S

ome thoughts about items in the local news in recent days:

• Congratulations to the Jeanerette Museum that this month is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The museum was crowded with visitors this past Sunday, there to celebrate this significant anniversary of its opening. Heck, being 40 years old qualifies the museum as its own real part of Jeanerette’s history.

It was particularly of interest to read that one of the catalysts for the establishment of the museum was a grant available back in 1976, to help communities celebrate the nation’s bicentennial.

Instead of using the grant money for a one-time fireworks display and maybe a bigger parade to celebrate that special Independence Day, the money was used to purchase the property on which the museum now sits. Later a house was moved onto that property. After a whole lot of work to get and keep it open, the museum can now look back at 40 years of helping locals and visitors get a glimpse at the history of the community.

Congratulations to the Jeanerette Museum, its founders and supporters, for putting that grant money to work in 1976 and having it still paying dividends 40 years later.

• They’re not saying low, they’re using the word “empty” to describe the shelves on which the inventory of blood is kept for United Blood Services.

A story in Tuesday’s Daily Iberian said the shortage of available blood has things at a critical state due to high usage of the inventory combined with a slow down in donations.

There’s usually a drop in donations during the summer but it’s worse than usual and the situation is now serious. “As soon as we are getting (blood) to the hospitals, they are giving it to patients,” said a Blood Services representative.

If you, a family member or friend needed blood, you’d hope it was available. It won’t be, unless people step forward and donate it.

Locals can donate every Monday at Iberia Medical Center from 3-6 p.m. at the mobile unit outside. You can check for other donation opportunities by visiting unitedbloodservices.org and putting in your zip code and get directed to nearby donation options, or you can just call 337-235-5433 for information on donating blood or about the process.

The call for help sounds serious. Please consider donating blood soon and helping replenish the local supply.

• Congratulations to former Catholic High track standout Morgann LeLeux who just missed making the U.S. Olympic team as a pole vaulter, coming in fourth in a tough competition for one of the three spots on the team.

No doubt she’s disappointed to come up just short of making the team, but she is the official alternate, ready to step in should the need arise.

Congratulations to Morgan on her strong performance and great finish in the Olympic trials. It would have been great to have a local in the Olympics but it’s darned impressive to have her finish fourth among such elite competition.

Waytago!

WILL CHAPMAN

PUBLISHER