TWO SAINTS, ONE MISSION
One saint wasn't enough, and now, 50 years later, the current facilities aren't enough. Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School is marking its golden anniversary Saturday, May 1, with a Golden Gala and Silent/Live Auction to help fund an expansion.
The little school that could sprang up on Lafayette's north side under the good habits of the Grey Nuns of the Cross in August 1959. Everyone liked Ike, and Lafayette's population was about 58,000 souls. SLS began with grades one through four; today it's a bustling Pre-K through 8th grade institution that has spread out near the I-10/I-49 intersection with an air-conditioned gym, a multi-media library and that inimitable Roman Catholic mojo.
SLS students began the school year with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Jarrell, and the school's focus throughout has been "50 years of family tradition." Sts. Leo-Seton recently broke ground and is now constructing a new junior high building, and they're treating Saturday's gala - complete with food, cocktails and music - as a homecoming for alumni and their families. It's also a fundraiser to help get that junior high building up and running.
The Sts. Leo-Seton Golden Gala will be held from 7-11 p.m. Saturday at the Holidome on NE Evangeline Thruway. For information on purchasing tickets, call 234-5510.
PRESERVES FOR PRESERVATION
When better to daub your strawberry jam on a fresh baked biscuit than at the annual Preservation Alliance of Lafayette Spring Brunch. There's a lot to celebrate in the historic preservation world this year. Five properties have been added to the Lafayette City-Parish Register of Historic Properties: the Heymann Food Store, 201 Congress, Art Deco, 1935; the Fournet House, 111 Dunreath, Bungalow, 1919; Nickerson-Chappius House, 613 E. Simcoe, Bungalow, 1931; Circa 1901, 523 Saint Julien, Queen Anne Revival, circa 1901; and the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Exchange, 100 Central St., Italinate, 1927. The brunch, catered by a la carte with music by the Bob Guchereau Combo, is a fundraiser for PAL. There will be a silent auction as well. The shindig takes place on May 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hohorst House, Craftsman, 1905, 112 Azalea St. Tickets are $30 for PAL members, $40 for the general public, call Jeff Larcade, 291-8431, for more information.
BUNKING IT UP
Talk about festivaling it up. New Iberia's Bunk Fest, honoring jazzman Bunk Johnson, lasts an entire month, from Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 30, with lots of events in between. The events take place all over town.
Here's the rundown:
Zydeco Fais Do-Do and Boucherie, Friday, April 30, 2010, 11 a.m. to 6: p.m., Bunk's Plaza, 500 Hopkins St., featuring a zydeco band.
Cool School Jazz, Thursday, May 6, 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., admission $15, Bayou Teche Trading Post, West Main St., featuring Boundless Horizons.
Jazz for Kids, Friday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., MLK Center, 1200 Field St. in West End Park, featuring Lil Nathan.
Jazz and Zydeco Heritage Awards, Wednesday, May 26, 6 to 8:30 p.m., St. Peter St. Branch, Iberia Parish Library, Bunk Johnson Brass Band.
Jazz Pilgrimage Brunch, Sunday, May 30, 8:15 to 10:15 a.m., admission $5 per adult, St. Edward Cafeteria, Porter Street, Bunk Johnson Brass Band.
Pilgrim March and Second Line, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., St. Edward Catholic Church.