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For the ninth year in a row, Chalmette High School (CHS) seniors have been named as Posse Scholars. Recently, Anna Nguyen and Kai Williams were notified that they had been awarded this prestigious, four-year scholarship — each valued at over $250,000. Nguyen will attend Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) while Williams will enroll at Tulane University this fall.

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The St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community, Inc. (SBVFC) held its annual Christmas Luncheon and Fashion Show on Dec. 3 at the Maumus Center. This SBVFC’s major fundraiser and all monies earned go toward four scholarships for graduating seniors who are residents of St. Bernard Parish, as well as a Nunez Community College Scholarship. This event will also allow for donations to St. Bernard Parish non-profits. A delicious lunch was provided by Jeanfreau’s, and All About Me, Aniston Lane, and Classy Chaos provided the outfits that the models sported.

The St. Bernard Volunteers for Family and Community Inc. (SBVFC) members recently gathered for a Christmas Lunch and Gift Exchange in the Sicilian Room at Rocky and Carlo's Restaurant. At the meeting, the group celebrated the grant from Operation Merry Christmas Endowed that allowed SBVFC to donate toys and food baskets to needy families at the 13 St. Bernard Parish Schools. SBVFC thanks Tommy from Rocky and Carlo's for singing 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and for letting the group hold their meetings in the Sicilian Room.

I hope all of you had a good Christmas with your family and friends. My Christmas Eve began with going to my friend's, the Reginelli home. Both Darryl and his wife Angela are Italian and have a long tradition of classic Italian cooking in their household. It started with 10 antipasto dishes. There is always a little break from the traditional, Louisiana oysters, fried and grilled with Drago’s sauce. The main dishes were delicious, marinated squid with lots of fresh garlic, parsley, onion, and olive oil, followed by cioppino which is scallops, clams, mussels, and shrimp smothered in a rich tomato sauce served over pasta. After all the delicious food came desserts with a tiramisu, a rich chocolate cake, and cannolis. It was a feast not to be forgotten. The meal was great but only second to the warm friendship of the Reginelli family and friends. Three generations of athletes were present; 1950’s, 1970’s, and 2020’s. Yes, there was a St. Bernard connection at the gathering with Coach Reginelli who is now in his late 80s. How did he connect? Back in his college days, his roommate was none other than retired Tommy Warner of Nunez Community College. They are still very close friends today, having long conversations on the phone and occasional lunches. What a pleasant start of the night it was with the whole big Reginelli four-generation family.

As we approach New Year’s Day and the beginning of 2023, we must take the time to be thankful for all that we have and trust that 2023 will prove to be a better year than 2022. Firstandforemost,wemust all hope that the war raging in Ukraine will come to an end so that those poor people can enjoy some rest and peace.

After several recent columns about my relationship with Jerry Lee Lewis, several readers have written to ask what I found so appealing about living in Ferriday, Louisiana. I think it’s more the slower pace of living in a rural area.

25 YEARS AGO • Nicholls State University held its fall commencement exercises on December 12. Among the 443 graduating students who completed coursework in the summer and fall semesters were Anthony M.