Residential Trash Bash on Saturday, April 23

Staff Reports

The Contraband

The City of Lake Charles and Team Green of Southwest Louisiana—Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful are reminding Lake Charles residents that its annual Residential Trash Bash will take place Sat., April 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Chennault International Airport. Trash Bash is free to all residential customers and aims to encourage citizens to dispose of their garbage properly to ensure a greener, healthier and safer community.

Residents may bring a variety of items for free disposal to this event including electronic devices, products containing mercury including fluorescent light bulbs, all battery types, antifreeze, clothing, sofas, motor oil, and paint – labeled recyclable and reusable latex, oil, white goods, appliances and recyclable items including paper, plastic, aluminum and cardboard.

Items that will not be accepted include chemical household waste, tires, scrap iron, ammunition or explosives; asbestos materials; Freon items; lawn mowers; medical waste; medication; and propane tanks.

The order for participants loading disposable items into their vehicle or trailer should be as follows, from first to last: reusable items (clothing, sofas, other); electronics; trash; all battery types; oil and antifreeze; mercury; confidential papers (shredding), and paint. Paint should be the last item loaded and the first item that will come off the vehicle or trailer.

Directions to Trash Bash: Participants traveling east or west on J. Bennett Johnston Avenue will turn south onto Merganser St. and follow directions to the entry point and keep moving. Once there, they will be directed through the unloading stations. Parking is not allowed on Merganser St.

For more information, contact 491-1481 or email blake.trahan@cityoflc.us. A flyer is available at www.cityoflakecharles.com.

McNeese hosts senior vocal recital

Staff Reports

The Contraband

The McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts will present a free senior vocal recital by tenor Curry Burton, of Lake Charles, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, in Tritico Theatre in the Shearman Fine Arts Annex.

Burton, a music performance major, will be accompanied by Lina Morita on piano.

The program includes: “Adelaide,” by Beethoven; “Bella Nice, che d’amore” by Bellini; “Per la Gloria d’adoravi” by Bononcini; “Fiocca la neve” by Cimara; a set from “Poème d’un jour” by Fauré; “In Native Worth” by Haydn; “En fermant les yeux” by Massenet; “Music for a While” and “Your Awful Voice” by Purcell; two duet pieces by Schumann - “Liebesgarten” and “Liebhabers Ständchen,” - assisted by soprano April Stone; and “Morgen” by Strauss.

At McNeese, he is a member of the Chamber Singers, Men’s Vocal Ensemble, Opera Workshop and Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. He has performed with the Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale, the Louisiana American Choral Directors Association’s Intercollegiate Honor Choir and the Lake Charles Chorus and Orchestra’s annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” for the past four years.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.

Migratory Bird Walk to be held at Tuten Park on Sunday

Staff Reports

The Contraband

On Sunday, April 24 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., a Tuten Park Migratory Bird Walk will take place. Bring your binoculars to this guided bird walk to learn about our spring migrant songbirds that can be seen at Tuten Park. For reservations, please sign up online (bit.ly/tutenmbd16) or contact Irvin Louque at 491-8770 or irvin.louque@cityoflc.us

After their epic 600 mile flight across the Gulf of Mexico, migratory songbirds seek food and shelter in Tuten Park and other woodland habitats across the Gulf Coast, before continuing their journey to the rest of the United States and Canada. Many of the most colorful songbirds we enjoy are among this group of birds. Songbirds rely on fruits, seeds, and insects to refuel during their journey.

Attend this bird walk to learn more about the habitats these songbirds need, the foods they eat, what you can do to provide habitat for migratory songbirds, and the locations in Southwest Louisiana where you can observe them.

You can find out more information about the park at the Tuten Park website: www.cityoflakecharles.com/tutenpark. Like and follow the Friends of Tuten Park on Facebook to keep up to date with this and future events: facebook.com/friendsoftutenpark.

About Friends of Tuten Park.

