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August 14, 1933 ~ April 15, 2026

ABBEVILLE – Funeral Services officiated by Pastor Jeremy Cupp will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Vincent Funeral Home – Abbeville, honoring the life of Carolton W. Vaughan, 92, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 15, 2026. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery.
A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., Abbeville, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. until the time of services.
Carolton was born on August 14, 1933, to Leslie Herbin Vaughan and Rosella Vincent Vaughan in Pecan Island, LA. Carolton was a devoted husband and father. After his tour in the military (Army), he met his wife Annie and they made their home in Abbeville, LA. His career path led him to the oil industry. He worked for Odeco/Murphy Oil for over thirty years. He enjoyed hunting gators and fishing the many waters of the South Louisiana. He continued to enjoy fishing after retirement in his own pond he had on his property. He really enjoyed his many trips to Champagne’s Grocery for their yummy biscuits. He will be missed by his family and his special friend (dog) Honey.
He leaves to mourn his children, Vanessa V. Naquin; Randal J. Vaughan and John K. Vaughan. His grandchildren, Shannon V. Feehery (Matt); Angelina V. Hebert (Ryan) and Jared K. Vaughan. Also his brother, Dusty Vaughan; his sisters, Nesta Vaughan and Bonnie V. Campbell and her husband Chris.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty five years Annie Grace Meaux Vaughan; his parents, Leslie H. Vaughan and Rosella Vincent; his daughter, Nanette Ann Vaughan; his son in law Rodney G. Naquin; his siblings, Regina Vaughan; Winnie Pearl Vaughan; Doley Vaughan; Violet Lois Vaughan; Holly Vaughan; Darvin Vaughan; Leslie Mills Vaughan; Victor Royce Vaughan and Stanford Dale Vaughan.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

An Abbeville man has been arrested in connection to the death of 44-year-old Nicolette Menard.
According to Abbeville Chief of Police, Javen Richardson, 33, of Abbeville, faces a charge of second-degree murder.
On March 30, the Abbeville Police Department responded to the report of a death at the Courtyard Apartments located on Coulee Kinney Road in Abbeville. Upon arrival, officers found the Menards’ body, lying on the floor of her apartment with multiple stab wounds to her body.
The Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office was notified, and shortly thereafter, Menard was pronounced dead at the scene. A homicide investigation was initiated, and Abbeville Detectives began to process the scene and canvass the apartment complex along with surrounding areas for evidence.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division added more manpower and assisted Abbeville Detectives in identifying a suspect.
During the investigation, detectives received information placing Richardson at the scene around the time of Menard’s death. He became the main focus of the investigation, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Richardson for the charge of Second-Degree Murder.
Detectives believed Richardson left town in an attempt to avoid prosecution. The Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force was called in to assist with the investigation. Abbeville Police Detectives communicated with Louisiana State Police and received information that the suspect traveled out of town but had returned to Abbeville.
On April 13, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office located Richardson at a residence just outside Abbeville city limits. He was arrested and transported to the Abbeville Police Department, where he was booked on an active warrant for Second Degree Homicide. Richardson was then transported to the Vermilion Parish Corrections Center.
Hardy would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Police, the Abbeville City Marshal’s Office, and the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
Hardy would like to commend his department for a job well done.
Hardy urges the public to provide any information regarding this crime or any other crime by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511. You may also contact our “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion by calling (337) 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or at Google Play Store.

MAURICE — Signs of growth, especially residential, are evident throughout the town of Maurice.
After all, Maurice did receive recognition earlier this year as the fastest growing town in Louisiana. With that, officials are working to make sure that rapid growth doesn’t outpace the town’s infrastructure.
A big step in the direction took shape this past week, with the construction of the town’s second water tower. The tower is located near the new water treatment plant on Beau Road.
“It’s very important to stay on top of our infrastructure as the growth keeps coming,” Mayor Neil Arsement said Thursday morning. “This is just part of it. The tower gives us water pressure. If something happened to the first tower, we could be in trouble. We will now have a back up if something were to happen.”
The $2.5 million project is being funded through a Louisiana Water Sector Program grant. The new water tower will hold 250,000 gallons compared to the 150,000-gallon capacity in the original tower, which is located on the north side of Maurice.
“That gives us more capacity,” Arsement said. “If something happens, at least we are sitting on 400,000 gallons of water as a backup.”
This move also allows for better access to maintenance. Once the second tower is online, Arsement said the first one can shut down for a short time to conduct any necessary work.
“If our old one needed service,” Arsement explained, “we couldn’t shut it down without any disruption. We can now swap from tower to tower when we have to have them inspected and cleaned.
“This gives us a lot more flexibility.”
The view of roof tops has certainly expanded across Maurice. Arsement estimates about 1,600 single-family residences currently within the town limits, with the population around 3,600. However, those numbers will both grow in the next few years.
“It’s not stopping,” Arsement said. “We have several subdivisions that are not completely built. We have another coming up right now. I just met with another guy yesterday. They are going developing a little over 100 acres.”
Along with the water system, officials are planning for other improvements to match that growth.
“You absolutely have to be proactive,” Arsement said. “I met with (Congressman) Clay Higgins. I’m actively seeking a sewer plant expansion. We’re not at capacity, at all, but a project like that takes three to four years. If we sit on our hands, we can reach a point where we outgrow what we have. I want to keep up with the growth. I’m actively looking for $8 million, and that looks promising from the feedback that I’m receiving.
“We’re going to continue to be aggressive when it comes to looking for funding, especially with us being announced as the fastest growing town in the state.”

