Across the River by Pamela Folse
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS: Thanks for all your comments about the current issue of the St. James magazine. We tried to give our readers an introduction to the people who promote St. James Parish to the rest of the country. Some do this in a big way, and others simply by their position. Some like Petty Pollet have promoting us for many years and some for a short time. The story of Dr. Percy Pierre came to us as a gift. What a blessing to have the opportunity to go and sit with him and talk to the person whom many believe to be the most accomplished person rooted in our parish. Ricky Roussel and his son are commended for continuing the tradition of growing Perique tobacco in our parish. Their new videos and partnership with an out-of-state company are bringing the message of St. James Parish Perique to the world as a blend for pipe and cigar tobacco. While we were working on that story, Mike and Claudette Davis of Vacherie offered to tell us how tobacco was once grown on their former plantation, processed and sold from inside their home. Kenny and Kim Marse are so much fun to be with. Their energy, enthusiasm and hospitality are amazing. I’m convinced that it won’t be long before their front lawn will be filled with visitors on Sunday evenings. (Kim: I’m taking very good care of the green pig.) They love people and people love them. Steven Kodi Brignac is in a great place to greet visitors and welcome back the regulars to his restaurant. What an opportunity to take up the role of caretaker and owner of Nobile’s Restaurant after years of success and serving up great local dishes. Camella St. Pierre Landry, as a member of the parish’s Economic Development Board and the River Parishes Tourist Commission, promote local business within the parish and tourism to the rest of the world, assisted by the staff of the St. James Parish Welcome Center in Gramercy. Parish President Pete Dufresne and Sheriff Claude Louis, Jr. promote the parish every day, no matter if they are out in the parish or away. We thank each of our featured people for the work they do to promote us, business, industry, the school system, parish services and so much more. Thanks to all our readers for supporting our efforts to bring these stories to publication.