Friends of Tuten Park consists of private citizens committed to the mission and support of Tuten Park. The Friends of Tuten Park strive to restore and preserve habitat for wildlife, provide interpretive and educational programs to the community, and create support in the extended community for conservation opportunities. Any interested person, organization, or school who supports the mission of the Friends of Tuten Park is encouraged to join.

McNeese piano recital set

Staff Reports

The Contraband

The McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts will present a junior piano recital by Mary Buller of Lake Charles at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, in Tritico Theatre in the Shearman Fine Arts Annex.

The program includes: “Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5” by Dmitri Shostakovich;

“Sonata in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1” by Ludwig van Beethoven; and “Nocturne, Op. 54, No. 4” by Edvard Grieg.

Buller, a piano performance major, is a member of the McNeese Chamber Singers and has been a member of the Pride of McNeese Marching Band, the McNeese Wind Symphony, McNeese Jazz Band, McNeese Flute Choir and McNeese Concert Chorale. She is secretary of Sigma Alpha Iota and is the recipient of several departmental scholarships, as well as the Cassa Hines Milburn Memorial Scholarship and the Josie Basone DiGiglia Memorial Scholarship in Piano.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.

McNeese Spring Concert set

Staff Reports

The Contraband

The McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts will present the Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers and Men’s and Women’s Ensembles in a free spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in Tritico Theatre.

Choirs and ensembles are under the direction of Darryl Jones, McNeese director of choral activities.

The Women’s Ensemble will perform “Kyrie” and “Sanctus” from Imant Raminsh’s “Missa Brevis in C Minor,” featuring Molly Jones and April Stone as soloists, “Dorothy Poems” by Craig Hella Johnson, “No Time” arranged by Susan Brumfield and “Witness” by Caldwell and Ivory. Women’s Ensemble is accompanied by Mark Henry.

Concert Chorale will perform a variety of musical selections, including “Cantate Domino” by David Brunner, “Sacerdotes Domini” by William Byrd, “Verleih uns Frieden” by Felix Mendelssohn, “Havah Nagilah” arranged by Daniel Faktori, “Where Dwells the Soul of My Love” by David Childs and “Brotherhood of Man” from “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” by Frank Loesser. Concert Chorale is accompanied by McNeese student Deborah Castille.

Men’s Ensemble will perform “Gloria” from “Mass for Three Voices” by Francesco Durante, “Dies Irae” by Randall Stroope, “Orpheus With His Lute” by Bruce Trinkley, “The Water Is Wide” arranged by Shelly and Matthew Armstrong, “Stephen Foster Dreams” arranged by Robert Frost and “Shenandoah” arranged by Paul Basler. Men’s Ensemble is accompanied by Henry.

Chamber Singers will present “Musica” by Brant Adams, “Missa Brevis in C” by W.A. Mozart, “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht” by J.S. Bach, “Stars I Shall Find” by David Dickau and “Tambur” arranged by Lajos Bárdos. Chamber Singers is accompanied by McNeese student Andrew Steiner.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.

Jayln Johnson named WBB MVP

Staff Reports

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Senior point guard Jayln Johnson walked away with top honors here Sunday afternoon at the McNeese women’s basketball awards banquet, being named the FE Salter Most Valuable Player.

Johnson, the native of Jennings, Louisiana, also garnered the coaches’ award.

Johnson led the Cowgirls in scoring (15.1 ppg.), assists (5.0), steals (1.5), three-point field goal percent (38.8), free throw percent (88.2). She concludes her playing career as the McNeese’s career assist leader with 550 assists and ranks seventh in career scoring with 1,428 points.

Johnson who earned second team all-Southland and All-Louisiana honors as well as being named to the SLC All-Tournament team, scored in double figures in 21 games and dished out 10 or more assists in twice during the season.

Fellow senior Allison Baggett was awarded the offense award after scoring in double figures in 22 games and averaging 13.9 ppg. Baggett was named to the All-Southland and All-Louisiana teams.

Sophomore Frederica Haywood was presented the Frances T. King Memorial Rebound Award after leading McNeese and ranking third in the conference with 9.3 rpg.

Other awards presented included the most improved award to junior Victoria Rachal. Junior Hannah Cupit was presented the defensive award and the community service award went to junior Amber Donnes.

