DANIEL TYLER GOODEN

COOKING UP A STORM

LUTCHER – One hundred men gathered to share breakfast and the testimony of one who had found Christ Saturday morning. The group of men held nothing more in common than their love of Christ, heeding a summons to gather together, share each other’s strength and find a helping hand for their weaknesses. The early-morning breakfasts pop up all around the River Parishes. Though an informal and irregular event, anywhere between 100 and 170 men have turned out of the all-male breakfasts. At 7:30 a.m. in the Lutcher Knights of Columbus Hall, men from St. john and St. James parishes gathered together. A breakfast of ham, biscuits and grits warmed the stomachs of those that attended. The breakfast was cooked by KC cooking team leaders Ken “Wop” Foret, C.J. Brock, Len “Moose” Trosclair and Mel Petit and friends. The team is nationally known in KC cooking competitions. The cooks always come out and do this for free. No matter how many plates or who’s coming, those guys are always willing to help out, said Harold Keller. Outside the kitchen the men filled their stomachs and enjoyed each other’s company. The Rev. Poche played the clarinet while Herman Lemoine played guitar. St. Charles senior Matt Arceneaux sang a variety of songs, including “America the Beautiful.” Keller welcomed the group as they finished their meals. “I never know who is going to be the speaker until five minutes before or five minutes after,” said Keller. He handed the floor over to local Grand Point businessman Danny Louque. “It seems that if your life is in control then Keller aggravates you, giving hugs and all that. If you life is in the trash, then you see that Keller is there for you,” said Louque. The comment was made to introduce C.J. Schexnaydre, a former drug user from Grand Point. Schexnaydre spoke unabashedly about his addiction and the struggle he had conquering it. He joked about how his house was always skipped during Halloween. Schexnaydre recognized the position he put his home town in, and he apologized to the group for his actions. “There’s nothing like sharing your love with another man,” said Schexnaydre. Here, a little love goes a long way, he added. Schexnaydre received a standing ovation from the audience, a group which included his father. “I thought the humility and his apology came across loud and clear,” said Keller. “When men get together just to exalt the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit does miraculous things in families,” added Keller. “The men that come to these meetings do so because they see that with each others support they become better husbands, fathers and men.”