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Thanks to its decades of productions in Abbeville, what the Abbey Players has meant to the community is clear.
This year, that impact is being recognized as Abbey Players is the focal point of the official Abbeville Christmas ornament. And for the first time, the ornament is clear.
Abbeville Main Street Director Charlene Beckett said the ornament’s clear design represents what Abbey Player has and continues to offer.
“I see it as a crystal ball,” Beckett said. “Abbey Players offers creativity, entertainment and drama. The ornament is like a crystal ball with endless possibilities. Going to Abbey Players for so many years, you see things that evoke different emotions, but it’s always creative. It’s one of our creative assets in Vermilion Parish.
“That’s what his ornament represents.”
The ornament can be purchased for $18 at Brasseux’s Hardware and the Depot.
As she has since its inception in 2003, local artist Jeannie Comeaux created the artwork for the official city ornament.
“She always does a wonderful job,” Beckett said.
The ornament is released around this time each year, in tandem with the annual Abbeville Christmas Stroll, which will be held this Thursday. The stroll will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the event will span the downtown area.
During the Stroll hours, you can pick up Stroll cards from participating locations. These cards can be stamped at each location you visit. Once you have collected all the stamps, you can turn in the completed card for a chance to win one of three gift baskets.
“The Christmas Stroll is an excellent way to learn about what downtown Abbeville has to offer,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett said. “From retail shops to local organizations and restaurants, plenty of places will be open for the Stroll. Make sure to bring the whole family!”

The Vermilion Catholic Eagles will not be returning to the Superdome for a second year.
The No. 5 ranked Riverside Academy Rebels knocked the Eagles out of the Select Division IV playoffs with a 34-7 win in wet conditions.
The game was paused for a 90-minute lighting/rain delay with 1:04 remaining in the first half and the Rebels leading 21-7.
VC’s only touchdown came with 5:15 left in the first half when safety Ross Dartez intercepted a pass and ran it back 60 yards.
VC’s offense failed to score a touchdown, marking the first time since the 2021 season when Abbeville shut out the Eagles 43-0.
Despite the loss, VC head coach Broc Prejean expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments, which included reaching the semifinals and finishing with a 12-1 record. The team only had 27 players for most of the year.
The Rebels (12-1) advance to the Division IV Select Finals to face Southern Lab, who defeated defending state champs Ouachita Christian on Friday night.
This is the first time Riverside has reached the semifinals since 2017. In 2016, they won the Division III state title and were runners-up in 2015.
Prejean praised the Rebels’ execution of their offense and defense. He said, “They were what we expected and more. They had a terrific game plan. The ball did not bounce our way.”
The Eagles had opportunities to score more points, but a fumble and interception dashed their hopes.
Riverside head coach Lee Rousell credited his players, particularly the offensive line, for controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
He also praised his defensive line for limiting big plays by VC’s quarterback Jonathan Dartez.
Rousell said, “All of the credit goes to our players. When it mattered the most, our offensive and defensive line stepped up.”

