Tammany Family

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Little Theatre of Covington 1938-1941

In the late 1930's and early 1940's, one of Covington's most active groups was the Little Theater of Covington. It brought together a large number of theater-oriented enthusiasts. This was 15 years before the coming of Playmaker's Inc.

It all started in December of 1938 when a frequent visitor to Covington decided to donate towards the building of a Fellowship House. This prompted the organization of a Little Theater of Covington to take advantage of the new location in which to present plays. Miss S. J. Reeder was a key founder in putting together the Little Theater group

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and more readable.

It's goal was to develop local talent. Tickets would be sold on a subscription basis.

The local newspaper began promoting the success of the group, encouraging readers to buy the membership subscriptions.

Interest in the endeavor continued to increase.

The first night at the theatre opened on February 27, 1939

The gala event brought in 200 people. Members of the cast included Mrs. J. L. Smith, Norma Addison, Eugene Matranga, Leo Matranga, and Harry O'Brien.

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The group started to offer one-act "Workshop Plays" to maintain interest in between big productions.

Directed by E. L. Ganucheau, the second production was quite popular. Cast members included Elsie Galatas, Wallace Bornet, David Elmer, and Jules Bagur, with Mrs. Dalton Barranger designing and painting a "beautiful" drop curtain for the production.

The Little Theater group met regularly to discuss upcoming plays and make plans for the future.

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First year closes with considerable success

Interest in theater activities was climbing, and even a "Children's Little Theater" was proposed for the area.

But the Little Theater organizers had to remind patrons that it was not in any way connected with the "Children's Little Theater" promotions.

To keep interest high, the Little Theater started bringing in productions by the Baton Rouge Community Theater Players.

Members of the Little Theater of Covington began attending regional "drama festivals." The effort was well-received with Covington pleased that it was being so well represented.

Special acting classes were offered to those interested in taking part, helping them to develop their talents on stage.

Members of the Little Theater were called upon to contribute their talents to a community-wide benefit raising money for the USO Program.

Mentions of the "Little Theater of Covington" completely vanished in later editions of the newspaper, signaling perhaps that the start of World War II had caused it to disband.

Links of Interest:

History of Playmakers

Playmakers Inc. Origins

Playmakers Backstage

https://www.northstartheatre.org/

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Wreaths Across St. Tammany

The "Wreaths Across America" program took place December 13, 2025, with ceremonies at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell as well as several other St. Tammany area cemeteries.

Wreaths were placed at each gravestone in Slidell's
Veterans Cemetery

Hundreds of people turned out for the event in Slidell, with dozens of volunteers, many of those from youth groups, helping to distribute the 3,516 memorial wreaths throughout the gravesites. Danielle Palen, Director of Communications for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, emceed the program.

She explained that the Wreaths Across America program was not meant to just decorate the graves of deceased American veterans, it was to remember their sacrifices. She urged participants to "say their name" when visiting the individual gravesites.

Family members converged upon the cemetery in Slidell from all across the Gulf South to take part in the ceremonies. The Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is one of the largest such cemeteries in Louisiana and is the fastest growing. It opened in June of 2014.

Here are some photographs. Click on the pictures to make them larger.

A special wreath was placed for each branch of the military service

Hundreds of people turned out for the Slidell event, including Parish President Mike Cooper, District Councilman Jimmy Strickland, and Lane Carson, president of the St. Tammany Veterans Foundation. Also attending was Secretary Col. Charlton J. Meginley, USAF (Ret.) of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs was the honored guest for the occasion.

From left, Strickland, Cooper, Carson, Meginley, and Palen.

At far right is Kori Luther, Administrative Coordinator for the cemetery.

Also on hand were Veteran Assistance Counselors Krystal Tagaloa and Patrick Duhe who were there to answer questions. The US Veterans Affairs also brought the Mobile Medical Unit out with information about their healthcare programs.

Also attending were Shawn Hanscom, Communications Director for Senator Bill Cassidy’s office, and Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal.

The ceremony opened with a motorcycle escort of wreaths being brought into the cemetery. It was performed by the Patriot Guard Riders, local Slidell chapter.

The honor guard of the local Civil Air Patrol presented the colors.

The Opening Ceremonies followed the unpacking of hundreds of wreaths.

Dozens of volunteers helped unpack and distribute the wreaths throughout the cemetery in Slidell.

A number of youth groups were also represented, among them American Heritage Girls Troop 2013, Boy Scouts Troop 119, Cub Scouts Pack 21, Boy Scouts Troop 351, Girl Scouts Troop 30033, and the Mayfield Elementary Elite Squad. Among the civic organizations taking part in the event were Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Sisters of Royalty, the Salmen High School JROTC, the Northshore High School JROTC, the Slidell High JROTC, Cub Scouts-Pack 21, Girls Scout Ministry, Girl Scouts 30033, the Knights of Columbus, the Civil Air Patrol (St. Tammany and Slidell Composite Squadron) the United States Air Force Auxiliary, the Patriot Guard Riders, the Northshore Honor Guard, and Combat Vets 64.

The local Boy Scout Troop was on hand

The local Knights of Columbus group provided an acapella chorus of patriotic music. They are shown above with Parish President Mike Cooper at the left and Col. Charlton J. Meginley, USAF (Ret.), Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, at the right.