony were various members of the Jeanerette Museum Board, past and present, community leaders and the public. Shown cutting the ribbon are Andre Rosamond, Museum Board Chair; Gail Garcia, Museum Board Vice Chair, Katie Landry, Iberia Recreation; Phaedra Perkins, Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce; Mayor April Foulcard; Alice Bodin, Jeanerette Chamber officer; Leroy Jones and Freddie Migues, Iberia Parish Recreation Board members and Oscar Vargus, Jeanerette Beautification Committee.

Cooper Street Coffee Now Open

A love of small town life and a good cup of coffee led to one local couple opening an unique coffee house in Jeanerette. Anatole and Jennifer Robin Larroque opened Cooper Street Coffee to give the community a place to gather.

"We like coffee and we thought we needed a meeting place and gathering place in town," Anatole said. The new coffee house opened recentedly in the historic Louisiana Public Service Company building. The building was lovingly restored to keep true to its historic features. All the windows were reopened  and the original beams were sandblasted. The coffee house features a full commercial kitchen and tables that were crafted by a local wood worker from reclaimed cypress boards. The lumber industry was part of Jeanerette's early history and the little details to restore the building have made it a true showplace.

The building has been owned by the Larroques for over ten years and was used for storage until the idea of opening a coffee shop came into action.

"We researched coffee shops a couple of years ago but what we found wasn't what we wanted to do," Anatole said. He explained that most coffee houses are in college communities and didn't quite fit into the small city atmosphere of Jeanerette. The Larroques decided that they wanted to open a coffee house that would appeal not only to working people but to people of all ages that enjoyed gathering for good conversation.

The new coffee house will serve fresh brewed coffee, cappuccino, latte, mocha, expresso, tea, homebaked biscuits and pastries.

"We serve premium coffee," Jennifer said. "Coffee beans are from small batch roasters that get beans from all over the world. They try to find the best beans." "Everything is fresh," Anatole added.

Cooper Street Coffee is currently open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors open on Saturday at 7 a.m. and on Sunday at 10 a.m. Future plans will include special events, and acoustic music.

"We hope others will reinvest in our community," Anatole said. "It's beautiful here. It's what you make of it. I like small town life."

The Larroques hope that more businesses will locate in the city and are looking forward to hearing the stories that will be told in their new home, Cooper Street Coffee.

Paddlers Arriving for Annual Paddle Event

Paddlers attending the first Sugar Mill Paddle sponsored by the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce ten years ago have made their way back each year.  Through the years, paddlers from 40 states and over 10 different countries have visited Jeanerette and our local waterways. As many as 200 paddlers a year, enjoy the culture of our area, the natural beauty, and the waterways surrounding Jeanerette.

Members from the first group from Texas have stayed in Jeanerette each year to attend the spring paddles that are held in the southern part of the state.

This year these paddlers along with new paddlers will once again enjoy paddling in Louisiana as Paddle Scenic Louisiana is held. Paddlers still have time to join in the April event. Paddle Scenic Louisiana will be held from April 7 to the 13 to give Louisiana visitors an opportunity to enjoy Louisiana's waterways, environment, and cultural activities whether coming for a week or a few days. This year's event will travel in the Atchafalaya Basin, Grand Avoille Cove, Bayou Teche, Bayou Portage, Yellow Bayou and other areas. The paddles are free of charge providing that participants have their own boat, equipment and supplies. Paddling experience is also required.

To join in the event email needtopaddle@yahoo.com for an entry form and information.Paddlers planning to participate in this year's event are from Florida, Wisconsin, Texas, and Mississippi. Local paddlers from Louisiana are also expected to attend.

Those attending the weekday paddles from April 7-9 will experience paddling pass antebellum and historic homes, sugar mills and cypress trees while enjoying the native birds and wildlife. This group paddle is self supported and free to join in however you must provide your own boat, paddle equipment, food, snacks and camping supplies. Tent camping is available at a private home on the bayou or paddlers can stay at a local bed and breakfast or one of the many hotels within a ten mile area. The paddle trips are between 10 and 15 miles with longer trips available. Paddlers are also invited to attend a special history film event on Louisiana dancehalls being held on April 9 at the Jeanerette Museum so they may learn more about the culture of our area.

The fun continues as part of the Bear Festival on April 11-12 as paddlers paddle part of the historic Bayou Teche and the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Entertainment, food and restaurants will be plentiful. Canoes are available to rent for the Bear Festival Paddle at a small fee on a first come, first serve basis. For Bear Festival information visit www.bayoutechebearfest.org. For more information on any of the paddle events email needtopaddle@yahoo.com.