Baja St. Martin

Despite the forecasts lately, we haven’t been getting a lot of rain. Each day this week has begun with a lovely sunrise and generally a dry evening. Belle River is still and smooth. By mid-afternoon, there are a few showers but so far (knock on wood) no huge downpours. I did notice, however, that the spillway water level has risen a little.
One of the places the dog and I settle during our walks is right along the spillway where I can sit close to the water and she can chase sticks. Yesterday as we approached that spot, a medium-sized alligator leaped into the water from the bank making a huge splash and scaring the dog. It doesn’t worry me, but I will take care in the future to make noise as I come to that place.
Perhaps I should be concerned that “someone” is peeking over my shoulder as I write, but I’ve just gone through an upgrade to Windows 10 that I did not want and am pretty sure I didn’t agree to. In my ignorance I didn’t know for sure what to do, but luckily for me, when it was all over, apparently all installed, it asked me to either accept or decline. I mashed that decline tab and thank goodness (should I be knocking on wood here?) my computer got rid of all the new stuff and put back on my original Windows 7. I’ve learned that maybe I was also lucky that the “original” wasn’t Windows 4 or something else! I don’t understand how things like this can happen and it’s ridiculous that I feel nervous just writing about this!
I’m keeping busy with all the closing ceremonies at Stephensville Elementary and Pierre Part Primary and Middle. I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be glad when this week is over. Gone are the days when you graduated only from high school and college. I think it’s nice to recognize the children for their achievements during primary and middle school, but all the closing exercises do sort of detract from what used to be the grand finale.
The next bingo in Belle River will be June 7 at 10 a.m. On May 26, friend Grover Angelle will bring the Food for Seniors to Stephensville and Belle River. On that same day, Cora Derouselle from the Council on Aging will come to update her records – addresses, phone numbers, medications, etc. If you’re interested in applying for a job as a homemaker, sitter or visitor with the COA, come on that day and I’ll give you an application. Hopefully, by the end of June there will be someone to provide those services, especially in the Stephensville and Four-mile Bayou areas.
I’m sad to hear that Elward Stephens of Stephensville is not well. He’s such an amazing man. A WWII veteran, in his early 90s now. He landed with the troops on Anzio Beach in Italy in the early l940s and endured some pretty awful conditions.
Also, Charlotte Ratcliff, the recreation chairperson, tells me she has pretty much settled with a company to install a ceiling of some sorts to solve the acoustic problem in the Belle River meeting room. I’ve told you how awful the acoustics are in the building, especially to people wearing hearing aids, so it will be great to have that issue solved. Then we can get to expanding the parking lot, finishing the walking trail and other features of the Belle River park.
The Belle River Community center can be rented for parties, showers, etc. If you’re interested, contact me or Charlotte for details.
I watched a kindergarten class today put on a performance of “The Three Little Pigs” for their parents and they were so cute. But in my mind I was silently saying I’m so glad I never taught little bitty kids!

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lindacooke1939@gmail.com.