For the first time in the history of the Donna Bertrand “All I Can Be” award, an award that is normally given to a player was presented to manager April Broussard.

McNeese Softball takes series from NW State with DH win

Staff Reports

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Everything was clicking for the McNeese softball team Saturday as the Cowgirls salvaged the weekend with an 11-3, 14-2 (5 inn.) doubleheader win over Northwestern State to take the series 2-1 to remain atop the league standings with a 30-10 overall record and a 15-3 conference record.

After picking up 10 hits in Friday’s 9-8, eight-inning loss, McNeese picked up a combined 24 hits and scored 25 runs Saturday.

Senior Emily Vincent ended the day going 6 for 8 at the plate with six RBI and scored two runs without striking out. Morgan Catron was 5 for 8 with three RBI and scored four runs.

For the second game in a row, Northwestern State took the early lead with a run in the first inning of the first game of the doubleheader off a solo home run by Micayla Sorosiak. Sorisiak was the hero in Friday night’s win with her walk off home run in the eighth.

Unlike Friday’s game when the Cowgirls didn’t score until the fifth inning, it didn’t take long for McNeese to tie the game at one apiece in the second inning on a RBI sacrifice bunt by Taylor Goree.

The Cowgirls broke the game open with seven run in the fourth, six of which came with two outs to take an 8-1 lead.

Shanice Hagler’s sacrifice fly gave McNeese a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly. Two more runs would come off a single by Marisa Taunton and a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead. McNeese strung together five straight hits including doubles from Tori Yanitor and Vincent that pushed three more runs across the plate to extend the McNeese lead to 8-1.

Northwestern scored added a run in the bottom of the inning when a ball went into the NSU dugout after it flew out of Hagler’s glove at third base trying to make a play, allowing the run to come home.

McNeese scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings that was highlighted by a leadoff solo home run by Vincent in the sixth to extend the lead to 10-2. The long ball was Vincent’s fifth of the season.

The Demons avoided being run-ruled in the bottom of the sixth with a run coming off a Brittney Jones single.

Vincent led the Cowgirls’ 11-hit attack with three hits, two RBI and scored two runs. Drew and Catron both collected two hits apiece. Piancastelli was walked all five times, giving her 46 on the season, one shy of tying the single season record.

Jamie Allred improved to 10-2 on the year with the complete game that gave her 62nd career victory, six shy of the school record. Allred gave up three runs on eight hits and struck out six while walking five.

The Cowgirls began the rubber game with a run in the first inning off a Drew sacrifice fly that scored Taunton for a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Demons took a 2-1 lead in the third inning when Natalie Landry’s two RBI home run hit the scoreboard in right field to give NW State the lead.

Just like in the opening game, it took McNeese one inning to break the game open by scoring nine runs on seven hits in the fourth inning for a 10-2 lead.

Vincent accounted for two of the seven hits and three RBI’s in the inning with a single early in the inning and then her two RBI home run scored the final two Cowgirl runs of the inning. The home run is Vincent’s second of the day and sixth of the season.

Pitcher Rachel Smith helped her caused by knocking in a run as did Taunton with the bases loaded followed by a run after Drew was hit by a pitch. Morgan Catron ‘s double down the third base line also scored a run.

McNeese scored four more runs in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 14-2. Drew picked up two more RBI with a single to right center and a sacrifice fly by Yanitor and a single by Vincent gave the Cowgirls a 14-2 lead.

Smith improved to 7-2 after giving up two runs on four hits in three innings of work. Vincent threw the final two innings and gave up two hits.

Catron and Vincent led the Cowgirls with three hits in the second game. Vincent also had four RBI, as did Drew.

Erika Piancastelli didn’t get any chances to hit today as the Demons walked her every at bat to total nine walks on the day that gave her the season record with her 48th of the season in the second game. After being walked two more times after that, Piancastelli has been walked 50 times this season.

The Cowgirls will host fifth ranked UL-Lafayette in a single game at 6 p.n. Wednesday.