LaPlace – The River Region Arts and Humanities Council held its General Membership meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. at RRAHC’s office located at 301 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace. The General Membership meeting was attended by over 100 RRAHC members or grant recipients. 2010 RRAHC President Judy Mackles called the meeting to order and Sue Friloux, RRAHC – St. Charles Parish United Way liaison presented the 2010 officers and board members, the 2011 officers-elect and the 2011 board members. Thanks for their years of service to RRAHC were given to outgoing Board Members, Sylvia Hebert (2008), Carolyn Mattison (2010) and Carol Weber (2009). New board members Charley Hall from St. Charles Parish and Cindy Ordeneaux and Carol Bourgeois from St. James Parish were introduced. RRAHC presented the Louisiana Artist Association represented by Audrey Giardina, vice-president, with the 2010 Angelus Award.

At the end it’s General Member–

ship meeting, the RRAHC Board of Directors and its members recognized and awarded the 2011 grant funding to several local River Parishes organizations. Judy Mackles and Sharon Kell, representing the RRAHC Grants Committee, presented 36 grants or sponsorships totaling $31,000.

2011 Officers and

Board Members

Officers

President Judy Mackles

Vice President Harold Flynn Jr

Secretary Brenda Birner

Treasurer Sharon Kell

Board members

Paula Adams Ates, St. John the Baptist Parish

Paul Aucoin, St. James Parish

Mary Hotard Becnel, St. John the Baptist Parish

John Black, St. John the Baptist Parish

Brenda Braud Birner, St. John the Baptist Parish

Carol Bourgeois, St. James Parish

Sandra Chaisson, St. Charles Parish

Angelique Daigle, St. Charles Parish

Randy Desoto, St. John the Baptist Parish

Jane DesRoches, St. John the Baptist Parish

Robert Fisher, St. John the Baptist Parish

Sue Friloux, St. Charles Parish (United Way Liaison)

Harold Flynn, Jr., St. John the Baptist Parish

Audrey Giardina, St. Charles Parish

Charley Hall, St. Charles Parish

Betty Haydel, St. Charles Parish

Sharon Kell, St. James Parish

Judy Mackles, St. John the Baptist Parish

Cindy Ordeneaux, St. James Parish

Trish Salbador, St. John the Baptist Parish

Marilyn Smith, St. John the Baptist Parish

Judy Songy, St. John the Baptist Parish

Vicky Tamplain, St. John the Baptist Parish

Rick Treuting, St. Charles Parish

Marilyn Vicknair, St. John the Baptist Parish (State Partnership for the Arts)

2011 Grants and Sponsorships

St. James Parish

Gramercy Elementary School:

“The Jungle Book” Kids Musical, Crystal Casaroti

St. James Parish Library:

“Summer Reading Program,” Margaret Simon

Paulina Elementary School:

“An Afternoon of Art,” Lucy Craig Kennedy

Sixth Ward Elementary School:

“African American Heritage and Arts Festival,” Dellina Dennis Fernandez

Sixth Ward Elementary School:

“Poetry Out Loud Program,” Tiwanaha Washington

St. James Parish Career and Technology Center:

“Cajun/Creole Day,” Rachael Schexnayder

St. James Parish Talented in Music:

“Almost Anything Goes,” Cherise Soignet

Oak Alley Foundation:

“Arts and Crafts Festival,” Debra and Zeb Mayhew Jr.

St. James Gifted Center:

“Box Camera Project,” Lynn Bolding Poissot

Crazy ‘Bout History:

“Gone But Not Forgotten” Program, Connie Donadieu

St. James High School:

Poetry based on “Memories of the Old Plantation Home and Creole Family Album,” Jen Laurent (Carol Weber accepted)

St. John Parish

Ascension of Our Lord School:

“Debris Art,” D’Neil Figuero and Karin Douroux

Emile C. Watkins Elementary School:

“Discovery in Music,” Toni Robinet

Riverside Academy:

“Irish Art Festival,” Dr. Rhonda Perkins

St. Joan of Arc School:

“Missoula Theater Performances,” Suzanne Cupid

John L. Ory School:

“The Young Audiences,” Margaret Meynard

St. John the Baptist Parish Library:

“History Unfolds,” Roberta August (Randy De Soto accepted)

St. John the Baptist Parish Library:

“Adella, Adella – The Storyteller,” Roberta August (Randy De Soto accepted)

St. John the Baptist Parish Library:

“Calliope Puppet Theater,” Roberta August (Randy De Soto accepted)

St. John the Baptist Parish Library:

“Komenka – Dances of the World Performances,” Roberta August (Randy De Soto accepted)

St. John Theatre:

“Replacement of Lights,” J. Sterling Snowdy

West St. John Elementary School:

“Exposure to Cultural Experiences,” Janet Kinzy

St. Charles Parish

Community Chorus of River Parishes, LLC:

“Purchase stools for members with standing difficulties,” Virginia Riecke and Barbara Forshag

Destrehan High School Choir:

“Purchase Music,” Michael Townsend, Brandon Robinson and Stephen Weber

Destrehan High School Band Auxillary:

“State Competition,” Michael Townsend, Brandon Robinson and Stephen Weber

Destrehan High School Talented Art Class:

“Two Concerts by Bridget Bazile,” Michael Townsend, Brandon Robinson and Stephen Weber

Hahnville High School:

“Open Arts Studio,” Terry Linder

Harry Hurst Middle School:

“The Wiz Production,” Karl Harrod

River Road Historical Society:

“Spring Heritage Day,” Angela Matherne

River Region Ballet, Inc.:

“Performance of The Nutcracker” Venue Rental, Heidi Schindler

River Region Drama Guild, Inc.:

“Annie” Venue Rental, Henry Sorbet

Scared Heart of Jesus Elementary School:

Musical Production “Dear Edwina, Jr.,” Phyllis Hale

Louisiana Artist Association:

“Summer Art Classes For Childern,” Audrey Giardina

St. Charles Borromeo School PTO:

“Hurrican Café Project,” Mary Schmidt

St. Charles Art Guild:

“Art Sessions at the New Library,” Laurie Abadie

St. Charles Borromeo School:

“King Arthur’s Quest,” Stephanie Laurent (Mary Schmidt accepted)

St. Charles Parish 4H Performing Arts Club:

“St. Charles Has Talent Show,” Kali Zammit (4H Agent and Jonas Augustine, 4H Leader)

2010 Angelus Award

RRAHC presented the Louisiana Artist Association with the 2010 Angelus Award. This award is presented yearly by RRAHC to honor a person or an organization in the River Region that sustains support or influence through patronage or participation in the arts, champions preservation of local arts, humanities or culture, contributes to increased understanding and appreciation of arts and humanities in the River Region and utilizes the arts and humanities in an inspired, creative manner.

Audrey Giardina, vice president of LAA was present to accept the award. The Louisiana Artist Assoc–

iation was selected because it serves as an umbrella organization to enrich the quality of life in Louis–

iana through the promotion of the arts of Louisiana artists and the preservation and enhancement of state culture. LAA also assists its members by exhibiting and publicizing their work in a dignified manner. LAA also provides its members with exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and product tours.