By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The River Parishes will be awash in the sights and sounds of Disney productions in 2010 if the grants recently handed out by the River Region Arts and Humanities Council is any indication.

The RRAHC officially awarded grants for the new year during its general membership meeting at its LaPlace office this week. Over 30 organizations throughout the River Region received cash awards from the council.

Of the group’s role in the region’s arts scene, Suzanne Friloux, United Way liaison, said in her typically entertaining style, “We don’t produce the oranges. We just get them and squeeze out the juice.”

Among the productions that will be staged by schools and theater groups in the region in 2010 are “Sleeping Beauty,” “Snow White,” “Pinocchio” and “Disney on Parade.”

Additionally, the money will help some groups continue cultural presentations that have been enjoyed in the River Parishes in previous years.

Among these are the Cajun Creole Day hosted by the St. James Career and Technology Center, Black History Month celebrations put on by regional libraries and the children’s art tent at Frisco Fest, scheduled for March 6 and 7 this year.

Fifth Ward Elementary School also will be bringing back a theatrical production that will integrate elements of culture as well as various parts of the school’s curriculum into an enjoyable and unique experience for the students, according to Fifth Ward Principal Kendria Spears.

In addition to awarding the grants, the RRAHC welcomed new board members Angelique Daigle, Frederick Treuting, Brenda Braud Birner, John Black, Jane DesRoches, Carolyn Mattison, Trish Salbador and Vicky Tamplain. The organization’s officers for 2010 were also announced. They are President Judy Mackles, Vice President Robert Fisher, Secretary Marilyn Smith, Treasurer Sharon Kell, United Way Liaison Suzanne Friloux and Partnership for the Arts Representative Marilyn Vicknair. Lastly, the RRAHC bid farewell to board members Monica Joseph, Debbie Kelly, Shea Puglia and Cynthia Aucoin.

A full list of the grant awardees follows:

St. John Parish: Ascension of Our Lord School, East St. John High School, Fifth Ward Elementary, St. John Theatre, St. Timothy’s Pre-school, East St. John Elementary School, Riverside Academy, San Francisco Plantation, St. John Parish Library and St. Charles Catholic High School.

St. James Parish: 3 Ell’s Club, Gramercy Elementary, Lutcher High School Art Club, Paulina Elementary, Sixth Ward Elementary (2), St. James Library, St. James Parish Talented and Theatrical Program, St. James Public Schools and Vacherie Elementary.

St. Charles Parish: Caring Strategies, Destrehan High School Culture Club, Destrehan High School Talented Art Club, Hahnville High School Talented Art Club, Hahnville High School Talented Music Club (2) Workshop and recital, Harry Hurst Middle School, Oldies But Goodies club, RK Smith Middle School, River Region Ballet, River Region Drama Guild, Sacred Heart of Jesus School, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, St. Charles Art Guild, St. Charles Borromeo School and St. Charles School Board.