The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, annually April fete, is in full swing as you read this article. February through April is considered prime season. Boo and I have been to the fest when there were no strawberries, just a good time. New varieties have lengthened harvesting season. With fresh strawberries, treat choices are amazing with strawberry ice cream, strawberry cakes, muffins, and pancakes to name a few. There are strawberry daiquiris, martinis, and margaritas. Local antique stores and street artisans abound. Last time we went, I bought a large, beautiful red bowl that holds fruit and snacks on our kitchen counter. Lucious berries were available at the supermarket lately, sweet and ready to eat but grown in California. Louisiana varieties should be available soon.
We plan on taking I-12 going home from Augusta hoping to buy a crate of strawberries along the way. Hopefully I can bring some fresh ones home to my brother Myron, who needs a treat to help him deal with a health problem.

LAYERED PEANUT BUTTER DIP

Great treat for peanut butter lovers

INGREDIENTS

-8 oz cream cheese, softened
-1/2 cup peanut butter
-1 cup Marshmallow Fluff
-1 cup powdered sugar
-1/2 tsp vanilla
-Pinch salt
-Melted peanut butter.

MISE EN PLACE

-In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, Fluff, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
-Transfer dip to an attractive correct-sized bowl.
-Place sliced strawberries over dip, optional.
-Drizzle with melted peanut butter.
-Fresh or canned fruit are good “dippers.”
The ones that are friendly to peanut butter are pineapple chunks, green or red grapes, bananas (ask Elvis), kiwi, cantaloupe, and whole strawberries.
Crackers always make good dippers, especially if you decide to add the sliced strawberries to the dip. Ritz crackers, Sociables, Cheez-It Bigs, Nut-Thins, Wavy Potato Chips are just few choices. These all produce that salty/sweet flavor that is so good.

LAYERED SWEET DIP

Lovely dessert
Dip with cookies of your choice

INGREDIENTS

-2 1/4 cups whole milk
-1 (3.9 oz) package chocolate flavored instant pudding and pie filling
-1 (24 oz) package no-bake cheesecake filling ( such as Philadelphia)
-2 cups chopped or crumbled brownies
-2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (16 oz) container
-2 cups heavy whipping cream
-2 tbsp vanilla extract*
-2 tbsp powdered sugar or to taste, optional
-1/2 cup maraschino cherries with stems
-2 tbsp shaved dark chocolate, from 3.5 oz
70% cacao chocolate candy bar

MISE EN PLACE

-Whisk milk and instant pudding mix together in a large bowl until dissolved, about 2 minutes.
-Set aside until thickened, about 5 minutes.
-Spread cheesecake filling in an even layer in the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch square glass inches.
-Sprinkle crumblef brownies next.
-Spread thickened pudding mix over cheesecake filling.
-Arrange chopped strawberries in an even layer over brownies.
-Beat cream, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer in a large bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
-Spoon whipped cream mixture over strawberries, or just buy Cool Whip Extra Creamy.
-Arrange cherries over whipped cream.
-Sprinkle with shaved chocolate.
All of the cracker choices listed under the Layered Peanut Butter dip will work here.
*I’ve made a similar dip, but 2 tablespoons of vanilla sounds like too much to me. Two teaspoons seem better to me, although vanilla is not my favorite flavoring. Sometimes vanilla is necessary; if not I use almond extract.

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

A welcome favorite
Good as a meal or side salad

INGREDIENTS

-10 oz bag fresh spinach in produce department
-Small bag iceberg lettuce or Romaine*
-2 1/2 cups quartered strawberries
-1/2 cup roasted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or your nut favorite.**
-4 oz Feta, blue cheese, or goat cheese***
-Small sliced red onion****
-Dressing of choice

MISE EN PLACE

-Chop spinach into bite-size pieces. I like finely chopped.
-Chop iceberg or Romaine into similar sizes.
-Toss greens together.
-Add strawberries.
-Sprinkle nuts over salad.
Suggested salad dressings are several choices; Brianna’s Poppy Seed Dressing, Marie’s or Marzetti’s Spinach Salad Dressing, or vinaigrette such as apple cider, balsamic, or raspberries. These are well-known popular dressing for spinach salad. Your own favorite dressing may work, but these mentioned marry the spinach and the strawberries.
*A spinach salad purist would frown on mention of another salad green. Adding another lettuce makes the salad base of spinach a little easier to chew without radically changing the flavor.
**Roasting the nuts provides flavor and aroma that enhances the popularity.
***These pungent cheese ingredients are prevalent in spinach salad dressings.
Boo doesn’t eat any of this, so my spinach salads are single serving size.
****In researching, I found several recipes that include onions. Add the onions right before the strawberries. I have not included them, but I like raw onions. Maybe I will try that, but cutting up an onion for such a small amount is not my habit. Boo always buys frozen onion for cooking.

STRAWBERRY SOUP

Great appetizer for ladies luncheon

INGREDIENTS

-5 cups quartered strawberries
-1/4 cup sugar
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 cup sparkling wine, such as prosecco
-Place strawberries in a blender. I process about 3/4 of strawberries and leave some quarter. I like to chew my food.
-Sprinkle with sugar or salt,
-Process until smooth.
-Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
-Stir in prosecco just before serving, or add to bowl of each person at their preference of amount of bubbles.

Masters Week has been an annual trip for Boo 33 years now, only skipping the Covid year when no spectators were allowed. I’ve been at least 20 times, and since I don’t have Boo’s energy, only half the week is on my schedule now.
I’m finishing up this missive en route to Augusta Thursday morning. Weather app says temperatures are in high 40’s, which is chilly for me, but highs in the mid 80’s are expected Saturday and Sunday.
It’s a beautiful sunny drive to Augusta this morning. Coy, my chauffeur, is a careful driver and a great conversationist. It’s a very pleasant trip.

Jusqu’a la semaine prochaine!

billielandry@iosinces,com