The Vermilion Catholic defense has a tough task ahead of them for the second consecutive week as they take on one of the state’s best running backs.
In the previous week, the Eagles faced Chad Elzy, a prolific running back from Ascension Catholic who had 2,600 yards rushing.
Elzy ran for 230 yards in the game, but the Eagles still won to advance to the semifinals of the playoffs.
The next challenge for the Eagles is the Riverside Academy Rebels (11-1), who are ranked fifth. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. in Eagle Stadium, with the winner advancing to the Division IV Select Finals on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 at tonight’s game.
Riverside Academy Rebels are a running team who rely on their junior running back, Dedric Lastie, who is just 5-foot-4.
Lastie was formerly a wide receiver but moved to running back this year and has done an excellent job. Lastie ran for 219 yards and scored three touchdowns in the last game, leading the Rebels to a 26-14 win over St. Martin’s.
Lastie accounted for 29 of the Rebels’ 32 carries.
“He is electric,” said VC head coach Broc Prejean. “He is a guy who can go 70 or 80 yards on one run. On film, he reminds me of Blake Saddler (former Abbeville High running back). He is built low to the ground. He just keeps fighting for yardage.
“It is going to be a tough challenge.”
Lastie is blessed to run behind one of the best offensive lines in the Division IV. Their average size is 6-1, 220 pounds.
The Rebels finished the regular season with a 9-1 record, with their only loss being to Class 2A Newman (33-7) in Week 2. Since then, Riverside Academy has won nine straight games.
In the regular season, the Rebels scored 63 points once, 55 points three, and 40 points four times.
In their last two playoff games, however, the Rebels have only averaged 20 points per game.
In their second-round playoff game, the Rebels narrowly escaped with a 14-12 win over No. 12 Catholic Point Coupee. Last week, the offense scored 26 against St. Martin’s.
Vermilion Catholic has also put up impressive numbers in the regular season. The Eagles scored 57 points once, 40 points four times, 30 points thrice, and 20 points twice. In the playoffs, the Eagles have scored 49 against Delhi Charter and 39 against Ascension Catholic in their two wins.
With tailback Tyjah Williams out for the season after a knee surgery in Week 10, junior quarterback Jonathan Dartez is expected to carry the football load for the Eagles.
Dartez carried the ball 30 times for 183 yards and scored four touchdowns in the last game, including a 68-yard touchdown run. Throughout the year, Dartez rushed for 1,822 yards in 12 games.
Although many people may have forgotten, the Eagles can also throw the football.
Dartez has thrown for 1,530 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 88 passes in 141 attempts. Ross Dartez leads the team in catches with 28 for 554 yards, followed by Jyrin Bessard (14-321 yards) and Hudson Hebert (14-99 yards).
Prejean said this summer the Eagles have worked on their passing game and it is paying off.
“It is a consistent part of our offense,” said Prejean. “Dartez has completed almost 70 percent of his passes.”
Others with catches are Ethan Landry (8-103), Dane Richoux (9-108), and Jonathan Dartez (5-112).
On defense, Allen McLain is the leading tackler with 75.5 (56 solo, 39 assists) and 4.5 quarterback sacks.
Other leading tacklers on the team are Ty Williams (31 solos, 28 assists), Joe Langlinais (33 solos, 32 assists, 2.5 sacks), William Simon (32 solos, 32 assists, 5.5 sacks), Phillip Summers (29 solos, 11 assists, 2 interceptions), Jyrin Bessard (32 solos, 7 assists, two interceptions), Ross Dartez (20 solos, 3 assists, 2 interceptions), Ethan Landry (18 solos, 29 assists), and Gabe Boudreaux (17 solos, 21 assists, 2.5 sacks).

A home going celebration honoring the life of Billie Faye Briggs will be held at the Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church, 822 I.J. Joiner Street, Abbeville, LA on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11 a.m. with viewing beginning at 9 a.m. Bishop Mideate Derouen will be officiating the services.
Sis. Billie Faye was called from labor to reward on Saturday, November 25, at our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, LA. She was born on November 25, 1954 to Mrs. Beulah Wright and Mr. Randal Small ,Jr. in Abbeville, La. “Faye” as she was affectionately known, was reared in Abbeville. She attended Abbeville High School and received her cosmetology degree from Gulf Area Technical School.
Sis. Billie Faye loved culinary arts and was willing to serve the community in various charitable events, free of charge. One of the very last things that she did was to help, along with fellow church members, serve a meal to people in this community.
Sis. Faye was a very active and faithful member who genuinely loved her church and her church family. She served under the leadership of Pastor Michael Wright Sr. and Bishop Mideate DeRouen. Capacities that she served in include: mission teacher, Sunday School teacher, in which she had the gift of delivering a message that made those who heard it feel the love of Jesus Christ which did not leave them feeling condemned. She was not at all ashamed to proclaim the word of God or let others know about His goodness.
Billie Faye leaves to cherish many memories her dedicated husband, Larry Briggs; her devoted daughter and best friend, Laticia Wright Landry and her husband, Brian of Abbeville; her affectionate and adoring son, Shannon Wright and his wife, Shemeika of Houston, TX; her loving spoiled daughter, Tomiko Wright Ladkin and her husband Marcus of Many, LA; her kindhearted son and protector, Shane Wright of Austin, TX; and loving son, Shaun Wright of Lacrosse, Wisconsin; her beloved “Big Brother”, Willie Lee “Billy Joe” Wright; her uncle, Mr. Donald Small, Sr.; her Godchildren, Lisa Boudreaux, Precious Guidry, Chris Cockrell, Kendall Guidry and Deja Alfred; 13 grandchildren, Charles Sr., Joycelyn, Shannon Andre, Dillion, Tomiko “KoaKoa”, Brandon, Javelin, Summer, Torien, Jayci, Brian, Samantha, Marneshia, Jamarques, and Janice; 14 great grandchildren, Charles Jr., Charlyse, Charlea, Chamiyah, Charlee, Makenzi, Romele, Paisley, Messiah, Makari, Ariella, Jalen, Noah and Charlie, a special cousin, whom she loved as her own, Erinn Batiste and her husband, Patrick; and her Greater Pleasant Green Family. Sis. Faye’s memory is also cherished by the countless individuals who called her Mom or Momo. She will definitely be missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Beulah Wright Darby, Randall Small. Jr., her former husband, Melvin Fallin, her brother, Stanley Wright, Jr. and her Godson, Jonas Mitchell.