LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / December 11, 1999

GARYVILLE – A reception at historic Emilie Plantation, the home of Carl and Geri Baloney, honored Hahnville High School teacher Val Butler and students Thursday for their efforts to save a historic house.

The Davis Nicholas house was rescued from demolition and will be used in a multi-curricular effort to educate students on everything from architecture to history to River Parishes culture. That effort earned forthem the second annual Angelus Award from the River Region Arts & Humanities Council.

Council president Vernon Insley of Luling presented the award, which includes a statue for the school, a plaque to be displayed at the St. CharlesParish Library in Lakewood and a $500 cash award.

“I can’t believe they did all this for us!” one student exclaimed.

In attendance with Butler were students Jessica White, Roch Madere, Alyson Bordelon and Brandi Power, along with teachers Laura Theriot and Corey Rome.

Plans for the house include restoration and preservation at the school, where it will be used by everything from industrial arts to theatre students for various educational endeavors.

The Angelus Award was established last year by the council to recognize the efforts of groups and individuals within the River Parishes, including Ascension Parish, to preserve and enhance local and regional visual and performance arts and humanities.

The event opened with Carl and Geri Baloney outlining the history of the 1880s-era Emilie Plantation house and his family connections to the house, which the couple bought two years ago.

His grandfather had been the “yard boy,” his father the chauffeur and his uncle the “yard man,” for previous owners. The Baloney family tracesancestry back to West Africa and Haiti and has been in the area for 130 years, mostly at Bougere House nearby.

Bougere, Baloney said, was the cradle of the 1815 slave revolt, where slaves marched toward New Orleans but were stopped by a militia group.

The River Region Arts & Humanities Council began in 1995, according to Insley, and works with other historical and arts organizations to enrich art and cultural activities throughout the River Parishes.

Interested persons may contact membership chair Geri Baloney at 535- 2889. Membership categories include individual, family, small businessand senior citizens.

Members receive a quarterly newsletter, and fees are tax-deductible.

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