A long-awaited project vital to the community is underway.

Wednesday afternoon’s groundbreaking for the first phase of renovations to the Bayou Teche Museum’s Doc Voorhies Wing was an emotional, uplifting and meaningful event in downtown New Iberia. The wing, which is adjacent to the museum, has generated a lot of excitement, as evidenced by the crowd on hand for the ceremony.

The first order of business in the renovation of the wing is to complete a balcony over the sidewalk in front of it.

“We’re very excited about this project. We can at least get started and show everyone we’re moving forward. It’s been a real blessing,” Bayou Teche Museum Director Marcia Patout said during the event.

It’s all about growing and prospering, according to Iberia Cultural Resources Association Director Cathy Indest, who deeply appreciated the money donated for the project by Mike Maraist, one of the local museum’s many patrons. Indest noted the Doc Voorhies Wing was purchased after Donald “Doc” Voorhies delivered the seed money for such an acquisition. Maraist’s donation sealed the deal to go to work.

“I think I’ll have many more tears of joy before it’s all over. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Doc and Mike and Naomi (Mike Maraist’s wife) have a special place in my heart,” Indest told the crowd of about 50 people.

Maraist said, “It’s hard to tell (Indest) no, recognizing the great passion she had. It’s helped me reconnect with New Iberia, where I’ve had so many friends and business interests, so I’m happy to be a partner.”

Among those in the crowd was former Louisiana governor and Iberia Parish native Kathleen Blanco, whose governor’s desk will be the first exhibit in the Doc Voorhies Wing. That exhibit should be finished next year, Indest said.

“Kathleen is one of our own. She has broken so many glass ceilings and I don’t know if all of us really even realize everything that she has done. I just hope we can make you proud,” she said.

Blanco said, “I think it’s  many-splendored thing. Raymond (Raymond Blanco, her husband) and I never left New Iberia emotionally. We are so grounded and rooted here and we love to see what’s going on and be a part of it.”

Our museum is becoming more and more of a centerpiece for New Iberia. Thanks to all of the dedicated men and women who have gotten behind it over the years to push it forward.

Patout is spot on. The museum is such a blessing.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR