School chief salutes unsung heroes

When the Zachary Community School District employees gathered for a pep-rally-type assembly before students returned to class last week, Superintendent Warren Drake took time to recognize two unsung heroes of the system, Cornell and Murlee Smart.

The Smarts are custodians at Copper Mill Elementary, where a roofing project was under way a few weeks ago. Not expecting rain overnight, the contractor left a portion of the building without a full covering.

When the Smarts realized that a cloudburst was hitting Zachary, they got out of bed in the wee hours of the morning, went to the school and started doing what they could to prevent further damage inside the building. They moved equipment, mopped up water and started cleaning the rooms. They decided not to disturb anyone else’s sleep, but took it upon themselves to limit the damage, Drake said.

Then the superintendent added a tidbit of information that makes the story more remarkable: the Smarts live way out in Simmesport, but drove all the way to Zachary on a hunch that their services were needed.

Lunch and learn

Lane Regional Medical Center will have a free “lunch and learn” program at noon Tuesday, with Dr. Stephen Jones talking about ways to prevent “weekend warrior” injuries, such as sprains, strains and other problems. The program is geared to people who lead a sedentary life during the week and possibly overdo it on the weekend in a sport or other activity. Sound familiar?

The program will be presented in the hospital’s staff development classroom. A free light lunch will be served. Advance reservations are required; call (225) 654-LANE (5263).

Art exhibit

Frances A. Durham, a native and resident of Clinton, is the exhibiting artist at McKnight’s Gallery on St. Helena Street in Clinton. Peaceful landscapes and bright florals are key themes of the show. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Zachary award

The Louisiana Municipal Association gave Zachary an honorable mention for community achievement during the group’s convention earlier this month. The award was presented in recognition of the city’s decision to initiate its own sewer collection system rehabilitation efforts.

Polos and pearls

Shops in St. Francisville’s historic district will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 for “Polos & Pearls,” formerly called White Linen Night.

Celebrating the approaching end of summer, the businesses will be open late for leisurely shopping. You also may sample refreshments along the way and enjoy music at several locations.

McHost Road program

A program on the McHost Road widening project will be presented during a special edition of “The Community,” a television program that discusses local issues and topics, at 6 a.m. Saturday on WBRZ-TV.

The program will be rebroadcast during the regularly scheduled program of “The Community” at 4 p.m. Saturday on WBTR-TV, Cox Cable channel 19.

To submit news about Baker, Zachary and the Felicianas, call James Minton at [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]. Deadline: noon Wednesday.